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Thinking of getting an SV650

Hello All

I'm hoping to look at an SV650 on Saturday and I'm after a bit of advice. I've been on a Fazer 600 for about 5 years and it's been a great bike. It's up around 45000 miles now and I want to swap it in for something with less miles. There seem to be plenty of SVs around fairly cheap. It'd be used for commuting about 25 miles a day.

Is it a good choice for this kind of riding (all year round)?

The model I'm looking at is a 2001 SV650S, it only has 3000 miles on it and looks mint. Seems a good price to me. Is there anything I need to look out for? Was there something dodgy about that year's model?

Anyway, got to ride it to see what I think. Any advice gratefully accepted and maybe I'll be around a bit more.

Cheers

plumbum

D'oh just realised this is in the wrong forum. Admin please move to the right place. Good start huh?

Re: Thinking of getting an SV650

I have an SK1 SVS like you're considering.

Nothing specific to the year, just a few things to be aware of for the curvey models, which are all carbed (FI in at K3 pointy style).

At 3k miles it should be on the original tyres, which if they are Metzeler Z4 are not nice. Budget for some new rubber, Metz Z6 are great, Avon Storms get good reviews (check out the tyre forum).

Carbs need to be balanced reasonably carefully to be the smoothest.

Choke plungers can stick (quite common), but remove and clean, and lube the cables and they are fine.

Carbs will suffer icing in cold damp weather. If it's a UK bike it will have carb heaters but they don't do much. The sensor is usually positioned nicely above the engine where it's warm (doh!) and needs shifting to outside the frame in the cold air. Also use anti-icing additive in fuel if necessary.

Front spark plugs are vulnerable to wet weather. You are well advised to fit a fender extender if it doesn't already have one, and apply a little silicone grease (Maplins) around the front plug cap and all will be well.

There are a few places where the wiring can chafe on this model. The rider seat bolts are a touch too long and hit the wiring behind them (wrap/protect as required), and under the pillion seat at the left rear the wiring bends round a frame bracket (same fix).

Front suspension is mediocre as standard. Fit new stiffer springs to suit your weight and it's hugely improved, budget around 80 quid for springs+oil.

Front forks can clonk over bumps. Check and adjust the steering head bearings as required, but if they still clonk don't worry.

Reg/rec is a bit of a weak spot on the SV generally, though at that mileage it ought to be fine I'd hope.

Brake calipers need to be cleaned and especially the pad retaining pins need to be removed and lubed to prevent them siezing in the calipers.

All this is relatively minor stuff and not much more than routine maintenance really. Great bikes.

Re: Thinking of getting an SV650

Thanks for getting back so quick embee. The one I'm looking at looks fairly similar to your avatar. It's here:

http://www.bathroadmotorcycles.co.uk...332&BRA_ID=19#

Quote:

At 3k miles it should be on the original tyres, which if they are Metzeler Z4 are not nice. Budget for some new rubber, Metz Z6 are great, Avon Storms get good reviews (check out the tyre forum).

New rubber will be interesting. Always been on Bridgestone BT020s on the Fazer. Just never needed to try anything else.

Quote:

Carbs will suffer icing in cold damp weather. If it's a UK bike it will have carb heaters but they don't do much.

I heard this is a problem on Fazers as well but I never had a problem even in very cold weather but then there's the rad in the way to keep things cosy. the SV is air cooled, yes?

Quote:

Brake calipers need to be cleaned and especially the pad retaining pins need to be removed and lubed to prevent them siezing in the calipers.

One of the first things I noticed was the rear caliper slung on the bottom of the disk. I'm well used to stripping and cleaning calipers a couple of times a year. How are the brakes, I'm used to stopping very quick on the FZS. Which reminds me. Please tell me the lights actually light up the road. That would be so nice after the pathetic headlight on the Fazer.

Looking forward to having a ride on one. I'll let you know how I get on. thanks for the tips again :D

Cheers

Plumbum

Re: Thinking of getting an SV650

Price £2695 ?

thats very expensive IMO

you could get a 2005-06 for that money.............. i know its low milage, but i think you could get one with a few more miles and save a grand, shop around

anywho.................. this is what the boss says

Quote:

Originally Posted by fizzwheel (Post 1166353)

Hi and welcome

1. Look at the front forks are they corroded and chipped, This is pretty common on a high milleage SV thats been used in all weathers. Its a good indication of what the bikes been used for and also if the milleage is correct. i.e if the forks are chipped and manky but the milleage on the bike is low then start asking questions. Same goes for the handlebars and footpegs.

2. Have a look at the disks and pads. What condition are they in. SV's are known for the brakes sticking on if its not been looked after. Again this is especially relevant if its been used through winter and neglected.

3. Look at the chain and sprocket and the tyres. how much life do they have left in them, and slack worn chain with hooked teeth on the sprocket mean that its going to want changing soon.

