Why I Chose the SV650

[@elenastamaria]

I have a '00 SV650 and I love it. To be honest it took a little time to grow on me but now I use it for my daily commute and long rides around Sydney over two other bikes I own. I fell in love with the beautiful chassis first, then found the great amounts of torque addictive. This bike is quick off the lights with no hint of laboring. Observed the engine purrs like a kitty but pulls like a lion. Suggest changing stock exhaust for a bit of a growl. I put Danmoto GP mufflers and eventually added extra baffle on mine which makes a pleasant roaring sound and improved looks for cheap. Finish is great and superlight too. Lowered the headlight and gauges a bit to highlight the hunched tank. Finding it a good alternative to owning a Monster for a small budget. Happy I kept stock gearing when changing sprockets. Found a great combination in lowering forks by 10mm and 34psi front tire pressure for amazingly stable straight line performance and confident cornering. Other minor changes were cafe racer style mirrors, removal of rear grab handle, trimming off rear fender for a rear pointy look, and reshaped and reupholstered seats (I'm an upholsterer by trade) using genuine suede leather with red stitching. Ordered 170/60 tires for rear to experiment on getting that rear look I want. Clip ons, heated grips and rearsets maybe next from eBay. This little project kept me on the cheap with great returns on satisfaction for each little improvement made so far. Finding it an enjoyable journey which so far has kept me from buying the Monster of my dreams. Thanks Bancha for sharing your post, I'm happy we experienced owning a SV650 sometime in our riding life.

[@goldpilgrim]

SV650 is great for touring. I know because I did it! It's light so you can camp in the woods. If you're stuck on a dirt road. you can pull it with out your hands. It's moch better than large touring bikes!

[@banchas75]

I agree with you that its weight is a good advantage. I'm hesitant to get a bike I couldn't push around relatively easily.

[@Test108ryf]

goldpilgrim how tall are you?

[@goldpilgrim]

OnlineCell I'm 5'7". I had to shave an inch off the seat and lower the suspension by an inch more. (2" altogether) . SV Is not the best bike for the street because of the large turning radius and poor low-speed handling.

[@joeljandoc750]

+goldpilgrim ...I have the '09 SV650 SA coming from Ninja 250... I'm loving it... I'm 5" 2. if I'm tired and on a complete stop, I rest my thigh on the seat...lol

[@TheAsciiadam]

I have a 07 SV650. It is my second bike. I had a cuzier years ago and quite riding. I have had my SV for two years and I am not sure that I will be able to move to another bike. I love the look, the sound and the ride. The only other bike I could see me riding is a Monster.

[@bulletben5837]

sv1000??? lol

[@SupramanTRD]

love this bike, its nimble, good looking, sounds great, reliable, and comfortable, so I bought one

[@ToastToGo]

Yeah man, definitely a good choice.

[@Test108ryf]

Brendon00000 how tall are you?

[@SupramanTRD]

6 feet

[@SBrandon562]

+Brendon00000 Would this be manageable for someone who is 5'9"?

[@Kendrickshayesjr]

.mlh it's definitely easy for someone at 5'9

[@ToastToGo]

I'm currently on my VTR1000f and thinking about getting a cheap SV650 because I love naked Ltwins and my current bike is getting under 40mpg.

[@Kendrickshayesjr]

I just got me a 2000 sv650 as a starter bike and I'm in love with it. These bikes are perfect. I'm not a speed junkie like others I've met. The highways around me don't get over 65 so this bike has all the power I need to get me to work. These bikes are not slow and can pass cars easily in any gear. Mines came with the gsxr folk swap so I don't have any knowledge on the stock folks.

[@joeljandoc750]

...oooh...u got the goodies...others usually swap it to gixxer front ends. I can't really tell if the stock ones are good. I guess depends on riding style and weight?

[@joeljandoc750]

...oooh...u got the goodies...others usually swap it to gixxer front ends. I can't really tell if the stock ones are good. I guess depends on riding style and weight?

