SV650 Test Ride

[Petorius]

I've found a bike that I like, but I also have a feeling that I would really like an SV650, which I have never ridden. If anybody here wants to let me take their SV for a quick (15 minute) ride tonight, I would be greatly appreciative. There will be a 6-pack of tasty beer in it for you. I work in Wilmington, live in Boston.

[NPDCPA]

Experience has taught me to never, ever lend:
>Tools
>WAGs
>Money
>Guns
>Bikes

Good luck with your search. HA HAA!

[Lxpony]

Wags?

[Petorius]

I dont blame you, seems like you arent the only one. Lets try a different angle: convince me that I dont want an sv650. lets assume we're talking bone stock, second gen sv650s, for use mostly commuting, occasionally hitting the back road twisties, and doing 1-3 track days per season.

Experience has taught me to never, ever lend:
>Tools
>WAGs
>Money
>Guns
>Bikes

Good luck with your search. HA HAA!

[drinkingmymilk]

What is the other bike you're looking at?

[Petorius]

Its a NESR member's, dont wanna tip my hand and hurry somebody else's decision haha. I found an sv650 to ride anyway, so I'll know by tomorrow night.

[Garandman]

I'm putting my 08 SV650S up for sale in a week or two. It's in my basement in Boston at the moment, not quite ready to ride.

[curiouser]

The only time I've heard someone complain about an SV, it was because he missed the "top end rush" of an inline4.

[Pittenger5]

I choose to ride my wifes clapped out POS SV over my 690 SMC damn near every day of the week.

[DuncanMoto]

Just buy it.
1. It will hold it's value better than almost any motor vehicle and it's easy to sell.
2. It's the poor man's Ducati.
3. It's great on the Loudon track.
4. You'll love it.
5. If you don't love it see number 1.

[SRTie4k]

Having owned an SV650S, I've got to say I'm not a fan of the riding position. It was too aggressive for me, and not very comfortable. If you don't like the riding position on sport bikes, you'd be better off trying an SV650n.

[TheIglu]

Having owned an SV650S, I've got to say I'm not a fan of the riding position. It was too aggressive for me, and not very comfortable. If you don't like the riding position on sport bikes, you'd be better off trying an SV650n.

Same here. Tried the S model a few times, great for sport riding, but everyday riding is all N.

[NPDCPA]

Wags?

Wives And Girlfriends

[nhbubba]

This is one of the things I like about the Kawasaki parallel twin lineup compared to the SV. The Ninja 650 *seems* about as sporty, yet is far more comfortable to my tastes.

The SV-N and the er-6n seem pretty comparable. And the V-Strom and Versys almost go the other way; the Suzuki is less sporty and more long-haul oriented.

So yeah, I'd add the Kawi's to your search too.

[Petorius]

So the game is up, it was Falko's Falco that I was considering, rode it the other day and loved it. I rode an SV today, it felt sloppy and loose in every way by comparison, so I immediately called about the Falco, gone. I'm really hoping I just rode a poor example of an SV, it was very disappointing.

[DuncanMoto]

Could be the way it was set up.
Of course Aprilia vs. an SV is not exactly what i call an even comparison.

[Petorius]

There was a ton of slack/play in both the throttle and clutch cables, I think that was a huge part of it. I did like the weight (or lack thereof), I can see it being a blast in quick transition twisties.

[DuncanMoto]

There was a ton of slack/play in both the throttle and clutch cables, I think that was a huge part of it. I did like the weight (or lack thereof), I can see it being a blast in quick transition twisties.

You can fix that type of slack stuff pretty easily. Throttle tube and cable/lever change.
The big thing is the power and handling. I had my sv with retooled forks, shock and upgraded brakes.
I have to say, now knowing that the other bike you considered was an Aprilia 1,000cc, things change a bit.
The Aprilia is an amazing bike as is and a full class above the sv650.
Make a list of pros and cons for each.
Or be like the rest of us and either have multiple bikes, or buy and sell multiple times.

[drinkingmymilk]

I have to say, now knowing that the other bike you considered was an Aprilia 1,000cc, things change a bit.
The Aprilia is an amazing bike as is and a full class above the sv650.

Exactly why I asked what the bike it was being compared to was. An SV to a late model Ape is like comparing a top of the line running shoe to something you'd buy at walmart. Of course the SV felt cheap. And to add to the fact the one you test road isn't being maintained (slack in cables) only further exaggerates the obvious.

[OreoGaborio]

IMO, a well set up SV will feel like a mini Aprilia.

But what would I know?

[nhbubba]

The clutch on the SV is cable op'ed (like my DL) right?
~15 seconds fudging with the adjusters should have solved all (or most) of that slop in both the throttle and the clutch, no?

[drinkingmymilk]

IMO, a well set up SV will feel like a mini Aprilia.

But what would I know?

A well set up SV will cost you more then the damn ape.

[mzdagrl]

A well set up SV will cost you more then the damn ape.

I bet he knows that too.

SVs are great for all-around every day bikes. But I'm kinda biased. And too poor for an Aprillia

[Petorius]

SVs are great for all-around every day bikes. But I'm kinda biased. And too poor for an Aprillia

I'm too poor for any other Aprilia, but that was a good deal for a lot of bike. The right mods already done and immaculately maintained. Oh well. Despite my poor first SV experience, they still make by far the most sense on paper. I'll keep looking for a better example of one. It would be nice if I could find one with the forks and rear shock already sorted.

[mzdagrl]

I'm too poor for any other Aprilia, but that was a good deal for a lot of bike. The right mods already done and immaculately maintained. Oh well. Despite my poor first SV experience, they still make by far the most sense on paper. I'll keep looking for a better example of one. It would be nice if I could find one with the forks and rear shock already sorted.

Are you hinting? Hell, everyone else on this forum has ridden her, I suppose you could take my girl for a spin sometime.