So i decided that i want to get a 'real motorcycle' lol, for this year. i have just started looking around and im hoping for some thoughts, suggestions, or maybe someone who is selling something. so throw all your knowledge at this newb on bikes :laugh: the jist- not really looking for anything bigger than 600cc, dont have a brand preference, would like to keep it fairly cheap since this would be my first bike. so fill me up guys :biggrin: tia
I think generally an SV650 is viewed as a better beginner bike than many other 600s, that may be the logic...
The sv650 Is a twin not a four So it does not have as much power as 600 Super sport. sv650 is A good Bikes especially if its a first a Real Street bike.
Indeed SV650, they handle great, reliable, torquey, sound hot, and there are millions of them out there. And I'm not a suzuki guy at all.
IIRC 03 was the year of the frame change, I have heard the newer frame out handles the previous frame hands down.
I want a bike, but a house comes first. where would be some good places to find used bikes? dealerships? or would craigslist be better? would any of you bike guys be willing to check one out for us newbs to make sure we get a solid ride??
Bill do you like yellow? I might know an 04 SV650 that will more than likely be for sale this summer.
any 600 is a great beginner bike, so you're right on track bud! I have a 03' Yamaha R6, Special Ed. for sale. its pretty mint though and has a fair amt of mods on it. pm if you are interested. asking 5K. Aj
not to picky. keep me abreast of the situation. not trying to down talk dreams ride, just asking. But aren't ducati's a high maintenance bike???
if you put on a gazzilion miles, Most ppl dont ride the wheels off thier 1st bike. I did 18K miles in 2 years on my 600, but only 3500 on my 250 in 3 years. I'm already 4200 miles into my Z1000 life, and I got that in late june.
Not as bad as people think they are, but the service and parts are expensive and its required every XXXX miles. More so than the jap bikes. I wouldnt suggest a Ducati as a first bike personally. SV650's are the most popular first bike and I would have to agree!
thanks, i do kinda like the r6's but im trying to keep my price range in the 3-4k area. and everyone else thanks for the input and keep it coming, i dont need anything nuts as i dont really plan on getting crazy riding, i have looked at some sv's and they arent bad still feeling everything out
A good friend of mine has a 99 SV650 that he's looking to sell. Low miles, good price. PM me for his email address if you're interested.
I wouldn't bother buying a used bike at a dealership, you will most definitely overpay. What I'm gonna do is go down to the bike show this week and and see what the local dealerships have in 08 closeouts.
Good luck on the bike search guys! There are plenty out there for sale. If your not scared of doing a little work (more than just a little in some cases), go to crashedtoys.com and take a look at what they have. Some bikes on there just have minor causmetic issues, and could easily be ridden the way they are.
A lot of good advice in here! the SV's are great. I put 8k on my last one, and no, they have no tranni problems whatsoever. I would say the lighter the bike, and the lower to the ground it is (within reason) is going to help a learner. Like stated, most 600's will be perfectly fine for a beginner, if you can withstand the urge to twist your right hand. Buy something reasonable, so that you can afford GOOD GEAR. Any experienced rider will tell you how important that is. Being able to move properly, have good visibility (anti fog, etc), well fitted gloves, a good pair of pants (best if they are reinforced, and made for riding), and a pair of shoes/boots that go past your ankles. Look for used stuff, people go in and out of riding. MNSBR.com is a good place to poke around for gear, as well as craigslist. There are two types of riders, those that have been down, and those that will go down. Don't be caught on pavement in bad gear. Get full coverage and good medical insurance, you cant protect yourself enough. My recommendations for a bike (other than SV): Yamaha FZ6 *great styling, great performance. 'Nuff said. They are a newer model, but they are several thousand cheaper than an R6. You can get them in a naked model, or convert them as well. Older Honda CBR, solid bikes, you can get a high mileage bike and still count on it every day. Easy to find parts, cheap to do maintenance, they aren't drive by wire so the throttle is less touchy, solid, smooth gear boxes, a predictable powerband, and when you really crank it up, they go like a bat out of hell. Suzuki bandit. I love naked bikes, so this one really appeals to me. Very cheap to pick up, loads of them around. Very reliable, cheap to own maintenance, etc wise. They have gobs of torque, and are a great bike to get the hang of things on.
pmed ya sneefy... thanks for all the info coming in, and good info jack thanks one of my friends brother is selling a 97 gsx-r600 that i could pick up at a pretty good price, here is a pic of that bike
also, if you like the naked look, try to find an old Hawk GT. I love them, and want one badly. *Edit* nice looking GSXR. They are in the same category as an old CBR; Reliable high revving bulletproof inexpensive and simple. he's also got some nice stuff on there that you could bug him to include. Those tank bags are GREAT, you can fit a map or GPS in the clear pouch on top, he's got the rear seat cowl which if you dont like can be sold for some green, and the aftermarket slip on is nice to not have to buy. You want loud pipes, I dont care what the bike is. Until you develop a good sense of who is on the road with you and what stupid crap they will pull, the louder the bike, the better IMO. Once you figure out who is going to merge into your lane, pull out in front of you at a 4 way, etc, you'll stick with the loud pipes anyways, because you know from experience how retarded people are. MAKE SURE WHATEVER YOU BUY HAS GOOD TIRES....and brakes. But more importantly, do not try to learn on a bike, or ride PERIOD with bad tires. And get frame sliders for 20-50 bucks. You'll thank me when you hit sand going 10-20 mph in the spring and you only have to replace a ball end, a mirror, and admire your battlescar on the slip on. I'll think of more later, bwahaha.
yeah so I thought of more. A brightly colored bike helps, no joke. You buy a yellow bike and helmet, someone looks into your lane before they merge and say holy crap, theres a yellow motorcycle with a guy wearing a yellow helmet in that lane. Gosh, maybe I'll merge when I wont kill him. A black/white/silver/earth tone bike not so much. Its too bad its not the 80's when neons were still in. The key when riding with other people on the road is to make yourself as visible as possible. Loud exhaust and visible colors are a really good start.
everything would come with the gxr except the tank bag, he has the rear seat too, yeah the tires is the first thing i will look at when im looking, since i know how imp they are, and i def want my bike to have exhaust :biggrin:
That GSX looks great, I'm a fan of those, before they became "omg gixxxxxer you gotta have one" and they look like a zx-7
lol yeah, omg i haz a gixxxerrr :laugh: on another note, how about fuel consumtion on the 4 strokes compared to the 2 stroke sv's? (i obviously know this will vary on riding style)
i wouldn't go to crashtoys... ever since the new ownership, that place has b/m a hell hole of a place to buy a toy! They **** you on soo many things. now you need to pay 100 to log in to the site and start bidding. regardless of if you win the bid or not, if you're not paying what they want for the wrecked bike, they refuse to sell to you. browse the bike forum, mnsbr.com and you'll see what i am talking about... and def yes, go to the bike show and sit/feel out all of them. and if you go by the "Custom Cycles" booth, check out the black stretched gixxer...its mine and its for sale...LOL...shameless plus, i know...:laugh: Aj
^+1. Burb knows what he's talking about. They are no longer in the business of offering a fair system. If they wont turn a big profit, regardless of the numbers on the chopping block, the just recycle it at another auction. Its sad. Used to be a great company.
Ryan, the SV's are not 2-strokes, they are twins (2 cylinders). They are still a 4 stroke bike. Mileage on them should be close to that of an inline 4 bike, but that can vary greatly on how you ride them. I get 48-50mpg on my ZZR, and I don't ride it nicely...
yeah i realized my fail on the 2 stroke thing, :laugh: i am kind of leaning toward a sv, providing i can get my hands on one for a good deal, i would like the gxr but not sure if i want that for my first bike, plus i kinda like the nekked look :biggrin: another plus on a sv would be cheaper ins most likely
I know this doesn't compare to you but I had two friends around 21 try to get insurance on a brand new GSXR 600 and a brand new naked SV650 .... GSXR 600 - close to a grand a year (just under for both) SV650 - Right around 400
so i checked on ins today and to my suprise the gxr is actually cheaper than the sv(by like 5 bucks):laugh: so now im leaning toward that again, but i still need to go check it out in person. but to those with bikes, how does 250 a year sound?- liab and comp, no collision
