Motorcycling Psychology & The Suzuki SV650 - What’s the future? 

Don't doubt that bike.Keep it forever mate its simple looks great and its a hero it took out a bloody EV, one scratch and they write them off. Thanks TAYM.

In autumn 1980 I almost snapped an Opal Manta in half on the Wegberg Ring near Mönchengladbach in Germany, with a GL1000. Split section decision swerve or hit. I stopped braking, relaxed and both my wife and I had flying lessons.. The Manta had to be lifted of the road by crane. (He had no chance to run). The shop that recovered the GL said the frame was bent and a write off.. I handed them a box of spares i ordered from Bike Bits in Swindon and ask them to fit them and change the fork staunchens. I rode it out with a 15° handlebar off set. Rode it home to UK to a shop on the east side of Oxford and picked it up a week later riding straight as a die.. Kept it for another couple of years and sold it on to a mate that knew the bikes history. Also had a BMW R100/7 straightened. Rode great. Your SV has had some light cosmetic damage and it looks beautiful. Just ride it and love it.

It's all in Your Mind TAYM Your SV was Repaired By Proper Mechanic (Orwell's?) if there was any Doubt about the Bike Being Safe To Ride , they would Have Written it off Your Confidence will Return the more You Ride it I would keep Her Myself

Time will tell. Confidence is something we never seem to lack after a car has been repaired but it's definitely needed on a bike. In the end you'll do what feels right, good luck.

It's done its job you not hurt the sv has been around for so long, you know it's not the first or last to be damaged and rebuilt, Ive got titanium knees, but I'm still full on, Your a solid rider, superstition is as much a part of our psyche as breathing. I always go back to the one who gives us breath. When it's up it's up, and your sv will still be chugging long after you or I have gone. So enjoy it, Thanks for all ya videos and input, I look forward to many more and all about your sv

M8. You're like me at the moment with the classic. I love the bike. I want to trust it, but the trust isn't there at the moment. It plays on your mind. It would be easy to walk away, but I just can't do it. I'm hoping time will bring the trust back. I'm sure I would regret walking away without giving it a chance. Park it up for a while and come back to it in a month or so and then make your decision, I reckon. 🤔😀

You are absolutely right about confidence in your bike. If confidence is fading then riding becomes more dangerous as commitment wanes. I think a bike that has been injured...then healed can be confidence inspiring. We can all get back up after we fall...and we can keep on going! 😊

Don’t be too hasty, I think youve just had a confidence knock on it . Think about it over the winter period then make a decision. Thanks TAYM

Dear Mr TAYM , I completely understand where your coming from , with the accident putting fears in your mind , even if they are only slight. I had a lot of fears after a 45 year break from Motorcycling. Restarted at 69 years of age . My Philosophy is don’t run away. If you have a Phobia or even a slight fear . Fight it , put the accident out of your mind and when the roads are dry . Be a Naughty Boy again. And you will Win and Forget the Accident Completely. You know what people said when we were young !!!! If you fall off your bike get back on and ride it . Best Wishes, Still Loving you’re Videos.👍👍👍

I would get the bike checked again just to make sure, then give it a proper go when the conditions are good. As for what the future of the SV is... I think Suzuki should turn it into their retro middleweight. Give it some nice analog gauges, remove as much plastic as you can, fully lean into the 90's style of it all.

I think you should wait for proper dry weather before deciding. I sold my 2 favourite cars after other people damaged them and regret it a bit now many years later. I have the same seat, BW exhaust and fender extender on my SV too. The seat is the best single upgrade on the bike and absolutely transformed the comfort for me. Can’t wait for some better weather!

Go with your gut. My pick-up truck was hit by a large semi truck doing 50mph. The accident did 11 thousand dollars damage. But my truck was not knocked out of alignment (the men had bets on it) and the airbags didn't deploy. So my insurance saved it. (I've been years in taekwondo so I walked away with soreness) I was nervous getting back in. Not of my truck, but other people (as I had been boxed in at the time - I feel far safer on my motorcycles since.) But I have memories in my truck and family that are no longer with me. It was due its yearly registration renewal and smog test when released from repair. It passed with flying colors. My truck is awesome. And that was blazing sign enough for me. Nobody can tell you how to feel. That just happens naturally. Good luck on what you decide.

