The SV650SF as a Mid-Sized Sport/Tourer

[mg66]

My impressions of the Suzuki SV650 and the following holds very true ...

... IT'S NOT THE SIZE OF THE DOG IN THE FIGHT, IT'S THE SIZE OF THE FIGHT IN THE DOG

I have been riding for 33 years and on a BMW R75/6 for 20 of them racking up 110,000 miles on the BMW alone with most of them, touring miles. After moving to the US a bike was not a priority. With life recovered from a move from the other side of the world behind me it was time to get my motorcycling passion off the back burner and I bought a 2008 SV650SF. Now, I believed a SV650S was more than capable of quenching my motorcycle and touring thirst. The thirst is quenched my friends

To make a long story short the SV650 makes a pretty good mid sized sport/tourer. The engine is a proven design that has been around since 1999. The SV V twin engine by design has great torque for either solo or 2-up riding and easily pulls from very low revs Also it is a light, nible and agile bike that laps up twisites, commuting or touring. Accessories are readily available for anything you can think of.

I bought my 08 SV650SF with the vision of making it into a mid-sized sports/tourer and it performs this role without hesitation. I am quite comfortable on this bike even though I am 6'4" and 215lbs. Clip-ons and riding position have not proven to be too uncomfortable even for an old bloke such as myself being a couple of months shy of the half century.

Generally on trips which are 2-up plus over 60+,lbs of gear the bike still averages around the 51 mpg which is quite impressive. The SV may not be the biggest, fastest or most expensive out there but will give most a run for the money on highways, canyon twisties or around town and not break the budget. I think SV equates to  Simply Versatile.

The few cons I have with the SV and they are not really cons, are that after a BMW I cant say I enjoy adjusting chains. And after ye olde Bing carbs and tappets and points although antiquated almost anything now is going to be a whole lot more complex. But I guess I can live with it

A list of all mods, accessories, etc can be found on my web site at http://sv650.metromain.net

Over 30 years of touring experience proved an invaluable asset in planning and setting up the bike as I wanted it. I had a vision of what I wanted and the end result was extremely close to that vision and now the wife and I reap the benefits of getting away as often as time, commitments and of course money allow.

With a bit of thought and a few hard earned dollars it can be transformed, I believe, into quite a suitable sport/tourer as shown below.

[bluepoof]

That's awesome!  I toured on my 2001 SV650S for five years (60,000 miles) and loved it.  The fully faired version looks even more comfortable.

[MK96xj]

Agreed and you setup looks pretty nice

[marc11]

I fell 100 percent the same way with my Versys. Makes a great light ST machine with the right farkles.

[Spiffious]

I now feel the same way about my SV1000s.  

For me though, it took a handlebar conversion to feel that way.  I imagine once I get the givi sidecases, that will be further improved.

[JamesG]

Very nice.  

[Mastros2]

Very nice indeed!  I see that it fits you pretty well.  

[Rincewind]

That's a really well-fitted mid-size sport-tourer.  

I'm surprised you made no mention of shock upgrade for the extra weight.  

Enjoy, and don't forget to post a lot of ride reports!  

[rauchman]

I now feel the same way about my SV1000s.  

For me though, it took a handlebar conversion to feel that way.  I imagine once I get the givi sidecases, that will be further improved.

+1 - With the addition of a Sergeant seat.  Comfort is almost there.

[FJRmgm]

I have an '04 SV-650s and I'm really hoping you have updated the suspension because I just can't imagine two adults touring on it with the lame stock suspension or saddle.

But, I love my SV for riding solo.

And your setup is a nice looking rig - what bags are those?

[mg66]

I have an '04 SV-650s and I'm really hoping you have updated the suspension because I just can't imagine two adults touring on it with the lame stock suspension or saddle.

But, I love my SV for riding solo.

And your setup is a nice looking rig - what bags are those?

Stock suspension on top pre-load. Its not to bad really and handled pretty well loaded up at Deal's Gap in June.

