i've been bitten by the bike bug
i took a chance to ride my buddy's gsxr 600, don't get me wrong i liked the feel of it BUT i feel it has too much power for my first bike, plus i was in medium traffic and scared the crap out of myself (bike didn't have mirrors and tried to merg)
i was looking on the suzuki website and i came across the sv650

anyone ride one of these bad boys, and if you do how's the up keep and other things i should know

 

SV650's are GREAT bikes, whether you're a beginner or an advanced track rider. I've owned three '00 models (one not exactly rideable at the moment...). Simple, lightweight, no b.s. bikes.

You just have to decide between '99-'02 and '03+, and naked with higher handlebar, or S/SF models with lower-mounted clip-ons.

Upkeep is not a big deal at all.

 

whats better the 03+ fuel injected model or the 99-02 carbed model?

 

Just depends on your budget really...

FI should get better mileage, make more power, more consistent throttle response, etc. Carbs are cheaper, and diagnose and fix. Carbs also have a BIT more maintenance, especially if you winterizing a bike for several months. Then again, it takes 30 seconds to drain the float boals and add some STA-BIL.


Maintenance wise carbs are simpler. The carbs should be synced every 7,500 miles. FI should have the throttle body and throttle position sensor synced every 7,500 miles. Syncing carbs on a V-twin is easy and requires no special equipment beyond a manometer (two glass bottles, 2 stoppers, and some tubing). FI for me would mean taking the bike to a shop. If you have no plans on working on your bike yourself then this probably isn't an advantage.

If you plan on modding carbs can be a pain. You'll have to rejet the carbs for every mod you do which is pretty much a process of trial and error. Take the carbs off, R&R the jets, reinstall the carbs, butt dyno, repeat until satisfied. Tuning FI with a power commander is probably a lot easier although I have no idea how to do it.


cliffs;
Get what fits your budget, they aren't that different.

 

FI in bikes hasn't really resulted in better mileage. Also, the slightly greater power of the '03+ FI bikes is due to cams, not fuel injection. '03+ intake cam into the earlier carbed bikes and moving the original intake cams to the exhaust results in the same or more power as in the '03+ bikes.

For mods, rejetting the carbs isn't a big deal, and if you get your info straight on what jetting is appropriate you only have to do it once.
I wound up doing it twice on mine...
Less than $10 worth of jets and shims to modify the A/F mixture beats the hell out of having to spend ~$300 on a power commander!

Ditto that they're not that different, really. Go with whichever appeals more to you. If price is a consideration, of course earlier models are cheaper.

 

but a PC once installed is much easier to change the maps than the jets after every mod. also the PC can be tuned for cold weather and hot. aftermarket exhaust systems tuned when hot can shot flames out during the winter

 

How many iterations of mods are we talking about? For most, desnorkeling the air filter and an aftermarket exhaust are all the modding they're ever going to do.

It's easy enough to get the jetting right the first time. I didn't heed advice and didn't go big enough after desnorkeling the stock air filter, so I got to do it again. But it's not that much effort.

The correct jetting for "normal" mods is pretty well established, it doesn't have to be a big trial-and-error ordeal.

Cold vs. hot, all I can say is I've never had any issues with the jetting being "off" one season vs. the other. But I don't ride when it's colder than ~45F anyway...

Fear not the carbed SV.

 

Carbed '00 owner here. It is my first bike and a great one at that. Very forgiving, good power that is lots of fun but won't get you into trouble unless you ask it to.

As far as difficulties, mine is stock so I haven't jetted it and it starts and runs within 5min or so all year long (or at least down to 33F, my coldest ride).

 

SV650 is a nice bike. If the GSXR 600 was too much, maybe try a sport/touring bike like the honda f4i or the suzuki katana? My first bike was the katana 600. It's on the heavy side and underpowered for a 600 (around 70hp) but it's stable and reliable. I've since upgraded to a 600rr and the power difference is huge. Stick with the underpowered 600s and you'll be ok.

 

Can-a-tuna? I love that derogatory name for 'em even though I wanted one when they were new. I never wanted race ergos on the street so I liked the concept.