Hey everyone..
I have been reading about the SV vs GS posts after doing multiple searches but I am not finding the information that I need. I see people compare power with first time riding.. I am looking for overall comparison of SV vs GS. I know one bike is faster.. What about ride height? Can the SV be lowered? MPG comparison, like average what would I be seeing on a SV? I have been riding my GS for 6 months now, and potentially could get a nice deal on a SV. What I really would like to be informed about is the maintenance on the SV compared to the GS as well. I am still learning about just normal things to do with bike maintenance, but the SV is my dream bike and I might only have to give $200 dollars plus my GS. I even think the SV has less miles and is a newer bike :icon_twisted: But I am worried about the oil changes/parts for bike/ etc.. And.. Are there any SV owners here that I could chat with about the SV if I do intend on selling and purchasing the SV? This forum is so helpful even for people with dumb questions like me, and I really appreciate it. I guess I need to make up my mind before the end of this week as well, so any comments are welcome. Thanks!
Shuluke
i have worked on and ridden both the sv650 and the sv1000 and owned a tlr1000 the racing version of the sv1000. the hardest things to work on the sv is the valves. they are a unique design and can be troublesome. also the sv has had problems with dropping a valve if proper maintenance is not done. unfortunately i found this out the hard way. you will find the sv has a more aggressive riding positing and the frame and suspension is much better than the gs. if you would call the gs an intro bike then the 650 is a middle weight and a good step up. as for parts there should actually be more around for the sv than the gs, check out e-bay to be sure. maintenance wise it is a twin which tend to be accommodating to the do it yourself type of person. i don't know about the mileage comparison but really is that an issue? i personally love both the 650 and 1000 versions of the sv and would have no problems reccommending either of them.
hope this helps
frankie
the SV is less forgiving if you drop the clutch to fast( I tend to do that on my GS on purpose :icon_twisted:) As far as I know the SV also has carbs so a rejet will be order if you change parts. the SV is still a suzuki twin just in a V shape so maintnance shouldnt be THAT hard to learm
mach is right...the sv is VERY torquey and the 650 is a bit of a wheelie machine. the 1000 is a unprecedented wheelie machine :)
I find the naked SV650 to be just about the same as the GS500 as far as the ergos go, I sit on them every year at the bike show, back and forth between the two. I think Frankie is referring to the SV-S version with the fairing which has much lower clip on type bars when he refers to the more aggressive riding position. Haven't had the pleasure of riding one yet.
The SV has shim under bucket valve design which requires removing the camshafts to change shims unlike the GS with it's shim over bucket. Sadly most bikes have the shim under bucket type now. The SV doesn't have the convenient centerstand the GS has but there are aftermarket ones available.
Seat height is close, 31.1" for the GS and 31.5" for the SV according to mfg specs. There are lowering links available to lower the rear of the SV same as for the GS.
SV peformance is considerably better, about 2 sec faster in the quarter and about 15-20 mph more top speed for the SV. All data from memory. Don't worry about parts for the SV, it's a very popular design and much newer and more modern than the ageing GS.
BUT!!! Our GS comes out ahead in gas milage, at least 10 mpg better than the SV, maybe 15.
Quote from: mach1 on April 28, 2008, 05:40:25 PM
the SV is less forgiving if you drop the clutch to fast( I tend to do that on my GS on purpose :icon_twisted:) As far as I know the SV also has carbs so a rejet will be order if you change parts. the SV is still a suzuki twin just in a V shape so maintnance shouldnt be THAT hard to learm
99-02 has carbs 03up is fuel injected IIRC.
Quote from: mach1 on April 28, 2008, 05:40:25 PM
As far as I know the SV also has carbs ......
Has FI since about 03, originally had carbs.
Is fuel injection better? I have never looked at shims before... Haha and I know our bike shops are rip offs! Anyone with insurance rates? :) I pay 120 a year for full coverage on the gs.
IMO fuel injection is better, no waiting for your bike to warm up, no fiddling with carbs. I had a chance to ride a fuel injected bike last summer and the power delivery was phenomenal.
Would the shims have to be adjusted on a fuel injected bike? What other maintence would I need to be looking at? Also. What should I be looking at in terms of looking at a used bike? Fairinh scratches oil color chain wear teeth wear? Anything else?
