SEPTEMBER 1999

COMMENTS AND INFO

Hey there!  I was just catching up on my SV news and read this : (see posting from 28/09 below entitled.....28/09/99 If you've experienced the same problem as Dave (jbs@dircon.co.uk) and Andy (see posting from 10/06/99) then lets find out..)

Well I dont have an snswer YET!!! but i WILL!!!! I just got my GPX250R serviced and before the service i had no problems but since then i have experienced this drop-off then surge....in second gear....and even at take-off I'm taking back to get it seen to tomorrow so I'll let you know what they say and see if its applicable!

Great to have you back online. I can't say enough about this site! It's amazing! I gotta admit, I was a little concerned when your server went down - I NEEDED MY FIX!

Anyway, on to other things. I may have an answer regarding why the UK has the 'S' and the US doesn't. In the current issue of Cycle World there is a piece on the new Triumph T-6. According to the article, even though the 600 market is big in the US, it is even bigger in the UK because of licensing regulations, pricing, etc. At least for
Triumph, the UK 600 market is very important.

I know that the our bikes are Suzuki's, but maybe this might explain why the UK gets all the colours and options that we in the States don't. (maybe...but's it's still a undersight big time by Suzuki...don't they carry out market research to find out what people want...how will the 600-650 class grow if they do not offer the right bikes?)

Now, for my specific problem. Recently, I noticed that the handling (steering, response, etc.) were all beginning to feel sluggish. Not severe, but noticeable. Then all of a sudden, everything was great. Turn-ins were quicker and more precise, cornering effortless, etc. I have no explanation for this: I have done nothing different to the bike, same fuel, same everything. Has anyone else experienced this strange occurance?

(I had this but it was the Metz tyres going off (the rear mainly)...a change the BT56's and it's now better than ever. Not sure what you problem was/is...)

Again, great site.

I know you're tracking and posting alot of SV info. Here's some from my season. I'll just throw a bunch of info at you and you can do with it what you want, however it fits into what your doing with your site. (fits in......nah!! I'll just post the lot 'as is' I think!!...)

My website is: www.3-2racing.com
Racing organization: Great Lakes Road Racing Association (GLRRA)

My racing stats for the year:

Ran 37 races on the SV, only 1 DNF, scored points in 36 races
16 top ten finishes
Top 25 Overall Amateur
Top Ten Overall Lightweight Amateur
Top Ten Overall in 3 Lightweight classes
Best finish of year, 5th. Worst, 18th

My consistent lap times dropped about 6 seconds/lap at Grattan Raceway and 4 seconds/lap at Gingerman.

At year end I was about 2 seconds/lap slower than the 1-2-3 finishing lightweight amateurs.
Next year I look to have quite a few podium finishes as I will get faster and the top 4-5 amateur lightweights will be experts.
2000 will be my last year as an amateur rider.

Bike Info:

M4 Full (High) Race Exhaust
Dynojet jet kit
Penske double racing shock
1997 Suzuki GSXR600 complete front end
Dunlop 207 GP tires all year
Sharkskinz bodywork
Bike makes 70 rwhp on a Dynojet dyno (brand new 1999 Dyno, all latest updates)
520 gearing, Sprocket Specialists
Vortex clip-ons
Woodcraft rearsets
Run no tach or speedo
Street (1 down/5 up) shift pattern

I would go through about 1 set of tires every 2 rounds.
The front would be pretty much dead after 2 weekends, but the rear still looked pretty good. I would change it anyway to keep myself off of tires that had been heat cycled too many times.

1 weekend consists of Friday practice (about 40-50 laps), practices on Saturday and Sunday morning (about 25 laps combined), 4 sprint races (8 laps ea.) and 1 endurance race (15 laps) for a total of 110 to 120 laps/weekend, or 220 to 240 laps set of tires, or ~450 to 500 miles set tires.
I would get about 10 laps/gallon, or 20 to 22 mpg.


Bike performance:

The bike performed excellent for me all year. I had no mechanical problems that weren't my own fault (I had a wire come undone in a race because when I put my tailsection on it was underneath the plastic and the connector got seperated during the last lap, doh!).

No one can draft me down the long 3000' straight at Grattan. Other SV's said they could pull closer, but couldn't get by (in the draft). I believe that out of box, based on quite a few dyno runs I've seen, a stock SV makes about 63-65 rwhp. But with just a pipe and jet kit, 70 rwhp is very easy. A few airbox mods could probably get it to 73 to 75 without a problem, more hp too if you ran Nutek fuel.

