I miss my SV

Its been 5 weeks since I last rode my SV. For those that don't know, a guy in a C5 did a U-turn from the opposite side of the road into my side. However, he forgot to look for me.

Whilst I marvelled at how it looked like a new fireblade from some angles, I had to give it to my dad for a strip-down, inspection and to get it put back together with parts sourced from both here and ebay.

Well, its nearly back together. One panel to repair and prime, then the whole thing will get painted, the electrics tidied up, everything put back on, the bike servied then its back in between my legs.

I've been riding a bandit while I've been waiting. Its been an ok bike, its quick over 8000 rpm, its lame bellow 7500 rpm and usless below 5000. It has high-frequency vibes that make my hands go numb. Its quite comfy, has alot of steering lock. The brakes are good. The rear end is nice...but only because its a 6000 mile bike and my SV is 37,000 miles, so a fresh shock does wonders. The exhaust is huge and the bike sounds like a hairdryer, except at 5000 rpm when the engine noise is similar to a ford transit. The FI makes for a snatchy throttle, but its not so bad once in second gear. Its not great riding over 60 mph cos its a neked.

I miss my SV. I miss the low-down pull. I miss the noise. I miss the 3000 rpm cold starts. I miss the engine braking. I miss the stability of the front end. I miss the comfort. The good fuel ecnomy. I miss my topbox, I miss the vibrations that are lower in frequency...they are part of the experiance, not an annoyance.

Rictus warned me not to be attched to my bike. Since riding the bandit, im not as attached as I once was, i realise that other bikes are usefull too.

But its not my SV.

Just had to share

Matt

I dont miss my pointy and I miss my old curvy even less.

I miss my pointy and I miss V-Twins. Thats why on thursday I pick up a massive V-Twin V-Strom 1000.
I've already ordered noisy exhausts for it in anticipation!!

I sometimes miss my sv(fun bike),but in saying that i've owned a lot of bikes which were far better,obviously including my rr.

[mister c]

Matt I'm with you on that that one matey, had my 1st ride on the SV today since coming off my FZR at Wigan 2 weeks ago. I know why I love motorcycling so much now

Of all the bikes I've ever owned, the one I miss the most is a 45K mile old 1997, lightly accident damaged Yamaha Thunderace that I bought for 1200 quid in 2002, and then rebuilt to immaculate. I don't know what it was about that bike, but it just made me smile every time I rode it and I should never have sold it in favour of a mint low mileage ZX-9R C2.

Originally Posted by Lozzo

Of all the bikes I've ever owned, the one I miss the most is a 45K mile old 1997, lightly accident damaged Yamaha Thunderace that I bought for 1200 quid in 2002, and then rebuilt to immaculate. I don't know what it was about that bike, but it just made me smile every time I rode it and I should never have sold it in favour of a mint low mileage ZX-9R C2.

you dont miss your sv loz hun? gutted was hoping you were guna come and visit it

Originally Posted by Rai86

you dont miss your sv loz hun? gutted was hoping you were guna come and visit it

I miss it, but not in the same way, because I see photos of it being put to good use round race circuits by yourself. Not seen my T/ace since the day I delivered it to a squaddie with 21 Sigs at Colerne in Wiltshire, but I'm informed by him that it lives on in Scotland now and has got over 100K miles on the clock.

Rai, I'll come visit your SV soon

Strange, isn't it, how you can get attached to something that anyone else would have down as a crap bike, outdated bike, something like that.

I think what I miss the most is the big-bike sound from the SV. It's a very humbling little bike and I think most motorcyclists respect them.

I will always love the red bandit I had, and I miss my raptor sometimes despite the problems it gave. The bike I miss the least is the SV. We didn't get on, and I regretted selling the bandit to get it.