First Bike

[Fletch]

Hey Guys

Just about to do my test, and have decided (thanks to the offers suzuki and cupar are doing) to go for a new SV650 with the full fairing .... it gets good write ups as a very nice first bike, and a very good all rounder!!

I'm needing advice of what to do to the bike first, i'm sure the bike has a few quirks (as anything does) that will need to looked at!

I'm from up in Aberdeen (almost) area, i see there is another few guys here!!

I also wanna point you all in the direction of an insurance company
http://www.ebikeinsurance.co.uk/
I got a quote from them (No Experience, 1 SP30, no NCD) on a new SV for £249.99
They halfed my mates quote on his Bandit and SP1 to £170 from £350!!

Cheers Guys
Fletch

[quikstu]

Great quote. I presume that is not fully comp though.

Get yourself to http://www.Cupar.co.uk motorcycles for your new bike. Still 0% finance for three years.

On things to do to the bike:
1) Get a front fender extenda which is £17 from Pyramid. 10 mins to fit (dead easy).
2) Tail tidy from http://www.Hamicad.co.uk
3) rear seat cowl, unfortunatley K6 ones are the stupid price of £66!!!!!!!!!!

You'll get 1 & 3 from your dealer.

Good luck wi the bike. Take it EASY at first especially wi new tyres, til you have done about 100 miles.
Take one of theirs for a test ride.
Beware of the engine braking on a V-Twin.

Don't think you'll regret the SV.

And welcome to the clan.

8)

[Fletch]

You'll get 1 & 3 from your dealer.

Good luck wi the bike. Take it EASY at first especially wi new tyres, til you have done about 100 miles.
Take one of theirs for a test ride.
Beware of the engine braking on a V-Twin.

I'll see if i can get 1 & 3 Thrown in ... Its worth a try, but i won't hold my breath

As for being careful ... i will be VERY!!
I would take one of theres out, but won't have my full licence in time for the end of the 0% offer, so i'm gonna risk it!! What's the worst that can happen? I don't like it, but as i have nothing to compare it to the chances of that happening are slim!!

Cheers for your help :D :D

[Fletch]

PS .. that quote was fully comp!!

[DanAbnormal]

Congrats on your choice. The fenda extenda is the most important thing to get. Othewise you may breakdown in the wet. Also get a tank protector as you will soon scuff and dull the paint on the front of the tank (I think Suzuki use poster paint on the SV!).

For looks get the tail tidy, although it is a bit of a pain to fit. You will also need some smaller rear indicators if you want the tail tidy. I paid £30 for my tail tidy from ebay from a company in Germany. UK companies are charging £50 for them so shop around first.

The seat cowl does look nice but for nearly £70 I would rather get a hugger as it actually helps keep your shock clean etc.

[fizzwheel]

Crash Bungs. Cheapest and best mod for a new rider on a new bike IMHO. R & G's will fit and you wont need to modify the lower fairing. However Northwind who has experience in these kinds of things highly rates some MotoSliders bungs. Have a search for "Crash Bungs" its been covered plenty of times.

Ebike will give you a discount on your insurance for having R & G bungs fitted though.

After that what the others have said, Also think about a Scotoiler to save on chain maintenance and wear.

[DanAbnormal]

Damn. how did we all forget crash bungs!? :roll: They are the most important thing you should get! Listen to the Fizz!

[Toypop]

Depends how many miles you are going to do and in what conditions.

If you are commuting in all weathers then a fender extender would be a good idea although I noticed in some threads people were reporting problems even with these fitted - they are no use if you are on a dual carriageway or motorway in the rain getting sprayed by other vehicles for example. Others recommend bunging some substance or other in the plug hole - a search should find the details.

Scottoiler as mentioned would be a good idea for a high mileage rider.

I have R&G's and they do give you a bit of piece of mind if you drop it and of all the mods might actually make your bike more desirable when selling it on especially given the type of newbie rider that might be looking at your bike.

Otherwise though I'd try and keep it as standard as possible because mods rarely add to the used value of the bike and often detract from it. Chances are you could get bored and want to trade in for something else sooner than you think so be wary of diminishing your resale value as used buyers like clean totally stock bikes.

If you are a fair weather leisure rider then there is nothing you need aside from something like a liftstik to make lubing the chain easier - use Wurth dry chain lube it is the dogs nads.

