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Old 09-04-08, 12:08 PM   #1
Malfunctioning-eddie
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Default What to look for in a used SV

Hi - first post here

I've been looking around for a while for a fun and practical 600ish bike, and narrowed it down to a Fazer or a SV650.

Overall I think the Fazer is ever-so-slightly better - but used prices on the fazer seem to be that bit too much higher in comparison to justify that small difference - so I reckon the SV650 offers better value considering my budget (around ?2200).

looking around I reckon I should be able to get a pretty decent machine for that - but I was after a few tips in terms of what to look out for.

Are there any known faults and weaknesses - how do I spot them? after what sort of mileage do they start to show?

does a bike with the full front fairing offer any significant advantages in terms of handling/comfort and corrosion protection? - how much more should I expect to pay for a fully faired version in comparison to the basic fron fairing?

Are there any mods that are worth looking out for (either positive or negative)

I'm in South Wales, and there seems to be a lack of dealers around here - any recommendations for decent dealers that aren't a million miles away (not that I won't consider a private sale)

can't think of any other specific questions off the top my head right now - but any general advice would be welcomed
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Old 09-04-08, 12:23 PM   #2
jambo
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Default Re: What to look for in a used SV

Hello and welcome.

The best advice I can possibly give on the Fazer / SV thing is to ride both. They're both good bikes, one will make you grin more

The SVS has the half fairing, these were much more common in the UK than the naked version so you've got more choice looking 2nd hand now. The curvy (1999-2002) vs pointy (2003->) debate is mostly about looks, the bike hasn't fundamentally changed in terms of performance or handling since being introduced.

Look for a lack of corrosion showing the bike's been loved, chain, sprockets and tyres to avoid paying big bills as soon as you buy it. Valve clearances are due every 16,000 miles but aren't a massively expensive job, worth seeing if they've been done though. Water can get kicked up onto the front plug cap and short it out, leaving you a long way from home with a 325cc single. This is fixed with a fender extender that makes the front mud guard longer at the bottom, or some silicone grease round the front spark plug caps. Some bikes suffer this, some don't. The wiring loom on the earlier bikes could rub through where the front seat bolts and rear sub frame touched it leading to leccy gremlins.

Front headlights get mounting tabs snapped off in even minor accidents but worth a general check over for accident damage.


Jambo

P.S if this is your first bike, and you're under 21 / passed on a 125 you may need to budget to have the bike made down to 33bhp. You don't mention this so I assume it's not the case, but the SV seems to run better with these kits than the in line 4 cylinder 600s.
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Old 09-04-08, 12:37 PM   #3
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Default Re: What to look for in a used SV

Quote:
Originally Posted by Malfunctioning-eddie View Post
Hi -

I'm in South Wales, and there seems to be a lack of dealers around here - any recommendations for decent dealers that aren't a million miles away (not that I won't consider a private sale)
what part of south wales?

theres
quite a lot of dealers.

also do a search for advice on buying a sv, fizzwheel has wrote just about all you need to know, i will go and find it for you

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Old 09-04-08, 12:45 PM   #4
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Default Re: What to look for in a used SV

Where in S. Wales? Thunderoad in Bridgend have always been pleasant to deal with. Bevans in Cardiff have always been OK to me also but I've heard they can be a bit hit or miss, The bikes are squashed in so if your looking for something in particular then its worth calling them the day before your going, they'll make what your looking for a bit more accessible if they have time. If your buying from a dealer and it hasnt got a Fender Extender ask them to put one on as part of the deal they are not expensive.
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Old 09-04-08, 12:47 PM   #5
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Default Re: What to look for in a used SV

read this

http://forums.sv650.org/showthread.php?t=87787

2200 should get you a pointy

check out the for sale section on her aswell


if you could come up with a bit more money, i would go for this
http://forums.sv650.org/showthread.php?t=105839

Last edited by hovis; 09-04-08 at 12:52 PM.
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Old 09-04-08, 01:00 PM   #6
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Default Re: What to look for in a used SV

Quote:
Originally Posted by jambo View Post
Look for a lack of corrosion showing the bike's been loved
Or not ridden. It's a Suzuki so even a loved but ridden one may show signs of corrosion.

hth
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Old 09-04-08, 01:06 PM   #7
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Default Re: What to look for in a used SV

make sure the previous plonk has looked after it well, maintenance wise, not just polished, I got two SVs that are now mechanically well looked after, they do have their individual probs, and one of them was well loved and falling to bits with rust but was in a hell of a lot better nick than the bling machine mechanically.


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Old 09-04-08, 01:19 PM   #8
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Default Re: What to look for in a used SV

dragon honda - cwbran
thunderoad - bridgend
jts - bridgend
beavans - cardiff
gps - talbot green
wayne mounters - pontyridd
sw superbikes - newport
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Old 09-04-08, 01:20 PM   #9
Malfunctioning-eddie
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Default Re: What to look for in a used SV

Thanks for all the advice so far.

Jambo - great stuff thanks! - I've been riding bikes for a about 10 years now on and off (off in the last 2) I've tried both the Fazer and SV a few times - I found the Fazer a bit crisper, a slightly better all rounder - especially on a long run, and they tend to age a bit better - but then if you compare like-for-like (milage, condition, SH) on say a 2002 model of each, the fazer can come in at as much as a grand more - and no way is it THAT much better!

Mogs - I've checked a few local dealers out on t'interweb over the last few weeks and to be honest dealers in Wales appear to be really overpriced compared to those on the other side of the bridge - I've seen them asking as much as ?2.5K for a 2000 model - by my reckoning that's around ?500 over the odds even for an absolutely mint bike from a dealer. ***edit**** I'm in Swansea BTW)

Hovis - cheers for the link - checking shortly - Both versions are very pretty but TBH I have a slight preference for the curvy, but condition and evidence of maintenance / SH are the main things that will sell me the bike - not shape

Last edited by Malfunctioning-eddie; 09-04-08 at 01:25 PM.
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Old 09-04-08, 01:29 PM   #10
Malfunctioning-eddie
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Default Re: What to look for in a used SV

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Originally Posted by HooliganDan View Post
Or not ridden. It's a Suzuki so even a loved but ridden one may show signs of corrosion.

hth
aint that the truth - until last year I still had my first bike - a gs125 - my nephew has it now and uses it to chase sheep around on his dads farm - 58,000 miles and still going!
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