The shortlist...

After listening to advice from many sources, I've revised and narrowed down
my choices to 3 bikes (spending up to £2500):

Suzuki VX800 - twin, shaft drive, etc, etc.
Suzuki SV650S - twin, loads around, 'enough' power, etc, etc.
Suzuki GSF600 Bandit - multi, loads around, probably 'insurable', etc, etc.

If it's insurable at a reasonable price for TPF&T (it should be - it's only
group 9/10), then I think it'll be the SV (the S is the half faired one
isn't it?). On paper at least, it's not far behind the 600 Bandit in terms
of real world performance, and it's got the noise only a twin can make
So my question(s) is:
Anyone got one?
Any good with a pillion?
Anything in particular I should look out for?
Dale Turley
http://www.practicalclassics.btinternet.co.uk
'39 Standard Flying 8
'66 Singer Vogue IV (Brit Difrunt)
'71 Triumph Herald 13/60 convertible (Brit Rusty!)
'73 Austin 1800 MKIII
'01 Peugeot 306 Meridian
'02 Citroen C3 1.4HDi 16v Exclusive

 

I was insuring one, aged 24 with 4 points and a years NCB for 700 quid
fully comp. However, I had had my licence for around 5 years at the
time.

In the real world it feels quicker. I had mine for a year and the
replaced it with a GSXR750. The GSXR went in for a service and I had
an SV650s one day and then a Bandit 6 the day after as courtesy bikes.
In a straight line the Bandit was a little faster but there was bugger
all in it. The SV handled better and being lighter was a bit more fun
to chuck around. The Bandit really doesn't have enough power for it's
weight. The torque of the SV is also handy.

It's a bit strangled by the standard can though. A race can
apparently gives around 10bhp.

heh, had, but would have another as a second bike.

Not bad. I took a few pillions and non complained about it, although
they were just 'out for a blast' type rides, rather than touring type.

Looking back at your original post where you describe you and your
pillions height and weight you should have no problems. It won't be
stunningly quick but it'll go. You have to put the preload of the
rear suspension up to the max though. Easy job as the supplied
toolkit includes a C-spanner for doing this.

Usual secondhand bike stuff really. They're pretty sturdy and I can't
think of anything particular to the SV. As with any Suzuki corrosion
on the brakes is a pain and can lead to them sticking a bit. Also the
front exhaust pipe is pretty exposed so an older one may have rusted a
bit.

They do suffer a bit from carb icing, but I never found it too much of
a problem.

Get one, they good fun bikes.

 

MrT wrote

Wasting good BHP accelerating some fat arse other than your own.

 

Yes. Pillions I've taken all loved it. One did mention it could've
been a bit more comfy, but she was the only one. As the bike is quite
thin filtering through smaller gaps gets possible. Don't forget about a
pillion as they are now the widest part of the bike.

Forks go bouncy, swap the oil for thicker stuff. Other than that, just
watch out for the fun police.

 

Posting from Google so probably hours behind here but anyway

Fine unless you and your pillion are utter lard arses.

If it's pre-2001 listen out for rattling camchain. Later models had a
revised tensioner fitted.
IMO it's way ahead of the 600 bandit in just about every parameter[1].
It handles better and the power delivery is far superior. Suspension
can be cheap and nasty and, apparently, the rear shock doesn't last
too long[2].

Your sig sep's fucked[3][4]

[1]Except number of cylinders of course
[2]Mine seems to be fine, but what do I know
[3]Or, to be precise, it's missing.
[4]I've been reading this group too long, methinks

 

ITYF that the SV is one insurance group lower than the Bandit. I don't
know why, though.

Don't be fooled. I had a Bandit 6 before the current SV and IMHO the SV
is better. Having more low down torque it pulls away better, and pulls
out of corners better. It's 10 bhp down on the Bandit, but is also 40kg
lighter. The SV handles better and is excellent for work in traffic.

See above, and below. (although not the 's' version)

Fine. In the summer I put the wife on the back for a week's touring and
all went well. I think she found the Bandit slightly more comfortable,
but had no complaints about the SV. The twin's torque makes carrying a
pillion easier, too.

Sure, but to be honest, others will answer that better than me.

Oh, fit a Scottoiler. If, by some chance, you end up with a K3 version
(unlikely on that budget) I can send some pics of how to fit it.


--
John

SV650
Black it is
and naked

 

Thanks everyone.
I'd better go and try one for size, but it looks like the SV will be the
weapon of choice. Build up a bit of NCB, then get something
bigger/better/faster/quicker/pricier/etc. SV1000S..?
Cheers.
Dale

 

""Your sig sep's fucked[3][4]""

?????????
Confused, I am...
Dale

 

I thought this was another Alan Gower thread. ;o)


--
Alan

http://www.ads-training.co.uk
"Kneesliders Sponsored by Cane"
GSX-R1000 , Triumph Thunderbird, ZXR750L2 Racer(gone), GS500,
GHPOTHUF#27
TGF, UKRMFBC#7, Two#24, BOTAFOF#11, YTC#9, GYASB#1. SbS#23.
DFWAG#2, DS#2, DIAABTCOD#20. remove "thisbit" in the reply
http://sportsbike.org (our own endurance team) http://Team-ukrm.com
"Nemo repente fuit turpissimus"

 

Crikey, she must be fussy as it is a damn site more comfortable than
being pillion on an R6.

--
Lesley
ZXR400SP
"Not bad for a Scouser"
SBS#11[with oak-leaf cluster]
BOTAFOT#101A UKRMHRC#12
BONY#54P BOB#18

Un-cork me to reply

 

I'm thinking of test riding one of these soon. I'll let you know how it
compares.

 

Got a bit of a lean-on?

 

Do all these 20s mean my posting's up the spout?

 

Yes.

HTH.

 

I'm only getting them from users of Gravity. Character set thingy, I
think. Oddly, it's only happened since I re-installed Agent with exactly
the same settings as before.

--

Dave

GS 850 x2 / SE 6a
SbS#6? DIAABTCOD#16 APOSTLE#16? FUB#3
FUB KotL OSOS#12? UKRMMA#19