Mods for 2000

I'll be looking to see if I can mount a 5" or 5.25" rear wheel, also an easy setup to vary hp, based on which race I'm running. I'll probably bump up and run some middle
weight races next year along with all the lightweight stuff. Be nice to vary hp from 70 or so to 75/78 with a simple airbox mod and different gas.

Here are some pics of my SV in action at the track. The ones with the _sm are like 10K files, _lg are like 45K to 60K files.
Same picture, just sized smaller depending where it is on the website.

Getting the holeshot at Gingerman raceway:

1999Ginger

Good pics from the last round of the season:

1999GrattanT3Rd9_DRD_lg.jpg      1999GrattanT4Rd9_DRD_lg.jpg      1999GrattanT1Rd9_DRD_lg.jpg


Other: Lightweight classes are highly competitive (like all classes in GLRRA) and I on average finished 10th in races with on average 30 riders.
GLRRA is much more competitive than other regional racing orgs. like CCS and WERA. Many of our mid-pack riders here are better than the top CCS/WERA riders.

For example, last year a rider who will be a teammate of mine next year (Aaron Risigner , GLRRA EX#369) who was an amateur finishing 5th to 10th on average
on an F3 got 15 1sts and 4 2nds in CCS out of 19 races, He mostly started from the back of the 2nd wave, at least in the beginning of the year.

thanks and ride safe,

Hello from sunny South Florida. I own a 99 US-spec SV650 and am happy to say that this is the most fun I've ever had on a motorcycle! Was wondering if anyone out there can help me find Napolean barend  mirrors? Also if anyone is living in my Broward/Palm Beach county area and would like to ride, email me - our prime riding season is fast approaching.

Kevin, this is a great site that I have been followoing since May when I got my bike - keep up the good work and the rubber side down! (thanks....)
--
Please call if you have questions regarding this email

Finished fitting a Fox Twin clicker to go along with the Progressive front springs/heavier 15 weight oil and wouldn't you know it....rain!  I did get a chance to put on some miles with the front mods; well worth the investment, but if you're under 200 lbs. I'd put in 10 weight oil and not the 15. AND I've had no more clunking noises from the front!

Exhaust-wise, after a problem fitting a Two Bros full system (extremely unusual for them) I decided their slip-on with the stock header system would be better for street riding anyway.  Interestingly, I happened to have a Yosh oval race-only silencer with their "Quiet Race Baffle" installed left over from a T 509 I just sold and...well wouldn't you know...it fit right on the 2 Bros mid pipe for a MOST pleasant "Ducati-esque" sound and the mid range is remarkable! (Actually, I think it sounds a bit better than a 900 SS. Crisper. Maybe the 4 valve heads?And I believe it's a pound or two lighter so ya' can't lose.)

I might just mention that this year marks 41 riding a long list of motorcycles and the SV is one of the most thoroughly enjoyable riding experiences I've ever had.

This is definitely not a bike to be taken lightly and, with the right suspension, tires and rider training, you'll embarass the hell out of a lot of squids!

Howdy all,  I've just had to make a difficult decision, keep the 99 blue or go for the Y2K blue. (decisions, decisions.....)

The dealer ordered my bike but it came in red and I wanted the blue, so a plastics swap was carried out with the demo. The plastics would be swapped back as soon a new blue was delivered. The new bike arrived and it is a different blue. The Y2K blue is like the R1's and the '99 like the '98 ZX9. Keep the old plasics or get the new?
Kept the old 99 plastics as I didn't like the Y2K blue (hated the purple tint).

Also found out about a possible recall to change the cam chain tensioner. It seems this noise we have all been hearing is a loose cam chain. My dealer is replacing mine as soon as it gets in.

If anyone can find out more about this *possible* recall then please do and let us all know......seeing as hardly any new bikes these days get by without a few recalls then it's possible that this could be the first (and hopefully last) for the SV....as has been said, this has not been confirmed but it does make sense.......

Dyno runs on Friday (01 Oct 99) to see if the Laser can made any difference and to clean up the jetting. I will post the results for those that are interested.

Keep the rubber down and the paint up

Ordered my SV650 last week, and can hardly wait for Spring. Has anyone posted a pic of the Y2K red version? I've heard rumor that the red is darker than in previous years.

No, we've got no pics of the Y2K model so if you have one send it in and I'll post it.

Also looking for a website featuring Woodcraft rearsets; I have seen their products on other bikes, but someone here mentioned that he was happy with the Woodcraft pieces on his SV, and the pegs (in the showroom at least) do  seem a bit further forward than I'm used to.

I also have to argue the point made by an earlier letter here; I think it was brilliant of Suzuki to offer the fairing as a bolt-on kit - it's nice to have options rather than having to choose between the standard & faired versions. I'm getting the naked bike and going to fit a different (smaller) screen, but it's nice to know I can add the factory fairing at a later time if necessary.

What are Suzuki actually offering? Is it the full half fairing kit or an official windshield kit (i.e. handlebar mounted)?

BIG kudos to Suzuki for keeping the price the same this year! Given how quickly they sold out in the US, I'm baffled but grateful that the price stayed the same.

And we're all baffled why they don't just make the faired S model available, we know they would sell..

Hey folks, Here in the U.S. I have an opportunity to buy a factory Demo SV for approximalty the same price that is being asked for an almost brand new '89 Hawk (only 2700 miles on the odometer). I know this is an SV650 list, but I'm betting that some of you have some experience with the Hawk and can give me some advice. I'm barely 5' 5" tall and will have to cut the seat down a little on either bike.

Are the other dimensions similar between the two? Its almost impossible to find one in a store right now so that I can even sit on one. Your advice would be appreciated.

Hi Kevin! Just took those new pictures of my SV with a digital camera (Canon A5 Zoom). We both have put 10,000Km on our bikes my girlfriend (the girl with an helmet on the red one in your pics ) and i, with no problem at all. Still another month to ride here in Quebec, but what a summer! Keep the good work!

Image 1           Image 2           Image 3

Andrew,

My SV650S was handling really badly in the wet, feeling very wobbly and not very confidence inspiring. After checking tyre pressures I found that they were low (i.e. 30 front 33 back). Upon inflating to the recommended pressures the difference was amazing, with corner speeds in the wet increased, and felt much more confident.

Definately stick to the recommended pressures.

Has anyone noticed a clonking with the front forks when hitting bumps at low to reasonable speed. I've got a UK spec 1999 SV650S and I find that when hitting fairly sharp bumps the forks make a single knocking sound.  They are definitely not bottoming out and the noise is very irritating. I wonder if it is because they are budget forks. I can also induce the noise to a lesser degree by accelerating hard and then backing off the throttle sharply.

This has been reported since the bikes first hit the streets and seems to be a standard 'quirk'. I have heard nothing about it being a problem or causing damage although it is has not been identified clearly as being one particular thing (as far as I know anyway). My bike does it, so does many others (if not all...??)

Any ideas how to cure this? I've been considering getting stiffer springs and heavier fork oil but I don't know if this will cure the problem.

Is this problem just linked to the faired S model or is it found with the unfaired bikes too? Anyone let me know please??

UPDATE !!!!!!

28/09/99 Thanks Scott (swilson5@att.net) for the feedback, so it sounds like it may not be the fairing housing and is related to forks/clamps...

I have experienced this noise on my US unfaired model I just bought two weeks ago ( manufactured in 5/99).

In relation to this guy's problem (10/06/99 Andy's (jaeilbeck@uk.mdis.com) problem and question.), exactly the same has happened to my bike. At about 6 - 7000 rpm, especially in 1st gear when accelerating hard, it flats off and then surges in after that, a bit un-nerving really! It doesn't do it all the time but it feels like the engine is being strangled or starved of either fuel or air and then really kicks in. The bikes on 5.5 thousand miles and i have to say i'm a bit f***ed off about it.

I have recently fitted a smoke tint flip screen from MPS, I can't say who the manufacturer is as it was supplied in an unmarked bag. However it is a perfect fit and was fitted without a problem and other than a very slight increase in wind noise at low speeds it does the biz, no more of that uncomfortable buffeting experienced with the original screen and seems to work progressively better as speed increases, makes riding a lot more comfortable. 37.99ukp. to you from MPS. and well worth it, highly recommended. (I would agree. I made the change to a tinted (looks pretty dark) bubble screen and it does help a lot at higher speeds. The air flow is moved at lower speed to my neck area which isn't great but it's worth it to save on the buffeting when rolling along at 60mph or more..there's a couple of pics just about showing it in the About Me page)

Also fitted from MPS is a Fenda Extenda for the front, and from M & P a Hugger for 45ukp.

(do you have to drill and rivet the mudguard to get the fenda extenda to fit? I asked a similar question from a posting made on 18/08/99)

Other little mods gleaned from other postings on your site and carried out by me are

(a) the removal of the plastic tube bit that goes into the air cleaner, cut from top to bottom first before you cut away from the neck as it will make extracting it easier once it has been cut away. The result of this mod is improved throttle response through the rev range.

(I'm have a few email exchanges with another guy about this. It's probably just me but what plastic tube bit? I had the tank up the the other day and removed the cylindrical air filter by removing the four screws that hold the top plate down - the filter just pulls out. Is this tube therefore attached to the airbox that the filter fits into?)

(b) Setting the idle at 1450rpm. this gets rid of some of the snatch at throttle opening.

All these things are an improvement to some degree, but the flip screen is what I would consider the most beneficial as the buffeting created with the original screen made high speed cruising very uncomfortable, something akin to a good slapping I'd say.

I must try and get hold of a Digi Camera and send some picks as the smoke tint screen looks brill on my yellow bike, anyway a great site Kevin and thanks for making the effort. (it's OK.....)

What does the Europe SV650 with the full fairing look like ?

I'm going to get this bike, and I was thinking about the shark skinz and putting a headlight in it, but if I can get the Europe model, then I will.

I've just fitted a smoke grey flip-up screen to my SV650S. I recently went on a touring week with my friend, and purposely didn't take my Oxford tank bag, because the wind buffetting was sooo bad with the standard screen, I would have had a neck like Fatima Whitbread by the time I came home!! I had ordered a Powerbronze to arrive before I went away, but they took my money and my order, then when I called back three weeks later, they told me that the screen was still being developed, and that it would be some weeks yet til it was ready. Others beware!

I sourced another screen from Acrybre Products. After much swearing and calling it various body parts, I managed to fit it tonight, and it looks rather tasty. It's a devil to get on, and the fit is about 95% good as one of the lugs doesn't screw quite tight, but it's on safely.

It doesn't reduce the wind noise,; I think it probably increases it, but it's not such a strain on my neck now, so hey ho.

Just thought I'd let you know!

ART do make a high level can for the sv, it costs £ 129 + vat (alloy) and £160 + vat(c/bon fibre). These prices i obtained from M&P

I had worn out the back tyre on my SV after 3800 miles, and all I can say is that for a tyre with such little grip it sure didn't last!    I decided to try something different and changed back and front for the new Pirelli Dragon Evo tyres and am amazed by the difference. The new tyres make the bike turn in quicker but the different profile doesn't seem to upset the  handling and at high speed it is still stable.

The biggest difference is the level of grip - there is a nice set of bends that I used to take at 60 - 70 accompanied by sliding and weaving - now I go through at 80 ish  without a twitch. The new tyres stick to the road when cold better than the ME4s did when hot and seem to help the rear suspension cope with the load.

I am not sure how long they will last (there is no sign of them balling up at the edges even after a right good session) but I will let you know. The only problem so far has been that they lose about 1 or 2 PSI a week from  each tyre (I have checked for leaks or valve damage but no sign).

As I've said below, I've now changed to Bridgestone BT56 back and front and there is much more grip and much more feel, in the wet as well. They won't last as long as the Metz ME4's but then again 5000 miles wasn't great from them anyway and they didn't feel that grippy.

Could someone living in the USA find out if any dealers are stocking the HYPERPRO ACTIVE steering damper for the sv and the gsxr 600, if so could you get a price, thanks, also i`ve heard that Suzuki are going to sell the SV`s in the USA now the 2000 model is out.

Hi my name is Stu Thomson. I live in switzerland and bought my sv650s 2 months ago. I have now completed 2700km and my impressions are this is a great little
bike.Very much like a VFR400 I had but without the revs and the exhaust note. Longest single Journey to date 560 km over the passes - Susten Furka, Grimsel and simplon - well worth a look if you are ever over here.

Fuel consumption is excellent and I can get 300km easily out of a tankful. Cost of the bike was 10,000 chf approx £4,100 on the road. Only colour available in Switzerland was the mettalic blue but its a great colour anyway.

I have just fitted the baglux tank cover so I can grip the tank without damage and carry some small luggage (wallet waterproofs etc), a small tank bag fits very well and gives something to lean on for the longer journeys .

I am from the pre knee scraping days but this bike does not need this anyway as it handles so well , tyres do feel a bit wooden though and move a lot on the overbanding, maybe another type would give more feel. Anyone have experience of other tyre types? (yes, I've fitted Bridgestone BT56's and they are *much* better)

Performance of the bike is very similar in all respects to my Old BMW R1100rs, including fuel consumption , one exception is the handling however which requires virtually no input to corner you can even steer with the footpegs.

Heres a quick recap for the 1999 GLRRA racing season.

* The SV650 is very competative in all the lightweight classes
* The SV650 when launched properly gets killer holeshots (see attached pic with the lead at the holeshot)
* The SV650 is the bike of choice as parts are easier to come by rather than dated Honda Hawks
* The SV650 pulls hard and has very good top end (equal to or better than a Ducati 750SS)
* After market rear suspension and GSXR forks are a must for racing
* The #33 SV650 finished in the Top 10 overall for all classes entered
* The 2000 racing season should see a class championship now that the suspension is sorted out and the bike is dialed in!

