Advice On SV650 For New Rider

Hello all at the forum.

Currently just passed my bike test at 34 years old and have put down a deposit on a 2001 sv650s.

Forgive me if you guys have answered this question loads of times already.

After passing my test the instructor asked what bike I was going to get. Now after doing a lot of internet searching I decided on the sv650 due to price, looks and its recommendations for new riders.

My instructor says that the v-twin engine and the clutch control required would be very difficult for a novice rider. He said to stick to an inline-4.

What do you have to watch out for, i.e quircks with this type of bike.

Get the bike next Thursday so hope I aint making a bike mistake.

Thanks for your advice.

Congrats on passing, and on your exellent choice of bike

The SV was my first bike, although I learned to ride on an IL 4 (Divvy 600 )

I would say that you have nothing to worry about. As you have probably heard, the V-twin has more engine braking than an IL four but I see that a benefit. The power is delivered in a more lazy, less urgent manner than an IL4 so you don't have to worry so much about keeping such an eye on the revs. Go for it, you won't regret it

Cheers,

Mark

The SV is my first bike too, and as you can see from my sig, I've had to mod it quite a lot as I'm rather short! But the clutch has never been an issue.

Personally, I think the SV is a great bike for a novice and I have seen many experienced riders also having fun with it too so don't worry, you haven't made a mistake. Have to say, not sure what the instructor was getting at? Though, my instructor wasn't keen on the idea of me getting an SV either.

Anyway, good luck with Thursday, you'll love it!

Whereabouts are you? There may well be other SV owners around.

[mattSV]

Dancer wrote:-

My instructor says that the v-twin engine and the clutch control required would be very difficult for a novice rider. He said to stick to an inline-4.

Sounds like dollocks to me.

I had a 650 as my first bike, and loved it. Just watch out if you change down with the revs a bit too high - the rear can lock , however once you get the hang of 'blipping' the throttle on the down shift then it is no problem.

Take it a bit easy at first and you should be fine. I had my 650 for 4 years, and loved it. It is a great bike, and if you don't mind spend a few quid tweaking it every now and again, it will 'love you long time'.

The SV 650 is my second bike, the first one was a Kawasaki GPZ 500, and that's because some one told me to take a lighter bike, and guess what... if I were on that situation again I'll take de SV eyes closed!.
Excelent bike, you will know the very first day and your first mile.

Thanks for the info folks.

I think the instructor was getting at the issue of the engine breaking especially in the wet.

He was on about having to be good at gently slipping the clutch etc.
Basically be good at clutch control so you dont end up on your backside.

I am near Edinburgh so no doubt somebody in the forum must live near.

Ive read reviews of the CBR600 which wouldve made me get one as my first bike ie forgiving handling, easy to ride etc. I think I wouldve crashed it if Id had it as a first bike. I'd been riding 4 years before I got one, a 90 model at that. It caught me out first time I hit the powerband and it launched down the road. Launch is the most appropriate word for it tbh.

IL4 brakes tend to be better... need to be tbh because they dont have the engine braking of the twins. The guy who serviced the SV last time was gobsmacked when I went to collect it. Hed never ridden a bike where the engine braking was so instant... Useful to have if your front brakes fecked..

My first bike was a vtwin - gpz500. Loved it. Loved the engine breaking you get with the twin. Outgrew the 500 after 6 months but I can recommend the SV wholeheartedly. Agree with V-Powerplant. But one good thing about having the GPZ500 first was getting used to the weight of the bikes before getting a bigger heavier one.

It will ultimately come down to whether you like a top end power delivery bike ie IL4 or whether you prefer a bike that is torquier [?] and will pull away on idle speed ie a twin. Time will tell. But enjoy the bike.

Just take it easy with the front brake at slow speeds. It will tip you if you use too much. Try to use the rear at slow speed.

Dancer...I think correct use of the clutch and especially in wet conditions is vital no matter what the engine size or configuration.A 125 two stroke single will make life interesting in the wet if your rough with the controls!

I think anyone would always allow far more time for braking and changing down in poor road conditions and essential in this would be even slower releasing of the clutch when changing down.

The SV would then be no worse than anything else that catches your eye.

your instructor was talking s***e. My k3 sc is my first bike and we have done 28k happy miles now. The engine braking only ever caused problems at the rear with the original rubbish tyres and only with stupidly clumsy downshifts. I recomend them to anyone as a first bike. Quick enough for fun but a good little commuter too. Enjoy and ride safe

Originally Posted by Dancer

My instructor says that the v-twin engine and the clutch control required would be very difficult for a novice rider. He said to stick to an inline-4.

Basically, he's talking bollox IMHO

The SV is a perfect starter machine, very forgiving if you make a mess of things (which we all do from time to time...) You deffo won't regret buying an SV my friend

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