SV.vsFZ1

[WHOrU]

Traded my SV650 for a 02 FZ1. I really miss my SV! Im a twin junkie with a jones goin on.The FZ1 rocks,butttt.......So has any one rode both? What about insurance? My FZ run's about $470.00 a year full coverage with $250 deductible.Is the non S model stateside yet?

[BMWDavid]

I had a 2001 FZ1 that I bought new. I put 7000 miles on it and have just traded it in for a 2003 SV1000S in orange. I really liked my FZ1, it was fast and comfortable. I had a Ducati Monster 900 a few years ago and I missed it. So I bought the SV1000S and have really enjoyed it. The torque and sound make the ride a lot of fun.

Both bikes have their + and -'s. The FZ1 has much more leg room and a more upright sitting position. The SV1000S has the same ergo's as Suzuki's GXSR-1000. At first I thought I would need to put a set of Heli-bars on but I have gotten used to the sitting position and can ride for 60-80 miles at a time then I need a break to stretch. I do miss the power of the FZ1 but in the end the Suzuki SV1000S has much more personality and is a hoot to ride. I just passed 1500 miles in 4 weeks since I bought it.

I have a Yamaha FJR-1300 on order and is due to come in this September. I will keep the SV1000S and the FJR will be my longer distance riding bike and the one my wife will spend more time on when we go out riding. Hope this helps out a little. Please contact me if you have ant questions.

[Heath3n]

BMWDavid<BR><BR>Have you noticed or had any of the other problems some members on the board are experiencing with their new SV's? Also....what method did you use to break it in and where are you geographically located? I plan on buying a copper sv1000s as well in a couple weeks and I am in the process of getting as much information as I can on them. Fortunately I have a real cool dealer here and he has let me put about 50 miles on their demo...so I already know I love the ride. Congrats on your new bike!&nbsp;

[WHOrU]

Hey BMW David,was the insurance an issue? With the TL' bad rap and clip on handle bar' on the "S",Ive been wandering.

[BMWDavid]

Insurance for me is not an issue. I have all my auto-motorcycle and home insurance with State Farm. The premium for my SV1000S is $345.00 a year with full coverage including $500,000 liability.

As for break-in, I use a system that I developed over the past 25-30 years. I begin by starting the engine and riding off keeping the load and rpm down until fully warmed up. Then I ride somewhat hard using up to 1/2 throttle and 1/2 of the red line as I go thru the gears. Keep in mind that you don't have to do this all the time. Also it is very important that you vary the rpm's as you cruise along. I like to heat cycle the engine by limiting the first 5-6 rides to about 30-45 min, or around 25-35 miles. I then let the engine cool off to room temp. It is much better to do this out in the open country rather than in the city with it's stop and go. After 300-400 miles I increase the load by using more throttle and rpm, say up to 2/3 of throttle and rpm redline.

After I get to the 500-600 mile range I pull the oil and oil filter. I have never changed the oil at an earlier time but it certainly would'nt hurt. At this point you can put in what ever oil you like to use. I use Honda line HP-4 semi synthetic 10w-40 with out moly. Mobil 1 MXT-4 synthetic is great if you want to run a full synthetic. Using this system has worked for me as all of the cycles ( I have had over 35 ) I have had over the past 30 years have never used oil. By this I mean that between oil change intervals of 3000-4000 miles or once a year the oil level never drops.

I have a couple of the listed problems: clutch rattle when warmed up at idle and the clutch fluid is turning dark. I really enjoy this bike and I hope that the rattle is not anything to worry about as well as the fluid color.

I am looking forward to putting some slip-on cans on to let that V-twin sound out.

That's about it for now. I will add any updated as they occur.

[fugaziiv]

actually i ride with a kid who has an FZ1, and we have swapped a few times
to nushell the experience, his FZ1 does feel more powerful in a seat of the pants kind of way, but also feels heavy. it is WAY more comfortable than my SVS, but that was to be expected. my SVS is quite a bit more nimble, and much more fun to ride, but in the end either bike is a perfectly acceptable mount.

[fugaziiv]

i would also like to point out that the ergos on the SVS are somewhat more relaxed than those on the GSXR sportbikes, with lower pegs, and higher clipons, it is easer to ride, if for no other reason than there is not quite as long a streach to the handlebars.

[Schneegz]

I've been lusting after the SV-S and thinking I could install lower foot pegs, taller clip-ons and a double bubble screen. But now I'm wondering if I should buy an SV-N and just add a fairing. It's basically the same bike, it already has the ergos I want, it comes in the color I want (black), and Givi already makes some sweet-looking fairings for the older SV650 that would probably fit. I would also save myself several hundred $ on the cost of the S + comfort mods. My only question is if the aerodynamics make the SV-S more stable at highway speeds for interstate touring.