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Dynasport
Posted on Sunday, February 24, 2008 - 02:32 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only)

Anyone currently on a Buell formerly have an SV? If you did would you mind telling me which SV and how it compared to your Buell?

Thanks
Dan
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Roadrash1
Posted on Sunday, February 24, 2008 - 04:04 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only)

Dan,

I had the 2003 SV1000S in Silver. It was a really good bike. I put 7,000 miles on mine in one short season in SD.

I put helibars on it, as a concession to comfort, and a throttle-meister throttle-lock. ALso had a Ventura packrack for hauling roadtrip essentials.

I never did anything but clean and lube the chain. (I prefer belts) A few oil changes, and one rear tire.

It was a really good, strong bike, as anyone who has riden one can attest. I got 45 MPG even when I rode in town. (Which was rare.)

As you can tell, I would recommend the bike, but I like the looks, and charector of my City-X!
-michael
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Arnhold
Posted on Sunday, February 24, 2008 - 05:25 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only)

I had a 2005 SV650S before my Lightning. I am a tall guy, 6'3" 180 pounds and I have found that the Lightning Long fits me MUCH better. I actually still have the SV and can't ride it anymore. The Buell has spoiled me! The riding position, braking, torque, sound, everything about it is better. The front suspension is not even comparable. SVs have been know for somewhat sloppy front forks and I guess its my fault for not replacing them.

One nice thing about the SV compared to the Buell is how smooth the shifting and idle are. This goes for any rice burner though, its just one of those quirks that makes Buells unique. The SV is still bone stock, im sure that things could have been improved if I had taken the time, but it is a very solid reliable bike, especially considering the cost. I would highly recommend an SV650 for a starter bike. I rode the heck out of mine for 2 years and the transition to the Buell was painless.

(Message edited by Arnhold on February 24, 2008)
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1324
Posted on Sunday, February 24, 2008 - 05:29 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only)

I had a 2000 SV650. My mods were relatively minor: Micron full system, jetted, K&N, Pilot Powers, and some cosmetic things.

Overall, I really liked the bike. In fact, I'd buy another to make it a track bike. With a little bit of work, you can swap a gsxr front end and Ohlins on the rear....properly set up, it would be an awesome track bike. Out of the box, the Buell handles lightyears better, but that is to be expected given its better suspension components and more recent design.

Power-wise, the Buell definitely feels torquier (because it is), and the top end feels a only little bit better than my modded bike. Part of this can be attributed to the sv's six speed versus the Buell's five. Plus, the SV revs higher and a little faster which I'm sure adds a slight placebo effect. At the end of the day, this is comparing to my XB9. The XB12's extra oomph definitely outguns the SV650. Haven't ridden an SV1000, but two guys I work with have them and I feel like they'd be faster than an XB12...in a straight line, anyway.

All in all, the SV is a fantastic bike, and its reputation precedes itself for a good reason. It all depends on what you are looking for, though. For me, I wouldn't trade my Buell for an SV if it were my sole bike. The Buell's personality just makes me smile thinking about it. If you're looking for the SV1000, keep in mind that they are no longer available (post 2007) in the US...if that matters to you.
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Bcool83
Posted on Sunday, February 24, 2008 - 08:26 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only)

I've owned an 03 SV1000S for over two years now... My original plan was to sell the SV ASAP after buying my Buell (03 XB9S), but I'm not sure. I really love the SV...tons of torque, you don't see them everywhere, the dual exhaust is so sexy, and it sounds awesome. However, the Buell also has loads of torque, and sounds awesome.

My SV has Yoshi pipes, GSXR 1000 front end and rear shock, Helibars, heated grips, TRE and PAIR mods, and a couple other things. No problems in the 6000 miles I've owned her. After riding my Buell 300 miles this weekend, I definitely miss the wind protection, but I don't miss the riding position. Miss the top end of the SV, but don't know if I would want it more than the torque of the Buell.

