Improving comfort on the SV?

[Seeker]

This is why the new SV is less comfortable than previous models (imho). I've had 2 curvys over the years and an AL7 for 3 years now.





On curvys and pointys the seat is tiered with very little slope towards the tank which gives a large area (relatively speaking) to slide around (wiggle room) and adjust your knee position (based on your height). If you extend the rear part of the seat downwards it is roughly halfway along the swingarm. The AL7 has a much shorter horizontal area and if you extend that downwards it is only a few inches behind the swingarm pivot. If you try and push yourself backwards on the seat you end up on a steep slope which you slide down on the first bump.
In addition, the seat cushion is very thin at the point where you're most likely going to sit.

If you look at an aftermarket seat - here's a link to Corbin
http://www.corbin.com/suzuki/sv6517g.shtml

they have gone back to a tiered arrangement and extended the horizontal area as much as is practicable based on the subframe.

I'm short so I tend to sit very close to the tank and it works for me, I've tried sitting further back but the slope is too steep for me to maintain that position, so for a taller person, I could see why it would be uncomfortable.

SV650s are uncomfortable little sports bikes (and excellent in their own way) but no one buys one for comfort, so either man up a bit or buy a Gold Wing thing.


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[maviczap]

Mines pretty sorted now, gel seat, Gilles vario bars and a double bubble screen.

The standard bars are at a crazy angle on the curvy, and the standard seat is a plank, I take my hat off to Gary NE for being able to ride his in standard trim!

[garynortheast]

Originally Posted by maviczap

I take my hat off to Gary NE for being able to ride his in standard trim!

Ha ha! Maybe after 90,000 miles the seat is just moulded to the shape of my backside (or vice versa!).

[Adam Ef]

I'm happy with mine now and all I've done is...
* Bar conversion
* Fit lower pegs
* Upgrade suspension front and rear.
* Add tank pads.
* Change tyres.
* Upgrade brake pads
* Upgrade brake lines
* Fit fender extender
* Fit gear indicator
* Fit heated grips
etc etc.... so not much then

Originally Posted by Adam Ef

I'm happy with mine now and all I've done is...
* Bar conversion
* Fit lower pegs
* Upgrade suspension front and rear.
* Add tank pads.
* Change tyres.
* Upgrade brake pads
* Upgrade brake lines
* Fit fender extender
* Fit gear indicator
* Fit heated grips
etc etc.... so not much then

... and my solution is: use my Triumph (much bigger and more comfortable) for journeys over 60 miles

[Seeker]

Originally Posted by Othen

... and my solution is: use my Triumph (much bigger and more comfortable) for journeys over 60 miles

so what happened to the "man up" philosophy?

Originally Posted by Othen

so either man up a bit or buy a Gold Wing thing

or does the Triumph = Gold Wing thing?

Originally Posted by Seeker

so what happened to the "man up" philosophy?







or does the Triumph = Gold Wing thing?

The Triumph is a Scrambler, good for jumping over barbed wire fences whilst evading border guards.


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[R1ffR4ff]

My Curvy is very comfortable to ride and pretty stock.Things I've done,

Fitted slightly larger Gel grips.Fatter radius is better for my hands and they remove some vibrations.

Heavy Bar ends.

100 % balanced Carbs/Fuel bodies.

Made sure Rider seat correctly fitted as it can be fitted incorrectly.

As on all the Motorcycles I've owned I sit on them with my riding gear on and adjust the Handlebars until I find the,"Sweet-Spot" for my build.

I also have a,"Cruise Control" but barely need to use it with my SV but still do sometimes just for pleasure

Note:Should I get a get a little hand fatigue I use my,"Thumb Over" rest technique which means if the road conditions allow I don't grip my controls around them but bring my thumb up on top of the grips.Doing this for even a short while relieves any little aches I might get.

I do get a,"Numb Bum" after a long time out but just take little stops anyway just to enjoy the scenery and that usually cures it or sit furthe back on the seat for a few miles.

[Adam Ef]

Originally Posted by Othen

... and my solution is: use my Triumph (much bigger and more comfortable) for journeys over 60 miles

Not many other bikes that I'd want within my budget unfortunately. Even the sub £2000 category stretched my finances at the time I got my SV. It has allowed me to invest in bits as and when I can afford it in the last few years to get it to a point where I can happily do long days in comfort on a bike with engine characteristics I love.


It's very different to it's original form but suits me fine now. I'd even go as far as to say it's a still a bit beyond my means and abilities. Previous to that all 6,000 miles I was doing each year were on a couple of hack bicycles I'd built from spare and scrap parts. Riding the SV is luxury for me