[briderdt]

With proper maintenance, a bike should last well into the 100K’s. Also, those in the know have said they’d be very hesitant to buy a used bike older than 10 years, especially a sport bike.

[briderdt]

I use a Scott no-fog cloth on the inside of the visor, but it was cold enough yesterday that my breath was freezing on the inside of the visor before it could clear, even with the visor cracked. I’ve only ever had the safety glasses fog up twice — today being the second time, and both times in cold fog. The safety glasses aren’t prescription, I wear them so that I can open the visor and still be legal (eye covering required in Washington).

I ordered a double-layer visor last night — we’ll see how much that helps.

[briderdt]

Or just making a smart decision? Only time will tell.

[briderdt]

That would depend on how the bike is ridden (either one). On the SVRider.com forum, most riders get less than 50 mpg. I actually find that very surprising. Lowest I’ve gotten is 53 mpg, and that was when I first started riding and was mainly in lower gears.

I’m not a speed demon, nor a granny on the throttle. But unless I’m on the highway, I cruise along at about 3500 rpm, roughly. In July, I’d catalogued every fill-up, and had averaged over 60 mpg (including those early low- to mid-50’s mpg tanks). I haven’t calculated the mileage since then, but I’ve still got every fill-up written down.

Oh, and my bike is a 2005 that had 4200 miles in the odo when I bought it. It just turned over 10100 today (I’ve been off the bike for over a month due to weather and kid duty).

[briderdt]

…so I can’t make comparisons based on the riding characteristics, or even maintenance.

But there are going to be differences. The GS500 is going to be much like the SV650 (NOT the SV650s) as far as riding position, but with the fairing. If that’s important to you (either wanting that position or wanting the fairing), then the choice is pretty clear.

Coming from the S40, the either one is going to behave at the throttle in a much more predictable manner than an I-4 engine. Brakes… Your S40 has a single front disk as well, I think. It hauls the bike down just fine, right? Well, the dual front disks on the SV do it as well, just with two fingers. Is that superior? Maybe.

For power… Are you planning on pulling stumps with the bike? If not, then either one is going to have “enough” power. I doubt you’d fine either one anemic on the road.

So if having the more upright position of the SV650/GS500 is important (as opposed to the SV650s), AND having the fairing is important, than the GS500 is the way to go.

Hope that helps.

[briderdt]

…you GOTTA get the Executioner boots. I mean, come ON! Complete outfits are a must.

http://www.leatherup.com/p/Mens-Motorcycle-Boots/Xelement-Black-Leather-Executioner-Motorcycle-Boots/50223.html

[briderdt]

No test rides there either.

[briderdt]

Who ever invented that thing… I hope they’re living a life of earned luxury for the rest of their life. Yeah, it’s THAT good. I keep one in my tank bag. I try not to ride in the rain, but there are times when it starts raining during a ride. I’ve made it 6K miles in the last year and only been rained on maybe 5 times.

I still have a HUGE pucker factor on wet pavement. But at least I can see.

[briderdt]

…was because of an irrational aversion to carbs. Both the Ninja 650R and the SV650(s) have FI, and me being the mechanic I am (meaning I’m fine with BICYCLES, but add an engine and I start getting hives), I wanted the simplicity. I I figured the bike would blow up on me or something.

Having ridden a Nighthawk 250 (carbs) in the MSF class, I got over it quickly.

So looking back, would I have gotten a different bike? Probably. But I’m dancing with the lady I brought. And my “next” bike might just be a Ninja 250 that I rat out or something (carbs be damned), since the Buell 1125r just got taken out of the picture.

[briderdt]

PR = Pacific Raceways? If so, I can relate, and that’s on a BICYCLE! I’ve run off the road in that one a couple times. Fortunately stayed upright…

[briderdt]

…I can say that it’s probably not going to be a real problem for you.

Mine is an ’05, and I just turned over 10K miles on the bike last month. 6K of those are mine, all in the last year.

If you’re already comfy with a clutch on the Ninja, you’ll be good with the SV. Don’t be fooled — there will be issues to get used to, like a huge amount of engine braking, and more power at low rpms. Second gear starts aren’t a big deal IF you’re on the clutch. Don’t do what I did and assume you’re in first, lean into a turn, and kill the engine because you didn’t modulate the clutch right. Yup, I couldn’t hold the bike up, so had a no-speed set-down. Fortunately no damage to me or the bike (let it down nice and easy).

I don’t rail mine, and I like to cruise (on backroads, not highway) at 3500 rpm. And I get almost 60 mpg average. YMMV.

[briderdt]

“Yes, it IS only 3-4k if you buy used, but that’s the problem. I’ve only got about $800 to $1,000 in my bank account at any given time for spending money. The rest is on rent, food, etc. I work part-time at a job that gives me about $800 a month. But I just can’t bring myself to save up over time to get enough to plunk down cash at the dealer!!!”

$800-1000 for spending money, and you can’t save some to buy the bike? That’s just plain lack of discipline there. Sorry, harsh reality. If you’re thinking of a loan, remember, you’re only saving for a downpayment, not the entire amount. A $4k loan at 10% interest (a very good rate in your situation, and not likely should this be your first loan) would be about $85 a month for a 5 year term. Use this to check your payments on any given amount and rate: http://www.bankrate.com/calculators/mortgages/loan-calculator.aspx

And used Ninja 250’s tend to settle at about $2500, unless it’s almost new. I’d avoid dealers if you’re going to buy used, and go with private party sales. Have your dad help you with that process.

[briderdt]

Have her sit on a lot of bikes. And not just throw a leg over and tip the bike up. HOLD it up for her and have her get both feet on the pegs. Have her close her eyes and think about taking off from a start, pulling the feet up off the ground.

Which type of bike does she fumble with the least while not looking? What seems more natural?

Just a thought, anyway. YMMV.

And I agree — that boulevard S83 is TOO big. My (STBX) wife has a Boulevard C50 that she can’t even ride. It’s an 800 lb paperweight in my garage right now because she can’t control it. Yeah, she’s taken the MSF (twice), but it’s just TOO big and heavy. That S83 is even worse.

[briderdt]

With these two, I’m good well into the low 30’s and even high 20’s for fairly short trips (using ski gloves). I have the Cycra Stealth guards, which are pretty inexpensive, and just clamp onto the handlebar. The heated grips I have are the Oxford Heaterz (lockitt.com), and replace your existing grips and wire directly to the battery (with a controller so it doesn’t drain the battery should you forget and leave them on).

[briderdt]

So what if I don’t see anything I’d want to ride home, it’d be a good time anyway.

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