View Full Version : AL7 at 20,000 miles
My AL7 is set to reach 20k miles in the coming week and I've been reflecting on ownership.
I bought it Summer 2016 and immediately noticed a problem with its cold running, it was resolved by the dealer taking the dramatic step of replacing the entire throttle body assembly.
The only other issue was an occasional reluctance to start after a fill up, that problem fixed itself and hasn't reared its head in over a year.
I'm on my 3rd set of tyres, the originals only lasting a paltry 5k. I replaced them with Avon Storm and then again with Avon Storm 3d X-M which do seem to be long lasting. I've done about 7k on the current set and I'm less than half way through tread depth.
It's running on the original chain and going by the "pull it off the rear sprocket" test, the wear is negligible. Brake pads are original but will need changing soon, particularly the rear. Original battery, it goes on a tender in the winter since my rides are not so regular.
No oil usage between services and brilliant mileage on fuel.
Mods: mainly for comfort; seat rebuilt (at 300 miles!), Givi screen, DL650 handguards. Handlebar risers which required a DL650 clutch cable and I have Grip Puppies fitted over original grips. I fitted a Pyramid plastics hugger which broke and was replaced (by Pyramid) and then fitted a Red Fox one anyway. Perennial battle to stop front wheel spray - 7 different front mudflap variations until I accepted defeat although I am still running a fender extender and a longish mudflap attached to that.
Corrosion: can't find much, the gear change shaft lost its coating and shows rust in the winter unless regularly ACF50'd, a few bolt heads have lost their pristine look. I've worn the paint/anodising off the left hand bar weight (I rest my hand there, apparently). I ride throughout the year but at my discretion - I can avoid the wet and I usually wash it down if the roads are salty.
I've never kept a bike for so many miles, I usually change them at about 10k miles and I'm currently unsure what do next. I am fortunate that I have funds that would cover most bikes but being a tightwad I limit my expenditure. I have considered a bigger bike, I really like the Z900RS but I also know that, although I'm a slow rider, there are occasional madness moments and honestly, I'm happiest pottering around the country lanes at 50/60 which would be a waste of a big bike. Which brings me back to would I buy another SV and I've surprised myself because I would. I've never bought the same bike back to back before but I think I may well do it this time. The AL7 fits me that well.
SV650rules
21-10-18, 03:23 PM
Same here, it really is a pretty good all-round bike. Because of being naked and lower geared it will stick with pretty much anything up to about 70 - I have ridden with bigger bikes and not felt at a disadvantage at normal speeds, and the truth is it ain't worth speeding these days. Seat could use a bit more padding but I can get both feet comfortably down and would not want to change that by making seat thicker.
Craig380
21-10-18, 03:47 PM
I replaced them with Avon Storm and then again with Avon Storm 3d X-M which do seem to be long lasting. I've done about 7k on the current set and I'm less than half way through tread depth.
Nice write-up, glad you're happy with it!
I've had Storm 3Ds on mine for just over 10K miles, the rear is nearly down to the wear indicators in the centre, it's probably got another 750 miles in it. Interestingly, the front has worn faster than the rear, the centre section is not on the wear indicators yet but the shoulders on both sides are very worn and it really needs changing. Happy with the grip and handling they give, and 10K is a decent lifespan.
Talking Heads
21-10-18, 05:05 PM
There's one bike which is stirring my curiosity just now, the new Royal Enfield 650 GT
I know, I know, its a 270 fake, but if it looks as good in the metal as it does in the review videos and if the price is right and if it proves to be reliable enough, it could be my next bike.
Would I buy another SV650AL7?
Definitely not.
Mudguards are a bad joke and there's too much plastic trim hiding poorly matched components.
Carrying luggage strapped to the rear seat has proven impossible due to absence of bungee hooks and a pillion seat that's just too small.
Apart from those minor niggles its possibly the best bike I've ever had.
zsv650s
21-10-18, 08:21 PM
20k nothing for a new sv keep going.
Red ones
21-10-18, 08:50 PM
The last two SV I had did 99000 and 69000 miles. The latter is still going I believe.
To get luggage on the back use some webbing straps and either tie off to the sub frame under the pillion seat or make them off so they just sit under the seat. Kriega have videos showing how on their website.
Talking Heads
21-10-18, 11:55 PM
Too much of a hassle, I just want to plonk bag on seat, whap two bungees across it and ride off.
Don't want to be doing any seat removal or fannying around.
The seat isn't big enough and there's nothing to hook bungees on.
I got Rok Straps, but they're totally hopeless.
Instead I just sling my Lomo top opening dry bag (highly recommended) over my shoulder.
But I would much rather have the bag attached to the bike.
