Durability

[mightyapu]

Hello there

I'm hoping for a little advice. Courtesy of a new job and a little extra income i'm now in the market for a new bike. I've managed to narrow it down to a few, one of which is the 2009 SV650S. Now my intention is it'll be used for commuting as well as accruing a few business miles. What i'd like to know, as i intend to use it throughout the winter, is how it'll hold up in good old fashioned english weather. Particularly as the bike won't be kept in a garage, though it will be kept undercover.

Thanks for any advice you can give.

Additionally, does anyone have experience of the Kawasaki Versys and ER-6N and how they compare to the SV.

Cheers

[fastdruid]

A bit of preparation and it'll do it fine, no bike is good at winter IMO though, all have major (design) problems in comparison to cars.

Druid

[_Stretchie_]

I've heard it said that the paint and general finish is far from good on the Suzuki's. Not had one myself though, I'm sure someone will be along soon to either tell me to STFU or corroborate what I said.

Good on you though. Whereabouts are you?

[shonadoll]

Have to say I would choose another make for a commuter, my husbands Kwak is in much better nick than my sv, despite being washed and cared for less.

I don't commute on my sv, but the quality is rubbish (mine's a 2007) and the bolts are made of cheese.

[hovis]

plus i would not buy a brand new SV to cummute on.

there is an 2007 for sale on here for £2200

[mattSV]

I've heard it said that the paint and general finish is far from good on the Suzuki's. Not had one myself though, I'm sure someone will be along soon to either tell me to STFU or corroborate what I said.

Good on you though. Whereabouts are you?

STFU ;)

He is right though :stupid:

[lee67]

i ride all year round..always have and u wont find corrosion on my bikes, make the time to wash and polish em right'..and use acf50 etc and u cant go wrong..a quick bucket of hot water aint a proper clean;)

[_Stretchie_]

STFU ;)

He is right though :stupid:

See it must be bad... Some people have even changed to British bikes instead of a Suzuki

:smt045

[mightyapu]

Thanks for the comments, i posted a similar thread on svrider and they've said pretty much the same. It's comforting knowing that the engines have a good rep, it's what i was hoping for as i've got 43k on my bandit and its still doing alright.

I've been looking at new bikes basically because i don't have the disposable cash to go out and buy, there are a few 0% finances around and i was hoping to take advantage. Plus, i'll pick up some essential user and mileage allowance in my new post so the bike should pay a good amount itself.

From what i've read both the Kawas and the SV are belting bikes, looks like it may simply come down to what they ride like.

Oh, and i'm from Lancaster.

Cheers

[ophic]

My K3 hasn't been garaged for most of its life, has been commuted on through several winters, and i'll admit i'm crap at keeping it clean. Its gone a bit furry in the usual areas, bolts etc, but is mechanically sound, and still looks good when i do get round to the wash. It's been kept mainly under a cover, and sits in whatever the weather is when i'm at work. I've had it since new and i've got no real plans to replace it yet. HTH

[sv-robo]

Hello there

I'm hoping for a little advice. Courtesy of a new job and a little extra income i'm now in the market for a new bike. I've managed to narrow it down to a few, one of which is the 2009 SV650S. Now my intention is it'll be used for commuting as well as accruing a few business miles. What i'd like to know, as i intend to use it throughout the winter, is how it'll hold up in good old fashioned english weather. Particularly as the bike won't be kept in a garage, though it will be kept undercover.

Thanks for any advice you can give.

Additionally, does anyone have experience of the Kawasaki Versys and ER-6N and how they compare to the SV.

Cheers
Hi there
I've owned an sv(k3)& my mate had an er6n so i rode both.Really nothing to choose between them performance wise although the er was slightly more comfy due to the more upright riding position but the sv was better with wind restriction due to it having a nose fairing.The sv does look more beefier than the er which looks quite small for a 650.The versys is the same engine as the er,just slightly downtuned so not quite as powerful,just a few bhp in it...hth.

[Sid Squid]

Whisper it: The ER6 is better than the SV. And the Versys is brilliant.

[Alpinestarhero]

Whisper it: The ER6 is better than the SV. And the Versys is brilliant.

*whisper* what is the build quality of the versys like in your opinon SS?

[Sid Squid]

*whisper* what is the build quality of the versys like in your opinon SS?
Well the ER6/Versys is clearly built with the same sort of economy in mind as the SV has always had, and so I don't imagine it will be significantly different, but of course they're rather younger just now so it m ay be a little early to say.
To this I must add that whilst many complain about it, I don't think that the SV is any poorer in finish than are most Japanese bikes, there are instances of corrosion that are simply a result of improper build and/or paint etc, but the great majority of rough bikes are a result of neglect, and the owners that complain will be dissapointed with their next bike too, and the one after that.

