[mtbjay]

Hey Guys,

I just test road a used 2004 Suzuki SV650. I intend to compare this with a new Ducati Monster 696 as my first moto in quite awhile. I’m concerned about the handling of the used Suzuki, and need some insight. The bike seemed to “push” through the corners – especially flat to downhill – and was a bit unnerving. Uphill, under power, the bike felt pretty good though I found myself breaking wide on on uphill turn at one point. I’m sure a good portion of it was me, and my inexperience. However. thing something was off with this particular bike.

I test rode the bike through rolling hills wine country on familiar roads to me, so that wasn’t much of a factor. When I returned and thought about it, I thought the tires might be hard after sitting on the bike for 5 years (which only has 10,000 miles on it.) It could also be due to an inadequate amount of tire pressure, something the seller brought up as well as he’s not ridden the bike this year. (Tires like the stock rubber on the ’04 Suzuki SV650 might be set at what psi? Six months sitting leads to what kind of drop in pressure?) I did work the front fork up and down before disembarking on the test ride and the front for seemed just fine; smooth, soft (but not too soft).

I certainly factor in my inexperience as a rider, timidness, and time away from motorcycles as a main contributor to me not getting the most out of a brand-new-to-me bike, but I really think the bike was off. I have 15 years in the cycling industry as botha mountain and road bicycle racer and team mechanic, and feel I am in tune with extremely subtle nuances of set-up and design of cycling frames, suspension, tires, hydraulic brakes, etc. Motorcycle tires, I recognize, are shaped a bit differently than some bicycle tires with a sharper crown by design which leaves more tread in contact with the road when the bike is leaned into a turn. I began to feel the capabilities of the bike when I kept a little weight to the inside and was able to gas it out of the apex. But something just didn’t feel right with that front end.

The bike was dumped (at very slow speed, he says) checked over, repaired, and “re-certified.” I wonder if the fork is straight? (One-handed cruising while zipping my jacket didn’t have the bike pulling or wandering though…) Any opinions, suggestions? There is another, same year/same model bike up the road I could compare….

Oh, does a loose chain (one that I can lift 1 3/4 to 2″) cause a slight delay in acceleration? Kind of a slight jerkiness about it? (I realized gear choice, and a responsive throttle/engine were part of it.)

Thanks in advance for the input!

[Rab]

Six months with no air added to the tires would see a significant drop in tire pressure I would think and that could definitely lead to a vagueness about the steering. That said, the tip over could be a contributary factor too. of course.

Yes, a chain that loose could introduce jerkiness when you twist the throttle (as it takes up the slack), but it’s easy to adjust. Usually about an inch (total) of chain movement is “within spec.” for most bikes.

If I were you, I’d ride a few other bikes in the meantime and if you’re still interested in that SV650, go back, inflate the tires to the correct pressures and try it again (comparing it to the ride of the other bikes).

If you still have any doubts whatsoever, then don’t buy it.

Although I haven’t ridden one, SV650s seem to be well loved by both the experienced and not so experienced riders, so you’re on the right track.

[briderdt]

Getting the chain tension right, as well as making the semi-famous TPS adjustment, really smoothed out the throttle response on my bike.

I’m about ready now to swap the stock Dunlop D220 tires for some new sneakers (Shinko). At 6200 miles, there’s a lot of tread left, but after 4 years, I’m thinking they should be replaced anyway. Yours could well be at the end of their useful life anyway (I’ve heard of people getting as little as 6K miles out of the D220s). Tire pressure should be 33 in front, and 36 rear.

[A]

The 2nd Generation of SV650’s with fuel injection are reputable with poor throttle responce. The delay in acceleration that you’ve experienced is not uncommon among SV650 owners who are not used to the throttle responce.

Personally, I would avoid a fuel injected SV650 as a first bike, but look for 99-02 SV650 that are carbed, or go directly to a SFV650 Gladius if you can afford it. The Gladius has much of the throttle/fule injection problem sorted, an very easy ride for beginner.

[megaspaz]

The throttle response issue is easily adjustable with them little cable things you see on the throttle side handle bar. If you’re going to avoid a 2nd gen just based off that and deal with the carb, then… um… hahahaha!

[WeaponZero]

Hey now, I like my first gen carbureted SV

[A]

I liked my 1st gen. carburated SV650S also, more HP/torque output than the fuel injected ones.. better fuel eco could be obtained also.

[briderdt]

My ’05 has been getting 55-58 mpg since February (when I started tracking it). I’m no speed demon, but I’m also not light on the throttle off the line either.

[megaspaz]

more power and more torque than the 2nd gen? orly?

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Suzuki_SV650S

Differences may be negligible but it certainly isn’t more.

getting 39 mpg, wringing its pretty little neck at the track. Not bad at all… better than the higher displacement bikes and 600cc, I4 bikes at the track…

[A]

I found out that speedo on most bikes display 8-10% faster speed than actual speed.. I wonder if the tripmeter/odometer also reflect that kind of accuracy.. if so, your fuel economy record may be off by 8-10%.

[briderdt]

I think they do the speedo thing so that you’re less likely to get a ticket. Or at least that’s one of the theories.
You can correct the speedo calibration by bumping up to a 120/70 front tire, but then the odo will be off. Or you can do a speedo-healer routine (don’t ask me what that exactly is, I really have no idea, I’ve just heard about it).

[Author]

Posts