SV1000 owners

Calling all SV1000 owners...

For reasons unknown to my wallet, I want to get an SV1000. I don't know much about these bikes though...so what are the known major issues with this machine? Is there anything that requires a bit more special attention than normal? I know they are thirsty beggers, but then they have a big ol' engine and are loud as...errr...a loud thing with race cans on.

What are the typical service intervals? What tyres do people recommend? How long should I expect tyres, chain and sprockets to last?

Thanks,

Matt

[Sid Squid]

Originally Posted by Alpinestarhero

Calling all SV1000 owners...

For reasons unknown to my wallet, I want to get an SV1000. I don't know much about these bikes though...so what are the known major issues with this machine? Is there anything that requires a bit more special attention than normal? I know they are thirsty beggers, but then they have a big ol' engine and are loud as...errr...a loud thing with race cans on.

What are the typical service intervals? What tyres do people recommend? How long should I expect tyres, chain and sprockets to last?

Thanks,

Matt

SV1000s have few known problems of great importance, a few early ones had some engine niggles, (the great 'knock' debate), and some clutch hydraulics leaked a bit quite early, mine included, but I sincerely doubt you'll find one that is still unattended to.
Thirsty? Well, they're hardly what you'd describe as economical, but many have found them not significantly poorer than a 650 - it really depends on the use to which you put it. Town riding brings the light on at about 100 miles, leave town and that becomes 130-140 without trying.
Service intervals are the same as a 650, (can't think of anything off the top of my head which is different).
Tyres; I've used the original Pilot Roads, Road Attacks, Stradas and now Road Smarts, they've all been just fine, and lead me to believe that it's not a bike that's fussy about rubber, plenty of people have used sticky stuff and because of the the good quality suspension it's always worked well, there's not really been a concensus that any of the popular tyres suit it better than others.
Tyre life - how do you ride and what tyres have you got? How long is a piece of string? Best for me was the Road Attacks, got a dab over 8000 from that rear, Stradas were 6500-7000, the Dunlops are wearing well but only have about 2000 on then so far.
Chain life; the original on mine lasted about 25,000, Scottoilered from new.
Engines are excellent, feeling very long legged and lazy, but when revved pull very very hard, the engine doesn't notice the difference when two up.
Cans are easy to find as they're the same as the TL, (both models).

[mattSV]

Squiddy has pretty much covered it

I used Z6s on my SV1000 which I was more than happy with, plenty of grip wet & dry for road use.

If you get one with non-standard cans, and need some standard ones for MOT time let me know - I have a pair of standard SV1000 cans still in my garage that I can't be ar5ed to ebay - you can collect, or just pay the postage it you want them Matt.

One of my pals left for Benidorm in his last week.
Recons he's only getting about 80miles to the tank?!!

[mattSV]

I used to get the light coming on at around 80 miles if I was riding like a c0ck when commuting, however normally got 100-120 when on a run, even if caning it, and could easily get 150 or so if sticking to under 80 on the motorways (if I had to!).

He must be having some fun then

Ah yea, I recall my dad mentioning that a friend of his brought an SV1000 when they came out and it had the knocking issue, but thats the only case I've heard of. I'd almost forgotten about it completly tbh!

With regards to tyre life, I expect I'll be able then to retain my 8000 mile from a rear.

Hmmmm

well its very tempting I'll have to see what my insurance company says about it aswell...

Thanks guys

I'm in a similar situation, I've been thinking of buying a 650 to use as a daily commuter and project bike but now I'm starting to think "why not go for the 1000?"

The 1000 has always seemed much bigger and more clumsy (comparatively) than the 650 although this may be my imagination or simply due to the twin pipes making it look wider. Can anyone give an opinion on this based on riding both machines? What are the weight figures?

The other point is the MPG, I used to get 55-60 from my curvy and could get some more if I took it easy (why bother?), on a recent post regarding SV thou fuel consumption some mentioned getting 50 MPG, this does not seem too bad to me, is this normal if not what MPG could I expect (please note 'miles to light coming on' is not a meaningful figure to me it's MPG I'm looking for)?

ive had one, i wasnt impressed, wooden suspension, heavy/lazy compared to sv650, 650 is more fun and more rewarding to ride. Only my opinion mind get a test ride before you buy.

Thanks for the feedback mototech, that's kind of how I feel about the thou' although I'm not too bothered about the suspension as that is one of the things I intend to change (for GSXR front). Is the thou' physically significantly bigger/heavier?

[mattSV]

Originally Posted by merlin427

Thanks for the feedback mototech, that's kind of how I feel about the thou' although I'm not too bothered about the suspension as that is one of the things I intend to change (for GSXR front). Is the thou' physically significantly bigger/heavier?

I had a curvy 650 for 4 years, and a thou for 5 years so feel fairly qualifed to reply

The thou is a completely different bike to the 650, apart from a few shared plastics/tank etc.

The suspension on the thou IS better than the 650, even as stock. The brakes are excellent (ex-GSXR750), and the engine is awesome.

The extra weight (and suspension) makes it feel more stable to me when in corners, however it does need to be 'muscled in' to a corner rather than just thrown around like a 650.

I used to get anywhere from 80-150 miles from a thou tank, compared to around 110 - 160 from the 650.

Ride a thou, and make sure you get the chance to give it full throttle in 1st, 2nd & 3rd - then you will see the big difference that the extra +-50bhp makes.