buying a bike

I've decided on a SV650S. What are some thing you might say to dicourage me from choosing this bike. I've been reading up on all kinds and thought this would be the best choice for me. The wife just gave me the ok to buy, but should I try to wait until winter months for a better deal? What would be a good out the door price? Any discouraging thoughts? Thanks

The price really depends, so that'd be up to your good judgements. New ones are I believed USD $6K. So you should get it a lot cheaper than that. If this is your first bike, get a used one. This is a good bike to start, but does require extra cautions than if you were to start on a Ninja 250, since this one has tremendous low-end torque. Other than that, it's pretty popular bike among us, beginners. Also, go and see which fits you better, the SV650 or SV650S, because the first one has standard bike upright riding position, while the latter is designed with a forward lean imitating a sportbike. The pegs and handlebars are positioned differently. And the SV650S has more of a "racing" suspension. The '03 and after models has redesigned front look, fitted with fuel injection, and digital speedo.

ok, I just read some more of your posts on newbies and making the right choice. On the thread that is marked IMPORTANT. I'm second guessing my choice in bikes. I'm looking for your honest opinion that I will take to heart. Do you think I should just get the Ninja 500 instead? You guys wrote some very valuable info. and I don't want to make a bad choice. I plan on buying as soon as I get a good deal. Also, do you subscribe to the thought that everyone lays their bike down?

Oh! No, the SV650 and SV650s is not what you're thinking. Yes it is 650 CC, but not the typical inline 4 race replica 600 CC. It's a rather much tamed, forgiving, newbie preferred bike. The motor is a v-twin, so it's nowhere near unpredictable as inline 4s. Having said that, you can still easily keep up and even pass many of the 600s on track and twisities, and a really fun bike to ride overall. It's been said that on a race replica (typical current sportbikes that are 600 CC and above) new riders sometimes wet themselves on high speeds, hehe, whilst on the SV650, you don't feel much, like a little tourer bike. However, it is more powerful than Ninja 250 and 500, but any of these bikes can be just as lethal if you're not careful. Except, if you try learning something like R6 or Gixxer 6, you just set the learning curve higher before you get a bigger displacement bike. And yes, people often do get seriously hurt while trying to learn using a race replica.

So generally it's been adviced to try any one of these to start on:

1. Kawasaki Ninja 250/500
2. Suzuki SV650/SV650S
3. Honda VTR 250
4. Suzuki Katana 600
5. Suzuki GS500F
6. Early 90s F2/F3
7. Others...


Number 1 being the safest to learn on, but people have reservations against it. Since it looks it came straight out of the 80s, and it might not be comfortable for people of certain stature.

Number 2 is probably a lot more popular, generally appeals to the wider crowd. Good looks, naked (means if you drop it, you won't have any fairings to replace). And with the given power, it satisfies the rider for quite some time before moving onto inline 4s. Still have to be careful of the low-end power when you roll the throttle. The '03 of this bike is the best bet out of all the bikes listed IMO, since it comes with fuel injection (no carbs cleaning, hehe), and a neat looking digital speedo.

3. This is also a decent bike, after all, it's Honda. But much rarer to find one for sale, most are usually '89 or prior to 90s.

4. It's an inline 4, comfortable ride like a tourer. But a bit on the heavy side. Pick this if only the others did not meet your criteria.

5. More or less the same as number 1. But people find number 1 bikes a bit more flickable, less heavy, and more power.

6. This is for all the people who want inline 4 600 power straight out of the box. The earlier 600s don't have nearly as much powers as today's do, but you can still mess up on it easily compared to the ones above.

7. Is all the rest... '03-04 R6, Gixxer 600, ZX-6R, CBR-6RR, people who are bit impatient and fixated with looks, go straight for the race replicas. Also bigger balls and sometimes less brain matter is required. :D

The middle-ground between 6 and 7 are bikes such as '03-04 F4i and YZF600R. Power of today's inline 4, but much lenient on the rider in case he/she screws up.

So you have to see what's compatible to your criteria: price, how well the bike fits you, availability depending on your location, condition of the bike, deals you get, etc, etc.

