New owner questions - SV650S K3.

[mufman]

Hi to all,

few days ago I bought my first big bike, SV650s K3 in blue, 24t miles, full service history and MOT history. I had a lovely weekend with it, enjoying it as much as possible (especially the sound of V-twin (even with stock exhaust)). But there is few questions I have and didn´t find even after searching through this forum or google (don´t say it is not there somewhere, just I did not find it).

1. Since I am not from UK originaly, what documents do I have to have with me while riding the bike? I was told that only driving licence. Is that true?

2. Pretty much the same questions as the first one, but this time about equipment of the bike. Tools? First aid kit? Spare bulbs? High visibility jacket? Anything?

3. What oil do you use to lubricate a chain? Is WD-40 good enough or should I rather use some other?

4. Bike protectors - are there different ones for N and S version of SV or it´s the same? What would you say about these: http://www.amazon.co.uk/BIKETEK-CRASH-PROTECTOR-SUZUKI-REQUIRED/dp/B0033STXQI/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1330382757&sr=8-1 ? The price is very tempting but are they any good? Or which ones would you recommend?

5. Last but not least. My front tyre is coming very close to it´s death so I will need to buy a new one soon. Since I am more of a commuter and touring rider and a newbie I am looking for tyre with high endurance (mileage) rather than grip. Could you recommend any good tyres which will last many miles (but not being absolutely rubbish in everything else)? Also I just asked at my local tyre shop and the price for a front tire and it´s change (ride in ride out in 30 minutes they say) is pretty much between 100 and 110 pounds for all brands. Is this a fair price or could I do cheaper somewhere else?

Thanks to all who respond, really appreciate your help :thumleft:

[Sid Squid]

Hello and welcome to the site. In answer to your question there is no requirement to carry any documentation, spare bulbs, hi vis clothing or anything else. Clearly it might benefit you to carry a few of the above on a longer trip, but the law does not require anything at all.
WD40 has it's adherents - but it isn't good chain lube. It's surely better than not oiling the chain, but it's neither a good lubricant nor does it stick well. Go to a bike shop, buy whatever chain lube they carry and apply it like it says on the tin.

[mufman]

Thank you for quick answer and welcome.
That´s quite cool that you don´t have to have any documents nor equipement with you while riding a bike. Where I am from (Czech republic) you have to have your driving licence, proof of insurance, bike registration document and bike has to be equiped with spare bulbs, spare fuses, first aid kit and high vis jacket....in car it´s even worse (rope, triangle, tools, etc) :)

Okay, so those questions with the only one right answer have been answered (thanks again). Those where it would be much trickier to get an consensus are still open, please share your experience and ideas.

[Sid Squid]

Ahoj, dobry den, vítejte na SV650.org*.

Tyre: What's on the rear now? Where are you? This will help with selection and, possibly, supplier.

Bungs: Loads of opinion - have a search under 'crash bungs'.

* I'm sure this is terrible usage of Czech, but my teacher is Slovak, and she's gone to live in Spain now anyway.

[Tigerrrr.......]

Welcome to the site.

I also have an SV650S K3. Love it.

Don't use WD40 to lube your chain. WD40 is a degreaser which you can use for cleaning the chain. The lube I use (highly recommended) is Wurth Hi Performance Dry Chain lube. Get it in most bike shops or online.

I use R&G crash protectors. Again, highly recommended.

The tyres I have are Bridgestone BT-023. They're great for touring and give excellent grip. Again, recommended.

Different people will have different ideas, but that's what I use.

Best wishes.

[federer]

Hi and welcome.

Good to hear your enjoying your K3. I also have one and love it.

I have recently changed to Michelin Road Pilot 3's front and rear, so as of yet I can't say about their longevity but the grip is just sweeeeet.

[pencil shavings]

I have Z6s on the K3, not sure if they are the coolest ones to have on anymore but they were the best compromise between life and grip a few years back :)

[mufman]

Sid Squid: Wow, Czech language, Thanks - Díky. I live in south-east London - so is the price for front tyre fair in this area?
Right now the tyres on my bike are Front - Dunlop Sport Max (if I remember properly...it's definitely Dunlop but not sure about the rest of the name) the Rear - Continental Road Attack (this one is in about a half of it's life).

Tigerrrr......: Thanks for the tip for a chain lubricant. How many miles you have done so far on those Bridgestones please?

Federer: Since I ride the bike like an old lady so far, the sweet grip would unfortunately be a total waist on me :) But thanks for the tip anyway.

pencil shavings: How many miles you have done so far on those Z6s please (or ever managed to do on that type)?


I will probably be doing something about 1500 miles/month so that's why I am looking for tyres which could do a lot of miles....don't really want to buy a new set of tires every 2 or 3 months :)

[Tigerrrr.......]

Done less than 1,000 miles on the Bridgestones, but they look as good as new.

[Biker Biggles]

Ive used Z6s and Pirelli Stradas(basically the same tyre)and they are good for long life and road use grip.
I use old engine oil on the chain as its free.My last chain and sprockets lasted nearly 30000 miles.

[pencil shavings]

mufman, I cannot remember the exact life I got out of them, but I seem to remember the front is good for 10k and the rear about 7k.

Also depends on your riding style etc etc

[Dipper]

Yo do need to display your Tax Disc by law ......however unlikely to get a fine for it nowadays.

[Stonesie]

For a cheap and long lasting tyre I used the Dunlop Pilot Road, the original version and they were still good after 8K miles, I think they would have gone on to about 10K. A friend also used them on his Aprillia Falco and pushes them hard, to say he has no complaints is an understatement, he already has another pair in his garage ready to be fitted and has so far done 6K and is expecting 8 out of them.

There are a few deals on pairs of tyres HERE (http://www.mandp.co.uk/products/list/Tyres/Tyre-Offers) but you would then have to get them fitted (your bike takes 120/60/17 and 160/60/17).

[Sid Squid]

Yes - I think even Mufman got that far on his own.

Tyres: You've got a Continental on the back that's got life in it -put a Conti on the front.

Go to:

Essential Rubber
Unit 3, Barratt Industrial Park
Gillender Street
Bow
London E3 3JX (http://maps.google.com/maps/ms?msid=214878179249617893460.00049595b7ef33aeba36 5&msa=0&ll=51.521535,-0.010707&spn=0.006482,0.008937)

[mufman]

Thanks for all your answers guys.

Dipper: Oh yeah, you're right, I should have stated more clearly. I have a tax disc on the bike but still thanks for that.

About those tyres, after reading all your answers and doing a loooong research on this forum, other forums, variable sites and google. After all this there are few tyres I'm going to decide from:

- Metzeler z6 (does it worth to go for z8? In which way they are better?)
- Bridgestone bt-021 (does it worth to go for bt-023? In which way they are better?)
- Michelin Pilot Road 2 (does it worth to go for Pilot Road 3? In which way they are better?)
- Dunlop Roadsmart (does it worth to go for Roadsmart II? In which way they are better?)
- Continental Roadattack (does it worth to go for Roadattack II? In which way they are better?)

Sid Squid: Thanks for the tip on the shop!

[Dipper]

Didn't really want to state the obvious but you never know!

Just put PR3's on mine, very good on damp and wet roads.

[Tigerrrr.......]

The BT-023 is the new version of the BT-021.