I have not had any real issues with the RSV as a commuter. Lots of traffic. Rain or shine, always eager to get going in the morning.
I have a personal issue with the SV1000s, now with that said.
It is a piss poor excuse of a vehicle, an oxcart is more satisfying.
The body work destroys itself, seems to fracture just for the fun of it.
The stator magnets are glued on with Elmer's Glue (a major pain to diagnose).
Throttle response is pitiful, and the amount of fuel it consumes for the amount of fun you get out of it is inexcusable.
Handles about as well as a pregnant donkey.
Most of the hardware is made of cheese, they must have put much effort in alloying cheese with steel.
Will most likely catch fire, they use nice but under-rated connectors for the ignition switch.
Conclusion: Don't get one, as it will most likely dissuade you from riding.
Sorry old chap,but I really must question that, I think you must have got a really bad one as I've got a 2003 Sv1000s that I bought the second week they became available and as I've ridden it for 6 years years + continously I feel qualified to tell you you're talking through your arse :devious
For the price you won't find a better bike, not when you take into account relative prices when new, in this country £6500 for the Suz against £9000 + for the Mille.
Firstly I've never come across bodywork destroying it self ( unless thrown down the road first).
Stator magnets are no more likely to detach than Aprilias, see AF1 and Sv forums for proof. Actually I think they are all made by Denso.
Throttle response when properly adjusted is very linear and capable of lofting the front wheel. Please bear in mind it is a heavier SPORT TOURER and to compare it with the Mille is a bit like comparing apples and oranges.
Handling as standard is not as good as the Aprilia agreed, (see above) however with a judicious bit of carefully applied adjustment and substitution there is not a great deal of difference between the two. The Aprilia will always be slightly better due to it's being designed as a SPORTS bike.
Screws being made of cheese is a valid comment :thumbup however is it not beyond your capability to replace with stainless SH caps when needed ? Personally I've never had any problem with any of mine,but then I'm a precision engineer and use the correct tools and a torque wrench on the odd occasion I find I have to work on it.
And as far as catching fire goes,you are having a laugh no ??:lol
There is one suspect connector on the bike ( the well known GREEN one) usually this just overheats and cuts all power to the system. Never in being on the SV portal for 6 years have I heard of anyone actually setting their bike on fire,just a few charred wire ends,and no,mine is still as good as new after 6.1/2 years
Now if you want to talk potential fires may I draw your attention to the Apes much more imfamous BROWN connectors,as when these burn out (and there are two of them) they can take out most of the electrical system including the alternator stator. Please see any amount of posts both on here and over on AF1 on the subject.
Plus also over on AF1 read up on the posts to do with trying to rewind Aprilia stators with thicker guage wire to try and get some semblance of reliability. ''Noel the knurls'' posts would be a good starting point for your reading.
Remember........... ''people in glass houses shouldn't throw stones'' :nana
For nice summers afternoon hoons I'll use my Mille, for longer distance, more touring type,adverse weather riding I'll use my Sv as it is turn the key and go reliable,never has a battery optimiser connected ,is much more suited to carrying luggage, and is pretty much guaranteed to get me to where I want to go with no drama and without worrying about calling recovery.
Have a nice day, as you people say :thumbup
once more again most of these italian bikes fail to start due to negligence or flat battery unless there is something very wrong with the motor or you have very thick oil in it.. my 2 cents
