New owner fuel consumption, gearchange and noise?

Hi all,

Pretty new to the SV scene, had my bike only a week now, and love it.
but i've noticed a few thing which i'm hoping people can help me figure out... im on a '99 sv650sx

1. I'm getting flashing petrol light at around 100/105 mile mark, is this average? mainly doing commuting, 14mile round trip each day, filtering etc. don't tear-**** it around.

2. went for a run out to matlock this morning, changing up from 3rd to 4th it seemed to not go into 4th at all, and just revved, kicked the gear up again and it went in - whats that all about? normal? never happened before, and didnt happen again on the same run.

3. when i apply throttle in any gear (except 1st) i hear a kind of (excuse my descriptive words here) constant 'spraying' like a chhhshhhhhhh sound, let go of the throttle and it stops. this happens at any speed, any revs and any gear except 1st. I've considered 'air noises on helmet etc' but its defo coming from down the engine region and is somehow linked to throttle - even the tiniest bit of throttle and the noise is there again.

Other than that the bike runs spot on, and its not worrying me all that much, just fancied finding out. Could all be normal, but i wouldn't know with it been my first SV.

[Bibio]

1. depends on how much fuel your putting in. if your only filling the tank 3/4 full then you will get less between fill ups. keep your receipts and write down the mileage on the back that way you can work out the consumption.

2. you might not be letting your foot fully drop before changing again or your gear leaver is a bit sticky.

3. have no idea but could be cam chain tensioner.

[yorkie_chris]

1. Not great but not catastrophic. Maybe a service would help.

2. False neutral. Make sure you move your foot on the lever until it stops... don't pussy it in halfway or it might do what happened there and miss the shift.

3. chain noise probably. Check it's lubed and tensioned

[embee]

Make sure the gear pedal and its linkage are free and not binding at all.

It's not unusual for the pedal to get stiff on the pivot, there's a bush/lining in it which can break up if not kept lubed. Also the small ball joints on the link rod can get sticky for similar reasons.

Also remove the sprocket cover down near your left foot and clear out any gunge that has accumulated.

As YC says, the whoosh type description does seem a reasonable description of normal chain noise. Make sure it isn't too tight (though that usually gives a whine/moan type noise). Around 30mm total free play up/down with the bike on the sidestand is the right sort of parish.

Cheers for the responses, will take a look at the advice given if it ever decides to quit raining... blah

[andrewsmith]

Originally Posted by yorkie_chris

1. Not great but not catastrophic. Maybe a service would help.

2. False neutral. Make sure you move your foot on the lever until it stops... don't pussy it in halfway or it might do what happened there and miss the shift.

3. chain noise probably. Check it's lubed and tensioned

This

Number 2 may be caused by a too loose chain

Originally Posted by phatwheels

Hi all,

Pretty new to the SV scene, had my bike only a week now, and love it.
but i've noticed a few thing which i'm hoping people can help me figure out... im on a '99 sv650sx

1. I'm getting flashing petrol light at around 100/105 mile mark, is this average? mainly doing commuting, 14mile round trip each day, filtering etc. don't tear-**** it around.

On My SV650S K2 (7,000 miles done) Flashing petrol light comes up at around passing 149 mile mark and study at around 165 miles when riding in London. On motorway flashing comes around 189.

[muzikill]

A lot of my gear changes issues were fixed when I moved the gear change lever closer to the toe on my boot when it was resting on the footrest during riding. I was losing a lot of my gear change leverage as the distance was too much.

[andrewsmith]

Originally Posted by Thaleshwar

On My SV650S K2 (7,000 miles done) Flashing petrol light comes up at around passing 149 mile mark and study at around 165 miles when riding in London. On motorway flashing comes around 189.

your speedo need looked at, consumption should go down in built up areas as its more stop start

[mep]

Are you fueling up by sitting on the bike and keeping it upright? It's the only way to get the tank full.

False neutral. I have had a few recently.

You may need new chain & sprockets. Mine made a real racket at low speed when they were done. Does the sound go when you pull the clutch in? Mine did. All is smooth & delecious with new ones.