Yes, you would still have to adjust the valves.
As far as what to look for, basically you want to look at everything. Here is a basic checklist.
Electrical
Check controls, gauges, look at the wiring for any obvious jerry riging
Frame & Suspension
Check the forks, frame, tweaked bars, if any are bent it can be a sign of a crash
Engine & Transmission
Listen to the bike once it warms up (if it has carbs) for any unusual sounds, take it for a ride if possible to check all the gears
Have a look in the tank for rust, check sprockets, wheels, chain, etc. If these are in bad shape it may be a good indicator that the bike was not well taken care of
i love FI way better than carbs
Quote from: bucks1605 on April 28, 2008, 06:24:54 PM
IMO fuel injection is better, no waiting for your bike to warm up, no fiddling with carbs. I had a chance to ride a fuel injected bike last summer and the power delivery was phenomenal.
Brings to mind a quirk of some Ducati's. Despite being fuel injected they tend to be very cold natured and have a 'fast idle lever' similar to a choke, I wonder is the same thing present on Jap v twins?
do to engine parts expanding at different rates. fi vs carb , engines are still amde out of same materials. for ebtter engine life. should let them warm up a bit :thumb:
Since SV's are raced a lot they have a huge aftermarket and tons of cheap takeoff parts and tires. Of course FI is better unless you are a carb genius already. Lower maintenance is better. Don't buy a used up raced SV.
Quote from: gsJack on April 28, 2008, 05:54:14 PM
BUT!!! Our GS comes out ahead in gas milage, at least 10 mpg better than the SV, maybe 15.
the mileage is only as bad as the hand that is twisting the throttle
Frankie ... unique valve design ... now you have my attention. What exactly is unique.
The freaking SV feels like a tin can if you ask me, but sheite being complicated just makes me want it bad ...
Cool.
Buddha.
Quote from: shuluke on April 28, 2008, 05:05:30 PM
Hey everyone..
I have been reading about the SV vs GS posts after doing multiple searches but I am not finding the information that I need. I see people compare power with first time riding.. I am looking for overall comparison of SV vs GS. I know one bike is faster.. What about ride height? Can the SV be lowered? MPG comparison, like average what would I be seeing on a SV? I have been riding my GS for 6 months now, and potentially could get a nice deal on a SV. What I really would like to be informed about is the maintenance on the SV compared to the GS as well. I am still learning about just normal things to do with bike maintenance, but the SV is my dream bike and I might only have to give $200 dollars plus my GS. I even think the SV has less miles and is a newer bike :icon_twisted: But I am worried about the oil changes/parts for bike/ etc.. And.. Are there any SV owners here that I could chat with about the SV if I do intend on selling and purchasing the SV? This forum is so helpful even for people with dumb questions like me, and I really appreciate it. I guess I need to make up my mind before the end of this week as well, so any comments are welcome. Thanks!
Shuluke
First off, the ergos are very very similar. Yes, the sv can be lowered.
MPG's are similar, 40-50 mpg, but with more power, and temptation, lower MPG is expected. :) YMMV
$200 + your gs for a EFI sv650 is a go situation, provided the bike isn't beat to hell. Go now, Skywalker, now !
Parts for the sv are everywhere. Not quite as cheap as gs parts, but it's to be expected.
The maintenance on the sv is easier. It has a spin off oil filter.
There are rave reviews of the sv650, in almost every decent motorcycling magazine. Low maintenance costs, nice torque, easy ergos, lots of fun to flick, etc. The english (british) mags I like to read rave about it for commuting and messenger service roles. If London likes the sv in months of rain, it must be worth while ;)
The few times I've ridden a sv it was a blast. Lots of torque down low, feels similar to the gs, just not as light. The power is ALWAYS there. No flat spots like the gs's carbs on the EFI model, and it's a nice smooth linear feel to the power.
Were I in your position, I'd buy the sv. Now.
Hi Shuluke,
The '03 SV has the tallest subframe and therefore the highest seat height. This can be lowered about an inch or so with an Oneida Suzuki stock low seat. The low seat is actually more comfortable than the standard seat which is a fairly flat piece of firm foam. Overall, with the lower seat the SV feels roughly the same as the GS except wider. The distance to the pegs is much shorter, however. Especially with rearsets.
