Mid-Life Rider

The SV is a bike that never caught on. It’s too bad. Built during a period when manufacturer attention had turned to building big twins in order to counter the winning ways of Ducati super bikes. The urge passed, at least temporarily, and rider and manufacturer attention moved to zillion horsepower four cylinder bikes.

Like I said, it’s too bad. The current crop of liter bikes are useless on the street and beyond the capabilities of 99.9% of the people that ride them. At about 100 hp, the SV is just about the perfect back road bike. It shows well on the track as well. About the only weak part is the suspension, more bargain than bomber, but that’s easily enough fixed.

I bought my SV used from a dealer. The previous owner had spent a bunch of money on it, ridden it a couple of thousand miles, and then turned it in for a gixxer. I continued the silliness but sinking another $1200 into the bike, mostly on the previously mentioned suspension. The bike is safe, sane, and street legal. The new owner, another story, got a lot of bike for the money. Here’s a list . . .

• Factory lowers
• Frame sliders
• Elka Elite PB46CR / 3-WAY adjustable rear shock
• RaceTech front springs and front fork rebuild
• Pillion seat cowl cover
• Leo Vince exhaust (very pricey)
• BMC air cleaner: airbox snorkle has been modified
• Power Commander III with custom fuel injection map
• Watsen Design turn signals
• Zero Gravity Double Bubble screen
• PIAA bright white bulbs
• TLR shift arm replacement (quicker shifts)
• Michelin Pilot Power tires

Closeup of watsen signal

Watsen and sliders

Miles

Elka compression adjustment

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Tags: Suzuki, SV1000S, Elka, Race Tech, Leo Vince, Power Commander, Watsen Design, Zero Gravity, Throttlemeister