Replace SV650S with newer, or alternatives?

[aesmith]

Hi,

I'm getting some pressure/encouragement to replace the SV with something newer and hopefully less troublesome. The easy option would be to look for a low mileage SV, the idea being to get one that hasn't been bodged by former owners with tail tidy, silly indicators, butchered wiring etc, and one that's young enough that trouble spots like suspension linkages and steering bearings can be cleaned dealt with before they cause issues.

However I should also think of alternatives, so looking for ideas for models that better the SV without giving up so of the properties that I need. I don't want to go any heavier or higher, and need to retain or improve weather protection. To be honest it doesn't need to be even as fast as the SV but would prefer not to give up too much.

Usage is exclusively commuting, just over 30 miles each way with dual carriageway, minor road and city mileage. Plus a 1/2 mile unmade drive.

Any thoughts welcome,

Tony S

[carelesschucca]

So, you want something solely for commuting with a low seat height doesn't need to be as fast as the SV but has great weather protection and is really economic and practical.

I don't want to sound daft but that screams superscooter and if your ego would let you there are some decent ones out there..

Could just be me but I think superscooters are great at doing what they do, yeah it's not got the handling of a real motorbike, but that thing of not having gear grip and go is great, when the weather picks up I may look again at getting one...

[Littlepeahead]

How about an F650 GS. They aren't too tall, but the upright position is great for commuting. The vario topbox is also handy if you want to take a bag. Very economical, comfy on the dual carriageway, great on the unmade drive. I know I'm biased as I own one, and I don't use mine for commuting but on the occasions I do the 120 mile round trip to work it's ideal. The F800 screen can be swapped on and gives good protection at speed. Now replaced by the F700 of course but still plenty of 650s about.

[Littlepeahead]

Oh and when you say getting pressure does that mean you take a pillion? In which case, the GS is also far more comfortable than the SV.

[aesmith]

.. I don't want to sound daft but that screams superscooter and if your ego would let you there are some decent ones out there..
That doesn't sound daft at all, but I did not fully get on with the Aprilia 500cc that I used for a while. Weather protection was great, even in bad weather I could ride in normal office shoes, and only needed over trousers if it was properly raining. Luggage was good as well, and performance quite adequate. Disadvantage was that it weighed a ton, 200 or 220kg depending on who you ask, and you certainly felt that if it need to be manhandled. In traffic the bulk was a disadvantage. There were practical disadvantages, replacing the drive belt is a fairly major task and was supposed to be every 7,500 miles. Getting the back wheel off was again a big job. The killer really was reliability, that thing left me stranded three times with electrical fault in the 9 months I was regularly using it. (Can't be jump started either) Then when I put it up for sale with everything supposedly fixed it wouldn't start then either. I actually still have it in the shed.

Having said all that I have considered a smaller, say 125cc scooter purely as a winter or bad weather bike. Could also use it if I've visiting customers. Realistically though for that purpose I should try and get the dead Aprilia back to life.

What current scoots are you looking at? I see Honda do a 300cc than might be OK,

[Bibio]

as chukka said or XJ600 2010>

the divvy is light and low seat hight, they are good bikes TBH.

[SV650rules]

http://www.motorcyclenews.com/bike-reviews/yamaha/xj6-diversion-f/2010/

No frills and no thrills, this says the engine is a bit fluffy below 3000 rpm - maybe that is where a four loses over a twin.

[Talking Heads]

I have a Honda Forza for sale, cheapest you'll find anywhere, and happily its in Aberdeenshire.....
I've used it for commuting these past three years and its definitely the right tool for the job.
Its on Gumtree at £1750

[DryRob]

Yamaha Fazers are pretty comfortable but still nippy, the fuel injected ones are probably lighter than the carbed one I had and you can pick them up for reasonable money.

Sent from my SM-G903F using Tapatalk

[macamxthe1st]

Suzuki Burgman 400. I have had a couple of these and they are ridiculously good at many things. In terms of practically and usability it was unbelievable.

Geoff.

[SV650rules]

I know people who had Bergman - one of them inherited it from his dad, he found it pretty fast and economical, and practical as well as handling pretty well. His credibility took a hit as his bike at the time was an R1. I have met people at bike shows who say they could not handle a bike anymore and found the Bergman very acceptable.

[Blapper]

Sid Squid has one and although we take the p*$$, he enjoys it and says the blanket is better than any oversuit in bad weather.

[macamxthe1st]

Just to put a bit of "meat" on this, when I was using the Burgman 400 I was doing over 15,000 miles a year. I would cruise at an indicated 80 mph (just over 70 in reality) in absolutely superb comfort returning real world 60 mpg+. The handling and braking were far better than they had any right to be. The storage i was amazing with over 60 ltr's under the seat and many other cubbyholes elsewhere. Weather protection way better than anything else on two wheels without a roof. Downsides, obviously they do not get off the line like a bike does but this can be greatly improved with some "DP Sliders". Image may also be an issue but if that's the case then you really have bigger problems to address. You need to go for a post 2007 to present model as they really got it spot on with this ( a ten year unchanged model run testifies to this) and unfortunately the 2017 just announced seems to have sacrificed some practicality for style. Probably worth a mention, I fell into the trap of thinking "more is better " and bought a new 650 Burgman which I hated with a passion. The 400 is the sweet spot. Hope this helps.

