[DrifterYank]

Bike selection comments requested of experienced riders

Last August I bought a 2004 SV650/S with about 4,000 miles on it. Beautiful bike. The only problem is test drives are hard to come by these days and sitting on it a couple of minutes didn’t really translate to riding it for an extended time. My biggest problem is neck pain from holding my head up and back while riding. I am 66. I have always had standard bikes with an upright riding position. I have never had a cruiser and my doctor recommended against one on the basis of my history of lower back problems.

After a lot of forum-reading, I am planning to either sell the bike when the weather warms or install Convertibars. Assuming I do the work myself, I will still have to pop for over $500 to do the latter. Installing longer throttle cables as part of this conversion sounds like a bear.

If I sell the bike I would subsequently go to a motorcycle with a more upright position or possibly even a “super scooter”. (I realize scooters have an image problem for some people.) For a motorcycle, a Triumph comes to mind though I would really prefer to stay with something Japanese. All my bikes have been Japanese. In any case, I want something light and compact with reasonable power. That is what drew me to the SV650S. Either new or used (but not old) would be okay, though I have never had a new bike.

I will mainly use the bike for local rides of two hours or less. I am 6 feet tall and weigh 195 pounds. As I said, test drives are difficult to come by these days so I would appreciate comments from senior riders with experience on a variety of bikes, “super scooters” or with Convertibars. Thanks for you help.

 

[wish_i_was_cool]

i am far from a senior but have had multiple surgeries on my back to feel your pain about back problems. Have you ever thought about just getting a cruiser instead of a "sport bike"? My friend bought a 2004 Kawasaki Vulcan 750 and when i took it for a ride it felt like i was sitting on a pillow. Then again Suzuki does make terrific bikes and I love my sv. So if your hearts set on the sv i would say go for it. Just a thought from one guy to another with back problems. hope it helps.

 

[DougZ]

My advice would be that you already have a stone reliable, fun bike....no matter what you do with it...aggressive riding, cruising, sport touring..etc. So long as you are not doing wheelies...which at 66..I am guessing not.....its a pretty bullet proof base.

I'd do what ever you need to to make it comfortable for the type of seating position you want. It can be done..and with to too much mechanical knowledge.

Good luck with what ever you choose and just kudos for still riding at 66...I sure as h e l l hope I am still riding then too. :thumbsup:

 

[svsuperninja]

just convert to N model controls and bars. bet you could find all the stuff you need for cheap
in the for sale/want to buy forum here on svrider. keep your bike. it's awesome!

 

[frick]

You could install bars and get rid of the clip-ons, and also shave the seat or get an aftermarket seat like a Corbin or Sargent, and lower your pegs.

That would effectively raise your arms and lower the seating position so you could sit up straighter. Lowering the pegs would help if your legs get cramped from the lower seating position.

Or... swap your bike for a naked model.

Also, if you can, maybe work on your own fitness? My favorite person in the world is 89 and she still walks 2-3 miles a day and does "old fogey" yoga (as she puts it). She is one of the most active people I've ever met. She even laid a new brick patio *herself* last summer. Being fit is priceless.

 

[tlc4diving]

I guess I'm in the "senior" biker category so I'll comment. I started back riding after a 15 year hiatus to a cruiser. I thought it would be more comfortable than any sport bike. My back would ache to the point my legs would be numb after only 100 miles. I didn't like riding it so I thought I'd try a different bike.

Enter my 05 SV naked. I've ridden a couple of days over 500 miles and lots of 350+ days. I love the bike. The lightness, the feel, the seating position all make it a blast to ride.

I'd suggest either try to change out the clip ons to bars and keep the bike. You might look at some risers too. Or try to find a naked version.

 

[ebaybeater]

Sell....get a Suzuki DL650 V-Strom. Very nice bike, same great motor, more upright riding position and some wind protection. Check out Stromtrooper.com

 

[doxiedog]

All ya need is a N top triple and bars,a couple of cabels and your set. It's REALLY not a big deal. About a afternoons work,if your slow. Lot's of people here have done it!

 

[fafaforza]

How much in taxes would you have to pay when buying a replacement? Not to mention taxes already paid and any loss you'd take reselling. So maybe paying ~$500 for the complete setup wouldn't be that bad. Getting a naked top triple, clamps, and naked handlebars would probably be cheaper still. And you could make up some on the S clipons, top triple, and cables. Many people install those on nakeds.

I'm 6'2 ( albeit a verile 28 ) and the naked is a neutral ride that I've done 400 miles in withouh more than stops for gas and 5 minutes to drink something.

 

[BRShooter]

Re: Bike selection comments requested of experienced riders

Last August I bought a 2004 SV650/S with about 4,000 miles on it. Beautiful bike. The only problem is test drives are hard to come by these days and sitting on it a couple of minutes didn’t really translate to riding it for an extended time. My biggest problem is neck pain from holding my head up and back while riding. I am 66. I have always had standard bikes with an upright riding position. I have never had a cruiser and my doctor recommended against one on the basis of my history of lower back problems.

After a lot of forum-reading, I am planning to either sell the bike when the weather warms or install Convertibars. Assuming I do the work myself, I will still have to pop for over $500 to do the latter. Installing longer throttle cables as part of this conversion sounds like a bear.

If I sell the bike I would subsequently go to a motorcycle with a more upright position or possibly even a “super scooter”. (I realize scooters have an image problem for some people.) For a motorcycle, a Triumph comes to mind though I would really prefer to stay with something Japanese. All my bikes have been Japanese. In any case, I want something light and compact with reasonable power. That is what drew me to the SV650S. Either new or used (but not old) would be okay, though I have never had a new bike.

