Re: To buy, or to modify?
 

Thanks all for your replies.

I'm not too worried by the cost of servicing a duke, I'm very competent in the workshop and so would be doing it all myself, so its only gonna cost me parts.
I have looked at the RSV, but I'm not sure i want to move up to a powerful litre bike so soon. Not because I dont think I could handle it, but because I would be using the power when I get the chance, and ultimately lose my licence.
Not ridden the buell yet, but I'm trying to find somewhere I can. I have sat on one and found it fairly comfortable. Its the design of them that interests, according to the numbers they should have excellent handling

Re: To buy, or to modify?
 

Like this does....

Ok so he gets left for dead on the straights, but look how he catches again..

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T6bULT4Jbgo

Re: To buy, or to modify?
 

This is the sort of unfounded nonsense that keeps peeps away from Dukes. In fact servicing is 6k with new belts required at 12k. Although some R models did need new belts every 6k, but only if used for trackdays/racing.

However those services aren't cheap, but if you're not worried about keeping the value, most of the servicing is straight forward.

But, I would suggest keeping the SV and improving it handling and brakewise. At least until you have quite a bit of spare income.

Re: To buy, or to modify?
 

Yeah, pretty much. I am a better rider than my mates, i put more thought into my lines and can turn the bike in so much faster

Re: To buy, or to modify?
 

How much was will your last (current?) service cost again? ;) At least with the SV crankcases aren't consumables...

Druid

Re: To buy, or to modify?
 

Not saying they're cheap FD, and my CC failure is almost unheard of, but as Fizz says, they can bite if you get a bad 'un.

Re: To buy, or to modify?
 

As to be fair can any bike, the SV while having a very reliable engine isn't unheard of going pop.

Druid

Re: To buy, or to modify?
 

I don't obviously know your sitaution re job after uni etc......but if it was me (although I never did this.....I went and spent it all). I would save the bulk of your student loan and spend circa £500 doing a front end conversion. Girth recently grabbed a rear shock of fleabay at just over £10.....so that can be done cheaply too.

Once finished, as mentioned above, flog the stock suspension and get half your money back!!!!

Just remember to keep sticking two fingers up at your mates as you pass them on your supposed "girly bike". Personally, people who refer to the SV as Girly obviously dont really have much of a clue about them and just buy into the SS600 market straight away as it is "what my mate got". I have seen many members of this forum ride SV's better than SS600's and thou machines whilst on the same rideouts. Its not about your mates though, its about what you want. So if that is a new bike......do it.

Re: To buy, or to modify?
 

Stick with you SV for a couple of months when its at full power, just so you can enjoy that :cheers: if you are planning on getting another bike, don't throw loads of money at the SV, but maybe treat it to a full service, brakes stripped cleaned and rebuilt, fresh fork oil and the suspension linkage taken apart, cleaned and greased. This might help make the bike feel fresher, and not only that its something that would help get the bike sold ;)

Re: To buy, or to modify?
 

Not sure I'd consider a duke if I was going to be putting a lot of all weather miles on it. Not tempted to throw money at modifying the SV Either. If you want a different bike - you want a different bike.

Boredom is every excuse.