I've only had a chance to ride my SV a few miles, but already I can tell that all the raves are true. It really is a world class design. It isn't the sexiest, the fastest, the most expensive, etc. but it is a good all-around street bike at a great price. Reliability is excellent and parts availability is a non-issue.
After riding the SV I've actually stalled the GS several times taking off. My SV is re-geared slightly since it has the stock wheel and sprocket off a Honda F3. It is damn near impossible to stall it short of dumping the clutch with the front brake held in. On the gas, it pulls like a tractor all the way to redline, like a twin should. It has character, unlike the run of the mill repli-racer plastibike.
The injected SV's don't have an idle lever, it's all automatic. The fast idle servo cam holds the throttles open until it reaches operating temperature.
Oh, did I mention that an aftermarket exhaust really brings out the character? The SV has a nice throaty and every so slightly lumpy burble at idle. Beautiful sound, very Ducatiesque. No vacuum cleaner humm or banshee wail here! :thumb:
Quote from: wreckhog on April 29, 2008, 03:29:54 AM
Since SV's are raced a lot they have a huge aftermarket and tons of cheap takeoff parts and tires. Of course FI is better unless you are a carb genius already. Lower maintenance is better. Don't buy a used up raced SV.
How would I know if the bike has been raced? or used hard?
Shuluke?
Gotta love the feel of a twin with good ergo's. :thumb:
I figured there was something similar on the FI SV's, I kinda like it being manual, gives me something to open up the throttle with to hold speed for a second so I can stretch out.
Quote from: shuluke on April 29, 2008, 08:09:14 AM
Quote from: wreckhog on April 29, 2008, 03:29:54 AM
Since SV's are raced a lot they have a huge aftermarket and tons of cheap takeoff parts and tires. Of course FI is better unless you are a carb genius already. Lower maintenance is better. Don't buy a used up raced SV.
How would I know if the bike has been raced? or used hard?
Shuluke?
Things like rash on the subframe, fried rotors, bent bars, low compression, tires worn all the way to the edge, 'unusual' headlight mounting brackets, the list goes on.
Track bikes are usually not titleable though. The non-titleable bikes don't have much use other than stunt/track or parting out. Lazy folks will stunt/track them instead of taking the time to break them.
:)
Quote from: gsJack on April 28, 2008, 05:54:14 PM
BUT!!! Our GS comes out ahead in gas milage, at least 10 mpg better than the SV, maybe 15.
I actually never got over 55mpg on the GS. My 07 SVS averages just under 50 (~49.978).
The ergonomics on the SVS are very different, as is the seat. I could ride the GS for 5-6 hours without stopping for anything but gas. After an hour on the SVS I have to hop off for a few minutes. This also helps rest the wrists.
Power wise the SVS is a beast compared to the GS. The
only time I've wanted more power is on long highway runs when I start to get tired and want to get home.
There should be no issues finding parts. I believe one of the race series just created a twins class so there should be tons of SV parts on ebay :)
The maintenance on the FI SVs is pretty simple. You lube the chain, change the oil (filter every 11,000 mi!!), and ride it. Every 7500 miles you put in new plugs. That's it.
Love my SVS ... with heat and the Givi setup it's truly a 365 day a year bike.
Quote from: MrDan on May 01, 2008, 07:39:29 PM
The maintenance on the FI SVs is pretty simple. You lube the chain, change the oil (filter every 11,000 mi!!), and ride it. Every 7500 miles you put in new plugs. That's it.
Until you catch the fever and start modifying it! :icon_twisted:
Quote from: bucks1605 on May 01, 2008, 08:04:10 PM
Quote from: MrDan on May 01, 2008, 07:39:29 PM
The maintenance on the FI SVs is pretty simple. You lube the chain, change the oil (filter every 11,000 mi!!), and ride it. Every 7500 miles you put in new plugs. That's it.
Until you catch the fever and start modifying it! :icon_twisted:
True - but that's upgrading not maintaining :)
05 SV650S 8000 miles for $3800. Sounds like all maintenance was done at the dealer.. Should I bite?
I wish I had pictures but I dont.. not yet..
Doesn't sound too bad. Kelly Blue book is available free online. Might have a quick looksee to check how in line they are.
about $1000 below kbb.. I still havent met up with the guy, my friend is supposed to introduce me.. :icon_rolleyes: