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Old 05-07-2015, 07:33 PM   #30 (permalink)
jkv357
Master EcoModder
 
Join Date: Jul 2011
Location: WI
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I'll toss in my 2 cents on the SV -

I have 2 of them, both naked versions, a 2006 I bought new and a project 2000 that is getting close to being ready to ride.

The '06 is F.I., the '00 is not. I geared the '06 up 1T on the countershaft sprocket mostly to smooth-out the highway cruise - which it did. I regularly cruise around 75 mph, and running ethanol-free 87 it will get 55 MPG on the hwy. Best it has done is 62 MPG with moderate backroad riding, but most of the time I'm revving it the 7000 to 8000 range with brief runs to redline. Around town it will do over 50 MPG with normal riding - shifting about 5000-6000 for the most part, but not being overly gentle.

The later models have dual plugs, and do even better on gas (power is the same).

Overall, the SV is hard to beat as a general-purpose street bike (I've had over a dozen street bikes since the early 80s). Plenty of torque, good range, decent comfort, excellent durability, good handling, and excellent MPG for a 650.
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