SV650 Who has one?

[garylspolar]

Kawasaki just came out with a new parallel twin Ninja. It's getting decent reviews, but everyone compares it to the sv650 suzuki, and the sv always wins. Is this Suzuki motorcycle really that much fun to ride?

My wife is pregnant, and I won't be going on long rides anymore. Rarely took them in the past two years, and a long ride for me was just 4 hours. I'm too busy with work, home stuff... I'm looking forward to the 2026 FJR1900 when I semi-retire at age 55, but right now I'm thinking a better motorcycle for me might be this sv650 that continues to get so much praise. I'm thinking I'd like the fully naked model, with a more upright riding position.

Sing it's praises, tell me what you've changed, etc. I'll be putting my FJR in the classifieds here tonight, and in Cycle Trader over the weekend. I've got over $2,000 in accessories... well, just check the ad later, and it will be there. I'm looking at very little free time coming soon, and just want a fun light bike to play with once-in-awhile.

 

[MCRIDER007]

Sing it's praises, tell me what you've changed, etc.

I have a 2002 SV650 (naked) and a 2005 DL650 (V-Strom). The SV650 will probably beat the DL650 around a track but in the real world the DL650 is more comforable and fun to ride. You can use the DL650 for a dual purpose, sport riding, around town, or an adventure tourer. The resale value is also much better than the SV650.

 

[daviddowns2000]

Is this Suzuki motorcycle really that much fun to ride? 

I have a naked '05. It's a blast, cheap, light, flickable, low maintenance. At first I didn't like the stock seat, but I stayed with it and it feels OK now. I would not want to do a lot of hours at a time on the SV but I have the FJR for that. For a couple of hours of playing in the Miami twisties (mostly expressway off ramps and a few neighborhood chicanes) or hooliganing around town it is just fine for me. I have added only frame sliders, grip puppies, and about 6" of microswirl windshield edging...not really into farkling. Check out the forum at svrider.com, a very active and often amusing group of owners. The Suzuki VStrom 650 is another bike you might consider if you want decent street performance, versatility, and more comfortable ergos.

 

[Dangerous Dave]

The new issue of Motorcyclist just did a write-up on the new 650R Ninja and a brief comparo to the SV. They basically said the SV will spank the Ninja on any part of a racetrack, but they liked the Ninja better for around town. More upright position, good power, comfy ergos, yada yada yada. It's the March '06 issue. I get mine by mail, so I can't tell you if it's hit the newsstands or not. A good read. Probably worth the 4 bucks since you're in the market. Good luck with your decision.

 

[BugR]

Had an '01 SVS 650 before the Fjr, extremely sorry to see it go, (rear ended and written off), one sweet machine, tons of stuff for it. I also had a renegade pipe on it, could play tunes on it all day.

With heli bars and a Sargent seat I also managed a couple of 1K days on it.

Fill your boots

SVRider

SvOrg

SoCal

The motor on the 1000's is amazing but general opinion's is that the 650's are better allround bikes.

Looking at a Strom or KLR for a second bike at the moment because I want to AdvTour but if a cheap sv came up I would be sorely tempted.

Chris

 

[drjfjr]

I have an 02 nakid SV650 and love it. I have toured on it an as long as I stay off of the super slab I can ride it all day. I want to redo the suspension but the FJR was done first. I ride the SV around town and the local twisties and plan on taking it to a track day or two. The perfect complement to the FJR. I grin every time I ride it.

 

[garylspolar]

Wow, some xb9s Buells are goin' awfully cheap around here. Maybe $1,500 more than the zuke! More power, better suspension,... Decisions, decisions...

Thanks for all the input.

 

[boardsNbikes]

03 SV650S here. Great bike, wonderfully torquey engine but the ergos are tough on the hands. I'd say good for 200 miles; any more and my FJR is the choice. The naked model is definitely more comfortable. A big plus is the outstanding third-party support for parts and accessories.

When I have the time and money, my SV will be my trackbike.

The new issue of Motorcyclist just did a write-up on the new 650R Ninja and a brief comparo to the SV. They basically said the SV will spank the Ninja on any part of a racetrack, but they liked the Ninja better for around town.

Roadracing World (March 06) also has a comparison between the two and basically come to the same conclusion. SV650S carries more speed in the corners. Those corners speeds add to faster lap times. 650R is very comfortable on the street and better suited for a new rider.

 

[Dangerous Dave]

Wow, some xb9s Buells are goin' awfully cheap around here. Maybe $1,500 more than the zuke! More power, better suspension,... Decisions, decisions...
Thanks for all the input.

Find a Buell owner (who's not trying to sell you his bike) and ask him about reliability issues and service from the Harley Dealers.

 

[garylspolar]

There are some interesting reviews here:

MyBuell

 

[Dangerous Dave]

There are some interesting reviews here:
MyBuell

Poor bastards. I rest my case.

 

[sparky3008]

One of the building engineers in my building is about 6'1" and bought a GSXR 600. He loved the bike, power and handling wise but the peg position made his hips hurt (tall). So he bought a SV650 and he loves it. He says the accelleration is probably even faster and he rides with a lot of other sport bike guys no problem.

He loves his bike...

 

[Stu64]

where are you located? A guy on another board is selling a 2003 in S.Cali

for $4000.Heres the link...

https://www.labusas.org/phpBB2/viewtopic.php?t=77189

 

[GOPHER]

I bought my '99 new and have never regretted it. I've accumulated around 25,000 miles.......all of those in the first three years, as I've been absent from the street for the last four years..... (I've been getting my fix in the dirt).

Of the dozen bikes I've owned the SV has by far been my favorite. The little SV has such a long list of virtues that it seems like the competitors have yet to come up with a bike that can compare. Quick, light, great handling, and stone reliable. I wouldn't hesitate for a second to ride my bike cross country (on backroads of course).

The little twin even handles touring pretty well. I would say that at least 3/4 of the miles I put on mine were with my wife on the back. I couldn't afford any of the larger sport touring bikes that were available in '99 so the SV had to do. It carried us all over the North GA mountains without complaint.

As you can see I REALLY like my SV. I hope my '06 FJR is even half the bike. Hope this helps.