advice wanted

hello all, im crusty

im thinking of buying an sv but am a bit unsure as i dont know much about them?

ive talked to peeps with differing results, the pros sound right up my street but am unsure bout the downsides, ive heard they can have motor probs quite early & ive seen a few for sale that have had new engines?
Also conflicting reports about handeling (front ends?) and engines being underpowered?
What things should i look for weak spots and essential mods etc

any advice is gratefull cheers crusty

Hi crusty welcome to the forum

The engines if looked after are pretty built proof, ie regular oil change.
The front end is a bit soggy but what do you expect for a bike built to a budget, It can be cured with after market springs and a heavier weight oil or a GSXR front end coversion.
The rear shocks get a bit tired after a while, But it can be fixed with an after market shock or a GSXR or ZXR one!

As standard they are a great beginner to experienced bike, just look at me I've had my bike license for 20 years and love it

As for power there's more than enough to get you into trouble and they will show up most sports bike riders in the right hands

thats exactly why i was thinking of one, ive bin riding 10 odd years on lots of different bikes, i loved my sporty but needed more poke (& brakes!) and also had a firestorm which was fun but unusable power in the real world where i use my bike for everything all year! so i thought the sv could be a happy medium!

Originally Posted by crusty

thats exactly why i was thinking of one, ive bin riding 10 odd years on lots of different bikes, i loved my sporty but needed more poke (& brakes!) and also had a firestorm which was fun but unusable power in the real world where i use my bike for everything all year! so i thought the sv could be a happy medium!

My mate has a Firestorm and on the twisties he can't keep up but sadly on the straights I'm left for dead But anyone can go fast in a straight line even my Granny

Hiya, what's your budget Crusty?

BILL covered most of it. Basically engines are actually really strong, engine problems are rare, high mileage bikes are common and not even something to stay clear of. Just avoid ones that have been owned by wheelie merchants as the engines can be starved of oil in wheelies.

The front ends are a bit horrid as standard, but there are plenty of cures out there. If the front end hasn't been sorted and you intend to get a bit frisky when riding, then factor in £200 to upgrade the fork internals.

How long have you been riding? What bikes have you ridden?? edit: you have just posted some new info If you didn't dig the firestorm, you will hate the SV

[northwind]

Yep, most of the time new engine means it's been destroyed by incompetence or abuse, though not always... Also, SV engines are cheap to buy and easy to fit so people will sometimes fit them even though the old engine's repairable- it quickly becomes uneconomic when a new engine's £250 and you can fit it without any drama.

i did like the firestorm, just not its honda blandness! and loved the sporty but i like to ride aggressive, the sporty didnt & the firestorm just went faster with no input or feedback!
i like to feel the bike, i had an xjr 400 for a while an it was great cos even when you were thrashing it it didnt put you out too much!

ive got a budget of about 1500

feel a bit more reassured about the engines now too, other suzukis ive had have been bulletproof an fun to ride too

note:


best not to use the line

"Hi I am crusty "

as an opner!!