Got the official rear rack but you have to cut the side panels, so its never been fitted.
shiftin_gear98
22-10-18, 07:47 AM
20k miles - I wish my bike had 20k miles.
If you like it so much just keep it and carry on riding it. It sounds like you look after it so it'll be good for ages and ages.
Mine (SK6) has 54,000 fairly neglected miles on her. I'm hoping she carry on a bit longer at least another year (11,000 miles) as I don't have funds.
However having said all that, if you can afford it why not.....
R1ffR4ff
22-10-18, 08:06 AM
Great write up and a lot of my sentiments are the same.As this is the largest Bike I've had and coming from much heavier old Honda CX500s my 99 Curvy is a joy to ride.So easy to throw around and enough power for safe overtaking manoeuvres and good MPG etc.
I sometimes think I would like a 1,000c plus just for hell of it but as per OP's post the extra power would be wasted on me and the roads I like plus more expensive running costs.
I'm still loving the fantastic,"Engine Braking" which is a joy :)
Too much of a hassle, I just want to plonk bag on seat, whap two bungees across it and ride off.
Don't want to be doing any seat removal or fannying around.
The seat isn't big enough and there's nothing to hook bungees on.
I got Rok Straps, but they're totally hopeless.
Instead I just sling my Lomo top opening dry bag (highly recommended) over my shoulder.
But I would much rather have the bag attached to the bike.
Got the official rear rack but you have to cut the side panels, so its never been fitted.
Don’t pillion pegs still look like this?
https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20181022/60a2d0c1075d2e6f013ae911e488a2b1.jpg
Looks good enough for a bungee.
Otherwise Kriega is amazingly good simple and easy.
Much easier than seeing an osteopath.
There's one bike which is stirring my curiosity just now, the new Royal Enfield 650 GT
Carrying luggage strapped to the rear seat has proven impossible due to absence of bungee hooks and a pillion seat that's just too small.
dont do it.. they are not reliable... no seriously they aint.
its called a top box.
zsv650s
22-10-18, 11:11 AM
dont do it.. they are not reliable... no seriously they aint.
its called a top box.
Agreed having had a bike with a givi box on the back they may look a bit poo but they are seriously awesome and convenient.
What’s an AL7?
Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk
What’s an AL7?
Great review, I'm still saving up for one,
AL7 Stu
https://smgmedia.blob.core.windows.net/images/129114/1024/suzuki-sv650-84ec521d094f.jpg
SV650rules
22-10-18, 01:49 PM
What’s an AL7?
it is an A*L7 with *Abs ( in Europe / UK they all have ABS ) successor to the Gladius (named after short Roman sword) and more 'normal' looking. introduced to UK in early 2016
Naked only, Euro 4 emissions compliant twin spark fuel injected with 76 ponies - and great mpg. Also has SCEM ( Suzuki composite electroplated material similar to Nikosil ) bores for longer life and better cooling.
and there was me thinking the A was for America as America is the best place in the world :rolleyes:
in the US, ABS is optional and is linked to the colour. You cannot get the white ABS model.
Adam Ef
22-10-18, 04:27 PM
I'd be interested if they bought out a semi faired model.
kaivalagi
22-10-18, 06:00 PM
I'd be interested if they bought out a semi faired model.Not sure why they stopped making the "sport" versions with full fairing to be honest, I loved the look of my old pointy sv...
if you want a fairing then you have to buy one of their more expensive bikes... suzuki could give us a stonkin superb SV but then they would not sell as many of their more "profitable" bikes. its all about the "upgrade" glossy magazine dream..... lets face it if the SV was a fully tricked out production model like the GSXR then would you really want to upgrade your bike?... i know i dont now that mine is all sorted, its not just a bike for christmas its a bike for life :-)
kaivalagi
22-10-18, 06:52 PM
if you want a fairing then you have to buy one of their more expensive bikes... suzuki could give us a stonkin superb SV but then they would not sell as many of their more "profitable" bikes. its all about the "upgrade" glossy magazine dream..... lets face it if the SV was a fully tricked out production model like the GSXR then would you really want to upgrade your bike?... i know i dont now that mine is all sorted, its not just a bike for christmas its a bike for life :-)
Yeah, my GSXS1000F is nice [emoji3]
I remember when I was trying to decide to wether to modify or go with a different bike 8 years back....the engine is a stonking vtwin but the shocks and brakes need improvements....if they added a grand or so onto the RRP for an R version with GSX equivalent suspension and brakes it would be a great bike out of the showroom for sure and I'd likely have one now.
Talking Heads
22-10-18, 09:51 PM
No, pillion pegs now look like this
https://i.ebayimg.com/thumbs/images/g/2kQAAOSwkE9bOjpd/s-l225.jpg
Pillion pegs too far away from seat and too far forward.
