Buying an SV650 (S)

[Black Rider]

Hi all,

I am 19 and have passed my test and am looking for an SV650 as my first proper bike. It's been 6 months since I've riden and I can't stand it any longer. I fancy getting a bike this year so I'm thinking of getting a loan or getting finance as I don't think I can wait to raise the cash - any opinions on this welcome as I would like to know what i'm letting myself in for!

Has anyone got any tips of what to look out for when buying a second hand bike? - and specific SV tips too?

I want an SV 650 from K3 onwards but I am debating whether to get the S or not. My dad and cousin are both into naked bikes - Yam 1300 SP and Suki Bandit 1200. Are there any decent clock conversion kits to enhance the looks of the unfaired SV? Otherwise i'm leaning in the direction of the S.

Finally, does anyone know the colour schemes available in the K6 SV650 and S?

[vincerhodes]

Personally i'd go for the curvy sv650s since it's way better looking than the new one, of course i'm biased. Seriously though in your position there will be massive financial advantages to getting a slightly older sv and there are plenty of 2000 - 2002 sv's with low miles in good nick out there. If money is no object then go for your k3 sv but as the proud owner of a curvy yellow sv650s i'd say you can't go wrong with the old school. Anyways it's up to you any if you've your heart set on the new model then you prob wont be swayed but bear in mind you'll prob be able to pick up a just run in 200 sv like I did and save up to £2000 including insurance costs...you can get a Haynes manual and take your bike apart too if u get the old style!!!

Good luck

[GSXR Carlos]

Personally i'd go for the curvy sv650s since it's way better looking than the new one, of course i'm biased. Seriously though in your position there will be massive financial advantages to getting a slightly older sv and there are plenty of 2000 - 2002 sv's with low miles in good nick out there. If money is no object then go for your k3 sv but as the proud owner of a curvy yellow sv650s i'd say you can't go wrong with the old school. Anyways it's up to you any if you've your heart set on the new model then you prob wont be swayed but bear in mind you'll prob be able to pick up a just run in 200 sv like I did and save up to £2000 including insurance costs...you can get a Haynes manual and take your bike apart too if u get the old style!!!

Good luck

:winner: you know it makes sense :wink:

[DanAbnormal]

Curvy is so yesterday. I think the curvy looks naff. Again, maybe I'm ever so slightly biased. 8) Also with the curvy you get a huge gap between the tank and the frame for no apparent reason. Gah! Anyway there will be many more lower mileage pointy's about as they are a lot newer. Plus everyone knows Suzi's deteriate quicker than you can say acf-50!

Pointy is the way forward! :lol: 8)

[SVTONYB]

You need to get a curvy not only do they look better they are now proven to last longer, go faster and hold their value longer.

[Captain Nemo]

Curvy= antiques roadshow :twisted:

what do i have? K4 pointy 650S. .

in blue "The fastest colour"

[DanAbnormal]

Curvy= antiques roadshow :twisted:

what do i have? K4 pointy 650S. .

in blue "The fastest colour"

Amen to that!

[Chris Glynn]

I second that!

[fizzwheel]

If it was me I woudl check

Service History and Receipts for work done

I'd look at the condition of the chain, sprocket and tyres

Check the end of the brake levers, footpegs, gear and rear brake lever, are they scuffed or bent, if so be wary it might have been dropped or been thrown down the road. Have a look at the heelplates are they scuffed or worn. If theres alot of wear on the heel plates and footpegs but the bike has low milleage dig a little deeper as the milleage on the speedo might not be correct.

Does it need an MOT, how much tax does it have.

Get the registration and do a HPI check to make sure theres no outstanding debts on it.

Does it come with extra's such as a can, if so do the original bits come with the bike.

Have a look at the front forks, are they pitted / chipped, SV's are known for this on higher milleage examples. Also the front disks rust if its been riden through the winter, have a look at the rear shock is it dirty or is it shiny clean it'll give you an idea for what the bikes been used for.

If you can have a peek in the owners garage, have a look at that to. If its full of cleaning products etc etc then its a good sign that its been looked after.

You should set yourself a budget and buy yourself the best bike you can afford, look at 2 or 3 and dont buy the first bike you look at.

