Longer chain makes a difference?

I converted my SV from a naked to SVS.
Changed handlebar to clip-0ns.
Changed top yoke to svs.
Changed rear sprocket to one tooth less like SVS.
Changed to higher and more rearward footrests.

I did all this 'cause I liked the way my brother's SVS handled, but still it doesn't steer that quick as his. Cranking the rear adjuster all the way up to rise the rear doesn't help. In fact it feels worse. I feel the best setting there is two notches up from fully down when riding solo. I'm 74Kg. When the wife's riding pillion, the bike feels great! Very planted if somewhat a little harder to steer. For some reason I'd trade the slow steering for more stability which is how it feels two up. What wrong you think? The only difference between my bike and brother's is that I'm still on stock chain which is longer than SVS stock one. So the wheel base is a tad longer. Is this making all the difference? When I ride his bike everything seems great, my bike on the otherhand is hard work.

Not sure if this is correct or not,but I thought that the naked also had different foot pegs, which may also throw off your centre of balance. But I can imagine that having a longer chain is also not helping (Both points guesswork though)

[northwind]

As you say, the longer chain will give you alonger wheelbase, not a huge amount but enough to be noticable I'd imagine (never done it myself, I mucked up the timing when I tried) It'll also slightly increase ride height, and I suppose change the leverage on the shock a bit. I'm not even going to pretend that I can predict the impact that'd all have.

Is it a standard shock? You mentioned using the adjuster to raise the rear...

Well MavUK, I did change to SVS rearset footpegs so that's ruled out.

Northwind, Yes I'm on standard shock but the stock item does increase ride height effectively when you compress the spring as it 'gives' less under weight so keeps the rear higher. The comment about the rear wheel being more back increasing leverage does make sense. I'll change the chain next making it the same length as stock SVS and see how it goes. Was going to change it anyway.

[yorkie_chris]

The naked steers faster than the S as standard...

Anyway, try drop the forks in the yokes a little to speed up the steering.
Also tyres can make a difference to the ease of turning.

[dirtydog]

aren't the swingarms different lengths as well? could be a contributing factor?

As I said before, the steering is not much the issue, I can't explain this too well but it seems there's not much weight on the rear wheel. I enjoy the ride better when having someone riding pillion. I'm thinking that reducing the wheelbase to stock SVS dimensions is the next step. I failed to mention that I did drop the forks to experiment. The bike started to turn much quicker but did not keep a good line in a fast corner and it got unstable pretty quick when the road was bumpy. I also tried making the front higher by pushing down the tubes flush to upper yoke, as far down as they would go. This has the effect of harder steering but a more comfy riding position with a more balanced bike front to rear making it hold a line better. I ended putting them back to their original SVS position taking reference from my brother's bike. I must point out that I do ride with my upper body weight more on the front. The rear part of the seat is never used.

[yorkie_chris]

I think it's your rear shock, maybe stick a ninja one on it with the sag set close to correct?

Originally Posted by dirtydog

aren't the swingarms different lengths as well? could be a contributing factor?

Swingarms on a curvy are the same as far as I know.
Could check part numbers on a parts fish to confirm...

...you are in fact quite right. The swingarms are different part numbers.
I found a partsfish here... http://www.alpha-sports.com/suzuki_p...FQJYZwodryxbFw
Rear swingarm SV650X/Y/K1/K2 61000-19F11

Rear swingarm SV650SX/SY/SK1/SK2 61000-19F01

So the fact that there are two different swingarms I have to conclude that there is a significant difference in length between the two models. That must be a significant factor to the difference I'm experiencing between the two bikes. I'll take my inch tape to my brother's tomorrow. The only problem is that now if I put in the same chain on my bike most probably I won't have enough adjustment play. I'm not thinking that Suzuki would have gone to the trouble of making two different swingarms for nothing.