I have a 03 SV650N which I purchased 2 summers ago when I sold my cruiser and I decided to get back into sport riding. My original plan was to eventually rework the suspension and keep the SV for short to medium sport riding sorties.
Last winter I purchased a new BMW 1200GS to supplement the SV and serve as my daily commuter, 2 up platform, and longer distance touring / camping ride. The new GS has exceeded my wildest expectations and completely blown me away with its sporting capabilities. So much so, that I have been picking the GS over of the SV for the shorter distance sport rides.
This is mainly due to the confidence I get when riding the GS, It goes wherever I point it whereas when on the SV I have a 80/20 chance of maintaining my desired line. Don?t get me wrong, I enjoy many facets about the SV; it?s small, light and puts a smile on my face every time I ride, it just doesn?t inspire confidence and is quite dangerous to ride as quickly as I would like in its current configuration.
My ultimate goal it to end up with a bike (SV or other) to supplement the GS and relegate the big GS back to its commuting/touring role. This bike should blows me away and inspire me with its confidence in handling as well as be remotely comfortable for a short 200 ? 300 mile day. I live near the VA mountains and ride the pace method so out right speed is not a concern but corner entry through exit is paramount, I really enjoy nailing the corners and accelerating out. I also really enjoy what I call technical riding, where I focus on being real smooth and in control. I know, kinda gay but I enjoy it!!!!
This brings me back to my original question; Mod my SV or move on? It appears that there are several levels of suspension modification, beginning with a GSXR shock, new forks spring, emulators, and oil all the way up to a Penske shock and GSXR front end. So we are talking as little as $400 all the way through several thousand $$$? So, if I go the cheap route I am
sure the bike will be transformed from its current stock setup; but will it blow me away? If I go the expensive route, Penske shock and fork replacement it will be a substantial chunk of change. Will that be awe inspiring or should I just move on to something like a Gixxer 750?
How good is good on an SV? Those of you have modded your SV's are you able to get them to hold a line?
A little about me: I am 5?11? and 195 lbs. Although money is always an issue lets not focus on that as an issue for this discussion, let?s just assume I can come up with the money. BTW: although I own the GS I still owe around $3700 on the SV so if I sell it I will basically be starting from scratch to purchase a new/used bike and if I decide to keep it I would raise
the cost of ownership by that amount. I.e. if I choose to go all out it would cost me $3700 for the SV, $900 for the penske, ? thousand for new front end, wheels, brakes, etc? Basically getting into the low end money of a new Gixxer?
Let me know what you would do and why.
Thanks.
Last winter I purchased a new BMW 1200GS to supplement the SV and serve as my daily commuter, 2 up platform, and longer distance touring / camping ride. The new GS has exceeded my wildest expectations and completely blown me away with its sporting capabilities. So much so, that I have been picking the GS over of the SV for the shorter distance sport rides.
This is mainly due to the confidence I get when riding the GS, It goes wherever I point it whereas when on the SV I have a 80/20 chance of maintaining my desired line. Don?t get me wrong, I enjoy many facets about the SV; it?s small, light and puts a smile on my face every time I ride, it just doesn?t inspire confidence and is quite dangerous to ride as quickly as I would like in its current configuration.
My ultimate goal it to end up with a bike (SV or other) to supplement the GS and relegate the big GS back to its commuting/touring role. This bike should blows me away and inspire me with its confidence in handling as well as be remotely comfortable for a short 200 ? 300 mile day. I live near the VA mountains and ride the pace method so out right speed is not a concern but corner entry through exit is paramount, I really enjoy nailing the corners and accelerating out. I also really enjoy what I call technical riding, where I focus on being real smooth and in control. I know, kinda gay but I enjoy it!!!!
This brings me back to my original question; Mod my SV or move on? It appears that there are several levels of suspension modification, beginning with a GSXR shock, new forks spring, emulators, and oil all the way up to a Penske shock and GSXR front end. So we are talking as little as $400 all the way through several thousand $$$? So, if I go the cheap route I am
sure the bike will be transformed from its current stock setup; but will it blow me away? If I go the expensive route, Penske shock and fork replacement it will be a substantial chunk of change. Will that be awe inspiring or should I just move on to something like a Gixxer 750?
How good is good on an SV? Those of you have modded your SV's are you able to get them to hold a line?
A little about me: I am 5?11? and 195 lbs. Although money is always an issue lets not focus on that as an issue for this discussion, let?s just assume I can come up with the money. BTW: although I own the GS I still owe around $3700 on the SV so if I sell it I will basically be starting from scratch to purchase a new/used bike and if I decide to keep it I would raise
the cost of ownership by that amount. I.e. if I choose to go all out it would cost me $3700 for the SV, $900 for the penske, ? thousand for new front end, wheels, brakes, etc? Basically getting into the low end money of a new Gixxer?
Let me know what you would do and why.
Thanks.