Newbie Introduction

Hi fellow riders of suzukiness,


I am new to the forum but have been lurking for a couple of days since buying my own SV650s. I live close to Eastbourne, East Sussex and am partial to group ride outs when I can spare the time.


I have a few questions that I am hoping I am able to ask here without being massively flamed. I have read through a considerable amount of content on this and other forums and still am a little confused as to how to proceed.


I have a 2004 SV650s 'Pointy' - I am 6ft1 and weigh somewhere in the region of 115 Kg. I understand that there are a few recommended bits to get done if I want a more responsive and comfortable ride...


1) Front spring internals and oil change to higher quality.
2) ZX10R Rear Shock Replacement
3) Bar Risers/Heli-Bars/Convertibars


Questions I have are...


1) What is the best route that takes into account lower cost and gets my bike more comfortable on my wrists and back?
2) Servicing Schedule - I used to change the oil, oil filter, air filter and spark plug in my previous motorcycles every 2000 miles...I have always had inline 4's. Any change here?
3) Anyone have an opinion on the Tutoro Auto Oiler? Worth the money?
4) Does anyone know where I can get hold of fully custom projector fitted headlights that I can install HIDS into?
5) How the heck do I install new indicators on this thing? lol.


I appreciate that some of my questions may have already been answered elsewhere and if this is the case, I do apologise.


Thanks! Look forward to riding with some of you sometime.


Harv

Originally Posted by Entropy

5) How the heck do I install new indicators on this thing? lol.

Presumably it still has the original indicators?

In which case it's just a bolt that holds them on and a click connector to swap over.

And whatever you need to remove to get to that of course.

[andrewsmith]

How dooo

[Nutsinatin]

Having a look at the racetech spring rate calculator it's recommending a spring rate of 9.6N. So you could look at 9.5N k-tech linear front springs, I, and a lot of other people, also have emulators in to improve the damping. I have 15wt oil but the from what others have said, you want to stick with the 10wt standard oil if you're not dropping emulators in as a heavier weight oil can be very harsh otherwise - get ready for others to disagree!


For the ZX10 shock I found this guide invaluable, http://www.svrider.com/forum/showthread.php?t=80387 try and get the shock from the 07 model where the reservoir is at 90° to the shock as this fits perfectly. There is a list detailing which shocks suit which rider weight which someone will hopefully post shortly. The shock isn't perfect, but is a hell of a lot better than stock and probably one of the best improvements judged against cost.


As for bar risers, I nearly bought some, but after six months commuting got used to them and now I can break the 100 mile barrier with no discomfort, you will need longer throttle cables, clutch cables and brake lines to get the most out of them (I believe braded Hel lines for the pointy are long enough as they're much longer than stock) which can be sourced from a naked SV. You may also have to extend the switch gear or fiddle to make it long enough.


Servicing is recommended oil every 4000, plugs 7500, oil and air filter 11000 and valves 15000. My oil always comes out clean so could probably go further, but £25 in oil changes is cheaper than a new engine in my opinion. Opinions are divided on K&N air filters (if they actually filter any dirt) but mine's done 11000 miles without needing cleaning (K&N say 50000 miles between cleans, I don't see that happening) but as they cost less than two regular air filters and need replacing way less I see them as a good investment. If you want I can scan/photograph the service page in the Haynes manual as there are other jobs I've not mentioned.


I use a Scottoiler and it's great, original chain and sprockets at 21000 miles, adjusted chain twice, cleaned twice a year. Not used a Tutoro but others on here recommend them, I definitely recommend an auto oiler.


These are only my opinions and I am defiantly not an expert unlike others on here, but any questions fire away and I'll do my best to help, welcome by the way!


