Pretty extensive SV650 thread here: http://www.advrider.com/forums/showthread.php?t=355014&highlight=sv650
Here's mine: I've since added new chain & sprockets (+2 in back), did a Renthal handlebar conversion, swapped out the footpegs for the lower ones from the SV650N, and added heated grips plus hand guards. The spring project will be to work on the brakes and maybe suspension a bit. It's sort of a modern-day UJM in that regard, a basic platform to modify as you like. I still miss my '01 SV650S. The 1K's extra power is nice but given a choice I'd narrowly choose the lighter weight and balance of the smaller bike.
all you jackwagons have me wondering if the guy I sold mine to has held onto it all this time.... wonder if I just went to his house and knocked on the door if it's just sitting in the garage with only 2000 more miles on the clock and needing tires....it's kinda like wanting to make out with an old girlfriend.
Just curious. Where'd you get the belly pan? Did the bike already have it when you bought it? I've been trying to find a silver one for my SV1000n on eBay but with no luck.
The S comes with the belly pan stock. Maybe you should look in SV Portal, I've seen a couple for sale in there. Driving award?
I bought one for my N, another color, but painted it rattle can Worth's (German) metallic silver wheel paint and clear coated it. Excellent match. You can get Worth's at any place that sells parts for BMW autos. If you buy one, make sure you get ALL the attaching hardware. Best bet is to go to a dealer and look at the exploded diagram so you know you're getting everything. Looks great, little bit of a pain because it has to be removed to do an oil change, but worth it.
Belly pan is just extra weight with no function IMO. My next purchase is a lightweight battery to make mine even lighter!
Suzuki pretty much agrees with you, and it doesn't serve any purpose as the "N" does fine without it, so they are even providing proof that it is just there for the looks. I really don't mind it, it's not like if the SV was a light bike and the whole thing might weight what? 2kg? I think the SV has enough torque to get all that weight moving horizontally and vertically
Like anything else, if it came with it, chop it out and get rid of it. If it didn't come with it, I want it.
It's the lightest sporting naked twin I could afford and I'd like to make it lighter. It certainly has the torque to pull a lot of weight, but mine will pull it faster than yours!
By the way, what is your opinion regarding the USD forks? I actually went with the SV1000 over the 650 because I didn't want to end up doing a front end swap... But I didn't research enough to find out that the forks on the 05+ are not rebuildable , so if I want to improve them I'm looking at $1000+ cartridges, almost twice the money for a front end swap, including revalving and new springs. Oddly enough I like the stock suspension... But I'm aware that once the valves in the cartridges wear out I'll be SOL, I'll have to pony up for new OEM cartridges or aftermarket cartridges. That's why I'm already looking into it now that the preferred donor bikes are in good condition and still favored by the squid community.
Haha. You guys are awesome. Now you're making me think I should drop the belly pan idea. And stick to the ultra-naked look.
The belly pan is half a pound and takes one minute to remove. I don't understand what all the fuss is about. If you don't like the look or whatever, okay, but a pain in the ass for oil changes and extra weight??? To each his own. I like it.
Me too, I like the belly pan. I hate the full fairing too though, looks too much like a kan-o-tuna then. I'd rather spend $$$ on one of those ultra light lithium battery packs or a full exhaust system. And black isn't the fastest color, red is!