Picking My First Motorcycle

Off Topic
61

http://images.t-nation.com/forum_images/./1/.1114325260900.2003-suzuki-s6-d3.jpg

As much as I enjoyed reading 911 girls review, I couldn’t help but be shocked.

I personally own a 2003 SV650S (my first motorcycle). I chose the SV after MUCH research into the matter, and am INCREDIBLY happy with my purchase.

Going back through some of the articles I researched, I picked two for everyone to check out regarding the SV.

http://www.motorcycledaily.com/09april03suzuki2003sv650.htm

http://www.motorcyclistonline.com/roadtests/7k/

All of the reviews point out the great powerplant on the SV, specifically how torquey it was.

I have ridden R6’s and a YZF600, and love those bikes also. Is the SV as fast or underwear staining as the R6, no, and it isn’t built to compete with that class. But the SV is an incredibly fun bike with plenty of power for the street.

While the SV may be down on power to the 600 repli-racers, it makes up in other areas. One reason I love mine is the fact that when I pull in to a parking lot, my bike isn’t the same as 5 other guys. Everyone has an R6 or Gixxer, but I have seen only one other SV in my city. Perhaps an even greater advantage , as I pointed out in my post at the beginning of this thread, is the savings on insurance. I pay $180 per year for my insurance, while my friends with R6’s pay over $150 per month!

As far as the ergonomics go, I can understand where 911girl is coming from. I can imagine the stretch to the bars would be a lot for a woman. I have actually been looking in to raising the bars a little to make longer rides more comfortable.

As far as the SV that 911girl rode, my only thoughts are that it was an older, carbuerated model or that the race exhaust changed the power band a lot to be much higher.

So, is it the best bike out there? No. Is a fun, easy riding, powerful, less expensive motorcycle? YES.

Hope this gives a little more perspective on the never ending motorcycle debate.

Good Riding

Jeff

62

[quote]Chris Shugart wrote:
911 Girl just gave me a semi.

Seriously, thanks for the scoop on the SV650![/quote]

She knows her stuff. There’s no doubt about that.

63

SV650 are a good bike. i am sure that most guys have longer dimensions than 911 girl, and as such wouldn’t have the weight down on the writs so much. They have V twin power and flexibility, and sound better than a 4.

64

911 girls reviewed the SV 650, not the SV650 S. Unless ofcourse she meant the SV650 S but wrote SV650. They are 2 different bikes really. I agree with her on the R6 and others.

65

911Girl-

You ride, and you lift? Will you marry me?

And Gregus, the only differance between the SV650 and SV650S is the S has a half fairing, other than that exactly the same bike bro.

66

Aw shucks… To clarify torquey means short legged :wink: As in small power band, yes plenty for anyone on a bike until you start having to play games with morons in cagers or are trying to play with friends who have more. Torquey will also deplete very fast with a load (ie your girl on the back) I road a 2003 w/Yosh and all the other bells. I think it’s unfortunate that a carbed 1996 will pull harder, longer, and faster than the newer technology. Doesn’t really matter what you get so long as you like it. As I stated it’s more the rider than the bike he’s on, just ask the guys at supersport last week.

67

[quote]analog_kid wrote:
911Girl-

You ride, and you lift? Will you marry me?

And Gregus, the only differance between the SV650 and SV650S is the S has a half fairing, other than that exactly the same bike bro.[/quote]

Well it’s supposed to be a little more then that:

  1. Fairing
  2. Different seating position
  3. Different suspension rate
  4. Engine powerband reconfigured.
68

yooooooooo

after a little shopping it is done. my first bike will be paid in full tommarow details as follows

2001 Honda CBRF4i
10k Miles
Micron Pipe and a performance chip added. i forgot what it was called but ill tell yall tommarow.
Garage Kept
Guard on the tank to prevent dings

Looks BEAUTIFUL (oh yeah it is silver/black)

Also included is:
New HJC Fusion CL-12 Helmet
Synthetic Joe Rocket Ballistic Series Jacket with armor
(All match with bike)

im going to get leathers, but hey a free jacket why not?!?!

im dealing with 1st owner, clean title and all that good stuff. has proof maintainence history.

all for $4000

ill post a pic when bike is delivered.

