trade in question from potential turncoat!

Okay, I hang my head in shame but I have finally reached the point where I am thinking of changing bike.
I've loved my time (5+ years) on my CB but my commute is about to get longer due to a house move and I'd like something a bit newer, with a bit more protection and more motorway friendliness. I would say I want more reliability but I think that is perhaps a tall order after the CB, however I have got to the stage where keeping the old CB going (with my limited mechanical skills) is outweighing its value, so I think I may take the jump and get something newer.


Current front runners are...sv650s (either half or fully faired), FZ6, or v-strom 650. The v-strom is perhaps the most practical but resale values are high. The FZ6 gets mixed reviews and would be higher in insurance but good fuel econ and service intervals. But... I've always had a soft spot for the look (and sound) of SVs and, perverse as this may sound, they strike me as a bit of a CB for modern times albeit that they are totally different bikes - user friendly, home serviceable, realtively cheap with good part availability and with understated va va voom!

Anyway, much as I'd appreciate your views on the above bikes, the point of my posting is....and here goes the 'how long is a piece of string' question, I have a vague idea of what I could sell it for privately but would be happy to avoid the hassle of advertising, tirekickers, chancers etc so...any idea what is a realistic expectation for a trade in price? It wouldn't be for a brand new bike but a low(ish) mileage used job.

General facts - 2000 model (unfaired), 24,600k miles, partial service history but now overdue for 24k service
Good points - black w/ gold wheels (the best colour, natch!), most paint and plastics are in good nick for age (other than where seat meets tank which has worn), new Hagon rear shocks, head bearing, chain /sprocs and battery within last year. Heated grips fitted recently. Valve clearances done at 16K, Mega reliable throughout my 21K miles of ownership

Bad points - allowing for the fact that it is 11 years old and is a daily workhorse, the worst points are - leaking fork seal, scruffy exhaust, tatty looking engine coating, and typically jaded rearsets for age.
Anyone got an opinion as to what is a reasonable trade in value? It shouldn't really matter but let's say we are talking about a trade in against something in the £3-£4k.

Of course, I'm not meaning this to be a for sale ad but if, by any chance, anyone wants to just make an offer I'm in Lothians/Central Scotland!

Not going to slate you for looking at other bikes, but I think in terms of sheer comfort and reliability you'll be hard pushed to beat the CB500. That said, can only give a couple of observations about the SV and the Strom.

I've ridden and worked on both (albeit for a very short time)and found the Strom to be a bit top heavy with clumsy handling in comparison. The fairing makes it a bit prone to crosswind problems also. As you say, the cost is through the roof..... The SV is a nice lightweight handler, but I found the riding position a bit uncomfortable for long distance work. Having said that I am "getting on a bit" with a dodgy hip. Like most suzukis, both the Strom and the SV need a careful eye kept on the brake calipers, as they are prone to crudding up and getting very sticky. Also they're not as easy to work on as the Brembo brakes on the CB. I could tell you horror stories about this aspect with my GSX600FW, but then the previous owner had neglected this bike.....

Best of luck sputnik! My brother had a SV650S for a while and it was a lovely ride, I reckon you should get £1000 for yours but check parkers for a better idea. You may even be better off selling it privately to get a better deal.

I always fancied a CBR600 myself, I got an insurance quote when I passed my test and they came back with £3000 TPFT so I swiftly put that idea to bed and bought the CB500
I've had it for 13 and a bit years & I'm 35 now, it still does everything I ask of it apart from keeping up with my mates on the straights (which I'm not particularly bothered about )

Best of luck to you sputnik

In my humble opinion, the SV 650 is a fantastic bike, I had one for about a year and did 8000 miles on it. I have never read a bad review about SVs, there fun, quick..ish, lovelly sounding practical and reliable machines..if you do get one you will not be dissapointed.
depending on your height size etc, you may find the naked one with a touring screen a better bet than the S for commuting, not as much weather protection granted but a better riding position for day in day out use.
that said, I had an S and used it for every thing with no problems.
good luck

I agree with chromedome about the brake calipers on a suzuki. I am amazed how much abuse I have given the brembos on my CB through winter months and they show no sign of it what-so-ever. Can't say the same about my old gixer which needed some second hand calipers to replace the ones that had disintegrated.