[@garygnu5743]

I own a 04 sv650s, the front fairing and mirrors make it looking a little bigger. But i have seen a few guys use theirs on a track. However, going from a 06 ninja zx6r to inline 4 to a vtwin sv650s was a little rough. I plan on completing the lower fairings and taking it to the track and probably fork swap from there. Sv650 is nice because its damn cheap makes a good side bike. Got mine @ 6,500 miles for 2,500 few cosmetic dmgs

[@bouraan]

I'm buying a 08 Sv650 this weekend! I'm ready to fall in love with it :D

[@bouraan]

Haha! Definitely

[@AndreaHasenhöhle]

I bought SV650S half year ago and I love it. before I had Honda Transalp 650 and I share your feelings about this bike

[@RideAMAP]

Great reasons to get a great bike. Light and nimble is the way to to.

[@thakiid1013]

I got a 650r and would like to try an sv650 and sv1000..wish kawi made a paralell twin 1000cc to compete with the big sv..love small bikes and big bikes the same need to have one of each alwayssss

[@remuscopil]

Love this bike! Love of my life..thank you Bancha

[@garylewis9748]

If you're 6' 2 then you would have no problem riding a vstrom 650. I have owned both the strom and the sv and thought they were excellent bikes. For long distance riding though, the strom wins hands down, it was by far the most comfortable bike I've owned and I had no problems handling it even though I'm 5' 10.5". The initial trepidation you may have had when you first get on a strom is understandable, they are a big physical bike, they have a presence. However when you actually get it out on the road things change. You'd be surprised how great they corner and handle and how nimble they can be. I have since sold the strom and have only just recently purchased an 07 SV650 naked bike and love it. The suzuki v twin motor is a gem. Enjoy your riding and remember, if you've never ridden a motorcycle before......what the hell is wrong with you???? Get out there!! :-)

[@MrWuteva123]

I agree that the VFR is a nice ride, sporty but also great for long drives. I did a test drive on a FZ1 in 2007 and have been mine for over 7 years now. It's kinda bulky, but not to much for me. I really like long drives (+200 miles) and i'm 6'4.

[@spentfuelpool]

Did you stick with halogen? I just put in the BKMoto HID kit yesterday. It looks REALLY nice in the OEM 7" headlamp! You should check it out! Also, you can get lowering links to work with the rear shock so the geometry remains close to stock.

[@guaranteeeed]

Got a ninja 250 and z750 and to me they are they most comfortable bikes I've ridden. On my old 125 which was more sit up and beg and fitted me better being a shorter rider I got back ache and a sore backside. On the Kawasaki's I can do 100 miles before I need to get off and have a stretch. I think comfort and size is more important than the actual speed of the bike :) If you cant ride it more than 20 miles then its no fun imo. Also you need to be able to touch the floor ideally. I've always liked the SV but if I ever sell the ninja I think the hornet 600 would be in the way of me getting one.I just like the look of them and they are probably more comfortable for me.

[@tobyzdacrack]

I love my sv 650!

[@TheAmerican300WM]

I got a ninja 500 in a pawn shop $1300 I love the thing. Its pretty flickable through corners it gets 60 mpg the only problem's it has are the carbs are rough haha.. And she burns oil. But it a really good bike I plan on keeping even if I buy another one. I don't plan on buying another one just rebuilding the one I got. I like the old ninjas

[@banchas75]

RideApart also holds the Ninja 500 in high esteem. rideapart.com/2014/06/5-fun-ass-cheap-used-bikes/

[@NjoyMoney]

If you are worried about picking your bike up when it falls, you should check out the quick harley davidson tutorial on how to pick up a bike! Its really good, even a small woman can pick up a heavy cruiser :)

[@banchas75]

Thanks. I know there are several techniques.

[@remuscopil]

She is just, by now, my prolongue of my body...she is alive

[@reverustatts9693]

if you're looking for a larger touring bike but dont like the "boat" suspension you should really look at the 06ish vfr800. great bike! love the svman

[@banchas75]

Thanks, I'll check it out. Always looking for sport touring options.

[@murphyslaw580]

Hi to all! Just looking at all the raves about the SV650... Not a mention about the FZS Yamaha Fazer 600. This had to be the best bike I've ever ridden. I went back biking after a 27 year absents and made a horses ass out of myself by buying a CBR 600. In Ireland and the UK Honda put a security system on the bikes causing lots of problems. This led me to disliking the bike. However, being still in the silly mode, I went and purchased a BMW 1200LT. Now that was a laugh, as I found out that I'm vertically challenged by been only 5'6" tall with short legs. I kept falling over every time I stopped. Now here comes the good bit. I then got myself a Yamaha Fazer 600 (FZS) Guys, "What a bike!" This has to be the best bike I've ever ridden!! It has great power for the take off and leaves most sports bike standing. It's not a head turner, but it will fill you with pride when others think twice about taken you on in a race. The Fazer won me over by the way it handles and by the reliability it gives its rider. Never, ever! Did the Fazer let me down. Since I didn't even look after it to well. Sorry to say, I'm not biking now, but no marks for guessing which bike I'll be buying again. Cheers to you all and, "Safe riding!"

