Is the SV100S the Perfect Twin?

Howdy,

I just surfed in as a new member. I've been looking for the perfect twin. I haven't ridden for 12 years, but I love big, torquey twins and the low end grunt and real-world excitement of usable power. I've owned Moto Guzzis and Harleys. I was looking into the new Buell Firebolt XP12S as well as the Ducati Monster SP. I really wanted a water cooled engine, a good frame and a reliable company - plus value. I found that the Buell is really a bit of a mess and the Ducati is overpriced. I was happy to find that Suzuki was offering what I was looking for for thousands less. I am not planning to buy till spring, but it looks like I found a home.

Are there happy owners out there? Are these bikes capable of two-up cruising? Long trips? Are the '04s any different from the '03s? I haven't been able to find any info on the differences. Thanks.

Welcome to the forum!

I've only been blessed enough to sit on the SV1000 at the bike show last fall so I can't say much for actualy riding it, but the seating is very comfortable and the look is just plain sexy IMO.
As for the suzuki v-twins, I can tell you that I know several people who are riding the TL1000 and they just love it. Wicked twin sound and tons 'o torque.

My guess is that any 1000 that could not handle two-up touring would not last long on the market.

I'll go on the extend your question though. Although I like the SV650/1000, if I were to buy for two-up or touring use, I'd probably get the V-Strom. The question is: Does the V-Strom and the SV1000 share the same engine?

Hi there,

I have seen some documentation from Suzuki South Africa regarding the difference between the TL 1000s, SV 1000s and DL 1000s.

Just to let you know, the SV and DL have the same motor, bore and stoke, valve size and all that differs is the fuel injection and mapping. The old TL is stronger than the SV / DL but when fitted with aftermarket pipes can go up on the TL by 3 or 4 kw.

There is no getting away from the fact that a twin has loads of torque, I ride my TL through very tight corners in 5th and 6th gear otherwise the rear wheel spins out.

I prefer the SV and TL to the DL because I ride more on road and do not need a off road bike.

[vstrombc]

yes as mentioned earlier, the DL & SV share the same basic engine. The dual stage throttle bodies provide many laughs as the bike feels like it has aa v-8 with a big 4bbl carb when you crank it hard. Although the DL has a bit less power than the SV, the torque peak at 4500 makes it plenty quick against many bikes out on the road - examples with my riding buddies - VS vs FJR 1300 - roll-ons equal initially until that monster motor revs out, ducati st2 - VS eats it, Honda VFR - VS toasts it up to around 190km/hr, Triumph Tiger, BMW gs1150, BMW R1150R, BMW K1200RS - the vstrom pulls harder than all of them (although the k1200 has more top end)
one of our riding buddies who is an expert class racer loses all of us with his vstrom with his wife on the back - so yes, two up is fine.
the biggest giggle is having such a strong road bike that you can also take in dirt roads where it works quite well.

I own the SV1000S and am very happy with it overall. The torque/hp and acceleration are outstanding. Its 1/4 mile times are within 1/2 sec. of RC51. As for it being perfect...I don't know. If I had one complaint it would be the seat comfort. I get numb-butt after an hour or so in the saddle. I'm planning on re-doing the seat with either a gel pad or an inch of dense foam.

I do know the following:
1. SV1000S is the best twin for value.
2. The handling and braking are FAR superior to my ZX7.
3. The S model is a guaranteed attention getter. It looks mean...
4. Accessories are limited.

Good Luck!

[Jonathan]

I feel that its a great bike and the redesign looks great. I dont care for some of the color selections, but you may.

I have an sv650s and I love the feel and control I have on the bike. As far as the sore butt, it does happen on long rides.

The accessories for both the 650 and 1000 are limited, direct from Suzuki, but you can find and order parts from other vendors, easily.

I recently bought a TL1000R and I am also addicted. I decided to get a twin simply because it is different from all the rest. There are thousands of 4cyl bikes rippin it up day in and day out that are the E-ticket ride... but the twins always demand a second glance.