Bag just slides down sloping seat onto rider section.
Nothing to anchor to at the rear of the seat.
Talking Heads
22-10-18, 09:55 PM
I'd be interested if they bought out a semi faired model.
There's a new one with clip-ons and a wee nose fairing.
https://www.bennetts.co.uk/-/media/default-website/2018/february/sv650x-cafe-racer-review/14_2018-suzuki-sv650x-review.ashx?h=493&w=740&la=en&hash=556841D2A9BF24AC44C438780FA5F65A97DC2E9D
Adam Ef
22-10-18, 10:01 PM
That's the one I posted a pic of a few days ago. I like it. Having just spent £££ converting my pointy to upright bars I'd have to take a miss on buying anything with clip-ons though! Not sure that fairing will do that much either. Looks nice though.
Talking Heads
22-10-18, 10:01 PM
dont do it.. they are not reliable... no seriously they aint.
its called a top box.
Yet to be determined whether or not the forthcoming 650 twin will be reliable.
Absolutely everything on the bike is brand new, as is the design, development and engineering team.
Its a seriously interesting project.
Can't fit Suzuki rack without cutting sidepanels so topbox no good.
Other racks too fugly.
If I really want to dramatically improve practicality I'll get a scooter, but for now I'm putting up with impracticality in the name of FUN!!!
Talking Heads
22-10-18, 10:05 PM
That's the one I posted a pic of a few days ago. I like it. Having just spent £££ converting my pointy to upright bars I'd have to take a miss on buying anything with clip-ons though! Not sure that fairing will do that much either. Looks nice though.
They could have made the nose fairing bigger, remember the pro-am LC...?
https://i.pinimg.com/originals/1e/5b/cd/1e5bcde24e5c461ff656b5178492473e.jpg
Adam Ef
22-10-18, 10:11 PM
That would probably fetch crazy money now if you had one in decent condition.
Talking Heads
22-10-18, 10:29 PM
I had a white/blue one back in the day, it got dropped frequently, including the day I fitted new Micron pipes, dropped it on a roundabout two miles after leaving home and flattened the right side pipe.
Had to buy a new pair.
That's right folks, I bought a pair of shiny bling expansion chamber pipes and they lasted two miles.
Saw a white/red 250LC for eight grand a while back.
Craig380
23-10-18, 06:58 AM
I had a white/blue one back in the day, it got dropped frequently, including the day I fitted new Micron pipes, dropped it on a roundabout two miles after leaving home and flattened the right side pipe.
Had to buy a new pair.
That's right folks, I bought a pair of shiny bling expansion chamber pipes and they lasted two miles.
Saw a white/red 250LC for eight grand a while back.
Just the other weekend I followed a white/blue LC with large-can Allspeeds for a few miles. Sounded glorious, even though he was only bimbling along at about 60. I kept wishing he'd give it some berries, but he was probably worried about seizing it ;)
R1ffR4ff
23-10-18, 10:31 AM
If you are not taking a,"Pillion" passenger a rear seat bag might be of use,
Plenty to choose from,
https://www.ebay.co.uk/sch/i.html?_from=R40&_trksid=p2380057.m570.l1311.R1.TR4.TRC2.A0.H0.Xmot orcycle+rear+seat.TRS0&_nkw=motorcycle+rear+seat+bag&_sacat=0
https://i.ebayimg.com/images/g/BzMAAOSwBP9bjP94/s-l1600.jpg
Talking Heads
23-10-18, 07:35 PM
There's nothing to attach it to and the seat is too small to get a big enough bag on for the stuff I need to take to work.
Talking Heads
23-10-18, 07:39 PM
Just the other weekend I followed a white/blue LC with large-can Allspeeds for a few miles. Sounded glorious, even though he was only bimbling along at about 60. I kept wishing he'd give it some berries, but he was probably worried about seizing it ;)
Mine never bimbled, the throttle mostly only had two positions, shut or wide open.
Red ones
23-10-18, 07:50 PM
Seriously, the Kriega packs have webbing straps that fit to the sub frame and feed out from under the seat. Had them fitted to my SK5 and SK8. Now fitted to the F800R. It's a 10 minute job to fit them. Once fitted they then stay there. They're just small webbing loops that the bags then hook on to when needed. Kriega do waterproof tail packs from 5 to 70 litres.
Adam Ef
23-10-18, 08:27 PM
If you're anywhere near Bristol you're welcome to try and attach my Kriega packs. I have a US20 and a US10 with straps for both. Love mine on my K8. Straps fitted under the rear seat to sub frame. When not attached there's just little loop ends sticking out the side of the seat hardly noticeable. Hooks are on the straps that attach to the bag. When attached it's really firm when sinched down.
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