Title: Good bye GS hello SV
Post by: LEVO on May 14, 2005, 12:09:16 PM
Post by: LEVO on May 14, 2005, 12:09:16 PM
Went for a 40 mile ride on the brand new SV650S. Oh my, this thing has torque and power (obviously compared to GS). It is nible too, about 30-40 lbs lighter than GS. I noticed there is a lot more wind on the head, hence more wind noise around 70 mph. Mirrors are pretty much useless to see what's behind and I thought GS was bad. Handles very well, did a bunch of slaloms on the side streets. Front suspension is mushy but that can be fixed easily. Looking forward to putting 1000 miles on it so I can crank it open. I think this was a good choice as second bike. Here I am getting ready for the first ride from 0 on the ODO:
(http://img210.echo.cx/img210/9959/suzukisv650sday10052er.th.jpg) (http://img210.echo.cx/my.php?image=suzukisv650sday10052er.jpg)
(http://img210.echo.cx/img210/1152/suzukisv650sday10020fr.th.jpg) (http://img210.echo.cx/my.php?image=suzukisv650sday10020fr.jpg)
Click on the thumbnails for larger view.
Cheers
(http://img210.echo.cx/img210/9959/suzukisv650sday10052er.th.jpg) (http://img210.echo.cx/my.php?image=suzukisv650sday10052er.jpg)
(http://img210.echo.cx/img210/1152/suzukisv650sday10020fr.th.jpg) (http://img210.echo.cx/my.php?image=suzukisv650sday10020fr.jpg)
Click on the thumbnails for larger view.
Cheers
Title: Good bye GS hello SV
Post by: That guy on May 14, 2005, 06:14:01 PM
Post by: That guy on May 14, 2005, 06:14:01 PM
sweet man! I bet you were showing it off at the pb block party today :) . nice lookin bike. ENJOY :cheers: . keep an eye out for a 00 black gs too. prob me. peace!
Title: Good bye GS hello SV
Post by: jordanearl on May 14, 2005, 06:40:18 PM
Post by: jordanearl on May 14, 2005, 06:40:18 PM
Not dissing your bike at all here, in fact i envy your new bike. Everytime i see the sv, all i see is the naked front of the engine, in fact it just drives me nutz. Am I the only one that this bothers. I just don't understand what suzuki was thinking, for god sakes can we get a belly pan on those. Ok Im done ranting, thanx for the space.........
Title: Good bye GS hello SV
Post by: vtlion on May 14, 2005, 06:56:59 PM
Post by: vtlion on May 14, 2005, 06:56:59 PM
Quote from: jordanearlNot dissing your bike at all here, in fact i envy your new bike. Everytime i see the sv, all i see is the naked front of the engine, in fact it just drives me nutz. Am I the only one that this bothers. I just don't understand what suzuki was thinking, for god sakes can we get a belly pan on those. Ok Im done ranting, thanx for the space.........
I can tell you exactly what suzuki was thinking: the same thing they were thinking when they used a crappy, outdated front suspension design and hard-as-a-rock tires... PRICE-POINT. The problem is that if you put lowers, good springs and decent rubber on the bike, you are fast approaching the cost of a GSXR... not what Suzuki intended at all.
If you really don't like the view of the radiator and front header, you should get some lowers... like this:
and LEVO, the SV is a great bike indeed. I have to say though that I don't agree with you at all about the mirrors, I have a fine view of my six and I'm no small obstruction.
enjoy the new ride!!!! :thumb:
Title: Good bye GS hello SV
Post by: LEVO on May 14, 2005, 08:10:13 PM
Post by: LEVO on May 14, 2005, 08:10:13 PM
You are right it is the price point. They wanted this bike to be affordable. It is good though, for a decent price you get a darn good V twin engine, fuel injection, and a good frame. Suspension could be fixed easily. For my riding skills it is good enough at the moment.
I like it naked.
I had to move my head to the side to see what's behind, otherwise all I see is my arms and shoulders. They don't vibrate like the GS, that is good.
PB party, lots of twenty somethings. As you can see I am too old for that. :roll: My son was there.
I like it naked.
I had to move my head to the side to see what's behind, otherwise all I see is my arms and shoulders. They don't vibrate like the GS, that is good.
PB party, lots of twenty somethings. As you can see I am too old for that. :roll: My son was there.
Title: Good bye GS hello SV
Post by: BRB96Z34 on May 15, 2005, 08:24:44 AM
Post by: BRB96Z34 on May 15, 2005, 08:24:44 AM
Congrats on the new bike! You're gonna love it. I picked up an '04 SV about three weeks ago and couldn't be happier. And I thought the GS was fun to ride.