69

Congratulations! Those are good bikes from what I’ve heard. The chip is probably a Power Commander, I’m guessing. The Rocket Ballistic is a good mid- to lower price range jacket. Know a few who have taken them for an asphalt ride and faired just fine. Looks like you did all right, 10k is about right for a bike of that age that’s not a daily driver. Garage kept is a bonus too. Enjoy, shiny side up!

70

Lynxx:
So glad you decided to go used. As many have said already, it’s easier on the ego when it goes down. Remember, there are two types of riders; those who have fallen, and those who are going to fall. I can almost promise this! Also, very gald to hear you went with a Honda. Argueably the best bikes made, across the board. And this last thing can’t be said enough (although it has been said plenty here) MSF course!!!
Be safe, have fun!

-HC3

71

I hear Kellen Winslow II’s is for sale.

DB

72

If you were going to go with a 600, then you picked the best one for a rookie.

73

[quote]cptn_cable wrote:
Lynxx:
Remember, there are two types of riders; those who have fallen, and those who are going to fall. I can almost promise this![/quote]

Yup, it’s the truth. Had my turn on Tuesday. It was quite a trip! Wear your gear!

74

What’s a decent bike if I’m broke (or close to it) and don’t want a bike for anything more than getting around Southern California? It would be daily transportation, not a fun bike. Ideally something cheap to buy and cheap to insure; I’m 18 and insurance is a bitch! Used, obviously.

75

What do you think of the Suzuki gs500? I’m thinking of buying a used one, especially since a friend of mine owns one and will help me with repairs and maintenance.

76

[quote]dev wrote:
What do you think of the Suzuki gs500? I’m thinking of buying a used one, especially since a friend of mine owns one and will help me with repairs and maintenance.[/quote]

GREAT bikes I know many who have cut their teeth on them and they aren’t hard on the eyes either. Spend more $$$ on proper gear it’s worth it’s weight in gold as M.V. pointed out up there. He went down hard.

77

[quote]lynxx wrote:
yooooooooo

after a little shopping it is done. my first bike will be paid in full tommarow details as follows

2001 Honda CBRF4i
10k Miles
Micron Pipe and a performance chip added. i forgot what it was called but ill tell yall tommarow.
Garage Kept
Guard on the tank to prevent dings

Looks BEAUTIFUL (oh yeah it is silver/black)

Also included is:
New HJC Fusion CL-12 Helmet
Synthetic Joe Rocket Ballistic Series Jacket with armor
(All match with bike)

im going to get leathers, but hey a free jacket why not?!?!

im dealing with 1st owner, clean title and all that good stuff. has proof maintainence history.

all for $4000

ill post a pic when bike is delivered.[/quote]

Nice, I have the exact same silver/black F4i (Oakland Raiders colors). Great bike man. A friend of mine (a real bike nut) showed me a website called newenough.com when I first got started. Don’t worry about the name, all of their stuff is brand new. You’ll find some great deals on gear there. As far as helmets go, be prepared to drop $300-500 for a good one. Do not skimp on your helmet.

78

[quote]Moriarty wrote:
As far as helmets go, be prepared to drop $300-500 for a good one. Do not skimp on your helmet.[/quote]

Price has very little to do with the “quality” of a helmet. More expensive ones might be lighter and might have better features, but even the cheapest ones can exceed all safety standards and protect your head. In fact, some of the cheaper ones protect BETTER than the expensive ones, because the shell isn’t as hard (DOT requires lower G-force absorbtion than Snell), and transfers less G-forces to the head.

I suggest checking out this month’s issue of Motorcyclist for a really in-depth helmet test.

The most important factor in a helmet is how well it fits your head. It should be very snug without pinching or being overly tight in any particular spot. It shouldn’t hurt your head on a long trip, but you should be able to shake your head without the helmet moving.

Even though I don’t agree on the price point, the advice above is still good advice. Get the best helmet for your head. Don’t skimp on your other gear. I could have been hurt a lot worse than I was, had I not been wearing good gear.