2007 SV650: Project better late than never

[V1GiLaNtE]

Updates to mod/maintenance list on first page. On Friday I tackled a chain and sprocket refresh on the SV. I scored a DID 525 chain and JT sprockets kit off of Craigslist last month for about half of a new kit all together. Even better was the rear sprocket was a +2 (47T). Research shows the SV responds really well to a 15/47T gearing setup. You lose a little top end and it's a bit more buzzy on the highway, but you get all the torqz right where you need it (4500-9k). I also changed out the oil and filter. Rotella T6 5w-40. I was under the 3k mark, but this oil had a track day on it and plenty of hard riding. I took my time getting the chain installed and the MotionPro tool and instructions were great.

Initial riding impressions. HOLY MOTHER OF GAWD. If I didn't weigh 200lbs this thing would straight power wheelie in 1st and 2nd. It's not the same surge in power you expect from a 600, but it pulls like a damn mule from 5k to redline. The SV's power is extremely linear. I can feel the front end trying to pull up as I bang up to 2nd and then continues to try and lift until I hit 3rd and the RPMs drop. Blasting around country roads all day Saturday was a dream. I can go in fast on the attack with trail braking into the turns where I'm hovering right in the 6k range which allows me to drop the hammer out of the apex and it just pulls and pulls and pulls.  The +2 in the rear really woke the bike up. With another upgrade around the corner (appropriate weight springs and oil in the fork) we're looking at a great real world bike. Very balanced, flick-able, and torque for days. I'll try and get a video up or something which may help illustrate the pull. As an interesting side note, somebody on the SVRider forums figured out the SVF (10+ Gladius) airbox velocity stacks are a bit longer and fit into the SV. Lots of reports of improved throttle response and the bike pulling harder from 3-7k. All for a whopping $40 in OEM parts. I may give this a whirl seeing as that is where I spend 90% of my riding time.





GOLD FTW