Yamaha FZ6 good starter bike.

[jonbailey19808]

I was dead set on the GS500F Suzuki but i have had my eye on that fz6 too.

Do you guys think the FZ6 is a bad choice. I have not tried it on yet.

Also what about the V-Storm the smaller one?

I love the sporty look but i don't want to sit too low.

I did try on the GS500 and it was a way better fit than the 500 Ninja on me.

One dealer is telling me the GS500F might not have enough power for me and is pushing me to the Suzuki SV650 , i like the one with the sporty look.

[jonbailey19808]

O i did not mention i am taking the MSF course next week and have had experiance with a scooter on the road and i can drive a stick shift.

[VermilionX]

i say get it. it's probably only a little more powerful than the SV650.

just be aware of the risk.

[dieziege]

That Yamaha has about 100HP... NOT a good beginner bike.

V-Strom 650 is a tolerable beginner bike (as it it's really not very good) IF you are tall enough. It is a tall bike.

The dealer is full of krap about the 500 not having enough power. He wants a higher comission.

WHY THE $%#* DOES ANYONE LISTEN TO SALES PEOPLE AT DEALERSHIPS?!?! Pisses me off.

Take Verm's advice only if you are the sort to take your bike to the shop to have stickers installed.

[1will]

but the shop does em real nice!!!!

[dieziege]

In all honesty... yes, they do. It was a good sticker installation... nice and straight. I'd have been happy with it.

But... come on...

[jonbailey19808]

Yeah i figured that dealer just wanted more commission but i wanted to check in with you guys.

2nd hand bikes are impossible to find out here where i live without traveling 200 miles.

So i shpuld probably stick with the GS500F?

Too much HP in the FZ6?

I want to buy something i will be happy for a good 8-10 years.

[Kal]

8-10 years? Jez' wept I don't thinkI could buy a house with the intention of still owning it in 8-10, never mind a bike...

Assuming a maintainence light life expectancy of 100,000 miles thats only 10,000 a year!

Okay, heres my question.

What do you want from a bike?

Why do you want a bike?

[jmillheiser]

you wont be keeping the bike for 8-10 years. Most people keep their first bike for a year or less, after that its usually about 4-5 years.

The FZ6 is quite a bit more powerful than the SV650 and has a touchier powerband.

The GS500 will be just fine and is quite comfy to boot.

I ride a suzuki bandit 600 which is basically the GS500s bigger cousin. This is not my first bike and im glad I did not start on it. The power itself is not the issue, its the way this bike delivers its power. A 4 cylinder bike delivers its power suddenly and can be a bad thing for a new rider who doesn't have good clutch control yet.

easiest way to describe how a 4 cylinder bike is at low speed, imagine that the clutch is the trigger on a loaded gun, if you are easy on it the bike will be smooth as silk at low speed, one hamfisted moment and the bike could try to lauch itself into orbit with you on it going holy "poo poo".

the SV650 is very close to my bandit in overall power, but it delivers its power in a much more linear fashion and is much more forgiving of a hamfisted moment with the clutch.

the SV650 is not a bad choice for a new rider who has a bit more maturity and at least some experience driving a stick shift car (clutch works the same way, its just in your hand not under your foot)

[dieziege]

First... Why 8-10 year planning? It doesn't make too much sense to start with your dream bike because... well, two reasons. Dream bikes tend to be harder to ride and first bikes tend to take a beating.

Second... if you want a 10 year bike, you need to look closely at where you want to go with this whole motorcycling thing. Not where you could go, but where you specifically want to go. And chances are there is no one ideal bike for everything.

For example, I want to get into adventure touring... my ideal bikes would be GS BMWs, V-Stroms, Kawasaki KLRs, KTMs, and so on. I enjoy exploring areas with only dirt roads (or no roads at all) far more than I like cruising interstates.... yet I bought a Ninja for my 1st real bike. Why? Because the ninja is a better trainer and a more practical commuter for my commute. If my commute changes I may ditch the Ninja... but assuming I continue to go to work more or less every day I'll probably keep it even after I get my "ideal" BMW/KTM/V-Strom/Whatever.... and, truth be told, after I've had my "ideal" for 5 years and pounded my kindeys into submission I may well decide I really want a fast highway bike... or no bike at all... it is hard to anticipate those changes.

I would suggest you look for a good first bike first. Then upgrade after you know how things really work.