Re: Modified SV 650s?
 

I don't follow your logic.

Re: Modified SV 650s?
 

northwind and dangerous dave have the most modified bikes on this forum, engine wise that is.

Re: Modified SV 650s?
 

Engine mods do cost quite a lot to do and although mine is running now at 75 ish BHP (I know I need to update signature) its cost a lot to get it there, The main problem was keeping a descent torque curve along with the BHP increases which I think i have now.

I have injected cams in one side on both cylinders, jets, air filter, air box was slightly changed, and the exhaust is a stubby. Thats all quantifyable but the rolling road time to get a bike that isn't just as much BHP as possible is expensive.

Then I did the suspension, brakes and now I'm working on the cosmetics and i've kinda given up as it looks o.k.

Money is the major factor here, most people have an SV then move on, i started on bike bikes but prefer to rag this thing around. Handling of the stock chasis and swing arm is amazing - ask any of the minitwin guys!

Re: Modified SV 650s?
 

The reason the standard forks are worth more than GSXR ones is simply down to the Minitwins series. The racers have to use standard forks so there's a bit of a market for them.

I bought and modified my SV for a specific competition. The event is a special stage rally that takes place on closed country lanes where the surface can be very unpredictable, especially in the rain. Supermoto bikes used to be the ideal tool but recently some of the stages we use have got a bit quicker needing more top end. I've tried using a SS600 but the power delivery is a bit mental meaning you spend the entire time spinning up the rear, or being frightened of it happening..... Although the SV has less power (mine makes 75bhp at the rear wheel) it's for more usable and in anything other than bone dry conditions makes for a quicker bike overall.
The two enemies of the SV are suspension and weight. The suspension is easily sorted, I'm still working on the weight!

Re: Modified SV 650s?
 

"what is it with peeps who dont understand why someone modifies their bike to their own tastes?"

I think you've misunderstood the question. The question is not 'Why on earth would you do that?' the question is more 'What drives you to fit bits from a GSXR, when you could just buy a GSXR'. The point being that there must be sompething compulsive about the SV that means its viable to do. Anyones got the right to do whatever they want, I honestly have nothing against anyhting anyone does.

"I don't follow your logic"

Which bit? GSXR forks are more sporty and from a non-budget bike, therefore logic would dictate that these were more desirable and hence more expensive. It appears they are not however! The bit about the brand new bike goes back to when I bought my brand new K6 and it was recommended to me that I do these mods, I thus assumed that people were out there doing these things to new bikes as well as old.


I think maybe Im approaching it from the wrong angle here, but when I had my K6 pointy my impressions were that I would have to change the brakes, the front forks and the rear suspension. The bits that remain would only be the chassis and the engine (and to be honest I didnt get on with that much towards the end). Surely at that point for the heartache and cost it may be better to move to the bike all the bits came from.

I know you all love your SV's!! Please don't get the wrong impression here.

Re: Modified SV 650s?
 

I wouldn't mind knowing where.

Yeah, it's a nice engine, the stock equipment doesn't let you use it to its potential at all.

Sports 6s, yeah fine if you're 40 years old, insurance is pricey if not.

There is the other thing, you will learn more about bike setup etc. from figuring it out yourself rather than just going and buying something totally different. It is also far more entertaining. There is also the problem that every bugger and his dog has got a sports 600, and I can't say I've seen many being ridden that quickly either.

There's also the character of the bike, I've ridden a few sports 6s and it's only the old ones that actually appeal to me, the new ones, despite being unargueably rapid seem to lack something.

Fair enough if you just want to play top-trumps, but to each their own.

Re: Modified SV 650s?
 

Daimo I am surprised you even need to ask this question, loads of people have fitted better front ends and stuff.

Northwinds is undoubtedly the most interesting, dangerous daves undoubtedly the one with the most money in it.

Mine's pretty trick under all the filth and gaffer tape too :-P

Re: Modified SV 650s?
 

Are there any threads relating to the spec (pref including pics) of Northwind/ Dangerous Dave's bikes?

Searched couldnt findy ;)

Re: Modified SV 650s?
 

Thats a fantastic answer, a lot of what you said there makes sense. My previous bike was a sports 6 (ninja 636 2006 model) and it was fairly extreme in its ways. It was a very capable tool but a complete ******** at times on the road. In the right conditions it was very quick (far quicker and capable than me) but they were few and far between.

I'm not with you on the insurance part though, Im 27 with an accident 4 years ago and Im paying about £450 for the Hayabusa fully comp. Before that I paid £500 for an almost brand new 636 fully comp with the accident against me.

The SV was fun to ride at times but since I'd had the CBR6 beforehand it eventually became dull. Going back to inline 4's was good but I missed the lumpy bumpy clattering bottom end of the V twin. The most frustrating part of the bike by far was the suspension, which often had a feel of danger to it when chasing mates on more capable bikes. I just couldnt shake the budget feel off it either.

No-one answered my question about how much all of these mods cost? Are we talking sub £500 all in?

I often thought the SV1000 would have been better for me but I dont think they would have offered much more in speed after coming up against one on the 636. Do they handle much better??

Re: Modified SV 650s?
 

I was just about to mention yours Chris...