Geoff.

[NTECUK]

Super scooter is a sensible option.
But try a few different things.
One size don't fit all.
Lph loves the GS I hated the clutch .
For example

[Littlepeahead]

Super scooter is a sensible option.
But try a few different things.
One size don't fit all.
Lph loves the GS I hated the clutch .
For example
A great thing about Ian's Burgervan is that when we are standing around drinking coffee I can lock my huge handbag away under the seat.

Funny how your tastes can change too. I had a T5 classic Vespa 125cc when I worked 10 minutes from home and loved it. Great on MPG, fun, cheap to run. Ten years later Stu bought a very similar 200cc version and I couldn't get on with it at all, but by then I had the SV. The Vespa just felt heavy, wobbly and unstable.

[NTECUK]

A great thing about Ian's Burgervan is that when we are standing around drinking coffee I can lock my huge handbag away under the seat.
.

Fortunately my handbags small but deadly lol

[Benjins]

Have you had a look at the Honda NM4 Vultus. Appreciate you don't want to increase weight but if something eye-catching, low and easy to ride is what you're looking for then this thing is cool af.


Probably (definitely) one of those marmite bikes but I like 'em and would get one if I had space, money and a less strict wife.

[aesmith]

Have you had a look at the Honda NM4 Vultus.
Probably too physically big to suit me, although doubtless comfy on the road. I see one quite regularly in Aberdeen.

Thanks for all the comments and suggestions. I know spec can be misleading, but I'm surprised how many of the models I've checked out are actually heavier than the SV, both the Fazer and Diversion for example. I'm not really any further forward. I suppose if I go for a conventional bike it would need to be a 500 if I don't want any more weight and bulk than the SV.

[Bibio]

the sv is the same weight as a gsxr 1000 but it carry s its weight well due to all the weight of the engine being 'in line' which also makes it narrow.

i have been on the newer divvy (might have been the fazer as my brain is foggy) and it feels light and as standard i can get both balls of my feet down and i'm only 5ft fek all tall. the owner assured me that the bike had not been lowered.

its not till you have to pick a bike up that you realise the weight.

[aesmith]

its not till you have to pick a bike up that you realise the weight.
That's so true. I've had to pick the SV up at least twice from icy surfaces, and once from slippery mud. It brings home not just the weight but how much you rely on leverage to get it upright - if the wheels slide then you can only lift by brute force. Low seat and low centre of gravity might help avoid the situation in the first place.

[Bibio]

if it were me and using it for commuting 30 miles each way i would go with a naked SV with full crash bars (not bungs) and a large screen and a shaved seat. your commuting not showing off your pride and joy at some car park meeting.

[SV650rules]

the sv is the same weight as a gsxr 1000 but it carry s its weight well due to all the weight of the engine being 'in line' which also makes it narrow.


Been riding an AL7 since April and still can't believe how narrow it is, great for me as it helps me get both my feet flat cos' I'm only a short arze as well.

[macamxthe1st]

I would suspect this apply's to others and not only me but as a younger man I would and indeed had to ride all manner of large, heavy bikes, Honda Pan's, DL1000's etc. this I did without a second thought or care. However as I have got older I find that I no longer wish or indeed have the physical confidence to enjoy these leviathans. what I am trying to say is that what is everyday normal for someone 5'6" and let's say 30 years of age becomes a chore when still at 5'6" (have not shrunk much, yet) but now at 64. Enter the L7 SV all of the joy and none of the grief.

Geoff.

[SV650rules]

i would suspect this apply's to others and not only me but as a younger man i would and indeed had to ride all manner of large, heavy bikes, honda pan's, dl1000's etc. This i did without a second thought or care. However as i have got older i find that i no longer wish or indeed have the physical confidence to enjoy these leviathans. What i am trying to say is that what is everyday normal for someone 5'6" and let's say 30 years of age becomes a chore when still at 5'6" (have not shrunk much, yet) but now at 64. Enter the l7 sv all of the joy and none of the grief.

Geoff.

amen

[Blapper]

+1

[Trev B]

+ another !

[aesmith]

Just to wrap this up I've shaken hands on (but not yet taken ownership of) a low mileage so far unspoiled SV. Look out for me posting about preventative maintenance on the Tuning and Tweaking forum because this will be my chance to try and sort out things like properly greasing bearings etc before actually riding it. Assuming my K6 carries on for a few months that is.

[Blapper]

Just to wrap this up I've shaken hands on (but not yet taken ownership of) a low mileage so far unspoiled SV. Look out for me posting about preventative maintenance on the Tuning and Tweaking forum because this will be my chance to try and sort out things like properly greasing bearings etc before actually riding it. Assuming my K6 carries on for a few months that is.

Curvy or pointy?

[aesmith]

Fully faired pointy.