Friend with SV-650

774 Views 19 Replies 16 Participants Last post by Bish, Sep 6, 2009

GSMacLean

Discussion Starter · Sep 4, 2009

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One of my very best friends currently has a Suzuki SV-650. It's her second bike, and she loves to ride it. She's a fairly skilled rider, and has been riding for about eight years.

However, she can't stand more than an hour or so at a time on it because of the leaning-forward riding position, and in particular, the clutch. I had the exact same problem on my GSX-R750 - because my left hand was bent upwards holding my body up, and because the clutch was so stiff, I would get incredibly painful carpal tunnel, to the point where I couldn't ride the bike. She has the same problem, and she will go without riding for periods of time because her left wrist hurts too much.

She would love a more upright-seating bike like my Goldwing, but she's 5'7, 115 lbs and in no way capable of handling a bike that big/heavy (her words, and I tend to agree with her).

She'd also like a bike with some storage capacity - her SV650 has enough space to hold a wallet and a set of keys under the seat, and that's a tight fit.

So...can anyone recommend a bike that might be a good fit for her? Something with a hydraulic clutch would probably be a good idea, or at least something without heavy clutch springs.

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rgbeard

· #2 · Sep 4, 2009

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Pacific Coast 800??? If you can stand the '80s "Flock of Seagulls" look.

rgbeard

· #3 · Sep 4, 2009

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Don't forget - you can loosen and rotate the brake/clutch on most bikes. Often the clutch/brake levers are set too high, and you must rotate your hand so your wrist is low and your fingers up That's just improper ergonomics.

rotate the assemblies to raise the wrist and that might be a partial solution.

burgerking

· #4 · Sep 4, 2009

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GSMacLean wrote:

she can't stand more than an hour or so at a time on it because of the leaning-forward riding position, and in particular, the clutch.

She would love a more upright-seating bike like my Goldwing, but she's 5'7, 115 lbs and in no way capable of handling a bike that big/heavy (her words, and I tend to agree with her).

She'd also like a bike with some storage capacity

You are nearly describing the Burgman 650

Fuel injection
Upright seating
Feet forward on floorboards
Lighter than a Goldwing...but still a bit of a Lardy
Under seat storage that rivals both the saddlebags on a wing...a Givi top case added beats the Wing
Has more power than most can use safely...an experienced rider can run with the best of them...I ride mine like I stole it from you, and you are trying to get it back

I am biased...I've had one for over 5 years...not one issue to date...I've done multi 600 miles plus days with relative comfort...the only downside is it's a sissy scooter

If one just MUST have a clutch, then a well cared for PC800 would do it also...I had one for many, many years...never an issue either

There are many Burgman owners who develop Buyer's Remorse...and sell nearly new bikes at absurdly low prices with nearly no miles...The Burgman is bigger, heavier, and more powerful than many anticipate...It is not a step up from a Vespa

, as many assume

Just food for thought

Bill

Best Burgman Site Anywhere

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UbarW

· #5 · Sep 4, 2009

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The Vstrom is the same powerplant as the sv, tuned differently, of course. It has a more upright position. She should sit on one, and see how it feels...

GSMacLean

Discussion Starter · #6 · Sep 4, 2009

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rgbeard wrote:

Don't forget - you can loosen and rotate the brake/clutch on most bikes. Often the clutch/brake levers are set too high, and you must rotate your hand so your wrist is low and your fingers up That's just improper ergonomics.

rotate the assemblies to raise the wrist and that might be a partial solution.

Yup, already tried that for her. Problem is, you can't rotate it too far, or else you don't have enough of your hand left holding your body up.

WingMan71

· #7 · Sep 4, 2009

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GS,

A good friend of mine got an SV-1000S because he liked his son's SV-650S. However, he's 55 years old and soon tired of the bent-way-the-heck-over, too-much-weight-on-his-hands, riding position.

At my suggestion, he solved it by adding a set of "HeliBars" handlebar risers onto his bike.

http://www.helibars.com

Perfect solution! Not cheap, but great product. They brought the riding position up and back just enough to do the trick. He's a happy camper now.

So, if your friend is leaving the option of keeping the SV-650 open, then just add some HeliBars and then add some soft saddlebags for storage space when taking long trips.

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Cousin Jack

· #8 · Sep 4, 2009

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WingMan71 wrote:

GS,

A good friend of mine got an SV-1000S because he liked his son's SV-650S. However, he's 55 years old and soon tired of the bent-way-the-heck-over, too-much-weight-on-his-hands, riding position.

At my suggestion, he solved it by adding a set of "HeliBars" handlebar risers onto his bike.

http://www.helibars.com

Perfect solution! Not cheap, but great product. They brought the riding position up and back just enough to do the trick. He's a happy camper now.

