starter bike

i am pretty much set on getting the sv650s for my first bike but if you could give me some pros and cons on the matter that would be great plus what other bikes do you suggest that look good and ride good with decent power???? Thanks

I can't believe i'm going to beat matt to this, but a katana is another great choice either the 600 or the 750. Good value, both on the bike and insurance, they are bulletproof (pretty much anyway) and comfortable.

sorry because i know you own one but i dont like the looks of katanas

The SV's are great bikes, you really couldnt go wrong them. They do everything well, including a being a good track banger if you ever decide to go that route in your riding career. Another good one is the Ninja500, or an older CBR, 600f2 or f3, they are pretty bullet proof and provide more than enough power for a new rider.

Oh, the newb is raggin on the Kat ??!! WTF!!! :smash: Raggin on Kats is a bannable offense. :lol: Just pickin on ya ! Welcome to the site, good to have you on board! :cheers: Shan, our Admin rides an SV, and there are a few others on here as well, they are great bikes, and u certainly would do well with one. Plus you can bump up the liter version after you've gotten some experience. 2fast4u mentioned another good one, the CBR's are great bikes as well !

cool thanks :dthumb: :wink:

I wasn't a huge fan of the looks at first either, but i didn't buy it for the looks. I allways wanted a katana (a pre 98 one) but when it came time to buy a bike, i just couldn't resist a new one. But i think the looks kind of grow on you after a while, as i kind of like it now.

ZX10r great bike ;)

i guess the looks do grow on you because i dident like the sv without the lower faring but now i can go either way(especialy since the lower faring is so expencice :screwy:

another good "starter" bike is the Yami-FZ6, I'm kinda biased tho. But I have heard nothing but great things about the SV. good luck and welcome :seeya:

Go with the SV, always ride a twin if given the chance...

I would get any of the mentioned bikes...just try to stay in the 600cc class... also, if you're going to start modding your bike, I suggest the first thing to do is frame sliders... they should be a must have on any bike, escpecially on a newbies bike!!! They will save you some good $$ on your first lay or drop...and it will come!

Hello and welcome! You cant go wrong with the SV 650. I love my '02 and dont think i could ever sell it. I agree with GasMan, slap on some frams sliders and youre good to go. i like these- inturace.com Its good to see youre not jumping into the deep end of motorcycling first. Dont let people talk you into getting a GSXR 2000 RR1 STRADA F4 right off the bat.

I'm just saying that everybody should have frame sliders, especially newbies... the money you put into them is nothing compared to what they'll save you in the case of a crash...

I'm just saying that everybody should have frame sliders, especially newbies... the money you put into them is nothing compared to what they'll save you in the case of a crash... how much are they??? are they easy to install yourself?? :puke:

I'm not exactly sure on the price. I bought a set for an SV I repaired for Jodi's brother. He wished he had sliders at the time... The installation was easy and straightforward. Now, if he would only get it out of my shop. He's getting Suzuki all over my beautiful shop!

What kind of experience do you have? Take your MSF course before making any decisions. . I grew up riding dirt and anyone's streetbike that would let me. My first motorcycle I ever owned is my CBR600 F4i. It's about as forgiving as any sport bike out there, and has good power. 127 in a 1/4 is plenty fast, for now. You can hurt yourself on any bike obviously, but you have to remember you control your speed with your wrist. . the bike doesn't do it for you. If you have experience and are a decent rider w/ some common sense, I recommend the F4i. I just wanted to get something to grow into. . every bike is going to feel new obviously. I haven't ridden an SV, but I've heard nothing but good things about them. A lot of people start on Katanas too. This one isn't mine, but it's pretty much identical to it: http://www.sportbikez.net/bikepics/medium/1073980374.jpg

how much are they??? are they easy to install yourself?? From what ive seen, you can spend $45 to $90 on polyurethane sliders. $89.95 for the Intuitive RAcing "PRO" with a single bolt running through the frame. As for LED's, carbonfiber and aliminum sliders... thats something else.

Prices are wide ranged. Just don't get a set of Lockhart Phillips Carbon Inlay's they suck!! :rant:

I wish I'd of have frame sliders about 4 months ago.. :sob: :sob:

An SV is an excellent choice as a "beginner" bike. It's not so much power that you'll grab a handful of throttle and get into trouble, but it's got enough power that you won't outgrow it quickly. In addition, it is an excellent track bike and race bike, and there are lots of add ons you can do to one to get more power should you ever feel you need it (which we all do, eventually). If you feel like browsing our site, on our homepage we have an SV650 specific page. We work on a lot of SV's, and even a few of our SV's won championships this year. I still need to add a few things to our SV page, such as our RAM air system, but you'll get the point. They are the perfect all-around bike. Excellent choice, IMHO.

Welcome to our site! It is good to see you are interested in safe sportbiking. For the most part, you will get good information from the guys here on any motor topic. These guys, excuse the chauvanism, have enough experience that you don't have to re-invent the wheel. We have our resident wrench LarryG to answer tech questions along with Speedwerks who have mucho experience with parts and racing! Post up and join our little community. Oh yeah, don't forget to ask Twisty about Nascar

Oh yeah, don't forget to ask Twisty about Nascar OK, I want to hear this!!! Twisty?

