Suzuki SV650 adventure bike intermediate build - Page 2

zap2504 · 01-25-2013, 01:46 PM

"i'm quite tall so i grabbed some upholstery foam, black vinyl and a staple gun to build the seat higher. it's just a rough job and may get it done properly if it works out in the long term."

B1 - just how tall (and what is your inseam)? I'm thinking about a road-only bike but find the purpose-built dual sports (V-Stroms, Versys, BMW GS, Triumph Tigers, etc.) are the only bikes out there that fit me "out of the box". If the SV can be modded to fit a 34" inseam without looking freakish, I'm subscribed.

B1 · 01-25-2013, 02:10 PM

6 foot 5 and 33" inseam. that rough prototype seat i've got was just to see if the straight line from the rear guard to the tank looked better. the foam i've used is pretty soft and actually sinks down about two inches and just as well... with the rear sitting inches higher now i'd be on tip toes if the seat padding didn't compress down.

it feels quite comfortable as is although after an hours in the saddle the legs feel a touch cramped, but i think the buell pegs dropping an inch will fix that perfectly.

the pic below shows the first seat padding i did. this used a harder upholstery foam and the soft higher one i've got now still compresses down to about this level.

if you were only beefing up the front forks (e.g. not putting dirt bike forks on), i would suggest just padding the seat higher, get the buell pegs and maybe kick the rear of the bike up an inch higher with shorter dog bones to maintain your footpeg clearance?

elgato gordo · 01-25-2013, 06:08 PM

More SV Mods, Go Go Go Go!

Lookin good.

B1 · 01-28-2013, 07:19 PM

chopped up a big black plastic chlorine container to make a little fairing, seems to work well.

if you are after a smaller one mainly for bling factor, this aftermarket fairing below could be worth looking at. only US$17 plus about $13 for shipment.

a guy has done a report on it over the main SV650 page here.

SRG · 01-31-2013, 09:12 PM

lots of cheap digital bicycle speedos will work on a (motor) bike.

B1 · 03-19-2013, 03:20 PM

video of a one day adventure ride with the adventurised SV650. went like a dream on easy dirt roads and tracks but the stock rear suspension isn't much chop once things get gnarly. but of course a vstrom wouldn't handle those bits very well either. so very impressed with the way it all fits together....

amk · 03-19-2013, 05:08 PM

Nice. Are not you worry with the radiator width? In a drop, that one is the fist to touch the ground, on the Wee it is much narrower.

max384 · 03-19-2013, 05:17 PM

Nice video... Though next time make your friends hold the camera so we can see more of the SV!

GI_JO_NATHAN · 03-19-2013, 06:37 PM

Awesome!

01-28-2013, 07:19 PM	#19
B1 ^OP Carbon-based bipedal Joined: Jun 2009 Location: Arse-trailer Oddometer: 2,034	fairing chopped up a big black plastic chlorine container to make a little fairing, seems to work well. if you are after a smaller one mainly for bling factor, this aftermarket fairing below could be worth looking at. only US$17 plus about $13 for shipment. a guy has done a report on it over the main SV650 page here. B1 screwed with this post 01-29-2013 at 12:40 PM Reason: new link

01-31-2013, 09:12 PM	#20
SRG SRG Joined: Nov 2004 Location: Charlottesville, Virginia USA Oddometer: 893	lots of cheap digital bicycle speedos will work on a (motor) bike. __________________ Lazy Traveler

03-19-2013, 03:20 PM	#21
B1 ^OP Carbon-based bipedal Joined: Jun 2009 Location: Arse-trailer Oddometer: 2,034	video of a one day adventure ride with the adventurised SV650. went like a dream on easy dirt roads and tracks but the stock rear suspension isn't much chop once things get gnarly. but of course a vstrom wouldn't handle those bits very well either. so very impressed with the way it all fits together.... __________________ WHY WE RIDE!

03-19-2013, 05:17 PM	#23
max384 Disgruntled Student Joined: Nov 2011 Location: Sugar Notch, PA Oddometer: 1,592	Nice video... Though next time make your friends hold the camera so we can see more of the SV! __________________ '09 Suzuki SV650, '02 KLR250 Pennsylvania to Newfoundland Ride Report

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01-25-2013, 01:46 PM	#16
zap2504 Dave E. Joined: Feb 2006 Location: Middletown, PA Oddometer: 460	"i'm quite tall so i grabbed some upholstery foam, black vinyl and a staple gun to build the seat higher. it's just a rough job and may get it done properly if it works out in the long term." B1 - just how tall (and what is your inseam)? I'm thinking about a road-only bike but find the purpose-built dual sports (V-Stroms, Versys, BMW GS, Triumph Tigers, etc.) are the only bikes out there that fit me "out of the box". If the SV can be modded to fit a 34" inseam without looking freakish, I'm subscribed.

01-25-2013, 02:10 PM	#17
B1 ^OP Carbon-based bipedal Joined: Jun 2009 Location: Arse-trailer Oddometer: 2,034	6 foot 5 and 33" inseam. that rough prototype seat i've got was just to see if the straight line from the rear guard to the tank looked better. the foam i've used is pretty soft and actually sinks down about two inches and just as well... with the rear sitting inches higher now i'd be on tip toes if the seat padding didn't compress down. it feels quite comfortable as is although after an hours in the saddle the legs feel a touch cramped, but i think the buell pegs dropping an inch will fix that perfectly. the pic below shows the first seat padding i did. this used a harder upholstery foam and the soft higher one i've got now still compresses down to about this level. if you were only beefing up the front forks (e.g. not putting dirt bike forks on), i would suggest just padding the seat higher, get the buell pegs and maybe kick the rear of the bike up an inch higher with shorter dog bones to maintain your footpeg clearance?

01-25-2013, 06:08 PM	#18
elgato gordo KTMRFS Joined: Oct 2007 Location: ABQ, NM Oddometer: 441	More SV Mods, Go Go Go Go! Lookin good.

03-19-2013, 05:08 PM	#22
amk Gnarly Adventurer Joined: Jun 2007 Oddometer: 366	Nice. Are not you worry with the radiator width? In a drop, that one is the fist to touch the ground, on the Wee it is much narrower.