I have a OEM gel seat and sheep skin cover and the passenger seat has a sheep skin covered gel pad. Its good for about 5-600 miles a day and then we want off

Givi racks and Givi 45 liter top and side cases. Info here http://sv650.metromain.net/index.php?x=luggage

[FJRmgm]

I just installed a set of Ricor Intiminators in the front forks and it made a very noticeable and good improvement.  They were easy to install compared to emulators.

I also bought a slightly used ZX-10 rear shock and installed it - with the front and rear mods it now handles and rides much better.

Are you a member of www.sv-rider.com forum?

[mg66]

yessiree. mg66 is forum name there also.

[forester]

I think the version of 650 in the V-strom is great.  I'm not thrilled about the lawnmower sound, but it has adequate power on the road.

If the shoe fits - wear it.

[mg66]

An M4 slipon I found, fixed the obnoxious lawnmower sound of my stock SVSF can. It actually sounds like a motorcycle now

[mg66]

I just installed a set of Ricor Intiminators in the front forks and it made a very noticeable and good improvement.  They were easy to install compared to emulators.

I also bought a slightly used ZX-10 rear shock and installed it - with the front and rear mods it now handles and rides much better.

Does the ZX-10 shock fit straight on?
Has it got air adjustment?
Any particular year to be used?
Does it require battery tray cutting, etc?

[gritsngravy]

Excellent machine set up.    Nice to see a 650cc bike decked out for touring.  

[FJRmgm]

Does the ZX-10 shock fit straight on? - yes, if > 190 lb rider use ZX14 shock
Has it got air adjustment?  - NO
Any particular year to be used? 2006-2008 zx10
Does it require battery tray cutting, etc? - NO but does require longer bottom bolt

[mg66]

Well I finally upgraded the rear shock on my SV650S to that from a 2007 ZX14. The difference is amazing. I really wasn't aware just how soft and inadequate the stock shock was for a big guy like myself and 2-up riding/touring. Definitely worth the money and time spent to install. I have a small install writeup at ...

http://sv650.metromain.net/index.php?x=zx14_shock


I believe now the transformation from SV650SF to SV650ST is finally complete


After the sport/tourer transformation it now has the following:

- M4 Polished Standard Mount Slip-on
- K&N Air Filter (SV650/S 2003+)
- SV1000/S Snorkel
- Dynojet Research Power Commander III USB (SV650/S 2007-2008)
- Heal Tech GIPro + ATRE
- Pirelli Diablo Strada 120/60ZR17 Sport/Touring Front Tire
- Pirelli Angel ST 160/60ZR17 Sport/Touring Rear Tire
- Osram Silverstar 12V 60/55W H4 Headlamp Bulbs
- 2007 Kawasaki ZX14 Rear Shock

- Gorilla Cycle Alarm With 2-Way Paging System
- Rear Seat Tail Cowl
- Givi Tubular Sidecase Racks and Top Rack with Givi E45N Side Cases and E45NJ Top Case
- Suzuki OEM Touring High Profile Windscreen
- OEM Rider's Gel Seat
- Alaska Leather Pillion Type 1 (Rider Seat), Long Hair Sheepskin Seat Cover
- AMS Passenger's Sheepskin Covered Gel Pad
- Garmin Quest GPS
- RAM Handlebar Mounting Kit # RAM-B-149-GA15U for Garmin Quest GPS
- Nelson Rigg CL-350 (17-27 liter) Magnetic Tank Bag
- Grip Puppy Foam Grips
- Tech Spec Gripster Sport Tank Pad Set (High Fusion)
- Suzuki 03+ Lower Fairing Sliders
- Powerlet (BMW Style) 12 Volt Accessory Outlet
- Generic 8mm Swingarm Spools
- SV650 Quick Release Tank Pin Kit (not a retail part)
- Clear Alternatives Clear Front Turn Signal Lens
- Vista Universal Cruise Control

[jimmyc]

Nice setup.