The SV650SF as a Mid-Sized Sport/Tourer

[FiremanBob]

Thanks. This is very useful info as I was zeroing in on a Triumph Sprint or Honda Blackbird as my next bike but the SV looks like a good candidate and might fit my everyday riding style (I didn't use all my Sabre's 121 hp most of the time).  Two-up and loaded bags didn't bog it down?

Does the SF designation mean it comes with the fairing lowers? The only SVs I have seen were the upper only which is why I wasn't looking at one before.

[mg66]

Does the SF designation mean it comes with the fairing lowers? The only SVs I have seen were the upper only which is why I wasn't looking at one before.

Up to and including 2007 the SV650S only had the upper or ½ fairing. From 2008 the SVS got the lowers also, full fairing and was officially the SV650SF. Lowers can be added to the older SVSs with some additional hardware mounts but they aren't cheap. Aftermarket fairings are available also.

The SV produces good usable torque which helps a lot loaded 2-up even from quite low revs.

[mg66]

A few pics of the missus and I enjoying our SV650S and The Dragon in June 2010 whilst attending the National SV Rally

Click on images below to view full size :

   

   

[motormike]

I'm considering a 2005 SV650s.  You have a lot of additions.

How are you liking the bike?

[mg66]

I'm considering a 2005 SV650s.  You have a lot of additions.

How are you liking the bike?

I am liking it so far. More than adequate power, great torque and even for a tall person at 6'4" I fit pretty well on it.

[eye.surgeon]

It's a nice set-up.

I learned a similar lesson when I sold my K1200GT and bought my Wee-strom. A proper 650 is a very entertaining displacement. The only drawback I see to your setup is the physical size of the bike with a passenger. One reason I like the Wee, it's got lots of room to stretch out even 2-up.

[mg66]

Well I thought my SV650ST was complete  

Just added ...

A Corbin Seat - http://sv650.metromain.net/index.php?x=corbin


Buell Footpeg Mod - http://sv650.metromain.net/index.php?x=buell_peg_mod


MRA Vario Screen - http://sv650.metromain.net/index.php?x=vario_screen


Now it's complete, this time for sure ... yeah, right  

[Chuck 500]

Beautiful bike.  

Three cheers for mid-size sport touring!

Keep the shiny side up,

Chuck

[Jay S.]

Very nice! I also tour on a mid-size bike and love it. I actually purchased the bike specifically for sport-touring. I can't say I do much touring 2-up though. I think the 600/650's are the perfect weight for touring as some of the SS-tourers are pretty "porky."

 

[jspringator]

Anyone install a Madstad windshield bracket and a handlebar conversion kit with touring bars?  I love the thought of a 450 pound faired touring motorcycle, but I can't stand to bend over to ride.  I've got Goldwing bars on my Nighthawk and it has worked out great.  Looks like on paper it would work.

I've got Shad bag set I can transfer over.  A Russell Day Long and lowered pags and it should be pretty comfortable.

How does this bike compare to the V-Strom for a 5'8" short inseamed rider?

[ANTBROWN]

Hey mg66,
I have a 2007 SV1000S that I've been using for sport touring. I had the Suzuki OEM touring screen since I purchased the bike new as well as Suzuki's gel seat and Heli bars. I'd like to make a few more changes to make it more comfortable. My knees start to hurt after about an hour and a half so I purchased the Buell pegs recently but I haven't installed them yet. How much of a difference do you notice having them on the bike and how well does the MRA vario screen work? The screen itself looks to be lower than the Suzuki touring screen but maybe the 'vario' part compensates for that. Can you give us an opinion on the vario screen please? I'm 6' tall by the way and I'd like the ability to push the wind over my head sometimes.

Regards,

Michael

[Giaka]

My wife loves her SV650S. List of mods

* Convertibars
* RaceTech front end
* GSXR 600 rear shock with custom lowering links
* 12v outlet for iPhone and Garmin GPS
* ZG Touring with Laminar Lip
* 2 Bros exhaust
* SWMotech luggage mounts
* Givi top and side cases
* Rear seat cover
* Hyper Lite rear brake lights

[motormike]

It sounds like the Corbin seat is a big improvement over the stock and Suzuki gel seat.

