SV650s, I 'get it' now, what a hoot!

[GTS_Rider]

I'm one of 'those' that believes there's no such thing as too much HP. If a new bike came out with 200hp in my preferred ST segment, the tall-rounder, I'd probably be the first to sign up. It wouldn't be often, but I could find some deserted roads on-tour to actually use up all the HP offered, at detriment to my tire budget .

So, back on topic, I just gotta say I've been having so much fun commuting on the midget-bike SV650s this past week.  Hey, it doesn't do 60>120 at a flick of the wrist like the Multistrada can do, but it's not too slow in the 60>90+ range, more suitable for commuting vs. serious backroads touring. For a commuting bike, this is my new favorite! It's so narrow compared to wide bars/mirrors of the MTS1200 or VStrom , and a bit more narrow and and much more flickable than the GTS for lane-spitting duty.

The SV650, what does it put out? 65hp or so I'm guessing, but it's so torquey and satisfying from way down low. This one has a Scorpion pipe on it. I generally prefer sticking with stock-pipes on my more recent bikes, not looking to change, but I gotta say I love the the sound coming outta this little v-twin with the aftermarket pipe, it sounds so deep and thudding, it's lovely.  

I'm not kidding when I say this is a midget bike, I'm talking 'Bluepoof Special' right here   .  I did all the mods to make it into midget-bike for my girl Leah years ago. Rear was dropped about an inch with longer dog-bones. Dropped the front by raising the forks through the tripletrees about the same ( you can see in the following pics, did much research to see if this was safe and I believe it is ). Modified the 3 inch thick seat with one inch of really firm foam. Eh, it ain't no track-bike in its current configuration, but still handles surprisingly well for me, monkey humping a football..

Long story for why it went from running great to running shitty years ago, but I gotta give it up to fellow ST.N'r M.Brane who figured it all out and got it running great again. Not the first-time he's taken a bike from moth-balls to excellent riding machine for me. Following a few photo examples but please don't jump the line, I've got a couple VF700's that haven't been discussed yet if he's considering any new projects...


SV650s







Yamaha GTS


V-Strom

[bluepoof]

I'm not kidding when I say this is a midget bike, I'm talking 'Bluepoof Special' right here   .

It's even the right color!



The SVS is such a great bike.  I still miss mine!

[DrMikey]

Had an SV in the early 00's.  It was a blast to ride.  Really loved that 90-degree V-twin.  It is light, though.  It really bounced me around on the trip around Lake Superior.  Still, when the day comes to get a second bike for playing in the Driftless region, an SV will be on the short list.

[hovmaven]

Or the track. . ..  

[hovmaven]

You know how to reach me.  

[viffergyrl]

Well you could always re-mod it for you Rick...    

While it was visiting M.Brane I got to test ride it a bit myself. Yup it would be a great bike for a 'vertically challenged' person. I can flat foot with a bend in my knee (31 inch inseam), but putting my legs up on the pegs hurts my knees with the armor. But I would look at an SV650 as a track ho.

[M.Brane]

 Thanks for the props brotha Rick.

 Glad the bike is working out for ya' she is pretty fun, but I felt like I was riding a kid's bicycle.

 She's really too nice cosmetically to become a track ho IMHO otherwise I may have made you an offer....

 Not taking on anymore "projects" for a while as I have a few of my own that need attention first. I'll let you know when there's an opening on the lift.

[cbsnbiker]

There is a lot to be said for downsizing. I know I spend a lot of time riding my smallest bike.

If I could justify buying yet another motorcycle, I'd take a look at the new Honda CB250R or whatever it is -- ABS, of course.

[GTS_Rider]

Well you could always re-mod it for you Rick...    

Yeah, well, Leah sold me the bike for one dollar, claiming she was fine with being a pillion rider and not really interested in riding her own bike anymore. So the original plan was I'd sell the bike after getting it back and pay her the difference between selling price and what I spent to get her back in tip-top shape. No doubt this bike would sell fast to anybody in the vertically challenged category.

I think she's gonna change her mind after she rides it again.  If not, I guess I'll have to cough up more than one dollar, because I ain't selling her. Best case for me is to leave the bike in midget format which is fine for 30 minute commute rides, and have the bike available for her to ride on the weekends...

[GTS_Rider]

...Not taking on anymore "projects" for a while as I have a few of my own that need attention first. I'll let you know when there's an opening on the lift.

Yeah, let me know. Maybe later this year as we head into the winter months. Couldn't hurt to make some extra cash heading towards Christmas, eh?  

[Giaka]

Our SV650S might just be the most fun to ride bike that we currently own. The sound is freaking great for a little 650. Makes my Versys whimper when it revs. Having said that I hate the way the Versys sounds. Freaking parallel twins just don't have what it takes to sound beastly.

[Rogue]

Our SV650S might just be the most fun to ride bike that we currently own. The sound is freaking great for a little 650. Makes my Versys whimper when it revs. Having said that I hate the way the Versys sounds. Freaking parallel twins just don't have what it takes to sound beastly.

That is a nice SV650S.

Faster than a Prius?  

   I keed!

[Orson]

Freaking parallel twins just don't have what it takes to sound beastly.

I beg to differ  

I sometimes wonder if my Thruxton sounds even better than my Guzzi  

it's a close call  

[endo]

It's even the right color!



The SVS is such a great bike.  I still miss mine!

Dang, that's sexy!





And so is the bike  

[reppans]

Great bike.... as they say, "it's more fun riding a slow bike fast, than a fast bike slow."

(And based on how you can kill a PR3, you know how to ride  )

[phoenix]

does that Scorpion pipe say "RACE ONLY, NOT FOR STREET USE"?  
my first SV had a Scorpion pipe on it with that label. It was a tab bit louder than I would like, into the "irritates the nieghbors" sound level. But out on the backroads, it was plenty good.

My current SV has a Jardine can on it. It's a little quieter. Very good sound. The stock SV exhaust sound just sounds so weak.

But definitely a great bike for so many purposes. Fun to romp through the gears on around town without it getting too out of hand. Light weight and agile, great combination.

[Root Beer Express]

I had an 03 Naked SV650 that was seriously tricked out. GSXR 600 front end, race tech suspension etc. That was the best bike for the mountians that I've ever owned. You had to wring evey last ounce of horsepower out of it but it sure was fun and very capable...........See what you did? Now I need to get another one!

[Giaka]

I beg to differ  

I sometimes wonder if my Thruxton sounds even better than my Guzzi  

it's a close call  

I guess it depends on the crank. My XS650 ice racer did sound pretty bad ass.

[axelwik]

All the same reasons I love my Duc 900 supersport. The SV650s is pretty much a copy of the Duc, but with Japanese reliability and a water-cooled engine. The Duc has a little more power and better suspension, but with some upgrades on the SV they're pretty comparable.

[LENSMAN]

  I love mine.  It's nice to switch up from the Blackbird. I also find it easier for two up riding with lighter passengers.

Mine's an '04 naked with a Scorpion muffler, centerstand and higher handle bars. 50 mpg doesn't hurt either.