What SV 650 to buy?

[jamieb]

Hi - I'm a new member and hopefully - very soon - will be an SV650S owner. I've got a budget of up to £2300 and am looking for a used SV. I'm thinking that'll get me a 1999/2000 with 15-20k on the clock.

I'm coming back to biking after a break of 10yrs odd (previous bike RD350LC). Done a bit of research and the SV seems the one for me. However, I'm 6ft 2in and I've read that SV's are good for shorter riders.

I'd really appreciate any help, advice, offers or info. Also, is there anything that I should look for or avoid?

I'm going to look at an import tomorrow - anyone had any experience of these?
Cheers

[Mr Toad]

get a blue one - they're faster than the others :twisted:

seriously, find one in a dealers and have a sit on it - unless you're very short or very tall, there won't be a problem
naked bikes are a bit more upright - the pegs are higher and the bars are lower on the faired bikes, which makes them more suitable for the open road, and the nakeds are better around town, although at the end of the day there isn't much in it.
Now's a good time to buy - prices will be at their cheapest :D

[Captain Nemo]

get a blue one - they're faster than the others :twisted:



this is so true,


i have an 04 650s and im 6ft, and i sometimes think that the bike is a bit big !!!
my mates 6'5'' and he thinks my bike is fine for him,

6'2'' should be great, gert one big guy, and welcome to the family !!

[Couerdelion]

I'm 6ft 4 and don't have any problem with the SV.

Like has been said... get down to a dealers and have a sit on one.

[Ceri JC]

I'm 6'2" comfy riding position for me, even on regular 100 mile+ trips.

[jamieb]

Thanks for your help guys.

Anything in particular I should look for or avoid - technologies come a long way since my RD350!!

[carelesschucca]

take a check of the headlights on the bike Imports usually have one lens with a clear area (on the age of the bike your looking at)

If it does have this you'll probably need to get a new set of head lamps because it should fair its MOT!!!

[Couerdelion]

Keep an eye on the 'For Sale' forum on here too. Bikes are usually resonably priced. (if they aren't someone will tell the seller :D )

this one for example... http://forums.sv650.org/viewtopic.php?t=18553
(Nothing to do with me!)

[Viney]

<------ Buy mine :) 2300

[jamieb]

No idea where Downham is, I'm afraid.

Can you give me more info or a link to your ad

Cheers

[RenamedMonkey]

I'm the same height as you, and I have no problems. Fantastic bike. As long as it's black.

[nickj]

Best advice i can give is too look around, i've just bought my SV. It's a 2001 with full service history, datatag alarm, alphadot, very clean model with a twin renegade exhaust conversion and i only paid £1950.

Check things like biketrader.co.uk and mcn and you'll find something, just don't buy the first thing you see.........or you could buy vineys bike as everyone told me to do, meant to be very nice! :wink:

Also e-bay does sometimes have good deals on but try to find one near you so you can go see the bike first. Be prepared to travel a little.

[Ceri JC]

I'm the same height as you, and I have no problems. Fantastic bike. As long as it's black. And POINTY


Sorry, couldn't resist. :)

[Biker Biggles]

Mrs.Biggles bike is a 2000 unfaired import.It has a km speedo and a Euro headlight but has always passed the MOT.I recomend the naked,less common,version.More room,more comfortable and more fun hooning round the Watford one way system :lol:

[K]

I'd opt for a UK spec if you can.

I don't really know if it makes much difference to insurance quotes, but whether the machine was a import is a question I always seem to get asked when looking into insurance.

From a parts point of view I know some imports can be a pain (hence it may affect insurance quotes), espescially the older the bike gets.

[Scoobs]

http://server3.uploadit.org/files/viney71-Bike.jpg<------ Buy mine :) 2300

You could do worse Jamieb. Snap Viney's arm off!

[Cloggsy]

previous bike RD350LC

Quality bike... Wish I'd kept mine :cry:

[Cloggsy]

http://www.sv650.org/sv_rideout2004/myphotos/124_2472.jpg<------ Buy mine :) 2300
*Bike on left in the picture ;)

You could do worse Jamieb. Snap Viney's arm off!

Viney's machine is nice :thumbsup:

[jamieb]

Thanks for all your help. I think I've found the one - it's a 2001 SV650S with 4300 miles. It has a half fairing - so I'm going to buy the lowers.

I've seen them on M&P's website for £120 - anyone know where I can get a better deal - I'll check the for sale section here too.

The only thing that's buggin me is the mileage seems very low - should I be suspicious? Or just put it down to previous 2 owners being pretend bikers who only went out on sunny sundays?

Are SV's easy to clock?

[embee]

...a 2001 SV650S with 4300 miles........ The only thing that's buggin me is the mileage seems very low - should I be suspicious?


It may well be genuine. Is it at a Dealer or private? Has it had 1 or 2 MOT's? Check the mileage on them.

Also it should probably either be on pretty much worn original tyres, or nearly new replacements.

Check the condition of the chain+sprockets, they ought to look close to new.

If private, check ALL the paperwork very carefully, check for watermarks in MOT and V5, and you ought to get receipts including the original sale (copy at least). Where are you seeing the bike? If not a dealer it MUST be at the address on the V5./

If you get it, first thing to do is sort the front end, at least change the oil and set the oil level correctly, set the static sag right, and if you're over 10stone consider replacement springs. There's been loads of info on here about this. Believe us, it makes a HUGE difference to the handling of the bike.

...and if you're needing tyres soon, read the Tyre section in the Reviews forum here, there's a lot of excellent experience to draw on.

Oh, and manuals are here
http://www.sv650.org/sv_manuals.htm

2001 SVS, a fine vintage! :wink:

[jamieb]

Thanks for your exellent advice.

The bikes got one MOT with 2700 recorded - from last Sept (shortly after the current owner bought it - he's been using it to commute 12 miles). Paper work seems to check out but their isn't much - just two garage receipts (4000 mile service and carb balancing) - nothing from the original owner.

Chain and sprockets seem OK - there's plenty of room left on the chain adjuster.

I am over 10stone but I think replacing the oil and/or forks may well be beyond my capabilities - I'll check out the manuals link.

Thanks again