Title: Good bye GS hello SV
Post by: boomboom on May 15, 2005, 07:33:41 PM
Post by: boomboom on May 15, 2005, 07:33:41 PM
I love my SVS to death. Great bike. Congrats.
Title: Good bye GS hello SV
Post by: LEVO on May 16, 2005, 05:04:45 PM
Post by: LEVO on May 16, 2005, 05:04:45 PM
After 120 miles I am finding out that SV requires a lot better clutch/throttle control. It has a lot of engine breaking, I wish it had slipper clutch.
Title: Good bye GS hello SV
Post by: RedShift on May 16, 2005, 05:49:02 PM
Post by: RedShift on May 16, 2005, 05:49:02 PM
Never having ridden an SV650S, what are the ergonomics like compared to the GS500?
I've sat on the bike several times, but though the clip-ons are lower, I couldn't tell if the increased weight on the wrists would be a problem or not. Have you ridden your new steed enough to have formed an opinion on how a two-hour ride would feel?
Roy...
PS. Like the racing yellow color. Very visible. More safe.
I've sat on the bike several times, but though the clip-ons are lower, I couldn't tell if the increased weight on the wrists would be a problem or not. Have you ridden your new steed enough to have formed an opinion on how a two-hour ride would feel?
Roy...
PS. Like the racing yellow color. Very visible. More safe.
Title: Good bye GS hello SV
Post by: LEVO on May 16, 2005, 06:08:55 PM
Post by: LEVO on May 16, 2005, 06:08:55 PM
Hi Roy,
I did a two hour ride on Sunday, mostly on the twisties and some freeway. Seating is not as upright as the GS but not as aggressive as the other supersports. No problem on wrists at all as long as you support yourself with your legs and back. In fact it upsets the bike if you put too much weight on the handle bars. No back problems at all. You can completely tuck-in if you want to reduce the wind on your helmet.
I am not an expert rider so these are my kind of novice observations (riding for 9 months only).
I got the yellow for the same reason and also my colorful helmet. More visibility is good. Now I need a louder pipe. Louder pipes saves lives.
I did a two hour ride on Sunday, mostly on the twisties and some freeway. Seating is not as upright as the GS but not as aggressive as the other supersports. No problem on wrists at all as long as you support yourself with your legs and back. In fact it upsets the bike if you put too much weight on the handle bars. No back problems at all. You can completely tuck-in if you want to reduce the wind on your helmet.
I am not an expert rider so these are my kind of novice observations (riding for 9 months only).
I got the yellow for the same reason and also my colorful helmet. More visibility is good. Now I need a louder pipe. Louder pipes saves lives.
Title: Good bye GS hello SV
Post by: VersOne on May 16, 2005, 06:44:14 PM
Post by: VersOne on May 16, 2005, 06:44:14 PM
louder pipes only work if you slow down almost to a stop and give a little throttle before going through...other than that...cagers will only hear your pipe once you are in front of them.
Jonah
Jonah
Title: Good bye GS hello SV
Post by: JCH on May 16, 2005, 09:01:53 PM
Post by: JCH on May 16, 2005, 09:01:53 PM
Congrats!!! I just got mine this weekend, a used 03 with only 4000 miles!
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v204/JC1980/SV650S/CIMG0028.jpg)
Havent ridden it yet as im waiting for my new insurance to become active... but I go outside and pet it every day :) I also need to hit the dmv for titling and registration issues.
I have a Yosh RS-3 Race Slip On. Thing is beastly loud, but sounds great!
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v204/JC1980/SV650S/CIMG0028.jpg)
Havent ridden it yet as im waiting for my new insurance to become active... but I go outside and pet it every day :) I also need to hit the dmv for titling and registration issues.
I have a Yosh RS-3 Race Slip On. Thing is beastly loud, but sounds great!
Title: Good bye GS hello SV
Post by: pantablo on May 16, 2005, 09:59:16 PM
Post by: pantablo on May 16, 2005, 09:59:16 PM
congrats LEVO AND JCH!
Both of you will enjoy your new rides...JChH-wehen we going riding? Interested in Buttonwillow trackday June 6? its a tight slow track...
The Yoshi system makes tHE SV sound like a Ducati...very nice.
svriders.com
socalsvriders.com
enjoy!
Both of you will enjoy your new rides...JChH-wehen we going riding? Interested in Buttonwillow trackday June 6? its a tight slow track...
