- This topic has 11 replies, 8 voices, and was last updated 15 years, 7 months ago by Matt.
Suzuki SV650
-
AuthorPosts
-
August 30, 2008 at 1:00 am #1999NoobacycleParticipant
Lately I’ve been running around and visiting local motorcycle dealers as well as reading literature about the best beginner rides. I was at the dealer today and saw a brand new Suzuki SV650s and I sat on it. I felt awkward and couldn’t get comfortable since I was totally new to sitting on a sport bike. Cheking out that SV650s, I caught the attention on a salesman who actually owned one and showed me his outside. His was Naked and not the “s” version. He let me sit on it and the seating position was much more upright than the “s” version. I was unaware that there was a non “s” version and not aware of the different seating position. The “s” version also costs $900 more than the naked bike and I asked if the naked version was available. It turns out that they are now extremely rare.
I really want that bike. I never rode a sport bike before and I’m not used to the bent over seating arrangement but the naked SV650 is the beginner bike I want.
August 30, 2008 at 2:52 am #11418smokeizfireParticipantThat is the main reason I bought a cruiser. I had to be comfortable in the saddle at idle position in order to spend money. I never liked the lean (bad posture) position that sport bikes render you in. Maybe because I got into biking late. I usually see the younger crowd on sport bikes. Anyway, since you like to go “naked”, check this out.
http://www.hyosungmotorsusa.com/product/introduction.asp?Cat=StreetBike&model=GT650
Or if you really want to search in your city, and other surrounding cities for your SV….try this
http://www.cycletrader.com/find/search/
HE WHO DIES WITH THE MOST TOYS WINS
August 30, 2008 at 3:52 am #11423BuddParticipantHmm. So leaned over with your back strait is worse posture than sitting with your back curved like a C. My ninja is pretty straight up and down, but I have never had a sore back from riding it. Sleeping on the futon will almost shut me down though.
“I am the best there is at what I do, and what I do ain’t nice.”-Wolverine
August 30, 2008 at 4:51 pm #11434NoobacycleParticipantI’ve also asked and mentioned the Ninja 250r and I’ve talked to multiple people about it. Being that I’m 6’0 and 185lbs, I was always told to start with at least 600cc.
People have told me this about the Ninja 250r.
– I’m too big for it and it is meant for a 100 lb girl.
– You’ll get bored with it within a week.
– Start with a cruiser first.The ninja 250 looks good, but the suzuki sv650 looks better and seems like a bike that will last me a while.
August 30, 2008 at 6:45 pm #11436AndrewParticipantI have the 07 Ninja and it’s stock geared for 155 lbs not 100. Anyone who says that has no idea what they are talking about. You are probably to tall for the Ninja but you don’t need a 600cc engine. You probably need a taller bike so your legs feel comfortable but taller doesn’t mean you need 600cc.
August 30, 2008 at 8:20 pm #11447MattParticipantI am 6’0″ and 185 pounds.
My ZZR-250 (a ninja 250 by any other name) easily does more than 80mph with me on it. I always out accelerate traffic.Don’t listen to anyone who says you NEED 600cc they don’t know what they are talking about. Most likely they’ve never ridden a 250R and are just parroting what everyone else says. I have yet to meet someone who has ridden a ninja 250 for a full day and still claims it isn’t powerful enough.
—
“The two seconds between ‘Oh S**!’ and the crash isn’t a lot of practice time.”August 30, 2008 at 8:22 pm #11449MattParticipantHaving sat on a 600cc machine, the Ninja 250 has more leg room than it (and the one I sat on, a ZZR-600 is supposedly the most comfortable of the bunch)
—
“The two seconds between ‘Oh S**!’ and the crash isn’t a lot of practice time.”August 31, 2008 at 6:24 pm #11478rayngefinderParticipantYou’re not alone. I came to the same conclusion. I’m 6’0 205, and I’ve been researching what my first bike will be. I narrowed it down to the SV 650, too. I’ve been sitting on a lot of bikes, and for me the deciding “comfort” factors have been seat height and position. So far the seat height and the upright position of the SV has felt the best for me.
You might also want to consider the GS 500F, supposedly a good beginner bike. It’s more ‘sportier’ than the SV, but the position isn’t so bad. It has about the same seat height too. I felt pretty comfortable sitting on it. Depending on the year, you can get it with a fairing or naked. The GZ 250 wasn’t too bad either, but it’s lower, felt smaller, and seems more cruiser than standard (despite how Suzuki classifies it on their WS). I like upright-to-slightly forward positioning. I felt big and uncomfortable on the Ninja 250.
I’ve been concentrating mostly on Suzuki, because Suzuki bikes seem to show up regularly on ‘best beginner bike’ lists and recommendations. For example, CycleWorld’s September issue has an article on it, and IIRC, nine bikes are on the list, including both the SV 650 and the GSX 650F.
Good luck to you!
ray
September 3, 2008 at 10:15 pm #11629RupmiscParticipantIf your heart is set on a 650 with upright seating, either of the above bikes might be comfortable. To me, sitting on the 650R was nice, but the Versys, being taller (with essentially the same engine) was nice, providing an even more upright posture, and less bend in my knees. I haven’t heard much about the Versys on this site, but with saddlebags, does anyone think it would be an acceptable bike for day trips (with stuff) of about 200 miles?
September 4, 2008 at 12:27 am #11634fotobitsParticipantIt would be hard to find a better all-around bike than the Versys.
http://www.motorcyclistonline.com/features/122_0809_motorcycle_of_the_year/kawasaki_versys.html
September 4, 2008 at 12:45 am #11637RupmiscParticipantThe BMW may cost more than the Versys, but it also looks interesting, as do the BMW 800GS and ST (and they have belt drives). Thinking more of a second bike here.
September 4, 2008 at 3:20 am #11639MattParticipantF650GS is a very tall bike, very upright seating. But it can be lowered with seat and linkage options.
Nice bike. I think of it as a “premium” Versys. (Though I haven’t ridden the versys).Unless you plan on taking the bike off road, the F800GS is a poor choice. Costs more than the 650, and hte price really only gets you more off road goodies. In fact, the one guy I know who bought a 800GS had to change the tires on it right away, because the stock tires aren’t very smooth on pavement.
The F800ST would be a better bike for road use than the 800GS. But it is more cramped than the F650 (and considerably more expensive). If you are considering the ST, take the 650GS for a test drive as well – it could surprise you.
—
“The two seconds between ‘Oh S**!’ and the crash isn’t a lot of practice time.” -
AuthorPosts
- You must be logged in to reply to this topic.