Thanks again. Big help. I guess I'll just have to decide between the SV650S and Ninja 500. Thanks

No prob.

totally agree with Z-man. he's listed all the factors but remember your in control of the bike and you have no control over other vehicles. since you have a wife (as i do) i'm sure you want to come home to her in one piece every night. you have to learn to ride the bike to your capabilities. all the bikes are quick and fun to ride but some are less forgiving in some situations. what i'm trying to say is if you want to ride like a dickhead you can get hurt whether riding an r1 or a posty bike. also learn to watch for other dickhead drivers and adjust your style accordingling

personally i prefer the race reps but i had to control my right wrist in a big way or else i'd be dead or worse alive and living with a pissed off wife

but i had to control my right wrist in a big way or else i'd be dead or worse alive and living with a pissed off wife

:rofl: your vision of worse...

you haven't met my wife!!!

you haven't met my wife!!!
After hearing about your sister, I'm afraid to know what your wife is like! :p

On-topic, I fully agree with what has been posted above. Man, I LOVE this forum!

After hearing about your sister, I'm afraid to know what your wife is like! :p

His wife hates him because he was staring at her sister's headlights too long. He was so dazed that can't go back to his wife. :D

Going out today to shop. Probably won't get a deal I want, but I'll be patient. Would like to have it by my birthday which is tomorrow. Thanks to all and I too love this forum.

Happy Birthday! Mine was yesterday. :D Leo's RULE! ;)

thanks, you too

Happy Birthday guys! :thumbsup:

Happy (late) B-Day Tangie!

Happy Birthday Bula!

:bigthumb: No cake, no pinada, no beer? :cheers:

No bike yet. Made a couple of offers but no takers. Took the wife and she wants me to get the Ninja 500. She thinks the SV650S seemed too big for me. Also, I'm unsure what a "normal" good deal would be in comparison to MSRP and out the door. I was trying for MSRP out the door including a good helmet.

If she wants more info, request her to come here and ask questions, no problem asisting anyway we can.

That 500R's seating height is 30.5", the SV650 should be around the same height or 1/2" more, give or take.

More info - http://motorcyclistonline.com/buyersguide/122_0335_buy02/

In terms of power, the SV650 is slightly faster, but only to the expert riders. FZR400, 500R, and SV650 are usually used as light-class track bikes for amateur racers. So you can rest assure that both of these bikes are good, and are in competition against one another.

However, if you want a starter bike that you want to keep for a long time, SV650 would be the better choice, it has plenty of power to keep you satisfied for a two or three years. But if you'd like jump into a 600 roughly after several months or a year, then 500R would get you learning fast.

If you're interested in the 650, well, there is a difference between SV650S and SV650 besides the fairings, so show her the latter, she might be more susceptible to it. The SV650S is classified as a naked sportbike, while SV650 is deemed streetbike. This also affects your insurence rate I think.

You can also use www.cycletrader.com to look for bikes near you.

The best offer I could get is 6600 out the door without helmet on a 2004 SV650S. Can I do better? Can this bike be lowered? The sales guy said it can but I didn't need to. I can put both balls of my feet on the ground but it feels better to be able to put both flat. He also said it wouldn't be the best idea because it would change the bikes handling, center of gravity and things. Any comments on this would help. Thanks

if you can't sit on the bike and be able to put your feet flat on the ground then it is to big for you. would you have the confidence to hold the weight in a wierd parking situation or if you stall turning on a hill. you can adjust the rear shocks spring tension easily by using the supplied C spanner but it will affect the handling having such a spongy rear. a neighbour of mine has a 954 and can't put his feet down at all. he can only just make his toes touch the ground and he struggles daily to ride. he wont sell because he likes to tell people that he rides a 954

It's sad, but I find it highly amusing when people buy bikes they do not fit on properly. I have a friend who just HAD to have a gixxer 750 (keep in mind this is only his second season of riding), and he dumped it in his driveway about 5 times before he went into a corner too hot and balled it up.

I personally think people in general will learn faster on a 500 or smaller bike b/c of the more forgiving nature of the bike. You can mess up and still come out SSU (shiny side up).

I got back from my roadtrip yesterday and saw a R1 for sale. I went to check it out closer and the bike hand been lightly laided down on the right side. I sat on it and it felt pretty comfortable. Unfortunately I have neither the money or skill for that bike. Long term goal is eventually a R6 or Gixxer 750 though.

I feel comfortable with having just the balls of both feet on the ground, but do you guys think this is too big? I would feel more cofortable with both feet flat, but I still feel ok the way it is. Your honest opinion, too big? Any comments on negotiating a deal?

For the first bike, I'd really go with both feet flat on the ground. Go with 500R or check out Katana 600 (they're also cheap). I saw someone riding Ninja 250 without gears, the bike doesn't really look half bad. In fact, it looks just as good as early 90s sportbikes. Also look for a better deal if you're going with the SV, the price is bit too much. Seems like the dealer will be making quite a buck on it. Getting one used would be the better option.