Seriously considering a new SV650S

Passed my DAS last year, but still haven't spent much time on two wheels... so I'm in the market for a bike that will be used for year round commuting, as well as weekend blasts etc.
So with my relative inexperience and zero NCB, the cost, insurance and modern looks of an SV is obviously a big attraction.. but my main concern is the possible build quality and/or electrical problems, plus the reputation that the SV suffers from furring etc if used in bad weather???

Would be glad to hear the views of anyone that uses their SV thru the winter

Yeah...Suzuki build quality
Although any bike will suffer in the winter. If you look after it, the SV can be as reliable as any other Jap bike.

By the time I'm in a position to get the bike I'll have moved house to a property with a garage (and we also have a covered car park at work), so cleaning, maintenance and security etc shouldn't be a problem. I'm just using the available time until then to get some advice, good or bad, from current and past owners.

Thanks for the advice so far - I really like the look of the new pointys, and I'd be sure to learn a lot while looking after my "baby"

The SV is a motorcycle that is greater than the sum of it's parts and a bit more than the spec sheet suggests.

All bikes in this budget class will corrode in winter. Just wash them with a hose pipe and use some form of protective fluid thingy.

They are cheap to buy at the mo new so worth a shout. But I would have a view at other bikes and get a test drive before spending. The SV is not as comfy as it could be or should be. This is annoying after a long ride.

I recently had a couple of Honda test rides on CBR600RR and the new CBF1000.
Predictably, being a novice rider the RR was too aggressive and focussed for me, but the CBF was a joy to ride... but both being significantly more expensive than the SV, they would've both been above my budget on the purchase price and on the insurance.

Also considered getting a second-hand CBR600F as my main alternative to a new SV??
I'm currently contacting a few local dealers to try to get rides on the SV650S and the CBR600F

As to corroding, I saw CB1300 recently (2004) which was more corroded than my 2001 SV (engine, bolts, exhaust, everything). (honda build quality, and the price for cb1300! c'mon, riding it in the winter only? don't believe it).
It is all about the cleaning.

read this review its good.
http://forums.sv650.org/viewtopic.php?t=37985

I have a K5 SV's whih i bought brand new at the end of june last year, it has done 13,500 miles now and has been used throughout the winter. It lives outside without a cover all year round in the wind, rain, ice etc It was washed probably 3 times in about 4 months over winter so it's fair to say it's had a hard life.

The only corrosion i suffered was a small amount on a couple of the fairing brackets and quite a bit of furring on the rear wheel nut. Apart from that it's not to bad, i think the occassional spray with the scottoiler spray and a damn good clean on the few occassions i did clean it were just enough to get it through the winter. TBH i'm not sure it's faired any worse than many other bikes out there.

As for elecrical problems or in fact any problems, i've not had any thing in all the miles i've done. It's been a great bike and will hopefully be doing many more miles on it.

Originally Posted by e.d.

I have a K5 SV's whih i bought brand new at the end of june last year, it has done 13,500 miles now and has been used throughout the winter. It lives outside without a cover all year round in the wind, rain, ice etc It was washed probably 3 times in about 4 months over winter so it's fair to say it's had a hard life.

The only corrosion i suffered was a small amount on a couple of the fairing brackets and quite a bit of furring on the rear wheel nut. Apart from that it's not to bad, i think the occassional spray with the scottoiler spray and a damn good clean on the few occassions i did clean it were just enough to get it through the winter. TBH i'm not sure it's faired any worse than many other bikes out there.

As for elecrical problems or in fact any problems, i've not had any thing in all the miles i've done. It's been a great bike and will hopefully be doing many more miles on it.

Cheers for the valuable advice.
I'll probably be doing pretty high mileage too, as the bike will be my only form of transport (except for occasional chauffeured trips in the OH's car ). I sold my own car earlier in the year, cos after 17+ years of driving, plus MAJOR depreciation on the car I'm turning my back on 4 wheels

"Hello, my name is Dazbo, and I'm a bikeaholic!!"

Had my SV two years now. Ridden through two winters and there is no corrosion what so ever. I absolutely covered it in ACF-50 spray and highly recommend doing this. Ive only done 25K miles on it but not had any mechanical or electrical faults..... oh, correction, had to clean the front brake calipers twice this winter due to seizing but this is pretty easy to do.

Now Ive mentioned Ive had no faults with the bike im sure to get loads.... like I was saying how good my Z6 tyres were earlier this week in the forum, I was saying they're on 14K miles and still going..... the next night, M60 north bound, 90mph rear puncture..... not fun !!! Completely ruined it, but it was just about legal so was gonna change it this weekend anyways.....