Morning Mr TAYM. This is a tough one, the shear fact that you are talking about having doubts, tells me that you will never have the confidence in it again. If it was me, I would keep it and bring the confidence back (I wouldn’t be able to afford to swap it anyway). As Mal asked, presumably as it went through insurance, will it have a category attached to it. Despite it only being cosmetic, it will devalue it if it has 😢. Is there another bike which tempts you, or would you buy another SV ? All the best with your quandary.

Know exactly where you are coming from, l bought a brand new Kawasaki Z750 when they first came out and it was my pride and joy until the day of my wife's mums funeral and she knocked it over pulling out off our hardstand. Tank, indicators, engine cover, exhaust, bar and levers all got damaged and it cost me a fortune to repair and my love for her never returned, the bike that is not my wife 😂 we are a bit silly when it comes to our bikes we do get attached don't we, hope your decision is the right one when you make it, all the best bud 👍

If there was anything structurally wrong with the bike you would feel it straight away. Don't overthink the situation, just enjoy a machine the majority of the world population can only dream to own.

You should keep it. Come the better weather, you'll be back riding it like you stole it and the lack of confidence you had in the bike will be forgotten. Coincidentally, i thought my 650 Strom was jinxed when i first bought it, all within a month a pedestrian walked out in front of me looking the other way, how i managed to swerve round her god knows, a car flicked up something on the road and chipped my headlight lens, when the bike was parked a car would have knocked it over if i hadn't been there to stop the blind tw@t, and finally i forgot to put the sidestand down and dropped the bike resulting in a broken clutch lever. All this within a month of owning it. Since then, no incidents and all is good. Your SV has used up any bad luck and will now live forever.

Looks great that bike mate, as you say..back to basics.. you have thinking! 👍🏻

Good morning TAYM I’d leave it for 6 months try to ride it as much as you can (get the trust and love back)and then reassess plus bike prices will be better for selling in sumner. trade it in for a V7 😜 ( sorry couldn’t help myself😂) it’ll be interesting to see what you do 🤔Caio for now 👍🏻

I hear what you're saying ( and what you're not saying!) and I think we've all been there. Whatever you decide will be the right decision for you and I look forward to hearing and seeing what the future holds! Best wishes and thankyou for your channel .

Dear Taym, I commented before I crashed my FS1E into my mate who was already slid and on the deck. Bent the forks. Had it repaired by my dad who had engineering business. Top speed 50 mph ish. BUT….. I never felt it tracked straight or went round corners the same even at those low speeds. I kept the bike immaculate but I lost confidence in it. That was 49 yrs ago and can recall it well. Just from your tone which is not reflected in your other machines, it’s time to get rid imo. You have plenty of others to play with whilst you ruminate on what to get. Take the hit and be confident and happy? I dont think parking it and thinking is good idea.The seed already planted and won’t go away. Gorgeous bike, superb mechanicals.so underrated. Whatever you do good luck. If it’s a category now you will lose money, but what’s new. Motorcycling/driving is a money pit. The front end of a bike is the “feel” of the bike. Get rid and clear your mind

First, what a beautiful SV! I love the gray with red wheels. 🥰 Next, the bike sounds great with the Black Widow exhaust. But, if your confidence isn’t 100% in the SV then I’d move the bike along. It’s kinda like tires. If I don’t have 100% confidence in the tires on a bike then I start missing my corners or just not having fun with a bike. New tires, whether a tire I have confidence with fresh tread or a totally new tire or different model and my confidence is restored and I can be one with the bike then. I know that you’ll make the wise decision. 😊

