Test riding 2005 SV650S Saturday - SV650.org

tigersaw · 18-03-05, 06:22 AM

I shall be taking a test ride on a K5 SV650S on Saturday - its been recommended by several to me as the bike I ought to be buying. Recent bikes have been a Hornet which was too manic and hard work, and a Bandit 12 which was just far too heavy. I find 100 mph plenty fast enough, I prefer the scenery, dead flies in my teeth and having an enjoyable time to 'out and out' tearing about. I will want the bike for beating the traffic to work most mornings, and I plan to find a bunch of like minded friends and take a trip to the continent in the summer.
I`m 5'5" , about 10 1/2 stone, 42 yrs old. (Insurance is dead cheap when you reach this age!!) Comments and opinions appreciated, things to look out for, questions to be asking etc. TIA, Dave

18-03-05, 07:35 AM

No but you may find the SV hard work too (in a good way). Thought about a Z750?

tigersaw · 18-03-05, 07:57 AM

Hi, The Z750 is a bit out of budget at around 5.5k, and I think a bit high / heavy for me too. Thanks for the idea though.

Also, what ballpark MPG and service costs can I expect for the SV ?

18-03-05, 08:04 AM

Well lots of people here service the SV themselves but if you dont a main dealer will charge about £120 for the littler services and about £180 for the bigger ones (based on Fowlers in Bristol). First one is free labour and comes out about £25). Cant remember the mpg but probably about 34ish plus in normal riding, but thats another can of worms opened. Some folks get much more I think?? Im not aware of the SV eating tyres especially any faster than comparable bikes.

I'm also not espceially tall and found that the whole balance of the bike was as important as height and weight so it can be a bit deceptive. Also the width and shape of the seat can make all the difference on how your legs go.

18-03-05, 08:43 AM

hi there. welcome to the forum. i found the sv very good on fuel. i rode from my home in cornwall to taunton. the trip was about 120miles. it cost me £9.70. on short trips i would say about 35mpg. the sv is a fantastic light bike and for you smaller frame its great because of the low seat hight. it weghts less than alot of the 500 twins. i also had a 1200 bandit and found it a bit of a handfull through the twisties. i have also found that the sv is pretty good on tyres. hope this helps. jamie

18-03-05, 09:47 AM

Hi

remember they also come in a naked form without the fairing, so are a bit cheaper, and have a more upright riding position, so are better around town if you are doing lots of commuting.
Lots of torque from the engine, so will pull away in any gear, also lots of engine braking which I personally like, but may not be to everybodies taste
I get consistently 43 mpg around town, this obviously rises when out of town. Tyre life depends on your style of riding as much as the tyre.

If you're thinking of the continent, look in the Eurotour section
Pop along to one of the Selkent meets and say hello (see Selkent section, every other Weds evening)

cheers

18-03-05, 06:22 AM	#1
tigersaw Member Mega Poster Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: Llanwrtyd Wells Powys Posts: 1,146	Test riding 2005 SV650S Saturday I shall be taking a test ride on a K5 SV650S on Saturday - its been recommended by several to me as the bike I ought to be buying. Recent bikes have been a Hornet which was too manic and hard work, and a Bandit 12 which was just far too heavy. I find 100 mph plenty fast enough, I prefer the scenery, dead flies in my teeth and having an enjoyable time to 'out and out' tearing about. I will want the bike for beating the traffic to work most mornings, and I plan to find a bunch of like minded friends and take a trip to the continent in the summer. I`m 5'5" , about 10 1/2 stone, 42 yrs old. (Insurance is dead cheap when you reach this age!!) Comments and opinions appreciated, things to look out for, questions to be asking etc. TIA, Dave

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18-03-05, 07:35 AM	#2
Anonymous Guest Posts: n/a	No but you may find the SV hard work too (in a good way). Thought about a Z750?

18-03-05, 07:57 AM	#3
tigersaw Member Mega Poster Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: Llanwrtyd Wells Powys Posts: 1,146	Hi, The Z750 is a bit out of budget at around 5.5k, and I think a bit high / heavy for me too. Thanks for the idea though. Also, what ballpark MPG and service costs can I expect for the SV ?

18-03-05, 08:04 AM	#4
Anonymous Guest Posts: n/a	Well lots of people here service the SV themselves but if you dont a main dealer will charge about £120 for the littler services and about £180 for the bigger ones (based on Fowlers in Bristol). First one is free labour and comes out about £25). Cant remember the mpg but probably about 34ish plus in normal riding, but thats another can of worms opened. Some folks get much more I think?? Im not aware of the SV eating tyres especially any faster than comparable bikes. I'm also not espceially tall and found that the whole balance of the bike was as important as height and weight so it can be a bit deceptive. Also the width and shape of the seat can make all the difference on how your legs go.

18-03-05, 08:43 AM	#5
jamieclayton9 Guest Posts: n/a	hi there. welcome to the forum. i found the sv very good on fuel. i rode from my home in cornwall to taunton. the trip was about 120miles. it cost me £9.70. on short trips i would say about 35mpg. the sv is a fantastic light bike and for you smaller frame its great because of the low seat hight. it weghts less than alot of the 500 twins. i also had a 1200 bandit and found it a bit of a handfull through the twisties. i have also found that the sv is pretty good on tyres. hope this helps. jamie

18-03-05, 09:47 AM	#6
Mr Toad Guest Posts: n/a	Hi remember they also come in a naked form without the fairing, so are a bit cheaper, and have a more upright riding position, so are better around town if you are doing lots of commuting. Lots of torque from the engine, so will pull away in any gear, also lots of engine braking which I personally like, but may not be to everybodies taste I get consistently 43 mpg around town, this obviously rises when out of town. Tyre life depends on your style of riding as much as the tyre. If you're thinking of the continent, look in the Eurotour section Pop along to one of the Selkent meets and say hello (see Selkent section, every other Weds evening) cheers