Best year round bike.

Hello all

I am a recent buyer of a 08 plate SV650 naked, however having read several threads and just seen a workmates SV I am concerned. It is my intention to ride year round and I am now having doubts that the SV will last that long if I do.

I have read the info on ACF50 but is that effective or is it just delaying the inevitable. At the moment I am considering keeping the bike until the start of winter and then buying something more durable.

To that end can I please have your coments and ideas for the SV but also I would be interested to read what bike you would choose to ride year round that will best withstand the nightmare called the British Winter.

If you clean it well regularly and use anti salt stuff you'll be ok. Granted it will look used but you can always clean it well enough so it looks good after winter. Mine had done 3 winters when I got rid of it and was still nice.

[the_lone_wolf]

GS500 probably

My sv has done one winter with me so far and it still looks lovley.
Just make sure you clean and maintain it well and no problems will come up.

If you want it to stay mint then NO bike will be suitable unfortunatly. hondas generally have a better finsih but even they will rot eventually if you don't look after them. ACF 50 does work if applied correctly, but at the end of the day you have a choice betwen riding and enjoying the bike or letting it sit in the garage so it stays looking nice. you could cosider a winter hack (as I have got) and then anything will do really, just don't spend more than a grand -you can pick up some real bargains. My ZZR600 is perfect as a hack, an it still looks OK after as good clean - just not new.

Use ACF50 in the winter, you'll be fine. Bits that arn't rubber, you can apply WD40 to aswell. My bike seems to cope really well with winter...but then it is a 1st gen SV I keep it rinsed down and clean...I don't use ACF50, but I do apply WD40 to parts.

Most modern bikes are unfortunatly built to a price now....its even been mentioned that the new gen fireblade gets corrosion where older fireblades don't. I saw a 2000 mile ER-6n the other day...wheel spindle bolt, brake lines and caliper bolts really really furred up.

[dizzyblonde]

Commute every winter and don't do anything with it and you'll end up with a bike like this, after about 4 yrs. Then add a lass that doesn't get much help and no knowledge of what to do fo another couple of yrs...........

http://forums.sv650.org/showthread.p...ght=suzy+bares

now down to one careful burd and not allowing the previous owner( the OH) near it unless asked, I have a bike that is pristine. BUT at a price ££££££££ which I really shudder at.

ACF50 is a must, as is FS365 for inbetween

I've just had my dealer replace corroded parts on my 6 month old SV650s (brake caliper lines/bolts/banjos) and all under the warranty. Unfortunately, they have merely replaced them with like for like......they also admit the build quality has been reduced wherever possible to make them more "affordable".

I previously used FS365 which didn't seem to make any difference hence the severe corrossion that built up over winter but, like, alpinestarhero and other's, they recommend ACF-50 and I would strongly agree in geeting some of this - I accidentally spilt some on my patio and not even the pressure washer is taking it off !!

two ways to sort this, buy a pre-K5 pointy, silver frames seem to last better for some reason (or if your brave a curvy) and cover ravishingly in ACF-50

or buy anything non-suzuki

Ampz

Its a budget bike, with budget components so they will furr up.

Only way you can try to keep on top is the stuff you've mentioned, plus rinsing it down with cold water when the gritters have been out, or if its been raining hard.

This helps the furry bolts, and also keeps things like calipers clean, and mentals clean so they don't go nasty.

I use my even in the snow but after 2 years and 22k, its starting to show its wear and tear.

Any bike used daily is gonna suffer.

Always worth considering a cheapy crapper for the winter and horrible days, and have a nice bike for summer days