Should I replace the "beginner" bike I just bought?

[carolina_cruiser]

I really wanted a 600cc sportbike like an R6 or GSXR 600. But I read a million articles on the internet that said to buy a beginner friendly bike to start with.

So, I took the MSF class and picked up a used '05 SV650s. The SV650s has almost universally good reviews so I thought I would be very happy with it.

I've owned it for about a week and I have to admit that I think I made a poor decision. Acceleration is adequate but no more and I don't care for the v-twin sound. The brakes are also adequate. My biggest disappointment is the suspension is really soft giving the rear a weird squirmy feel (yes, the tire psi is correct).

In short, I'm already thinking about doing alot of mods to this bike to get it where I want. I think it would be cheaper and easier to just get what I wanted in the first place.

My purpose isn't to bash the SV at all, but more to challenge the conventional wisdom of "don't get a 600cc inline 4 sportbike as your first bike".

Thoughts?

 

[Red Herring]

You might want to test ride the 600's before buying if you feel that the SV doesn't have enough power. I tried several 600 class I4's before getting my Versys, and I was disappointed by their performance. Take the FZ6 for example. The thing has NO power in the lower rev range...I mean NONE. At 10,000 RPM the thing came to life and took off, but I didn't find it very rider friendly. Conversly, the bikes like yours and mine make their power down low, which is easier to access... but it depends on what you want.

You want a boy racer you have to rev the crap outta to make juice, go for the I4. It will scream, but it might not always make you happy either. You have the bike now, it is a very good bike to learn on, so learn on it then trade it.

If you want torque and power all over, look into some of the 1000cc machines, or even the GSX-R 750. Great bike. Grunt down low, and rev's to the moon. Awesome brakes, and excellent handeling.

I am surprised the SV handles poorly. They are a favorite track bike. I suspect something on yours isn't set up right. Have you adjusted the preload and damping on the rear shock?

Honestly, my advice would be to ride it for 6 months, leave it as is, learn to ride it, learn how to break and turn properly, then reevaluate.

 

[carolina_cruiser]

Thanks for the suggestions. I agree something seems to not be set up correctly. The first thing I did after buying it was to take it to a shop and had them inspect it, give it a thorough check over and tune up. They said that the existing setup looked like a good start for me. But I find that hard to believe given that the previous owner was at least 6 inches shorter and 80 lbs lighter than me.

I know soft suspension is a known weakness of the SV. The info I found on SVrider.com indicated that stiffening it up is quite involved (i.e. GSXR fork swaps, going to 20W fork oil, swapping rear shocks). But you're right I should really learn about the simpler adjustments first - I'll order an owner's manual off ebay. Hopefully I can improve the setup without a lot of effort or cost.

 

[firetruck41]

I had a 650 V-twin (Honda Hawk GT), not as much power as the 600 I-4s, but a lot more satisfying. You really have to wring 'em (I-4) to get to the power, nice thing about the V-twins is the broad torque band, hit the throttle at any time and it starts to scoot. I will definitely be looking for a v-twin when I get back on a bike. I second the idea that you ought to stick with what you have for a season, then you can make a more educated choice on whether to get a different bike.

 

[AATLAS1X]

What do you weigh?

You may have to take it to a track day at your local GP track. There should be a suspension guy there that can set up your preload, compression and rebound to your height and weight.

My R1 suspension was junk at 1,200 miles cause I road the tires off it and was always on the rear wheel. I had to have new 2.2 kilo springs up front with new valving and oil. the rear was a whole nother story. Olins $$$$$$

Any way this is my buddy Dave GP Suspension > The Cutting Edge In Motorcycle Suspension find some one local that can help you while you have the SV.

Myself am a true beliver that if you do not short circuit between you wrist, brain and balls you will be ok.

I went down more times on my built YRS 50 that any other ride. Never on on the R1.......

there is also a reason I dont own a one now.......................

Shane

 

[carolina_cruiser]

To answer the question above, I'm 5' 11" and 225 lbs. The guy I bought the bike from was about 5' 6" and 135 lbs. I also raced cross country mountain bikes for many years so I feel very comfortable on two wheels despite not having any motorcycle experience.

The power on the SV is acceptable although always easily manageable and never scary. The braking is also acceptable although I would feel comfortable with more stopping power.

