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Post by prafeston on Mar 10, 2011 12:54:33 GMT -5
I've been looking around for awhile for a bike. This will be my third one. First was an '90 Suzuki GS500. Second a '99 Suzuki SV650. Would really like another SV, but I can't seem to find any in my price range and was kinda wanting something with a bit more of a classic look. Came across the XS650s and I'm liking them, but was wondering about highway speeds...I'd ride the bike mostly around town, but could take it on a 100+ mile trip one every month or two. Can it handle these extended trips at speeds of 70+? If not is there any older bike with the same styling that could? Thanks!
Rafe
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Post by 650leo on Mar 10, 2011 17:32:17 GMT -5
Short answer Yes, The 650 can handle long trips at highway speeds. most riders can't.
At highway speeds the engine vibes are felt thru the bars, foot pegs and seat.
Using different sprockets helps bring the rpms down at high speeds. I like a 17-30 if I'm doing much highway riding. Around town the 17-34 works good. The 17-32 is a good all around performer.
Some like a 18 on the front to get less rpms at speed.
Adding weights to the bars helps.
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Post by prafeston on Mar 10, 2011 18:16:43 GMT -5
Thanks for the response. The only highway riding I have done was on the SV650. It is a naked bike so I do know about the brutal winds, but it didn't vibe that much. I have read a bit about these bikes and heard they do have quite a vibe to them...even at idle. Thanks for the sprocket info. I'm guessing it runs a 17-34 stock? I just wasn't sure how much of a strain it would be on the engine to have it revving so high at 70 with it only having 5 gears. The SV was a 6 speed.
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Post by Tom Graham on Mar 11, 2011 11:27:26 GMT -5
I rode my '77D to Mid-Ohio 2 years ago. Fully packed for camping. It did okay on the freeway snarling along at 60-70mph. Turned around and rode it back because of rain. While I was there I showed off by riding feet up through the swap meet. I'm not that good but the XS goes slow too. My XS has the rear raised with longer shocks to quicken the steering and 36" wide flattrack bars. Other's results may vary.
I bought my XS for only $100, diddled with it for 5 years and it still needs some stuff. I suppose I have $1000 in parts and $100,000 in labor invested in a $500 bike. It's not for everybody.
Tom Graham
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Post by grizld1 on Mar 12, 2011 9:00:21 GMT -5
Exactly right, Tom; refurbishing an old motorcycle is an expensive proposition, even for those of us who turn their own wrenches. For those who don't, a "cheap" bike will be prohibitively expensive, even if they can find a shop with staff who can trouble shoot a machine that lacks an onboard computer to hook up to a code reader.
Rafe, the XS650 was a reliable machine for its day, but it doesn't approach the kind of low-maintenance reliability you got used to with the SV, even your '99 first generation model. When you look at the hp numbers, bear in mind that those 70 SV ponies are counted at the wheel. But back in the day, manufacturers specified crank horsepower without an alternator, clutch, or drive train attached. Wheel horsepower for a stock XS650 is usually somewhere in the neighborhood of 40 or a bit south of that.
That having been said, a stock XS650 in a good state of tune can function as a daily rider and handle sustained cruising speeds of 80 mph easily (guys, don't jump in here and start talking about your speed wobbles etc.--I said in a good state of tune, and that means a properly tuned suspension as well as a well-tuned motor). Achieving that takes a substantial investment of time and money, particularly in suspension upgrades.
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