I've seen curveys going for ridiculous prices in dealers, so you might find you get a better deal on a pointy. Also have a look round and see if you can get a good deal on last years model K5 SVS you might be able to get a brand new bike for a stonking good price.

HTH good luck

[Tim in Belgium]

Go for the SV650 you want, curvy or pointy, naked or S, otherwise if you get the one that you want less there will always be that longing feeling in the bottom of your stomach...

On the other hand if you've only got a couple of grand you aint got much choice! A balance of instant gratification (cheaper older model now) vs ultimate satisfaction (saving more for a newer one) is the name of the game.

The choice is yours.

[Kate]

Hello and welcome! I personally like the pointy SVs (funnily enough) but choose the one you like the best, despite what everyone says, there isn't really anything major to choose between the curvy and pointy except the looks.

The SVs aren't known for their outstanding build quality so I would check the general condition of the bike and also make sure any bike you look at has a full service history and also check that it hasn't been dropped. I would suggest going for as new as you can afford with few miles.

Right now is a good time to buy as its cold out there and that puts off many bikers. If you are after a steal, ebay seem to have plenty of SVs on there going pretty damn cheap.

You really can't beat the SV for fun though, good choice!

[kwak zzr]

carefull owners and pref only ridden in dry weather(like mine), you should be able to tell straight away because as others have said the build quality is only budget, afterall it is a budget bike. which ever one you choose you'll have a hoot!! :D



ssshhhh buy a pointy :-dd

[BILLY]

Go for a CURVY you can get a lot of bike for less than £2000. :thumbsup: :thumbsup: :thumbsup:

[Iansv]

Everythings better curvy :wink:

[G - renamed]

Remember, you should be looking at the road, not the bike when you're riding it :).

I got a fairly good nick 20k mile curvey SV for £1000 - that's a whole lot of money difference to spend on beer, trackdays and racing. (Not that I had any more money in the first place, though :()

[socommk23]

Curvy= antiques roadshow :twisted:

what do i have? K4 pointy 650S. .

in blue "The fastest colour"

Amen to that!

these guys just need the pointy one to sharpen their wit!...lol
curvy all the way!
and naked too!....the bike not you!

[Xenolith]

Well for my $0.02 worth..................
I have a curvy (W plate SK1) SV650s, which I love.
I think that a pointy probably is a bit better with the injection (a friend has a point K4 naked).
I think that the curvys are a bit easier to make look nicer with an undertray and colour coded hugger (if that is what you like).

I got my W reg 2000 curvy S for £2500 last year, which was about top theoretical book but it was mint and only had 1700 miles on the clock.

As I said already I have put on a colour matched hugger and undertray (Suzuki official) and have just bought a double bubble screen.

I think as many people have already said that it really depends primarily on your budget and secondly on the shape you prefer.

Check out the history and if you buy from a dealer on finance make sure you check out the deals they offer as they often try and bamboozle you by using flat rate interest vs APR.
The only way to compare is by looking at total cost of loan.

[Black Rider]

I recently went to my local Suzuki dealer to get it all sorted and get the ball rolling :lol:
I applied for finance and got approved BUT ONLY with a parental guarantaur :cry:
My dad had said previously that he would not do this and my mum was reluctant as I still owed her some money from a recentt skiing trip 8)

BUT NOW I've paid off all my debts and my mum has agreed to do it!!!!

I'M CHUFFED TO BITS!!!! CAN'T WAIT :D :D :D :D :D

YOU HAVE JUST MET ONE OF THE HAPPIEST GUYS ALIVE :!: 8)

[Black Rider]

As opposed to the happiest guy not alive :!:

[Cloggsy]

YOU HAVE JUST MET ONE OF THE HAPPIEST GUYS ALIVE :!: 8)

So, you're getting a brand new one :?:

[GSXR Carlos]

coolio, see you this summer :lol:

[Black Rider]

Yup Cloggsy I'm getting a brand spanker

It'll have Fairing lowers, a datatool s4

...and a restrictor :roll:

[fullstop102]

Everythings better curvy :wink:

Except maybe a knife blade :P

Just bought a K3 SV650S... Beautiful. Be careful soldier... If you havent ridden in a while just take care.