My first ride

[Alpinestarhero]

Well! I got it finally out of the way - my first ride on my SV! Its been a long time coming since i brought the bike 3 months ago, but man, was it worth it!

So here;s how I found it, and I hope any newbies will find this reveiw helpfull; also worth me mentioning is that my machine is 33bhp restricted, and have a 99 curvy SV650s.

Engine:
Although 33bhp dosnt sound like alot when you read through the media, but for a new rider its more than usefull. In the first 3 gears, the bike feels like it has alot of poke. I certainyl found that above 4k rpm there was usable power. It runs out of puff with more revs and higher gearrs, no doubt, but there is more than enough for a new rider - i dont think anyone should be dissapointed with a restricted SV.

The engine braking is very strong - i didnt lock up the rear wheel today changin down but i know this could be an issue. Its very usfull though, because you can use the engine brake in a corner. Its very controlable that way and you can leave the brakes alone (less chance of an off)

Handling wise, it caught me out at first because i wasnt used to the weight (coming from a scooter) but its easy to get too at slow speeds. I found it needed more imput than im used to, but its a very forgiving bike. Its well composed over bumps, either upright or lent over in a corner. The bike always feels like it can go faster, but dosnt encourage you to if you dont want too. Its brilliant to ride.

The riding position is a little hunched over, but i dont have any complaints!

All in all, im so happy i brought this bike and not a 400 or something. Its perfect for newbies and experianced folk (my dad likes it too)

Theres my 2p!

Matt

[kwak zzr]

glad you are enjoying your bike matey! :D

[Alpinestarhero]

Indeed!

Out again tomorrow :D

Matt

[MikeC]

Good stuff - i'm currently looking at SV's, cant wait to finally get one and ride it!!

[rictus01]

*Bump*

[rictus01]

*Bump*

[Alpinestarhero]

Is it your first bike? I take it from your other post that its not?

Matt

[kwak zzr]

ride safe matt the roads are greasy as hell.

[Alpinestarhero]

Yea i kno, i spent alot of time today looking for the dry line, being cautious of the wet tarmac. I wasnt pushing though, so it wasnt so bad. I'm taking it slow and steady, thinking carefull about my riding and trying to improve on the next run. Main thing at the moment is slow control.

The engine braking makes my nuts crush against the tank :shock:

But I'm learning how to avoid that...

Matt

[zobo]

Hey i got my first sv650 but naked model....got her on Weds...i've been ill since then so i haven't been out on her yet :cry: I've managed to fit some crash bungs on her(Poppy)so she's all ready for the first outing...but i am secretly crapping my pants and also excited at the same time...(if thats possible).. like you it's a big move for me from a 125...i just don't want end up loosing it and end up riding up someones drive over nana's prise rose bush...WAH

As they say gently does it :wink:

let us know how you get on

[Alpinestarhero]

Zobo, just take it easy. I did today and i was fine. Dont be encouraged to go faster just because someone else is! Ride for you!

Good luck, i hope you enjoy your bike as much as i enjoy mine!

Matt

[netsurfer]

Dont be encouraged to go faster just because someone else is!


This happened me yesterday, another SV'er passed me on the approach to a roundabout, once round it and onto a dual carriageway I ended up pushing things a little too much for comfort to try and catch him.

Sitting here thinking about it now it was a stupid thing to do, but at the time.. well you know how it goes.

Pete

[Alpinestarhero]

Oh dear! are you ok though?

We all make mistakes, we all learn.

Chin up

Matt

[Sid Squid]

Glad to hear that you're enjoying your new bike!

One tiny thing:
Its very usfull though, because you can use the engine brake in a corner.
Don't make a habit of slowing during cornering, it can bite you back, get the habit of slowing to a suitable speed before you need to get off the vertical, if you find that a corner felt slow, it's OK - you can go back and have another try at it. If you habitually go in hot, the reverse ain't so easy.

[ejohnh]

Glad to hear that you're enjoying your new bike!

One tiny thing:
Its very usfull though, because you can use the engine brake in a corner.
Don't make a habit of slowing during cornering, it can bite you back, get the habit of slowing to a suitable speed before you need to get off the vertical, if you find that a corner felt slow, it's OK - you can go back and have another try at it. If you habitually go in hot, the reverse ain't so easy.

Hey Sid,

I've had my curvy since october 1st. At first I found that it waved about a bit going thru corners. I think it was because I wasn't powering thru the corner. I still detect a bit of uncertainty going through corners though. Could it be wheel alignment?

John

[Paws]

Oh dear! are you ok though?

We all make mistakes, we all learn.

Chin up

Matt

Yup like i did when i rear ended my other halfs zx9 with my sv..3 days after passing me test..
:oops: :oops:
zx9-0...sv-1 :lol:

[Sid Squid]

I've had my curvy since october 1st. At first I found that it waved about a bit going thru corners. I think it was because I wasn't powering thru the corner. I still detect a bit of uncertainty going through corners though. Could it be wheel alignment?
Definately make sure your bike is right, very little that you can do at the 'bars will make an unhappy bike handle right, but always remember: Nothing, but nothing, handles right when off the throttle. The best, safest and certainly the most enjoyable way to corner is on the throttle, you don't need a lot - don't get greedy - but a positive throttle lets your bike start working right and inspires confidence

[netsurfer]

Oh dear! are you ok though?

We all make mistakes, we all learn.

Chin up

Matt

Yep, nothing major.... not sure if its just me or it, the bike dosent feel so great at 80+ mph.. maybe i'll have it checked out. Maybe its just me!
I adjusted the tyre pressures before this, and it certainly felt a lot better after... but just not 100%
As ejohnh mentioned earlier in this thread about theirs... possibly wheel alignment

Pete

[Tommy_Tank]

Matt,

Try squeezing the tank with your knees, this will help prevent bashing your most precious possessions against it when slowing down !

Cheers

Tom

[injury_ian]

:D :D

Most helpful matt! Only my bike wont be restricted! :shock:

[Baph]

As others have said Matt, glad you enjoyed your first ride!

I made the mistake, coming from a CG125 to the SV, of treating the SV like it was the CG :oops: Turned out of my road right, down a single track lane, and insinctively opened the throttle pretty wide in 1st, because that's what I was used to on the CG (and mines not the restricted version). My first thougts were "Oh **** this thing has some power!" so I eased off, back down to sensible speeds. The rest of that ride was spent treating her with the utmost respect, and being gentle.

My riding is now a LOT more agressive than I could of ever got it on the CG, but that comes with time.

The restriction (as you've probably worked out) applies mainly to the top end of the revs, so you still get most of the accelleration, just she dies a little at around 80mph (or so I'm told). Thinking about it, there's nowhere on a public road when you're allowed to go 80mph+...

Anyway, take it easy Matt (and all other new riders - inc me!), not a pretty time of year to have 2 wheels, and the weather will only get worse.

[Alpinestarhero]

Thanks everyone for your replies and advice. I do try and get down to the speed i want to go round the corner before i want to, but yesterday i got caught out a bit, not being used to the weight of the bike etc so rolling off just a tad was alright. But yea, it unsettles the bike a tad more than i like!

And i'll try gripping the tank more with my knees!

I've been out today and i felt alot better riding around the local roads I know, im getting used to everything now! Nearly dropped it when i was doing a u-turn, ran out of steering angle :oops: but saved it! :D

Matt