Suzuki Sv650S v. Kawasaki Ninja 650R

Message

matthew5656 · Fri Apr 07, 2006 7:59 am

Hello everyone,

I'm new to the forum and have yet to buy a bike. I plan to purchase one hopefully in the next few months for this summer. I'm a bigger guy, about 6ft, 190lbs. and really like the Sv650S and the new 650R. I do like the Ninja 500s and the suzuki GS500Fs but I think an sv650 or a 650r would be more suitable, and I wouldn't outgrow them as quick.

I hope to be able to finance a new bike instead of buying a used one so I don't have to worry about repairs and i'll have more available money for safety gear. However, I will only finance one if full coverage insurance isn't expensive for me, but financing a bike with only liability isn't a smart move. I'm only 19 with a speeding ticket so I'm curious about what rates i'll get for insurance.

I like the sv650 because it doesn't have any fairings, but the 650r looks nicer and is about $200 dollars cheaper than a new sv650. Other than that, I have no idea which would be a better beginner bike. Any suggestions?

DivideOverflow · Fri Apr 07, 2006 8:20 am

Take the MSF. Check insurance rates on the bikes you are looking at with your local companies... it wont be cheap for a person your age, especially with an accident.

I'd start on a cheaper used bike. I have a 1979 Kawasaki KZ650, and it is only $30/mo for full coverage, and it is $38/mo for my 1984 Honda Interceptor 700. It was almost $80/mo on my 2004 GV250 (which was my first bike). I would try to find a smaller used bike to learn on, then you can sell it for what you got it for after you feel comfortable moving up. It will be cheapest, and safest this way. That way you dont scratch up your pretty new bike by dropping it while you are learning.

I am 22, about 6'0 220lbs btw, and a 250cc was perfectly fine for me. After a year, I did sell it to get a bigger bike, but I think it was definitely worth it. I only bought it new because I got a really good deal, and it was cheaper than most used bikes in my area... Insurance-wise, I wish I had gotten something a little older, and used, it would have saved me a lot of money each month. Now I have 2 bikes insured, and I still pay less than I did for the one!

SuperRookie · Fri Apr 07, 2006 9:27 am

There's an entire sticky devoted to which bike is best to begin...and generally, notwithstanding the way Kawasaki is advertising their new 650 (which is indeed a sweet bike), 650's aren't the best bikes to hone your skills on. Can it be done? Sure. But there are probably ten reasons why you shouldn't for every one you can think of to justify it. One simple fact is starting smaller will enable you to become a better rider, more quickly. Don't think that a 500 can't move your frame...it's quicker than you think

Seetrout · #4 Unread post by **Seetrout** » Fri Apr 07, 2006 11:53 am

Why does everyone think anything less than 600cc is "small"?
25 years ago 350cc was "average", 750cc Import was a "kid killer" and anything litre or more was "A MONSTER".

That said a new 600 will probably smoke anything from 25 years ago.

So why is it that now "It's only 500cc I don't think it'll have enough power"?

#5 Unread post by **ZooTech** » Fri Apr 07, 2006 11:55 am

Because the bar has been raised. You could always restore a 1910 Harley Davidson and ride that around.

Seetrout · #6 Unread post by **Seetrout** » Fri Apr 07, 2006 12:03 pm

You could always restore a 1910 Harley Davidson and ride that around

And that would be cool! And maybe this answers my question. But I wouldn't take it on the bypass.

But it wouldn't scare me to take a 440 LTD out there. Should it?

#7 Unread post by **ZooTech** » Fri Apr 07, 2006 12:07 pm

Seetrout wrote:But it wouldn't scare me to take a 440 LTD out there. Should it?

Of course not. But does the thought of taking a Mean Streak scare you?

matthew5656 · Fri Apr 07, 2006 12:23 pm

I would be happy with an EX500. I know they have a lot of power. I just wouldn't want to outgrow it and get bored with it. I also have met a lot of people who have started off on Ninja 600RR or CBR600s and have told me it's possible. I think it's crazy to start off on a bike that powerful, but a lot of people have started on a 2 cylinder like an SV650.

I don't know though. I'm pretty open minded and like a lot of bikes, so whichever one I found for the best deal. EX500s aren't that much slower than SV650s or the 650R, but they're much cheaper, so you all have a point. I'm not trying to act like a know-it-all since i've never ridden a bike and a lot of you ride a lot. I just go by what the majority of people tell me that a bike like the sv650 is a great starter bike. Even in Pat Hahns book "How To Ride a Motorcycle," he mentions how an SV650 is almost the perfect starter bike. That's where I got the idea. Thanks for the replies.

Seetrout · #9 Unread post by **Seetrout** » Fri Apr 07, 2006 12:29 pm

No, but my 599 is probably every bit as quick and probably faster at the top end than your Mean Streak, although I'll never know because I turn to chicken poop when I hit triple digits.

Too much wind blast anyway. Really wanted a 440 to learn on, but all them old guys that have em just aren't selling them. I know they're out there though cause I see em running around every Memorial Day.

#10 Unread post by **ZooTech** » Fri Apr 07, 2006 12:36 pm

Seetrout wrote:No, but my 599 is probably every bit as quick and probably faster at the top end than your Mean Streak

Precisely. Bikes are bigger because the market wanted bigger. What once was "huge" is now a beginner bike. You also have to consider the fact that modern bikes are lighter and come equipped with radial tires and powerful brakes, so a bike that would have been considered big in the 70's (thus not a beginner bike) is now much easier for a newb to handle.