SV650s realistic MPG?

I seem to have missed the big "SV650's are amazing on fuel" enjoyment, my own bike a 2005 model was never amazing on fuel, neither terrible but I do feel my STR lasts quite a big longer on a smaller tank.

So I was wondering is it only the twin spark models that do great MPG? On fuelly the SV650 (Gen2) is said to be one of the most fuel efficient motorcycle on the road?

I kept my own bike maintained, air filter, spark plugs, oil changes and looked after the tyre pressure, rode it up in a high gear but no so it chugged.

What's the truth of the matter?

I reckon it depends more on your riding style than which version you have. My carb'd 2002 bike will do anything between 40 and over 60mpg, depending on the length of journeys and how I ride it. Local thrashes in 3rd and 4th get expensive. 200 mile runs with lots of motorway and open roads in 6th is an easy 60mpg. And Marilyn gets one service a year, whether she needs it or not (I do at least look after the tyre pressures myself!)

[Bibio]

how you ride it effects fuel but the twin spark is superb no matter what you will return around the 60mpg mark unless your a fat bassa.

i get around the 60mpg out my k7 and i rag the shizz out of it almost everywhere.

average mpg, 2011 was 61.40mpg, 2012 was 60.35mpg, 2013 was 60.54mpg and so far 2014 is 60.44mpg. best ever was 69.17mpg.

yes i'm a sad feker that keeps a record.

I'm shocked at both of your figures. I remember me and a friend were in need of refueling, me on my SV650S and him on a GSXR750 k1, full tank for me was around £17 and him £22, I ran out of fuel before he reached his fuel light, on a bike that rev 14/15k rpm and I was a bit disappointed. My street triple does 40+ mpg, it has a tiny tiny tank, it can only hold £12 but it seems to go on for quite a bit longer than my SV ever did. Maybe it's living and riding in London, constant traffic, but I couldn't image getting close to 60 mpg and beyond.

On a mechanical side note, I always thought V engines were less efficient in general and that more cylinders, up to a limit would be better for fuel consumption, I know the SV650 has torque low down but I'm really confused how it can reach 60+ mpg.

[Red Herring]

As has been said I guess it depends on how you ride it. I only use my K5 SV650 for playtime and I think the only time I've ever had more than 100 miles out of a tank was on a fairly sedate ride around Essex on TOGMIE1.......

[Bibio]

riding like a granny on smack with a curvy or single spark pointy will see good mpg. the twin spark K7 onwards pointy is much much better. when i used to do days out with others the single spark poitny's and curvy's would have to stop for fuel around every 120 miles where the twin spark pointy's can safely go to 200 miles between fill ups. when i fill up at around 170 miles the warning light is just coming on and i usually squirt around 12-13tr in the tank.

i suppose environment will have a lot to do with it as well, comuting in places like london will eat fuel as opposed to where i ride which is open country roads and dont stop for around 50 miles at a time.

[shiftin_gear98]

Peoples claimed mpg always amazes me, I only use my bike to commute - 12 miles each way.
No dual carriageways etc.
My warning light comes on at around 100 - she needed pushing one morning when it read 135 on the way to the petrol station.


I obviously hoon more than I thought! Or my bikes shafted....

I had a 99 Curvy, used to get 50 - 60 miles from a £10 note, (Light would come on)
Now have a twin spark Pointy and get 85-100 miles from a £10 note!

Full tank curvy - 120 miles max then hit the light.
Full tank Pointy - 160-180 miles then hit the light.

Massive improvement for me!

On my last big run I done just over 200miles & the fuel light was still not on!

[Nobbylad]

I used to get around 160 miles on a tank on the K 8 SV, mostly commuting but not really sedate riding.

The Gixer light comes on after around 130 miles