[uncle_bernie]

…and am lovin’ it so far!!!! A little over two weeks ago I found a great deal on the very bike I wanted, a Suzuki S40. She’s a 2006 and only had 61 miles on her and I got her for around $1200 less than a new model….and she isn’t even broken in yet!! Anyway, I’ve been riding her around for two days now and I have to say that the S40 is, so far, a GREAT first bike.

At the MSF course I took I chose to do my training on a Suzuki GZ250, as, at the time I took the course, I was an owner of a Suzuki and figured I’d probably have about the same experience on my S40. For once in my life, I was right on the mark. The s40, even though it’s a 650 (a single cylinder mind you) is only fifty pounds heavier than the GZ250. If you look at the specs side by side they have practically the same wheelbase, same overall length, same seat height, and the S40 is actually a couple of inches narrower than the GZ250. Basically, what you have is a 650 in a 250’s skin.

Now, while the idea of having a 650 in a 250’s skin *may* sound dangerous, the S40 has been tuned and torqued so that if you go easy on the throttle (and you don’t have to try very hard) the bike will cruise and purr like a kitten…with HUGE teeth mind you I found today that, if you want to open up the throttle, that big thumping 650 will take off. Basically, it’s got a very forgiving powerband and weight for the newbie with power to spare when you feel comfortable enough to open it up.

I know I’m like a kid in a candy store and very enthused about my very own first bike, but, really, if you’re looking for a first bike with both forgiveness and bite, I can’t recommend the Suzuki S40 more highly.

[Kickprivate]

Grats, wear your gear!

~Not your average hairless monkey
Kick

[uncle_bernie]

Thanks for the advice and I keep giving it as well as getting it. If you:

a) Don’t have the time
b) Think it’s too hot
c) Think the trip isn’t “long” enough

to put on your gear for the ride then you don’t ride….at ALL.

~He who laughs last didn’t get the joke…

[Ben]

Badass bike Bernie!

Man seeing all these cruisers is really giving me the ‘cruiser’ bug. I’m going to be taking a drive from san jose, CA to reno, NV soon which is going to be 5-6 hours of freeway on my ninja. It has a pretty good riding position, but I imagine I would be much more comfortable on something like your s40.

If you want to write a review on your new bike after you break it in just let me know, I’m sure a lot of people would benefit from it.

Ben
~Best Beginner Motorcycles Admin

[Matt]

Title says it all. That bike is gorgeous. Glad to hear it rides well too.
I wish it was riding season around here… still got several feet of snow on the ground

[Anonymous]

Congratulations!

I wanted to get one of these “Thumpers” as my first bike but when I sat on it I felt it might be a little too snug for my 6′ frame.

‘ Was kinda disappointed as it’s a really cool, retro bike with belt drive for low maintenance. I ended up with a Honda Nighthawk 250 instead which was fun (I ride a Triumph Bonneville now).

[acidpope]

Nice bike. Kinda looks like a sportster. Grats & safe driving.

[Author]

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