[@faniskaripidis3698]

I have also one sv 650.i have to say it's not light, it's the heaviest between all 4 naked Japanese models, kawasaki z 650,yamaha Mt 07, Honda cb and triumph 660. It's the only one with the v2 motor which is the same engine with vstrom 650,and secondly it's all made of steel, in Japan. Do you want other reasons to love it.idont. And it is the most fuel efficient and economic.

[@reidthedrummer]

May i ask were you got your wind screen? I just got an 04 sv650 and love it.

[@banchas75]

I got it from Twisted Throttle. It's the MRA Highwayshield. Not to self-promote, but if you'll check out my video, Accessories Walkthrough, you'll be able to get more details. Good luck, and welcome to SV world.

[@acidcrashdburnd]

Who makes that windscreen?

[@huiputka1]

Is it just me who find the SV super unconfortable? Everyone keeps saying how comfy it is... I ride 40 minutes each way to work and I get weird rear/lower neck pain after 30 minutes of riding due to trying to keep my head up! Mine's K9 650sport

[@tazman8697]

If that's the case google "LSL Bars" I have them on my SV650 and I can ride for days without getting a sore back. There are other makes of course but you'll get the idea.

[@thomasmcguire3294]

I'm 6'4" and about 240lbs. Would this bike (and other types of bikes like this) be tolerable?

[@joshhendra8692]

I don’t think it would suite your frame. He said he’s 6’2 185ish and is already pushin’ it. I would recommend something larger. It’s not like you can’t ride it... but you’ll look goofy and won’t be comfortable

[@spentfuelpool]

For me, the best feature of the SV650 is how customizable it is. You don't like something chances are you can swap it out haha.

[@exothermal.sprocket]

It's often the quandary. We want the light, nimble, quick, sporty bikes for every day riding but we want more comfort for the distance. So we buy whatever better suits the majority-use and suffer when it comes to using it for the minority-purpose. So we have enough, we think, and buy the ADV-style bike with comfy ergos. We like it for a little while and then quickly find all of its limits (power, cornering clearance, weight, increased wind noise from fairings, and lack of sporty pretensions). It's like we really wish manufacturers would just SLIGHTLY modify the sporty bikes to make them more long distance friendly, without compromising much of what makes them so appealing for every day use.

[@banchas75]

That sums it up perfectly. Obviously, the only solution is more bikes!

[@exothermal.sprocket]

And a garage to put them in. :\

[@ooharhh1012]

Where can i get that front screen??

[@banchas75]

MRA Highwayshield; TwistedThrottle, or Revzilla

[@priv1leged]

now tell me which exhaust sounds best on the sv

[@banchas75]

+priv1leged I've watched countless exhaust videos. It's hard to get any accuracy with them though, as recording equipment and conditions vary wildly. Personally, I think the Delkevic that came with mine sounds great. But I also like Two Brothers.

[@arekburbo378]

i have one from "roadsitalia titanium" its sounds nice! :)

[@huiputka1]

I would recommend a Scorpion exhaust, Delkevic generally speaking is a tad too noisy...

[@JJZX10R]

sweet bike, mate :)

[@remuscopil]

I am a newby, I know...but first time, you hav eto take a while with your bike, and feel it..if u feel that she is your feet, your brain (a part of it), a sister in need...that's the one...it is your bike. For now

[@banchas75]

Heh, it's been almost seven years, so whatever the pros and cons, it's my bike now. = )

[@TheNobleLoyalist]

Holy Shit look at those gas prices!!!

[@banchas75]

Ha! I should make a video about the SV's great mileage!

[@emancipatedwarrior6756]

Great vid! What are your thoughts on the Honda NC750X? Check out the review I just did. Similar class. Thx! kzbin.info/www/bejne/e6i4aGiHh9ySgpo

[@unclejane7453]

If you're 6'2" to only thing you can ride is a Penny Farthing. Sorry!

[@banchas75]

No motorcycle, bicycle, or car fit me. = (