Another great performance modification for the SV650 is upgrading the drivetrain with a new X-Ring Chain and lighter Renthal sprockets. I purchased the SV650 Drive kit from SportBikeShop.co.uk. It included both front and rear sprockets and the Tsubaki X-Ring Chain.
Upgrading to a chain to an X-Ring type chain can be easy on the wallet and mechanically straight forward. It is a basic mod for all ranges of skill in the garage. With a torque wrench, chain splitter, and a basic set of tools you should be able to swap the stock setup for the new gear in about 30 minutes (depending on your skill level, some can turn this into a four hour job). You will also need to purchase a speedohealer in order compensate for the change in any gearing changes (Putting Bigger or Smaller Sprockets from Stock).
What does the new X-Ring chain and Sprocket combination do for you? It gives you a significant increase in torque. More importantly the sprockets weigh less and the X-Ring chain has lower friction which gives you three things.
- You decreasing the amount of unsprung weight on the motorcycle WikiPedia Definition of Unsprung Weight
- You reduce the amount of HP that’s lost between the engine and the wheels due to drivetrain loss
- You will increase available torque at low RPMs (wheelies anyone?)
The new combination of chain and sprocket will increase rear wheel available torque but not produce more engine/crank HP. If you change the gearing 
down then you will get more bottom end drive from low speed and vice versa if you gear up you get more top speed. By using the Gearing Commander you can figure out exactly the combination you desire for your particular riding. If you need more power out of the corners or need that extra MPH on the top end this is the mod you have been looking for. Not exactly a 30 Hp increase but it sure can feel like it if you gear it up a couple sprocket teeth!
While doing the upgrade the first thing you notice is when you take off the stock sprocket and compare it’s weight to the new Renthal. Wow, what a difference. You can now see why this kit reduces unsprung weight from the bike. Also, for this mod I replaced the stock steel sprockets nuts with the new titanium nuts purchased recently from TastyNuts. After putting the rear wheel back on I replaced the axle nut with the new titanium nut as well. It is significantly lighter and looks a lot better than the corroded original. One final note is that the drivetrain kit looks much better than stock. Style points always count.
Tools needed for the job:
$150 for both sprockets & chain
$100 for speedohealer
$50 for chain breaker / riveter
Necessary tools to remove the rear wheel
Locktite
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Just a note. The speedometer reads off the front wheel, and your final gearing in no way affects this. No correction is neccessary!
Thanks for the correction.