As you can probably tell by the lack of posts in this page. There's been no correspondence and little else news to report. I'm still wondering what Suzuki have planned for the future of the SV. Was the current sport version was a make over to just cover sales until a replacement comes along? Or are the rumours that Suzuki plan to drop the SV altogether going hold up.

The Gladius makes a good learner or entry level bike, but the original SV managed to appeal to new riders and older riders alike. My own SV is now 5 years old, I'm wondering what to replace it with, it certainly won't be a Gladius, I can't live with the looks of it and I prefer bikes with a fairing.

It's around this time of year that I give my bike a major overhaul and service. I've only just managed to get the bike into the garage this weekend. The snow and ice in January put me off moving it and I also didn't fancy working in the garage in sub zero temps. Today I pulled my finger out and cleaned the bike. This gives me a chance to check for problems and makes it easier to work on. Once dried out I moved it to the garage and made a list of jobs. This include - stone chips on fork legs, worn gearbox sprocket, flat battery, overdue oil change and I want to check valve clearance again. There is also a broken lug on the fairing infill panel due to my tunmble back in the autumn. I need to find a way of fixing that.

Oil change has been done and a new set of sprockets and chain are on order. The chain and rear sprocket don't look too badly worn but the front is way past it's best. I can't moan, the bike has just clocked up 24k miles on this original transmission, thanks to the Scottoiler.  I'll post progress and photos at a latter date.

Meantime I notice that the days are getting longer, it's now dusk when I leave work for home, rather than pitch black, so by the end of Feb, car commuting could be over.

Bye for now.

John

PS. I'm in the process of buying some bankrupt stock of pointy rad guards. I'll be placing them on sale here once they arrive. Profits from the sales will go towards the running costs of the site. I might even keep one for myself.

Just found a copy of the May 2009 edition of Motorcycle Leisure in the bottom of my magazine drawer. I kept it for scanning as it had a group test of the Gladius, ER-6 and XJ6. It's available here and in the Articles and Reviews section.

John

Just a quick note to wish you all a Merry Christmas. As usual I'm running behind time, I should have got the festive images up on this site a week or so ago, but time has been in short supply. It's the same at home, I've only just the decorations and tree up this afternoon.

I've spent this morning in our local Sainsbury's, not shopping but helping the local scouts raise money by packing shopping. I'm not a scout, but my son is but whilst he enjoys scouting, he loathes this kind of activity. But it's good character forming stuff and does help get you in the festive spirit.

Thursday night is football training night, only this was the last one of the season, so I had a few treats to hand out and we had a fun evening even though it was -30c. This Sunday we have a fund raising quiz afternoon in the local pub, more fun and as it's within walking distance, I can have a few sherbets.

I'll be working till the 23rd and then I'm off till January. Can't wait to have a break from the mania of work and to start to think about the annual service and rebuild of the SV. Poor thing hasn't been used much recently.

So that just leaves me to say Merry Christmas to you all and please raise glass in toast to absent friends.

Best Wishes

John

19 December - It might be winter here but......

Greetings,

I have not had the opportunity to do much riding lately due to work pressures, but managed to take a ride down the coast from where I live in Durban, to a place called Leisure bay at the beginning of November.  It is about 160 km’s from Durban.  Unfortunately the wind was not particularly pleasant on the day but the ride was most enjoyable. I’ve attached some pictures of the SV as well as some of the beaches. I spent many a July and December holiday on these beaches whilst still in high school and the ride brought back lots of very pleasant memories.  Hope the pictures brighten up your winter a little.

Regards,

Dave Loubser 

Thanks Dave, given that some of the UK is currently under a blanket of snow, these photos will no doubt help us wish our lives away waiting for the coming spring.