First bike

2Xtreme21

Diamond Member
Jun 13, 2004
7,044
0
0
Here's a photo from the craigslist ad: Link.

It's freaking awesome. I went with my boss from work who's been riding bikes for 20 some-odd years, and he said it's one of the best he's ever ridden. The previous owner kept it IMMACULATE.. 7k miles, not a scratch on it, modified tail. Boss rode it back to my place (100 miles) and said its handling was top notch and rivaled that of his Ducati.

I really can't wait to try it out. I'm by no means an experienced rider (last class in the MSF course is tomorrow), but it's said to be a good beginner's bike that'll last a long time.

More pics:
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4

Two more:

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Greenman

Lifer
Oct 15, 1999
21,852
6,234
136
Now you're going to understand why dogs hang their head out the car window. Enjoy your new toy.
 

halik

Lifer
Oct 10, 2000
25,696
1
0
Great starter bike,
I'm surprised you didn't haul it back, 100 miles is quite a way in this heat.
 

JulesMaximus

No Lifer
Jul 3, 2003
74,544
924
126
Congrats. I own one myself and I love it.

I'm not at all surprised that your friend who owns a Ducati loved it. I have a good friend who owned a BMW R1150R and bought a Ducati GT1000 to replace it. He was seriously considering the SV650 as a replacement for the BMW actually. This is a guy who has owned 5 different bikes in the 6 years that I've known him though.

Check out svrider.com for great support. There are many riders there who are in your area.

My next bike is a 2009 Ducati Monster 1100 S. I test rode one a few months ago and absolutely loved it.
 

jlee

Lifer
Sep 12, 2001
48,518
223
106
:thumbsup::thumbsup::thumbsup::thumbsup::thumbsup:/:thumbsup::thumbsup::thumbsup::thumbsup::thumbsup:
 

JulesMaximus

No Lifer
Jul 3, 2003
74,544
924
126
Nice looking bike. The '03 is a unique model though, many parts that fit '99-02 will not work on the '03. Same with parts for the '04-'08.
 

Saga

Banned
Feb 18, 2005
2,718
1
0
Wow. Thats a really unique looking SV650. Kinda resembles a Ducati!
 

Saga

Banned
Feb 18, 2005
2,718
1
0
Originally posted by: JulesMaximus
Originally posted by: Saga
Wow. Thats a really unique looking SV650. Kinda resembles a Ducati!

Are you being sarcastic? Because aside from the plastic windscreen and the fender eliminator/rear turn signals it looks completely stock.

I've been caught. =(

Great bike, though. Neighbor just bought one. I'm not a Suzi fan but those are seriously legit bikes, this guy's been riding dirt bikes since he was old enough to walk and can ride circles around my 10. =P
 

MiataNC

Platinum Member
Dec 5, 2007
2,215
1
81
Plan on keeping it forever.

Everyone I know (including myself) who sold their SV650 regrets it.

When you want to move on to something else, and you will because bikes are an addiction and no single bike does everything, keep the SV.

Keep the rubber side down, and welcome to the brotherhood!!
 

JulesMaximus

No Lifer
Jul 3, 2003
74,544
924
126
Originally posted by: MiataNC
Plan on keeping it forever.

Everyone I know (including myself) who sold their SV650 regrets it.

When you want to move on to something else, and you will because bikes are an addiction and no single bike does everything, keep the SV.

Keep the rubber side down, and welcome to the brotherhood!!

I can't tell you how many times I've heard that from people who used to own an SV650. I go in to my local motorcycle store and naturally the guy behind the counter asks me what kind of bike I ride and after I tell him they always say something like, "Yeah, I owned one of those once...wish I never sold it."

When I pick up my next bike I'd love to keep my SV but realistically I doubt that's going to happen. Then, a few years from now, I'll be the one saying "I wish I never sold it." ;)

If at all possible I'm going to keep it though.
 

Turin39789

Lifer
Nov 21, 2000
12,218
8
81
Originally posted by: JulesMaximus
Originally posted by: MiataNC
Plan on keeping it forever.

Everyone I know (including myself) who sold their SV650 regrets it.

When you want to move on to something else, and you will because bikes are an addiction and no single bike does everything, keep the SV.

Keep the rubber side down, and welcome to the brotherhood!!

I can't tell you how many times I've heard that from people who used to own an SV650. I go in to my local motorcycle store and naturally the guy behind the counter asks me what kind of bike I ride and after I tell him they always say something like, "Yeah, I owned one of those once...wish I never sold it."

When I pick up my next bike I'd love to keep my SV but realistically I doubt that's going to happen. Then, a few years from now, I'll be the one saying "I wish I never sold it." ;)

If at all possible I'm going to keep it though.

Don't you wish you'd kept your CB?

 

MiataNC

Platinum Member
Dec 5, 2007
2,215
1
81
Originally posted by: Aharami
why? whats so special about that bike?
<-- bike noob

Nothing special. It just does everything so well it has few if any faults...

647cc V-Twin = Smooth torque curve that pulls well all the way to redline. You don't have to constantly shift to stay in the sweet spot on the power band.

Brakes = Strong for a budget bike, but not so strong that a newbie can get in trouble locking the front on a panic stop. (Supersports can lock the front with 2 fingers and a hard pull)

Feels lightweight and is narrow, which makes it easy to toss around and handle at parking lot speeds.

Cheap to buy and cheap to maintain.

45+ MPG

Ridiculous aftermarket and mod options. = The bike is so popular that you will never run out of tweaks. From whole suspension upgrades (swap in a GSXR fully adjustable fork), to complete cosmetic overhauls (Buell or Ducati headlights, full race fairing kits, etc)

For me it's all about the engine. I sold my SV650 during my divorce then turned around and bought a DL650 V-Strom (uses the same engine with milder cams) that is lazy-boy comfortable on long trips, and just as great all around though less sporty.
 

JulesMaximus

No Lifer
Jul 3, 2003
74,544
924
126
Originally posted by: Turin39789
Originally posted by: JulesMaximus
Originally posted by: MiataNC
Plan on keeping it forever.

Everyone I know (including myself) who sold their SV650 regrets it.

When you want to move on to something else, and you will because bikes are an addiction and no single bike does everything, keep the SV.

Keep the rubber side down, and welcome to the brotherhood!!

I can't tell you how many times I've heard that from people who used to own an SV650. I go in to my local motorcycle store and naturally the guy behind the counter asks me what kind of bike I ride and after I tell him they always say something like, "Yeah, I owned one of those once...wish I never sold it."

When I pick up my next bike I'd love to keep my SV but realistically I doubt that's going to happen. Then, a few years from now, I'll be the one saying "I wish I never sold it." ;)

If at all possible I'm going to keep it though.

Don't you wish you'd kept your CB?

Sometimes but not really. The SV is so much better in every way imaginable. More HP, more torque, lighter (by a substantial amount), much better brakes, more comfortable riding position IMO (my legs kept cramping on my old Honda on long rides) and every time I rode it I always wondered at the back of my mind when it would break down next...
 

halik

Lifer
Oct 10, 2000
25,696
1
0
Originally posted by: angry hampster
Originally posted by: halik
Great starter bike,
I'm surprised you didn't haul it back, 100 miles is quite a way in this heat.

Oh don't be such a wiener. It's never too hot for a motorcycle so long as the motor can still run properly.

It was 90 degrees here with 100% humidity. I wouldn't ride 100 miles w/o full leathers, which means I'd literally be cooking on the inside. My race pants are half black and so are my alpinestars boots... hot hot hot.