Image 1        Image 2

How's it going? I was wondering what happened to your site! I was getting worried that you got bored with it and quit. (no....not just yet......don't worry, I'll let you all know if I ever need to pass it on to someone else to keep alive....)

I've sent a few pictures of my favorite toys. I recently decided to trim my seat down because I'm 5'7" and can't really flatfoot the bike. It was pretty simple but took a few tries to get it perfect. First I took a marker and drew around the outside of the seat to the contour that I wanted, then I used a large serrated bread knife (Don't tell my wife!) to cut the seat down. The surface was very rough so I went to a fabric store and picked up some 1/2" foam padding. I used spray adhesive to stick the foam to the seat and then trimmed around the outside to the shape of the seat. Getting the vinyl covering to be tight and wrinkle free was the hardest part. You do need a heavy duty stapler to get through the plastic. ANY imperfections in the foam will show through the cover and look terrible. The 1/2" foam covers the rough spots and leaves a perfect surface for the cover. Hope this helps some people.

The reach to the ground isn't as bad now and the seat is MUCH more comfortable. It spreads out my weight instead of placing it on a narrow area. I feel more "in" the bike than on it now. There is a little more bend in my knees and there's not quite as much lean to the bars. I took about 1" off of the back and 1 1/2" out of the front.

P.S. The funky looking pic of the back of my bike I did with a paint program, and use it as my computers wallpaper. Hey I'm addicted, you know?! I grabbed a picture from two brothers racing so you can see the difference in seat contours.

Speaking of two brothers, I just ordered up their slip on kit and it should be in any day now. I'll send pictures of the installation, maybe it will help some people if they were looking at the same kit. (please do....)

Image 1       Image 2        Image 3        Image 4        Image 5        Image 6      Image 7

Hi,just managed to access your web site after a week of trying ! Excellent. (yeah...sorry...it went down but it couldn't be helped, at least it's back now...)

Anyway, I have owned a yellow sv650s since 30/4/99 and have covered around 3500 miles so far, travelling as far as the Lakes and Brands Hatch. My first impression was that the bike was quite rattly but having spoken to a couple of other owners initially (when I could find one) theirs sounded pretty much the same (mine does too, that's how they are..). My previous 3 bikes have been cx500's so to ride a bike that performed, handled and stopped was quite a revelation.

As the bike is now approaching its first proper service I do feel that there is a little more noise than there should be but nothing that can't be cured by adjustment. Since I first ordered the bike I had been trying to get hold of a pair of yellow tinted headlight covers, many promises were made by manufacturers but none delivered until the end of August when Acryber started to produce them. I also had a Meta alarm/imobiliser fitted along with a Scottoiler which has been wonderful, I would highly recommend them-as yet the chain has not needed adjustment. (where did you fit the Scottoiler Paul??)

I am looking forward the Rawtenstall bike show this weekend as I only live 2 miles down the road. Hopefully I might get to meet other sv owners, I have invited several via the net. (how did you get on at the weekend?)

Hi Kevin, I talked to a dealer salesman today; Suzuki had their annual dealer convention meeting this week and he said the 650s (faired model) is not coming to the states this year. He said Suzuki didn't think customers would pay extra for it compared to the unfaired model (what !!). I asked him if he told them they were wrong. He said they are offering a bolt-on fairing though. I think this is a stupid decision, and one of many Suzuki has made. What are they smoking? I wonder if they ever read your fantastic web site for info (ummm...probably not...).

They also don't have enough to meet demand, AND they won't have any available until December. Meanwhile, I just saw the new Kawasaki ZR-750 and it looks fantastic. It has the best seating position/handlebar placement I've ever tried. It makes the ZRX-1100 seem uncomfortable. The only other detail he offered is it will be available in red or blue, as before.

How can a relatively small market like the U.K. (compared to the USA) get two models of the SV in four colors, and we get one model in two colors? One other thing, I don't even know how Suzuki obtains information from customers or potential customers as their web site has no way to contact them for feedback info. They don't want or even care about my opinion...

Meanwhile, I am checking out other bikes and who knows what I may end up riding. Keep up the good work.

The whole Suzuki USA stance does not make sense. Many, many people question why they cannot obtain an S model in America and they say the official answer is that Suzuki don't think customers would pay the extra??!! If any Suzuki offical reads this page then please not that if you make the S model available in the USA you'll see how many customers are willing to give you their hard earned cash for priviledge!

