Impressions of the SV650S - SV650.org

10-11-04, 04:14 PM

I have just passed the 1,000 mile mark on my SV650S, so I tought that I may post a few observations.

I have to say that generally I am delighted with the bike although there remain a few annoying factors.

Firstly I have not experienced any problem with vibrations. My hands are sometimes tingling at the end of a long run but nothing to worry about. I used to own a Bonneville 750 so maybe it's all relative!

Secondly the riding postion has been fine for me. I found that if I rested my gut on the tank (or the tank bag) or gripped the tank it took the weight off my arms.

I love the pulling power of the engine at low revs and in the mid-range. It all makes the bike very unfussy to ride. There is no need to drop down the gears when accelerating as the engine pulls well at any speed in virtually any gear.

I have mixed feelings on the engine braking. It is certainly useful not to have to resort to the brakes at every bend in the road. It can sometimes be a pain in heavy traffic especially as the throttle appears to be restricted to two positions ('on' and 'off') at times.

The bike does have the turning circle of a small oil tanker. This is a nuisance when turning it around in the garage.

The gearbox is OK although I do have problems 'finding' neutral at times. The brakes are just about acceptable but don't give me that much confidence. Mind you they don't get that much use with the engine braking!

I have been getting 52 to 54 miles per gallon consistently. I have been watching the revs carefully as the engine was being run-in so maybe that might fall.

I am bewildered by the numerous stickers with silly warnings. For example the one saying that you should keep the widscreen clean as otherwise you may not be able to see through it! The only thing I have ever seen through the windscreen is the road six inches ahead of the front wheel!

10-11-04, 04:18 PM

I Took off all the stupid stickers.... looks a lot nicer and less 'dumb' with them off.

embee · 10-11-04, 04:42 PM

You'll probably find the brakes take quite a bit of bedding in, and it might be worth doing a purposeful beddind exercise (braking progressively firmer from about 60mph a number of times). This is an intersting article covering brake issues
http://www.ceramicbrakes.com/whitepa...otors_myth.htm

I found the brakes on my 650 Honda twin took nearly 5k miles to get really effective.

There's been quite a lot of info on this site about setting the throttle position sensor on K3 onwards bikes correctly which I understand sorts a lot of the on/off problems. Try a search of TPS or similar.

10-11-04, 07:52 PM

I thought the stickers were there for amusement.

Just the mention of the "keep windscreen clean" made me smile. The guy at the garage said the're there for the American's, to try and prevent any law suits.

10-11-04, 08:56 PM

Quote:

I am bewildered by the numerous stickers with silly warnings.

Bored one day, I read the owners manual and was so scared by the amount of warnings there I haven't been near the bike since!
These things are lethal!

10-11-04, 09:16 PM

Don't knock the stickers, guys - they're in lieu of effective paint finish. More, please, Mr Suzuki!

10-11-04, 09:35 PM

Speaking personal I found the on/off in the throttle action changed dramaticaly when I fitted an after market exhaust allowing a better flow
of exhaust gases[much improved] as with the brakes after 2k miles
Just my own obsevations but I,m sure you will get other more technical
feedback

11-11-04, 07:44 PM

Have to agree with the on/off throttle

I find the best way to avoid it is to keep the engine at about 4000rpm (or more

).

Been meaning to check my TPS and see if that needs adjusting - should improve things if that's the problem...

10-11-04, 04:14 PM	#1
johnlowe Guest Posts: n/a	Impressions of the SV650S I have just passed the 1,000 mile mark on my SV650S, so I tought that I may post a few observations. I have to say that generally I am delighted with the bike although there remain a few annoying factors. Firstly I have not experienced any problem with vibrations. My hands are sometimes tingling at the end of a long run but nothing to worry about. I used to own a Bonneville 750 so maybe it's all relative! Secondly the riding postion has been fine for me. I found that if I rested my gut on the tank (or the tank bag) or gripped the tank it took the weight off my arms. I love the pulling power of the engine at low revs and in the mid-range. It all makes the bike very unfussy to ride. There is no need to drop down the gears when accelerating as the engine pulls well at any speed in virtually any gear. I have mixed feelings on the engine braking. It is certainly useful not to have to resort to the brakes at every bend in the road. It can sometimes be a pain in heavy traffic especially as the throttle appears to be restricted to two positions ('on' and 'off') at times. The bike does have the turning circle of a small oil tanker. This is a nuisance when turning it around in the garage. The gearbox is OK although I do have problems 'finding' neutral at times. The brakes are just about acceptable but don't give me that much confidence. Mind you they don't get that much use with the engine braking! I have been getting 52 to 54 miles per gallon consistently. I have been watching the revs carefully as the engine was being run-in so maybe that might fall. I am bewildered by the numerous stickers with silly warnings. For example the one saying that you should keep the widscreen clean as otherwise you may not be able to see through it! The only thing I have ever seen through the windscreen is the road six inches ahead of the front wheel!

10-11-04, 09:35 PM	#7
Dicky Ticker Guest Posts: n/a	post Speaking personal I found the on/off in the throttle action changed dramaticaly when I fitted an after market exhaust allowing a better flow of exhaust gases[much improved] as with the brakes after 2k miles Just my own obsevations but I,m sure you will get other more technical feedback

Similar Threads
Thread	Thread Starter	Forum	Replies	Last Post
First impressions	stroppygob	Bikes - Talk & Issues	6	27-02-09 04:47 PM
SV650S impressions after 1 week, 200 miles Novice rider (longish)	AndyW	Bikes - Talk & Issues	17	15-08-07 10:55 PM
New Novice SV650S Owner (first impressions, bit long winded)	AndyW	Bikes - Talk & Issues	13	09-08-07 08:18 PM
GSXR-750 K5 first impressions	fizzwheel	Bikes - Talk & Issues	12	03-04-06 09:30 PM
Got my SV650! - My first impressions	terrebandit	SV Talk, Tuning & Tweaking	2	05-09-05 06:18 AM

10-11-04, 04:18 PM	#2
Gforceuk Guest Posts: n/a	I Took off all the stupid stickers.... looks a lot nicer and less 'dumb' with them off.

10-11-04, 04:42 PM	#3
embee Member Mega Poster Join Date: Jul 2003 Location: Warwickshire Posts: 2,804	You'll probably find the brakes take quite a bit of bedding in, and it might be worth doing a purposeful beddind exercise (braking progressively firmer from about 60mph a number of times). This is an intersting article covering brake issues http://www.ceramicbrakes.com/whitepa...otors_myth.htm I found the brakes on my 650 Honda twin took nearly 5k miles to get really effective. There's been quite a lot of info on this site about setting the throttle position sensor on K3 onwards bikes correctly which I understand sorts a lot of the on/off problems. Try a search of TPS or similar.

10-11-04, 07:52 PM	#4
mynameis Guest Posts: n/a	I thought the stickers were there for amusement. Just the mention of the "keep windscreen clean" made me smile. The guy at the garage said the're there for the American's, to try and prevent any law suits.

10-11-04, 09:16 PM	#6
Johnsilver Guest Posts: n/a	Don't knock the stickers, guys - they're in lieu of effective paint finish. More, please, Mr Suzuki!

11-11-04, 07:44 PM	#8
Haxsaw Guest Posts: n/a	Have to agree with the on/off throttle I find the best way to avoid it is to keep the engine at about 4000rpm (or more ). Been meaning to check my TPS and see if that needs adjusting - should improve things if that's the problem...