I'm going to ride the SV this coming weekend for the first time in about two weeks, and the first time since buying the Buell. I'll be interested to see what my thoughts are after that. Right now my justification in my head for keeping the SV is that I need a bike I can take pillions on, and the Buell didn't come with pass pegs! haha
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Specialed
Posted on Monday, February 25, 2008 - 12:08 am:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only)

I started out on a naked '99 SV. It's no doubt an awesome bike, but only after I resprung the fork, added 20wt oil, and bolted up a Kawi 636 rear shock. The SV was on rails after that. I ride with a bunch of Buelligans and my old SV would hang with the XB9's all the way up to 130mph. The brakes and gearbox on the SV are excellent as well. The SV is a bike that you really don't have to think about to go fast on, that's one of the reasons they make such good track bikes. It doesn't take much effort to go fast with one, the power band is wide, the frame is stiff and light, and the geometry works well. That's also why it got boring to me. It's like they almost work too well. My 12R does all the things that my SV did but it's just funner on the Buell.
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Smoke
Posted on Monday, February 25, 2008 - 08:42 am:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only)

have an 02 sv650 track bike along with my 98 lightning track bike. the sv was someone else's race bike that moved on to something else and had been upgraded with front end, rear penske double klick, braided brake lines, rearsets, clip ons etc. it is very well balanced and smooth to ride on the track. the lightning is very raw and a lot more work to ride on the track fast. funny part is that my lap times are usually similar. i have been wanting to pick up an xb9r track bike for a while, but have not hit the right circumstances. one big plus on the suzuki is that spares and upgrades are cheap and almost limitless, but i only have one sv and 5 buells running and 2 buell projects.
the buells give me a bigger smile i guess,
tim
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Dhalen32
Posted on Monday, February 25, 2008 - 10:47 am:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only)

Dynasport:
I had a first generation naked SV650. It was a nice bike; very comparable to a Buell. The engine was more smooth and quiet. It was not as interesting as the Buell and it did not make me smile the way I do when I ride either Buell. It did require more maintenance attention due to the chain drive and cooling system. I would buy another at the right price (low) but it did not make me want ride the way the Buells do.
Dave
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Reepicheep
Posted on Monday, February 25, 2008 - 01:12 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only)

In late 2000, I was shopping for an SV-650. It was the bike I was going to buy, until I sat on one. The tank flares were about 1" too far back for my knees, so they ended up sticking out and it was very uncomfortable. Other then that, I thought it was a solid naked standard, though at the time overpriced on the used market (IMHO).

So I think to myself, what other naked twins are out there? Then I stumbled upon a 2000 M2, with 5000 miles on it (remember, this was like Feb of 2001) for $5000. Whoa nellie... and the rest was history. : )
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1324
Posted on Monday, February 25, 2008 - 01:28 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only)

The good thing (and perhaps the downside to purchasing an SV, as reep mentioned), is how well they retain their value. If you buy and sell at the right time (like anything else), owning an SV can be a very good decision.

I bought my SV for $2900 and it included front and rear stands, a motorcycle cover, and a jacking plate. About 9 months later I sold it for $3000 without any of those accessories. The only costs to me were gas, oil, and tires. Not a bad investment to be riding. All in all, who really cares about the cost of tires? Less than $300 to ride for 9 months? Great deal.
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Thedavyboy
Posted on Monday, February 25, 2008 - 01:56 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only)

Had an SV650 s . Nice bike but way under powered . really no comparison IMO . Still a good all around bike !
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Michael1
Posted on Monday, February 25, 2008 - 04:53 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only)

I guess you can consider me a former SV rider. Mine just sits in the garage and never gets ridden any more. But I just cannot see selling the thing. It is a 2000 naked with plenty of stuff added to it. Actually...I think the only thing I left alone is the head light bucket. Everything else I powder coated flat black, triple adjustable shocks, full M4, rear sets, reworked forks...etc...etc... It's primarily my track bike now..with the occasional ride thrown in.

My Uly takes me every where I want to go on the street and beyond. And in most cases faster and with a whole heck of a lot more comfort. I know my wife loves it better on the back of the Uly.
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Dynasport
Posted on Tuesday, February 26, 2008 - 12:49 am:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only)

Thanks for the replies guys. The SV just seems like a fun inexpensive bike. I have been visiting svrider.com and I have noticed a popular mod to the naked SV is the Lightning headlights and flyscreen.

The more bikes I look at, the more I like. Too bad I am not rich.
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1324
Posted on Tuesday, February 26, 2008 - 07:28 am:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only)

I did the Buell headlight mod on mine. In retrospect, although it looks better, the stock SV cyclops light was better (brighter).

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