It sure seems like the topic of SVS comes up an awful lot. Based on the responses I see, it seems like a couple of common themes come up regarding SVS:

1. Every backfire, belch or other malady that strikes the R* automatically brings up thoughts of SVS.

2. The number of actual cases of SVS is pretty small. You sure wouldn’t get that impression by the disproportionate number of threads discussing this topic.

3. Threads on SVS seem to generally bring up the same information and provide the same recommendations.

The point of this thread is to question whether all this discussion on SVS is creating SVS Phobia. I’m not sure if there is anything that can or needs to be done to address this, but I thought it might be worth some discussion. One thought for the forum managers....have you considered establishing a section on the web site dedicated to the topic of SVS? Considering the frequency that this topic comes up, it seems to be something of interest to the group. Currently, information on this topic is limited to the various threads on the forum and even those are scattered and do not necessarily provide a complete picture. Establishing a specific section on the web site where SVS information can found might be a very useful tool for all R* owners.

For those of you suffering SVS or SVS-like symptoms, my sympathy goes out to you and I hope you are able to resolve your problems and get back to the reason we all own our R*.....riding!!

I know svs is very real. I have it and if it were not for this site Yamaha would have gotten away with it. From the first day it backfired and died they said nothing was wrong, and now after a top end rebuild, that I feel never happened, they still say nothing is wrong. Even with a video of MY bike shooting flame out the exhaust. Dont feel like its just the roadstar, there are other air cooled engines that have the same problem. There is plenty of info on the subject out there. http://www.liquidcooledairpower.com/lc-topendheat.shtml http://www.sacskyranch.com/eng199.htm read and you will see without any doubt that design and quality control is the problem. You can keep adding ring free and keep droping your oil level if you want but not me. Its going to take more than a band-aid to fix this now. The roadstar clinic is not the only site devoted to the roadstar and there are others on other sites with the same problem, so mabye its more common than you think!! ps: dont take this the wrong way but you sound like a Yamaha dealer.

Law wrote:
ps: dont take this the wrong way but you sound like a Yamaha dealer.

No offense taken. Sharing information and talking is what this and other forums like this are all about. And no, I'm not a dealer nor do I have any association with a dealer. In fact, I agree with you in that this forum does an excellent job of getting information out about SVS. However, I believe my points are valid...one, while I "believe" in SVS, it appears there is a bit of a phobia out there and many things cause people to jump to the conclusion they have SVS when there "may" be another cause for their problems. Two, consolidating information on SVS in one location on this forum would help people get the full benefit of everyone's experience and knowledge regarding SVS. A more structured approach to presenting the information on SVS would help everyone.

Any rate, hope this helps.

Yakman (Not at dealer!)

No SVS here...yet. But I do agree that maybe a section could be devoted to it - facts only, no theories - that could be added to as facts come to light. The facts that seem to be established at this point are how to check for it (sucking exhaust pipe), options for resolving it (reaming valve guides, stronger springs, etc.), and the interactions between riders who have had SVS problems and Yamaha (including Yamaha documentation, like service bulletins).

What doesn't seem to be known for a fact is how to prevent it: lower oil level, proper jetting, riding at higher RPMs, etc.

Hope I never have to deal with it, but an organized resource would certainly be helpful if I ever do.

I agree with what you say Yakman.On these sites you tend to hear the problems most, not that they are small when you are the one having to deal with them.I think it comes down to how the dealer you are going to handles the problem-some are good and some couldn't care less.So far my 05 Silverado has run like a champ.Because of sites like this a 20 year Goldwing rider who switched over to a V twin can get educated on what to expect.I will only add back 4 qts oil on a change and every third tank or so a capfull of MMO go in the tank.Plus I run my bike hard and she seems to like it.After many miles on a Goldwing this was hard for me to do on the V twin but because of what i have read here I now do it.Happy New Year to all on here and thanks for all the good info.
By the way I like your name on here "Yakman".My other passion is flying large scale remote control aircraft.My current aerobatic ship is a YAK 54 and she flys sweet!Enjoy your Roadie.

Oh My god you have SVS??? HELP!!!! SVS is after ME!!!

sorry I couldn't resist...

I do agree a tech sheet dedicated to SVS might be good.

I nominate Yakman to author a tech post!

Steven

Second. All in favor....?

I would agree that reading all the SVS post has made me leary. Probably more so than need be. I do the recommended practices to avoid it and we will see. I have mentioned before that my brother was a yamaha mechanic for many years before starting his own shop. He tells me its real but not as big a problem as I have indicated it to be. (its a problem if you get it) but he claims it be a bigger issue on modified bikes that have been rejetted. Told me to ride hard and not worry about it. He has nothing to gain by telling me otherwise. He left the Yamaha shop in 2005. He thinks its caused by lugging the engine and running too rich after rejetting.

It is always in the back of my mind, to keep an eye/ear on all the functions of my vehicles.
Having a white bike, I see carbon from my pipes on the rear fender, and have been leaning out the tune, as long as my performance stays good(all with direction from Doc and others on this forum) thanks all for your knowledge and experience.
I ride mostly freeway back and forth to work, different brands of gas and warm up time with the enrichner, makes a noticeable change in how often I have to wipe the soot off the fender, but so far no SVS, I just ride the sh** out of my R* and enjoy every minute..
As long as I remember to turn off the gas on hot days sometimes get(carb puking).

Mine is 100% stock, no modifications, 2006 ,jetting from factory with 3400 miles , so that tells me your brother is mistaken.