[quote]Chris Shugart wrote:
Any opinions on the Suzuki SV650?[/quote]
Where’s the pic?
I like 'em. Very cool. I think the reason I went with the YZF over that is that the SV650S is a twin and the YZF is an inline 4. Different type of performance.
The SV650S is also a half-fairing bike. I wanted a full fairing. Guess I wanted the full squid effect…
[quote]LowfatMatt wrote:
Chris Shugart wrote:
Any opinions on the Suzuki SV650?
Where’s the pic?
I like 'em. Very cool. I think the reason I went with the YZF over that is that the SV650S is a twin and the YZF is an inline 4. Different type of performance.
The SV650S is also a half-fairing bike. I wanted a full fairing. Guess I wanted the full squid effect…[/quote]
Been getting the red X’s today for some reason for pics. Some readers are too. Those damn techie guys are screwing up something! [smiley face thingy]
The SV650 is billed as both a standard and a sport bike, so that was a little confusing. I’ll try to go sit on one this weekend. I’d prefer a more upright riding position, but most standards are just, well, lame. This seems to split the difference. But a Ducati Monster 620 Dark is only a few hundred higher! I love the “naked” bikes.
[quote]Chris Shugart wrote:
Been getting the red X’s today for some reason for pics. Some readers are too. Those damn techie guys are screwing up something! [smiley face thingy]
The SV650 is billed as both a standard and a sport bike, so that was a little confusing. I’ll try to go sit on one this weekend. I’d prefer a more upright riding position, but most standards are just, well, lame. This seems to split the difference. But a Ducati Monster 620 Dark is only a few hundred higher! I love the “naked” bikes.
[/quote]
(Sorry about the pic thing, we’re on it.)
If you’re looking at more upright sport bikes, check these out too:
http://www.yamaha-motor.com/products/unitinfo/2/mcy/5/273/0/yamaha_fz6.aspx
Yeah, I guess I am a Yamaha whore. But these get absolutely rave reviews.
I love Monsters. That’s what I would get if I was looking at the naked / upright sport bikes.
[quote]Chris Shugart wrote:
Any opinions on the Suzuki SV650?[/quote]
Just not my style…but it does look smooth. I think if you just hate leaning over (which isn’t that difficult unless you plan to ride for 5 straight hours), then you may want to go with that or the Yamaha YZF. I like speed.
My first bike was a CBR600RR. But it isn’t the first bike I’ve ridden. I’d suggest getting an 01 or 02 cbr600f4i. They are great, reliable bikes, that are smooth enough to learn on, but capable enough so that you don’t outgrow it right away. You should also check into the naked bikes. Reason being, you’ll most likely drop it, and plastics are expensive to replace. Plus they are usually much cheaper to insure. Either way, there are some things you MUST do before riding: get some gear, a good helmet, jacket, boots and gloves (don’t be a squid); take the MSF; buy some frame sliders (cheap insurance). Good luck.
[quote]LowfatMatt wrote:
Zap Branigan wrote:
This was just a comparo of the two he had indicated he was considering. I don’t believe either model has any changes done to it since the review was done.
I love motorcycles!
They don’t make the FZR600 anymore. YZF’s replaced them ;)[/quote]
My bad!
[quote]Chris Shugart wrote:
Any opinions on the Suzuki SV650?[/quote]
Terrific bike. If you like the Ducati Monster take a look at the new S2R a little bit more money than the 620 but well worth it as you are not likely to outgrow it soon.
Maintenence costs are a bit more with the Ducs but they are very cool.
[quote]notbigenuf wrote:
Either way, there are some things you MUST do before riding: get some gear, a good helmet, jacket, boots and gloves (don’t be a squid); take the MSF; buy some frame sliders (cheap insurance). Good luck.[/quote]
One thing about the frame sliders. The Yamaha R6’s come without a slot for them on the right side. It means you would have to drill through the plastic to place them on which I have not done. There is a small risk of cracking the frame by doing so. I think they are damn near a necessity so, if given the choice, get them.
