[briderdt]

There’s a lady that works in the next cubicle to me that has one… Loud as all get-out. But she likes it, it has enough grunt to get her around, and is street legal.

250 V-twin, though… Oh, maybe the Hyosung?

In any case, a V-twin is going to be fairly tame. A 250 V-twin might even be a little anemic. But anything can get you into enough trouble to get hurt. Respect the right hand, no matter what the bike.

I would think that the “chopper” part, and the potential handling issues that go along with it, would be more of a problem than the 250 V-twin engine.

[briderdt]

Here’s what I do — I have Alpinestars Street Cargo pants that I use as overpants in anything below, say, 45-48 degrees. They have armor built in, and I’ve taken them down to 25 degrees with no trouble. Once above those temps, I use a pair of knee/shin guards under either Rigg’s Wear double-front jeans, or Rigg’s wear Ranger pants (cordura, double front). I’ve ridden those up to 109 degrees on the hottest days this past summer, and I was doing fine. And the Rigg’s wear stuff looks fine as somewhat “normal” wear. Denim Express has great prices on these.

[briderdt]

Please, PLEASE take the class. You may think that it’s easy, and at first it most definitely WILL be easy — that’s the point. But it’s critical to get the professional training in a SAFE environment. I went into that class already having taken my SV650s out on the road… I’d bike raced for years. I thought it would be a cake walk, and the reason I took the class was to get my endorsement on an easy bike. Well, I did pass the class, but I definitely learned things that have saved me a lot of grief (and possible injury).

Please, take the class.

[briderdt]

My ride is a 2005 Suzuki SV650s – Vtwin sport bike. But I rode a C50 a couple times this past month, which I know isn’t the same as the S40, but it’s similar in design (the S40 is a single, approx. 650cc, the C50 is a Vtwin, approx. 800cc, but the chassis is essentially the same).

At rest, the C50 feels very top heavy, something that won’t be as much of an issue with the S40. But once rolling, the bike handles very well. Well mannered, predictable, smooth (though if you’re used to lofting your body over bumps as on a sport bike, the feet-forward position will take some getting used to). I think I’d term the handling as pretty effortless. So in that regard, the bike is great for a beginning rider. With the 650 single, you might get a little more vibration, but it won’t overpower you. This would be a good bike for more well more than 6 months — you may well get years out of it. It’s far better to ride a smaller bike to ITS limits than to ride a larger bike beyond YOUR limits.

I’m 5’9″ and small change, so you’re a little taller, and a little lighter than me. I don’t think you’ll find the bike cramped, nor do I think it’ll be too big for you, but by all means, SIT ON THE BIKE and decide for yourself.

Kelley BLue Book on that bike is $2745 (http://www.kbb.com/motorcycle/retail/2006/suzuki/s40/79454), so I wouldn’t go any higher than that, no matter what aftermarket stuff may have been done. The asking price is fair as long as the maintenance has been done, and it starts and runs smoothly. But that’s just my opinion.

Hope that helps.

[briderdt]

Well, not so bad, really. I got a relatively inexpensive helmet last year (Gmax 68), and it fit me great. Untill… I got my hair chopped off on 12/23. Helmet rattles on my head now. So I go out and try on some today. And what amazed me is that not only did I drop down a size, but the helmet that fit best today was one that I couldn’t take off fast enough a year ago. So keep an open mind.

[briderdt]

Cables kinked, corroded, or just plain stuck?

[briderdt]

I bet the falls were gorgeous! Did you go up 18 or 202?

[briderdt]

It’s not a first gen, though I have heard of the R/R failure. I’ve got it back on the float charger, and if it fires up again I’ll replace the battery. I’ve heard also the stator tends to go at the same time? Or am I just (more) ignorant?

[briderdt]

…and sit on everything they have.

V-star, Rebel, and a few others, will probable be your best fit.

[briderdt]

Man, the low-displacement market is weak here.

[briderdt]

…from talk yesterday, the relationship between the local PGR and the Lakewood police dept is pretty close. In a good way.

[briderdt]

But some one on the PNWRider board mentioned that too.

Not to worry though. It was done with preamble, and for a prescribed time frame. As explained at the ride, when you salute the dead, you want to make noise to wake the dead.

But hearing 65 Harley’s rapping pipes all at once was pretty impressive.

[briderdt]

That’s the other thing they called it — rapping of pipes. High-rev, earth shaking, loud.

My pipe (yup, only one) isn’t that loud, and a 650 V-twin isn’t that impressive…

Oh, and the other thing — the direction the pipes are pointing is all-important. We passed the memorial and made a u-turn so the pipes were pointing AWAY from the memorial. To have the pipes pointing toward the memorial is considered disrespectful.

[briderdt]

Maybe you can make a deal with the sellers to hang onto it ’til spring, but that’s asking a lot. $3K isn’t bad for that bike, but expecting it to still be around come spring… well, good luck.

[briderdt]

…I’d buy it in a heartbeat.

Gmax makes an “electric” visor for the 68, for snowmobiling… Not sure what that actually does — if there’s a fan inside or elements like a rear window defroster. Looks kinda goofy too.

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