The SV in winter

Hello folks, I'm new to the SV 650 and to this site. First I'd like to introduce myself and explain how I came about owning an SV. My name is Chris and I have been biking on and off for 31 years now. I own a much beloved (and used) Triumph Bonneville and recently I thought that I would like a Triumph Speed Triple having read a lot of reviews of the bike and I also like it's look. I took one for a test ride and decided that I wasn't quite ready for that sort of power so I started looking around for something a bit less of a hooligan. I read as much literature as I could on middle weight bikes and, having decided that the SV looked the best on paper, I went for a test ride. Well of course I was immediately hooked. I took delivery of my brand new red naked SV on 13 May, and I have already covered 1200 miles on it. This is because, a) it's very addictive and, b) it's just so much fun! Anyway, on to my query. I have read a lot of the info on this website and it seems that the SV does not do well in winter conditions. Is this true? I am by no means a fair weather rider, in fact I rode my bonnie all through last winter, (my hands didn't thaw out until May) without a mark on it. Does the SV just need lots of TLC? Question number two is, what's wrong with Dunlops? I've never used them before having always used Bridgestones on the bonnie. Look forward to hearing from you all.

[admin]

Welcome to the site. To answer your question look here.

http://www.sv650.org/sv_restorer.htm

http://www.sv650.org/sv_restorer_part2.htm

Built to a price I'm afraid. But there are some fairy easy things you can do to avoid the worst of it, even if you just coat the bike in WD40.

Admin

The SV is a great bike, but it is built to a price and, as is common with pretty much every vehicle on the roads today, is fastened together with bolts, screws and nuts that have nigh on no corrosion resistance at all, and are made of the rare metal cheesium. This generally results in when you have to remove said bolts they are stuck fast and mash totally while attempting to remove them. The fork lowers also corrode as the laquer on them is not great. The steel subframes on the curvy bike corrode eventually. Paint can flake off the engine. The brakes may bind if not looked after when used in salty conditions.

Saying this, it really isn't that bad, admittedly my SV looked fairly rubbish up close before I crashed it, but then I'm not one for cleaning bikes. Once put back on the road, I might try to rectify some of the problems.

There is very little wrong with Dunlops, I'm assuming you are talking about the D220s that come on the bike from new, they don't seem the best choice however, lots of people prefer either Bridgestones (020s or similar), Mezlers (Z6s) or Pirelli (Diablo Stradas).

Cheers,

MT

[fizzwheel]

Originally Posted by pigletfixer

Does the SV just need lots of TLC?

Basically yes it does. If you clean it regularly and then treat with WD40, Scotoiler FS365 or ACF50 that will keep the rot of it.

Originally Posted by pigletfixer

Question number two is, what's wrong with Dunlops? I've never used them before having always used Bridgestones on the bonnie.

They are not as good as Bridgestones TBH. However if the road conditions are constant. i.e dry or wet then they are not to bad IMHO, Where I found they were poor was when the road was dry with damp patches on it. To me they felt like they lost heat quickly and then it took ages to get it back and when they are cold they dont give a lot of feedback.

Welcome to the Site

regularly clean your bike and it shouldnt have any problems. my sv is 5 years old now and has lived outside for last 2 years with nothing but a cover. wash it after every ride to get rid of salt and spray with WD40 and it should be ok.

enjoy your bike

[pmapp]

So would it be advisable to think about replacing the "cheesium" ( like that) fixings on the bike for some nice stainless ones?

I've just bought my SV and want to try and keep it in the tip top condition it currently is in.

Sorry to hijack yer thread

I've done one winter on mine and the only real problem was the fork lowers pitting (probably due to the road salt hitting at m/way speeds) so one of the many protective measures will be worthwhile for them.
Also, some of the fasteners (especially for the oil lines) will corrode no matter how much protective spray you put on. I guess you could change these pretty cheaply if it bothers you too much.
I washed mine at least once a week through the winter and put Scotoil protective spray on every ride but will probably use ACF-50 this year.

[Red ones]

Originally Posted by nutty tart

regularly clean your bike and it shouldnt have any problems. my sv is 5 years old now and has lived outside for last 2 years with nothing but a cover. wash it after every ride to get rid of salt and spray with WD40 and it should be ok.

enjoy your bike

I sold my las tone after 5 years - it lived outside every day of it's life. On selling it the only comment from the dealer was "Nice, clean and tidy"

you could always do the lynw method of keeping an SV going through 2 winters, and just not clean it. :P

Any salt or grime just sticks to the mud and dirt already on there and rarely corrodes bolts. Only had a problem with one bolt holding the exhaust in recently.

[northwind]

I more or less use Lynw's approach- good coat of ACF50 on all the metal, and thick cheap polish (Carplan, last year) on all the paint. After that, it's on its own- it got washed maybe 3 times all winter.

You hear of people who wash after every wet ride, then don't give it any protection and wonder why it still rusts. What that does is gives a nice new, unprotected surface for tomorrow's crap to land on.

Chewy's stainless bolt kit is a good buy too.