[quote]Professor X wrote:
One thing about the frame sliders. The Yamaha R6’s come without a slot for them on the right side. It means you would have to drill through the plastic to place them on which I have not done. There is a small risk of cracking the frame by doing so. I think they are damn near a necessity so, if given the choice, get them.[/quote]
2x! (I haven’t yet, but I will.)
Fortunately, my Ninja had openings in the faring at the perfect location so my frame sliders attached without any surgery whatsoever. Very foresighted of them.
Yes, although I have never laid my bike down (that will change when I get it on the track, I’m certain), the frame sliders are insurnace worth having.
If you want something a little faster but still comfortable and affordable, my recommendation:
http://www.kawasaki.com/html/motorcycles/streetbikes/zzr600_frame.asp
The position will be more upright than a true sportbike, like a Ninja or R6, but not bolt upright.
But, although I am partial to Kawasakis, you can’t really go wrong with any of the brands. Just make sure you sit on all the bikes and get a feel for them.
[quote]michaelv wrote:
Yes, although I have never laid my bike down (that will change when I get it on the track, I’m certain), the frame sliders are insurnace worth having.[/quote]
I’m not sure how (or if) they work at high speeds. Any others with experience?
[quote]LowfatMatt wrote:
michaelv wrote:
Yes, although I have never laid my bike down (that will change when I get it on the track, I’m certain), the frame sliders are insurnace worth having.
I’m not sure how (or if) they work at high speeds. Any others with experience?[/quote]
I think that depends on whether it’s a gentle slide or a violent tumble. If you bust one off, then it won’t give much protection. But an inadvertant low-side into the grass shouldn’t be that violent.
CBR 1100XX (SUPER BLACKBIRD)
Honestly one of the best bikes of all time. It’s got timeless design, smooth double balanced engine with vibrations vitrually illiminated to the point of you hearing the engine but it feeling amooth like it’s electric. No vibs in the pegs or handlebars or anywhere. The engine has plenty of power and behaves very civil, even for the rookie. It scrapes pegs with ease, accelerates like a dragster or a moped depending on how you ride it. It’s also very reliable and i’ve seen them with mileage in the 100,0000 with no repairs.
My suggestion would probably be an early model Honda VTR1000. They are absolutely dirt cheap ( V-twins just aren’t popular with the sport bike crowd for some reason ) but it’s an incredibly fun bike. It was my first as well. It’s a LOT of bike for a beginner, but has VERY good ergonomics for everyday riding( i.e. upright, not much pressure on the wrists) and with an exhaust, it’s got a HELL of a good sound. I consider sound an important part of a bike which is probably why I don’t like the Inline 4’s much. I don’t like the half-fairings on a lot of bikes either, but I think it works really well on this one. Just preference though.
I’m just of the oppinion that a V-twin, even a liter bike, is more fun on the street, and has a more usable powerband, especially for a novice. And at least if you’re going to run around like an ass, popping wheelies everywhere, all you have to do is give it some gas and the front end flies right up.
Got rid of mine for an Aprilia mille about 2 weeks ago. Wow…that’s really about it. Just…damn.
[quote]Chris Shugart wrote:
Any opinions on the Suzuki SV650?[/quote]
As opposed to most of the guys here talking out their arses. I’ve actually ridden several of the bikes listed. If you want a more upright riding position and cheaper bike look to the Bandit600 the aftermarket mods are limitless and you can pick one up for less than 2k insurance is like $170 per year.
In stock trim she is completely comfortable and safe without any surprise pops in the power band. She just pulls like a mother from 6k all the way through. She is a much more forgiving machine than the RR and lighter weight newer machines.
She can be set up in any configuration for whatever you want. She was listed as the best beginner bike in a decade when she came out because she is truly an incredibly well balanced machine. Not that I’m biased or anything. The Bandit is one of the best sleeper bikes out there and that is one of the really cool characteristics.
I recently had the opportunity to ride a track ready '03 Sv650 and the power band bites only have torque from 7-9 k then it falls on it’s ass. The riding position is hell on your wrists so risers and a gel seat are just about mandatory unless you’re a tall guy with a long reach.