Hello Taym, if the sv was a top racehorse, and had broken a leg it would be put down, yet if it were a pet( sorry couldn't think of a better word) You would nurse it back to health and love it just the same as before. You now have to decide if the SV is a racehorse or a pet. 😢

Good morning TAYM. I hope you and yours have a happy and healthy new year. Now then ... the fact is the car backed into the bike. There was nothing you could have done to avoid the crunch. However as a motorcyclist I have feelings and these are not always rational. When I have a bike it takes a while, maybe even a couple or three years, for me to bond with it. If something happens during that period to upset the "bonding process" then somehow the magic is gone out of our relationship. From that point on, it is only a matter of time for me to admit to myself that I have fallen out of love with it and it has to go. For me and my 2018 SV it was the seat and me sliding forward into the tank and spending all my time pushing my backside back up the downward sloping seat. In the end, I just got fed up with it and yes I did try a different seat, but it was no better. I think the SV is a perfectly good and competent motorcycle, but it lacks that special, but indescribable attribute that can generate an emotional bond such as how I feel about my 850 Moto Guzzi Stone. Setting cash value aside which bike would be last you would sell? Take care out there on those mucky roads.

Back in 1983 I sat in the middle of the road on my arse watching my new 350 Powervalve wheelie down the road on it's own. Eventually it hit a verge, came down and flipped over. I got up, ran to it and picked it up and managed to ride it half a mile home. It smashed the bikini fairing and clocks, bent the front forks and slightly bent the front wheel as well as scraping the hell out of one exhaust. Amazingly the headstock wasn't damaged at all. Eventually I managed to buy a hideously expensive new front wheel and had the forks straightened. I left the battered exhaust on. I couldn't afford new clocks so i bought second hand mk.1LC clocks and put them on. ( To this day i believe my Bike was the inspiration for the N model Powervalve that came two years later. Yamaha owe me big time.😂). I rode that Bike for another ten years. It was fine and i never doubted it's straightness. Sometime in the mid nineties i sold it to a mate who decided to fully restore it but as an N model. He still has it now and tells me it's his favourite Bike. (He owns a few and has had a big variety). So don't let your doubts nibble at your enjoyment. Your SV can go on for years as long as you let it.😊

Mate that is gorgeous . We had a chat outside Halfords the other day I’m the lad with that white Yamasaki 😂 had to sub to yous

One of the best bikes I've ever rode. That Beautiful V TWIN. The plumbing and lego design are a bit suspect 😳

I fear the sands of time for your SV might be running low , I think a good ride in decent weather is what you need to make your mind up . There's no rush . 👍

Interesting subject TAYM. Everyone's view is different. If you have reservations you are not going to enjoy the ride....which is the important point...aswell as staying safe of course. You will make the right decision for you. Happy New year.

I would carry on riding it, in the summer would know if it’s a keeper or pass on ! There are still new ones about at discount prices , may be part exchange ! Has the insurance put a cat 1-2 or any group, it* not bike is as factory built it! Safe riding !!

It’s obvious from the way you’re talking that you have lost confidence in the SV and that is something you have to have in your bike, but you’re not riding in the conditions that would allow the SV to show you what it can do, so I’d wait until you have better roads to see how you feel then. It’s certainly not ‘jinxed’, that’s all in the head, but you’re the only one who can answer your question and make the decision. I’d certainly wait for better weather/roads before making any decision!

Morning TAYM, I can read the doubt in your voice, but I'd park it up for a week or two and hopefully get a dry day (don't laugh) and take it out again, also let a trusted experienced friend ride it and see if they sense anything wrong with it? If there's nothing you yourself can put your finger on then it's just the old superstitious thought of "it's been crashed it's never going to feel right again " thing. If I didn't live 200 miles away I'd nip round and take it out myself for you and you could have a go on my 24 year old gen 1 that I've restored , I've put new head stock bearings, fork bushes and seals on it amongst everything else, the last owner must have done some clumsy wheeleys on it as the bearings were as notchey as hell! 😂 , but it's perfect now, and you'd have a comparison to judge. In fact there's a thought! Go and borrow a new demo bike for a day and compare? Hope you get peace of mind either way , all the best Mel 👍

I think that despite you saying you know it's all fixed and not doubting the main dealer, actually you have a slight mistrust that there may be hidden damage (in particular too the forks) .... I understand that completely. It's human nature and an understanding of the realities of life at play. 😊 if it's on the register as damaged repaired it's value will be severely effected but you may as well take the hit and move on as that back of the mind doubt will never leave you .... all the best Dave.

