Got a friend looking at an SV650S. Tell me more.

[SoFlaSV]

The SV is a great bike for a beginner or veteran.

I will never get rid of mine.

You can swap the rear shock and entire front suspension from the GSXR to SV.
I've done both, before I bought a Penske for the rear.

[Quick281]

Originally Posted by SoFlaSV

The SV is a great bike for a beginner or veteran.

I will never get rid of mine.

You can swap the rear shock and entire front suspension from the GSXR to SV.
I've done both, before I bought a Penske for the rear.

Was it a big improvement over stock? (The factory gix stuff)

[SoFlaSV]

It does give the adjustabilty the factory set up lacks.

[Quick281]

So we picked it up the other day and I rode it home for him.

All I can say is wow, what a great bike! Feels very light and very forgiving yet still a blast to ride. I felt right at home on it with the more aggressive handlebar stance and within a couple miles I felt right at home on the bike.

I think he was also pleased to see me riding it and hear of my great praise. I am now a big fan of those bikes. Getting back on my bike a bit later on the evening made it seems like a whole new, much more sensitive beast.

[Mr Lefty]

when you say not a big fan of those bikes... what do you mean? naked's? V-Twins?

I know when I rode cutty's SV after riding my ZZR... fuck that thing vibrated like crazy!

[Quick281]

Originally Posted by ebbs15

when you say not a big fan of those bikes... what do you mean? naked's? V-Twins?

I know when I rode cutty's SV after riding my ZZR... fuck that thing vibrated like crazy!

Damnit, that was typo! And I really enjoy the bikes is what I was going for. And yes, it does vibrate like crazy.

[ChipperJones]

The seat is horribly uncomfortable after a bout an hour or so, but other than that they are awesome bikes,

[Cutty72]

Originally Posted by ebbs15

when you say not a big fan of those bikes... what do you mean? naked's? V-Twins?

I know when I rode cutty's SV after riding my ZZR... fuck that thing vibrated like crazy!

Must be why comonboys likes it so much

[rogue]

Did he get the S model or the naked? They're geared a bit differently. The naked has one less tooth...or is it the other way around? I have the S and have ridden a naked once.

If he's short, how big is he? Is he a lightweight? Some people say that the SV's suspension is shitty, but I've found that lightweight people, especially just starting out, do fine with the stock suspension. My ex put a gixxer rear shock on his and I honestly couldn't tell the difference between the two bikes, except that the gixxer shock made the rear sit just a little lower (I'm very short so I'm extremely sensitive to height differences ) He wasn't a true lightweight, but not a heavy guy...average I guess....but is an aggressive rider. He did fine with either set up, although he said he could tell only a small difference between the two shocks (gixxer vs stock).

I do suggest using a heavier fork oil. It's pretty simple to change out, just a little time consuming. Even with my lightweight I could tell a difference between stock oil weight and what I've got in there now and think it's worth doing. It's cheap front suspension help. Now I feel the front end is firmer over these rough washboards they call roads here.

A heavier person (as in ALOT heavier than I) may eventually need better suspension. Although I suppose it's possible that a firmer suspension can help give more confidence in the bike, like a short person lowering a bike so they can touch better (I don't like mine lowered and do just fine at stock, but I can barely touch).

A bike should be set up for the rider. If he feels it will help give him more confidence & help become a better rider, then go for it. For right now though, stock should be fine.

Oh yeah...I still have the gixxer shock I bought for my bike. I never had it installed since my weight and riding style couldn't tell a difference between my stock and the exes gixxer shock.

SV's make an excellent beginner's bike, IMHO. You can still get into trouble on them, but they're definitely more forgiving than other similar or bigger bikes. I've been totally happy with mine and will have her for another couple of years at least.

svrider.com has some excellent advice. But be careful of the die hard *you MUST do this to the bike* people. Everyone's different. Tell your friend to have fun, be safe, and do his own thing as far as mods.

[rogue]

Originally Posted by ebbs15

when you say not a big fan of those bikes... what do you mean? naked's? V-Twins?

I know when I rode cutty's SV after riding my ZZR... fuck that thing vibrated like crazy!

I happen to like the vibration.....