the cbr 954 nissin calipers go on this bike with the adpaters from traxxion dynamics ive had them on for a decade they are brilliant, also get a 1/5th turn 2006 gsxr throttle tube and rear shock. Also you can get the traxxion dynamics front fork internals. You can also go up three teeth on the back sprocket if you like.
Im thinking about getting one, a 2003 same shape 24,000 miles. £2500. Seems a bit expensive but its got the fairing lowers. Some history. Im px my Honda vfr800x crossrunner 2012 62 18000. I also own a tidy GPZ500S. The SV should compliment.
If you are from the UK have a shop around on eBay and Auto trader you might find a better deal. Great bikes though, mines tucked away for winter at the moment but can't wait for spring 👍
Cheers, Yeah. I'm in Oxfordshire. Tried ebay and trader. Not many decent bikes below £2500 these days. Not overly keen on the main roads, I hunt out cafes on the back roads. Enjoy bud.
I paid £4000 for mine in 2021, the problem at the moment is second hand cars and bikes are selling for a lot more than a year ago. Also as time passes the really good condition SVs will hold the money as there's less of them around. If you got the bike for £4k that's probably about right in today's market. Depends how much you want one I suppose. Good luck 👍
Hi Dave, lovely bike, great buy, did you ever get the brakes upgraded. Mate, l don't know what you done for a living but you have the gift of the gab. With your communication skills you could be very popular on RU-vid. I really enjoyed your story, well done 👏
Hi Mike, thanks for the feedback much appreciated. I had my first ride of the year yesterday on the SV, still love that bike! I'm going to do a handlebar conversion soon as the clipons are not very comfortable on longer journeys I've found. In the kit for the conversion you get extended braided brake lines so killing two birds in one job. When I get the job done I'll post a video so you can see the finished product. I'm just in the process of selling my other bike, a 650 bandit. Once I get those funds the SV gets the bling 😉 ride safe mate and thanks for watching the videos 👍
Great review! I just picked up an 08 SV650S over the holidays and am giving it some TLC to have it on the road by spring. Two questions: what kind of MPG are you getting, and what's the verdict on the clip on handlebars after a year of riding?
Hi Edward, my SV will do 72mpg cruising on the motorway at 70mph. I went to a race circuit near where I live and a guy was thrashing the living daylights out of his SV and getting 25mpg so there are the best and worst you can expect. The clip on handle bars are not that extreme but I like to take a break from riding after about 60 miles. I would like to put a more upright set of bars on the bike eventually but at the moment I don't want to spoil the character or handling too much. Enjoy your bike and I still have mine I wouldn't dream of selling the SV, a real motorcycle with a great engine, cheap to run and loads of fun 👍 ride safe. Dave
Picking up mine this week-end - can't wait for winter to end and taking it on the road. For the money you can't get anything better - prices for some used bikes went nuts only the SV 650 is pretty stable. Got mine for 3300€ 20.000km on the clock and looking georgous with full fairing. Got an aftermarket exhaust and sounds just brilliant. Only have the A2 license but even with 48 bhp the torque is enough to keep up on most of the roads.
I definitly will, thanks! maybe overpaid a bit now that I fully inspected it (tires from 2010...wtf)...but it will be my bike for the next 3-4 years so no regrets. Doing a full overhaul now once and never looking back on initial costs...it's a great bike and will serve me well ;)
@@djbgatekeeper when you say clip, what exactly are you refereing to? I currently have a KLR650 and am looking at getting a SV650S for a more sport style
@@djbgatekeeper I've gone through various bikes including 1000cc sports bikes now I have a naked 05 sv and in all fairness it ticks every box I need. I could do with more top end but that makes it no less enjoyable.... Great bikes. Legendary some say
Hi Dave am getting a sv650s in september assuming i can find one with low mileage and in decent condition . Love twins for the torque not so fussed about firing myself into the horizon but i am 57 so the racer in me has made room for mr sensible these days, am coming into some redundancy money so the sv will be my treat .. As for riding position am curious what its like im 6ft 2inch n 13 stone ,cant find one local to me to av a sit on which is a shame .ps whats it like with a pillion as my wife will want to go for a blast now n then but shes only 9 stone wet through but a damn good pillion.. great review cheers Dave S
Hi Dave, I'm 6ft 1 and it's not a problem for me, I'm 12.5 stone and also 57 years young. I regularly do 150 miles around Wales no problems. My son is about 10stone and he's been on the back, could hardly notice the difference, still pulled well and handling not affected. I'm from Warrington Cheshire so if your local I can drop by and you can have a good look at the bike and have a seat to test for size. Great bike mate you won't be disappointed 👍
@@davesharratt No worries Dave, good luck with the bike shopping. I found eBay and Autotrader the best places to find a decent one, you have to be quick though as the low mileage ones go really quickly... Ride safe 😉
Hi there, I'm 6ft 1" .... I'm a 33" inside leg so a big leggy and the bike is comfortable enough. Probably depends on your age and flexibility as to whether you'd be comfortable. I normally stop for a leg stretch about every 50 or 60 miles. Maybe try a test ride before you buy 👍
Hi Dave, im buying a SV650 in red, 5000 miles from new and like yours there isnt a mark on it. Right on the money even a year later £2500 is what im paying. Im not getting it for another 2 weeks, but can gurantee its first blast is up to the horseshoe pass!