3. Electrics, some people including me have had trouble with blown fuses caused by the wiring loom rubbing on the tank. Also sometimes the loom will rub on the rear sub frame to.

4. If its a private sale, if you can get a sneaky peak in the owners garage, have a look for stuff like, paddock stands, a good set of tools, cleaning products, chain lube etc on the shelf, It'll give you an idea of how the current owner looks after the bike.

5. Sometimes if the bikes ridden in heavy rain water gets into the front spark plug hole and then it'll drop down onto one cylinder and run intermitantly between one two cylinders which isnt fun. A fenda extenda will sort this or some silicone grease on the front HT lead will also do the trick, have a search for the subject its been covered loads of times and its fairly common. Ask the owner if they have had trouble with the bike in the wet, its not a huge problem and its easy to sort.

Dont be put off by high milleage as long as you can see that the servicing has been done, either by stamps in the service manual or receipts for parts used. A high milleage bike thats been ridden is better than a low milleage bike thats been stood for ages and has got all seized up.

Use things like worn tyres, chain and sprocket as bargaining tools to get the price down. Make sure you do a HPI check to make sure that theres no outstanding finance or the bike hasnt been involved in a accident at some point in its life.

Remember that non standard parts dont increase the value of the bike. So dont let the bling bits distract you from the of the bike, better IMHO to buy a mint standard bike than sh*tter with loads of aftermarket parts bolted onto it. Things like a hugger, a scotoiler are sensible modifications though as is a race can but only if you like the sound / look of it.

If you're not sure, Walk away from the bike, or take somebody with you who does know what they are looking at. Make sure you look at plenty of bikes and never buy the first one you look at.

HTH

Re: Thinking of getting an SV650

Quote:

Originally Posted by plumbum (Post 1396246)

New rubber will be interesting. Always been on Bridgestone BT020s on the Fazer. Just never needed to try anything else.

I heard this is a problem on Fazers as well but I never had a problem even in very cold weather but then there's the rad in the way to keep things cosy. the SV is air cooled, yes?

020s are still decent tyres... I have one on my spare wheel, it works well. But I think in all honesty just about all of the newer sports touring tyres are just simply better. Though it took 5 years!

The SV is water cooled... But tbh it doesn't make much difference, carb icing is a seperate issue, and SVs do it a fair bit. Silkolene Pro FST completely cures it in my experience, and BP Ultimate seems to resist it.

Definately better headlights than the Fazer 6, but worse brakes. Older Fazers have ace brakes... The SV ones are decent, but nothing amazing.

That one's probably a wee bit pricey... The condition will obviously push the price, but it's kind of a shame to pay over the odds for a minter which you're then going to use in all conditions, it'll lost that premium value fast. If I was you I'd look for one with a few more miles and a lot less pounds ;)

Re: Thinking of getting an SV650

Quote:

Originally Posted by plumbum (Post 1396246)

Please tell me the lights actually light up the road. That would be so nice after the pathetic headlight on the Fazer.

I've owned a Fazer in the past and you're absolutely right, the headlights are as good as useless! Not sure about curvys but the headlights on a pointy are 6 trillion times better than a Fazer.

+1 on that it sounds a tad pricey, too.

Re: Thinking of getting an SV650

Thanks for all the replies. That's really helpful. All of your comments make a lot of sense. I think I might cancel the trip to the stealer's and look around for a private sale.

Quote:

The condition will obviously push the price, but it's kind of a shame to pay over the odds for a minter which you're then going to use in all conditions

This is a very good point. My main motivation for going for the SV is a decent bike at a nice price. When I was last looking for a bike it was very close between the SV and the Fazer. I think it was probably just the centre stand that swung it for me as I like to do all the maintenance myself.

I was rear ended by a car in September and the bike now has lots of new bits so is looking good, so it seems like a good time to change. But I can't see the point of spending lots of money on a workhorse that's going to be ridden through salty crud half the year and will probably get shunted down the road sometime by some careless driver. So your comments make sense, I know there are well priced bikes in good nick around.

Not that keen on selling mine privately though, as it always seems a hassle compared to chopping it in. But it makes financial sense.

Thanks again for all the replies.

plumbum

Re: Thinking of getting an SV650

I do a 50-mile round commute most days on my SV, and its perfect for it. The S is sometimes critisised for being a bit sporty and therefore uncomfy, but I havn't had any comfort issues. It'll be a bit more or a crouch than your Fazer, but its not intollerable!The SV is a very nice and nimble machine for commuting, and with heated grips its a great bike for all year round.

Matt

Re: Thinking of getting an SV650

+1 on the price tag being a bit on the hefty side, I picked up my 2000 plate S, with just under 7,000 miles on it at the end of last summer for ?1500. There are a few tiny rusty bits on it, which didn't really matter to me as I've been using it in all weather too, but all in all it's in great condition.

I also do a commute on it (although not every day, it's actually quicker for me to use the car - 90% motorway), and haven't had any problems regarding comfort. My commutes about 40 miles each way.