View Full Version : New to site and bike
racinghonda
07-10-04, 10:45 AM
Woo hoo! I'm picking up my 99 SV650s tomorrow morning. I'm stepping up from a Honda VT250 bike (learner legal in Australia).
I have never ridden a bike with an engine bigger that 250cc before.
Is there anything I should be carefull off with the SV? It weighs about the same as my old bike and I'm 6"2' so the bike is just the right size for me.
I'm also returning to riding after being taken out by a cager making a turn in front of me. Lucky I was going only 30kph (anticipated some danger). Apparently he didn't see me (lights on, bright leathers, helmet etc)
Well, some background on the bike. Its done 14000kms and has been serviced regularly according to the books. Its blue.
I'm filled in anticipation, hoping that it'll be easy to ride.
Flamin_Squirrel
07-10-04, 10:49 AM
Welcome \:D/
Advice... Don't let the engine braking surprise you. Other than that, enjoy 8)
Shinsei Jutsu
07-10-04, 10:53 AM
Hi and big welcome.
Top bike. Sure you'll love it. Great choice in old shape and blue!
racinghonda
07-10-04, 10:54 AM
So you're saying take care downshifting?
What are the brakes like on the SV?
Are there any horsepower peaks in the rev range i should be mindfull off?
The thing that worries me is power delivery . . . It does had 2x the power of my old bike.
So you're saying take care downshifting?
What are the brakes like on the SV?
Are there any horsepower peaks in the rev range i should be mindfull off?
The thing that worries me is power delivery . . . It does had 2x the power of my old bike.
Blip the throttle on the downshift. There is a lot of engine breaking. You'll get used to it. It also means brake pads last for ages.
Brakes are OK at best if they are standard. You can improve with some decent pads (Corbone Lorraines) and braided hoses.
No real "harsh" peaks in power, but it does pull harder from 6,500 ish.
Enjoy and welcome to the site.
I stepped up from a 500cc Kawasaki to the 650SV and found that 70mph came up alot quicker than I was expecting. Watch out for the cops!!!
I also went from a 500cc Kwaki. Was yours a GPZ by any chance?
70 came must faster than I was expecting, with much less gear changes...
I find the breakes great for road work - but then I don't really have any twisties to test them on properly. The back wheel can quite easily be lifted at lights (that shocked me, I wasn't trying to!)
The engine braking is phenominal! But then aren't v twins known for that?
All in all a great bike. I'm loving mine.
Stu
There's alot of ex gpz500 riders on here...
Myself and Amanda M are former gpz owners
Amanda M
07-10-04, 02:25 PM
:D
Welcome to the site
There's alot of ex gpz500 riders on here...
Yep that includes me aswell. First real bike. Gleaming red GPZ500S.
Ran it into the ground..........
Steve H
07-10-04, 03:17 PM
I used to own a Kawasaki ER5. Does that count?............wish i hadn't admitted that now! :oops:
more or less the same bike..... I learnt on an er5
bluebell
07-10-04, 05:15 PM
Hello.
Frenchloon
07-10-04, 06:44 PM
Why the Racing Honda pseudo, if you got an SV?
Carsick
07-10-04, 09:57 PM
I'm obviously the only one that doesn't really notice the difference in engine braking on the SV. I'll admit that it is a bit stronger but I wouldn't say it's anything to worry about. I've had the back wheel go sideways on a few different bikes, and if anything I was gentler with the downchanges than i have been with the SV.
racinghonda
07-10-04, 10:43 PM
Why the Racing Honda pseudo, if you got an SV?
Umm, just out of habit. Its the pseudo I use on my car forums and I didn't want to make up a new one and have to remember it.
3hrs to go! Have to go get a bank cheque to pay for the SV.
ok, have to watch out for engine braking.
BTW typically, now much petrol is left with the fuel light comes on? 2L?
Are you guys metric in the UK?
Welcome to the world of the SV! If you're in OZ then check out the forums on
http://www.svdownunder.com/
Great bunch of people there as well.
The only thing that I found different about the SV (mine is a K3) after previously having a GSX750 was the engine braking as others have suggested. It's not harsh or nasty or anything but quite strong. In fact, when I'm running with other traffic on twisty downhilly bits, I find that I usually never have to use my brakes. This did surprise me initially, but I like it.
You won't regret getting an SV. A bit "low-spec" compared to some other bikes out there but for the real world and a great fun ride, then it can't be beat.
Off the subject...I ran into a bloke today while out riding who had a brand spanking new SV1000S out for it's first ride (42 k's on the clock) that was fitted with twin Yoshi cans. What a sweet, sweet sound. Needless to say, he wore a fairly wide grin!
Have fun and stay safe my friend :D
Hi welcome to the site and watchout for the wierdo's on the site. You can tell who they are by thier avatars :wink: :wink:
Barty_b0y
08-10-04, 06:06 AM
.
BTW typically, now much petrol is left with the fuel light comes on? 2L?
Are you guys metric in the UK?
