New Member/SV 650 purchasing help?

[Sleeper]

Hi people, I am new in the forums and looking to purchase a SV650 soon as I heard many good things about it. But more so I am wondering if you guys could help me by giving me your inputs in a few SV650's that I am looking at in my area. Also, if I go look at a bike, what are the key things I should be looking at for these types of motorcycles, scratches/tire tread,chain,rust etc... Thanks!! :D

2004 Suzuki SV650:
http://muskegon.craigslist.org/mcy/4357555648.html


2006 SV 650
https://grandrapids.craigslist.org/mcd/4329017349.html

2008 SV650
https://grandrapids.craigslist.org/mcd/4342537168.html

2006 SV650
http://battlecreek.craigslist.org/mcy/4335396900.html

[Entropy]

Ok. First bike? It's such a nice torque filled bike, if it's your first it is nice, responsive and does round town as well as highway really well.

Let me give you my two cents though. When I picked up my sv650s two weeks or so back, I had to go a good 300 miles to buy it so had to make alot of judgement based on what the owner could tell me and what I could glean from the pictures.

SV's are notorious for being bikes that are ridden by young people starting out and by others who ride them and twist the balls off them. Look for drops, scratches etc. Check for repair and repaint evidence.

Also, when I bought the bike it was a gorgeous sunny day but it then started raining and for some reason I suddenly dropped to running on one cylinder. Turns out that the front plug cap lead was getting old and worn out and was letting in a little water and it was arcing. Regardless, it cost me 200 to get recovered and sorted and this was at gone 11:30 pm. Lol. Now I know this is something you may not be able to check but least you know it CAN happen. If i had known about it, I could of gotten it fixed super cheap for around 30 pounds or had done it myself.

Other things to look for is pitting on the front suspension. Make sure they are nice and smooth and no oil leak from the fork seals.

Then it's basic stuff.... Service record, maintenance, owners. All the lights work and all that stuff.

Hope I've helped.

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[aesmith]

SV650s get modified a lot. Have a little research about the sorts of mods that people make, and whether you do or don't like them yourself. For example do you like a loud exhaust? Do you prefer the clean look of a "tail tidy", or would you rather not get mud sprayed up your back and onto the rear light?

Another choice - fully faired (like your 2008 example) or half faired? The lower fairing were an official option but are expensive to fit.

Regarding the overall suitability of the bike, they are small bikes and if you're tall you might find the riding position a bit cramped.

What sort of riding will you be doing?

[Sleeper]

Thanks for the responses guys, this will not be my first, I wanted to upgrade to a nice,medium sized bike after riding a Honda Rebel 250 for about a year now, I will mostly be doing commuting to and from work. I'm 5'9.

[Entropy]

Going from the rebel to this will be quite a change and you should expect to need a little time to get used to it. The lean angle is different, location of rear sets and the power delivery. Wish you the best of luck and hope you enjoy it.

I'm still in pain from buying mine a few weeks back but I just love the bike. It really is a damn good looking machine with the exact kind of get up and go that I have been looking for.

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[Daffy_Duck]

Had mine for a year now, no regrets. I still love it, still don't think il be looking for any other bike anytime soon. solid fun bike mate!

I bought my red fully faired sv650s 2005 model £1650 like I said a year ago now :-D

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[Dunn-y]

1st : Why did it have a new engine at 12,000 miles?

4th : Is it just me or has that been lowered? And what has the guy done to the seats?

[Sleeper]

I'm still in pain from buying mine a few weeks back but I just love the bike. It really is a damn good looking machine with the exact kind of get up and go that I have been looking for.

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Wait what do you mean that your still in pain from buying the bike?

[Sleeper]

1st : Why did it have a new engine at 12,000 miles?

4th : Is it just me or has that been lowered? And what has the guy done to the seats?

Yeah, for the 1st bike I don't know why it has a new engine, and the fact the he said he rides it fast gets me very uneasy. I have to call him and question the story behind that new engine.

Also, for the 4th bike, the person says that the red seat is a cover and "be removed," not sure if the stock seat is under there.

[Entropy]

I used to ride a thunder cat and loved it but then my wonderful daughter was born and I got rid of the bike in favour of a diesel car. The forward lean riding position is just a little getting used to, hence back pain and wrist ache. Thanks to the advice of a few from this forum, I have and will be making some adjustments that should permanently help, however it's probably just me and my opinion of comfort. Go down to you local dealership and jump on a test ride for a new SV. See how you like it. It will also give you something to compare to.

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[Sleeper]

I used to ride a thunder cat and loved it but then my wonderful daughter was born and I got rid of the bike in favour of a diesel car. The forward lean riding position is just a little getting used to, hence back pain and wrist ache. Thanks to the advice of a few from this forum, I have and will be making some adjustments that should permanently help, however it's probably just me and my opinion of comfort. Go down to you local dealership and jump on a test ride for a new SV. See how you like it. It will also give you something to compare to.

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Oh okay I see.

[Sleeper]

1st : Why did it have a new engine at 12,000 miles?

4th : Is it just me or has that been lowered? And what has the guy done to the seats?

So I read that the engine was swapped out on the first one because he said the previous owner got a really good deal on a used engine with about 6000 miles which he had swapped out. Should I be deeply concerned?

[aesmith]

Wait what do you mean that your still in pain from buying the bike?
I'm about the same height as you, and for the first few rides I found the bike a bit cramped - I needed to stretch after I got off. I'm used to it now and don't feel the need for higher bars or lower footrests. I use mine solely for commuting, just over 30 miles each way made up of minor roads, dual carriageway and finally city rush hour.