New SV650 K5

I collected my new Blue SV650K5 yesterday just managed the 2 miles home as it was raining cats and dogs and I didn't have any wet gear Anyway managed to make the 4 miles to and from work today into a 50 mile round trip This is my first V-Twin and how addictive is it... that wonderful thud thud is like a drug, the question now is how do you keep to 5000rpm for another 448 miles?

With great difficulty

But it's worth it when you get the running all done and really see what they can really do

Haven't ridden mine in the wet yet (I drove to work today) because we don't have covered parking at work.

How well do these things stand up to being left completely uncovered in the wind and rain for 9 hours a day?

On previous bikes I found water got into the clutch cable (fun and games when it froze) and into all the switches on the handle bars causing them to fail. I also had the pads seizing in the front brakes although that was probably not down to it being left out all day. Just about everything else rotted away, especially the seat base.

Originally Posted by Toypop

Haven't ridden mine in the wet yet (I drove to work today) because we don't have covered parking at work.

How well do these things stand up to being left completely uncovered in the wind and rain for 9 hours a day?

On previous bikes I found water got into the clutch cable (fun and games when it froze) and into all the switches on the handle bars causing them to fail. I also had the pads seizing in the front brakes although that was probably not down to it being left out all day. Just about everything else rotted away, especially the seat base.

My k5 lives outside all the time just like my curvy did i don't have a garage, and neither seem to suffer from it.

At least you know to do 500 miles. Me being a muppet did 600 miles at <5K. Grrrrr Doh Now though I've just got to 1K and oh boy, it's so much fun

Originally Posted by e.d.

My k5 lives outside all the time just like my curvy did i don't have a garage, and neither seem to suffer from it.

Do you not even put a cover over it (I guess putting a cover on a wet bike can make matter worse)? I have a bike barn now so I can safely cover the bike as soon as I get home but thats no use if leaving it outside at work will cause problems. How does yours cope in frost?

Originally Posted by Toypop

Do you not even put a cover over it?

Nope, i'm lucky if i remember to take the keys out of the ignition, forgotten a few times still if i can't find the keys in the morning's i know where they are.

Vfr, I'd personally be worried about doing short journies during running in. There's alot of argument over how running in should be done, but all of the methods I can remember recommend doing as much as possible in larger blocks. You need the engine to be properly warmed up and you need to put decent amounts of stress on and off the throttle once it's warmed up. If you don't do this then there's a good chance the rings won't get properly worn in and you'll be burning oil and losing power.

[jambo]

Running in, "Give it a taste of what's coming, with the extemes removed"

I think the exact RPM aren't as important as making sure it gets warmed up and some load is put on the engine at mid RPMs for a bit before you beat the hell out of it. And miss the 1st service on pain of death!

But this is a topic that's been covered time and again and usually ends in an argument as there are so many different viewpoints.

Originally Posted by Toypop

Haven't ridden mine in the wet yet (I drove to work today) because we don't have covered parking at work.

How well do these things stand up to being left completely uncovered in the wind and rain for 9 hours a day?

On previous bikes I found water got into the clutch cable (fun and games when it froze) and into all the switches on the handle bars causing them to fail. I also had the pads seizing in the front brakes although that was probably not down to it being left out all day. Just about everything else rotted away, especially the seat base.

Toypop, mine stays on the streets of London everyday, bar when it snows. Had her for 1 yr now never had any problems. At home she is tucked in a bike shed.