Buying an SV - what to look for?

Hi there, I'm new to biking and i'm currently doing my direct access course in Cornwall. I've read a few reviews and have decided that an SV 650 is the bike for me.

I've not really started to look for bikes yet and I just thought I'd ask for some avdise on what to look for, what to aviod and when I go and look at a bike what is it i'm looking for?

Any help would be much appreciated

[Nobbylad]

Buy a new one and then all you need to worry about is haggling on the price.

[Swin]

if you can't afford a new one then it's the usual really; age, mileage and condition, if all seem ok then you're fine.
I've not heard of any particular weak spots on SV's - apart from mine seems to have particularly poor electrics, but that could just be the previous owner bodgin it!

[fizzwheel]

Electrics

Watch for the wiring loom rubbing on the frame / headstock and in and around the rear subframe and on the bolts that hold the seat on. Any rubbing will result in blown fuses and possibly cause starting issues.

Regulator / rectifier can be known to fail which will result in a flat or boiled battery which may well again cause starting / running issues.

Front spark plug is vulnerable to spray from the front tyre in the rain, ask the owner about this. Its not a big job to sort out. But just be aware of it.

Front Brakes

Can stick / seize on if not maintained properly. Wheel the bike about does it move freely or is it difficult to push.

Chain and Sprocket

Can be heavy on these, so make sure there is plenty of life in them, if not use it as a haggling point to get the price down. Worn chain or an incorrectly tensioned chain can cause gear change issues.

Oil Level

Check the oil in the sight glass, with the bike held upright, make sure its between the min / max marks. If its below the minimum walk away, if its overfilled, then that can cause gear changing issues.

Ask when it was last serviced or the oil was changed, should be roughly 4000 mile intervals IIRC.

When you start the engine listen for loud thumps / knocks, if present walk away. Its not uncommon for problems with the cam chain tensioner to cause a metallic rattle from the top of the engine, search the forum for it, its a known fault / problem.

Choke plungers on the Curvey.

Can stick on and can also be a pig to sort out as the screws that hold them in an seize. Make sure that the choke lever operates easily and freely and the engine revs rise / fall as appropriate.

Rear Shock

The original rear shock can go off over time so check that, also you might find on a higherl milleage bike that the front fork oil is in need of a refresh.

Apart from that check the general condition of the bike, look for signs its been on the floor etc etc. Dont pay extra money for modifications that you dont like or dont want. Personally I'd try to buy a clean / un molested example as you can find. Dont worry to much about mileage, try to find a bike that has been ridden regularly, rather than one thats low milleage and been sat still for a long time, as being stood idle is just as bad for a bike as one that gets ridden and abused mechaniclly or hasnt had much TLC.

HTH

Thanks very for all the replies and especially fizzwheel for that very comprehensive advise, i'll probably print it and take it with me.

Or you could just buy mine which is a bargain and runs very well.

http://forums.sv650.org/showthread.php?t=151728

I just bought mine a week ago, just a couple of checks not mentioned thus far, check there are no small drill holes in any of the coolant caps, radiator cap or sump this shows the bike has been on the track.

When you get one it will take a bit of getting used too, i'm finding that round town get it into 3rd at about 30mph makes it a lot smoother. Best of luck i hope you find one and love it as much as i love mine