I'm new, be kind!

[Hyweldrums]

Hello SV650.org, though I'd come and say hello, and ask you all a question.

I've ridden an old beat up Hornet 6er since I passed my test a couple of years ago with a shed of a car backing me up every now and again, but now the car has been sold and I fancy a newer bike that's more dependable and realistic as my only mode of transport.

I wanted something sporty-ish with cheap insurance, good fuel economy, and good old fashioned chuckable fun so naturally I gravitated towards SV650s's in my routine Biketrader combing. I could probably afford a tidy K3 - K7 with reasonably low mileage so my question (as an SV noob, apart from giving my neighbors SV1000s a blast) is this;

Are there any common faults / considerations aside from the usual common sense stuff specific to these bikes that I need to be aware of when shopping?

I've sat on an older curvy model and my lanky knees wouldn't slot into the tank concave properly... are the pointy ones ok for fairly tall (just over 6ft) people?

Cheeeeers guys and girls.

[Bluefish]

No real problems although the seat is not all that comfy, as long as you get one in good nick you'll be reet, and yes peeps over 6 foot ride them, only way to check is get a test ride, and a sv 1000 is not the same as a sv 650.

[andrewsmith]

I'm 6ft and ride a curvy.
There is a good few people are a lot taller than me.

Just remember when looking that they're budget bikes.
Also make sure you run the motor from cold, as they loathe wheelies and oil starvation is common

[LVC]

I'm 6'2" and mines fine

[MJC-DEV]

I found I didn't fit the curvy at 6ft. The pointy is a lot better for me as my knees are somewhere near the tank positions and I now ride a K6. The curvy put me off for a few years but it depends on body shape, leg length etc.
Test ride is a must. It's the most uncomfortable bike I've ever had and only 2 cylinders was a bit of a culture shock after a smooth in-line 4, but still makes a fantastic commuter and no plans to change for the foreseeable future!

[Sheepeh]

I have a pointy an im 6ft (*ahem*) and I love it, great fun to ride. The only thing I have found with mine is that the fit and finish of certain bits is a little suspect, as mentioned earlier though this is a budget bike and as such suspect finish is to be expected. Saying that, bar some light fettling and some owner induced issues mine has been totally reliable in 18mths of ownership.
The great thing about them too is that there are absolutely loads about, so getting a gooden shouldn't be too difficult.

And welcome to the org =]

[ImplodedHamster]

6'6" on a pointy, had a go on a curvy and found the screen to low, but the pointys one is a bit better :)

and welcome btw :)

[Stuuk1]

6'6" on a pointy, had a go on a curvy and found the screen to low, but the pointys one is a bit better :)

and welcome btw :)

Change the screen for a double bubble or a touring screen and problem solved. Top bike but I have recently changed to a bigger bike after 2 years of owning a curvy and a pointy and now much happier

[YellowMonkeyBoy]

I'm long legged and 6'3" ... 6'4" probably with the Boots on too. I find the Curvy really comfortable, I ride a faired though and it suits my style unlike on Nakeds I seem to sit like I'm constipated. The Double Bubble really does make a difference with my height. I love my Nakeds but I don't think I could cope with one as my everyday bike. The Pointy faired you seem to lean forward more, I'm presuming you're looking at the pointy faired.

[Hyweldrums]

Thanks for the replies! I still have a few hundred to save and some unwanted stuff to shift before I can get the sort of buy I’d like, but I will continue to keep an eye out for an SV bargain… just seems like the best compromise between a sporty thrasher and a cheap to run, economical do-it-all mode of transport.

And yes Yellow Monkey, I'd like to go for the full faired pointy but will settle for the half faired model if the price is right.

Am I right in thinking that every new SV650s started life as a half faired bike and the fairing lowers can be added as a modification, or were both launched as separate models? Should I expect to pay a premium for a bike with the full fairing?

[YellowMonkeyBoy]

Am I right in thinking that every new SV650s started life as a half faired bike and the fairing lowers can be added as a modification, or were both launched as separate models? Should I expect to pay a premium for a bike with the full fairing?


Yes Standard is Half faired or Naked the "Lowers" which make it full faired are an additional part. Expect to pay a bit more but they're no excuse to fork out silly extra money for.

[Hyweldrums]

Yes Standard is Half faired or Naked the "Lowers" which make it full faired are an additional part. Expect to pay a bit more but they're no excuse to fork out silly extra money for.

Cool. Do the 'lowers' tend to be an official Suzuki part or should I be looking out for badly fitted aftermarket cack?

Sorry about these questions, I expect they're tiresome to anyone who owns this bike.

[fenjer]

Welcome!

[YellowMonkeyBoy]

Cool. Do the 'lowers' tend to be an official Suzuki part or should I be looking out for badly fitted aftermarket cack?

Sorry about these questions, I expect they're tiresome to anyone who owns this bike.

Everyone learns at some point and I spend way too much time on here reading about everything and getting my bike into a lovely working order from a non runner less than 3 months ago.

Alas life story over, there are Suzuki Own, I know there is aftermarket cack but thats as hard to come by as Suzuki's own, though not half as hard if you have a Pointy. Though if you really want full faired try and buy one with them on already. Will work out cheaper in the grand scheme of things. Ofcourse this covers a lot of the engine so make sure to have a good look if they're already fitted as I know if there is no Fender Extender I think its referred to as then corrosion can happen quite badly if unchecked. I just bought some Curvy ones off Fleabay this morning and intend to have them sprayed because decent curvy ones are harder to find than a needle in a haystack it seems

[Hyweldrums]

Sorry to revive such a dull thread, makes more sense than creating an all-new dull thread!

Based on what you've said Monkey Boy, I'm not going to let fairing lowers make or break a sale. I'd rather a full fairing if I did get a pointy but I've seen some stonking deals on low milage curvies, and actually I think they look waaaay better with only the top fairing, like a baby TL1000s.

Is it true that the SK3's seat height is 20mm higher than the SK4 and onwards? Is the curvy's seat height a bit taller than the 2004+ pointies too? I'm quite leggy so an extra 2cm between the seat and pegs might be worth narrowing down my search.

[YellowMonkeyBoy]

I'm leggy, I'm 6'3 and a bit more with my kit on I reckon and I fit on my curvy perfectly I think my knees may hit crash bungs though if I was to put them on but not tested such a thing. The Curvys look better with or without the fairings. I don't like the pointys though without lowers they look so weird like someone stole that part of your bike. Engine wise I don't if theres many changes really only minor tweeks and improvements I have no idea if they changed the seat height

[Shawthing]

Welcome.

As 6' pointy rider i have to say the bike fits me good.
Faired Pointy has lower clip on bars compared to naked's raised bars so puts a bit more weight on the wrists but wind on your chest balaces this out.

Lower fairings are (in my opinion) an apearance must-have.
SV650SK9 Sport model was sold by Suzuki with lower fairings and seat cowel as std.
Aftermarket lowers are ~£300 new (Google 'Ermax') and are pretty indistinguishable from suzuki ones.

Happy hunting.