Total Motorcycle Community Forums

...really appreciate all the info you all put out for everyone; It's helped in so many ways.

My MSF course is coming up in a few weeks and I have my eye on a used bike, of course. I really like the GS500, but I'd like to get some feed back on the throttle response of the Suzi V-Strom 650.

I'm 5'10, 190 and 38 yrs old...I'm not looking for any racing, just some long cruises and commuting on the interstate (eventually).

Is the V-Strom too much, in your opinion, for a first bike?

Yes! it is too much for a first bike. Stick with the 500.

the SV650 and V-Strom 650 are considered Gray area for a first bike. The concensus seems to go if you have some past experience (even on a dirt bike) or at least are more mature and have your head on straight, than the SV might be ok. At 38 I would guess your probably not gonna act like a squid on the bike so it would mostly just be how comfortable you are on the SV vs a smaller bike.

GS 500s have the advantage of being relatively easy to find used and cheap. At least with the used bike you wont be stressing out as much if you drop it.

Being good and cheap, the 500 isn't much of a financial sacrifice, and by the time you have progressed on it, your choices may change entirely. Cheap with a minimum intimidation factor is the way to go on a first bike.