A done deal. Updates to follow.

OK, so I recently got off the fence I've been on for about a month and made the choice between new and used, and have ordered my first bike, a black SV650SK7, fully faired.

I should have it in about 10 days time, and and after about 11 days I'll be in no doubt wondering how to look after it properly.

So, I'm guessing it comes with the usual "don't try pressure washing it or taking it through a car wash" user manual, but advice-wise, what do you do daily/weekly/monthly to keep yours looking shiny new (if you do?!), and more specifically, when you get it wet (which I will, its going to be my commuter), what must you make sure of when you get it back home?

Cheers

If its to be a commuter then best to take a hammer to it now, and put a bit of mud on it. You'll be less upset when someone parks their ped on it.

Seriously though do a search. Lots of stuff on cleaning/maintenance.

Thankfully a secured private car park is mine to be had
at work, and I don't mean riding it 365 days a year either.

I for one won't be venturing out onto black ice for a good few winters to come...

Originally Posted by ooger

OK, so I recently got off the fence I've been on for about a month and made the choice between new and used, and have ordered my first bike, a black SV650SK7, fully faired.

I should have it in about 10 days time, and and after about 11 days I'll be in no doubt wondering how to look after it properly.

So, I'm guessing it comes with the usual "don't try pressure washing it or taking it through a car wash" user manual, but advice-wise, what do you do daily/weekly/monthly to keep yours looking shiny new (if you do?!), and more specifically, when you get it wet (which I will, its going to be my commuter), what must you make sure of when you get it back home?

Cheers

No big need for pressure washing though can be handy for stubborn cleaning if you're careful. Don't be silly they don't do half rates for bikes in car washes

get some 'muc off' (busters-accessories do a good deal on t'net) and spray all over, then wash with usual shampoo and sponge then hose down. You can do the bike as well Dry with a Chamois then polish with Castrol Bike Polish.

If its just a bit dusty with a few fly splats you can use Castrol Bike polish straight off, no need to wash/shampoo first - comes up a treat - top stuff me thinks.

Let it dry naturally if you're not going to wash it down. Make sure its stored in a well ventilated area.

Prepare for winter. Coat it with ACF50 (name?) again see Busters on t'net. Can also blob a bit of grease on bolt ends etc to help stop rusting. Apparently SV's are known for the odd bit of rust

IMHO

Duck oil or GT85 liberally applied to all moving parts like leavers and exposed metal areas (except brakes) is a good tip and Scotoiler FS spray on top of that should keep corrosion at bay.

[yorkie_chris]

Seems to be 2 schools of thought with respect to winter maintenence.

Some go over with polish and shampoo every day, others just blather it in ACF50 or similar and leave it be.

Personally I cover everything in grease or acf50, and wash regularly, the next wash is scheduled for the middle of may somewhere...

[jambo]

Check your Oil. Keep an eye on your chain and sprockets to check they are always oiled, and in good nick. Check your tyre pressures. Do these AT LEAST once a week.

Fit good crash bungs and get a paddock stand with bobbins and hooks to make maintenance on the chain and rear wheel easier. If you're doing lots of miles fit a scottoiler and keep an eye on it to check it doesn't run out.

The clean stuff I'm not so good at, my bikes are always some of the dirtiest about. But I'd rather spend the time doing maintenance, as I can't see the dirt when I'm riding it

Jambo

Originally Posted by yorkie_chris

Seems to be 2 schools of thought with respect to winter maintenence.

Some go over with polish and shampoo every day, others just blather it in ACF50 or similar and leave it be.

Personally I cover everything in grease or acf50, and wash regularly, the next wash is scheduled for the middle of may somewhere...

Third choice: Do b-all, 3 winters later, it'll only have pitted fork lowers, which it'd have anyway, regardless of cleaning. Half an hour with autosol on the downpipe and stainless bits of the exhaust and it looks fine again.

[yorkie_chris]

Originally Posted by jambo

I'd rather spend the time doing maintenance,

A definite +1 here.

IMO service intervals are too long, A months worth of salt and grime can sieze your brake calipers solid, so ignore them and keep everything which has important functions clean-ish and greased up

congrats on picking the 2nd best SV ever made (yellow curvy is better)

get a fenda extenda fitted