2006 Suzuki SV1000S from United States of America - Comments

Still popping back through intake. Took in to dealer again, but this time the owner was there and I was able to duplicate the problem. This time I was told that it was not normal (was told this was normal before). But they ignored the problem for so long it has spun a main bearing. It spun a bearing because during break in it was pre-detonating.

Well needless to say it's still under warranty. It only has 4700 miles on it, so all repairs are on them. But I was told I may need a power commander to correct the popping, (not on them). Well I will keep you apprised of my situation with the mechanical woes.

Sorry to hear that the popping back through the intake turned out to have such a bad result. I don't know where you are, but if I took it to the dealer and they told me something like this was normal, I'd be very concerned and go looking for a second opinion. The problem is that I've read and heard about so many anomalies with this bike that it's difficult to know what is true and what's B.S. Now with a main bearing being spun, I think it's time to talk to somebody to represent you from a legal perspective if the dealer refuses to cooperate. In fact, a call to American Suzuki at the following number would be my next step if the dealer continues to disrespect you like this: (714) 572-1490.

Some areas have news media that take stories like this and put the pressure on the company with bad service, as no business wants to be put on the 6:00 news with a story like this. Get your documentation with the dates and service records ready, and tell the dealer where you're headed, and then make sure you let American Suzuki know you're going there too if you don't get some satisfaction. This is a shame, as I really like my SV and am glad I've not had any real problems at 4,500 miles. Then again, I don't take my bike to the dealer for service, even though I bought the extended warranty from them when I bought the bike, you know, just in case. Go figure, no problems so far.

Feel free to drop me a line if you'd like at: rrtscb@yahoo.com

OK so I took it back one more time, still popping back. I got the usb 3 on it like I was told to do to correct the pop. Still pops. Also was told it was not a wrist pin or main bearing knocking, and the pop was just me getting on the gas too fast. What??? Too fast??? It also started drinking lots of oil (half a quart in about 100 miles). No leaks or smoke.

But anyway, before I took it back this time, I contacted Suzuki of America, HSBC bank, & Suzuki Credit. I hope this time the will actually look at my bike rather than just blow me off. If they don't fix it this time, I will pursue them for breach of contract.

I love my 2003 SV1000s. The torque and acceleration are great. It will smoke a lot of bikes, and stick with most hot machines up to 100mph. At that point I start losing interest, as I'm not interested in risking life and limb to prove anything.

I've had no real problems. When I first got the bike, it did pop and stalled at low speed on occasion. Bumping up the idle 100 rpm solved that. Gianelli Titanium cans and snorkel removal make the bike sound amazing.

For all answers to questions about this bike and great tech info, got to the forum

http://www.sv-portal.com/

I just bought my SV1000S in last 3 weeks. It's a 2005 with 28000 miles on it.

The power and the handling are there, but compared to my old 86 VFR Interceptor 700 and the 93 GSXR 750, on my new 05 SV1000S the engine sounds like it's going to break down and die at anytime. What I'm saying is there's a knocking sound that's coming from the engine block. I don't really know what to do about it and what it is?

There is no warranty on the bike. If I could do something to it on my own to stop it, I would try, cos my cash is getting thin from bringing this bike home. Any comment would be very helpful. Thanks.

Hi,

Had my SV1000S since September 2007 - It really is a great bike. OK, you don't have the top end of a Fireblade or GSRX, but the v-twin sounds great coming through a pair of carbon quills, and the pick up is fantastic. I've had 145 out of it before letting up, and there was still a few mph left.

Faults - my only real complaint is the 130 mile tank range, which can be a pain, and the fuel gauge "flashing light" is a bit of a guessing game till you get use to it. The bike will stall if cold, but you soon "learn" how to ride it. Watch out for your speed - you can be happily riding along, only to look down and find out you're going a lot faster than you thought - I even had the speedo checked!

For me it's a great bike to ride; it's fun, it looks and sounds the dogs, and £ for £, show me a better bike.

Garth.

To all the SV1000 owners worried about the knocking noise, this is normal on these bikes. Air cooled Ducati's and most V twins sound like this for some reason, the Vtr1000 being the only exception that I have ridden.

The motor in these bikes is very reliable and well sorted, so just ride it or stick on some noisy cans..

