Which SV for me?

[solamanda]

Hi there, I am new around here and have some numpty questions about the sv650. I will be getting my first big bike in a couple weeks and almost settled on getting a used sv, (around the £1.5k mark). It will be used for commuting in town (35 miles a day) and possibly some longer riding for holidays/track days when I get some more experience.

I was looking to get a faired sv (the s version) for more comfort at speed. A friend has told me that the non faired version has lower gearing/pegs more suitable for in town use. Does this make a big difference?

Is there anything else I need to look out for buying these bikes used?

Thanks and sorry for questions I'm sure you've heard many times before!

[kwak zzr]

try and get to sit on both or evan better ride both the s and the naked versions because they are pretty different as your mates already said then decide which one you want.
theres no real probs with sv's but they do rot fast if not looked after.

[Biker Biggles]

Buy the best one you can find for your money.The faired ones are far more common.I prefer the naked one for comfort,and it's a real tool round town.I have a small screen which keeps off most of the wind at higher speed.

[Gordon B]

I'm with Biggles.

I commute 50 miles round trip and the naked is perfect for filtering through traffic as its quite narrow and you can see all around, but still with enough grunt to get you out of trouble.

Having said that I never rode an S, I didnt want anything too sporty for a first ride and the naked does everything I want it to, and a little bit more.

[Tim in Belgium]

Personally I ended up going for the S for my first bike, as I wanted to do some longer trips, where the fairing comes in useful,.

Have a look at the post below:

http://forums.sv650.org/viewtopic.php?t=41988&highlight=

Many people went through similar points.

I guess for 1.5 k you are going to be looking at one of the earlier bikes known as a curvy. Good luck finding what ever you decide on.

[petevtwin650]

I would say a curvy S as it is more all round usable. It's cheap to change the gearing to suit town riding ( if neccessary) whereas a decent fairing isn't. However chances are you will drop the bike and an S will cost more to repair. Also it's a group higher on the insurance. Fit crash bungs. Apart from that running costs must be pretty much identical.

And beware I sold my 45,000 miler bike and cos it was looked after it was in better nick than a neglected 10,000 miler. So an unscruplious seller could con you. Try and find a well looked after, clean bike and don't worry too much about the mileage.

Good hunting.

[solamanda]

Thanks for the advice. I passed my test today so will start looking! :D

[petevtwin650]

Fantastic news solamanda. Well done.

Try and be patient and look around.

[solamanda]

I've been looking at used bikes in listings for a few months so have an idea, need to see a few in the flesh. I am off on holiday tomorrow so will have to wait 2 weeks.

[Abyss]

Congrats!

I went for the Naked last week, you really do get battered by the wind when going above 70 on motorways but its liveable. The bike is great for London city riding tho :)

Ive never had a faired bike (the SV is the 1st bike ive had) so I dont know what im missing with the faired wind protection, if i had had a faied bike before I think the lack of wind protection would annoy me more :P

[Davido]

Tbh wind batters you no matter what. It just comes in varying degrees.

Oh and on that streetfighterstore, can somebody point me in the direction in a set of gold handlebars (raised) that would bolt onto the S forks.

Thank you, sorry for bringing this up again, but its better than starting a new thread.

[solamanda]

I had a test ride on a 650 (unfaired) this morning. Really liked it, nice seating position but the wind was annoying over 80. How effective are aftermarket screens, can you get a 'big' screen and bolt it on?

Cheers :)

[northwind]

If you're doing mostly city riding, I'd get a naked, they're not massively better at it but as's been said, they crash better, and that'd be a consideration for me I think. Both are damn good city bikes. The only thing I'd say in favour of the S for proper knadgery street work, is that the mirrors pop in easily making it possibly to filter through gaps you wouldn't believe- but with the N, it's not so easy, giving you 2 sets ofobstructions. The S bars are a little lower as well, meaning you can slip them by some mirrors easier. I doubt this would be an issue unless you filter like an idiot (ie, me) :)

Andlike Pete, I'd say buy by condition not miles. A high miler SV that's been looked after represents superb value. The engines are very reliable when not pushed too hard, tuned or neglected (over 100,000 miles is easily doable), and the frame, handily, doesn't go rusty or bend :) Don't shy away from cosmetic downers, they can be fixed quite easily should you choose- but a tidy looking bike with a mechanical or electrical issue could be a money put.

Oh and on that streetfighterstore, can somebody point me in the direction in a set of gold handlebars (raised) that would bolt onto the S forks.

Pretty much anything will fit, if you swap the yokes or drill them out (I'd swap). It's fairing clearance that could be nadgery. I'd go with Renthal, myself, lots of choice there. Some people say they're fragile, though.

[solamanda]

I am a filter idiot (commuting in london demands it!) but the s version is too low down for me. I have a slipped disc in my back and other issues which makes the higher bars essential. If a reasonable sized screen is available I can be confident that the sv will suit all my needs :)

[$tevo]

before I bought my naked, I sat on an S and thought b*gger this for a game of soldiers, the thing's a torture device!
Very happy with the bike I've got apart from the seat that won't let me ride for more than 90 mins before my backside starts begging for mercy
Try to get a test ride if you can.