I've got a 2006 SV650s that I've had for one year and I'm starting to put more miles on it.  I think the stock seat isn't very comfortable after an hour or so.  I might have to do something, add a sheep skin pad at the minimum.

Suzkuki Gel Seat: $200
Corbin: $259 before shipping
Sargent: $280 (WS-547-19) or $300 (WS-547-18)

[bluepoof]

I liked the gel seat way more than the Corbin, FWIW.  The Corbin is stiff and has hard edges (or, did, back in the dusty ages of time around 2001). I kept hearing rumors that the gel seat retained heat and water but I never had trouble with mine.

[mg66]

Personally I like the Corbin infinitely better than the OEM gel seat. The gel seat always gave me monkey butt after 5+ hours whereas the Corbin lasts way longer before monkey butt becomes apparent.

I used a long hair sheep skin from Alaska Leather on both also.

I also find I hang off the Corbin way easier in the twisties if you are into that style of riding.

I am 6'4" and Corbins can be customized to have a higher seat height. I got a standard (was going to get 3/4" added but didnt) and no problems with cramps in legs although it did feel strange having a lower seat height at first but got use to it very quickly. Corbins also take a couple of thousand miles at least to wear in to your butt print.

[Strog]

It sounds like the Corbin seat is a big improvement over the stock and Suzuki gel seat.

I've got a 2006 SV650s that I've had for one year and I'm starting to put more miles on it.  I think the stock seat isn't very comfortable after an hour or so.  I might have to do something, add a sheep skin pad at the minimum.

Suzkuki Gel Seat: $200
Corbin: $259 before shipping
Sargent: $280 (WS-547-19) or $300 (WS-547-18)

I was putting my bike back together after it was stolen and recovered. The thief messed up the mounts on the stock seat so that was good enough excuse to buy the Sargent.  

I haven't tried a Corbin to compare but this is so much better than stock. Should have done this years ago. It's supportive but you can still slide around if you want to hang off in the twisties.

Looks like they still have the same deal ($252.61 free shipping) if anyone is looking.  http://www.chrome-addiction.com/g-sargent-seat-for-suzuki-sv650-1000-04-09-31030.php

[motormike]

Bump.  This thread is a great reverence to what can be done.  Yes, I know SVrider.com is full of ideas, but I'm not a member over there (if I did sign up, I can't find my userid and password).

My 2006 SV650s with about 8,000 miles is stock with the exception of a raised handle bar (not clips on).  I'd love to have a 6th gen VFR800 but not sure if I can make that happen anytime soon.

I see 4-5 areas for improvement for keeping mine for riding longer distance:

Seat - for added comfort
Suspension - seems a little weak for me (210 lbs) but I don't ride agressive
Hard bags - for touring capacity
Lowered pegs
Muffler - for a better sound, stock is fairly lawn-mowery

[mg66]

Bump.  This thread is a great reverence to what can be done.  Yes, I know SVrider.com is full of ideas, but I'm not a member over there (if I did sign up, I can't find my userid and password).

My 2006 SV650s with about 8,000 miles is stock with the exception of a raised handle bar (not clips on).  I'd love to have a 6th gen VFR800 but not sure if I can make that happen anytime soon.

I see 4-5 areas for improvement for keeping mine for riding longer distance:

Seat - for added comfort
Suspension - seems a little weak for me (210 lbs) but I don't ride agressive
Hard bags - for touring capacity
Lowered pegs
Muffler - for a better sound, stock is fairly lawn-mowery

Got some pics you can post here?

[motormike]

Got some pics you can post here?

Actually no. It's a blue-ish (whaetever the color is called) 2006 SV650s.  I'm a low-tech guy.  I don't have a photo bucket or similar account.  I don't have a home computer and the firewall at work won't let me log onto photo-sharing sites.

[Cowboy 6]

Never thought of the SV as an ST bike. Very cool.