New SV rider - help and advice please.

Hi, welcome to the world of the SV! You will get used to it, when I first had the SV the weight on my wrists was a nightmare, I thought "I shoulda gotta Fazer" more than once! Im glad I didn't now, I'm used to it, and Fazer's are fugly and sound like hairdryers! Lots of little practice rides will get you used to the bike, around town as well as the country to get used to the slower speed stuff and stop-and-start. For those like me with short legs getting used to sliding left on the seat and propping yourself just on your left leg, with the right on the rear brake, is helpful, especially on steep cambers or slopes. Practice makes perfect!

Wow...I'm not alone then! I'm still fairly new to biking, past my test a couple of years ago and had an old GPZ500. Recently bought a 2005 SV which I love but find a bit heavy when stationary. Have droped it once already (stationary on an odd camber) and now hoping to get the seat lowered in the next couple of weeks. My confidence is up and down like a *****'s drawers...I'm sure practice is the answer!

[dyzio]

I just had my friends cbr125 seat lowered by an upholstery guy, took some of the padding out and re-covered it. £30

Other thing are raised boots, like the Daytona Ladystars. £300 unfortunately :/

Originally Posted by bobw1985

A few weeks ago I was in a similar position. I passed my test on a 125 and having no big bike experience bought an SV off another forum member.

In the first 20 minutes of riding I stalled trying to turn right into a petrol station and dropped the bike. I was not deterred! On the next day I embarked on a ride and managed to drop the bike again, in a car park, and broke the shifter peg off.

I sorted it out and as much as I wanted to get back on, I was pretty nervous about it. Thankfully a mate offered to ride with me from berkshire to my parents house in the west midlands. It made it a lot easier not having to think about directions and by the end of I was a lot happier. I've since done the same journey by myself without issue.

For me persistence paid off, but having someone to guide me made it a lot easier.

I'm glad I'm not the only lol, and then I got nervous too, and it made things worse.

theres loads of places that will lower seats for you, I got mine done in Bradford for £25.00, and its still comfy even tho the most ive been on it is 40minutes lol