I love mine and am fitting it with a set of D&D pipes pretty soon (if the damn things will ever get here). You gotta love the sound of a twin around 7K rpm!

well now that Ive had my 02 SV650s for a couple of month's i can say. this thing is absolutely awesome it dose equally well on both surface streets and hwy & is very agile at all speeds it has good torque plenty of HP & is hyper responsive both in rolling on & rolling off the throttle in any gear & has great breaks.

over all a great bike!

now the down side.

1st the rear end is real light so riders under 180 will want to adjust the rear shock so your rear end doesn't hop around on you when you hit rough pavement.

2nd it gets speed wobbles at around 140 and so needs a steering damper.

3rd the hyper responsive throttle takes a little getting used to.

Do you go 140 often enough that it matters?

[Uncle Bob]

140m/h or 140 km/h ?

Hope it's Km/h at least if your talking about public roads because in Mph a football field every second is way too fast to have any margin of safety.

Do you go 140 often enough that it matters?

no thats why i haven't bought a steering damper.


140m/h or 140 km/h ?

MP/H

Hope it's Km/h at least if your talking about public roads because in Mph a football field every second is way too fast to have any margin of safety.

you are correct that is way too fast on public roads and i dont have a death wish.

[Uncle Bob]

We can sleep now .

[bobbydee]

Hi guys, just got a question for you all, any info would help. I have heard on other forums about the sv1000 having big problems as regards noise with the clutch and bearings? many people have complained about the knocking noises as they are getting em after just doing over 800 miles from new.. Now my main question is,,, Does anybody have a SV650 K3 (not the 02 model) and have any sort of sim problems as regards knocking noises at low mileage?..

Cheers guys,,

[tousie]

I put 8000 miles on my 2003 SV650 in about 5 months. I love it. I would go for the SV1000 but the extra weight keeps me away. I wish they would create a light weight 750 especially now that Yamaha and Honda have marketed equal standards. Yamaha retuning the R6 and Honda's 599. The SV650 is so light you can really raise some hell with, comfortable for the long ride and looks great for the sticker price. Easy to ride with all the tourque, a 'bike for all seasons'. sounds great /v-twin

[bobbydee]

cheers m8, I had the 02 version of the 650 and couldnt fault it...just needed to know if the 650 had the same probs...

I've had my SV1000S about 2 months and so far I've been very happy with it.Of course I'm usually happy on any motorcyle.The bike has plenty of power and is just plain fun to ride.The only things I would change might be the position of the pegs I hoping to find some rear sets that might cure the problem.The other thing is the rear fender has got to go so I will eventually go with a fender eliminator kit.

[bookum]

anyone know if a fairing off a SV650S will fit a SV1000S?

[svguy36ca]

I have the 2003 Sv1000s before this bike i had the honda firestorm,and in my opinion its great in the mountains handles very well engine pulls well but its is lacking in power for sure and it sucks with a passenger when braking etc the passenger pushes me into the tank and making my wrists hurt bad no more passengers for me as for the DL1000 its a comfy couch with great power if i doit again it will be the DL1000 for sure my Sv seems to have very crappy paint will scratch if you look at it the wrong way......my two cents.......from what i know the engines have different cams etc.........

[tnt6473]

Originally Posted by furcap

Howdy,
Hi my name is Tim Ive just bought an sv1000.Itraded an 03bandit the best move ever i enjoy my riding again not that the bandit was %%%% but trhe sv is so much better.
I just surfed in as a new member. I've been looking for the perfect twin. I haven't ridden for 12 years, but I love big, torquey twins and the low end grunt and real-world excitement of usable power. I've owned Moto Guzzis and Harleys. I was looking into the new Buell Firebolt XP12S as well as the Ducati Monster SP. I really wanted a water cooled engine, a good frame and a reliable company - plus value. I found that the Buell is really a bit of a mess and the Ducati is overpriced. I was happy to find that Suzuki was offering what I was looking for for thousands less. I am not planning to buy till spring, but it looks like I found a home.

Are there happy owners out there? Are these bikes capable of two-up cruising? Long trips? Are the '04s any different from the '03s? I haven't been able to find any info on the differences. Thanks.

not quite but it can be done

HI i,ve just owned my sv1000s for about 700 miles and the thing runs like a swisse watch those noises are probably timing gears whining louder exhaust fixes that issue.
Tim