I have a V reg SV650s which I love dearly but is a bit tall. I am only 5'2" and have very 'ickle legs. I was really interested to read that people had managed to cut
the seats down but was wondering how much I could afford to take out . Do you think I'd get any more than a couple of inches and is this a job for amateurs?
Alternatively has any one got any good leg stretching ideas?

I am considering fitting an ART can for my SV650S but I am concerned that the can is "not for road use". Do other people just hope they don't get pulled up by the Police or plead the fifth ammendment when they do get pulled? Or do the police basically ignore the cans if no other offence is being committed? What are the penalties for this offence?

Was wondering this myself...and I guess you'd have to replace the original (or get a legal can) to pass the MOT (UK yearly (if 3 years from new) road worthyness test)? I know of a few people who were pulled and given a couple of days to ensure that a legal system was fitted, they had to go to the police station as proof.

ART now anodise the cans in a selection of colours for a paltry £15 !! If only they did a high level can or does anyone know better? Or does anyone know of an under seat system a la Ducatti?

On another note... I have fitted a tinted flip screen and it makes high speed runs more comfortable, nearly all buffeting has been eliminated - it looks great too.

Just thought I'd send you a quick note. Took my blue S model on a trip to Assen, Holland last weekend for the WSB round. Absolutely blinding that Foggy won both races, the place went mental as it was teeming with Brits.

Round trip of 831 miles in 3 days and I have to admit that when I got back on the bike at Dover on Monday evening I could have well done without the 50 mile ride home - absolutely knackered. But the bike went brilliantly, no problems at all and time in the saddle before bum numbness was a lot longer than a couple of mates on Blades.

There's been a lot of comment on top speed and speedo accuracy. I have an M4 pipe on my bike and on the Belgian motorway had 142mph out of it. One of the aforementioned Blade riders was right behind me and had exactly the same speed on his clock.

Also thought I would alert you to MPS. They do rear huggers and belly pans for the SV. They are also an agent for Bagster who do colour matched tank covers, tank bags and seat covers for the SV. I e-mailed them on Wednesday for some prices but haven't heard anything yet-will let you know as soon as I do.MPS details are:- tel no 0870 444 3222 fax 0870 444 3151 e-mail info@thefastone.co.uk web site www.thefastone.co.uk.

Nice site, I check it regularly. I got hold of a rear seat from a crashed SV and turned it into a holder for a Givi box. I used a Monorack E250 and a Monokey E460.

Pictures at http://home.brfmasthugget.se/~gn1019/index.html If this is of interest you can use them.

Hi there,my black sv's has now covered just over 9000 miles since 1st March '99 and was in need of a new rear tyre. However on trying to get a new one I was told by my dealer that the 160/60zr 17 Metzeler MEZ 4 was out of stock and there wasn't any in the country.

The only solution was to fit a pair of something I chose Bridgestone Battleaxe BT96's ( as recommended by Suzuki aparently.)

So after scrubbing them in - gently of course !- They seem to be much better then the MEZ 4 I will later obtain a rear MEZ 4 to finish of my front which is now hanging in my shed!

Any way keep up the good site.

I need a new rear tyre and wanted a Dunlop D207 but a couple of places I tried said they couldn't get hold of any and that Dunlop were awaiting shipment/production. I've gone for Bridgestone BT56's instead (back and front) and will let you know what I think after they're scrubbed in....

Been visiting the site for a couple of weeks now since picking up my new   '00 model red SV650S. Like everyone else, the only real differences I've noticed between this and the '99 bike are cosmetic, principally the charcoal/black (depending on your eyesight) wheels.

I've been looking for a rear seat cowl and have been on to Pyramid Plastics, who told me that they only have the unpainted, white versions for sale currently. Apparently, body colour versions will be available in a few more weeks, (red will be first, or so I'm told) but I suppose you can always paint them yourself. In any case, after seeing pictures of their seat cowl, I have decided it wasn't quite what I was expecting, as I was looking for something a bit more 'humpy' - closer to the look of the cowl on the
TL/R  or GSXR. Any ideas?

Alternatively, it might be just as easy to get the rear seat covered in red vinyl like some of the Ducatis do - has anyone tried that yet?

Have you??? If so let us know....

The manual syay the tyre pressure should be 33 front and 36 rear, whether 1 or 2 up. My bike is 29 front and 33 rear. Is the book wrong or do I need more pressure ? I have not noticed any handling problems so I am not sure. Help ?

I'd say follow the book. I found my pressure down by quite a bit but inflated back upto book pressure and it's fine. Unless there's a problem with book pressure then you might as well use what the designers recommend.

