Runt Raptor
I wanted to buy an SV650 but the decent ones were two grand plus; cheaper bikes both high mileage and just about on their last legs. A 2001 Caviga Raptor 650 advertised in the local rag for fifteen hundred notes most likely, thought I, an hooligan tool and about to meltdown but worth a phone call.
Hmmm... three owners, the last selling after a mere two months to buy a bigger bike. FSH? FS what? Oil changes? Nah, don't need them on a modern bike. Really, learn something new every day! Vendor says he will ride on over to give me a chance to check the bike out... how can I refuse such a pleasant offer?
The 38000 miler didn't look half bad and sounded even better on non-standard silencer. Clucked and whirled away on first gear take-off and scooted down the road like a scalded cat. Handling was still firm but the brakes squeaked and squealed something awful. Pads down to the metal, mate, said I, but such technical matters were way beyond the man with a fried brain who kept going on and on about buying his mate's R1.
Closer inspection revealed a front wheel with hairline cracks around the hub. I pointed this out to the owner but he refused to believe his eyes and roared off disappointed that I would not bung him the dosh. A week later my peaceful Sunday afternoon was shattered by the Raptor revving loudly outside my house.
The owner said I could have the bike for twelve hundred notes but I demurred not wanting to get involved with a machine that could collapse at any moment. I said the most I could pay was seven as I would have to replace the whole front end; after a bit of snivelling on his part I broke into my piggy bank and handed over eight hundred notes.
Not being entirely daft I had no intention of riding the machine in its current state. Raptors well received by the press but a bit thin on the ground, a front end from the bigger, litre, version finally found on eBay and inspected before bidding. Neatly solved the dead brake pad problem as well and bolted right on without any hassles. All up cost, including a can of engine oil, still less than a grand.
I can't say that I find the Raptor more attractive than the original SV but it is probably smarter than the current version with its naff looking frame. There's a nice feel to the Cavi from the saddle, making the rider an intimate part of the machine rather than just sat upon it (though the stock SV is similar).
Even with new oil, the gearbox remained clunky at low revs, never slickly smooth as in most Suzuki's wear or just down to the less smooth power pulses of the watercooled vee-twin? Most likely, a combination of the two. Conversely, it was possible to motor off with a dead throttle hand, using mere clutch control to thump down the road. Well balanced the chassis, too, with little need to put my feet down at incredibly minor speeds.
Of course, no-one buys these kind of devices to lumber along as if they are on a vintage tractor but it is nice to have that relaxed aspect to the bike for top gear trawls, which could be held with a gently opening throttle hand up quite steep hills at very low speeds with no need to down-change like a demented teenager. Versatile...
At the other end of the scheme, rev the motor and use the box, the thing fair flies along, though the Raptor is a touch heaviver than the SV version, seems just as fast. Handling's fairly precise though possibly not up to Ducati standards hard to really tell with the non-standard front end and 38000 miles of wear at the back. The bike did seem somewhat sensitive to road surface undulations and white-lines but nothing to really worry about.
High speed cruising was limited to a paltry 85mph by the amount of vibration attacking the bars either a worn motor in need of a service or the non-standard front end fighting out against the smaller motor's balance factor. Unfortunately, vibes increased as the revs rose further; though not of a destructive nature it just didn't feel right to slog on close to the top speed of 130mph. Not a problem when accelerating hard but a bit of a limitation when in long distance tourer mode.
As was the economy which seemed shockingly bad. In the mildest of riding, when I expected more than 60mpg, ended up with less than 40mpg. More usually, 35mpg and on one memorable back road blast she turned in a stunning 29mpg! Totally unacceptable but try telling that to the importers.
In search of low running costs I was forced to approach the local Suzuki dealer who wasn't too keen on servicing one of those abortions... But after taking the piss something rotten and offering me a nine hundred note trade-in on a new SV1000, he agreed to do the dirty... made absolutely no difference!
The bike was fine for my commuting run, which was short enough not to worry over the lack of economy, and mostly consisted of throwing the narrow, agile vee-twin through each and every gap in the hardcore traffic chaos of the capital city. Six months through mixed weather, and some incredibly cold spells, ended up with seized brakes and half the frame paint falling off!
What had seemed a bargain buy now looked not far off the kind of relic that a scrappy might reject! Some fevered cleaning, brake disassembly and application of paint saved the day, at least long enough for me to put the bike up for sale. With 52200 miles on the clock, the Raptor had at least confirmed the general toughness of its SV engine and that it was a safe enough bike to skate through town on when the road surface turned slimy.
Back at the Suzuki dealer, they had new SV1000's on offer at a great discount. Even so, the dealer was keen to move stock and made me a 1400 note trade-in offer! Poor guy was almost bowled over when I gave him a bear-hug of delight! Although heavier, the big Suzuki an absolute joy after the edgy Raptor!
At my first free service, the boss came over to tell me that the Caviga had been nothing but trouble, burning out its electronic ignition and then cracking up its back brake! Seems I had off-loaded the old heap at the perfect moment, but I played it innocent and said it was all news to me. No big deal but I doubt if he will let another one cross the threshold of his shop.
Overall, I bought the Raptor with my eyes wide open to its faults and think I got good value for my money but it was a close run thing and I could easily have ended up with a few hundred pounds of useless metal!
Dick C.