Markp

Why not the ER-6N, I don't see where the Versys is $700+ dollars better than the ER-6N.

Mark

M-Tuned

iTrader: (6)

Personal Opinion I guess...

I had my friends 2007 GSXR 750 for a week and I found it extremely loose, sloppy and not my type of bike. I looked forward to getting my 2002 R6 back from the shop.

SamS

iTrader: (2)

FWIW, I had an F4i when I was 17 (my 7th bike including dirtbikes, 3rd street bike, I've been riding since I was 7), and I believe it's way too much for a beginner. Granted I was less mature than I am now, and I was still in that invincible phase, but I soon discovered how easy 2nd gear wheelies were and how fast you could be doing 140+ on back roads.

I totalled it one day after doing a wheelie ~75mph in 3rd gear, when I brought the front wheel down crooked and wound up in a tankslapper. I was wearing all of my gear, but my jacket slid up on me and I wound up with some nasty road rash on my torso. 6 hours in the ER, some of the worst pain I've felt, as they scrubbed the asphalt out of my skin with a plastic bristled scrub brush. I was stupid and I admit it, but just about every new rider is stupid, too. I don't think a beginner should start on a 600, but that's just my opinion.

It's more fun to ride a slow bike fast than a fast bike slow while you're learning the ropes. Also, why do people complain about growing out of a bike like the ninja? You ride it for 6 months and learn a ton, then sell it to the next noob for what you paid and move on!

Matt Cramer

Chiming in late, but I went with a Suzuki GS500F and never regretted my choice. It's quicker than the C4 Corvette I used to have, but it's not so fast as to be overwhelming for a beginning rider, either. The 600 cc supersports * are like learning how to drive in a 500 hp Miata - not impossible, but something more forgiving would be a lot safer when you're learning. A bike intended for street riding instead of track use will be the right tool for the job here.

* The Seca II is not a supersport at all - it's one of the few truly beginner friendly 600s out there.

Jesse H

iTrader: (1)

My 2nd bike was an SV650 and it would've been a great starter bike also. I didn't outgrow it, just wanted something different.

SV's are kinda like Miatas of the motorcycle world. Not the fastest, but they handle great, lots of people do track events with them, great enthusiast following, etc.

wildfire0310

iTrader: (1)

I started on a 250 and had a blast with the bike and moved up to an R6 the next season. Now that my r6 is gone I will jump on my buddies 250 again.

They are great bikes, and cheap with a high resale. You can pick one up for 1,800 and resale it a year later for 1,600. I still get a kick out of riding the little 250 cause there is something fun about whinning out to 12K in like 3rd gear and not worrying cause you have passed 60 yet.

As for riding them on the highway, its doable and all but they aren't the best for long trips. I won't drive across country on it, but i have done 3 hour rides. You just need some kinda of music or something cause 90mph is like 9k and its high pitched.

I would look into a 250 at least try and find a test ride on one, they got more get up and go. Just not good for anyone over 180 pounds IMO.

Markp

Suzuki just released it's 2009 line-up... The Gladius is a sharp looking naked. If you want a V-Twin that looks like a bit like a Ducati. You can't go wrong with it.

Mark

Joe Perez

iTrader: (8)

Huh.

There's a part of me that wants to gouge out my eyes having seen that tennis-shoe color scheme, yet I can't help but thinking "Now that's a perfectly reasonable-looking motorcycle." Suzuki has been plagerizing the Monster's styling for so long that it's no surprise to see them finally do the steel tube frame, but honestly, apart from the hideous colors I rather like that bike.

From what little I can see of the engine, it looks like they took the SV650 powerplant and stuck a different side cover on it.

Markp

"SFV650 is powered by a sporty fuel injected, DOHC 90 degree V-twin engine based on the proven SV650 powerplant famous for its long term reliability, broad power and quiet rumble."

They fortunately have other color schemes.



I can see that it needs a fair amount of customization to look "Cool" but there is hope for it! The first things that I would do it, ditch that heinous exhaust, rear fender, mirrors and rear set (including that fugly passenger foot peg bracket.) Once those 4 things were replaced, I would find a cowl for the seat. Then it would look like a real street fighter.


Mark

Thucydides

Kotomile, forget that water cooled, fuel injected, chain driven ***** **** designed by a bunch of retard fashion queens. Like it is around here, do some research and build your own out of a solid runner.