30 miles ish
imperial and metric depends what things your on about but yes petrol is both
racinghonda
08-10-04, 10:44 PM
Ok, I picked the bike up yesterday. 1st impression was the way the bike wanted to lurch off the line. I had to take special care to modulate the clutch a bit more. I didn't really notice the engine braking, infact I think my old Honda VT250F V-Twin was more agressive when it comes to engine braking . . . ?
The thing that stuck me most of all was the torque! Oh boy :shock: this thing pulls hard and you don't need to rev it.
I'll have to admid to not using more than 8000rpms, too scared of the thing. Today I'm going to change the oil, oil filter and brake fluid for good measure.
I hadn't noticed this when buying the bike but the front tire is worn more on the right than the left, which make the bike feel different turning left or right. The previous owner must have loved his round-a-bouts or right hand turns.
The bike came with Dunlop Sportmax tyres.
http://www.racinghonda.com/pictures/sv650s/DSCF2219.jpg
http://www.racinghonda.com/pictures/sv650s/DSCF2220.jpg
Cloggsy
08-10-04, 11:02 PM
Looks very nice for an old shape bike :wink:
Stick some Bridgestone BT 014's tyres on it :wink:
carelesschucca
09-10-04, 12:54 AM
Just put 020's on it there great for 'real' road riding :wink:
just enjoy one of the most friendly bikes you'll ever ride, teh people who will take to you ain't to bad either...Just stay safe and stay happy, and most of all No Worries!!!
racinghonda
09-10-04, 03:52 AM
Getting a Dunlop Sportmax fitted to the front next weekend. The dealer said it is a Sport Touring one as opposed to an all out sports one. I commute on the bike so the tire has to last.
Changed the brake fluid, used Castrol Super DOT 4 and got Mobil semi syth 4T oil and OEM Suzuki oil filter. Everything looks good on the bike, I took off all the plastic bits to lube the links and stuff.
A better (daylight) pic of my new beast
http://www.racinghonda.com/pictures/sv650s/DSCF2225.jpg
bikerskez
09-10-04, 12:28 PM
Welcome,
I also went from a 250 to the 650, the biggest difference i noticed was a stupid grin on my face, you'll see what i mean. enjoy and be safe , skez
Looks lovely and clean mate, let the mods commence :wink:
WTF is that god damn UGLY thing sticking out the back of your bike :?: :shock: :shock: :shock:
You've been taking mod tips from jonboy havn't you :!: :lol: :lol:
jimmy4237
09-10-04, 06:36 PM
Now ditch the standard exhaust can for a race can, get a K&N air filter, a Dynojet kit on it and you'll have an even bigger grin :D
Hope you don't have anti-bike neighbours when (and if) you decide to fit a race can - or then again you won't care when you hear the sound of an SV with a pure race can on it.....
Enjoy the bike.
PS - Source some lower fairings for the bike too - changes the look of the SVS completely...
SV650S Chick
09-10-04, 09:45 PM
nice looking bike. if and when you do switch out the cans you should also get a seat cal, an elimnator kit, flush mounts and an integrator kit to keep in with the sleek and clean look. 8) although may i suggest a high mount pipe, unless you like giving people rides.
racinghonda
10-10-04, 09:27 PM
WTF is that god damn UGLY thing sticking out the back of your bike :?: :shock: :shock: :shock:
You've been taking mod tips from jonboy havn't you :!: :lol: :lol:
Yeah, its really ugly but unfortunately I need it. Its a pack rack system. I have a special 65litre bag that attaches to it. Perfect for my work clothes, clear visor and work shoes.
The price of practicality. :(
My neighbour is an old lady, hopefully she has gone a little deaf ;)
Mods will come once my bank account has recovered.
The tyre I'm getting fitted is the Dunlop Sportmax D220 F1206017
Cloggsy
10-10-04, 10:24 PM
The tyre I'm getting fitted is the Dunlop Sportmax D220 F1206017
:shock: Are those the same D220's that we get fitted as 'stock' tyres over here when we buy our bikes? If so, I/we don't rate them really :!: Look for the D220 thread in 'Tyres' :roll:
northwind
10-10-04, 11:22 PM
Is that the stock exhaust system? Looks kind of odd- doesn't the stock system go down the front of the oil filter rather than down the side?
I see you've found your way over here as well mate. There is a bit of info on svdownunder about tyres, obviously things are a bit different for tyre types and conditions in Oz. The main reason that the tyre would be worn on the right side is the camber of the road.
Have a shop around for pipes, the best mod for sure, and there are some good ones for sure. I'm wrapped with my Remus can and you can get that in high or standard mount. The Staintunes are also a good option to have a look at.
racinghonda
11-10-04, 11:11 AM
Ah, yes, camber that makes a lot of sense. The tire currently on there is the OEM Metzeler (SP) one.
As for pipes, I'm sure I can convince the missus that it would be a good safety investment so cagers can hear me :D
I currently have the stock pipe on there, it even has the noice level confliance sticker on it.
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