SV650S impressions after 1 week, 200 miles Novice rider (longish)

Impressions of new SV650S by novice (1 year, 2500 miles riding) after 7 days and 200 miles.


Good
Fairing works wonders, I can keep visor cracked and not have wind streaming in making my eyes water. Not ridden in rain yet,but hoping works as well for that.
Clocks. Very easy to read with a glance, 2 trip meters so can keep track of miles between filling and distance on a specific trip. Pity no fuel gauge, guess I have to always make sure to stick wallet in pocket before setting off.
Speed/Acceleration. Plenty fast enough to overtake cars in the way. I discovered opening throttle at 50 to get past a car quickly can result in me doing 80 past him within 100 yds. Maybe too good, speed cameras on the other side of traffic lights that I used to ignore, I have to watch now as I can easily be over the limit pulling away.
Fuel economy. Just filled up for 2nd time (dealer didn't fill tank up!), around 130 miles to first flash of low fuel light. No motorway driving, a fair whack of town driving, and a few blasts through country roads. Longest run would have been about 30 miles non-stop.


Bad
Suspension. I am being bounced about and off the seat if I don't grip tightly on rough (not pothole rough) roads, even at low speeds. This needs adjusting, but still, seems a lot worse than it should be.


Indifferent
Riding position. I am getting more used to it now, but its still wrist heavy for me, although gripping with knees rather than just resting them on tank takes weight off. Also, with head low, can't see traffic lights when stopped, have to put bike into neutral and sit up, or really crane neck.
Turning circle. Getting used to this slowly. Not as good as my 125, but I can paddle it round outside my house now, rather than having to go round the block as I was doing. Lining up wheel pointing in right direction at 90 degree junctions before moving helps as well.

What bike did you come from?

Originally Posted by AndyW

Also, with head low, can't see traffic lights when stopped, have to put bike into neutral and sit up, or really crane neck.

How exactly do you sit waiting at traffic lights?! Full racing crouch tucked in behind the screen?

Originally Posted by AndyW

Also, with head low, can't see traffic lights when stopped, have to put bike into neutral and sit up, or really crane neck.
Turning circle.

Top Tip-


Stop further back from the lights!

Your wrists get used to it and I could do short to medium journies no probs.

Long distance was a real slog but hey ho.

The riding position is a pain but it is bearable.

The suspension is a bit budget but works well in its limits. If sir wants to chase Fireblades then sir bought the wrong bike! The suspension is cheaper to upgrade than to take the deprication hit and buy another bike. Worth an option if you are wanting more.

Oh, and a tip I find helpful to relieve wrist ache is as follows. I find my body naturally arcs when on the bike, as in my back curves slightly, ever so slightly hunched as you might when you're at the computer. For me this places extra weight on my wrists.

If you deliberately arch your back the other way, your lower back, it creates a very stable core through your lower back and stomach which bears most of the load. If you've ever played rugby it's the same body position as you would use for correct scrummaging. Works wonders for my wrists, but I do have to consciously think about it/remember to do it or I slip into the hunch again without realising it.

Originally Posted by muffles

What bike did you come from?

Honda CG125

Originally Posted by MeridiaNx

How exactly do you sit waiting at traffic lights?! Full racing crouch tucked in behind the screen?

As straight up as I can possibly manage while still touching bars, either that or in Neutral both hands off bars and stood up both feet on the floor.

Originally Posted by injury_ian

Stop further back from the lights!

For me to see while still got both hands on, this would be about 20 feet back from the line.

Originally Posted by The Basket

If sir wants to chase Fireblades then sir bought the wrong bike!

I'm so slow around corners, a 5 year old on a push bike could keep up! I tend to stick to (speed limit + 5-10) to keep most cars off my tail.

But dont you think your SV is great Sure it has niggles, but if you want a comfy bike...then you could get a deuville?

Matt

Originally Posted by AndyW

For me to see while still got both hands on, this would be about 20 feet back from the line.

So be it, Im sure its in the highway code, but i know when being taught to drive i was told to stand back from lights if they weren't easily visible, and besides 95%* of lights have repeaters across the road?!?!?

*made up statistic in my head

I find with my touring jacket the collar comes up high at the back and when trying to look upwards it pushes against the back of my helmet and prevents me from looking upwards.

I find this is more of a problem when trying to get in the ultimate racing crouch rather than looking at traffic lights.

I don't have the problem with my one-piece.