How many have reported big end failures?
 

http://www.socweb.co.uk/forum/forum_...17161&KW=sv650

Was reading this.

hmmm, me thinks **** stirring gong on there, read alot of info on the sv and never heard any mention of it.... and alot of high milers around too...

had a big end go on my 125 years back after 13k, wasn't happy but don't see it being an sv general problem

I was searching SOCWEB for SV info, all I came across were these seriously narrow minded attitudes from some of the peeps on there.
Kind of "I never owned/rode a SV but I don't think they're very good".
One of the posters maintains that wheelies and low oil level will contribute to a SV engine failure.

I do a lot of stunting including wheelies with 17k miles on my SK1. I also do regular oil/filter changes and run just under a guart over on the oil when stunting. My engine is still running strong with both cylinders compressions within spec. In some of the stunt forums we have concluded that revs are more af a factor that contribute to the engine failures in SV's. As long as you dont bounce off the rev limiter all the time you should be ok. Yes, I know that every situation is different and even if you baby your motor it can still fail.

Moral of the story: Change your oil and keep the revs down

well, I will tell you that I don't ride wheelies, but I have run low on oil...... real low (like 2 quarts, uses oil not when I am flogging it in the twisties , rather long continuous steady speed highway miles) and I have over reved the engine to 13,000-14,000rpm a couple times (downshifting into 1st @ 60mph, a danger of reversing the shifter)
and I have 105k miles, original motor, never done anything to it except change the oil and follow the maintenance schedule in the owners manual.

it runs just like new, the clowns on that forum have no clue what they are talking about, the SV motor is bulletproof

I came across something on the SV1000 site, can't what the thread was. The gist of it was that some thous had noisy BEs but dealers were not admitting there was a problem. Will go and see if I can find it.

Looks like this thread has been done to death on the SV1K site. Do'nt know how to put a link in but go to the site a search for 'the knock'.

Try this:- http://www.sv1000.zyns.com/forums/showthread.php?t=946

I only know of one engine failure on an SV and it was wheelie related. The local dragstrip is open to motorcyclist every tuesday evening and sunday afternoon for stuntin' and whatnot. (something about keeping us hooligans off the streets :D ) Anyway, a fairly new rider was perfecting wheelies. He was riding wheelies in the 7000 - 9000 RPM range on and off for about 5 hours. He ended up spinning a bearing. Now, I have wheelied mine, I've over revved it, I have run it low on oil :oops: , but my motor is still running like a top with 32000km on it. The guy whos' motor blew up has since bought a ZX6R, but he attributed the engine failure to excessive revs and long, high wheelies. At about a 10:30 - 11:00 position in a wheelie, there can't be that much oil moving to the front cylinder. Anyway, suzuki motors are fameous for reliability, so what those wing-nutz on that site are saying is obsurd!! JM2C

Wasn't there a recall to fix this problem on the very early models?

Yep, there was as recall to fit a baffle plate in the side of ther sump on early 99 models. Supposed to prevent the pump suctionn starving itself. If anybody is really concerned leave a messsage here and I'll try and dig out the engine Nos affected..