The Yoshi system makes tHE SV sound like a Ducati...very nice.
svriders.com
socalsvriders.com
enjoy!
Title: Good bye GS hello SV
Post by: JCH on May 16, 2005, 10:01:56 PM
Post by: JCH on May 16, 2005, 10:01:56 PM
Pablo, I'd like to become a little bit more familiar with the bike before testing its limits that soon, but it is something I have always wanted to do, without a doubt.
Thanks for the congrats, I'd love to go riding with you one of these days... plus its the summer months, can't get much better than this! ;)
Thanks for the links, I'm a member on both ;)
Thanks for the congrats, I'd love to go riding with you one of these days... plus its the summer months, can't get much better than this! ;)
Thanks for the links, I'm a member on both ;)
Title: Good bye GS hello SV
Post by: pantablo on May 16, 2005, 10:06:07 PM
Post by: pantablo on May 16, 2005, 10:06:07 PM
the track is a great place to get used to the bike without the other distractions. The track isnt stricktly for going as fast as you can or want, but its also to ride and discover the capabilities of the bike. IF you go to a trackday, make sure there's a C group. These are the slow riders (and those new to trackdays) so you can go as slow as you please.
Check out www.burntheedge.com for upcoming rides. I usually ride with this group (great bunch of guys).
Check out www.burntheedge.com for upcoming rides. I usually ride with this group (great bunch of guys).
Title: Good bye GS hello SV
Post by: LEVO on May 17, 2005, 03:22:57 PM
Post by: LEVO on May 17, 2005, 03:22:57 PM
Thanks pantablo
Just ordered frame and swingarm sliders. Next buy is an Arrow or Yosh slip-on pipe. Also ordered a Fender Eliminator kit.
socalsvriders.org is really nice
JCH - check out raceinteach's FE kit.
Just ordered frame and swingarm sliders. Next buy is an Arrow or Yosh slip-on pipe. Also ordered a Fender Eliminator kit.
socalsvriders.org is really nice
JCH - check out raceinteach's FE kit.
Title: Good bye GS hello SV
Post by: JCH on May 17, 2005, 04:40:09 PM
Post by: JCH on May 17, 2005, 04:40:09 PM
I bought my frame and swing arm sliders today as well, from www.bikesliders.com
And I actually have plans of stopping by Racinteach's the weekend after next ;)
And I actually have plans of stopping by Racinteach's the weekend after next ;)
Title: Good bye GS hello SV
Post by: LEVO on May 17, 2005, 05:43:41 PM
Post by: LEVO on May 17, 2005, 05:43:41 PM
52 mpg. Not bad.
Title: Good bye GS hello SV
Post by: vtlion on May 17, 2005, 07:32:56 PM
Post by: vtlion on May 17, 2005, 07:32:56 PM
Quote from: LEVO52 mpg. Not bad.
that's gotta be during the break in ;)
I ride my SV650 at moderate revs and I average somewhere around 32-35mpg around town.
Title: Good bye GS hello SV
Post by: LEVO on May 17, 2005, 07:37:18 PM
Post by: LEVO on May 17, 2005, 07:37:18 PM
Yep very easy on the RPMs.
Title: Good bye GS hello SV
Post by: pantablo on May 17, 2005, 11:13:13 PM
Post by: pantablo on May 17, 2005, 11:13:13 PM
Quote from: LEVO
JCH - check out raceinteach's FE kit.
do it yourself. one or both of those sites show you how. save the cash to spend on something else...also, when I get to work I'll post up John's sv650 site (yes, the same gs500 John had a sv). He has some nice free upgrades that should be done to the bikes (specifically the first gen bike).
snorkelectomy anyone?
Title: Good bye GS hello SV
Post by: Roadstergal on May 18, 2005, 11:14:27 AM
Post by: Roadstergal on May 18, 2005, 11:14:27 AM
Quote from: vtlionI ride my SV650 at moderate revs and I average somewhere around 32-35mpg around town.
Yer kidding... I get 55 or so around town, and I am not gentle or moderate. On a long roadtrip across the Sound, when I was gentle and moderate and tucked almost the whole day, I got my best MPG on a motor vehicle evah on the SV - 72.9...
Title: Good bye GS hello SV
Post by: vtlion on May 18, 2005, 12:47:32 PM
Post by: vtlion on May 18, 2005, 12:47:32 PM
Quote from: RoadstergalQuote from: vtlionI ride my SV650 at moderate revs and I average somewhere around 32-35mpg around town.
