My First bike

Hello all, this is my first post on the forum, and i have been recommend the SV650. Which i will be getting in a few months (once i have completed my lessons) I am 19, and passed my CBT on Sat (so i have to get it restricted), but the CBT got me hucked on the whole aura and feeling off a bike, and i cant wait to continue.

I was originally after the GS500f, which i was quoted £1200 a year insurance, however i have just got a quote on the SV650 for 680 a year. Which is just over half.

I have really fallen for the look of the bike. I wondered what things i should look out for when buying one? Are there any problems that could be easily spotted?

Also, what kind of performance differences will i be looking at with the restrictor?

Thanks in advance.

Paul

Hello & welcome to the mad house.

I bought a brand new K6 just after passing my DAS because 1) I got the 0% finance thing, and 2) it comes with a warranty.

Just to give you some sort of idea, shop around for insurance, I'm paying £395 TPF&T.

AFAIK (never having owned a restricted bike) the restriction applies to the top end of the bike more than anything else. Yes if it's a fuel injected model you may loose a little accelleration, but it shouldn't be much. You'll still be a hell of a lot fast off the mark than almost every car you come across.

Restriction for a FI model (03-06) I was quoted at £200 by a suzuki dealer. I'm old enough to do DAS, so I did, rather than ride a restricted bike then pay the same amount to derestrict it.

Originally Posted by slice16

Also, what kind of performance differences will i be looking at with the restrictor?

same till 5-6K revs...then goes very flat.

as for things to look for....same as any bike really i think. maintenence, and that its been cared for.

Paul

The SV is a very modable bike, there are all sorts of things you can do to it! My advice is to take your time getting bits. Very good deals can be found on decent kit in the for sale section here. You just need a bit of patience. Don't get things from stealerships because you'll end up out of pocket quick!

thanks for the quick replies

insurance is a killer for me on what ever i go for. I was quoted 3500 on a cbr600 with a restrictor, and it has been high on cars lol.

luckily my two sisters and brother in law work for carole nash, so i get a discount, but i am waiting till tonight when my sis comes around with teh quote. I hope its cheaper

what does the bike rev up to? Is it much higher than 6?

[fizzwheel]

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. So ask about that 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

thanks for the reply very very helpful.

i have seen a few bikes (i am hoping for the S) with the belly pan on. I have also seen a few full fairing? I am guessing the full fearing is an aftermarket addon. should that add to the price at all, or are they more hassle than they are worth?

Originally Posted by Baph

Just to give you some sort of idea, shop around for insurance, I'm paying £395 TPF&T.

.

To be fair though you live in the sticks and he lives in Manchester so i don't think it's a bad quote for a 19 year old.

Originally Posted by nickj

To be fair though you live in the sticks and he lives in Manchester so i don't think it's a bad quote for a 19 year old.

Whilst that's true, my first quote was £1600 ish for TPF&T

Good luck with the hunt slice16. Just a warning, but apparently insurance companies couldn't really give a hoot about the restrictor. They mostly assume that you'll remove that later anyway.

as for what to look for when buying the bike i dont think there is anything more to say than "fizzwheel" already has!!!!
as for the restrictor i am currently still restricted (not for much longer now tho!!!)
and although i am sick of the resrictor now that i am getting used to the bike and riding in general, you really wont be dissapointed, going from riding a 125cc of some kind for your test to jumping on a 33bhp sv you will be shocked,
off the mark other than other bikes i have not found anything that will keep up, and as long as you change up at the right point it keeps pulling quite well up to 80, thats when things really slow down, but to be honist when you are still a new rider thats not a bad thing.
as for top end stuff it sits at 100mph more than happley, and i have got 115 out of it on a slight down hill! (on a private road obveously!!)
other than that there is not really much more to say!!!
I do most of my riding with a mate that has a GSXR-600, and obveously on the straights i dont have a hope in hell of keeping up with him but as soon as we get into the tight turns i dont do a half bad job at keeping up! there is more than enough power for a first bike, and at the end of the day it is only 2 years that u "NEED" it tuned down for, and to be hoonist that isn't all that long!!!!!
plus it is only a couple of washers that have to be taken out and alakazam you have twice the number of horses between your legs!!!!

good luck with whateva you decide to get!!
oh and welcome to the site!!!!!

Jimmy