New Bike Day - Ya Dont Say. . .
New Bike Day - Ya Dont Say. . .
Long story short, went through two used bikes - hated them both; ok I didn't hate the Honda VFR (it just needed some cosmetic work, but it was heavy as all sod), and I didn't really hate the Bandit 400 (it just needed some serious mechanical work, and I went through HELL with a bike shop. . .) - it was nice and light, and handled well; but I just wanted something that was all me - sole owner. "Buy used" - yea I hear ya. . .but I had the means to buy new, and this bike spoke to me when I rode it - and boy was she screamin today! Suzuki SV650K.
Got my papers back from financing group this morning, called me a ride - and off I went to the dealership. I think I got a pretty good deal - another place wanted 7500 - I got it for 7400 with a TON of gear and 5 yr warranty.
Dropped 50 miles on it just going from dealership to Outback and then home. . .but Im ready to go back out!
I LOVES IT!
Got my papers back from financing group this morning, called me a ride - and off I went to the dealership. I think I got a pretty good deal - another place wanted 7500 - I got it for 7400 with a TON of gear and 5 yr warranty.
Dropped 50 miles on it just going from dealership to Outback and then home. . .but Im ready to go back out!
I LOVES IT!
- flw
- Site Supporter - Silver
- Posts: 899
- Joined: Fri Jul 07, 2006 4:16 pm
- Sex: Male
- Years Riding: 8
- My Motorcycle: '98 Honda Goldwing GL1500se
- Location: Rockford, Illinois U.S.
If your not new to riding and you got the money, why not enjoy it. Just be honest with yourself that at some point it will get a scratch that cannot be stopped. Hopefully it will buff out, if not, that's why there are professional painters and replaceable plastic.
Goldwing 1500se '98
VN500 LTD '07 Sold
VN500 LTD '07 Sold
Yea - Ive already accepted that fact. I figure when it gets to a point where it just looks harsh - I'll repaint it like I want to do now.
Just came back from another ride (just rode around town, scoped out my commute to school/work/home) - and boy oh boy, the confidence in knowing you have a SOLID machine under you, combined with a nice mini-windshield (my Bandit didnt have one - torture on the freeway) - absolute bliss.
Just came back from another ride (just rode around town, scoped out my commute to school/work/home) - and boy oh boy, the confidence in knowing you have a SOLID machine under you, combined with a nice mini-windshield (my Bandit didnt have one - torture on the freeway) - absolute bliss.
Great choice! I had a sv650s and loved it, I only had problems with the bars on longer rides, hands would go numb and hurt for days. I now kind of miss the bike, I had a two brothers carbon fiber slip on that sounded incredible on the v-twin! Good luck and have fun and remember that a scratch is just a good reason to do a custom paint job! It is just like getting a new bike!
Steve
Steve
When I die, I want to go peacefully like my Grandfather did, in his sleep -- not screaming, like the passengers in his car!
I've got me an SV650S myself with just shy of 600 miles on it so far. The more I ride it the more I appreciate it. I'm getting a feel for how to position myself on the bike to reduce hand and arm problems, but that shouldn't be a problem on a K.
Oh and I measured my last tank at 60mpg. Can't beat that
Enjoy, and happy bike day!!
Oh and I measured my last tank at 60mpg. Can't beat that

Enjoy, and happy bike day!!
I just crossed the 400mile mark on mine, and I love it - as does everyone who sits on it. Couple coworkers took it for a spin and they now have bike-lust.
As for 60MPG. . .I don't know. My blinking light came on at 127Miles since the last fill-up, and the meter read 2.7 gallons when I was at the lip of the tank, so I dont know whats going on. There should be 1.5 gallons left, and I should have been able to push it to 150 - if not I'm looking at around 40MPG on this machine, which isn't too great to me. I don't ride it hard, definitely not since the last fillup since its all been city, slight highway miles.
Hopefully its because I'm at 40% of the break-in mark.
As for 60MPG. . .I don't know. My blinking light came on at 127Miles since the last fill-up, and the meter read 2.7 gallons when I was at the lip of the tank, so I dont know whats going on. There should be 1.5 gallons left, and I should have been able to push it to 150 - if not I'm looking at around 40MPG on this machine, which isn't too great to me. I don't ride it hard, definitely not since the last fillup since its all been city, slight highway miles.
Hopefully its because I'm at 40% of the break-in mark.
My first tank was 45mpg. But I honestly don't know if that is because it was really 45 or the dealer didn't completely fill it.
My second tank was 55mpg.
I'm a pretty aggressive car driver, but I think I'm finding when it comes to bikes I tend to go easier on them
Dunno why, but my mileage is doing better than any SV owner I've found so far.
Oh, and probably at least 50% of my miles are on the freeway, if not even 75%. Riding to work has been the majority of my riding so far.
My second tank was 55mpg.
I'm a pretty aggressive car driver, but I think I'm finding when it comes to bikes I tend to go easier on them

Oh, and probably at least 50% of my miles are on the freeway, if not even 75%. Riding to work has been the majority of my riding so far.
Thats the only thing that would have gotten me to go for the S - the fairings. But I figure for less, I can toss on a GIVI windshield, and keep the bars position.
I'm debating on what colors to repaint the thing (a paint job can't be that expensive on a tank and a tail piece). I'm thinking black with a candy-red, pearl white trimmed stripe down center. Give it a sort of Ducati styling. Or maybe just Bandit-Red.
I'm debating on what colors to repaint the thing (a paint job can't be that expensive on a tank and a tail piece). I'm thinking black with a candy-red, pearl white trimmed stripe down center. Give it a sort of Ducati styling. Or maybe just Bandit-Red.