I tried to do some work on a mates old FZ6 (1997-ish) and some idiot had put the sump plug right behind the lower frame tube so you couldn't get a socket on it - so we couldn't use a torque wrench to do it back up. Not a great start for home maintenance! (I'm sure you can get some sort of spanner adapter to torque it up but the average persons toolbox probably doesn't have one).

Definatly don't do a trade in! They tend to rip you off on the value.

Especially at this time of year you can get good money for second-hand bikes. The slight hassle of selling privately will reward you with a some what larger wedge of cash....

teamster1975 wrote:it still does everything I ask of it apart from keeping up with my mates on the straights

I agree, but the CB suspension is a bit more forgiving and less bollock-aching, so the chances are you'll whizz around the bends quicker... Oh, and the CB is more fuel efficient, so while your mates a fuelling up, you'll overtake your 'sore' mates at the fuel pumps...hahaha

G-T

Globetrotter wrote:the CB suspension is a bit more forgiving and less bollock-aching

Funny you should say that, this was the bike fully loaded before setting off to a rally on the IOW. And I had a pillion

teamster1975 wrote:...this was the bike fully loaded before setting off to a rally on the IOW. And I had a pillion :shock:

How did you fix that giant green box to your tankbag? :)

eternally_troubled wrote:How did you fix that giant green box to your tankbag?

Aah, that was the beer for the weekend!

Was at car boot sale today ,meet a fella who just bought 650 sv susuki 05 naked model 6k on the clock with all the add on bits susuki brand sports can mushrooms belly pan , crash bars etc , he also has all the origional parts , paid 2500 for it ,the bike is mint says he might sell it , gave him my number , if he rings will get his number if he is going to sell, ps fitted first time oxford panniers , great job for the long hauls fitted in 5 mins flat . dont fancy giving me that old girl ,free to a good home lol just kidding the big note 1000 quid ish seems about right , the 500 is now becoming a scarce espically good ones .

thanks for all the words o' wisdom. I still need to go for a test ride to check it won't kill my dodgy back - that said, the CB sometimes gives stiff muscles around the shoulderblades, perhaps from being so upright (?), so the idea of shifting some weight onto my arms sounds quite attractive!
Sounds like I'll need to keep an eye on the finish and the brakes but it's reassuring that the general view is that the sv is a pretty good all rounder.
I always feel the CB is unfairly maligned by the almost everyone so I'll be reassured to move to something that is also unfairly considered to be a girl's bike. Sheesh! You just can't win unless you're on a Gixer or R1! Yet for all the tough talk you never see those bikes out in the rain or snow... lightweights!

My OH has the sv650s and he does complain (constantly) and also about the riding position and how it makes his wrists really hurt. When I'm pillion princess we stop about every 20 miles for him to rest his aging arms! Apart from that he loves his sv!

rWell, I think I've gorn and done it. I won an e-bay auction for a 10 plate svs sport at the weekend and subject to paying and collecting, the cb is going up for sale. Out of interest, I went for a test ride on an sv advertised at £4k (only 350 miles on it) and was offered £800 trade in for the cb which I thought wasn't too outrageous. That said, buying privately and trying to sell privately should work out better, even going for a low private sale for speed (i.e no better than the trade in price and probably lower) but with a lower purchase price on the new one. If you are interested, it is going on Gumtree first http://www.gumtree.com/p/cars-vans-motorbikes/honda-cb500/78164731 apologies if links aren't allowed - i'll put it in the for sale section too!

Good Honest Ad on Gumtree. I personally am not in the martket for another bike - I if got a 3rd bike my Mrs would definately leave me!!!

I think this forum should be good for you http://forums.sv650.org/

Cheers & Good luck with your new toy
G-T