Total Motorcycle Community Forums

congratulations on your bike!

I must say, I am very jealous. I just graduated college and am in the "real world" working, so I don't have close to enough money saved yet to buy my first bike. Is this your first? I've been reading how the sv650s is a "gray area" choice for a first bike, b/c its 650cc (too much for newbie), but its less HP than most 600cc bikes (about 70hp i think), so it's not as powerful as it might seem.

yah, this is my first bike.

well, the SV is a 90º V-twin, while the 600cc supersports are inline-4s. They make 30hp or more than my bike, and it is a LOT more to handle.. mainly because the powerband can spike so rapidly and a novice shouldnt be trying to handle that. You have to rev it higher to hit that power too.

Also, on here, the SV is a grey area newbie bike.. a LOT of motorcycle review mags and online reviews say that it is a great starter bike and so do a lot of seasoned riders around my home have said.. so its a toss up. Also, i say, it has NOTHING to do with CC, its the engine design/setup, output, and powerband. My friend drives a 2002 Honda Shadow.. 1100cc, 54 hp. 45º V-twin. Granted, it makes it's grunt lower than my bike, but I think the 1/4 mile on that bike is in the 14s or 15s. My bike can run a 1/4 (from stock specs) in 11.5 seconds... but by the 'cc' rules some ppl go off of, his bike would be WAY to much for a beginner... It is over 550lbs dry, so that would be a bit much for weight, but still, cc isnt THAT important compared to the other things i mentioned.. that ramble make any sense?

I hear ya on the college... i took a year off (starting back up in the spring) because of money issues and then because i went through basic training/AIT for the Wisconsin Army National Guard. I'm set off better, and i decided to treat myself with a nice bike that i will enjoy instead of buying a beater... i also got a great deal, so that helped in the decision. Im glad i did it .

I ordered these last night, too. http://www.kneedraggers.com/details/Alp ... P05-1.html

Gratz on the new bike Jthmeffy!

I got a similar first bike myself less than two weeks ago. SV650 in the same color, used with 1300 miles on the odometer. I'm loving it so far. It's much smoother than the bikes at the MSF class.

As a grey area beginner bike we need to respect the power more than someone on a 250 or 500. I'm personally going to take a little more time getting used to the bike before I start mingling with the cages.

I'm practicing up so I can use it for a daily commuter.

Enjoy the SV!
Thrill

Got my bike home today! Well, to my dad's house.. the wife and i (and other various members of my family) are gonna help me put up a shed over the next couple days to house the bike (and, well, lawn equipment and stuff, but they obviously arent as important as the BIKE... lol)

Here are some pics that i snapped tonight with a flood light on it.. i'll take more tomorrow when the sun is out. Im also gonna remove the warning stickers (any thoughts on how to safely do this?) and passenger grab bar.



-Look! 1 mile!


-Me Being a Goof

-It's a bit cold outside

Very nice. I think the colour is great.

If you take a blowdryer and heat the sticker for several minutes, the adhesive underneath should soften enough for you to lift a corner with your fingernail and peel the sticker off.
Then you can use some appropriate solvent to get off the remaining glue.
I stress appropriate so that you read the label of whatever you buy to make sure it is safe for your paint and plastic.

Nice lookin' bike bro. Just to answer some questions you had a few posts back....I lube the chain at least every 600 miles (clean with wd40 first and then lube with motul) and whenever I do an oil change. Oil change happens every 3000 miles, with a new filter. Oil changes are easy....but definitely get a rear stand, makes things way easier. Also invest in some decent sockets and a torque wrench.

I have the same helmet as you only in matte black and I like it a lot. The Icon's fit me really well too.

You should check out socalsvriders.org....I know you're not in So Cal but its a great resource for everything SV and some members dont' live there, so I dont' think anyone would balk if you joined up! Have fun with it, its a kick "O Ring" bike....and don't cry (or let anyone see you crying at least) the first time you drop it....cause its bound to happen sooner or later....gives it character!

lets just hope i do minimal damage to her when the inevitable arrives. sweet, thanx for the info man, and i'll check out (and most definitely join) that site tomorrow when i get a chance.. The wife is calling so i'm gonna go pass out. More pics and questions (break-in and such) for tomorrow, i assure.

Congrats on your bike and enjoy! Nice color too - they seem to only have red or dark grey advertised here but not the blue. Thanks for showing the pics.

"The wife is calling so..." you're gonna go PASS OUT...??? I have other suggestions.

i did too.. didnt work out in my favor

gooble gobble gooble gobble ONE OF US! gooble gobble gooble gobble ONE OF US! gooble gobble gooble gobble ONE OF US! gooble gobble gooble gobble ONE OF US!

definately wait a year on teh lowers, dont wanna get too many pretty things in the first year cause its more likely to drop then.
rear stands are good, makes the weekly chain cleaning and lubing easier (kerosene or mineral spirits and then your lube of choice)
and head over to svriders.com trust me, you want to