Todays ride

I don't see any recent ride report type thread, consider posting about yours. Here is my report from today, first good ride on my brand new SV650. First good ride because I bought it Friday and rode home 68 miles, mostly freeway.

Today was 127 miles out along Mulholland Hwy and through some of the canyons including some real tight twisties. Warm in the mountains, overcast and cold in my mesh gear along the coast this AM. Hot and above 90F coming back home to the Valley. Good ride and not much traffic on the good roads.

The thing handles really well in twisties. In the straight bits I found myself short shifting rapidly, trying to keep it under or not much over 5000 RPM. There's no comparison in power to the Monster 1200 I just sold, but it handles easier in the tight stuff and at slow speeds. Specs say it weighs 30 pounds less, and wheelbase is 56.9" vs 59.6" for the Monster. Seat height is a little higher. I am all of 29" inseam and about 140 pounds plus gear, so it is right in my size range.

Can't really say it is a long term keeper after only 195 miles, but so far so good. The Monster had excessive and unnecessary power levels, but that was part of the fun. I think I will be OK with the reduction in power. No need to go 0 - 100 MPH in 4 seconds or whatever craziness. Riding for 40 years now, so did not use all the Monstrous power anyway.

Plus I believe it will be quite a bit less dollar intensive to operate, maintain, insure. First gas fill up today (was full when I got it), showing 188 on odo took 2.814 gallons to pump auto shutoff, so 66.8 MPG. On regular not premium.

Ordered swingarm spools, luggage rack, oil filter, crush washers, and gotta have the T shirt. Things I like I tend to keep a long time, so we'll see how this goes. Love it so far. No thread is complete without pics.