View Full Version : Starting out
ollies41
06-07-14, 10:13 AM
Hi group! Just to introduce myself really. I've been riding for 12 months on a YBR125 custom and just passed my A - Module 1 last week. Taking part 2 next week. I've been looking at which bike to move up to and it kept coming back to an SV650. I saw one a few weeks ago that had been traded in locally and fell in love with it, so took the plunge yesterday and went and bought it. Not taken it out yet, but everything just felt right about it, and its a black 51 reg. I think they look gorgeous. The training and bike I've been doing my tests on has been a Yamaha XJ6, and that feels a lot bulkier and heavier than the SV650. I'm only 5 foot 2 so needed something I can touch the floor on. I'm really looking forward to taking it out for the first time, but nervous. Anyway, I hope to get some words of wisdom from the experts here if need be. Look forward to being here!!
Hi Ollies and Welcome.
Congratulations on passing the Mod1 and good luck for Mod2. The SV is a great bike and I'm sure you'll have fun on it.
drewthejew94
06-07-14, 12:35 PM
will you have to be restricted?
zxmark9r
06-07-14, 02:05 PM
Hi and Welcome.
My wife started off with the YBR125, passed her test and has now had her SV650 for about six weeks and she absolutely loves it:)
We lowered the bike by changing the rear suspension link arms, dropping the forks through the yolks a bit and trimming the seat down.
If you want to do any of these mods, there is lots of info on the forum.
Mark
ollies41
06-07-14, 02:47 PM
I won't have to be restricted, and I managed to wangle the dealer to lower the bike for me and alter the angle of the handlebars to make it a shorter reach for me. So hopefully it'll be a better height.......I've taken my boots to the local cobbler and put another sole on them too. ;0)
zxmark9r
06-07-14, 06:10 PM
I won't have to be restricted, and I managed to wangle the dealer to lower the bike for me and alter the angle of the handlebars to make it a shorter reach for me. So hopefully it'll be a better height.......I've taken my boots to the local cobbler and put another sole on them too. ;0)
I see you are well ahead of the game;)
aaahhh the joys of being short...
Welcome :)
Ask for a list of things the dealer has done to lower the bike, and if they have changed any components, see if you can get a doggie bag with the old parts in. As is the way in life, being north of 6ft I've ridden a few lowered SVs for one reason or another. Some were done well, some with a little less care.
Generally if you're lowering the rear geometry you should see if you can lower the front end too to keep things roughly in line. I rode an SV some years back with longer linkages in the back to lower it, all the preload wound off the rear shock and that was it. You could ride it, but it felt rather strange and didn't like corners.
Jambo
SvNewbie
09-07-14, 12:48 PM
Haha, I've now got rather funny images of Jambo riding a mini-moto size SV.
Haha, I've now got rather funny images of Jambo riding a mini-moto size SV.
I'm not certain I looked significantly sillier than normal... :cool:
Jambo
shiftin_gear98
09-07-14, 01:42 PM
Welcome ollies41,
I too came from a YBR125, will never forget the first ride home on the 650.
I too was a little apprehensive about the first ride, but these bikes are pretty kind and forgiving.
I started off quite slow, got bored stuck behind a lorry. Remembered I wasn't on the YBR and could actually over take it now. Grinned like a Cheshire cat all the way home.
Oh and 10 min's later found out just how fast it would go down the M4. Sorry officer...
Enjoy. Ride safe.
littleoldman2
09-07-14, 05:51 PM
Hello and welcome. Try not to feed the animals. I love the lakes and am a regular visitor. You like those of us in Northumberland are blessed with some of the best roads in the UK with northern England and southern Scotland within easy reach.
Littlepeahead
09-07-14, 08:45 PM
Welcome to the 5'2" club. I started on an SV, now also have a low seat factory lowered GS, which as you can see, is the perfect size for Jambo...
http://img.tapatalk.com/d/14/01/25/e2yty7a8.jpg
BanannaMan
10-07-14, 03:25 AM
Welcome to the org !
You'll love the sv once you get everything sorted.
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