looking at sv650 for first bike

I am buying a bike to start commuteing to work in starting in the summer. I was told the sv is a good bike and I like the looks of it with the lower farings. I have a few questions if I could get them ansewered that would be awesome. also im looking to spend less than 4000$ with the fairings.

- I was looking at a 01 but might wait untill I can get a 03, Is there a difference, what year should I be looking for.

- Those sharkskin fairings are nice but I havnt found the slimer lower fairings that only cover about half as much(horizontaly) where do I get those/how much do they go for.

-how dose this bike compare to the zx6r, im also researching that bike.

If I could get pointed in the right direction for info on the year to year changes and model differences 650k? 650s? and some info on those fairings that would be great but mainly I want to ask how it compares to the zx6r, thanks!

welcome to the site, we will be a bit biased on here.

the sv is a great first bike, its completely different to the kwak. the kwak is faster but does not have as much character as the SV. the sv is a v twin and sounds so much better. the insurance will be cheaper. the k1 is a rounded sexy shape where as the K3 is more angular.

take a test ride on both and see what you think

The 6r is too much for a first bike .

i was chatting to a guy the other day who had passed his test and the salesman talked him into the 6r... and he's regretted it ever since .. it scares the crap out of him..

the 650 is an excellent first bike , i've only been riding a few months now and love the bike.. check the pics in the phot section , i've had the full fairing fitted..

personally i prefer the old chap , i've an 02.. not a fan of the new shape myself... presonal taste though.


so in short... a 6r is too much... an sv is perfect.

wow replys already! thanks

It seems I will be looking for my sv650 now, I have prettymuch decided on this bike its what im looking for. now I just gota find one

Gforceuk, nice pics how much did you pay for the fairings?

is the 02 a k1 or a k3??

[rictus01]

Not so much a good first bike, as a good bike.
I came to the SV late on after 27 years riding, have used it everyday for just over 2 years now, covered 108,000 miles, done 11 track days on it and still having great fun on even the daily run to work .

Plus,
cheap on running costs
cheap to mod up
fast enough to keep up with just about anything (Ok, below 120mph or so)
Lovely sound, both induction and exhaust.
Very light and flickable.
stuning looks (well classic shape anyway)
plenty of low/mid range power to play with.

Minus,
perhaps not seen as a "proper" bike by those who only buy on book power figures
engine isn't happy having the nuts rev'ed off it all the time if you're after a hooligan bike , look else where
engine braking has to be considered as it's a twin Have known a couple of people who couldn't get on with the engine braking, but not many.
built quality isn't the best Have a look through the posts on here, it's all been done before simple and cheap to sort out.
front forks need to be sorted from standard (as they are crap!) Budget about £70 to get this done straight away, .
Front plug can give problems in the wet Fit a fenda extenda.

And what do I compare it with ?
well some of the bikes I've owned.


Mobylette 50cc
FS1-E Yam
GT185 Suzi
X7 Suzi
RD 400 Yam
H1 Kawa (500 triple)
3TA Triumph
A65 BSA- built from box of bits
CB250 Honda
CD175 Honda
XS 650 Yam
MBX 125 Honda
Ducati 907
CB 250 Super dream Honda (fitted 400 barrels)
XL 250 Honda
CX 500 Honda
GSXR 750 Suzi
GSXR 1100 Suzi
Commando (fastback) Norton
GPZ900 Kawa
GSX600F Suzi
MT500 Armstrong
PC800 Honda
Pegaso Aprilia
Tl1000s Suzi
ZX9R Kawa
2 x T509’s Triumph
Speed triple Triumph
T595 Triumph
Daytona 955i Triumph
Bros Product one (650) Honda
CB 750 Honda.


I even had the money for a new bike this summer, but chose to keep the SV, as I was having so much fun on it.

Just look at it this way

Guy on a supersport 600 beats you from the lights = so he should, twice as expencive and 30 BHP more.

but you stay with him,. then he looks the loser.

You beat him , you're a hero!

a win,win situation. can't be bad!

Cheers Mark.

The big difference in the models, other than the shape, is that the k3's onwards are fuel injected.

Originally Posted by R HOPPER

is the 02 a k1 or a k3??

SV-X - 1999
SV-Y - 2000
SV-K1 - 2001
SV-K2 - 2002
and so on....

The year code comes at the very end (although when I ask for parts for an SV650S-Y, people in the shop (suzuki dealer!) just look at me strange)

thanks guys.. time to start looking for one now

i paid £370 for the fairing , but it was a suzuki part.. i know there are identical after market ones... i think pyramid do a good one.