The thing that continues to bother me is the suspension. Instead of inspiring confidence in spirited turns it feels soft, floaty, and squirmy like the tires are flat. I have often dismounted to confirm the tires are properly inflated during the ride. The suspension on the Buell Blast I rode at MSF class wasn't great but the SV feels much worse.

I think I'll take it to a different shop and pay them to get my setup on track without laying out a lot of money. I plan to do some track days but wow will it be hot at VIR in full leathers in July (I'll probably go when it is cooler). If it is going to take a lot of investment to get the suspension where I want it, I'll probably go ahead and get a different bike.

The prevailing wisdom on the internet (i.e the often referenced Why a 600cc Motorcycle is Not a Good Beginner Bike (updated) | Best Beginner Motorcycles article) is that a 600cc race oriented bike is not a good starter. Reasons being that the brakes are too strong and will put you over the bars, there is too much power and you will unintentionally wheelie or "loop" the bike, and that the bike is too responsive to rider inputs. To be honest I think I these would be desireable characteristics that would inspire confidence rather than fear.

 

[gladly]

To answer the question above, I'm 5' 11" and 225 lbs. The guy I bought the bike from was about 5' 6" and 135 lbs. I also raced cross country mountain bikes for many years so I feel very comfortable on two wheels despite not having any motorcycle experience.

The power on the SV is acceptable although always easily manageable and never scary. The braking is also acceptable although I would feel comfortable with more stopping power.

The thing that continues to bother me is the suspension. Instead of inspiring confidence in spirited turns it feels soft, floaty, and squirmy like the tires are flat. I have often dismounted to confirm the tires are properly inflated during the ride. The suspension on the Buell Blast I rode at MSF class wasn't great but the SV feels much worse.

I think I'll take it to a different shop and pay them to get my setup on track without laying out a lot of money. I plan to do some track days but wow will it be hot at VIR in full leathers in July (I'll probably go when it is cooler). If it is going to take a lot of investment to get the suspension where I want it, I'll probably go ahead and get a different bike.

The prevailing wisdom on the internet (i.e the often referenced Why a 600cc Motorcycle is Not a Good Beginner Bike (updated) | Best Beginner Motorcycles article) is that a 600cc race oriented bike is not a good starter. Reasons being that the brakes are too strong and will put you over the bars, there is too much power and you will unintentionally wheelie or "loop" the bike, and that the bike is too responsive to rider inputs. To be honest I think I these would be desireable characteristics that would inspire confidence rather than fear.

have you considered just getting a manual and figuring out how to adjust the suspension properly yourself?

 

[carolina_cruiser]

have you considered just getting a manual and figuring out how to adjust the suspension properly yourself?

My shop manual is backordered at amazon and should arrive in a couple weeks. I have been unable to locate an owners manual but am keeping an eye on ebay.

 

[SHERMAN FJ62]

I work with a race team the suspension set up is key to make a bike feel good. Also at your weight you are above what that bike suspension come set up with from the factory. You need to adjust it.

I suggest if you dont know how go to a local dealership talk them up. Usually those guys are pretty cool and they might help you out with the basics.

If you were closer I would say swing buy and i could look at it.

 

[AATLAS1X]

Also at your weight you are above what that bike suspension come set up with from the factory.

You need new fork springs and rear shock spring and new oil.

It will be 100% change from what you have now. 95% of bike owners are squids/tyro's and probie's and want nothing more than the status look.

 

[carolina_cruiser]

It's a different bike.

I obtained PDF's of the owner's manual and Factory Service Manual (I won't say how ) and made some important changes.

Front preload was at minimum and rear was at a middle setting. PO had lowered the rear but not the front. Most disturbingly, the PO had apparently installed the lowering dogbones himself (as the nuts were all buggered up) and the nuts weren't even finger tight. Scary stuff. Even scarier that the shop I paid $100 to give the bike a good thorough safety check over didn't catch this issue.

I went ahead and restored the ride height to normal and maxed out the preload on front and rear. I also torqued the bolts on the lowering link to the proper 56.5 ft lbs.

I took it out for a spin and I don't even recognize it from before. It is a completely different bike and I love it. I need to get this bike to a track ASAP.

Thanks a bunch for all of the input. The cruiserheads come through once again.

 

[Red Herring]

Rock On!

Here's a vid of a fellow Versys rider (650) racing some 1000cc wannabes.

A good rider is faster on less of a bike than an average rider on a faster machine!

Enjoy

an upright 650 kicking 1000cc ass. He must have been a hated man by more than one squid that day!