Is the SV still in production ?

[Lissa]

Originally Posted by wow

I really don't understand why - on an SV forum - we have to be so negative about our own bikes, what the forum is intended for. What are people doing here then if they don't like it????

I do wonder that myself sometimes

Although we have moved on from the SV I will never slag it off, it's a fantastic bike. Although that's the curvy I'm talking about of course, not that horrible pointy thing

Originally Posted by wow

I really don't understand why - on an SV forum - we have to be so negative about our own bikes, what the forum is intended for. What are people doing here then if they don't like it????

If anything, the people on here are most qualified to flag up the shortcomings of the SV - afterall, collectivly we know more about the SV than any other group in the world. The SV brakes are pretty pants, if you compare them to some other popular machines. I've always wanted more feedback and feel from my brakes. But you are right - they are better than some other bikes out there! SO far from being the worst brakes in the world, but a "could do better" goes down on the Suzuki SV650 report card. Granted though, they are gentle to use, which is great if you are a worried new rider or an experianced rider out in horrible conditions.

I'm pretty upbeat about my SV, but I know it has handling problems and I won't hide that. Nothing that cant be remedied with a new rear shock I should imagine - 35,000 miles on an OEM SV shock will have it knackered! I have reservations about the electrics too, but again that could just be my bike. However, I'm not the only one who has required a new reg/rec after the bike has done just 20,000 miles. The build quality of the SV is poor in particular area's - forks and bolts to name two.

None of this stops the SV being a fantasic bike. I have plans to remedy my bike's short comings - as I said, new shock. Then I'll be REALLY original and put on a gsxr front end (a world first!!!!!!! no.) which sorts out the ok-but-not-great front end suspension performance, suspension quality of finish and also will alow me to use differant brakes that I'll get more feel and more power from.

I barely have to touch the brakes and I'm standing still. That experience (and as said I have done over 6000 miles on this bike) and someone saying that the brakes are 'pretty poor' is just an incorrect description of the brakes' performance.

Moaning about your own bike on a model/brand-specific forum is not uncommon. Still don't get it tho.

[fizzwheel]

I think the issue is, is that people want the moon on a stick for free.

[dizzyblonde]

Originally Posted by alpinestarhero

The SV brakes are pretty pants, if you compare them to some other popular machines. I've always wanted more feedback and feel from my brakes. I'm pretty upbeat about my SV, but I know it has handling problems and I won't hide that. Nothing that cant be remedied with a new rear shock I should imagine - 35,000 miles on an OEM SV shock will have it knackered!
.

Theres nowt wrong with either of my SVs brakes. They stop on a pin! Folk forget that consumables like brake hoses, pads and fluid all have factors to play in the 'crap brake' complaint. Always had braided hoses on Suzy, Daves rubber ones went a bit pants, replaced them with hel lines, perfect again.
Nowt wrong with the handling neither, most of which is down to tyre choice, and suspension. I don't have a problem with either of mine on that score, as both mine have got brilliant tyres, and both have had shocks (dave with a low miled standard) and springs replaced, again, stuff that on a 8/9 year old bike need replacing.
Spend a little gain a little. Budget bike, budget consumables. Can be fixed, not a problem.

Whatever bike somebody has there will be a fault with it, be it SV, 675, Raptor, etc.
Its like Fizz says some folk want the moon on a stick.

But if you choose to improve it then it's just confirmation that it was previously lacking?

My SV brakes are well looked after, they work to the best of their ability, but obviously better bikes come with better brakes. The SV brakes are budget brakes, they do not work as well as brakes which cost a lot more to produce, such as those that are fitted to more expensive bikes, fact.

The standard SV suspension is a bit poor too. In isolation it's adequate, and it doesn't stop you enjoying the bike, but ridden back-to-back with something fitted with more expensive parts, it's somehow both choppy and wallowy. Which is why many of us put some of those more expensive parts on our SVs.

Far as I can see the Gladius sticks to the budget philosophy in these areas, and so the brakes and suspension will obviously not be as good as those found on GSXRs. Apart from the smoother and modestly more powerful engine, Gladius is just a styling revamp as far as I can tell. The old SV with its "retro" spot still looks great, and will probably age much more slowly than these new weird head-lamped machines, but it's the way current motorcycle design is going. Gladius is a totally unoriginal response to that movement in styling, I hope they didn't pay too many designers much money for putting pen to tracing-paper, but perhaps that's all part of the budget philosophy too

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uRJ0DygaTvg

Doesn't exactly show the Gladius as being a fun bike, but a casual Metrosexual/girly bike

Originally Posted by TheNinj1

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uRJ0DygaTvg

Doesn't exactly show the Gladius as being a fun bike, but a casual Metrosexual/girly bike

gladius tis a very feminine bike wouldnt be seen dead on one whats all this about the sv being outdated anyway what a load of ****e it's got more of a futuristic angular design still look's fresh to me.

Originally Posted by wow

I don't agree. I think the naked SV is a very good looking bike, it has taken me a whole year to come to that view, having bought the last 08 model in black in March last year. Good looking and runs fantastic. I have compared it with quite a few naked bikes, recently saw the Gladius and a honda CBsomething at the Ally Pally and I came to the conclusion that I much prefer my SV. I am still exstatic about the fact I've got one of the last ones and the black frame is just beautiful.



Are you consulting Knight and the Pips LOL

That's the way I feel about mine

Originally Posted by wow

The media suffers from 'must have newest model syndrome'.

I wonder who invents all these ugly exhausts.

I'll just follow you around and agree with you- I hate these funny shaped exhausts too, very ugly.