Hi Lee, based on what you've said that's an absolute bargain mate, the SV is a cracking bike I'm sure you'll love it. Ponderosa cafe is a great spot, probably my favourite place. If you let me know when you are going I'll try and make it up for a natter. Ride safe Sir and enjoy your new bike 👌
@@djbgatekeeper plans changed unfortunately the guy sold the SV. Cant blame him he got offered £700 more. Ive actually about an hour ago put a deposit on a 650 bandit. So if your around on one of the weekends ill give you a message.
Hi there... No I traded the 1250 in for a Z1000SX, there was nothing wrong with the Suzuki though I just fancied a change. The guy who bought the bike from me went all over Europe on it and loved the bike. Good luck choosing 🤞
@@djbgatekeeper Thanks mate. Z1000sx is a good bike. Might be an option for me . I’m 57 this year. I find moving big bikes around is getting harder for me. Safe riding.
Nice bike pal....what about the comfort and ergonomics?.......not sure what stats you are but as an average six footer in his 50’s I’d be interested to find out what your take on it is as I’ve always fancied one myself! 👍
Hi mate, I'm 6ft and 170lb... 57 y/o I find even with the standard clipons I can do 60 or 70 miles before I need a break. I've thought of getting a conversion done on the bars but I'm not sure if that would change the handling which standard is brilliant. The bikes a cheeky character, cheap to run and loads of fun, I'd find yourself a good one soon as they are starting to become rare in good nick.
@@djbgatekeeper ....thanks pal...I’m a “yooful” 55 but ride a Triumph Street Twin as my daily ride/commute etc.....I’m thinking of getting an older SV650s as a winter ride to work etc....( plus a bit of a rapid scratch at the weekends where I live.!)
@@Tommy-Atkins You won't go wrong with an SV, Ive had loads of bikes over the years and the SV is a keeper. Yes it's the A556, I'm based in Warrington 👍 you from round here?
True though, the Suzuki GSX 1250 FA is a wonderful lovely motorcycle of almost complete understatement. It is capable to pull your arms off your body but yet so silent in its way of coming around. It's always got significantly more power and grunt than shown on paper, it's just a beast when you let it out and its reliability is way above so-called bigger European names. A fantastic tool for every day commuting, going on track days and touring all across the continent. Unbeliveable what a great job Suzuki did for this price tag, complete no-brainer bargain.
Thanks Dave, good informative review, this model is on my short list. I am also riding a Suzuki GSX1250 (fa model) which I have had for nearly two years now but it feels a bit heavy on the front end and slightly twitchy on bends - not really been excited by it either. So, do you still enjoy the Z1000?
Hi Jim, yes still riding the SX and purchased the bike outright this year, I wouldn't dream of selling the bike it's just so good at everything. I looked at the new model which is a fine bike but I'm sticking with my 18 plate now it's paid off. I've got a Triumph 765r now as well so feel lucky to have a pick of bikes depending on weather and mood. I plan to get more miles done in 2021 as the SX has only done 5k due to work and lockdowns etc... Fingers crossed for next year. I found the SX was a far superior machine to the FA ... Get yourself a test ride see what you think... Good luck mate.
