Not sure what bike to get

[nick9871]

I took my MSF 3 years ago and bought a Ninja 500. I had ridden motorcycles before (dirt, trail, and some road). I rode the bike in the city, Seattle, and very little on the freeway. It was used and I never felt comfertable on the freeway at speeds at around 80 to 100 mph (people drive fast here). I only weigh around 150lbs. I rode my dads V-Star and Royal Star but dont like the cruiser style much. I feel confident in my riding, espescially with balance and clutch control. I was thinking about getting a SV650 ABS but I found only 1 or 2 reviews and they don't seem to be all that great. Can anyone reccomend a different bike other then the SV650 or Ninja 650R? I want a standard type bike (ie no GSXR's, or R6's) with a low to mid range power-band. I think I would like ABS as I would feel more confident riding in the winter/spring around here.

Any ideas? Or is the SV650 ABS a perfect match?

[Wrider]

Sounds like a good match, although you may also want to check out Suzuki's other 650, the V-Strom, it does have an ABS version, although that may just be the 1000 version, not sure on that.

They doesn't have ABS, but the FZ6, the CBR 600 F4i, the ZZR 600, and the Katana (GSX) are all standard position bikes. They're all the standard versions of their 600cc supersport counterparts.

Anyway, let us know what you choose!
Wrider

[mgdavis]

The SV650 has a pretty solid reputation, I'm actually surprised you found negative reviews.

I'd definitely check out a Suzuki V-Strom 650, I love mine.

You might want to look into a Kawasaki Versys. I don't know if they are available with ABS.

BTW, "everybody else" is no excuse for doing 80-100 mph. Probably not too many around here going to tear into you over it, but it really bothers me when people blame others for their actions.

[nick9871]

Speed limit is 70MPH so 80MPH is relativley not all that out of line. I was referring to the freeway in suburban areas such as the stretch on I-90 to North Bend so I dont think my comment about that is anything out of the normal. I personally dont feel safe going the speed limit on a motorcycle if everyone around me is going 10 to 20 mph faster. Just my opinion. I ride with the flow and look for areas to exit which means I might generally ride faster then most cars. Just depends on the situation.

Other thing I forgot to mention is that I am only 5'6" and I believe the V-storm is fairly tall. If I were to go with the versys I would just get the Ninja 650R. I really like the look of the 650R so that might be what I end up with... just deabting the ABS option.

[ninja79]

huh? Who's trashing sv650? I own it and I think it's a great bike. You'd be hard-pressed to find anything negative about it.

Frankly, for what you're looking for I don't see any choices other than sv650, sv650s and ninja 650r. You can try sv1000 if you think you can handle the torque.

Anyway, naked sv650 (imo) has the perfect seating position, but I don't like the naked look. Ninja 650 is too upright. SV650S is too agressive for street riding riding, but perfect for canyon carving.

Ninja 650r had the best look. But as of 2008, Suzuki started putting full fairings on the SV650SF. Previously you had to get OEM lower fairings separately and install them yourself.

Both sv650 and ninja 650 have more than enough oomph to go 80mph and beyond, with SV being a little more powerful (72HP vs 65HP). My SV650S feels very responsive up to 100, and my personal speed record is 134.

Both bikes will feel more stable than ninja500 because of wider tires. SV650S more so, due to the forward-leaning seating position, which limits your exposure to crosswinds.

ABS is an interesting option. I think other things being equal, I would pick a bike with ABS. However, this should not be your primary criteria.

SV650 has been around longer, so it's easier to find a used one, and the aftermarket is better developed.

hope this helps.

[SHADOW1100T]

Oddly enough the riders I know (5) all like the 650 V Strom over the 1000, there just isn't that much difference between the two except the 650 is lighter, the V's are getting outstanding reviews as a light weight road bike, kind of like a KLR, you can do just about anything on it.

[Fast Eddy B]

They doesn't have ABS, but the FZ6, the CBR 600 F4i, the ZZR 600, and the Katana (GSX) are all standard position bikes. They're all the standard versions of their 600cc supersport counterparts.

I can tell you that the CBR600 F4i does not have a standard seating position. It may be more relaxed than the current RR, but it is no where near a dual-sport, big trailie type standard position. This comes from personal experience. I am 6 feet tall.

In the UK the Versys comes with ABS, well reviewed there by the way.

[sapaul]

I never have been one to say which is right or wrong but we have just gone through a similar experiance looking for a bike for The Goose.

We looked at the SV, great bike lots of low down torque but the clip on bars and half fairing were a real put off at anything over 140kmh. The GSF Bandit also looked like a real option, other than the bars, same problems.

ER6N and F, great bikes, handle better than the Zooks but lacks any aggression. The fairing version is a better highway bike than the naked.

F800 BMW, frankly a dissapointing bike for us, a lot of money for a bike that is not as refined as it's brothers and sisters.

Kawa 750, oh yummy, sexy beastie. Hell I struggled to hang on at anything over 160kmh, not much point unless you want to do supermans with both wheels on the ground.

Honda CBR 600, YO, lot of bike that one. Not great for the highway, get blown around a lot and it is hell on your neck at the slower speeds without the wind to pick you up. We skipped the other sport 600's for the same reason.

Our decision was a pre owned VFR. For slightly less than a new bike we got a quality machine that does everything you want it to. Ask any VFR owner and they will tell you that they want for very little else. Most guy's hang on to them.

We feel we did better than buying a new 650.

Just my 2c hope it helps

[kabob983]

ER6N and F, great bikes, handle better than the Zooks but lacks any aggression. The fairing version is a better highway bike than the naked.

We don't have ER6N's here in the states

As for the SV650, I too have heard VERY few bad things about them (well...none I can think of). It's a great bike and a bonus is that there's a gazillion of 'em so spare parts are very easy to come by. The riding position is a lil' sportier than the Ninja 650 which will seat you like your EX500 will. SV makes a great track/race bike as well (if you're into that kinda thing). I'd personally go with the SV. Find a used '03 or later (when they switched from carbs to FI).

CBR 600F4i is a sportbike. As stated, it might not be as "extreme" as the RR but you'll be in a similar situation with a similar powerband.

V-Strom isn't my cup of tea but several riders in my MC club have them and love 'em. If you have aspirations of touring it'd be a good choice. Similarly the Triumph Tiger, while a lil' more $$, is also supposed to be great.

I've also got an EX500 and while it's been a fantastic starter bike I'm thinkin' that next season I'll move up (that'll be about 2 years on the "lil'" 500). Debating on whether I want to stick with a twin (SV650) or move to a sportbike. I actually do trackdays and hope to do some club racing, so either of the bikes will serve the purpose well.

[Skier]

Speed limit is 70MPH so 80MPH is relativley not all that out of line. I was referring to the freeway in suburban areas such as the stretch on I-90 to North Bend so I dont think my comment about that is anything out of the normal. I personally dont feel safe going the speed limit on a motorcycle if everyone around me is going 10 to 20 mph faster. Just my opinion. I ride with the flow and look for areas to exit which means I might generally ride faster then most cars. Just depends on the situation.

I drive through that area when I go to visit my folks in Seattle and this is true. If you're not doing a minimum of 75 MPH true ground speed (figure 75 to 80 MPH indicated) you're going to get run over. In cases like this you need to determine the trade offs between going with or slightly faster than the flow versus going slower at the speed limit.