Buying sv650 k6 need advice

Hello everyone,

This is my first post (hopefully the first of many) since I am looking to purchase a 06 plate SV650 this weekend after passig my DAS last Thursday! I have a viewing lined up this Saturday but could do with some basic checks to carry out before I hand over any cash (assuming I like what I see). I am an experianced car buyer so know the basics of what to look for when buying a car but on a bike what specific things should I check?

This bike does appear to be very good value for the year and mileage which always makes me conserned (I am a natural sceptic) about things like a bent frame etc... which the private seller may be hiding. Is there anyway to check for critical problems like a bent frame? I.e. the fairing not lining up or other such checks? I want to be fully prepared so i can walk away if I see any tell tail signs of expensive problems.

I have also heard of a tappetty noise on a cold start tickover being the start of some major problems so I will look out for that. What exactly are the implications of this noise?

I have read some buying guides but I am sure you guys have one I can digest before I go see it, can someone point me to a buying guide post or URL? Any comments or advise welcome (As long as it is constrictive).

Thanks in advance.

Sy.

P.S. I haev sat on one already in a showroom and seemed OK but I am 6.1" tall will I be comfortable on this bike? I heard it can be a little uncomfortable for the larger rider.

Hi Sy,

Almost the exact same position I was in in April!

I bought an 06 SV650 from a private/trade seller (he bought a 3 month warranty for it, but operated from a garage!). PM me for the price I paid if you want to.

I wish I had knocked him down for a few things, but at the time I was blinded by how great it looked. If I'd had stopped I would have noticed: the pitted paint work, R&G stickers covering up a massive scratch (I was annoyed when I took the sticker off!), a crack in the front fairing (underneath, only noticed when washing it), rear tyre only managed another 1000 miles, battery was on its last legs (I don't know if I could have noticed that though).

All in all though, those aren't that much to fix.

Where abouts are you based?

PS - Welcome!

Alex.

Thanks Alex,

I am based in Reading. Going to look at it Saturday and it the price has been reduced now to the point where if it is a sound bike I can run it for a year or two and then sell it for a profit but that always makes me conserned so I will be checking everything I possibly can. The most improtant things for me are chassis is straight and true and that the engine is solid. The other things are not that important. The seller has already made me aware that the exhause has scratches all over it which would indicate to me it has been dropped at some poit so I will be checking the body work (it is a full faired one) but I am a bit of newbie when it comes to bike specific checks. Obviously, wheels, tyres, no smoke from exhaust, suspension travel and rebound etc... but beyond that I am winging it so any advise appreciated.

How are you finding the bike to ride? I have only been on a Honda CBF500 during my training period am I going to find this one a handful? How tall are you Alex? Is the bike comfortable to do longer rides on?

[fizzwheel]

First things first, HPI check, check its not a write off or has outstanding finance on it.

Then I'd be looking at.

Chain and sprocket what state the are in

What are the tyres like

How standard is it, I like to buy a standard bike, not somebody elses wet dream of modified bits and pieces / anodised tat. Extras are all well and good but they dont push the price up, especially if they are ones you dont like. However if they are ones you like then thats all well and good as it means you dont have to mod it to get it how you want.

Then I'd be having a very careful look at the bodywork, looks for scratches / gravel rash, or repaired panels, I'm also wary of stickers / or custom paint jobs as the cynical part of me wanders what they are hiding / what lies beneath. Look at the ends of the clutch and brake levers are the levers straight ? Again check the footpegs for similar kind of things / damage. They might have been replaced after an accident though so its not always a tell tale sign the bikes been on the floor.

Wheel the bike around and check for the brakes binding on. Its not a big problem to solve, but seized up a calipers are a pain in the ass.

Ask about electrical problems. blowing fuses, that kind of thing, as sometimes the wiring loom rubs on the head stock, around the riders seat or rear subframe.

Start the bike watch for oil / blue smoke out the exhaust. Listen to the engine for loud thumps / knocks. The cam chain tensioners can rattle but thats more of a metalic ticking noise. Again not a massive problem to solve.

Water ingress into the front spark plug is common on an SV, so ask about that, running on one cylinder problems, again not a big problem to solve.

Try and peak inside the sellers garage, a shelf full of tools, paddock stands, cleaning accessories etc will tell you what sort of an owner the current owner is. i.e. are they somebody who cares for the bike or have they left it to neglect.

If your not sure, then walk away, theres always a better bike for less money just around the corner.

Alternatively post up in the regional section closest to you and see if anybody local will come out and view the bike with you, always helps to have a 2nd pair of eyes.

Ask about service history, when the last oil change etc was done. If you can get a peak at the service book or see receipts for work done so much the better IMHO. Dealer service sometimes isnt everthing its cracked up to be. But lack of it can be used IMHO as a negotiating point to knock some money off the asking price.

Thats just what I'd do, its in no way gospel / accurate or adequate, but hopefully that points you in the right direction of what to look for.

