[briderdt]

Sport? Cruiser? Dual-sport?

That’s the first question you need to answer. That will also be independent of “size”. And each type is going to have (in general) a different type of throttle response and power deliver curve, which should then help to determine the engine size you get.

As nau suggested, the configuration of the engine will determine how “beginner friendly” a certain engine size will be, to pretty much an equal extent as the size (displacement). Yeah, I started on a SV650s. And I was VERY intimidated when I got on that thing for the first time (I can’t imagine how people climb onto a ‘Busa the first time must feel). Part of it was that I’d never been on a motorcycle before in my life, and part of it was the on/off feeling of the throttle (somewhat unique to that bike). But after going through the MSF class and having some time on the bike, I’m pretty okay with it.

Now why did I choose the SV? (1) I wanted EFI, because I didn’t want to have to mess with carbs and a choke. (2) My wife and I had planned on taking some trips together this summer (on separate bikes).

And now 3 months on, would I have done things differently? Probably. Why? (1) I found out that chokes and carbs aren’t a big deal, and really don’t require much more in the way of upkeep. (2) My wife didn’t pass her MSF class, and then promptly sprained her right wrist, so she can’t ride. Nixxed the plans of trips this summer.

What would I have done differently? Probably would have gotten a used Ninja 250 and ridden the cr@p out of it. I’m okay with the SV, and really don’t “regret” having the bike. I’m still pretty tentative in the corners, but that is mostly due to sand on the road (thanks DOT!!!) than any real fear of taking a corner.

Oh, and my wife? She wouldn’t listen to anything I said, and insisted on getting a Suzuki C50… That thing is a good 100lbs heavier than my bike, and she has all kinds of trouble even getting that thing moving. Just a couple weeks ago, she sheepishly admitted that she “probably” should have gotten a smaller bike…

DUH!

Don’t know if that helps at all. Just my (limited) experience.

[briderdt]

http://www.whaccessories.com/SV%20650%20Accessories.htm

[briderdt]

Hope it’s up and running ASAP. That sounds like one of those “my husband left me and told me to sell all his riding gear” stories.

[briderdt]

I use it all the time. One of the best comfort upgrades I’ve made so far.

[briderdt]

The crampbuster lets you work your throttle more like a gas pedal instead of a twist grip. Let’s you relax your forearm. Of course, there’s the “cruise control” that takes it one step further, but the CB is something like $10, “installs” in 10 seconds (non-permanent installation), and makes a WORLD of difference.

[briderdt]

If you haven’t already gotten one of these, do it.

[briderdt]

Near Tacoma, actually. THough I’m not the original owner of the bike, and I have no idea where it was initially sold. I’m not worried though.

[briderdt]

Took me a lot longer than I thought it would, but it’s done. I cut over half the length off the muffler, and ended up losing one of the baffles. But it still isn’t much louder than the stock pipe. I didn’t fire it up when there was essentially a straight pipe on there, as there were a lot of people out and about in the neighborhood (don’t want to tick them off). But the note is a LOT lower, and the reaction (in the exhaust) is a lot more abrupt when revving. Not the prettiest, but it worked out okay.

[briderdt]

oops…. Never mind. I just re-read your post and see that you haven’t done it yet.

[briderdt]

I’ll start with what I’ve done.

When I bought my SV, the previous owner had put on a Hot Bodies undertail kit. Looks nice, but the turn signals are pretty much invisible during the day. So I added some 6″ LED strips on the outside of the rear fairing. The flush-mount front turn signals didn’t do much for straight-on viewing, so I added another set of 6″ LED strips on the front, in a wide V-shape, just below the wind screen. I’ve taken off the rear seat and grab rail and put on the rear set cowl, and I’ve take off the left passenger peg and bracket (soon to ditch the right as well). I did a TPS adjustment to smooth out the low-speed throttle response, and added a Cramp Buster. The latest addition was frame- and swing-arm sliders.

Whew…

Tomorrow I’m going to do a muffler chop, cutting about half the length of the huge cannon on the side of the bike. I’ll keep all the baffles on the inside to it doesn’t get too loud, but it’ll have more of a V-twim rumble instead of sounding like a sewing machine.

I’m going to replace the Puig double-bubble windscreen with a Zero Gravity Sport-Touring model to cut down on the head buffeting at higher speeds. I’ve got some Buell pegs coming that will lower my foot position about 1″. And I’ve got a front fender on the way from some one who wrecked theirs, and I’m going to make it into a color-matched fender extender (as a long time cyclist, I’m totally baffled at the configuration of sport bike front fenders). A rear hugger is a longer-term addition. And when I have to replace the chain (and gears), I’m going to go taller (+2 in front, -1 in back) to get lower RPMs at highway speeds.

And after all that, I’ll probably want another bike…

[briderdt]

AMA membership — discount.
MSF course — discount.
License endorsement — discount.

Along with that we have 3 other vehicles and a home owner’s policy… The two motorcycles (my ’05 SV650s and my wife’s ’08 C50) only added $85 a month (full coverage, $500 deductible).

[briderdt]

Here the OP says “I wouldn’t” and then does…

Posting a link would have been better.

Now I might THINK the gay thing seeing two guys on a bike, but I’d never say anything.

[briderdt]

…and you’re comfy with throwing the money around like that, go right ahead. You’re adding some things that I feel are unnecessary. But if you’re financing it, keep in mind that you may want to sell that bike in 2 years, and you’ll be completely upside down on the loan.

[briderdt]

It was actually a pretty easy deal though. I asked up front about the condition (it was basically flawless), clear title, etc… But in all the emails exchanged within a very short period of time (say 6 hours), I was getting a feeling for the personality of the seller, and he came across as a very standup guy. I pretty much committed to buy if I saw the bike was okay, and we set up a meet at the place where I’d be financing the bike. He rode the bike there. I never actually rode the thing before buying it, but I also knew he had to have ridden it several miles to get it there. I listened to it running, asked a few more questions, then we went into the bank and everything was done there (Boeing Credit Union). I then paid the guy a tank of gas to transport it to my house (or he could have ridden it there and I would have given him a ride back to his place). I provided a blank “sales receipt”, and he provided the bike, keys, title, and a hand willing to take the check the bank handed over.

I’ve been nothing but happy with the bike.

[briderdt]

I think that’s what it’s called. Dual sport, as the other poster suggested. Higher seat.

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