SV650S had it 5 years ... what next?

Hi SVers

Havent been on the site for a while. I bought my SV650S in Black (the fastest colour, as every SVer knows!?!) in October 2003, second-hand with 6500 on the clock. Anyway, I am up to 32,000 miles after a 5 year love affair.

It has just passed its MOT, just had a 3rd pair of Conti Road Attacks fitted with new front pads (while it was in). Anyway, historically I passed my test 6 years ago, got myself a Honda CB500S prior to the SV (as my first proper bike), and in a previous epoch of my life, had a Yamaha FS1E.

So, I am up for a change come, say, Spring 2009 (after I have had some decent usage from the new tyres etc). I was eyeing a Fazer today, but I have to concede it looked ugly against my beautiful curvy black S. I love my SV, she is everything I need, but I worry about rear shock going (I had an advisory at the MOT about partially worn rear mono-shock pivot), front shocks have always been sh*te (as everyone knows).

Advice please? A VFR800? An R6? A Fazer? Or, continue with my love affair, and spend money keeping her maintained? I am also into non-excessive consumerism, so I feel I ought to continue with her, but is there a point where it is more economical sense to ditch before it all falls to bits?

Any replies are greatly appreciated. Thanks in advance!

Tony from excessively rainy Burnley

Maybe a 1050 tiger? It depends what you want really, if I was going to get another bike right this second and had the cash, I'd get a D675 or a Speed Triple.

[dizzyblonde]

Just change the suspension...I did, and i've had my yellow SV in the family since she was born in 2001. Changed the bike completely. Had a bit of a face lift, and hey presto my bike for every season is ready for the next 7 years. If your happy and love your bike...just tweak it a little.
And if you wanna see what she was like after 7 years and how she is now, look at the suzy bares all thread in photos

Originally Posted by Tony_BLY

continue with my love affair, and spend money keeping her maintained?

This is what I'd do.

Originally Posted by Tony_BLY

but is there a point where it is more economical sense to ditch before it all falls to bits?

If its well maintained it won't fall to bits.

The thing to do is search on here for the things that people have done to there SV's, if none of it floats your boat then start pestering the dealers for test rides.

Only you will really know which bike is best for you...

If im honest, i wish i still had a sv, love my 675 but theres something about an sv i just miss

Buy another SV... I've got 2..

[fizzwheel]

What do you use your bike for and is there anything you feel the SV is lacking in ?

keep the sv, and buy another bike. im looking at a larger newer bike soon, but going to keep the sv till it dies, then revive it then let it die again etc.
get an inline four as a change to the twin. i ride a bandit 12 too and its a nice change now and then. but just looking for something a bit better quality.
how about the newer fz6/1. they are very nice. but the vfr is a solid motor.

kwak z750

superb machine!

[pookie]

I had my sv from 2002 and now up to 28k..bought an sv1000s a few weeks back. It all depends what you want to use the bike for.. main factor was I had great reliability with the sv650s and maintainance was ok for a DIYer. I looked at speed triple and also aprillia sl1000 but found bang for buck the sv1000 still topped it.