Help me choose between an 06 and an 08

[Zokambaa]

I may have the opportunity to get a new SV650S my old curvy was demolished by some idiot doing something stupid and caused an accident so I have a little cash...


Anyway... given almost the same price which bike is the better choice of the following

an 08 with abs but around 6500km a slipon pipe and a few cosmetic mods (such as flushmounts and a tail eliminator) I don't care for the full lowers but I guess I could take those off, this one has 8 months or so left on warranty. I don't like the color as much as some others but I can get used to it

a 2006 with only 2500km, the color I want, but a stock pipe, it has nicer cosmetic mods (tail eliminator is much nicer and has a nice windscreen change too but they have all the stock parts and stands too), possibly babied a bit more during break-in and far and it has over 1 year left on warranty (not sure how that worked) no ABS but I've never ridden one with ABS anyway

How reliable is the ABS on these bikes?
I understand there are some tweaks to the later 07/08 bikes over the earlier 2nd gen SV650s.... and I've heard there may be some compatibility issues when looking for spare parts as some things apparently dont fit the 08 that did fit the 04-07 bikes.


Are there any higher maintenence costs on the 08 bikes vs the slightly older SV? I've heard some say the 08 got better mileage but had less horsepower on the dyno (I thought they were the same given the same rider and riding style)

if the 08 sounds good but say the person ran the bike harder than specified in the owners manual for break-in do you think this could be a problem in the future given neither have very many miles on them...

I don't know much about the 08 bikes yet and I thought they were the same as the 04-07 but some people say they are different


Maybe I should save about $1000 and get another 1999 yellow SV650S that has only 5000km on it too... I still have a few spare parts from my old 99

they are different,mostly engine and electrics.
personally I would get 06.

Is there a price difference and any service history? And how long do you intend to keep it for?

The 06 sounds better to me from what you've said above (2.5k is nothing, bearly broken in), however the resale value won't be as high.... I guess its been sat around a bit, but if it has a yrs warranty you won't have any problems. If the 06 is cheaper up front, it'll give you some cash to make any more mod's you want.

The warranty on the 2006 is probably still there because it was pre-registered to the dealer and only 'bought' less than a year ago. In that respect, it has probably been less exposed to the elements than the 2008. Given you prefer the colour of it and aren't fussed about the fairing lowers, I'd say you should go for the 2006.

2008 lump has twin spark plugs, but I can't recall if the 2006 dos. If the 2006 doesn't it will be marginally cheaper to service although there really isn't much in it.

i would go for the 2006 as there less miles on and the
07/08 have had electrical changes and exhaust restrictions

Deep down it is the same bike, go for the better deal.

[Stu]

It's down to how much you want ABS. Personally I would jump at the chance if the bikes were the same price. It's also going to help the resale value enormously being 2 yrs newer & with added OEM features (ABS)
Incidentally, what are the 2 colours?
The only problems I have heard about mods for '08s are dealing with the lambda sensor when you change exhaust so if that has already been done & it runs well then no worries on that score compared with still having to change the can on the 06. The better screen on the 06 can only be worth €50?
The only extra maintenance of the 08 would be 4 spark plugs instead of 2 (plus the fact that a service is now due at 6500kms).
A lot of people argue that it's good to run in an engine quite harshly so it's not certain that any damage has been done to either bike. But why do you suspect it was more harsh on the 08? is there signs of abuse?

Buy the 08

Oh: just remembered - servicing should b done every year as well as on mileage so if the 06 has only one yrs warranty left then it is due a service now too!

Originally Posted by Zokambaa

Maybe I should save about $1000 and get another 1999 yellow SV650S that has only 5000km on it too... I still have a few spare parts from my old 99

gets my vote

Originally Posted by hovis

gets my vote

+ 1

[Zokambaa]

I test drove the 2008 today... it had abs, a yosh slip on and ABS...

Now I have to say it felt like it had no balls... and with the stock rear tire it felt like the bike was going to stand up mid corner...
my 99 handled really well with the conti road attacks.. as well as some nearly bald crappy bridgestones.. it's 0-60 time felt much quicker than the new one... and I could totally feel the torque on the 99...


Is it unusual for a gen2 SV650s to feel big and bloated and underpowered compared to the earlier gen-1 sv650s?

I'm going to have to try those 2006 and 2005s I saw.... but I am starting to think I might now go back to the copy of my old bike... a 1999 yellow sv650s if it feels good...