I'm sure lots of us who own used bikes are riding them blissfully unaware they've been damaged in the past. If you've looked over it thoroughly and can't see any damage but are still unsure, why not get an independent inspection done? At least you know the history of your bike unlike many of us who own used machines 😊

I don't think the conditions help in getting back confidence. Wait until the roads dry out and then go for a blast and see how you feel . Any doubts and it may be time to get rid, or you may be surprised and fall in love all over again. Whatever you decide will be the correct decision. 👍

Mr Taym, if it feels ok riding it then it probably is ok, to get that confidence back just push it and lean it a bit at a time and you will overcome your worries ......👍😀

It may very well be jinxed. Just in this video, one car pulled out and another guy opened a door on you, so …. I think I would be worried about it too. But then, I’m a superstitious bugger.

Interesting one TAYM. I had a taxi van reverse into me very slowly a few years back. Lots of broken plastic, expensive, but thank gawd for that R&G crash protection:-). Strangely In a way I was happier being on the bike, where I could directly assess the forces involved, than if it'd reversed into it while I was somewhere else. So when I got it back I fortunately I did have confidence in it, and could get straight back to enjoying it. Whatever you decide TAYM about this particular bike it's good to know you'll be out on a bike of some sort enjoying yourself. You're smitten with motorbikes. No getting way from that.

Yes confidence while you ride makes a great difference. if u have doubts in your mind about the ride it effects one riding style. Im going through the same feeling and im not enjoying the riding anymore with this fear and shattered confidence while leaning and applying brakes on roads with shine.

Hi Taym same as f19ash wait till a good dry day, it really does sound like you have decided you can't feel comfortable with it, do you trust the dealer who repaired it? if you do the bike is a new 23 plate bike just be patient and don't do anything you my regret later. Ride safe and keep them videos coming.😊

Hi there I had a white one great bikes I also changed exhaust/seat and was a good bike but the seating angle meant I always fealt I was leaning forwards so not as cumfortable for me and no traction control could spell disaster on those wet winter roads you will sell the bike you just dont want to 😍 if I had the t100 parked next to it in the garage the sv would,nt do many trips

Good to see you out on the SV Taym, it is a bike I like but the pillion seat is my only reason not to have one. The niggling doubt you have about keeping it now is in your mind and if your anything like me, it will only grow. It would be a shame to move it on but would an RE Continental GT be a nice replacement. 😊👍🏍

As long as you have confidence in the people that repaired the SV , I would ride it. Of course you're experienced enough to know whether it's right or not. It's funny about the psychology though, for instance I had an oil leak on the V7III and had it dealer repaired. That was a year or so ago and I still keep a piece of cardboard under it and look at it every time. It's all in the head 😉

Sounds good with the pipe on, looks fine, albeit basic. Nice seat.

Got a SV650 that I do the daily commute into London on. To be honest I think that at the end of the world there will only be cockroaches and SV’s that survive, they are as tough as old boots. I keep thinking I should get something more exciting, but they are such great bikes. As you say, seats aren’t the best, lights are pretty rubbish, however I rode the new Suzuki 8s and came away thinking the SV was actually better.

I am one of the least superstitious people that you will ever meet, even though I live in a country where everyone believes in ghosts and every house has a small spirit house for the ghosts to live in. Even so, I have seen karma happen so many times, that it is real to me. Anyway, I would think that after a bit of road testing and riding, if the bike is fine, then you will have confidence in it and all will be well. If not, then you may have to sell it and move on. The SV650 is such a great bike, so I do hope that it works out well.

