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-   -   Questions about SV650s (Considering Buying) (http://forums.sv650.org/showthread.php?t=154564)

lilsammy 12-07-10 06:29 PM

Questions about SV650s (Considering Buying)
 
Hi this is my first post I wanted to ask a few questions about SV650's currently im 21 and my CBT runs out in august (next month) at the moment im just riding a Yamaha TW125 I have done 8000 miles on it since i bought it and as soon as I have passed my test which I booked already I want to move onto a bigger bike I have been seriously considering the sv650 because of its performance to price ratio.

I am actually 21 and a student at uni and I work part time I can afford to buy a sv650 and insure one but what concerns me is the cost of parts at the moment I have only needed to change the brakes front and back on my TW125 once and the tyres once and the chain 3 times and sprokets once the cost of which has been pretty minor oh and the oil and filter every 1000 miles.

The cost of my tw125 has been pretty manageable so far on avarage i will do 100 miles a week or somthing like that but with the sv650 that will probably increase to somthing like 200 - 300 a week.

How much milage would you get on things like chains, tyres, sprokets, oil and brakes with a sv650? At the moment i pretty much thrash the boll*ks off my tw125 purlery because its so under powererd. I would not be thrasing a sv650 probably traveling at the speed limit to about 80mph nothing extreme.

Also i have been doing all the maintance on my tw125 myself how easy is a sv650 to maintain for someone who has a general knowledge of mechanics?

I just want as much sensible information about the cost of keeping a sv650 in good condition for communting as i can get before i settle on buying one because i will likely have the bike for at least 3 years after i buy one.

- Sam

metalhead19 12-07-10 06:35 PM

Re: Questions about SV650s (Considering Buying)
 
Hi and welcome to the forum.
The sv can be a fairly cheap bike to run. Things like brake pad life and chain life ect with all depends on usage and how well its cared for. So far after 14K miles i have needed to replace my pads once and my chain is still going strong. Oil changes are not expensive even if the filter is changed also.
I have relatively little mechanical knowledge, however with the help on a haynes manual i have been able to do most work myself (ie general servicing and repair).

hongman 12-07-10 06:47 PM

Re: Questions about SV650s (Considering Buying)
 
Full stop!

Great thing about the SV, parts are so plentiful. A lot of parts are interchangeable as well between other bikes and the SV.

lilsammy 12-07-10 07:22 PM

Re: Questions about SV650s (Considering Buying)
 
What is the normal milage between oil changes? I usually change mine ever 1000 miles and always change the filter weather it needs it or not.

My main concern after looking at part prices is tyre costs, how many miles under "avarage" driving do tyres last?

Another thing I should ask is, do sv650's have any inherit problems such as gearbox problems for example?

I have had a look around google for part retailers or sv650's but is there some favourite online stores you guys like to use?

metalhead19 12-07-10 07:32 PM

Re: Questions about SV650s (Considering Buying)
 
With tyres its does depend on the type of roads you use and how aggressive you ride. If its alot of Mway riding then i would recommend michelim PR2s, i have them on mine atm, they are dual compound so will resist squaring off that bit longer and have great wet grip. I got roughly 12K on the stock tyres the SV comes with. As for costs, depends what your want.
wemoto is recommended by many, banditmania are good. Not sure if there are any places where can get org discount yet.

hongman 12-07-10 07:35 PM

Re: Questions about SV650s (Considering Buying)
 
In the haynes it specifies 4000miles oil change intervals, and oil filter change every 11000 miles.

Mileage from tyres really do vary...the pair I'm looking to buy soon are £125 for a pair, £20 fitting. There are loads of tyre reviews on here.

What year SV are you looking at? Main difference being 99-02 is carb, "curvy" shape and 03+ being the EFI "pointy" shape.

lilsammy 12-07-10 07:39 PM

Re: Questions about SV650s (Considering Buying)
 
oh wow thats more than I thought this guy at work who just bought a 50th aniversary fireblade says i would get 3000 or somthing but i reckon he talks a load of boll*ks all the time he puts more store in how expensive things are than how good they are kind of annoys me.

Well im pretty sure gonna buy a SV650 unless anyone has any money black holes they want to point out, Is there any topics about buying a SV650 and what to look for when buying one?

EDIT:

@hongman erm i was sort of hoping to buy a more modern one with the pointed front with full fairing but if a curvy one was at a good price with low miles i wouldnt say no. What model / year would you reccomend?

keith_d 12-07-10 07:51 PM

Re: Questions about SV650s (Considering Buying)
 
Here's my guestimates for 12k a year of reasonable riding.

Two rear tyres, one front, around £300
Three oil changes with filter, around £75
Chain and sprockets, around £100
Brake pads, one set around £25
Petrol £1200
Insurance £loadsamoney

They're only ballpark figures and depend on lots of things like how you ride, which oil you use, which tyres you choose. I've assumed 6k miles per tyre which is probably a bit pessimistic in the first year.

Hope this helps,

Keith.

lilsammy 12-07-10 07:57 PM

Re: Questions about SV650s (Considering Buying)
 
Thanks alot keith_d insurance wasnt too bad when i got quotes i phoned up my insurance im with at the moment and they estimate 400 a year for me for a 99 model and not too much more for newer models, from what i have heard so far from you guys and looking around myself it seems like i will be able to afford an sv650 without too much trouble.

Just going to look around now for a decent sv650 im looking for one with less than 10k miles in good condition for less than £3000 so from looking around i think i should manage to get a good buy.

Thanks guys.

keith_d 12-07-10 08:10 PM

Re: Questions about SV650s (Considering Buying)
 
Unfortunately, with all the decent weather prices will be holding up quite well, but there will be lots of decent bikes around for that kind of money.

You might even be able to tempt one of your local .orgers to come along and check out a prospective purchase if you bait them out with beer. A post entitled "Free Beer" in your regional section will probably get some interest.

Keith.

Dave20046 12-07-10 08:11 PM

Re: Questions about SV650s (Considering Buying)
 
As per Keith D really. Dunno how you killed 3 chains in 8k miles on that 125! Believe my chain's done in excess of 10k on the SV and it's only just starting to stretch now. Keep them properly adjust and lubed (I do every 200miles atleast) and it'll be fine.

SV's are cheap bikes to run... and crash. Providing you don't buy a dud that is! the only really big thing is around every 15k miles they need the valve clearances checking on a service, this is up to £200 from a decent garage though.

You shouldn't have any worries with that budget. A 20k pointy shape (see my pic on left) can be had for sub £2k (see nelson's one in for sale section!).

yorkie_chris 12-07-10 08:35 PM

Re: Questions about SV650s (Considering Buying)
 
Quote:

Originally Posted by lilsammy (Post 2317641)
What is the normal milage between oil changes? I usually change mine ever 1000 miles and always change the filter weather it needs it or not.

My main concern after looking at part prices is tyre costs, how many miles under "avarage" driving do tyres last?

3500 miles for oil.

If you are pottering about and buying sensible tyres you will get over 5000 miles per rear tyre. Probably closer to 7000 or even more.

lilsammy 12-07-10 08:43 PM

Re: Questions about SV650s (Considering Buying)
 
ho ho hold up keith free beer? lets not be hasty now! :D But yeah im not really looking for somthing thats immaculate because as i will be using it as a commuter bike im not intrested in owning somthing that is so mint im going to be afraid to ride it in all weathers.

hongman 12-07-10 08:55 PM

Re: Questions about SV650s (Considering Buying)
 
At £3k you'll easily find a pointy SV.

I'd recommend buying from the forum, at least you know then the owner has at least held an interest in the bike!

ian505050 12-07-10 09:02 PM

Re: Questions about SV650s (Considering Buying)
 
probably the one of the best value for money commuter bikes is the er5

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.d...STRK:MESELX:IT

cheap on petrol, cheap to service, very very cheap to insure (£137 TPFT with 1y ncb just after passing my test when i was 21)

not as sporty as the sv650 but still a well buit bike.
and also cheaper than a faired sv if you drop it.

yorkie_chris 12-07-10 09:07 PM

Re: Questions about SV650s (Considering Buying)
 
Except it's a cowasaki parallel twin and I wouldn't touch one with yours!

I owned a GPZ500, and have worked on enough ER5s. I would take the SV any day.

ian505050 12-07-10 09:10 PM

Re: Questions about SV650s (Considering Buying)
 
yes but the advert is one i have for sale, lol. i had to try and make it sound good

hongman 12-07-10 09:14 PM

Re: Questions about SV650s (Considering Buying)
 
rofl, shameless

lilsammy 12-07-10 09:15 PM

Re: Questions about SV650s (Considering Buying)
 
Well im not really tempted by the cowasakia but its what i will be taking my direct acess on so i will see how it rides in training but im not keen on its looks to be honest.

hongman 12-07-10 09:22 PM

Re: Questions about SV650s (Considering Buying)
 
Cant speak for all schools but the ones at my traning school were well and truly used and abused (as expected).

