SV reliability

After a recent clutch failure, that resorted in need to call the AA once again, I thought about the following frequency of breakdowns on my bike.

Now, I've owned it since new, done about 12000 miles in 18 months and whilst I ride reasonably swiftly at times, I wouldn't say I thrash it or was mechanically unsympathetic, but it has broken down 5 times since having it, in spite of it having been serviced very regularly at a suzuki dealership and I've been religious in my checks/maintenance. Admittedly, some of the things that have gone wrong, I now know how to fix, but I'd still rather they didn't break down at all.

A need to be recovered every 2000 miles seems a bit excessive on a "new" japanese bike and puts me off doing any european touring. If I'd been prepared to accept unreliability, I'd of bought a second hand ducati for the same money (this isn't a swipe at italian bikes, it's true, I was considering a second hand monster).

So, a couple of questions:

How many miles between break downs has your bike averaged (if not an SV, what bike is it)?

As I only have 6 months warranty left, I'm concerned more might go wrong in the near future and need to be done outside warranty. If I have got a duff one, what are the chances if I push suzuki would replace it? Would it be an old "new" bike from 2003/2004? Would I have any say in the colour, etc? Has anyone here managed to get a new bike out of them?

I I tried, do you think they would try to wrangle out of it on the grounds that it has had a low speed drop (even though all the problems occured before the drop and it has been repaired using OE parts)?

[BillyC]

Originally Posted by Ceri JC

How many miles between break downs has your bike averaged (if not an SV, what bike is it)?

Well... in 24,000 miles, mine has broken down once. If you could call it that - water in the front spark plug. Not exactly the end of the world.

I've had one crash on it, but it's never required much repair. I take reglard and good care of it, changing oil every 3000 miles, and generally being mechanically sympathetic.

It's a Pointy K3 naked.

What other things have gone wrong on yours then?

No breakdowns on the SV (00 model) in 15,000 miles on my daily commute. The odd none starter day when it was really cold as it was parked in my wind tunnel (driveway).

No breakdowns on my GSXR600 SRAD in 9,000 miles. I have had a puncture, worn clutch and few other problems with poor maintenance from the previous owner. Nothing serious though.

If the breakdowns were down to worn parts I'd be concerned over who is servicing the bike? And or consider your riding and home maintenance?

If the faults cant be explained by worn parts and are plain all out part failures and were completed under waranty, i'd gather all the receipts/documents and draft a letter to Suzuki.

Its worth a try either way.

18k and no breakdowns here (2000 K1) Only recovery was after a nasty crash..

Its not been as regularly maintained as it should have been so maybe you got a friday 5pm bike ?

I'd say the sv is no more or less reliable than any other bike, I had more problems with my gpz500 and they're supposed to be solid

In 19 months I've done 21,000 miles and it's never broken down. It doesnt get dealer serviced either.

[Sid Squid]

On the SV front:

SV1000: 16,000 miles, before that; SV650: 26,000 miles.

No breakdowns in that time. Not no faults, but nothing that has stopped the bikes being used.

Could you list the breakdowns you've had please Ceri? Be specific about what was wrong, and state whether they have prevented the bike being used.

In 12 months I did 22k and not a single breakdown. The only time any attention was required was a wet front plug, stopping and applying wd40 sorted that out.

[fizzwheel]

No bad breakdowns, just lots of niggles on my K1, I have come to the conclusion that the previous owners didnt look after it very well and most of whats happened is down to that.

I've had one proper breakdown, it died on me due to a flat battery caused by a broken rectifier not charging the battery.

Have a 2004 faired SV650, 12000 miles and owned it for 16 months now. Ridden it through Europe all the way to Barcellona and back, ride it through the winter in Scotland and I do all the servicing myself. The only problem I've had was a nail in the rear tyre.

Budget bike? yes.

Unreliable? Definitely no.

Hi,

I've had an SK4 since February '05 done about 12,000 miles in that time and so far no breakdowns (looks desparately around desk to touch something wooden). The bike is regularly serviced every 4K miles by Suzuki and is driven in all weathers. It is regularly washed, polished and generally looked over.

Cheers
T0mm0