I have the identical bike with same colors. I'd say "stay in the Grey Ghost Club"

A similar accident happened to my sv . I had it repaired and it's fine . A great bike. fun to ride and cheap to run . My advice is to get rid of those Dunlop tyres . I was advised to try Avon storm 3d tyres and they have completely transformed my sv . Feels so much more planted which inspires confidence

I can relate to this exactly. I dropped my Triumph Trident 660 at walking pace whilst trying to turn around in a village road, in front of a pub garden full of people! A few scratches, but for a long time afterwards I felt it was trying to tip me over. It took a long time to regain the confidence with it even though I knew it was all in the mind (mine!).

I had three accidents on my Greeves when I was young . One Broken Wrist , . But I got back on it and rode it for 2 months with the throttle on the wrong side, and my arm in plaster . And once thrown over the handlebars with a friend, pillion passenger. Both of us ended up in Hospital. But got back on and carried on . Your Bike isn’t Jinxed keep it and Go for it . Have Fun . Never Give In . Beat This Challenge. I have . Don’t Let the Giraffes Down 🤣😅🤣😅🤣😅

Here's my twopence of armchair psychology. I think you've lost confidence in yourself, but you're projecting that onto the bike as a way of keeping uncontrollable things (like bad electric car drivers) at arms length. Getting rid of the bike seems like getting rid of the anxiety as they're packaged together. That might work, or as others have suggested, keep riding the bike with care until the confidence returns. Either way keep up the good work.

Yeh, it looks like a new 650. Would have never guessed it was 25 years old. I’ve never had an accident riding a motorcycle. But, I’ve had a couple car accidents and the accident does affect your confidence in both your abilities and the machine. Take it one step at a time. Ride it in the twistiest and do some long commutes with it. If you sell it then someone else will make good use of it and you can get yourself a newer model. Either way, it’ll work out.

I don't know if anyone can advise you TAYM all I can say is that as we get older we do become more risk averse and self preservation becomes a big priority. I know when I was young you would crash a bike repair it yourself and get straight back on it but I know it's not the same now. Logic dictates that the bike has been repaired professionally and there is nothing wrong with it but motorcycling is not a logical thing because if it was we would all drive cars 🤣We make decisions on indefinable, unquantifiable feelings and emotions and confidence is one of those feelings that has no relationship with logic and for a motorcycle to work for you you have to have that confidence. I had a couple of small incidents where my CB500X slipped in conditions I didn't think were too bad and that was enough that I didn't feel 100% confident when I dropped it into a corner so after much trying to convince myself that it was just a thing that happened or it might be tyres I came to the conclusion that I just wasn't confident in that bike and it had to go. You just have to make the right decision for your own peace of mind and only your own gut will tell you that.

The seat looks good, what brand is it ? Love the videos, so I subscribed.

I could hear the headstock cracking everytime you hit the slightest bump. And I definitely saw flakes of paint falling off as you told us of your fears.😂 Yes Taym you are crazy. Keep it. Ride it. Enjoy it. By the way, what make is the replacement seat? as my mate Katie who bought her SV about the same time you did also finds the standard seat very uncomfortable.

They are good I’ve had 2 of them back in 2018/9 I changed my seat aswell as so uncomfortable the standard seat

Watching you walk around the bike I keep looking at that bench where you put your helmet. How many pipes I would sit there and look at the bike and do some thinking. Bring a half sandwich 🥪 and embrace life for a while.