Fireindc

iTrader: (13)

Wow, that new Suzuki is nice. Id rather have a monster, buuut still.

Also, I rather didnt like the gsxr750 I rode. It felt underpowered and lame for the size. Id still get one though, lol.

Markp

That's pretty sweet....

but does it really compare with the "fuel injected chain driven ***** ****?"

SV650 with a honda SSSA conversion and GSXR forks.



Mark

Fireindc

iTrader: (13)

Thats a sick streetfighter, but they cut the rear too short imo. Still sweet.

Toddcod

iTrader: (8)

ZZR6 from Kawasaki. Brand new, they are cheap. And it is the 2000-02 ZX6R. They had so many parts still in inventory,that when the 636 came out,they kept making them and just renamed them.
Buy it and pull the stickers off, replace the stickers with ZX6R stickers. It will have instant respect, And if you ride right,you will be surprised how many people you can out run. The bike is capabile of crazy speeds.


I too have stopped riding. I don't want to get hurt. I switched to miatas. And then I seen that flipped miata, As we where grabbing parts, we noticed bloody latex gloves in the car. I think the person died. He would of had a better chance wrecking a bike. That car should of crushed him like a watermelon under a fat boy!

If you are just wanting a starter bike. Get a on and off road dirtbike cheap. You can ride off road and on road. Diverse and hone your skills. And you will never want to sell it, even if you get a sportbike.


NUMBER ONE RULE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Drive to your own ABILITIES!!!!!!!! Just cause your friend makes it, doesn't mean you will. Continually look for a way out of danger like all the cars on the road are going to try and kill you. CAUSE THEY ARE.

Everytime I get on the bike, I atleast run it up to 175 once. That is why I parked it.
I'm a respiratory therapist. I was shocked to take care of one of my own friends, Brain dead, and had a 4yr-old daughter. He died too.

Good luck have fun.

Thucydides

Hell no; it's way better.

But really, better's subjective and in some ways it's better, other's it's not better. But certainly it's way different and surprisingly competent even though it's 30 years old. I still embarass the occasional newb on the latest sport bike on my favorite, bumpy, and tight back roads. 1000 cc's, a light chassis, long travel suspension, and reasonable ergonomics make for a great roadster.

Thucydides

Duh.

Markp

I love old bikes, my last ride was a 1984 VF1000F, and it was no slouch either. Back in it's day, well, it was the ****. Today, it's still a potent (but porky) machine. I just hated dicking with the carbs.

Mark

Thucydides

I remember those; they were hugely powerful. I was riding a black and gold Ducati 900 SS at that time; the first and original 900 SS with kick start only, 40mm Delorto carbs, and bevel gear driven overhead cams. That was my second bike, and when I sold it I thought bikes could only get better; boy, was I wrong.

But for a first bike for Kotomile, and one that can be purchased new, and that he's got a fighting chance won't hurt him, here's a photo of that Bonnie I thought might fit the bill:

Markp

That Triumph is beautiful. I really love the Triumph's, almost picked up a speed triple. It was either the speed triple, the FZ-1, or the SV1000.

The SV1000 had the same power as the VF1000 (maybe a hair less) and was narrow (which I loved about the VF1000) and had the flexibility to take it on the track with authority. While the FZ-1 and Speed Triple both have a boat load more power than the SV1000, I love the SV for all sorts of reasons. If I had my way I would have the following 10 bikes in the stable.

1. 2001 Ducati M900 Chromo
2. 2006 Suzuki GSX-R 750
3. 1985 Honda VF1000R
4. 2008 Triumph Speed Triple
5. 2006 SV1000
6. 1970 Kawasaki H1 500 Triple
7. Yamaha RZ500
8. 1999 MotoGuzzi Daytona RS
9. BMW R1200S
10. KTM RC8

I am sure I can think of bikes that could knock these off the list, but the above list would keep me plenty amused.

Mark

TurboTim

iTrader: (9)

Interesting. I didn't know about this bike. Hmmm...I love SV650's and Monsters. I don't like the new monster style as much as the original, but a suzuki copy that's cheaper and cost less to maintain...hmmmm The suzuki definitely needs less mirrors & exhaust and more rear seat cowl.