So, if your friend is leaving the option of keeping the SV-650 open, then just add some HeliBars and then add some soft saddlebags for storage space when taking long trips.

Wingman 71 is talking gospel here...... I got a riser plate (not helibar) for my ST1300, which made the bike as comfortable (or near enough, anyway) as a Wing..... might work, if they make them for the SV650. The SV650 is a good bike; my son has madeseveral longish trips on his SV, although he has no risers...... UBarW is also talking gospel, however, about the remarkable Wee Strom, which is one of the most comfortable bikes I have ever sat upon..... I still wonder if I should have bought the Wee Strom instead of my ST1300....... If something ever happens to the ST, and I survive (!), I think I'd buy a Wee Strom in a heartbeat.....

oldtoys1961

· #9 · Sep 4, 2009

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Might want to take a look at an older Shadow VT model---700 or 750. Great starters, inexpensive nowadays and can be had for around $1500. Lots of parts available, around 600lbs. and fits the ladies like a Harley Sporster only much more comfy with ability to put on saddlebags. Great cruisers.I loved my old Shadow. And even the 85' like the one I had has a hydraulic clutch and front disk breaks. Also NO notes.

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Dubswing

· #10 · Sep 4, 2009

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The Vulcan 500 is a good bike. Built low to the ground plenty of torque for the highways and installing bags and a trunk are not a problem. Even a 900 is she wants the power, which it sounds like she can handle. And they are very comfortable to ride.

Bernie

Bish

· #11 · Sep 4, 2009

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GSMacLean wrote:

One of my very best friends currently has a Suzuki SV-650. It's her second bike, and she loves to ride it. She's a fairly skilled rider, and has been riding for about eight years.

However, she can't stand more than an hour or so at a time on it because of the leaning-forward riding position, and in particular, the clutch. I had the exact same problem on my GSX-R750 - because my left hand was bent upwards holding my body up, and because the clutch was so stiff, I would get incredibly painful carpal tunnel, to the point where I couldn't ride the bike. She has the same problem, and she will go without riding for periods of time because her left wrist hurts too much.

She would love a more upright-seating bike like my Goldwing, but she's 5'7, 115 lbs and in no way capable of handling a bike that big/heavy (her words, and I tend to agree with her).

She'd also like a bike with some storage capacity - her SV650 has enough space to hold a wallet and a set of keys under the seat, and that's a tight fit.

So...can anyone recommend a bike that might be a good fit for her? Something with a hydraulic clutch would probably be a good idea, or at least something without heavy clutch springs.

KTM Motard 690 w/ hard luggage add on. Fit her perfect.

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fast black

· #12 · Sep 4, 2009

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suzuki vstrom 650
adios
fast black

Nitrowing

· #13 · Sep 5, 2009

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Yep, I agree with handlebar risers or moving the rear subframe down an inch (which is generally a lot easier than you'd think!)

Wingnumberone

· #14 · Sep 5, 2009

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Vulcan 500 with bags. Short Wife loves it.

Great value, looks sharp, runs great, low seat height, upright riding position. 60+ mpg . . . . . . . . . . .did I mention it runs great !

Motosickle

· #15 · Sep 5, 2009

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the old SILVERWING.....son of Gold Wing(god of touring)

CaptainMidnight85

· #16 · Sep 5, 2009

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A really nice GL-650... can't go wrong.

timkin

· #17 · Sep 6, 2009

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the Suzuki C50C is a good choice. 800 vtwin. boards, bags, and windshield come standard. it is FI, liquid cooled and shaft drive. i drove one for 2 years, great ride i am just too haeavy and large for it. but she should be able to run it well.
my only complaint was the seat was a little thin for us fat kids. other then that you can run with the big dogs.

Ghost Rider 2

· #18 · Sep 6, 2009

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My wife rides a 750 Shadow Aero. Hers is a 2004. Great bike. She has riden several hundred to 3 hundred mile days. We have had the bike for 2 years and she has put about 12,000 miles on it. The only thing that we wish was a little different was the fuel tank. You flip to reserve around 125 to 130 miles. Wish it had a little more range. We have looked at different bikes for her but she has always decided to stay with the Shadow.

UbarW

· #19 · Sep 6, 2009

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fast black wrote:

suzuki vstrom 650
adios
fast black

yup...

That motard has a tiny tank, though, doesnt it?

Bish

· #20 · Sep 6, 2009

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UBarW wrote:

fast black wrote:

suzuki vstrom 650
adios
fast black

Click to expand...

yup...

That motard has a tiny tank, though, doesnt it?

I think the stock one is 3 and something gallons, don't remember. IMS makes like a 6.5 or something for it.

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