Hi Taym! A bit sad this video, but I really understand your thoughts and feelings! If I lost confidence in any verhicle I would get rid of it, but I can’t make any decision for you. Allthough I hear your voice talking about this lovely bike… and that’s really making me sad as I know you love this bike. I would give it a go when better weather arrives, sunshine and good roadconditions. Let her stay in the stable for a while and try to take her out later again. How does it make you feel by then? If you are still not 100% confident with this bike by then… trade her in for an another. Painfull but there are other lovely bikes which put a smile on your face and makes your heart beating faster. Good luck with your decision Taym, your are so experienced, you will know! ❤

Not sure if you realised but you said “ Suzuki Vstrom “ when you introduced it …perhaps subconsciously you want to go back to that 😊. Understand your dilemma, I had some weird electrical problems with Paddo the 350 where it would often cut the engine …once on Sydney’s Anzac bridge ( 4 lanes of chaos ) …although it was fixed I never felt good on it again …I also found Gus the Interceptor weirdly top heavy …anyway thanks for this video it’s so true you’ve got to feel absolute confidence in your machine or it’s not worth the risk….good luck with your decision but I reckon you’ve already made it

Great looking bike and good value how do you get on being a tall chap like me I am 6ft 2 ish lol Happy New Year by the way

An interesting point TAYM, after a prang like that there will allways be an element of doubt in your mind ? On the other hand caution is your friend, it will look after you. Only time will tell as your confidence builds, pre-prang you considered the SV to be a fully safe & competent bike. If the repairs have been carried out to a high & safe standard as you believe they have then all should be well, ride enjoy & stay safe ! As we get older we tend to think about things more than when we were young, sometimes we even over think things ? Only you will know if you can now live with this bike, but if your doubting it as you ride then perhaps its time to replace it with something else ? Here speaketh the voice of reason !

My xjr came from a bad dealer, lots of Safety problems. Then i got new tires, new front suspension, new lights and hopes for more. I will keep it, fix it, ride it. Its 24 years old now. But i feel much safer on my Honda ST. How you feel about the bike is important.

My friends horse threw her off, took months for her to trust it again, never happened again since they love each other, she talks more to it and it listens and nods a lot to her, she's got over it.. Good job it wasn't a Giraffe eh... Now that is a long way to fall. 😂

Like you Taym when I was young would not worry used to do alot off road and was always falling off. I am not sure how I would feel. If you brought the bike to scratch around a bit then perhaps sell it if you don't feel right on the bike. I would perhaps wait until better weather and if you feel same then sell it if you feel good happy days keep it

I must admit that I have similar feelings about my Guzzi. Just too many (mostly little) things have gone wrong with it for me to 100% trust it. I always knew it would require more involvement than a regular bike, but a combination of ill health, mechanical ineptitude and bad luck has dogged me for a while now. Now, being in the trade as it were, I could give you a convincing explanation of what you are thinking (note the use of 'thinking' here) and also how to fix it, but I suspect it wouldn't change much. I also suspect that being in the position you are in, you will change it for something else at some point. As for me, well finances are not that expansive currently, but I still get itchy finger syndrome when thinking about what's available. ps I enjoy this styler of video more than the regular mutters.

Hi, it's Pete from Cheshire, not spoken to you for a while, just seen your latest video, I'd say go with what your head says, believe me some bikes are jinxed. You like the BSA 650, it doesn't have to be a new one, maybe just nearly new one and get a bargain, I have seen some for about £5,000, personally I only think they are worth £3,500 😂😂, But really you already have a nice line up of nice bikes, with Bertie, your triumph 900 and the thruxton, you need a nice Chinese model in your collection something like a Benelli TRK700, make a good winter bike and when I went too the NEC they were giving away free panniers and topbox , in aluminium and I think the top model was £7,100 on the road absolute bargain anyway all the best for your future videos 😂😂 Pete

Psychologically speaking , we are all nuts to ride motorcycles . But paranoid mechanophobia is not uncommon after a tumble . So what do you do after you take a fall from your horse ? You get back on again immediately. Same with bikes . It's a mechanical device . If it's rebuilt properly, it'll be just as good as a new one . The main problem that I see with the SV is it's visual cloaking device . A small bike without a fairing is harder to see , especially for those cagers who don't want to see you . Put some bl**dy great big LED auxiliary lights on it and scorch their retinas . If they honk at you , you know the strategy is working.😂 Of course none of this advice is of any use if your bike is truly cursed .😮