[TC3]

Otherwise though I'd try and keep it as standard as possible because mods rarely add to the used value of the bike and often detract from it. Chances are you could get bored and want to trade in for something else sooner than you think so be wary of diminishing your resale value as used buyers like clean totally stock bikes.

If you are a fair weather leisure rider then there is nothing you need aside from something like a liftstik to make lubing the chain easier - use Wurth dry chain lube it is the dogs nads.

A standard bike is pretty much boring and not to mention has some ugly features such as the snow shovel!! PJ1 is a very good lube also if applied correctly and there is very lil fling if any

Do whatever takes your fancy to get the bike looking how you want and give it that personnel touch and just be sure to keep the standard bits for when you sell it on.

[Jabba]

Best £70 I've spent on my bike is the Scottoiler. Chain doesn't need adjusting between services and it saves a lot of mucking about.

Best £85 I've spent was on a Bikesafe weekend with the local plod. Try to get on a course before the winter as it will do your confidence a world of good.

As for the other stuff, crash-bungs are a good idea as is a hugger, but listen to the chaps on here if I had an SV I'd get the fender extender first :thumbsup:

I'd do all that before the tarty stuff like tail tidys and cans :thumbsup:

[wheelnut]

I have never understood how a scott oiler negates the need to adjust a chain. Its a plastic bottle with oil in it.

[BILLY]

The best mod is fill it with petrol and ride it!!!!!!!!!

[BillyC]

Welcome...

Right... forget what the rest have said ;)

Fender Extenda - get a Suzuki one, get the dealer to fit it as part of the purchase.
Hamicad Tail tidy - yes, get one, get rid of the snow shovel on the back.
Crash bungs... £70, will save you hundreds when you come to drop it - and you will!
Sort out your suspension - at the very least, you will need to adjust the preload setting front and rear, unless you weigh less than 8st. Don't be afraid to do this, small changes radically improve the character of the bike.
Again, the stock tyres go no way to show you the bikes ability to make you smile. Take it easy for a couple of hundred miles at least, and then take it easy for the next 4000 miles until you have a) got used to the bike, and b) can justify a set of proper tyres that are appropriate to the bikes character (020's, Z6's, Road Attacks etc.)
Double-bubble, improves looks, and keeps the wind of your head - useful if you're a taller person.
BikeSafe - get on one of these courses run by the Police - a great little modification for you and your riding, not just the bike.
ScottOiler - get one soon... £69 is a lot I hear you say, but consider it will a) double your chain and sprocket life saving you £100+ for replacements, and b) minimise the amount of attention you need to give your chain for adjustment and cleaning. In short, it'll pay for itself within 15,000 miles.
When you've done all that, then you can think about a fruity can, and an air filter ;)

[BILLY]

Welcome...

Right... forget what the rest have said ;)

Fender Extenda - get a Suzuki one, get the dealer to fit it as part of the purchase.
Hamicad Tail tidy - yes, get one, get rid of the snow shovel on the back.
Crash bungs... £70, will save you hundreds when you come to drop it - and you will!
Sort out your suspension - at the very least, you will need to adjust the preload setting front and rear, unless you weigh less than 8st. Don't be afraid to do this, small changes radically improve the character of the bike.
Again, the stock tyres go no way to show you the bikes ability to make you smile. Take it easy for a couple of hundred miles at least, and then take it easy for the next 4000 miles until you have a) got used to the bike, and b) can justify a set of proper tyres that are appropriate to the bikes character (020's, Z6's, Road Attacks etc.)
Double-bubble, improves looks, and keeps the wind of your head - useful if you're a taller person.
BikeSafe - get on one of these courses run by the Police - a great little modification for you and your riding, not just the bike.
ScottOiler - get one soon... £69 is a lot I hear you say, but consider it will a) double your chain and sprocket life saving you £100+ for replacements, and b) minimise the amount of attention you need to give your chain for adjustment and cleaning. In short, it'll pay for itself within 15,000 miles.
When you've done all that, then you can think about a fruity can, and an air filter ;)


And remorgage your house to pay for it all :lol:

[Jabba]

I have never understood how a scott oiler negates the need to adjust a chain. Its a plastic bottle with oil in it.

True, but it oils the chain constantly during use and this is far more effective than a weekly dollop of chain lube.

It doesn't negate the need to adjust a chain, it just needs doing less frequently.