New to Suzuki and SV650S

[Blapper]

Greetings fellow SV-ers! I have just bought a 2001 SV650S which so far I have only ridden 250 miles home in pouring rain. I have to say it is a sure-footed little bike, no hairy moments so far.

I want to put a softer seat on it (ouch my sore ar*e!) plus panniers and a top box. My question to you guys is what systems do you recommend (funds are not limitless)? If I start with a top box only, do I need a rack or frame or can plates be fitted using the rear seat pad fittings?

Thanks in advance for any advice offered.

Andrew.

[nathcarr]

Hi mate, welcome aboard, glad to here your enjoying the sv [emoji4] I've recently been looking for a monorack for my sv on a 2000plate and I'll be honest I've struggled until the other day when someone was selling one, as far as I know givi have stopped making them so you will only get a one 2nd if one comes up and I think this is the same for panniers, however there is a lad selling some on here, drop him a message of you can find the post. I think rentec may do a rack but I don't think there overly good, the way I'm going for is in just gonna pop my top box on and then maybe buy some sports panniers to just throw over when I need them.


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[maviczap]

Pannier systems are rare as hens teeth for curvies now, unless you buy these ones quick.

http://forums.sv650.org/showthread.php?t=223092

Otherwise soft panniers & a top box on a rack. Some bolt a top box to an old rear seat.

As for a softer seat, get someone like Tony Archer to put a gel pad in your standard seat. £60 to do it i hear

http://www.tonyarcher.co.uk/

[Blapper]

Thanks guys,

OK, I think I agree with @nathcarr, I will go with a top box only and use a pair of throw overs when I need them (rarely). I was actually thinking about a Rentec Rack even though they are a rip-off. I can always blast one off and get it powder coated if it is the finish that makes you say they aren't overly good, but that would make it £100 which is far too much for a simple bit of tube fabrication.

@maviczap that rack would require me to do horrid things to the bodywork so I'll pass, but thanks man. I will be speaking with Tony Archer though.

[nathcarr]

Your welcome mate, as for the rentec I'm not sure if it's a normal but a few biker mates have complained about them snapping with the weight of the tin box with some gear in, that's what makes me say there not overly good mate, I mean that may not be the case with everyone but that's what put me off getting one, I think there's a German company that make some I can't remember the make of them now but think there's a website for them


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[maviczap]

@maviczap that rack would require me to do horrid things to the bodywork so I'll pass, but thanks man.

No it wouldn't, you just need to remove the side fairings, bolt on the rails and then refit the side fairings. No cutting or anything of that nature required :)

[Blapper]

Oh, that's funny - the second picture shows a couple of ugly straps that look like they pass through holes in the seat that aren't there on my bike?

[maviczap]

That's where the grab rail goes, you have to take that off to fit any rack ;)

[Blapper]

LOL! Oops, (embarrassed).

Told you I was new...

[maviczap]

Ha ha ha

No problem :p

[littleoldman2]

I used a Giving wing rack with a universal fitting kit. Not easy to find the fitting kit but all good when on. Having said that I've toured Europe twice camping on the SV with throw overs with few problems.

[Blapper]

Thanks @littleoldman2. I may go the throw-overs way but would need to protect the paint first. Probably have to get some speed tape that they use to protect the edges of helicopter rotor blades.

@nathcar: The Renntecs have a ridiculous weight limit of only 5kg it seems! I can't believe they sell any. There are some simple plate types on eBay, but £126 just for simple a simple pressed plate? I'm on a pension see, so those prices seem OTT.

I suppose I'll just keep looking until something used and cheap comes up.

[maviczap]

Thanks @littleoldman2. I may go the throw-overs way but would need to protect the paint first. Probably have to get some speed tape that they use to protect the edges of helicopter rotor blades.

@nathcar: The Renntecs have a ridiculous weight limit of only 5kg it seems! I can't believe they sell any. There are some simple plate types on eBay, but £126 just for simple a simple pressed plate? I'm on a pension see, so those prices seem OTT.

I suppose I'll just keep looking until something used and cheap comes up.

Yep, heli tape is a good idea.

I think the racks have a low loading capacity, mostly because the rear subframe already has a lot of load on it, and the racks right on the end. 5kg is a bit conservative, but you don't want toooooooooo much weight that end. :p

[Blapper]

I can't see that the rear subframe is the problem - doesn't it support the pillion passenger under braking and acceleration? Nah, if it was 10kg, I'd buy one and be careful with it but 5kg makes it not fit for purpose IMHO. I couldn't even pop to the shops for groceries.

When I had an R1150RT a few years back I came across France with the panniers full of 24 bottles of wine (for a Triumph rally gathering), top box full of clothing and food, tank bag with our wet weather gear and wash bags, camping gear strapped across the top box, a pillion passenger and 6 gallons of fuel and it took it in its stride. Pukka accessories, but a horrible bike...