It’s a bit more flickable than the Bandit, but there is no way on earth I could comfortably pack on the miles with the riding position even with a gel seat installed. Let alone the complete lack of passenger comfort considerations. Which if you want your girl to hang on for dear life she has to want to even climb onto the back of the machine. Unfortunately you can no longer pick a new Bandit 600 as 04 was the last year they are produced in the U.S.
My 96 Bandit 600 jetted with a pipe spanked the 650 powering through the twisties and on anything longer than a 1/4 mile straight away because the power band pulls like a race horse from 6k all the way to the 11.5 limiter through all 6 gears on a Bandit. Where I leave the SV is when she runs out of breath having to shift and I still have 2 to wrap through.
I’ll gladly go play with any of you running around with plugged nose whiney R6’s I promise I’ll wait for you at the bottom of the canyon. Long and short of it a good rider on a 250 can spank butt in the twisties on most anything.
The one really redeeming quality to the R6 IMHO is all you have to do is think turn and she is all over it. For an experienced rider this is just awesome maneuverability, for a new rider it’s a recipe for a low side. I’ve watched too many riders go down on those punchy bikes. You don’t feel like you are part of the machine, you’re on it. I like bikes that become a part of me when I swing my leg over.
I also recently had the pleasure of riding the new Katana 750. At close to the same weight of most of the new bikes out, and all the plastics she is a racy looking machine. Now the 04 750 I rode was completely stock. I can list off a whole range of mods she’ll need to hold her own in the 750 class bikes. In comparison to the 600’s I’ve ridden I found the Katana not nearly as flickable, but with plenty of oomph. I would seriously consider this as a step up bike if I could touch more than just a toenail on one side of the bike. She is just too tall for me. But otherwise a nice sporty riding position and long legs.
I’ve also spent a little time on the Ducati Monster. Good God does that machine growl! but the great big but is maintenance costs are through the roof and difficult to impossible to accomplish on your own. All in all a machine begging to be taken out behind the mountain and spanked. You wouldn’t have to twist my arm to ad this monster to my stable.
I’m a huge fan of the inline fours because they are easy to work on. Yes, carbs are old technology, but it’s because of that someone like a girl can figure out how to adjust them and do most anything on em without having to pay tremendous dealer mechanic costs. And they are just about bullet prood. You would have to be a complete mechanical dunce to ruin the old 4-banger.
I don’t recall who but someone asked about being too short to ride. I’m 5’0 with a 26 inch inseam, all the bikes I ride are stock height. It’s all about balance and paying closer attention to where it is you are parking or stopping. If just learning to ride, starting out with some lowering links or bones are a great confidence builder.
Maybe some day I’ll have the nerve to throw my leg over a Happy Bus, right now the girth bugs me some and I’m afraid I’d become addicted.
[quote]michaelv wrote:
LowfatMatt wrote:
michaelv wrote:
Yes, although I have never laid my bike down (that will change when I get it on the track, I’m certain), the frame sliders are insurnace worth having.
I’m not sure how (or if) they work at high speeds. Any others with experience?
I think that depends on whether it’s a gentle slide or a violent tumble. If you bust one off, then it won’t give much protection. But an inadvertant low-side into the grass shouldn’t be that violent.[/quote]
Unless you decide to throw her down the freeway or track at 100 MPH your frame sliders will save some or most of your plastics. Their purpose is to save your side covers so after you pick up all the pieces the engine will still be operational and you can hopefully limp the scarred mess home. So long as all your body parts are operational.
911 Girl just gave me a semi.
Seriously, thanks for the scoop on the SV650!
I strongly favor starting with a used bike, 600cc at most, from the mid-90s. Not a sportbike. Too much power, too much temptation, too fast.
Motorcycles do not forgive mistakes. The consequences of a lapse in maturity can far surpass the magnitude of the mistake.
A friend of mine bought a new Suzuki GSX-R600. He’s 21, and plenty mature in his daily life. And yet, the bike saw 150 MPH within four months of ownership. It’s just too much to resist. I was thrilled when it was stolen after six months.
DI
[quote]Chris Shugart wrote:
911 Girl just gave me a semi.
[/quote]
Yes, it is unusually stimulating when a girl knows more about bikes than some guys who have been riding for years. This site seems to attract women way more interesting than the ones I often run into.