Just a note for anyone looking forward to the BIKE mag comparison  on the SV650, RS250 and R6 (yes, yes, me, me....), dont bother it isnt in there!!!  oh : (

Thanks for that but I'll still buy it anyway....

I read your importing documents from Mr Evans with great interest. You did? Was that on this site?

As a GTS-1000 owner...I'm looking for a lighter, easier bike to throw through the twisties (the GTS is awesome....but at pig at nearly 700 pounds....good on some twisties...hard to keep below 80mph here in the states....leads to lots of meeting with local law enforcement agengies....on last week had to go 135mph to "catch up with me....he let me off...it was my anniversary!) (how did you manage that!!!  I got booked for doing half that speed in my car a few weeks back...)

Anyway...one comment on the importing document. A question or point was raised about the KPH speedo verses the required MPH Speedo...but the solution was never given...how did Mr Evans evade this "challenge"?

Sorry but I've no idea.....can anyone help me out on this one please??

I successfully installed a front fairing from a Ducati Monster on my wife's U.S. spec naked SV650. It looks great and the Ducati OEM silver color matches the silver SV frame color, so there was no need to paint it.

The fit is excellent. The fairing is wide enough to accommodate the off center tach. I had to fabricate two mounting brackets out of 1/8" aluminum plate.

I drilled four holes in each of the brackets -- one to mount it to the bike, two to mount the OEM mounting brackets on the Ducati fairing, and one for relocating the turn signals. The brackets mount to the bike where the turn signals were. People who have admired the installation, say it looks like a stock fairing.

The hard part was getting up the nerve to buy the fairing and getting the measurements right for the bracket.

I am in the US, I am looking for a good Canadian contact for prices.

I want the S model and of course we don't have it available in the States. Your site is awesome. Any help is appreciated.

I have tidied up the tail end of my bike in what I think is an innovative way, bound to be of interest to the readers.

First removing the grab rail does have an aesthetic value so if you arent carrying passengers TAKE IT OFF (anyway let the ladies hold you around the waist, much more interesting !!)

Next unbolt your number plate, remove the reflector, remove the number plate bracket and then fit the numberplate bracket up in the position from whence the reflector came...it's a perfect fit, thanks Suzuki !! I fitted some wedge shaped plastic spacers to hold the numberplate at an angle instead of totally vertical.

You now have the option of trimming the mudguard to the same level as the bottom of the number plate or whatever, I chose to file down the small tab on the back of the reflector and fit it below the numberplate in the centre hole that the fender extension used to be bolted onto (This hole is on unfaired bikes only,
dunno why ?)

I think this looks very neat, a slightly smaller number plate and a stanly knife would make it very clean at the back end.

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Incidently I have seen pics of the Pyramid plastics rear seat cover/hump it is a'la TL1000 and VERY tasty.....but I cant remember whose site I saw it on !!

This site of course!!!! I've added   http://www.pyramid-plastics.co.uk/   to the links section (I should have done it when it was mentioned last month!)

Lastly I found a picture of the Buell Cyclone fairing fitted to an SV it looks ok especially if colour coded to match the bike.

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I think John (mysticmak@tinyonline.co.uk) may have mentioned already, but he was a twin can Swona exhaust on his yellow SV650S. There are pictures of it on   Swona's website : http://www.swona.dabsol.co.uk. Feel free to use these pictures. I'm the webmaster of Swona's site, and John won't mind if you post them either. We're going to put a WAV file on the site shortly so people can here it too. They've made a jig for the exhaust too, so they can make them up really easy.

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Looks great!! When you have more information please let me know otherwise interested parties will have to email for information.

There have been one or two requests for standing 1/4 miles times so I'm reposting an entry from the April archive for infomation.

REPOST :

09/04/99 Steve sent in this data from Cycle World mag, I don't know how they got some of these figures!!! (nor the circumstances in which they were taken i.e. weather, standard bike etc..)

"1/4 mile: 11.85@110.17mph
0-60 3.20 sec.
0-100 8.76 sec.
Top gear time to speed: 45-60 mph 3.27 sec.
60-80 mph 3.90 sec.
Measured top speed: 128 mph (no fairing)
Engine speed at 60 mph: 4273 rpm
Fuel Mileage High/low/avg. 51/43/46
Avg. range inc. reserve: 193 mi.
Braking Distance: from 30 mph 27.16 ft.
from 60 mph 118.36 ft.
Weight: tank empty: 392 lb.
tank full: 417 lb.
Corrected rear wheel horsepower: 64.2 @ 9000 RPM
torque: 42.3 @ 7200 RPM"

hiya john here again (mysticmak@tinyonline.co.uk)

can anybody tell me what size OS after market sprocket will go on the sv650s with 14 teeth instead of 15 I have just got to try it but the only number I can get
from the sprocket itself is 20F, this is a susuki part number and no good, what I need is a three or four digit number followed by .14 can anyone help?

