Call this a pre-game, if you will. I'm not in the market currently for a new bike, but I'd like to be within the next couple of months or so. I used to have an '89 Yamaha YX600 Radian that I didn't get to ride around much before I sold, and I'd like to get another beginner-to-intermediate bike to keep. Looking through some of the bikes available in the 600cc range, I came across the Suzuki SV650S

http://full-speed.org/images/sv650sk3.jpg

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Suzuki_SV650(S)

http://www.westernaspect.com/sv650s.htm

I've always been a sucker for bikes with a sporty look, and I've so far been able to only find good reviews on it (only suggestions I've seen thus far are a better suspension and better brake lines) so it seems like a perfect fit for what I'm after. However, seeing how quite a few folk here are self-proclaimed bike experts, I wanted to know what opinions you all might have on it or any other bike that might be a better buy. I've been able to find a few used going for $4K, so I'd like to try and find something that meets or is lower then that.

Any thoughts? :D

I'll sell you my low mileage, mint condition F4i for $7k. I want a new R6.

$7K is a bit more then what I was looking to spend, but the offer is tempting. :D

SM510 (http://www.husqvarnausa.com/2007/07_SM510.html)
SM610 (http://www.husqvarnausa.com/2007/07_SM610.html)

street bikes have a hard time keeping up with these when it comes to some of the really tight shit from what I've seen. Been eyefuckin these for a while, them or KTM.

$7K is a bit more then what I was looking to spend, but the offer is tempting. :D


Well if you are interested then let me know. It's got 3000 miles on it, Two Brothers exhaust, fender eliminator, LED flush mount signals, brand new Metzeler M-1 Sportec tires, HEL stainless brake lines, frame sliders, Ferodo pads, nothing but Mobil 1 run through the motor, super clean shape.

Well then, that changes things a bit... For $7K, that's not that bad of a deal...

I'll definitely keep it in mind, even if it still is a bit more then I was looking to drop on a side vehicle. I still have the MX-5 to pay off, after all. lol

Well then, that changes things a bit... For $7K, that's not that bad of a deal...

I'll definitely keep it in mind, even if it still is a bit more then I was looking to drop on a side vehicle. I still have the MX-5 to pay off, after all. lol


Ha, no problem man, just let me know. I'd rather sell it someone I know before it goes on the market.

Back when I was riding alot a good friend had an SV650 (not the S) he had some funny nick name for it, like "half-a-busa" or something.

He LOVED that bike, really easy to wheelie and thumped out of tight corners with the little twin.

I rode it a few times and thought it was OK. I didn't really like the way twins delivered power compaired to my 4cyl gixxer. And every time we rode togeather I'd leave him about 100 yards behind if we rung out the first few gears on a straight.

Just from the kinda cars you seem to like DAK, i'd say you'd have a better time with the linear, crazy high revving miniature F1 engine feel you get from a 4cyl sport bike.

Lowball rocket and buy his CBR!

how about a used R6? too hard core?

Hmm, not really... I actually am somewhat considering a used R6 (if I can find one for a decent price), but I figure Maryland insurance would have a field day with me being 22 going on 23...

I'm mostly leaning towards the Suzuki since I figure it'll be somewhat of a sleeper on the insurance and police radars. :D

My Gixxer is sitting in a garage in silver spring. Make me an offer :)

Hmm, not really... I actually am considering a used R6 (if I can find one for a decent price), but I figure Maryland insurance would have a field day with me considering I'm 22 going on 23...

I'm mostly leaning towards the Suzuki since I figure it'll be somewhat of a sleeper on the insurance and police radars. :D


I pay $450 a year in insurance for the CBR, I just turned 25 so it will likely go down further.

My Gixxer is sitting in a garage in silver spring. Make me an offer :)

Mileage, mods, pics? :D

I pay $450 a year in insurance for the CBR, I just turned 25 so it will likely go down further.

Hmm, that ain't half bad... I may just be spooking myself about having to deal with a high rate... I'll put researching the actual cost on my to-do list

Back when I was riding alot a good friend had an SV650 (not the S) he had some funny nick name for it, like "half-a-busa" or something.

He LOVED that bike, really easy to wheelie and thumped out of tight corners with the little twin.