I may get one though for food deliveries and daily driver to work. But that 2020 Kawasaki Ninja 400 ABS is also tempting. I have a Prius PHV that is pretty much a compromise between a gokart and comfortable daily driving. I am so torn between the two-2011 Suzuki GSX1250FA and 2020 Kawasaki Ninja 400 ABS. Classic vs Modern. It's like choosing between that dorky geek woman and a modern woman who like to go night clubbing. Help me choose please.
I'd vote for the bandit. It's a big friendly lump you can be really lazy with. Despite the large amount of low end torque and capacity for speed, it is very docile. This is not to knock the Ninja or other small displacement bikes. Getting the most performance you can out of smaller machines can be a hoot. Their bigger variants (the 600cc and litre bikes) take that to the next level. But consider this: it's 10:30PM at the end of a long day. It's been raining, and the weather's either too cold or too hot to be called comfortable. And you're facing an hour-long ride home. Bikes like the Bandit will effortlessly haul you home. You don't have to play "row row row your gearbox gently down the street," or have an edgy machine that's still demanding full attention when you'd rather be elsewhere already. If that sounds like you, choose the Bandit. If the above scenario is rare and you want a machine that handles great, choose the Ninja.
Can't help not to notice the right oxford handlebar heater is wrongly mounted.Probably swaped when installed . Fantastic bike.I have a 2006 naked abs oilcooled.
Hi Pete, I sold the 1250 FA in 2018 and bought a Z1000SX which I still have and would never sell. Sometimes you sit on a bike and everything fits like a glove, the SX is that bike for me.. the 1250 FA is a great bike though and will run for ever! Ride safe mate 👍
I think the Z is a far superior bike all round but I would suggest you have a test ride yourself and make a comparison ... I've still got the Z and wouldn't part with it, it just does everything so good and goes like stink. Get a ride on one I don't think you'll be disappointed.
Hi there I have the 2016 model and I do a 400 mile round trip I leave mine on low power traction control 2 and I only fill up twice I saved roughly 30 miles to each tank having the setting like that overhaul a fantastic bikes these are cannot fault them.
Yes still got mine and love it more every time I get out on it... Some bikes just feel right in every way and for me that's the SX.. Good luck with your bike shopping 👍
Fantastic review David. Myself I’m off to try the Kawasaki versys 1000 se. Yes it’s down on power compared to the 1000sx but I’m after a sports tourer that ticks all my boxes. Comfort is my number point then the spec of the bike follows. The versys for the gt version is £15800 so a lot dearer but has all the items I require for a tourer. Yes I’ve tried the sx I found the seat to be firm but apart from the toys it’s a planted enjoyable ride.
Yes I sold the bike last year and bought a Z1000sx Kwaka.... There's was nothing wrong with the Suzuki I just wanted something a bit more up to date 😉 treat yourself the 1250 FA is a great bike and very reliable 👍
@@djbgatekeeper no problem. Get the garage to do it though because the sprocket nut is REALLY tight. A 3 foot breaker bar wouldn't shift it. A pneumatic impact wrench is usually required.
I am trading my 2016 Z1000SX in for a new Z. I love the 2016 but the headlights are a bit rubbish, hence the change. I must recommend a 16t front sprocket, it turns it into a superb motorway bike and with the excess of power you lose very little in the way of acceleration. It also makes the speedo more accurate and massively improves the mpg. I also fitted a set of Oxford Products heated grips which are brilliant for winter but also night time motorway runs. I also put a switched in USB charger under the rear seat. With the 2019 I'll be making those exact changes once it's run in. Great video and a great bike.
Great tips thanks... I have just fitted Oxford grips and when it's time for new sprockets I will go for the 16.... It's revvy on motorway trips for sure! Ride safe 👍
How many miles/km is required for a service interval? Thanks for your answer? What was your previous bike? I plan to buy it but I am not sure if it would be OK. I had Cagiva Canyon 500 and some scooters. Otherwise I am not a hard driver.
Hi there, I think the service interval was about every 6000 miles, yes I sold the Suzuki to buy the z1000sx. The Suzuki is a great bike and will run forever, I just saw the Z1000 and fell in love.... I hope you have a wonderful time on your bike :-)
