Sv650 recommendation?

Hi everyone

I am new to these boards so "hi!", and I am a reasonably new biker who currently has a SUZUKI BANDIT 600S 2004 model.

I am thinking of changing this to an SV-650 naked bike - I have a couple of questions maybe you can help me with.

1. How much weight is saved over the Bandit with the SV? I have to get my bandit up a hill which is very difficult due to the bulk and the mass - I think it weighs about 210kg (I have a scott oiler and a fairing) DRY so that must be pushing about 230-240 with a tank of petrol.

I have seen the kerb weight of the SV is 162 dry - but these are manufacturers figures so I always take with a pinch of salt!

What do owners think? Will there be a lot of weight savings? The theoretical saving seems very high - almost 50KG which is a lot when you're pushing up a hill! What are the dimensions like in comparision?


2. What is the fuel economy like? I subscribe to bike and see that they get 140 miles to a tank on their tests - but I feel they are ragging the hell out of it all the time - I am a more sedate rider who keeps to about 80MPH max speed and is more interested in smoothness and acceleration/torque - I get about 190miles with the Bandit - obviously it's a V Twin so it will be slightly more thirsty, but I'd rather not get 140 to a tank if I can avoid it!


3. How is the pillion accomodation - it looks very comfortable in pictures - I have a mrs who is interested in bikes and comes with me a lot on trips so that is important - as is the amount of equipment that can be added later (panniers, soft bags, etc)

4. My Bandit was bought in June 2004 for £4,200 new - I have only done about 2000 miles on it, it has been serviced and has a scott oiler - the condition is excellent. In a trade/swap what do you think would be a realistic price to expect? I've had someone offer me £2300 for it which I just laughed at - not even Korean cars depreciate like that - I was hoping for more like £3,200 - £3,300 on a NEW SV650. is this realistic?

Thanks for your time

Martin

hello and welcome to the site.

I'd recon the weight you are quoting is about right. the SV is much thinner and taller than the bandit so I'd think it would be easier to push around. depends how tall you are I suppose.

As for fuel ecconomy I don't get much more than 120 for a tank, a tank being about £9.75 between fill ups. I'm a pretty sedate rider to most of the time!! If you are getting 170 miles on the bandit then might be worth sticking with it!!!

As for pillion comfort it's not bad but I recon the bandit would be comfier. As for panniers etc all the usual stuff will fit.

I believe you can get new bandits for £3,495 in some parts so I would not expect more than £2,800 for a minter?

Sorry if thats a bit depressing, despite all the above you won't regret getting an SV, it's such a fun bike. But happy hunting if you do decide to get a SV!!

Welcome.

So far as fuel economy goes, I have a 1999 S model and frequently get 200 miles before my fuel warning light stops flashing and stays on (i.e. you REALLY should think about putting some more petrol in soon) and the most I have put into the tank is about 14.5 litres. However, anyone here will tell you that I don't ride my bike correctly... This may be the case but I don't want to disturb the spider that has built a web just to the right of the 5000 rpm marking on my tacho.

Welcome to the site, like the other have said you will find the sv is lighter than the bandit.

forget about everything else, all i can recommend is that you get out there, find someone to lend you an SV and get out and ride one...

I am sure the bike will do the talking!!!!!!


I rode a bandit (54) while the SV was in for a service, lets put it this way, i could not wait to go pick my bike up again. The bandit sat outside my house all day as i was not impressed with it. but thats just my opinion.


Regards

Fraser

I went from a "new shape" faired bandit 600 to the curvy shape naked. The resale value I can't help you with because the Bandit was written off. However I did find that the SV was by far much easier to manoeuvre. It's lighter, more agile and by far MUCH more fun. The fuel range on the SV really does depend on how you ride it. I can get anything ranging from 110 - 180 odd miles to the tank.

I quite frankly got bored with the Bandit very quickly. It's not a sports bike and to get any real enjoyment I found I had to thrash it. The SV on the other hand has plenty more to offer with the the low down torque there is plenty of fun to be had all the way through the gears and the rev range.

The SV has plenty of after market addons that you can buy just the same as the Bandit. So if being a tart is what you want then you can still do it on the SV as you could for the Bandit. From personal experience I can tell you that the SV has very poor suspension. (Well it was built to a cost after all). But the Bandit was not much better. New springs and oil in the front and a second hand gixxer rear shock will sort that out.

Changing from the Bandit to the SV was fantastic. I love it. It can do anything that the Bandit could do and more. (Wheelies are so much easier and fun).

As for pillion, don't know. I have never carried anyone pillion on the SV but there are plenty of people who have and most tend to think that it's OK. You can always get a gel seat replacement for your passenger to ease sore bums.

Hope this helps.

Originally Posted by bluebell

Welcome to the site, like the other have said you will find the sv is lighter than the bandit.

oooohhhh and rather than protest they handle tooooo

Welcome to the site

I can't add any more to what's been said really

Originally Posted by Dirty Baz

I believe you can get new bandits for £3,495 in some parts so I would not expect more than £2,800 for a minter?

You can get new unfaired bandits for as little as £3,199, see

http://www.fowlers.co.uk/winter_sale.htm

The driveway leading to my garage has an incline so the weight of the
bike is important for me. One of the reasons I chose the SV over the
bandit.

There are other, lighter and better handling naked bikes than the Bandit