[Closed] Suzuki SV650

Good bikes but a little short.

Really good bikes and a sensible choice I think. I do like twins, have a test ride to make sure you do too. Different experience to an inline four.

Supertwin!

This is a (actual, flesh and blood) friend of mine's bike, now owned by another friend-

http://www.fasterbikes.com/Blog/Post/19-sv650-supertwin-.htm

What about an ER-6?

edit- my bf has a CB500, which are also pretty good fun. Cheap as chips too, which is nice.

I have an SV650s. It's noticeably budget, suspension ain't great and it's quite vibey. Definitely get a test ride but I would look at the ER also or something like a Kawasaki versys. Oh and it isn't very comfortable over longer distances.

Oops! double-post

I have the SV650N (Nekkid '05 version with fuel injection) which has a riser bar, so makes it comfier. Comfort kits are available to raise the bar on the S model. I don't find it too vibey, but then I like that feedback, as it makes me feel more involved 🙂 Exhaust can will need changing too. 🙂

It is a budget bike. I made the following changes and now it works really well.
Fitted an aftermarket rear shock. The original is underdamped for those over about 11-12st, so wallows in the corners, unless you wind up the preload until it isn't really working.
Fork is a bit lightly sprung too, so dives when under heavy braking, but I mainly use the V twin's engine braking so it doesn't bother me much. Although, I have cheap (£40ish)emulators waiting to go into the fork.
I adjusted the TPS sensor, it may need adjusting to make the bike behave well at low speed/revs (only a 15min job).
Fitted decent tyres.

Its good for commuting because its narrow, light and the Vtwin's low/mid range torque delivery makes it nippy and easy to control... and its good fun in the twisties. 🙂
Post 07 versions are more economical, as they had to comply with raised emissions regs... twin spark, o2 sensor and better fuel mapping added.
The forum at SV650.org is great too.

Maybe have a look at the sv1000 as well, not hugely fast but great torque making overtakes very easy in any gear.

I use mine to commute and find it very economical. Fuel light only comes on after 145miles (about 40-50 miles left) and thats with luggage. Also very cheap on insurance, I'd had a few years away from riding so had no no-claims and am paying just over £200 fully comp with commuting 10000 miles a year.

Plus what a fantastic noise from a pair of A16 cans!

I wouldn't buy a new one now, there's far better bikes around for the same or less. Think Yamaha MT07, Kawasaki ER6/Versys

Secondhand I'd be looking for a cherished minter that's never been out in the wet, as the finish isn't that good and they corrode badly.
Decent bikes for the cash though, and there's plenty around so you should get a decent one quiore cheaply these days.
Engine is solid but they CAN suffer from problems with water ingress on the front plug/plug cap as it's right in line with the water off the front wheel

Yup, good bikes for getting back into riding .
I had one after not riding for about 15yrs ( RD350LC's: 😀 ) and it was plenty fun and not too quick .
I had mine for about 18mths then moved onto the 1000cc version when I felt i was ready for it . As said previously; get a test ride as they are different animals to 4 cylinder bikes.

I got one and it's my first bike - had it about 3 years and only now starting to think about upgrading.

IMHO it is an easy ride and cheap as chips to run. As already said, you can tell it's cheap though: fork dives a bit and can 'knock' if you hit something a bit unexpected; you need a fender extender to help stop that water ingress; and plenty of ACF50.

Loads of good info on sv650.org.

If I were after a commuter and something a bit newer, I'd be looking at the NC750 though.