SV 650

[Toph]

I'm watching a 2001 SV650 on fleabay, looks nice, any ex or present SV owners got any advice as to what to look for, Are they any good?
I need a bike that's reliable as I use it for daily commuting, + it's got to be fun to ride on WB rideouts.

[squirrel_hunter]

The SV650 is a very good bike for what you want.

Apart from the usual things to look for as its a 2001 model budget for a new reg/ rec and a battery. Its the weak point of the bike and on a 1st gen bike I found that the reg/ rec lasts for about 20k miles, and based on its age the battery might need looking at.

[BB]

Ghost had one & loved it to bits. Only got rid 'cos he wanted the triple. We were only talking about it a couple of days ago and he was raving on about how much fun it was and how it would poodle along or you could loon about. The choice was yours.

If you want to have a chat pm me and I'll get him to give you a call

BB

[Gerry]

Loved my SV Chris, got much more looks that the Ar6e and sounded great.
It was only having a fair number of people whizz by me at ride-outs ( and a go on a CBR600RR at Silverstone) that I decided I needed someting a bit quicker off the mark.

I'd have a go on one before you commit, at 67 BHP you may be a little disappointed in it's performance after the CBR.
Other than that, loved it.

Very good forum too !

G

[Last Train]

Always fancied an SV,

[whizz]

Great little bike mate ...if you doubt what it can do just ask Toby...lol... ;D go for as new model as you can afford ..2nd generation model is so much better....you wouldnt be dissapointed ....

[Bonnielass]

I loved mine, pity I dropped it so many times, just a little bit too high for me! Nice fun bike!

[Jon_W]

Great Bikes.

Things to check other than the usual

Front forks: leaks + pitting
Paint: Condition + Corrosion on engine
Rear Shock: Condition
Rear suspension likage: Check for slop on the bearings
Abuse: Wheelies, crashes etc.
Exhaust: Corrosion on lower sections, especially under rear.
Is it correct: There are a few 650N's made out of crashed 650s's. Check the frame plate and for odd wiring ad brackets

Great bike the Curvy Sv. Have has my 02 since new. You'll not be dissapointed compared to your CBR, it will be much easier to ride and quicker off the mark. The only real fault that I've noticed is the cheap build of them. The paint is bad, sepecially on the engine and front forks. Any salt peels it off. The forks lack and stone sheilds, so are prone to stone chips. The chrome on mine hasn't gone, but I have heard of it. The Rear shock is a cheap suzuki one, just check it is still ok. The rear shock linkage can need new bearings, try and check for play in it. The o/e exhaust is part stainless and part plated steel. The front stainless section corrodes and looks unsightly, the rear curly bit where the two pipes meet is the most suseptable to holing. This is rare, but worth looking at. Also bear in mind these bikes are ofthe a first big bike and can see some abuse. Check for signs of thrashing, wheelies and crashes. another favorite is to crash a faired 650s and then to save money convert it to a naked 650n. The farmes are different, they have different geometry and will have odd lugs and brackets on them from the fairing. Look in the frame and it will tell you if it is a 650s or a 650n. Obviosly this only applies to the non-faired bike.

Other than that, the engine is bomb proof if a little rattly at times, the brakes are good, and the handling is excellent. If pushed they do like to go a bit fron end happy but it is a quirk of an excellent all round motorcycle. Carrying pillion is a doddle and the seat is generous to say the least. Then there is the bellow of the engine.....

In my 9 (nearly 10) years of ownership, I've only had a battery and an oil pressure switch fail. Keep it serviced and it will last for years. I'm hooked on them.

[Gerry]

Great little bike mate ...if you doubt what it can do just ask Toby...lol... ;D go for as new model as you can afford ..2nd generation model is so much better....you wouldnt be dissapointed ....

Forgot about Toby's !!!

Ignore what I said about performance Chris, it was a load of rubbish Toby's just flew (right by me on mine, many times) ;D

I thought (but have never ridden) that the CBR was a quick little bike, quicker than the SV, but I'll stand corrected by those with lots more experinece than me [smiley=thumbup.gif]

If you get one I'll be very jealous of your great sound (especially after a bafflectomy)

G

[Jon_W]

Hehe... mine is on it's third exhaust can.... it destroyed the first two within three years!!! Speaking to Scorpion, they had to re-enforse the carbon can for the sv because the originals cracked!!! That's some noise!!!! ;D