I will mainly use the bike for local rides of two hours or less. I am 6 feet tall and weigh 195 pounds. As I said, test drives are difficult to come by these days so I would appreciate comments from senior riders with experience on a variety of bikes, “super scooters” or with Convertibars. Thanks for you help.

I have the same neck problems as you, but am 20 yrs younger. Its not the years, its the miles, right? Anyhow, I switched the stock clip ons for Helibars. That did the trick with the SVS.

I just bought a GSXR. The first day, 60 mile ride was fine. After that, the bent over position became more than uncomfortable, it became life threatening. After riding a while, I would start to grey out. I'd gradually lose all my peripheral vision. Like trying to ride while looking through binoculars. I'd have to stop for a while and untangle the knotted muscles in my shoulders and neck to regain my vision.

I just rode 180 miles through some very twisty roads on the GSXR yesterday w/o any issues. What can I say, Helibars. They are awesome.

If I were going to do the SVS again though, I think I'd do these. http://www.spieglerusa.com/cfm/sbk.cfm

In any event, if I were you, I'd try some new clip-ons or bars before you get rid of the SV. Good luck.

 

[tcl]

All the bases as far as bars are covered already- except nobody mentioned "Swatt" clipons which are like helibars but cheaper.

You should also _definitely_ get "stomp grips" or "tech spec" pads for the tank to help you keep better posture. In general, they decrease fatigue.
You might also want to look into ways to lower and move your footpegs forward. Rearsets from an '03 naked model would accomplish this. You just need the two brackets, a new shifter rod, and possible the springs from the rear brake light.

 

[entropysedge]

another +1 for helibars, was an immense help comfort-wise

 

[svsuperninja]

Sell....get a Suzuki DL650 V-Strom. Very nice bike, same great motor, more upright riding position and some wind protection. Check out Stromtrooper.com

+1
what he said. super comfortable bike to ride.

 

[Lost1888]

The way I came across my SV was. I had a friend that worked at a Suzuki dealer and a older guy traded in the SV I own now because he had some back problems and hip surgery. He tried to lower it but to no avail it didn't help. He ended up getting a used cruiser I think a Honda Shadow. For his situation it had better seating with more forward controls. I guess the cruiser has helped because I still see him around once and a while.

IDK if this helps but I can't see a SV making a great bike weather N or S for someone with serious back issues.

 

[GeorgeZboy]

I have Convertibars on my 1st gen SVS and I didn't change ANY of the cables or wiring. If you want to raise them up real high, I'm sure a Naked throttle cable would be easy to come by. What you may run into is some interference with the windscreen.
Also, try installing the Naked rearsets. It's likely you can trade with someone who wants the higher S pegs. (This assumes the 04's still had the 1" difference?)

 

[eteach01]

Unless your planning on putting on Ape Hangers, you can get quite a bit of cable and brake line by rerouting... I'd just source a stock SV 650 "schwinn" style handlebar setup. I sereously doubt that Suzuki resourced cables and hoses for the SV-S.

 

[terryb]

I'm 63 & love my '03 naked. I'll bet you could hook up with somebody here who want to convert a naked to an "S" & swap parts.
I can't ride cruisers - they force me into a slouch that kills my lower back.

 

[Spacecoast]

At 56 years young, I like my SV650 Naked too..but I did have to do some mods to get it that way. Added some risers (1" up / 1.25" back) because the stock handlebar position was just too forward for me. Made my elbows hurt and sometimes my hand would go numb. Got the stock gel seat modified by Spencers for $75. Now, its a great bike. Keep the SV-S, but just be sure that you can get the handlebar position that you need.

 

[jay313]

The way I came across my SV was. I had a friend that worked at a Suzuki dealer and a older guy traded in the SV I own now because he had some back problems and hip surgery. He tried to lower it but to no avail it didn't help. He ended up getting a used cruiser I think a Honda Shadow. For his situation it had better seating with more forward controls. I guess the cruiser has helped because I still see him around once and a while.

IDK if this helps but I can't see a SV making a great bike weather N or S for someone with serious back issues.

I second what spacecoast said.

As for Lost1888, it depends on your back issue. I'm 46 and have had some lower back problems. My first bike was a cruiser. Comfy seat and low seating position. But after an hour on the bike, my back would start to kill me. Turns out, sitting with arms and legs both stretched out forward puts a tremendous amount of stress on your back. It's a very common problem with cruiser riders. However, most of them never realize that the problem is with the seating position of the bike itself, so instead they start modding their seats and adding forward controls and backrests and all kinds of stuff that just masks the problem.

Anyway, I migrated to the SV naked just for that reason -- the upright seating position. I also (like spacecoast) added a 1" riser and a spencer seat mod, and I can ride the thing all day with no issues.

So, to the OP I say: Lose the clip-ons and convert to a bar. You'll be fine.

 

[Frogger]

Something like a V-Strom or Bandit might be a better bike for your needs.

That said, the ergonomics of a naked SV are very comfortable; the only problem is the wind, of course. An SV650S with bars from a naked SV might work well for you.

If you go that route, let me know. I'll trade you straight up, my naked bars and top triple for your clip ons and top triple. There are probably 5k total garage-kept, uncrashed miles on my handlebar and 10k similar miles on the top triple; great shape.