[Josh]

Well, it’s official. Progressive does charge more for the suzuki sv650, but the ninja 250r, 500r and 650r all get the same insurance rate because they are considered the same “class” even though the ccs are different. I even gave the quote girl a VIN number of an actual 650r motorcycle and confirmed this information.

Also, with Geico it’s good to know that not only do the 250r, 500r, and 650r all get the same rate, but so does ths suzuki sv650, and all much cheaper than progressive. In fact, at Geico I was only quoted $425 a year for any of those bikes. (For those of you who are curious, that’s full coverage, with underisured/uninsured coverage, Hawaii state liability minimums, comprehensive, collision @ $1,000 deductable.)

I feel kinda good about the rate I was quote considering a friend of mine at work pays $300 A MONTH for full coverage on his Honda ’01-03 (forget the year) CBR600rr. Unbelievable! Basically every 15 months he buys the bike again.

[acidpope]

You know, the 500r does looked dated as ALL hell. But when I see people riding on them, they don’t look half bad. I think they only look really dated when they’re sitting still. Keep your eyes peeled for someone riding one. I guarantee it’ll look alot better than the stills you’ve been subjecting yourself to. Also check out the GS500F. It has more of that “sport” look, if that is a major factor in your deciding.

I was going to get an sv650s as my first bike. Unfortunately it wasn’t comfortable when I sat on it (too far of a reach for me at stops for the handlebars). So I went back to drooling over the 500r and re-embracing my ethos – form follows function. The 500r meets all the function I’ll need, and after a year or two then I’ll open myself back up to looking at the 650r/sv650 (when I’m more comfortable with that extra reach) or my new dream a 599 Hornet.

I read something somewhere and I think it makes alot of sense. Don’t make your first bike your dream bike.

[Josh]

I’ve always found that to be true. The 500r parked, especially at a distance, is not that great looking. However, if you’re standing right next to it, or you see one being ridden, whatever it is that is esthetically wrong with it doesn’t seem to have the same power.

[Indecisive]

I was having the same issue too. I’ve been wracking my brain out for the last month trying to pick a bike: Ninja 250, 500, 650? SV650? Maybe a Nighthawk? What you said did it for me: “form follows function.”

I’ll get my chops on the 500r and then move on to something else. It is hard to break away from the siren song of those other cooler looking bikes. Now the next question..new or used? Sigh…

Awesome website too…learned a lot.

[Author]

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