I also seem to be the only person who actually thinks the stock indicators suit the style of the pointy and have left mine in place!

as a 6"8 guy here is my top comfort tips for a sv


1st and most important adjust the clutch and brake lever, i'll pm you a description on how to do it if you want or hoke about here to find the youtube link
2nd lowering plates or sv N rear sets, this can also be done with GB moto rear sets just turned upside down and switched sides (please not this does take a few degrees of your full lean angle)
3rd gel seat save your **** on long runs
4th double bubble screen or weirdly cut your original down ( this means either the wind is hitting over your head or in your chest saving your head getting battered around saving neck ache)
5th crash bungs again strange but if you get the r&g ones on long rides you can rest the back of your legs on them and stretch out legs infront of you on the Mway for relief


how long you been riding because if your new to it id hold off on the suspension mods etc as there not really needed till your pushing the bike harder after you've worked out it current limits
scott oiler etc always a good investment


start with the above then get back to me if you want any other info


HTH
DP

Originally Posted by davepreston

as a 6"8 guy here is my top comfort tips for a sv

how long you been riding because if your new to it id hold off on the suspension mods etc as there not really needed till your pushing the bike harder after you've worked out it current limits
scott oiler etc always a good investment




HTH
DP

6'8"....REALLY.....thought 6'2" was pushing it fa SV!!(1000sz)
Suspension changes?? I'd agree100% with ^
Bike DEFFO faster than me as standard.....
Can w..k it 1st/2nd/3rd/4th....('bout 145 max fa me) 5th 'fast cruising'......6th fa steady 70+.......
(bare in mind tho........I'm old......51- going on 21......(funny seeing as my Son who own's above bike is 25??!!?? &#128563LURRVE winding it on tho)

"Gas it w###a".........

I used to own the sz too want another tbh but that's a different story
so far ive owned every version of the sv 650 and thou, bar the gladis (spelt correctly lol)

Wow there is loads of great stuff here guys. Thanks alot. In Brighton there is a custom seat place that re-cover and add more cushioning to the seat. Been looking at getting it done in 'grab anti-slip' material. It's only 75 quid and the reviews seem really promising.

I'll hold off on a rear shock for now then and may consider just readjusting and retightening the indicators. They are a nice shape, have just always looked for increased visibility on previous bikes.

Have been riding in total for the past 4 years and only just picked up this SV about 2 weeks ago. Have been using it to get me back and forth to college and for the odd weekend ride out. Gotten up to 110 but am still getting used to it. I like my bends more than my speed and think I probably won't be going much faster than that anyway. There are loads of bumpy roads and speed bumped areas on my commute and I have noticed that the SV is really bouncy. I love the power delivery though. Really good round town and were it not for the back pain and wrist ache, it's my ideal bike. Can't believe I haven't tried V-twins before now.

Have adjusted my front brake and I have the exact amount of travel I like and although the clutch lever is a little hard... I could probably solve that with a little oil dripped down the cable.

Will try my best to get over the back pain that has been plaguing me since I got it, could just be a case of the fact that I haven't ridden properly since my daughter was born a year ago and now suddenly using a motorcycle for commuting. Maybe I'll just get used it. Definitely like the idea of sv650n rear sets though. Cheap enough to do?

Definitely will invest in an auto oiler. Been wanting one ever since I got my first big bike.

Will look more into front springs from k-tech. I like the front to be a little more forgiving.

Thanks for the great welcome guys. Much appreciated.

I have been known to park up in Hastings Tesco Extra with cars or my bike to modify or work on and replace bits. If ever I can repay the favour with an extra pair of hands to help anyone out. Let me know.

Here is a recent photo from last night when I fitted my rim tape down my local 'workshop'.



Sent from my GT-I9300 using Tapatalk

ah mate I don't think I was clear in my post , it is the angle of the brake and clutch levers you adjust
sit on the bike and loosen off the brake and clutch lever bracket bolts where it attaches to the clip-on ( 8 and 10 mil if memory serves)
while sitting on the bike (on side stand or paddock) with hands on the clip-ons push down the levers with your fingers till your arm sits flat from elbow right thru to finger tips and the lever just resting on the underside of your fingers, then tighten up the bolts


this takes away 90% of wrist ache because your not reaching up / over the levers every time your using them saving the wrist **** loads of work while its bearing your weight

like this ( sorry not a motorbike but premise is the same)
http://youtu.be/VTVoom62TaI