Nascar I've driven a Winston Cup car 18 laps at Texas Motor Speedway. Unless you've driven one, it's hard for people to understand what those drivers go through, especially bumper to bumper at 200mph. Personally, I like all motorsports. :here: My favorite drivers are Earnhardt, Rossi, Rick Johnson, and Chip Hanauer (sp?- Miss Budweiser in the 80s). RIP 3

I've driven a Winston Cup car 18 laps at Texas Motor Speedway. Unless you've driven one, it's hard for people to understand what those drivers go through, especially bumper to bumper at 200mph. I got to drive at Memphis. It is a LOT of fun, but it can be a LOT of work. I can't imagine 150+ laps at 200MPH with traffic.

OK, I want to hear this!!! Twisty? Twisty LOVES Nascar!!!!! :leaving: :lol:

Twisty LOVES Nascar!!!!! :leaving: :lol: Oh boy, that statement has instigator written all over it :whistle: hahaha :lol: this should be good

Look for an old VTR 250! Man those bikes are fun!

Twisty LOVES Nascar!!!!! :leaving: :lol: He's NASCAR BIGGEST fan. :lol:

i have a literbike now but i started with a EX500 and rode my friends 04 SV... And the guy sayinggo with a Twin... id agree for a first bike. It gives ya power at a lower range so u can learn withit versus starting with a 4 cyl where the only way to get much power is to rev higher. Now i love my 4 cyl and couldnt go back to a twin unless it got a decent set of mods but a twin is a great starter bike plus if u get into speed, it'll own some 4's in short track. and hte SV has great suspension and a hell of a range of power.. if you get it and need more power then you cna just do exhaust, a pc3 and k&N with ram air and the thing will give ya power to keep ya happy an extra year.... If you really get into speed either trade it for a SV1000 or a nice 4cyl.. But MSF first and then learn to ride great on the SV...learning to control it in any circumstance will save your life more times htne u can count. whatever ya get ride safe and let us know how it goes and what ya get. Scott

well this post is kinda old and now im thinking of the kat 600 or the sv650s so i havent made my mind yet but power shouldent be an issue im jjust riding in my small city but i might get a pipe anyways if i have money left over if i get the kat i have to get a after market seat though the only flaw to that bike is the seat i dont like it the MSF course is already paid for doin it on the 27 29 30 jan. had to move it back two weeks

That's good you're taking the MSF course. Since they provide the bikes, you will be able to try the smaller bikes and see if you like them.

well this post is kinda old and now im thinking of the kat 600 or the sv650s so i havent made my mind yet but power shouldent be an issue im jjust riding in my small city but i might get a pipe anyways if i have money left over if i get the kat i have to get a after market seat though the only flaw to that bike is the seat i dont like it the MSF course is already paid for doin it on the 27 29 30 jan. had to move it back two weeks Stay true to your heart! Get what you like! The Kat is a great bike but, you just cant beat the potential for growing with you like the SV. All the goodies you can get are almost with out limits and Im not talking about poser bling. (pretty stuff)

changed my mind again i am (as of now ) getting the gsf 500 it has good looks too!!

Yeah Yeah Yeah...you're young....you're going to change your mind like 60 more times... let us know when you figure it out...

changed my mind again i am (as of now ) getting the gsf 500 it has good looks too!! HEY!!! Get the SV, stop changing you little squildly peanut mind and get the damn bike. GSF? Get the SV and then learn to ride. You ridden a flipping dirt, that is nothing like the riding on the street. I raced dirtbikes since I was 5 and riding/racing a sportbikes is much much harder. The SV is the prefect bike for any skill level. I have listened to you banter for the pass few weeks and was giving you the benefit of the new clause, but enough. If you buy the GSF your going to hate yourself. Get the SV a much better bike for the money. :disapp:

HEY!!! Get the SV, stop changing you little squildly peanut mind and get the damn bike. GSF? Get the SV and then learn to ride. You ridden a flipping dirt, that is nothing like the riding on the street. I raced dirtbikes since I was 5 and riding/racing a sportbikes is much much harder. The SV is the prefect bike for any skill level. I have listened to you banter for the pass few weeks and was giving you the benefit of the new clause, but enough. If you buy the GSF your going to hate yourself. Get the SV a much better bike for the money. :disapp: You sound Like Pops...:smoke: I had to duck for cover.... :chair: - :yesnod:

HEY!!! Get the SV, stop changing you little squildly peanut mind and get the damn bike. GSF? Get the SV and then learn to ride. You ridden a flipping dirt, that is nothing like the riding on the street. I raced dirtbikes since I was 5 and riding/racing a sportbikes is much much harder. The SV is the prefect bike for any skill level. I have listened to you banter for the pass few weeks and was giving you the benefit of the new clause, but enough. If you buy the GSF your going to hate yourself. Get the SV a much better bike for the money. :disapp: i dont understand is the gs 500 f a pice of ***** or what ??? the gsf is also a lot cheaper and looks better but you think i will get of it or what ??? if so i will go with the sv but i am just curious thanx for the info

the gsf500 is not a POS, its a great starter bike..its just less versatile and smaller than the SV..which would last you longer as you grow in skill.

so the sv would be worth the extra money ? ok then i think i will go with it i just need to get the lower fairing now lol insstead of the exaust!!! oh well either bike looks good so i guess the sv will be fine :thumbs:

What kind of experience do you have? Take your MSF course before making any decisions. . While not specifically asked about in your note, I'll second this recommendation. Get the skills and license first and then look for the bike. There's always the (very) slim chance you won't like riding and its better to find that out BEFORE you buy a bike.

While not specifically asked about in your note, I'll second this recommendation. Get the skills and license first and then look for the bike. There's always the (very) slim chance you won't like riding and its better to find that out BEFORE you buy a bike. i have plenty of bike control (at least on the dirt ) and the MSF will just give me confidence hopefully i get to take it NEXT WEEKEND!!