I rode it a few times and thought it was OK. I didn't really like the way twins delivered power compaired to my 4cyl gixxer. And every time we rode togeather I'd leave him about 100 yards behind if we rung out the first few gears on a straight.

Just from the kinda cars you seem to like DAK, i'd say you'd have a better time with the linear, crazy high revving miniature F1 engine feel you get from a 4cyl sport bike.

Lowball rocket and buy his CBR!

Thanks for the input!

From what I've been reading on various SV forums, 650s have a lot of potential and can be easily modded to be stupid fast with only a few extra thousand on aftermarket parts. I don't mind it too much if I get a bike that's a bit underpowered out of the box, so long as there's plenty of parts available that I can put on it when I'm finally comfortable. :D

http://svrider.com/ is a pretty neat site that I've been looking at. They have a DC/MD/VA base that meets up often, so I may have to introduce myself and pick their brains a bit.

And you pretty much pegged me on the love of high-rev engines, but I'm looking towards a bike as a good side commuter that I can take out on the twisties. I would love something that does have a kick to it, but I'm trying to take my current experience level into consideration with my purchase. I can ride, but as it stands I feel a LOT more comfortable speeding around on four wheels instead of two. :P

Big brother SV1000 is good for intermediate. Its got the power of ~750cc 4 banger, but if you like the sound and power delivery of a twin then it's your bag. It's mine at least. You dont have to do a goddamn tapdance on the shifter around town either, since the torque curve is basically flat from ~2500 rpm up to redline. Like people said, good for the street, but theres still a fair amount of bikes out there that will outrun it.

Mileage, mods, pics? :D



Ohlins steering damper, "crash peg things", and braded steel brake lines. --The only mods a modern sport bike needs if you ask me. :)

I'm not ready to sell it 'till after this season though, now that I think about it.

But next time i'm out east you should ride it/ we'll go riding (if you've got something by then).


It'll bring back lot's of memmories seeing an SV650 in my mirror :bigthumb:

I'm not ready to sell it 'till after this season though, now that I think about it.

But next time i'm out east you should ride it/ we'll go riding (if you've got something by then).


It'll bring back lot's of memmories seeing an SV650 in my mirror :bigthumb:

That's fine, I'm not going to be in any position to buy a new bike till around the end of summer or mid-fall at earliest anyway. I've got a few bills that'll be paid off around that time, and with a new job (with luck) I'll be making quite a bit more then I am currently. :bigthumb:

Just lemme know when you get back in the area. We still gotta hang out since I missed you the last time you were in town, you know.

Also, I've been doing a bit more research into the R6 and the F4i... I might just have to change my mind about the SV... I'm interested in the F4i since I hear it's got long-distance riding comfort/is gas friendly yet quick, and I hear that the R6 can be overwhelming only if it's not respected. I guess I'd need to ride an R6 first before I make a personal judgment, but from words alone it seems the F4i is more forgiving and real-world then the track-ish R6. I'd imagine maintenance costs must be quite different as well...

That's fine, I'm not going to be in any position to buy a new bike till around the end of summer or mid-fall at earliest anyway. I've got a few bills that'll be paid off around that time, and with a new job (with luck) I'll be making quite a bit more then I am currently. :bigthumb:

Just lemme know when you get back in the area. We still gotta hang out since I missed you the last time you were in town, you know.

Also, I've been doing a bit more research into the R6 and the F4i... I might just have to change my mind about the SV... I'm interested in the F4i since I hear it's got long-distance riding comfort/is gas friendly yet quick, and I hear that the R6 can be overwhelming only if it's not respected. I guess I'd need to ride an R6 first before I make a personal judgment, but from words alone it seems the F4i is more forgiving and real-world then the track-ish R6. I'd imagine maintenance costs must be quite different as well...


F4i is very comfortable for a sport bike, hangs with just about any 600, has a very forgiving ride, does just as well on the track as it does on the street, and looks better than most bikes IMO. Plus it's a Honda. I've never had a single issue with it.

You happen to have any pics of yours, 2ndGen?

You happen to have any pics of yours, 2ndGen?


Yeah somewhere, I'll have to dig them up.

Here is a picture of me on it. Let the flames fly.

Now that ain't bad... :D

Kinda matches my current helmet, too.

Haha, Hell I would even throw in my black and yellow Scorpion anti-fog helmet as well.