my name's frank und i'm living in germany, in a small town called kamen, near dortmund. accidently i found your pages around the sv650 and whenever i'm online, i take a look.

perhaps you can help me. i'm urgently searching for a seat-cover for the sv650, but i haven't still found one. maybe there are some fellows out there who know, whére to get such one (for the TL1000S there's a seat-cover availabe).

thanks for answering me, carry on and much fun during riding the best bike in the world !!!

hey from Japan! Just bought a red sv650s in Japan cost all up including 2 yrs tax blah blah around 730000 Yen japanese- in real money who knows:)?

Suzuki Japan has a lower fairing white gel coat only for the 650 at Yen 35000 and upper at Yen 45000. Drop me a note if anyone has any questions? :)

Jane is only 5' 4" and found the seat on her SV a bit a a stretch and none too comfy either!

So at just 4 hours and 150 miles out of the shop I took a bread knife to the seat foam, and the attached pictures (hopefully) give some idea of the
results.

The seat is some 2" lower, more comfortable, and though I say it myself a lot nicer to look at as well.

This process of lowering the seat has been covered by a contribution to this site before now. Essentially you need to remove the seat, take out the staples holding on the seat cover, have a stiff drink to steady you hands, and use a sharp tool - I've found bread knives are best, then cut to the desired shape. Finishing off with course sandpaper is worth the effort, and mess.

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Leaving the seat cover in the sun helps to soften it, so it will stretch to the new shape without leaving wrinkles, or try leaving it in very hot water for 10 minutes. Then staple back together.

I found out a site that belongs to a Suzuki Spanish dealer. They claim to have available (only "made to order") a 400 cc version of the SV.

There are no prices nor other sort of information, but it is written they have a 400 >version of this bike. The site is obviously in Spanish (so most of you won't understand it) but here goes nothing: http://www.motosalas.com/catalogo/sv650%202.htm

They even have a grey coloured one!!

Well keep up the good work!!

Before the SV650 was launched in UK and Europe I had seen a Bike magazine review of an SV400. It claimed they are a standard offering in Japan instead of the 650cc.

I gess this is a topic that has been done to death, sorry if I am going over old ground, but I have just found this page. To much time spent on the new toy.

I love the bike, and the way it handles. It is only let down by the strangled exhaust note. That is not to say I want a really loud exhuast, because I don't.

I sold an 87 VFR750, which I had put on a Motad 4-2-1 exhuast system. This really set off the distictive sound of the V4 without being loud to annoy the neighbours. I bought the SVs, from all the good write ups it got (quite rightly). None however, pointed out that it does not sound like a twin, well it does not actually sound like anything in particular.

So I am looking for a new pipe set, prefferable one that does not require the cutting off of the existing Can, as I consider this to be a good point when it comes to resale, to be able offer to put it back to original spec if required.

Does anyone know of any good ones?   What sort of power increase do they provide?   What is the overall increase in noise output? (given the neighbours)

Any help most welcomly received.

Paul - I can't answer your question because I have not changed my can but there have been numerous posting on the subject (as you said) and also some stuff in the Forum section.

PS....Does anybody know where I can get a hugger from? (try MPS or M&P - both listed in links section)

I just bolted on a set of racing rearsets on my naked SV. They were made by Woodcraft, (CF Motorsports), a company owned by american racer, Eric Wood.

The rear sets moved my feet back about 1-2 inches and up about 1 inch and a half. Now the riding piosition is more aggresive and even more comfortable, specially when going at high speeds, i.e over 80+ mph. The bike now shifts more positively, the gears go in more smoothly. It might be that the extra long shift-rod gives more leverage. They also look very cool. Carlos

I've just got hold of a pair of Oxford Sport throwovers. They're the ones which are shallower at the back so that they don't sit on the exhaust pipe. The rear velcro strap even fits under the pillion seat.

The only minor trouble is that the indicators make the panniers sit too far forward to allow a pillion to put their feet on the pegs. Has anyone tried this and found a solution?

I reckon that I can probably get round it by making up a couple of brackets to move the indicators about 3-4 inches either back or down.

Any Ideas? (I'm STILL waiting for the Givi Rack).

I have Oxford Touring panniers and came to the same conclusion i.e. that I'd have to make a bracket and move the rear indicators backwards. At the moment they push into the panniers (although for me it's not a problem).