h2g2 The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy: Earth Edition

I am the proud owner of a suzuki sv650s! (in yellow of course!)

My dad used to race years ago and always said he would never let me ride a bike. I thought after growing up & getting married I could make my own decision..... but......my husband didn't think it was a good idea either (thanks dad!!)

Two years ago I secretly passed my test and bought the bike, I actually hid it in my friends garage for 6 months!!!

I was finally found out when my hubby found my order (via the internet) for a new funky visor!! ( all is forgiven now!!)

Cool idea to have a bike club, nice to talk to people with the same interest!!

Can I join please?? ( I have chocolate....!!)

Chocolates are not necessary when you own an SV650S!!

Well done on getting what you want, and glad all is forgiven.

Welcome to the club.

Thank you!

I very un modestly admit that I have a spanking bike, however much to most people's surprise I don't actually know alot about them!!

I am learning quickly though! Nothing worse than somebody commenting when they see your bike in all the technical lingo, for me to turn round and go huh?

I know what you mean. I'm the same. Just nod a lot, and go "hmmmmm" or "uhuh". Works for me.

Mind you, I think it's important to know the basics of maintaining your bike (like how to oil/tighten the chain, etc). Too damn much depends on things like that.

What year is your sv? I got mine in Jan 2001, and I've done about 17000 klm on it. The front tire is now bald and due for a replacement. The back went at about 11-12000, something like that. Actually I should have replaced the front tire a while ago, it's getting scary riding in the rain with a tire that's half a slick (the right side is completely treadless...oh dear). I'm going to put something nice and sticky on the front to replace the Metzeler, but I've got a Dunlop D220 (I think) on the back, which is a harder compound for longer mileage. Don't really care if the back tyre slides, but I've got to have that front end traction....

And what do you mean, in yellow "of course". Mine's blue! And I like it like that!

Oh and what do you think of the front suspension? I found it pretty woeful when I test-rode the bike (too soft) and had them fix it up before I bought the bike - they just put a spacer in, I think, which isn't really a great solution (it compresses and reduces the spring travel distance, I think (see - I just nodded and said "uhuh")) but it seems to have worked. Might get a proper suspension mod one day. I think it's a common complaint.

My SV just popped a rear tyre don't want to risk repair - going for Bridgestone BT020 - again harder dual compound.

Although change in work location may mean selling it for bigger tourer type, and extra 70 miles a day along motorway isn't really the ideal for the poor little thing.

shame as I was begining to like it - only just bought it, took some time to get it running OK (still not perfect) advice - get a fender extender if you haven't already, without one crap eventually gets into carbs and also causes problems with HT leads.

Have you both checked out http://sv650.org/ ?

Lots of tips and stuff.

CH

Hey Dudes

Bridgestone BattleAxe are the tyres for me. Great road tyres (don't know about offroad).

Use to have tubed tyres which meant it was easy for the road recovery to repair them, but have now gone tubeless as this is a better style. You can go faster.