Does anyone here ride an SV650S?
 

Hi all,

I was just wondering if anyone here has a Suzuki SV650S 2003+. I'm looking into getting one and replacing my Ninja 250. Granted I'm going away from fuel miser and going to a torque monster - I just don't know what kind of mileage penalty I'll be getting.

-SDF

From what I've read the Ninja 650 gets 60+ if driven reasonably, the SV's with the FI instead of carbs (2003+ I think) are about the same.

Shameless plug: Stay with mother Kaw. Check out the Ninja 650 for a fun and comfortable bike with good MPG potential. It tolerates tall gearing well and I understand they have adjustable cam timing gears from the factory for even more torque, or HP. If my Concours ever dies, that's my next bike.

Thanks beatr911,

I did look at the Kawi 650R, but the only reason was that I didn't want to spend additional money on getting clip-ons. I was deciding on between the two (SV and 650R) but after doing my own research I think the SV is a bit more to my liking, however the 650R is a super close - plus the '08s have the Kawi Green. I'm trying to see if I can swing for a used SV, but if that fails I surely will revisit the 650R, esp with KAWI GREEN!

Your 250 looks just like mine lol my front right fork started to leak oil at 8k for some reason. But i get about 72-78mpg out of my 04 ninja with muzzy exhaust.

They are great bikes and it looks like I'm going to take beatr911's suggestion of keeping the kawi.

Versys
 

Maybe we'll see how the Ninja 650 does soon enough. I'm close to dropping the hammer on an 08 Kawasaki Versys 650. They run pretty much the same engine.
Anything is better than the 06 Triumph Sprint (37mpg average) I just got rid of.

Jim T.

My 955i Tiger gets 45mpg no matter what. I had an CBR600F3 and could get close to 60 or as little as 30. My KTM 640LC4 got 54 unless riding off road.
My 103CI Chopper with an S&S got 45mpg. The singles and twins can do well for mpg's. No reason the SV can't get 60 if your easy on it.

All in all any bike can get good economy. The small CC bikes can do better, but suck on the highway for long trips. Considering that the Tiger can handle 2 up, plus 3 loaded cases and ride all day in comfort is hard to beat.

Ride for fun and get the bike you think is right. If you like it more then you'll ride more.

Might take a look at the BMW F650 if spending that much for a Versys. Also another good cheap bike is the Suzuki Bandit 600S. I think I'm buying one of these next week.

The versys is tuned for more down low and mid range torque. Even though it is the same engine as the Ninja 650 they have different cams and tuning to them. The Ninja has higher HP. The versys also has completly different guages and rear suspension setup. Along with a 5gal fuel tank opposed to the Ninja's 4.1gal.

I am torn between the 2 for my next bike :(

Torn between the a Versys or Ninja 650R
 

My thought would be to go with the Versys since it has a 5 gal tank. From what I see, the more ability to store fuel, the better of you'll be. However, that being said, I don't think I fit on a Versys cause way taller than a 650R.:(

Can't tell you mileage. But try to get a 2004+ SV650. The 2003 was the first year of the second generation SV650 with the fuel injection, new frame and all, but there was a variation on the crankshaft. A 2004 model and up would be better for durability.

Great bike. Very popular, and even used parts are easy to come by on ebay. Much more popular than the Kaw 650. Nothing against, Kawasaki, but the SV just has a huge following. I know of several SV message boards.

I rode one just fine with a 29" inseam. It's not a heavy bike. I don't touch flat-foot on anything but cruisers, and I find if you watch where you're stopping and pay attention to where you put you're feet, it's not a problem.

Jim T.

My kid has an '01 Suzuki SV650 without the nose fairing. Excellent bike. Had I known, I would have gotten one instead of a couple of BMWs I use. Has equivalent acceleration to the BMW R1100RSL oilhead boxer, but weighs ~140 lbs. less than the Bimmer. SV650 is vastly more agile and easier to ride. Cheap to keep. Runs on regular. Carburated, it's simple as dirt. Granted, electronic fuel injection on the Bimmer is technologically more advanced, but sooner or later I'll have to pay big bucks to maintain/repair that technology, vs. simple carb adjustments on the Suzuki. Later SV bikes got fuel injection, so you have a choice.

Last summer we took several bike trips, cruising at ~75-85 mph over the mountains and across high plains. Both bikes got ~50-51 mpg at this speed, but the Suzuki did so without benefit of a fairing or any attempt to streamline the sleeping bag and other bulky crap he carried, hanging out in the slipstream. (I arranged my stuff in an nice teardrop shape on the back seat, so got a bit of a backrest out of it, too. My bike has a Cee Bailley screen, not perfect but gives pretty good streamlining of the rider's upper body.)

I'm very tempted to sell one or both Bimmers and get a Suzuki SV650S or SV1000S. If so, I'll mod the fairing to a truncated airfoil shape, with streamlined windscreen and lower engine cover, better front fender, etc.. Dollars to doughnuts, such a bike would top 60 mpg cruising at 80. Probably put a belt drive on, too.

PS: The Suzuki weakness is a small fuel tank and no fuel gauge. Remedy is careful monitoring of fuel vs. odometer reading (accurate odometer, btw). Aux. fuel bladders are a possibility. Somebody on AdventureRider has successfully used a Starbucks 3 quart coffee box liner, made of Mylar. Weighs nothing, and is free if you sweet talk the barrista. I got one, but have not tried it yet, but may make a protective envelope of rubberized ballistic nylon.

Small fuel tank? 4.3 gals. There is no fuel gauge, but there is a 2 stage low fuel light.

I have an 01 SV650 as well.

Nate, how did the SV do in mileage compared to the 250 that I think you had?

I've only had this SV for a couple weeks, haven't really filled it up yet. My last SV would get 40-50 on the street depending on how hard I rode. My 250 would get 60-70.

Please put your SV in the garage...

-SDF

00' SV650n
 

I own a 00'SV650, get roughly 47-50mpg not paying attention to where your hand moves the throttle. Posted it in the garage...Lil Suzi. Run a Two Bros. full system and bikini fairing. I commute at roughly 75-80mph, so I haven't been really trying to save fuel, but now I'm going to make an honest effort to squeeze the miles out of every drop.:thumbup:

I just picked up an 07 SV650 naked. I have been getting 56 MPG consistently, but my commute is all Highway.
Very nice bike.

How does the wind effect you?