V-twin and heavy clutch
Discussion
I'm looking at a new bike mainly for a 30-mile commute a couple of days a week, and occasional longer rides. This is my second return to biking, this time after a 15-year gap, and I'm now a well run in 60.
Budget is limited and I've narrowed down to an SV650 or an RE Interceptor. I rode both yesterday. I've had an older SV before and liked it.
The RE has light controls and is easy & fun to ride. Fast enough for me. The issue is the handling - it's a bit squirrelly on longer bends and bumps.
The SV of course has more power and feels much more planted. However the combination of strong engine braking and a heavier clutch with a long reach made it hard to feather to make low speed turns, roundabouts...
So I'd kinda prefer the SV, and I'm asking what do folk do? Is it just getting used to the clutch? Would an adjustable lever to bring it closer to the bar help or does that tend to interfere with the biting point? Maybe you ride slow turns on the throttle and drag the rear brake... what gear/revs suit that approach and what happens on a poor surface?
Lots of questions... Maybe I could use some refresher training, or just get the RE.
Budget is limited and I've narrowed down to an SV650 or an RE Interceptor. I rode both yesterday. I've had an older SV before and liked it.
The RE has light controls and is easy & fun to ride. Fast enough for me. The issue is the handling - it's a bit squirrelly on longer bends and bumps.
The SV of course has more power and feels much more planted. However the combination of strong engine braking and a heavier clutch with a long reach made it hard to feather to make low speed turns, roundabouts...
So I'd kinda prefer the SV, and I'm asking what do folk do? Is it just getting used to the clutch? Would an adjustable lever to bring it closer to the bar help or does that tend to interfere with the biting point? Maybe you ride slow turns on the throttle and drag the rear brake... what gear/revs suit that approach and what happens on a poor surface?
Lots of questions... Maybe I could use some refresher training, or just get the RE.
Adjustable levers will probably help to a point. You often don't need to adjust the lever much to make a pretty big difference.
For slow turns I tend to feather the clutch as well as using the rear brake to control speed while keeping the revs up to avoid stalling.
I've no idea what revs I do this at because I'm looking where I'm going. Not high revs though!
Poor surfaces aren't really an issue because you're controlling the speed of the drive wheel rather than pushing against the front wheel.
Maybe try another couple of bikes, if you're noticing a heavy clutch on the test ride it may become a pain on longer runs.
For slow turns I tend to feather the clutch as well as using the rear brake to control speed while keeping the revs up to avoid stalling.
I've no idea what revs I do this at because I'm looking where I'm going. Not high revs though!
Poor surfaces aren't really an issue because you're controlling the speed of the drive wheel rather than pushing against the front wheel.
Maybe try another couple of bikes, if you're noticing a heavy clutch on the test ride it may become a pain on longer runs.
The SV doesn't have a heavy clutch IME
Unless you are particularly weak / injured (no insult intended) you will soon get used to it, I ride all bikes using 2 fingers on the levers and whilst I'm active I'm not particularly strong
Although adjusting the levers to suit you can make a world of difference (ie moving them away from the grips to increase leverage) as can ensuring it's actually working correctly
Unless you are particularly weak / injured (no insult intended) you will soon get used to it, I ride all bikes using 2 fingers on the levers and whilst I'm active I'm not particularly strong
Although adjusting the levers to suit you can make a world of difference (ie moving them away from the grips to increase leverage) as can ensuring it's actually working correctly
Speed addicted said:
Adjustable levers will probably help to a point. You often don't need to adjust the lever much to make a pretty big difference.
For slow turns I tend to feather the clutch as well as using the rear brake to control speed while keeping the revs up to avoid stalling.
I've no idea what revs I do this at because I'm looking where I'm going. Not high revs though!
Poor surfaces aren't really an issue because you're controlling the speed of the drive wheel rather than pushing against the front wheel.
Maybe try another couple of bikes, if you're noticing a heavy clutch on the test ride it may become a pain on longer runs.
Useful to know re: levers. Getting to just a little less stretch could help.For slow turns I tend to feather the clutch as well as using the rear brake to control speed while keeping the revs up to avoid stalling.
I've no idea what revs I do this at because I'm looking where I'm going. Not high revs though!
Poor surfaces aren't really an issue because you're controlling the speed of the drive wheel rather than pushing against the front wheel.
Maybe try another couple of bikes, if you're noticing a heavy clutch on the test ride it may become a pain on longer runs.
And thanks for the description of how you handle slow speed turns: it's how I was riding on the tests & worked fine for the RE but not the SV650, but the RE is a doddle.
Most of the basic bike handling was still natural despite the time off a bike - braking, gear-change, setting up for a bend. Confidence low though to begin with around the actual cornering and as I said, the low speed turns. I reckon a few more miles and I'll be fine.
Hasn't the SV650 had that clutch assist feature for about 4-5 years now?
https://youtu.be/kNV0OXfS1Ps?t=256
I wonder if that's what's causing the heavy clucth feel the OP describes? Perhaps it was a quirk of the demonstrator?
https://youtu.be/kNV0OXfS1Ps?t=256
I wonder if that's what's causing the heavy clucth feel the OP describes? Perhaps it was a quirk of the demonstrator?
carinaman said:
Hasn't the SV650 had that clutch assist feature for about 4-5 years now?
https://youtu.be/kNV0OXfS1Ps?t=256
I wonder if that's what's causing the heavy clucth feel the OP describes? Perhaps it was a quirk of the demonstrator?
I've got a current gen SV650. I don't find the clutch heavy although I've had bikes with lighter clutches.https://youtu.be/kNV0OXfS1Ps?t=256
I wonder if that's what's causing the heavy clucth feel the OP describes? Perhaps it was a quirk of the demonstrator?
The low rpm assist just bumps the revs up slightly when you let the clutch out. If you have already applied the throttle you don't even notice it. I use it sometimes a bit like an automatic to creep in traffic. Its far from an anti-stall device and doesn't do anything for the clutch action itself.
You might need to adjust the throttle position sensor on the SV650, I did it on mine and the throttle response at low speeds became much improved.
https://forums.sv650.org/showthread.php?t=55459
https://forums.sv650.org/showthread.php?t=55459
stu67 said:
I've got a current generation SV and the clutch isn't heavy at all, I use it for commuting and believe me it's a doodle in comparison to my V7 Guzzi. They are great bikes and wonderful value for what they are.
To be fair, if modern Guzzis are anything like the old ones then it's not a good comparison, my '70s LeMans has the heaviest clutch (and a large span) I've ever used.Is there a hydraulic conversion for the SV? (maybe from another model - SV 1000?) if so that might get a reduction - my Ducatis both have hydraulic clutches and whilst they are still quite heavy, there are replacement slave/master cylinders that reduce the pull.
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