Newbie questions from potential SV buyer, esp re newer model

Hi all, pleased to meet ya

Have a few questions, especially for those who have owned both new and old model SVs.

I took my supermoto in for a service today and got a V reg 650S for a courtesy bike.. Oh dear, and i only bought a new bike a few weeks ago..
Basically, I loved it and did about 200 miles today - hoping they didn't check the mileage before they leant it to me
I have been looking for a bike that hasn't got so much power I can't thrash it through the gears on a regular basis without doing silly speeds, is reasonably comfy, handles, and is basically fun. To this end I have gone from a gixer thou to a tuono to a supermoto to try and get the right bike.
The SV though ticks every box - haven't enjoyed riding a bike so much since my first one many years ago. Incredibly smooth for a twin, loves to be ridden pretty hard. Found myself right in the power at almost any revs, unlike my other bike a cbr600 - unless it's screaming it's tits off it's got nowt there and i'm getting hacked off with it.

Anyway, keep awake at the back

Main question is - what's the fuel injection like on the new model compared to the old carbs? My biggest hate on the cbr is the snatch when rolling the throttle on from closed, which is no better with a PC3 and I can't get used to it. I know suzuki do excellent FI (certainly was on the gixer), but how is it on the SV?

How's the seat?

Any other major drawbacks or differences between the two models?

How do they take a race can? Do they need a power commander?

Relaibility? Any weaknesses?



Persuade me people, i'm almost sold.

Well I've go a K3, the first of the FI. It's my second SV (the first tried to become part of a nissan 100 nx).

I love it!!! And you're right it does tick every box - well almost.
The fuelling is not too bad in my mind, mainly because it's a V-twin i think (Northy et al?). Saying that when I picked mine up (2nd hand) it had a quill T3 Ti oval can on and a PC III as well as K + N air filter (there's a thread going at the moment whether they are worth it), so it was pretty well specced.

The only major mod I've done to it is the suspension; I've put Ohlins spring in the forks and an Ohlins shock on the rear. The OE suspension is budget and really shows up when it's pushed, esp on b roads. The Ohlins has made a huge difference, much more than the end can, PC III and the dyno put together!!!
Can does sound lovely in a going-to-pass-the-MOT kind of way.

Mate, from your post you seem to be grinning from ear to ear, isn't it that feeling that matter when you're on a bike?

If you loved it, then why not?

i know a certain person with an SV who wants to swap it for a CBR, if you really want one. i can find him for you,

i think he is on this site btw.

I have a new K6 which is great, I have had no problems at all with the FI or anything for that matter. Rode it 380 miles a few weeks back to help break it in, and the only things that ached were my wrists... backside was as comfy as you like.
One thing the chap at the dealer did say was that the front suspension on the new bikes is stiffer than the old curvy models - I just recently sold my old 99 curvy and can say that this appears to be true - were I to buy another curvy model I would definitely fit progressive or stiffer front springs to prevent it diving under braking. Of course this may just have been my bike, which was not the best looked after before I bought it...

Now that the new one has done about 900 miles I can safely say that the new is smoother (both on the throttle and for riding comfort) than the old model, but like I said my old one was not well looked after. The new one is darn better looking too in my opinion, although everyone else disagrees!

As for mods I have done nothing to affect the performance, so I can't help you there.
Hope this helps a bit. Get a new one on 0% finance! In red!

Fueling is fine, you can of course remap it or get a power commander. However, it's more critical to keep your throttle bodies balanced on a twin. Keep on top of that and the throttle position sensor and the engine will be very smooth.

[fizzwheel]

I have a Curvey my better half has a K5. I've ridden both bikes alot and IMHO the power delivery of the carb'd curvey is slightly smoother but you really have to look for it to notice it. TBH I find the fuel injection smoother on the K5 SV than my K5 GSXR is.

The one benefit IMHO the K3 onwards bikes have is that if you are an all weather rider you don't have to suffer with carb icing in the winter. Its a right pain in the behind. You can do things to sort it but it involves either spending money on more expensive fuel i.e Shell Optimax or a fuel additive.

The seat is a bit hard to start with but it does break in over time.

The fuel injection, different pointy frame and bodywork are the main differences between the two types of SV. The K3 onwards make a little more power as well.

They work with a race can just fine.

Thanks for replies all! The SV is definitely going to be my next bike I think, just got to decide if I can afford one now or next year.

Originally Posted by Warren

i know a certain person with an SV who wants to swap it for a CBR, if you really want one. i can find him for you,

i think he is on this site btw.

Cheers Warren, don't think he'd be interested in my cbr - despite one careful owner it's been down the road about 5 times, and is on it's 3rd set of fairings, and they're all f*cked too.. I think my only hope of getting rid of it is breaking on ebay or selling to someone looking to make up a trackbike..

Some pics at various stages of it's 'evolution':




Hmm, maybe I secretly wanted an SV a couple of years ago too:




And how it is now:



Cheers
Jon

thats identical to my CBR


how much you looking to sell it for ?

Hi all, thanks for replies! Decided cbr is just too f*cked (more than cosmetic) to be economical to put right to sell, so am going to track it.
Unfortunately for my supermoto, can't afford 3 bikes so it got part-exed for a prereg SV this morning, so i'll doubtless be posting lots more sh*te on here about tweaks and upgrades soon


Oh and PS Needsy, it is red

cool,

if you wanna sell some CBR parts that you dont need, i might be able to take some off your hands.

Warren