Confidence is crucial when riding,and only you can say if on this particular bike the confidence is or isn't there. On today's busy roads with many idiots sharing our route..we cannot be less that totally confident... We have probably all been there at some point in our riding careers... worried if the confidence will return, if it's all in the head, losing money on getting rid of the bike so soon ( they are all depreciating assets anyway)... etc At the end of the day... without confidence..it's your life that's at risk...not to put to fine a point on it. Stay safe... 😊Happy New year ( l been busy of late..lots of videos to catch up on 😮 )

Morning TAYM does this mean that your SV is now categorised as having been damaged in it's history even though it's all good .? I think I would leave the widow on for me ,I get what your saying about the jinx thing but it's one incident now if more happens like going wrong and stuff maybe consider moving it on but unless something does happen I would just forget it .I have known people who won't have a green bike because they are unlucky but not sure on that one 😉 she's lookin mighty fine right now and if she rides well then forget it but you need to take her out a good few times for a while like bed it in again .👌👍

Evening TAYM, I occasionally find the rational and emotional / subconscious sides of my brain to be in conflict, which is sense is how you may be feeling about the SV, you know it's mechanically sound but that niggle just wont go away. As i've gotten older, I spend more time listening to what the subconscious (fight or flight) emotions are trying to tell me, I suspect it's our survival instincts at play. Hope that doesn't come across as some load of old waffly cobblers. 😁 Basically what i'm trying to say is go with your gut instincts, they've served us well for a very long time. In any event i'm sure you will make the right decision and the SV does sound lovely.😊

If in doubt there is no doubt, simple.

Just go steady on it and gradually rebuild confidence in it. No such thing as a jinx but there are plenty of other road users who shouldn't have a licence so ride defensively. We've all had close calls with idiots and those close calls do shake you up. Takes a while to get confidence back when those things happen but it does come back.

Wait and see. Confidence can take time to build.

Is this the last year or nearly last year of the SV650 ? The new 800 V Strom RE( that isn't a V twin ) looks like taking over from the SV , The SV could be a future classic . I'll keep an eye open for your SV in Orwells 😃..

It sounds like you haven't really bonded with this bike yet because you haven't had it long enough. If the same thing had happened to Bertie I don't think you'd be having any doubts at all. It almost seems as if you're looking for an excuse to change it but that's just the impression I'm getting, I'm happy if I'm wrong. All the best for the new year, Mick

My brother usually change his bike or his car if it had a crash with it.. But I don't .. I crashed my old purple CBR 600 F2 /that featured in a mutter/ and I was repairing it for a month.. I was riding that bike for a few years after that.. If I know that the frame, the fork and the wheels are good .. I will not be afraid to ride and push it. I feel that you leaning to changing it.. For what ? Kawa 650? 😃😃

Lovely bike, for me personally if you habe lost confidence you either take it steady for a while and see if it builds back up. Or if you feel like it is impairing your riding and presenting a danger then trade her. Beautiful bike though, I had one on loan when my Gsxs1000gt was in for a service and as you mention there is something very sincere and enjoyable about a simple 'proper' bike. For the money I dont think these can be beaten but unfortunately I dont think they will be produced for much longer...

I think it needs a little more time before deciding. The accident wasn't your fault so i think if things go ok over the next few months with it then you can give it a bit more time and grow into it a bit more. It does sound great, makes me want a new exhaust for my v twin nt7 though so thanks for that;)

We are all different, how we feel about our bikes. For me trust is hard to earn and it takes time, When I've been let down I can try again, but not if knew the relationship wasn't worth it. If I knew there was a fundamental flaw in my bike, I would not ride it until it was sorted. You would know if something up front was wrong and there would be clues.Cracked paint around the head stock,, skewed mud guard , off centre tracking, you would know.

