SV650 AL7 problem
 

My 2016 L7 has now done about 13000 miles and has developed a foible. If it is started with a hot engine after a brief shutdown, such as a petrol station visit, it either won't start (in the three seconds of the "easy start system"), or it will croak into life (on one cylinder?), the revs will slowly climb until it reaches idle speed and then all is well. If it doesn't start on the first attempt it will start on the the second or third attempt. It does not do this every fill up though - it's now done it 5 times in the last 2 months. If I didn't know better I'd say it was flooded. I don't normally touch the throttle on start up.

The "easy start system" means you just stab the starter switch and it cranks until it fires or until 3 seconds have elapsed, so I normally hit the starter and put on my gloves. Bike is normally on its side stand but today it did it when I was sat on the bike after a fill up, but I caught it with the throttle and managed to keep it running.

All other times, it starts perfectly and runs well. Fuel consumption has dropped slightly from the upper 70's to mid 70's mpg. which I put down to cold temps. It normally gets a couple of redex shots per full tank (but only because it was in our garage, I'm not a dedicated user).

It's due a service in 1500 miles or so and it came with a 3 year warranty so I'll mention it then but was curious if any of the earlier fuel injected SV owners had encountered anything similar.

Re: SV650 AL7 problem
 

Hopefully someone with a more modern SV than mine will chime in but I would check the Air-box/filter first.Then check the Spark Plugs?

Re: SV650 AL7 problem
 

The plugs on the L7 are different from most. There are 4 of them and they have a nickel alloy electrode not the more common (these days) iridium. Not sure why they are used because they have to be changed every 7500 miles and cost £12 each which doesn't seem much like progress when cars can now run 100,000 miles on a set of plugs. I'm guessing its emissions related.

Last time I checked they did not show up on NGK's website and so must be bought from a Suzuki dealer. They were changed at the last service (7500 miles).

I was thinking that one of the fuel injectors might not be shutting off cleanly leaving too much fuel in one cylinder which doesn't have time to evaporate in a short petrol station fill up.

Yesterday, after the fill up I rode to my usual haunt (25 miles), had a cup of tea and it started without a problem (engine was off for 10 - 15 minutes or so) whereas at the petrol station it was more like 3-5 minutes. It was 5°C yesterday but it has done it in warmer temps too.

I'll mention it when I book it in for its next service, it's a rare occurrence at the moment so not urgent.

Re: SV650 AL7 problem
 

Doubt its going to be anything major.
It'll still be covered under the two (or three?) year warranty so shouldn't cost you anything to get fixed.

Do you hold the clutch in when starting?
If you do that the clutch assist could be adding extra fuel or whatever it does to up the rpm?

Re: SV650 AL7 problem
 

No, the L7 doesn't require you to hold the clutch in for starting, so I don't bother.

Yes, it came with a 3 year (unlimited mileage!) warranty so I'm not worried (yet). I'll try and log some more info and mention it on the next service. I was hoping to push the service to March but at the rate I've been riding it's more likely to be January.

Re: SV650 AL7 problem
 

Was reading about the Nickel alloy electrodes a while ago, apparently in the more challenging conditions of motorbike lean burn engines there were cases of the Iridium electrode (which is normally laser welded onto the main electrode) burning of and causing engine damage.

will try to find the info again, also in manual it says inspect every 7,500 miles and replace every 15,000 - there was also some discussion about that.

Re: SV650 AL7 problem
 

i have a twin spark K7 and use iridium. no problems so far. no friggin way i would spend £12 a pop on spark plugs that only last 7500 miles.

only difference is coating on bores with the new and glady.

Re: SV650 AL7 problem
 

It does if its in gear...

Re: SV650 AL7 problem
 

Does it sound like its firing, or is it a clean turn over with no coughing in to life?
Does it stink of fuel after it finally fires up?
How does it run after this episode? Smooth, a bit lumpy?

Re: SV650 AL7 problem
 

bit off topic but i always park my bike in gear. why? simple.. it cant move if given a little nudge or its windy. especially park in gear if you have a top box as closing the lid can push the bike forward.

only time my bike is out of gear is when its on stands.