Somewhat OT: Guys that have upgraded to SV650-

[Mk1inCali]

Can you give me some info on the upgrade from GS5 to the SV?  I'm selling my truck soon here and will have ~1500 to help the upgrade to SV.  I think with selling my GS (Y2K), I should be able to get onto a clean 03 SVS which is what I'd like.  I'm slightly concerned about the mileage as I'm a cheap bastard, but pretty much everything else I already know about or have seen discussed on svrider or socalsv.com.


Any opinions/ideas/things to watch for if I decide to go SV versus an older Monster?

Thanks in advance!

[gikim1118]

I've recently upgraded from GS to SV650 (nekkid)  Overall, I'm thrilled about it.  I have about 200 mi on it so far.  still breaking it in.  Noticeably more power, but not to the point where its scary.  I get around 45-50 mpg (maybe b/c i'm taking it easy right now)  I must have to say it is a good step up.  it is very stable and handles as well as the GS500.  I love the V-twin sound.  I have yet to get an exhaust put on it.  Overall, sharp, stable bike for those looking to move up. 

[Mk1inCali]

Sounds very good, thank you for the detailed reply.



Anybody else care to join in on the SV love-fest?

[average]

I like v twins. I have ridden a couple. But to me it seems as if the motor drowns out the exhaust. Not saying that its pointless, just been my experience with them.......which is pretty limited

[pantablo]

if you're buying one make sure it hasnt been a trackday hack or race bike. other than that, try getting a used bike thats got the goodies already on it-pipe, FE, etc...since you'll be doing it too might as well have them pay for it.

yosh sounds amazing on the sv. it actually sounds exactly like a ducati...

[pandy]

I absolutely LOVE my '06 SVS. I generally get about 50MPG (and our freeways around here are pretty fast, so I don't ride slowly ). The fuel injection absolutely rocks! I love the sportier seating position of the non-nekkid model, and I just find him to be a very comfortable bike. He's very responsive, not twitchy, and it didn't take me long at all to get used to him. I highly recommend the SV650S as an upgrade! 

[Jake D]

I just got an '03 S model (silver).  I was pretty surprised on my first ride.  The throttle response seemed touchy.  It would yank me back in first.  By time I went 5 miles I was used to it and am a lot smoother now.  The brakes seemed touchy too and freaked me out at first but I am used to them now too.  You have to be a little more aware of the inputs you give the bike, but once you remember that, it is a lot like the GS. 
The creature comforts are what I like. 
It is a cool moment when you sit on it and the dash lights up and the tack needle sweeps.  You thumb the "kill switch" back to "run" and you hear the fuel pump start to whurr.  Barely touch the start button and it fires right up.  Don't have to fuss with choke, idle control, etc.  The electoronic dash is sweet.  Digital temp reading, speed, anologue tach.  Low fuel light, clock.
I can't figure out the trip meter yet but I've only filled it up once so far anyway. 
I really like the stying, too.  The longer you look at it (once you have pride of ownership), the more impressed you get. 
It pulls pretty hard too.  Way over 50 plus in first gear.
My suspension preload is cranked all the way up, but it rides nice.  Very firm but it seems to handle really nice.
It is pretty forgiving, too.  Too much gas in the middle of a long turn doesn't upset it at all, even with crappy tires like the ones I've got. 
Oh, and my favorite thing: there is a "Pass" button, which is like a trigger on a fighter jet.  You press it with your left index finger and it flashes the brights.  How cool is that?

[mountindewGS]

It well me a easy upgrade trust me, I move from a GS500F to a SV1000s last year. Im planning to downgradeing to a Sv650s because I don't like how big and heavy the Sv1000s  feels. Plus Iv'e hear alot of good things about the Sv650. Have fun with your new bike

[Wrecent_Wryder]

[5

[daneilah]

I was thinking about the SV650S until they jacked the insurance on it here... now it appears cheaper to ride a GSX-R.  What are they thinking?   

(I'm still gonna ride it at an upcoming demo day though!   )

[Wrecent_Wryder]

[gf

[vtlion]

I have logged about 5k miles on my 04 SVS.  It is a hoot to ride.  The power delivery is much more linear than on I-4 bikes of similar displacement.  I find this very appealing.  Think GS-like throttle response, but about twice the G-forces.  It has more acceleration than almost any cage on the road, but I do sometimes find myself wanting for a little more top-end roll on power.

I'm 6'3" and 180 lbs, and I find the front end is a bit divey, but not to the point that it feels unsafe gettin' my lean on.  I'm not sure about the FI on the 2003 models, but the -04 FI is quite smooth.  I sense a little hiccup around 5krpm, which can be a little annoying when cruising at that engine speed.  Fortunately, there is enough power that I can shift a gear and still roll comfortably.

Good luck with the bike hunt.

[TonyKZ1]

wow, sounds great. I've thought about upgrading to the SV650 (naked or faired versions) from my '75 KZ400D. More power would be nice, not needed but nice. Don't know if I'd like the gas mileage nor the insurance hit I'd probably take though. Does the fuel injection seem to be pretty reliable, so far anyhow? Maybe someone that has upgraded will make me a deal on their old GS500... well its a thought.
Tony

[Mk1inCali]

Very cool guys, glad to see both a thread with all positive replies, and a thread that hasn't gotten sidetracked into OT nothingness.



Now to sell my truck and find a cheap enough SVS.



Thanks esp. Pablo for the reminder to get a bike that hasn't seen the track.


I'll keep you guys posted on my status, but it might be a while until I get everything set to make the swap and go through with it, especially since I'm getting into crunch time for my late-ending semester of school here.

[My Name Is Dave]

The creature comforts are what I like. 
It is a cool moment when you sit on it and the dash lights up and the tack needle sweeps.

Wait, what? Are you saying that when you sit on it, without even inserting the key or starting the bike, the dash lights come on? f%$king sweetness!

[pandy]

Wait, what? Are you saying that when you sit on it, without even inserting the key or starting the bike, the dash lights come on? f%$king sweetness!

I think he meant *after* he put the key in. BUT....if he has that feature and my '06 doesn't, I'll be sending a letter to Suzuki immediately! That WOULD be a rather cool feature. 

I have to agree with Jake D on the whirring of the FI after turning the key. I always envied that in my bf's FZ6, and now I have it, too. Life is good! 

[corndog67]

I used to have an 03 SV.  In my opinion, there is no faster around town bike.  Coming out of low speed turns in first or second will pull the front wheel off. They will do stand up wheelies in third gear.  I had a great time with that bike and would buy another in a minute.  The only reason I sold it was that I bought it real cheap with 52 miles on it from a guy that hurt his back at work, and was on workers comp and had to sell it. About 8 months later someone offered to buy it at a pretty good profit for me, so I sold it.   Ducati's are cool, but Suzuki's are reliable.  I would bet that the Suzook is faster than a 620 Monster, too.  And a whole lot less maintenance, also. 

[My Name Is Dave]

I used to have an 03 SV.  In my opinion, there is no faster around town bike.  Coming out of low speed turns in first or second will pull the front wheel off. They will do stand up wheelies in third gear.  I had a great time with that bike and would buy another in a minute.  The only reason I sold it was that I bought it real cheap with 52 miles on it from a guy that hurt his back at work, and was on workers comp and had to sell it. About 8 months later someone offered to buy it at a pretty good profit for me, so I sold it.   Ducati's are cool, but Suzuki's are reliable.  I would bet that the Suzook is faster than a 620 Monster, too.  And a whole lot less maintenance, also. 

That, my friend, is a great post. It's great to hear a PREVIOUS owner give it that sort of praise. It's easy to love something when you own it, but to look back and talk so fondly about it means more in my eyes. That really does impact my thoughts on future bikes a good deal.

Thanks!

Dave

[Egaeus]

I just put 135 miles on my friend's '03 SV.  He had a bit of a problem up in Gawja, and I had to ride it back to town.  It's a nice machine.  Definitely more power than the GS, but it was comparable.  Most GSers would be able to handle it with no problem.  The only problem I had was with the rear brake.  My rear brake is very soft.  I think it might have air in it.  The SV doesn't have that problem, and I had a couple of rear-wheel slides at stoplights.  Overall, it's a nice bike, and I'm definitely considering it when (if) I upgrade. 

[Jake D]

I'm not even sure the rear brake on my SV works.  I push down on it, but don't expect it to do much.  If I use it alone, without the front, it only manages to slow the bike. 

I think I like it like that.  The front stops you NOW, however.  Dual disks.  Nice.

Also, engine braking is more pronounced. 

But yeah, around town, that thing runs like a scalded ape.