I'd like to add my 'two penneth'; I have a 2006 SV1000s. It's now done 26k and my major moans would be build quality, which is shocking.

The headlight lenses have crazed (heat issue), the fork legs are corroding as is the head stock. Other than that a real dream to ride.

Tyre choice is critical; it runs beautifully on BT021's and is very confidence inspiring in wet and dry conditions: The OEM fit Michelins are dire!

I get between 120 and 160 miles from a tank, depending on enthusiasm levels on the throttle.

The stock seat is hugely uncomfortable beyond 100 miles or so, brakes outstanding, front fork springs a little too soft, clutchless changes result in lots of false neutrals, tail tidy transforms the rear in to a thing of beauty IMHO, but steer clear of the powerbronze replacement which is a pig to fit! In my experience, the stock cans hit the deck a little too early.

When all said and done, the good outweighs the bad, and the bike always puts a smile on my face; the only problem now is what to replace it with when the time comes, as it's now discontinued.

The back spitting is due to non-high-octane gas.

Use high octane and add octane booster at 150% of recommended ratio, and you'll likely see what I did - 15 deg F lower operating temperatures, NO POPPING, smooth power from 1,200 rpm to redline.

The bike has no counter balancer and a light fly wheel ON PURPOSE, so that the engine can spin up very quickly during acceleration. Suzuki engineers did exactly what they wanted to do - create a race bike that can tour. It feels, sounds and scampers like a race bike. Give it great gas, though.

The gear whine is... WONDERFUL music from the cam drivetrain. Don't worry about it, just enjoy it.

If you want a smoother engine, the SV650S is fabulous. I had one before the 1,000 and I miss it sometimes.

Only mistake the Suzuki team made was not clearly explaining the bike and engine in detail, so that it would be understood and loved for what it is.

That,...and they maybe should have recommended premium gas.

SV1000S = Brilliant Bike

PS: The snorkel cools the 30 amp green connector just below it by pulling air over it. Leave the snorkel in place. Also, the bike is regulated by law to run very lean. Aftermarket air filters and or mufflers will drive it TOO LEAN. That will force a Power Commander on you... which... can be fun, actually, once you get it right.

"The best bike... is the one you are riding."

I agree, the SV is a wonderful bike. However your belief that it's popping problem being cheap gas or adding octane booster won't help my bike, trust me, I've tried. As a mechanic I don't really trust gas additives, most of them are alcohol based. The short term use of additives would be fine, but the long term effects could be expensive.

As far as my bike goes, the popping has gotten worse, but now it's out of warranty so I can wrench on it without fear. I checked the basics, fuel, fire, timing, and compression. I have come to the conclusion that the factory timing (computer corrected) in the first 4 gears, coupled with incorrect valve lash adjustments, along with the t-bodies being out of sync all contribute to the pop. This has happened from day one, so I can only come to one reasonable conclusion. SUZUKI QUALITY CONTROL AND CUSTOMER SATISFACTION BITE.

Oh yes, as far as their comment about me not understanding how a motorcycle works, I have been a mechanic for 15 years on everything from lawn mowers to heavy machinery. The basics of a combustion engine are all the same, nothing changes because of size or redline.

I am now pushing for a legislation for the same regulations for bike repair shops that automotive shops have to follow. In the automotive field, these are called the map standard practices, and with more bikes on the road due to higher gas cost, there needs to be someone watching the shady practices of repair facilities dealer or independent.

I purchased my 2007 blue SV 1000s in July 2008, spent four months of Internet research on forums specific to this bike prior to purchase (hence no surprises).

Great bike with very few problems, did experience motorcycle cutting out on abrupt throttle up, turns out rpm needed to be adjusted set too low, a task I completed myself after conversing with the service department at the dealership. It has been 6800 miles of blissful ownership until 300 miles ago experienced excessive and irritating noise from area of clutch basket, which dissipated when the clutch was pulled in, dealership tightened primary drive gear, no more clanging from that area.

This motorcycle absolutely rips and sounds great emitting that V-twin growl from the tri-oval Yosh cans, only mod done was Timing Retard Elimination, which fools the ECU into providing full timing in every gear makes shifting seamless.

Cons: Cruising range 120-150 miles per tank.