- This topic has 7 replies, 5 voices, and was last updated 15 years, 7 months ago by giddyuppartner.
Is a 650cc right for me after riding a 650 in the past?
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September 13, 2008 at 5:08 am #2087giddyuppartnerParticipant
Hello All,
I just joined the forum after recently discovering it while researching motorcycles. I am currently in the market again after taking about a year off from riding and felt the urge to hop back on. Here is my delimma. I pretty much have two bikes in mind, the suzuki sv650 or the 1250 bandit.
I am not sure which would suite me best?
Here is a little bit about my riding experience.
I grew up riding dirt bikes, Honda xr100 and 125.
For 2 years rode a Honda shadow (600cc if memory serves me correct)
1 year riding a KLR 650.The KLR was great for off road but I felt it lacked power while on the highway. I live outside of Los Angeles and most of the time the freeways are not moving but on the rare occasion they would, the KLR struggled to cruise at anything above 65.
My plans for my next bike to mainly to do some commuting, and fun day trips but not much in the twistys (well maybe some). I really liked the upright riding position of the KLR but needed more power.
Does the sv650 provide more power on the streets than the KLR and how about the riding position? Or should I go with the bigger bike (bandit 1250) since I felt that I had outgrown the KLR?
Anyone with experience on these bikes (along with having riden a KLR) please provide any input.
Thanks and can’t wait to make a decision in next couple of months.
September 13, 2008 at 11:12 am #12109WeaponZeroParticipantThe SV650 is perfectly fine power-wise on the highways. I would say any bike 500cc or bigger can comfortably cruise for extended periods of time on the freeway at speeds in excess of 80mph. Considering your history, I would say there’s no reason for you to have to go with a bike as small as a 650 however unless you like smaller bikes, which is perfectly understandable. Based on what YOU want I would say the Bandit 1250S would probably be the better choice.
September 13, 2008 at 5:34 pm #12119RabParticipantPersonally, I see no need to buy a bike as big as the Bandit 1250.
‘ Just uses more gas, is heavier, hotter (in heat), more cumbersome at slow speeds and has a lot more power than you’ll need or even be able to use; more expensive too. I think you’ll find that the SV650 (or any mid-range 600+ multi-cylinder bike) has plenty of power for what you want to do with it; and a lot more than the single pot KLR650 (great bike as it is for its intended purpose). I’m not talking about cruisers here, they are very different in terms of weight and required power.
The only advantage when it comes to large capacity bikes is (a) for bragging rights and (b) for long distances with luggage and/or a passenger (i.e. carrying a lot of weight) although most 650+ multi-cylinder bikes can get by in that role too.
I’ve read that a lot of guys go up through the capacity ladder and then return to the 650ish c.c. class because they are just more practical than the big bikes.
Still, everyone’s different and if the Big Bandit pushes your buttons then go for it. It’s a great bike.
September 14, 2008 at 3:11 am #12132giddyuppartnerParticipantSo what you are saying is that although the KLR has the same size engine, the sv650 is better tuned for the highways? that is pretty much what I want more of. Like I mentioned, the KLR struggled on the highway when the freeways were open. I don’t necessarily need more power if the sv can handle better on the freeway. I guess….it’s all so confusing but I guess that is why I am here.
September 14, 2008 at 2:32 pm #12138TheAbomb12ParticipantAnother bike I would recommend is the Ninja 650. Its probably a tad more forgiving a “beginner bike” than the SV650; but it also has fairing which are a GODSEND on the highway or for long rides.
You CAN get the sv650s or sv650sf — which are variants of the sv650 with fairing; However, the riding position on those is very Super sport ish, and no where near as comfortable as the Ninja 650.
September 14, 2008 at 3:53 pm #12140MattParticipantThe KLR struggles on the highway because it is designed for lower speeds. It only makes 40ish horsepower (but lots of torque). Despite being a 650, many smaller cc bikes (such as the ninja 500) are considerably faster.
I’m in no way saying to avoid the SV650 or Ninja 650 as too fast (with a bit of experience on a slower bike I really don’t think they are, but if you’ve never ridden any bike I think they are) – but be prepared for a big difference between the KLR and 500/650 road bikes.
Have fun, and welcome back to the world of two-wheeled fun
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“The two seconds between ‘Oh S**!’ and the crash isn’t a lot of practice time.”September 14, 2008 at 8:42 pm #12144RabParticipantgiddyuppartner said:
“So what you are saying is that although the KLR has the same size engine, the sv650 is better tuned for the highways?”
Absolutely; what Matt said.
The KLR650 has a single cylinder engine (which is significant) and is designed as a compromise. It is a capable off-road machine, in which role it requires torque, which it delivers at the expense of top speed and acceleration. That said however, it does retain the ability to be ridden on the streets. It’s a do-it-all swiss army knife of a bike, not great at anything but competent to good at most things.
An SV650 on the other hand, is a pure street bike and everything about it is geared to street riding (including the tires). As such, it’s well up to cruising on the freeway at legal and supra-legal speeds, but as pointed out by others, it has no fairing for wind protection. There is a half-faired “S” version, but that bike puts you into a sports crouch which is uncomfortable to many; the standard SV650 is more upright.
(Second) bikes in the mid-range, with a fairly upright (more comfortable) riding position I would recommend are, in no particular order, SV650, GS500E or F, GSX650F, DL-650, FZ6, Ninja 500, 650 or Versys. I’m sure there are others that would fit the bill including many cruisers, but apart from the Kawasaki Vulcan 500 (Ninja engined), you’d probably want 750 c.c. or more in a cruiser (Honda make some solid cruisers in that capacity range).
September 15, 2008 at 4:13 am #12168giddyuppartnerParticipantThank you all for better describing the difference between the 650 KLR against other street 500cc and up. I have much to consider but because of great people like all of you, I have a better understanding of all this. To be honest, in the past I just jumped on a bike and took off without knowing much of the specifics of an engine but now that I am a bit older (35), I seem to notice more of the details. Thanks again to all that commented on this forum.
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