Yer kidding... I get 55 or so around town, and I am not gentle or moderate. On a long roadtrip across the Sound, when I was gentle and moderate and tucked almost the whole day, I got my best MPG on a motor vehicle evah on the SV - 72.9...
I'll bet you don't weigh 200 lbs and carry your 130 lb girl on the pillion half the time either.
even so, i find 50 per gallon regularly to be pretty tough to believe
Title: Good bye GS hello SV
Post by: Roadstergal on May 18, 2005, 12:59:17 PM
Post by: Roadstergal on May 18, 2005, 12:59:17 PM
Quote from: vtlionI'll bet you don't weigh 200 lbs and carry your 130 lb girl on the pillion half the time either.
even so, i find 50 per gallon regularly to be pretty tough to believe
That's true. I'm about 135 and have yet to carry a passenger on the SV. Mebbe that's enough to make the difference - but I find 35 hard to believe! ;) I've never gotten under 50. Is yours stock?
Title: Good bye GS hello SV
Post by: vtlion on May 18, 2005, 03:05:50 PM
Post by: vtlion on May 18, 2005, 03:05:50 PM
yup. stock. and I just had another thought...
I commute about 1.5 or 2 miles to school, so I probably burn alot of gas warming the bike up. 30 or 40 warmups per tank probably take their toll on mileage as well.
well, i'm takin' a road-trip here this weekend, so I'll pay close attention to the mileage i'm getting and see how it compares.
I commute about 1.5 or 2 miles to school, so I probably burn alot of gas warming the bike up. 30 or 40 warmups per tank probably take their toll on mileage as well.
well, i'm takin' a road-trip here this weekend, so I'll pay close attention to the mileage i'm getting and see how it compares.
Title: Good bye GS hello SV
Post by: RVertigo on May 18, 2005, 04:06:07 PM
Post by: RVertigo on May 18, 2005, 04:06:07 PM
Quote from: vtlion30 or 40 warmups per tank probably take their toll on mileage as well.And all the starting and stopping...
Title: Good bye GS hello SV
Post by: Roadstergal on May 18, 2005, 04:21:42 PM
Post by: Roadstergal on May 18, 2005, 04:21:42 PM
Quote from: vtlionI commute about 1.5 or 2 miles to school
Ooch, short trips not good. Why not walk or bike?
Title: Good bye GS hello SV
Post by: vtlion on May 18, 2005, 06:31:06 PM
Post by: vtlion on May 18, 2005, 06:31:06 PM
Quote from: RoadstergalQuote from: vtlionI commute about 1.5 or 2 miles to school
Ooch, short trips not good. Why not walk or bike?
you haven't seen the 1.5 miles... killer hills. Walking them is seriously no fun. I do just that 4 or 5 months out of the year, and that's all I care to do... not to mention its one of my few chances to ride these days. I find myself working from 8 or 9am until around dark (8ish) in the evening weekdays, plus as much as 10 hours on the weekends... doesn't leave much time for long romps.
Title: Good bye GS hello SV
Post by: Roadstergal on May 19, 2005, 08:32:05 AM
Post by: Roadstergal on May 19, 2005, 08:32:05 AM
Then take the scenic route - get the bike warm, and have more fun. :mrgreen:
Title: Good bye GS hello SV
Post by: LEVO on May 19, 2005, 01:58:34 PM
Post by: LEVO on May 19, 2005, 01:58:34 PM
I have a short 8 mile ride to work but about 7 of them is on freeway. I should get pretty good gas mileage. Anything around 40-50 is good. At least 120-150 mile range before the fuel light comes on.
I am getting addicted to torque.
I am getting addicted to torque.
Title: Good bye GS hello SV
Post by: cernunos on May 19, 2005, 02:02:44 PM
Post by: cernunos on May 19, 2005, 02:02:44 PM
Yes, torque is your friend. Anybody got a basket-case SV sittin' around to trade on a Baby G? Love the tiny bike, Disneyland (I'll never ride a roller-coaster again), and this forum.
C........
C........
Title: Good bye GS hello SV
Post by: gazingwa on May 19, 2005, 02:35:40 PM
Post by: gazingwa on May 19, 2005, 02:35:40 PM
c,
for a bike you love so much, you are sure trying to get rid of it hard
for a bike you love so much, you are sure trying to get rid of it hard
Title: Good bye GS hello SV
Post by: cernunos on May 19, 2005, 02:47:43 PM
Post by: cernunos on May 19, 2005, 02:47:43 PM
Oh no, I love that little bike. She is great fun to take out and zing around on. It's just that I'm not much into zinging. I'm more into riding around at about 35-45 mph while I'm kicked back smelling the air and looking at the scenery. God I miss my Glide. But I do love the little White Owl, Nevada (the Great Basin!), and this forum.
