I have heard tell of SV's with more than 100,000 miles on them. They are good, reliable bikes. I can't speak too much on the carburated models, but the FI model I have rocks.
8500 miles is a reasonable total for a 2001 bike... not too much, but enough that you know most likely that she was fired up regularly.
How are the tires? Sprocket? Chain? Brake pads? Fluid colors? these things can speak volumes about how the bike was treated and ridden. Check chain for slack and wear, check sprockets for wear. If he's a jackrabbit, you will be able to tell after 8500 miles. Check the oil in the oil check window... black or gold? Check the brake fluid... discolored (read: old)? All of these things should be in good to fair shape after 8500 well-ridden, properly maintained miles. Not to mention that you are looking at quite a few bucks to replace all that if needed ;)
You can't miss with the SV as a step up from the GS. I love mine.
oops. missed the tank-dents on the SV... that's a little scary.... and expensive to replace :dunno: . any ideas how the tank got that way?
my friend had dented his SV tank and a color matched new tank from the dealer was going to run him $450, part only-no install.
That SV actually doesnt sound bad. make sure he can produce the paperwork for the maintenance though.
given the alterations that you describe on the bike I wonder if it hasnt been used as a race/track only bike...which you should stay away from.
I'd be leery of that much body damage on an '01. It speaks to carelessness or riding hard, neither of which bodes well for the state of the bike...
another thing look for obvious things that would point towards track use. speceifically hole drilled into bolts
Thanks for the help I have to get the wife to agree to trade off my well kept machine for this unknown SV. I have a lot more research to do on the bike I guess. Kerry was kind enough to supply me this guide to buying used bikes.
http://www.clarity.net/~adam/buying-bike.html
Im really not sure what to do, I really like my GS and hate to trade for a lemon. I guess I will have to do a lot of looking at the SV and a lot of thinking.
sounds like the SV is some one's pit/track bike. :dunno:
I wouldn't trade my GS for something that beat up. I would look for an SV more like the one roadstergal got. There are other bikes out there so don't jump into this if it's not 100% the bike you want.
good choice :thumb: