I'm new, be kind!

Hello SV650.org, though I'd come and say hello, and ask you all a question.

I've ridden an old beat up Hornet 6er since I passed my test a couple of years ago with a shed of a car backing me up every now and again, but now the car has been sold and I fancy a newer bike that's more dependable and realistic as my only mode of transport.

I wanted something sporty-ish with cheap insurance, good fuel economy, and good old fashioned chuckable fun so naturally I gravitated towards SV650s's in my routine Biketrader combing. I could probably afford a tidy K3 - K7 with reasonably low mileage so my question (as an SV noob, apart from giving my neighbors SV1000s a blast) is this;

Are there any common faults / considerations aside from the usual common sense stuff specific to these bikes that I need to be aware of when shopping?

I've sat on an older curvy model and my lanky knees wouldn't slot into the tank concave properly... are the pointy ones ok for fairly tall (just over 6ft) people?

Cheeeeers guys and girls.

No real problems although the seat is not all that comfy, as long as you get one in good nick you'll be reet, and yes peeps over 6 foot ride them, only way to check is get a test ride, and a sv 1000 is not the same as a sv 650.

[andrewsmith]

I'm 6ft and ride a curvy.
There is a good few people are a lot taller than me.

Just remember when looking that they're budget bikes.
Also make sure you run the motor from cold, as they loathe wheelies and oil starvation is common

I'm 6'2" and mines fine

[MJC-DEV]

I found I didn't fit the curvy at 6ft. The pointy is a lot better for me as my knees are somewhere near the tank positions and I now ride a K6. The curvy put me off for a few years but it depends on body shape, leg length etc.
Test ride is a must. It's the most uncomfortable bike I've ever had and only 2 cylinders was a bit of a culture shock after a smooth in-line 4, but still makes a fantastic commuter and no plans to change for the foreseeable future!

I have a pointy an im 6ft (*ahem*) and I love it, great fun to ride. The only thing I have found with mine is that the fit and finish of certain bits is a little suspect, as mentioned earlier though this is a budget bike and as such suspect finish is to be expected. Saying that, bar some light fettling and some owner induced issues mine has been totally reliable in 18mths of ownership.
The great thing about them too is that there are absolutely loads about, so getting a gooden shouldn't be too difficult.

And welcome to the org =]

6'6" on a pointy, had a go on a curvy and found the screen to low, but the pointys one is a bit better

and welcome btw

Originally Posted by ImplodedHamster

6'6" on a pointy, had a go on a curvy and found the screen to low, but the pointys one is a bit better

and welcome btw

Change the screen for a double bubble or a touring screen and problem solved. Top bike but I have recently changed to a bigger bike after 2 years of owning a curvy and a pointy and now much happier

I'm long legged and 6'3" ... 6'4" probably with the Boots on too. I find the Curvy really comfortable, I ride a faired though and it suits my style unlike on Nakeds I seem to sit like I'm constipated. The Double Bubble really does make a difference with my height. I love my Nakeds but I don't think I could cope with one as my everyday bike. The Pointy faired you seem to lean forward more, I'm presuming you're looking at the pointy faired.

Thanks for the replies! I still have a few hundred to save and some unwanted stuff to shift before I can get the sort of buy I’d like, but I will continue to keep an eye out for an SV bargain… just seems like the best compromise between a sporty thrasher and a cheap to run, economical do-it-all mode of transport.

And yes Yellow Monkey, I'd like to go for the full faired pointy but will settle for the half faired model if the price is right.

Am I right in thinking that every new SV650s started life as a half faired bike and the fairing lowers can be added as a modification, or were both launched as separate models? Should I expect to pay a premium for a bike with the full fairing?