I love mine, I had it for over 5 years now, and it is my 6th bike. (To be clear: pre-2003 and naked)
-I have never had an issue with the seat hight. As Richie correctly (amazing!) stated, I am 5'3. It is quite comfy for me. I also have an upgraded gel seat, helps a tiny bit am sure. But even if it was 1-2 taller I would still be ok. I start having problems when things are tall and heavy (like RC51 or Richie's KTM).
-It is a V twin - it sounds (and feels
awesome. It will wheely readily if you want it to. Engine is very nice and even, a little drop at 6k rpm with stock exhaust, but I only mention it because there is absolutely nothing else wrong with the thing.
-It is a "standard" meaning it is an upright bike, yet it will lean all the way to the edge of the tire. I have aftermarket bars (and you can get clip-ons if you really want) to get me just a bit more crouched, but that is just my taste. Stock bars will keep you upright and comfy.
-I have a cowl now, but back when the back seat was on, passengers found it comfy and nice.
-The back end can use some esthetic cleanup, but you can get an undertail very easily and make it look sexy as hell. I suggest integrating blinkers into the tail light too =D
-You can always convert it into a great race bike (<-my profile pic is on my ex-race SV...[sigh],) Pre-2003 anyway. Those are my fav =) You can also make it into a badass street fighter very easily.
-I am attaching a pic of mine, so you can see how cool it looks if you ducktape it! (It is no longer ducktaped...) Also you can see an undertail option. The thing needs to get painted, I know, I know...
-Always plenty of parts for these things, and they are easy to work on (well draining the carbs is a bit of a pain, but otherwise...). Easy to set to GP shift pattern too!
-There is a cool forum you might be interested in checking out
http://www.svrider.com/forum/
I should also mention that they are a lot cheaper and less finicky than Monsters. Monsters are sexy, no argument, but for the money it is SV for me.
I would say because of "minus the finicky" it is a lot less intimidating. Also, when I test rode a Monster, I had serious trouble reaching the clutch lever, even at the closest setting. It engaged/disengaged at the very fingertips for me, making the thing jump. For our size hands we need an aftermarket mod there... With the SV - no problem, I have mine set very lose and I love it.
And honestly, it will take you less than a week to feel like the thing is no bigger than the 250, fear not
This bike is a pussy cat, and quite light and balanced.
Final word of advice: do not lower it. It will just compromise other things, and it is not at all necessary at 5'3, I promise you.
I hope this helps and you decide to get one =)
P.S. If you really hate the naked look (it is an acquired taste, and I had to get there), you can get the model with the fairings and go newer. It will look a lot more like a sport bike. Even if you get the "naked" version, there are plenty of aftermarket fairings you can throw on.
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Originally Posted by Manik
Re: Hey ladies... and short guys :D
it seems other than esthetics, this is a good fit for what I am looking for. I too would have to get used to its looks.. maybe if I painted it fuschia I could overlook the rest! Again, the feedback here is amazing!!
My dad's been a duc guy all my time I've been alive, so I've always had an attraction to them, they're just sexy