Originally Posted by Syy

Thanks Alex,
How are you finding the bike to ride? I have only been on a Honda CBF500 during my training period am I going to find this one a handful? How tall are you Alex? Is the bike comfortable to do longer rides on?

It's great to ride - compared to the CBF500 (does anybody NOT learn to ride on one of these?!) - the gearing feels so smooth. The riding position slightly shocked me when I first got on it, it felt like I was leant over the tank - but really it was only a very small change from the CBF.

I'm 6' 1" so fairly tall - it is comfortable, I sometimes wish the seat was a bit higher (possible, reading the posts on here), and I need to adjust my gear shifter so it sits a bit lower (I can't down shift without lifting my heel off the peg). The longest ride I've done is about 2 hours, it flew by and I wasn't in pain at the end (apart from slightly numb...um, you know... - am I alone in this?!)

You'll love the SV, especially the noise and the pull it has.

The one thing you will want/need to do is the TPS adjustment - it makes is much easier to control at low speed/low revs. It certainly made a difference for me.

Originally Posted by fizzwheel

I'm also wary of stickers / or custom paint jobs as the cynical part of me wanders what they are hiding / what lies beneath.

This!

Originally Posted by lx_online

It's great to ride - compared to the CBF500 (does anybody NOT learn to ride on one of these?!) - the gearing feels so smooth. The riding position slightly shocked me when I first got on it, it felt like I was leant over the tank - but really it was only a very small change from the CBF.

I'm 6' 1" so fairly tall - it is comfortable, I sometimes wish the seat was a bit higher (possible, reading the posts on here), and I need to adjust my gear shifter so it sits a bit lower (I can't down shift without lifting my heel off the peg). The longest ride I've done is about 2 hours, it flew by and I wasn't in pain at the end (apart from slightly numb...um, you know... - am I alone in this?!)

You'll love the SV, especially the noise and the pull it has.

The one thing you will want/need to do is the TPS adjustment - it makes is much easier to control at low speed/low revs. It certainly made a difference for me.

TPS??? ('noob' question, sorry)

Originally Posted by fizzwheel

First things first, HPI check, check its not a write off or has outstanding finance on it.

Then I'd be looking at.

Chain and sprocket what state the are in

What are the tyres like

How standard is it, I like to buy a standard bike, not somebody elses wet dream of modified bits and pieces / anodised tat. Extras are all well and good but they dont push the price up, especially if they are ones you dont like. However if they are ones you like then thats all well and good as it means you dont have to mod it to get it how you want.

Then I'd be having a very careful look at the bodywork, looks for scratches / gravel rash, or repaired panels, I'm also wary of stickers / or custom paint jobs as the cynical part of me wanders what they are hiding / what lies beneath. Look at the ends of the clutch and brake levers are the levers straight ? Again check the footpegs for similar kind of things / damage. They might have been replaced after an accident though so its not always a tell tale sign the bikes been on the floor.

Wheel the bike around and check for the brakes binding on. Its not a big problem to solve, but seized up a calipers are a pain in the ass.

Ask about electrical problems. blowing fuses, that kind of thing, as sometimes the wiring loom rubs on the head stock, around the riders seat or rear subframe.

Start the bike watch for oil / blue smoke out the exhaust. Listen to the engine for loud thumps / knocks. The cam chain tensioners can rattle but thats more of a metalic ticking noise. Again not a massive problem to solve.

Water ingress into the front spark plug is common on an SV, so ask about that, running on one cylinder problems, again not a big problem to solve.

Try and peak inside the sellers garage, a shelf full of tools, paddock stands, cleaning accessories etc will tell you what sort of an owner the current owner is. i.e. are they somebody who cares for the bike or have they left it to neglect.

If your not sure, then walk away, theres always a better bike for less money just around the corner.

Alternatively post up in the regional section closest to you and see if anybody local will come out and view the bike with you, always helps to have a 2nd pair of eyes.

Ask about service history, when the last oil change etc was done. If you can get a peak at the service book or see receipts for work done so much the better IMHO. Dealer service sometimes isnt everthing its cracked up to be. But lack of it can be used IMHO as a negotiating point to knock some money off the asking price.

Thats just what I'd do, its in no way gospel / accurate or adequate, but hopefully that points you in the right direction of what to look for.

Cheers, Good summary. The bike looks totally standard even down to the exhaust. The seller has sent me a pic though of some damage to the exhaust where it has obviously been on the floor at some point with parallel scratches. I will try to post it via photobucket in a minuite so you can take a look and let me know if it is accident damage or just someone has dropped it at some point. I don't mind being dropped but if it has been sliding along the floor that is another matter.

Pic sent to me with the exhaust damage. Doesn't look too bad to me but I am no expert.

Originally Posted by Syy

TPS??? ('noob' question, sorry)

Throttle Position Sensor...

It has something to do with when the ECU feels it necessary to squirt fuel into the engine. Before I fixed mine, if I rolled off the throttle just 1mm at about 4000rpm, it thought I had completely shut the throttle which made roundabouts a bit jerky.

Somebody wrote a great article on here with pictures and all...the search will throw it up.