PS. Talk to Lozzo, he, as I'm sure you know, has a Versys, perhaps he may have an opinion :) .

[Alpinestarhero]

Gotcha. I must say, that aside form a few little things, I'm pretty pleased with my SV. I dont use ACF or anything like that, just wash it down regularly and keep it covered up.

[rob13]

Myself and Lozzo are probably in the best position to talk about the Versys, I have owned one since January and he has had his since March. I've done about 7k on mine to date.

The Versys is a belting bike, so easy to ride, it is pretty effortless to throw it side to side despite it being a high bike. There is plenty of feedback from the front end and I find that you can trail the front brake into the corner without a risk of standing the bike up. There are more and more aftermarket bits for them now to suit whether you wish to tour, or whether you wish to scratch. 60mpg is about average and on a run, often more. 200 miles to a tank is about right but ive had about 210 on one run. Insurance is low and servicing is every 3500 miles

Downsides, I would say are front brake is a bit weak. I have heard that it can be sorted by changing to HH pads which I may consider this winter. I have also noticed that there is some paint flaking on the engine on mine which I'm not pleased about. Its still under warranty so I might try and take this up with Kawasaki.

For mine, I've got a touring screen, KTM Handguards, Heated grips all of which provide a bit of comfort in the colder weather. Weather protection is surprisingly good. For the money for that style of bike, its probably the best one out there. I've been toying with chopping it in for a KTM but I dont know how much more fun I will get by spending more money on buying and running the KTM.

[mightyapu]

I'm really starting to like the sound of the Versys, and particulary like the look of the grey. There are plenty of good reviews out there but it's nice to get an opinion from someone that uses one. It seems to tick all the boxes for me and gives me the flexibility to adjust if my needs change in the future. I also get a little bit of lower back pain and if i'm going to be riding it pretty much everyday i'm a little worried the SV sport'll start to get uncomfortable. And if I get a new bike now i'll be looking to keep it for a good few years.

Hopefully i can get a test ride within the next few weeks and take it from there.

Cheers.

[rob13]

http://img4.imageshack.us/img4/9725/versys2010.jpg

New one just announced, looks more aggressive and I like it. If they do it in Green, I would be sorely tempted. Its just a shame they didnt look to increase the engine power to something like 75-80bhp but I guess theyve done their mods on a budget.

[neio79]

kwacks rock ,end of story !! :)

[sv-robo]

http://img4.imageshack.us/img4/9725/versys2010.jpg

New one just announced, looks more aggressive and I like it. If they do it in Green, I would be sorely tempted. Its just a shame they didnt look to increase the engine power to something like 75-80bhp but I guess theyve done their mods on a budget.
Yeah they do make a nice girls bike:lol:

[zsv650]

what a minger the versy's is v-strom650 anyday over that(sorry to versy's owner's in advance).

[rob13]

Yeah they do make a nice girls bike:lol:

Girls bike?! I'd be interested to know how many women could throw a leg over a bike of that height.

[shonadoll]

Girls bike?! I'd be interested to know how many women could throw a leg over a bike of that height.

I can't, and I'm 5.8.

I think the finish is much better than my same year sv, and hubby washes his a lot less.

I also think older sv's are much better quality than the new ones.

[STRAMASHER]

Hello there

I'm hoping for a little advice. Courtesy of a new job and a little extra income i'm now in the market for a new bike. I've managed to narrow it down to a few, one of which is the 2009 SV650S. Now my intention is it'll be used for commuting as well as accruing a few business miles. What i'd like to know, as i intend to use it throughout the winter, is how it'll hold up in good old fashioned english weather. Particularly as the bike won't be kept in a garage, though it will be kept undercover.

Thanks for any advice you can give.

Additionally, does anyone have experience of the Kawasaki Versys and ER-6N and how they compare to the SV.

Cheers

Brakes have been the only bugbear in 4years of daily use. Through winter they need a lot of extra maintenance to keep functioning to the best of their ability.

Starts everytime. All I want in the depth of winter.

The SV is not really any worse than any other jap bike I have owned and used all year. Paint/finish is more to do with how the individual owner looks after it. Plenty of good advice on here how to keep on top of it..

SV has the best engine and sportiest riding position out of those you mention. So that sealed the deal for me.

[neio79]

I think the finish is much better than my same year sv, and hubby washes his a lot less.

.

It was the way my SV deterioated that put me off Suzuki for life regarding build quality.

have to say 14000 miles on my P7F and its still mint condition, no corrosion.