Did you make this for me? 8 weeks ago my 2 month old R.E. was knocked off it's stand by an Amazon van 20 minutes after the bike having the 1st service. The dealership quoted £650 to fix. Insurance assessor £2100! Hence bike cat N. It already had a scratch on the tank noticed when dealer was doing PDI. For the first time in over 50 years riding and a100 miles in to ownership I nearly had a head on with a car. (The driver was looking at and chatting to her passenger and was on the wrong side of the road). Just couldn't shake the "unlucky bike" thoughts. Guess what is on my new bike shortlist? A SV650!

I get the whole jinx issue, it’s about trust, and once something bad happens the trust is gone no matter what. I’ve experienced it a few times and there’s no way back no matter how silly it seems. Time to trade, but what for?

As you know Bikes Don’t have feelings and I’m sure the bike will good , but yes it sounds like you have got doubt in your mind how safe it is ? Give it time and see how you feel ? A similar thing happened to me and I decided to sell my bike ☹️ I’m now looking again for a new bike . Great videos 👍

My truck has been with me for 24 years, she has been in two accidents in park. Neighbor backed into her on the road, got fixed, at work at night and a customer backed into it. Only had one customer that night so I knew who it was. Anyways, been repaired a couple times. Still running and has 210,0000 miles. Love that truck, been through two wife's. This girl is still with me!

"I hope you've enjoyed this rambling of a lunatic." We wouldn't have it any other way!

I’d say, keep the bike, or sell it. Try not to get too attached before you decide.

There are bikes like this one that have a great meaning for a large number of bike appreciators, isn’t it? The Bonneville range from triumph, the Africa Twin from Honda and the GS from BMW. The list could go on and on…because they are good bikes. But there are also a bunch of very good bikes that were by the opposite side, overlooked. Some people are born with a star over their heads and others with a big dark cloud… I s there any logic for all this facts?

What is the upgraded seat please and where did you get it? Cheers Its all in your head, its only had cosmetic damage, put it out of your head. It will be fine. Think positive!

I did say that it would never be the same,that feeling of trust and confidence would go. My personal opinion would be trade up because while your feeling like this riding you missing out on the enjoyment of why we ride. STILL SOUNDS GREAT THOUGH 😊

It's an odd one as you're quite happy on all your other bixe and loan bixe. Maybe PX it for a bike you fancy, too many for me to remember which! Or as I quite like the grey SV 650 and the grey Himalayans can I have it please?

Just the sort of excuse I’d need to trade it in for a Guzzi. 😀😀

I think you will recret getting another bike. Give it some time 😊

I dont know about you but if anyone is going to do something dozy on the road its always a volkswagen golf, ive made eye contact with them at junctions and they still pull out on me.

ride it ;;; no point in selling so soon , its not worth a lot now you have told the whole world its been mended , drive on it runs fine ;; if you are brave enough to ride in the weather conditions you do nearly everyday - there is no way that bike is going to let you down or give you a nasty surprise ;;

What is the music played at the start of the video

If it's jinxed, can it be 'saged' to remove any said jinx??? I don't know

I no what you mean but I would wait for a bit before you decide personally myself i would keep it but it is up to you naughty boy

I’d keep it 6 more months and if you still lack confidence in the bike then make a change.

Best first big bike bar none? I got my shortlist down to this and a RE conti GT 650

Got exact bike and the black W exhaust but what seat is that and where from please? Keep the bike for now unless there’s another in mind of course.

If your heads not In the bike you need to get rid, but I'd give it a chance to see if you can regain the confidence in it.

You're certainly not crazy. It's not unlikely that the steering geometry has been altered ever so slightly. You can sense it it with your experience. I don't think it's psychology. Try one or two other SVs, then take a test ride on your own as it was a new motorcycle. Because it's a tiny bit different doesn't mean it's worse. I bought a 2017 SV650 a month ago. We certainly didn't have production motorcycles like this back in the seventies and eighties - not to mention the fantastic fuel economy.