They had HOOGE steels bars welded on the side to prevent engine damage but added probably 20 kilo to its weight.

They are gutless compared to the SV, everything about the SV feels so much nicer. I expect that experience is what its like going from an SV to a GSXR (or any SS).

All in my limited opinion, but stil fresh in my mind as I did this all a matter of weeks ago.

yorkie_chris 12-07-10 09:25 PM

Re: Questions about SV650s (Considering Buying)
 
Not comparable. SV feels like a proper bike, ER5 feels like a little one.

ian505050 12-07-10 09:26 PM

Re: Questions about SV650s (Considering Buying)
 
i agree the sv650 is a much better bike than the er5 (i have owned both) but the er5 will also feel a lot better/faster than a tw125 though. maybe tw125 then er5 for a year then sw 650 for a year then move on to an sv1000? thats what i did.

hongman 12-07-10 09:27 PM

Re: Questions about SV650s (Considering Buying)
 
Er5 felt like a proper bike to me when I first sat on it!

But then the SV...ooh I smile thinking about it.

ian505050 12-07-10 09:28 PM

Re: Questions about SV650s (Considering Buying)
 
agreed, a little bike with 4 times as much power as a 125 so it would still put a smile on your face if you had just passed your test.

Bunks 13-07-10 04:51 PM

Re: Questions about SV650s (Considering Buying)
 
Quote:

Originally Posted by lilsammy (Post 2317677)
Thanks alot keith_d insurance wasnt too bad when i got quotes i phoned up my insurance im with at the moment and they estimate 400 a year for me for a 99 model and not too much more for newer models, from what i have heard so far from you guys and looking around myself it seems like i will be able to afford an sv650 without too much trouble.

Just going to look around now for a decent sv650 im looking for one with less than 10k miles in good condition for less than £3000 so from looking around i think i should manage to get a good buy.

Thanks guys.

I know the mileage is slightly higher than you would like on this but it's worth a look if I do say myself ;). It's just had new brake pads, a valve shim check and new tyres so it would cost you very little for the next 6000 miles, just an oil change. You would also have £500 to play with :D

http://forums.sv650.org/showthread.php?t=154170

Matts-Yokes 13-07-10 05:23 PM

Re: Questions about SV650s (Considering Buying)
 
You seem pretty set on an SV650 which is a great bike, i think unless you consider dull things like er500 and cb500 (test centre type bikes) then you wont find anything much cheaper to run than an SV650. You get all the performance you need and a very easy bike to work on, thats proven itself over the last 10 years as being reliable. Suzuki have just re-introduced it so it must have a left a hole in their sales enough for them to consider doing that.

ceeshaw 13-07-10 07:40 PM

Re: Questions about SV650s (Considering Buying)
 
Hey Li'l Sammy, welcome to the forum...

Buy an SV, you wont be disappointed. I wasn't. I'm selling mine btw - 'emigration forces sale' as they say. It's an 01 Curvy - yellow - just been serviced by the famous Spannerman - current mileage is 10900 - I had 2 new Avon Storms put on at 10,020 with the service. It's in good nick - but I still commute on it (if it's not pi$$ing down).
I'll take less than HALF of your 3grand - then you can go buy yourself a decent helmet, some nice leathers and have it insured.

In a different league to the ER500 btw. PM me if you're keen. I dunno where you live, but we can make a plan.

Hoody90 14-07-10 04:52 PM

Re: Questions about SV650s (Considering Buying)
 
Just to give you an idea, I picked up a late 03 (pointy) SV650S for £1900 with 8K miles on the clock last week. I had a bandit as my first 'big' bike and that was a great commuter bike but was a bit 'dull' compared with the SV.

Dave20046 14-07-10 08:26 PM

Re: Questions about SV650s (Considering Buying)
 
SV's are lively bikes :)

Joeskeppi 15-07-10 01:56 PM

Re: Questions about SV650s (Considering Buying)
 
I got one last week, 4 hours after passing my test.

I can only compare it to a 600 Hornet, but I think it's flippin' awesome, and it looks/sounds great too.

It's a 2009 Sport.


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