23rd Sep 2008, 21:42
I agree, the SV is a wonderful bike. However your belief that it's popping problem being cheap gas or adding octane booster won't help my bike, trust me, I've tried. As a mechanic I don't really trust gas additives, most of them are alcohol based. The short term use of additives would be fine, but the long term effects could be expensive.
As far as my bike goes, the popping has gotten worse, but now it's out of warranty so I can wrench on it without fear. I checked the basics, fuel, fire, timing, and compression. I have come to the conclusion that the factory timing (computer corrected) in the first 4 gears, coupled with incorrect valve lash adjustments, along with the t-bodies being out of sync all contribute to the pop. This has happened from day one, so I can only come to one reasonable conclusion. SUZUKI QUALITY CONTROL AND CUSTOMER SATISFACTION BITE.
Oh yes, as far as their comment about me not understanding how a motorcycle works, I have been a mechanic for 15 years on everything from lawn mowers to heavy machinery. The basics of a combustion engine are all the same, nothing changes because of size or redline.
I am now pushing for a legislation for the same regulations for bike repair shops that automotive shops have to follow. In the automotive field, these are called the map standard practices, and with more bikes on the road due to higher gas cost, there needs to be someone watching the shady practices of repair facilities dealer or independent.
30th Nov 2008, 23:05
I purchased my 2007 blue SV 1000s in July 2008, spent four months of Internet research on forums specific to this bike prior to purchase (hence no surprises).
Great bike with very few problems, did experience motorcycle cutting out on abrupt throttle up, turns out rpm needed to be adjusted set too low, a task I completed myself after conversing with the service department at the dealership. It has been 6800 miles of blissful ownership until 300 miles ago experienced excessive and irritating noise from area of clutch basket, which dissipated when the clutch was pulled in, dealership tightened primary drive gear, no more clanging from that area.
This motorcycle absolutely rips and sounds great emitting that V-twin growl from the tri-oval Yosh cans, only mod done was Timing Retard Elimination, which fools the ECU into providing full timing in every gear makes shifting seamless.
Cons: Cruising range 120-150 miles per tank.
4th Jun 2009, 23:42
Got a 07 SV-1000s with 2 bros cans. No knocking or popping as of yet, and I've done 15,000 kms on it. Great ride, gobs of usable torque. Sounds awesome. Handling is a little sluggish, but I guess you'd expect that from the price you pay for it. After all, it's a poor mans sport bike really.
28th Aug 2009, 22:05
I have had my SV1000S since 2005 and really love the bike. I have had no problems with it so far and just crested 8000 miles. The bike is fun with all the torque available, you will not be disappointed. It will hang with just about any bike until about 100mph and then the shallow top end rears it's ugly head. That is OK with me, not many places you can go much faster without either a heavy traffic tkt or loss of life. If you want to go real fast top end, buy another bike designed to go that fast. This bike goes more than fast enough for me, so all in all I am very happy. It doesn't do anything the best, but it does everything very very well. Great all around bike!!!
23rd Jan 2010, 15:56
I have had my 2007 SV1000S for near three years now.
The SV1000S is a great bike, it has not given one problem, runs perfectly, starts first time, never stalls or pops and bangs like some have mentioned, it has all the power I need, in fact I never run it much above 8000 rpm.
It is always garaged, the bike to date has only done 13,000km, and it as tidy as the day I bought it, build quality is very good, no rust or corrosion. I guess this all comes down to quality of the mechanics that put the bike together originally, and good squirt of WD40 every now and then.
I have looked at what bike I would buy next, but struggle to find anything for the same money that gives me such a buzz to ride. I have an older GSXR750 as well, and although it is faster and better handling than the SV it lacks the soul of the V twin. The GSXR has higher footpegs, which give me cramped / aching legs after about an hour.
On the negative side, I would say the seat is not the most comfortable, and also traveling in slow traffic under 30km/ hr is a pain, as the bike seems to idle at about 25km /hr in first gear, meaning I am always on/off the clutch just to go that slow. It took a while to sort the suspension out for my liking, I now adjust it to suit, I tighten it for track days and loosen it off for road riding. I find the good handling track setup too hard for touring.
I have fitted riser bars, which are easier on my back, as I found the standard bars became too wristy after about 2hrs of riding. The new bars are much better.
I have ridden over 800km / 500 miles in one day, but found my bum was getting really sore, I may invest in a seat modification should I undertake any more long rides of that length. I would suggest that should you wish to keep a SV for many years, a suspension and seat upgrade would be a wise investment, and these are probably the only areas where Suzuki have saved to meet the budget.
I can easily get 50mpg, my first rear tire lasted 8,000km, which proves I don't trash it, I have known others can only get 3,500km.
I have had the bike to over 250km/hr before I chickened out, and it was still pulling. The bike was steady as, no weaving or shaking at all, but I have to admit I was passed at that speed by a young dude on a GSXR600... showing off.
I would certainly recommend these bikes to anyone, it's just a pity Suzuki have stopped manufacturing them.
10th Sep 2008, 21:34
The back spitting is due to non-high-octane gas.
Use high octane and add octane booster at 150% of recommended ratio, and you'll likely see what I did - 15 deg F lower operating temperatures, NO POPPING, smooth power from 1,200 rpm to redline.
The bike has no counter balancer and a light fly wheel ON PURPOSE, so that the engine can spin up very quickly during acceleration. Suzuki engineers did exactly what they wanted to do - create a race bike that can tour. It feels, sounds and scampers like a race bike. Give it great gas, though.
The gear whine is... WONDERFUL music from the cam drivetrain. Don't worry about it, just enjoy it.
If you want a smoother engine, the SV650S is fabulous. I had one before the 1,000 and I miss it sometimes.
Only mistake the Suzuki team made was not clearly explaining the bike and engine in detail, so that it would be understood and loved for what it is.
That,...and they maybe should have recommended premium gas.
SV1000S = Brilliant Bike
PS: The snorkel cools the 30 amp green connector just below it by pulling air over it. Leave the snorkel in place. Also, the bike is regulated by law to run very lean. Aftermarket air filters and or mufflers will drive it TOO LEAN. That will force a Power Commander on you... which... can be fun, actually, once you get it right.
"The best bike... is the one you are riding."