From Visordown 8th November

"SUZUKI says the SV650S is still in its line-up, even though it's missing from the Milan motorcycle show this week. A source said the budget sports bike was neither on the stand nor in the 2014 catalogue at the show because it had effectively become a UK-only model in Europe. He said lack of demand elsewhere meant it would only feature in the 2014 Suzuki GB brochure. He said: ‘It is still in production, not just a case of [running out old] stock in the UK. The guys here are working on the 2014 range brochure and posters and it's in that. ‘Not many markets take the SV now. In fact we're probably the only European market, because we still have demand, so that's probably why [it wasn’t at the show].’ A source previously told us there would be an update to the £4,975 V-twin for 2014, saying planned revisions were the reason Suzuki had not yet introduced a 48hp version for A2 licence holders. Today he added, rather ambiguously: ‘I didn't say Milan… Really not sure when but hopeful.’ Us too."

Hello, my name is Tim Godshall and I work for JRi Shocks. We have entered the street bike market about two years ago and I wanted to offer a group buy for your members. Please let me know what we need to do or if it is even possible.  thank you for your time.  Tim.

I received this email earlier this month from Tim at JRI Shocks. I wasn't familiar with the brand but asked Tim for more info. The reason I wasn't familiar is that this is a US based company, as you can see from the prices quoted in the PDF. I pointed out that the postage from the US and potential import duty could kill any savings made in the offer but said I'd make readers aware and they can judge for themselves. Tim reckons that the postage would be about $60 usd. For more info email Tim at tim@jrishocks.com

Another summer slowly disappears behind with only cold weather and frosty roads to look forward too. Maybe. I tend to find that riding right up to December is fine weathewise but January and Feb usually is the time I give up, mainly because of the risk of ice on the roads.

Has it been a good summer? Well it was a bit late in arriving, I certainly made the most of it from late June onwards, including a weekend trip to Cambridge last weekend. I have to say that the VFR makes long distance riding much easier. The riding position is less crampt and I don't have resort to padded shorts either. Having a big fuel tank and centre stand are also long missed treats.

The trip to Cambridge was also made easier with a newly purchased topbox.  I couldn't believe the price of these things, up to £300 for Givi 52 litre. Even on eBay they're going for daft prices. I picked up a Kappa 52litre for £160 in the end from www.sportsbikeshop.co.uk, a special clearance item. The topbox is only installed for special uses such as trips and those times I need to carry a spare helmet or carry something large. It know it's easier to leave it on, but I prefer the sleek looks of the VFR without the brick on the back.

John

There is a story on Visordown.com dicussing that a new SV is on the way. I hope its true becuase I think Suzuki really misjudged the market with the Gladius and the rename to SVF didn't make much difference.

http://www.visordown.com/motorcycle-news-new-bikes/revised-sv650s-for-2014/23602.html

For those with Android phones and who want some basic maintenance information on tap, then this app from Richard Thomas consulting in the google play store is quite useful.

https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=rtcons.android.svr

As some people are already know via other social media, I've parted company with my SV after 8 years together. It was a hard decision but it was clear for some time that things weren't right between us.  I'd been thinking about other bikes and looking longingly at other machines and it seemed like the right time to call it a day.

Seriously.

It became clear on the Belgium trip that I'm not a spring chicken anymore and the SV was becoming increasingly uncomfortable on long trips. I had one episode where I waved my right foot to thank a French driver for letting me pass and as I put my foot back on the peg a someone stuck a knife in my buttock, or so it felt. I spent the next 5 minutes riding down the road with my foot stretched out in front of me like an idiot. It's not the first time I've had sciatica but it's usually as I get on the bike.  Another issue is that the bike had just clocked up 36k miles, and whilst I expect the engine to easily double or treble that, the rest of the bike was more doubtful. Cosmetic wear and tear was becoming apparent, mainly on paintwork, such as the wheels and engine. Rust and corrosion were making their presence felt and I could see the 'ker-ching' of the till. The rear shock was pretty knackered too and was doing a good impression of a bouncy castle, in fact it was lethal two up. Speaking of two up, my 16yo 6ft son likes to ride pillion on occasion, and the performance suffered badly, and I've already mentioned the handling.  So it seemed sensible to move on something comfier and with a bit more zip.

So I part ex'd Suzi for a Honda VFR800 VTEC. Still a V-twin but with two extra cylinders :)  It's a different beast altogether but it's certainly a lot more comfortable and is not slow in the slightest.  Some of you might be thinking why didn't I go for an SV1000s, well the thought did cross my mind, but the riding position was still an issue. I didn't fancy an inline 4 either, had plenty of them. I'm not that fussed on adventure bikes either, they seem too top heavy and clumsy looking, though I hear the DL650 is brilliant, if you can live with the looks. I briefly thought of a BMW f800ST, but the local dealer had a nice clean looking VFR for sale and I was lured by it's slightly bonkers styling and it already had the Givi hardware to take hard luggage. A test confirmed it was nothing like an SV and certainly felt like it had less low down grunt but the turbine feel of the V4 was sublime and the kick of the VTEC at 7k reminded me of my old RD350YPVS from 20 years ago. I was grinning widely.

So what does this mean for my stewardship of this site. I'm not sure really, I'm still considering that. Having said that there are a lot of people on here that have moved on to other bikes including a lot of the mods. I still have a little SV sitting in office, although its 1/34 scale.

One day I may have another SV, never say never, it's just a pity that Suzuki missed the boat with Gladius, I could never love that thing.

The answer is not a lot, news wise. The late arrival of spring and summer has limited my biking activity but it all come good a week or so ago with a trip to Belgium.

Before heading off to Belgium, I had to sort out one niggling issue on the SV, the front tyre. It was losing air pressure last year and the 12 months since haven't improved things, it had got far worse. I took it back to my usual tyre dealer and the prognosis was not good. Cracks had been appearing in the bottom of the tread grooves and some of them went quite deep. The fitter told me the tyre was made in 2009, but my records show that I had it fitted new in 2011. Anyhow, there's no point in taking chances with tyres and a new front Conti was ordered. That solved the front, now the rear is leaking slightly, argh.

The black plastics on the SV are looking very grey these days and the usual trick of cleaning with 'Armourall' or 'Back to Black' only last so long. I read a tip in MCN that warming up the plastic with a heat gun can restore or at least improve the colour. I had a go at my Pyramid Plastics fender extender and I'm please to report that it does work. I wouldn't say it looks brand new, but it's a big improvement on what it was. I also had a go on the the read mudguard (or whatever you call it) and that looks better too. A word of warning though, use the heat sparingly. I waved the gun back and forth across the plastic as though I was spraying paint, so practice on something that's cheap to replace, like the fender extender.

The trip to Belgium was fun. I always love riding on the continent. We stayed in Ypres and explored the WW1 and WW2 museums and attractions. The weather was kind too. Photos are here if you're interested.

I was hoping to make the AR this year, but lack of funds has curtailed that idea. Belgium cost me a packet, but it was worth it. For those attending the AR this year, I hope you have a good time and the weather gods are kind.

John