seems to be a good all rounder. nice upright position which I like, fairly pokey, reliable, affordable …apart from build quality and aesthetics it seems to good choice for a bike that’ll do most things without breaking the bank. your views , advice , experience please.
didn’t think this one actually looked too bad

Ugly, heavy, lots of plastic to break if you fall over, high seat?

SV engine, so reliable & fun.

All the reviews, especially the long term one in MSL were very positive, I think the journo ended up buying one after testing it for six months.

Loads about, many already loaded up with panniers.
Seem to remember them being discounted from new, might still be some good deals about.

I’d love one, make a great tourer or commuter.

Plasticky, very tall, lumpy. I’ll take it off you if you ask nicely 🙂

Christ that’s ugly 😉

They’re cracking bikes apparently if you can get past the looks

I like em, was going to get one for a tour around Europe next year but now a mate has bought a new Triumph Tiger 800 and my head has been turned

Put some proper tyres on & yes, I’d have one.

seat height’s not a problem for me. it’s not a bike i’d considered until recently but seemed to get a lot of praise by reviewers who weren’t into posing/image and just after an affordable and flexible machine. Normally I do begin my choice on things I like the look of but sometimes an ugly duckling can be a good choice for the wallet.

ugly duckling argument= nail, head. Theres a couple of new middleweight allrounders that are popular like the Kwak Versys. The vstrom will be just as capable and probably cheaper as you can only ride it at night to avoid causing unecessary distress to children.

Not a fan of fake off-road tyres, though they are supposed to be very good on tarmac.

if you put some proper tyres on it and removed all the extra offroady shite it has on it it would look OK, mind you I ride this monstrosity

Properly ugly but I’ve heard good things from owners who seem to like them.

Brilliant engine… Not that convinced by the overall package, it’s heavy (and topheavy) and the suspension’s really overworked at speed. Comfy though, very comfy. If you like it, check out the Kawasaki Versys or ER6, they do a similiar job but without the faux-roaderness.

But in all honesty unless you plan to do lots of distance the SV650 makes more sense.

anagallis_arvensis – Member

if you put some proper tyres on it and removed all the extra offroady shite it has on it it would look OK

Thinstroms, they call this:

http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_VDCGGBYmNCk/S6vCwt_4vqI/AAAAAAAALoA/jbxseBgmCD8/s400/PW650_359.jpg

Don’t think it’s ugly, but then again given the opportunity I’d jump at one of these beauties.

don simon we disagree on soooo much!!!

😆 Which is no bad thing.