C........
C........
Title: Good bye GS hello SV
Post by: Anonymous on May 19, 2005, 04:44:58 PM
Post by: Anonymous on May 19, 2005, 04:44:58 PM
c,
Damn it... Go get a cruiser!
I went to the other side, a Ninja ZX-6, God I love it!
Damn it... Go get a cruiser!
I went to the other side, a Ninja ZX-6, God I love it!
Title: Good bye GS hello SV
Post by: LEVO on May 19, 2005, 06:05:21 PM
Post by: LEVO on May 19, 2005, 06:05:21 PM
c needs a Monster S4R.
Title: Good bye GS hello SV
Post by: cernunos on May 19, 2005, 08:00:25 PM
Post by: cernunos on May 19, 2005, 08:00:25 PM
Yeh I need an S4R...when I win the lottery. Actually I love the Ducati bikes. The Monster series is a fine looking line. The 620 is really not that high considering it is a Duc. What is it they used to say..."Ducati, the thinking man's Harley". :lol: Oh, the Harley Gods would surely be unkind to me. Levo, I envy you and Ed_in_Arizona and joerocker and Roadstergal et al. Love the Baby GS, New Amsterdam (is partaking and imbibing still legal there?), and this forum.
C.......
C.......
Title: Good bye GS hello SV
Post by: Roadstergal on May 19, 2005, 08:30:14 PM
Post by: Roadstergal on May 19, 2005, 08:30:14 PM
OK, you've convinced me, you need a Savage. :)
Title: Good bye GS hello SV
Post by: GS_Twynne500 on May 19, 2005, 09:11:34 PM
Post by: GS_Twynne500 on May 19, 2005, 09:11:34 PM
For all you owners of the SV650(S): How would you describe the comfort, stability and rideability of two-up riding, in comparison to the GS? I have a 99 GS right now and I go on a lot of rides with my girlfriend, but it's not that comfortable on longer rides. HOw comfortable is it for your passengers (and you with your passenger)? THANKS!!!
Title: Good bye GS hello SV
Post by: LEVO on May 20, 2005, 08:00:33 AM
Post by: LEVO on May 20, 2005, 08:00:33 AM
Quote from: GS_Twynne500For all you owners of the SV650(S): How would you describe the comfort, stability and rideability of two-up riding, in comparison to the GS? I have a 99 GS right now and I go on a lot of rides with my girlfriend, but it's not that comfortable on longer rides. HOw comfortable is it for your passengers (and you with your passenger)? THANKS!!!
No clue, never given a ride to anyone, Honda Interceptor would be good for that I guess.
Title: Good bye GS hello SV
Post by: Roadstergal on May 20, 2005, 09:22:36 AM
Post by: Roadstergal on May 20, 2005, 09:22:36 AM
From just looking at it, I'd think it would be less comfy than a GS (I've never given a ride to someone on the SV, though). But I test-rode an FZR1000 at Aurora Suzuki a week ago, and it struck me that this would be a great bike for 2-up-ing; plenty of power, well-behaved, upright, nice broad area for the passenger to put his or her behind.
My F has a decent passenger spot, too.
My F has a decent passenger spot, too.
Title: Good bye GS hello SV
Post by: vtlion on May 23, 2005, 05:14:50 AM
Post by: vtlion on May 23, 2005, 05:14:50 AM
Quote from: GS_Twynne500For all you owners of the SV650(S): How would you describe the comfort, stability and rideability of two-up riding, in comparison to the GS? I have a 99 GS right now and I go on a lot of rides with my girlfriend, but it's not that comfortable on longer rides. HOw comfortable is it for your passengers (and you with your passenger)? THANKS!!!
Two-up riding on the SV is not bad compared to the GS. The power and the shock are both superior on the SV and so make two-uppin' a little more enjoyable. The seat, however, isn't all that great for longer trips. My girl and I generally only do short rides with her on the pillion. Two things to consider:
1. the seats are planks. Over time I think it would get to be uncomfortable. So far my girl and I have only gone about 15 miles at most together, and we don't have any complaints yet.
2. it is a split seat. The pillion rider sits somewhat higher than the pilot. So if your passenger is taller than you, it is gonna feel awkward. If you want a more comfortable long-term two-up ride, might I suggest something more sport-touring oriented, like the Katana, YZF600R or CBRF4i.. something with a one-piece seat.