Might be purchasing a 2003 SV1000 50,000 k's, good maintenance records -- any issues I should look for?

[Lollie]

Hi everyone,
Since my last lot of comments last month about the accident I had interstate in Sydney NSW (running into a doctor and so forth), the insurance company has written off the 650 due to a really questionable assessment to replace way too much and a ridiculous labour bill with it - absolutely stupid because there is no ride affecting damage at all, just a few scratches - the bike has gone only 20,000 k's)
Be that as it may I have elected to pay for the bike (salvage rights from the insurance co.) so I still own it and I can fix it and re-register it in the future or simply sell it to someone else as is if I wish as a track bike or whatever...
Having done this though I am thinking of up sizing to a 1000. If I do, (I have come across one that is a two owner, 50,000 k's, great service records, lots of up spec stuff, very clean, new tyres, never dropped and twelve months registration), what should I be looking for or considering which could possibly be a potential problem with the bike or a drawback with the purchase?
I do nearly all of my mechanical work myself but any advice greatly appreciated as I am not very familiar with the SV1000.
Thanks in advance.

[Seeker]

When I was living in the US I was going to buy a 2003 naked SV1000 but Suzuki were unclear whether it would ever arrive (in California). There were some (alleged) issues with bearing knock but it wasn't certain whether this was a mechanical defect (a bearing) or an unstable idle speed (rattling the clutch basket). Looking back it didn't seem to cause any problems and the complaints stopped after the 2003.
https://www.sv-portal.com/forums/4-s...-problems.html

The only other complaint I heard was that they were very thirsty when ridden hard (80 miles to a tank worst case). I bought a Honda 919 but would have bought the SV if it had been available. A variant of the engine is in the DL1000 so there can't be anything fundamentally wrong with it.

[Lollie]

Thanks Seeker, I have been around motorcycles for a LONG time (mainly Suzukis) and I haven't heard anything too disastrous, specifically your thoughts either, so thanks for that... Having said that, since it has 50,000 K's (30,000 miles) it may change the whole idea if there is an issue which becomes obvious after significant use. I really appreciate your prompt response, and perhaps someone who owned one may have something more to add? If not, I may just get this one! I look forward to any further comments. Thanks again.

[Mark_h]

I had a K3 SV1k with 50k miles on it. Owned it for 12 years. It has the knock/rattle from the outset. No reports of any ever getting worse or failing.

Mine needed a replacement swingarm bearing at about 40K. I took the steering damper off at about the same time as it got notchy and rode much nicer without it. Apart from that it was fork seals, a rear wheel bearing and regular service items.

Critical to keep the TBs in sync or it ruins like a pig at low revs.

If it starts and sounds good nothing much to worry about.

[Lollie]

Thank you Mark as well, I really appreciate the input from both you good folk. Like my lightly crashed 650, which I have only had for 3 1/2 months sadly, there seems to be not a lot to worry about. That is good to hear. If anyone else has something else to add though I would like to hear. All the best.