View Full Version : Finally decided on a 650.... now which model to choose
Mervalous
03-01-07, 02:23 PM
I just cant decide, I'm 5'10" and going to using the bike mainly for commuting and being a contractor (to be) I dont know what distances I will be riding each day, although most should be under 30 miles (each way).
I like the look of the naked but also really like the look of the full sport version and dont mind the S eitger, whats the differences between them? I know there is the obvious things like fairings, riding postion would be the more bent over on the S and Sport I guess?
Any ideas? Tips?
p.s I've come from a Supermoto so top speed is obviously not a major factor but ahem wheelies are something I'd like to learn to do :oops:
I'm also a member on visordown and newbies are supposed to get the virtual drinks in, not sure if thats the custom here but cards behind the bar just in case:)
ill have a pint :wink: .............welcome to the madhouse
i just went on looks :oops:
i dont think there is a huge differance between them
are you thinking pointy or curvey?
Mervalous
03-01-07, 02:32 PM
Pointy, might even be buying new as seen K6 2nd hand for just over £3k and could get a new one for not much more. Bit gutted I just missed out on the free insurance though!
Well, it's not custom, but before you withdraw the card, I'll gladly take a pint ;) Welcome to the mad house!
Personally, I bought the K6 S, because I commute to hell (otherwise known as Denbigh) & back every day. Basically, I'm doing 100miles/day, so some fairing is a good thing. In winter, most of my commute is pretty much motorway stuff, so I get to hide from the wind.
I also don't really like the look of the lowers (I know others would disagree - esp in pink huh hovi5?) but that's my view on it, so :P
Naked & S/Sports versions differ by gearing & riding position. The S gets a slightly better top speed, sprobably helped by the more forward position, the naked gets a bit better kick off the start, and is more 'sit-up-and-beg- stylee.
For me, it was the bikini fairing that did the trick (and 0% finance).
About the wheelies, do a search on here, it's not a great bike to be wheelie-ing. The oil pickup isn't the best, and lots of wheelies, or long wheelies, could amount to oil starvation & a blown engine. Not pretty.
I would edit to rid those pesky typo gremlins, but they follow me wherever I go, and I've been smelling pretty bad all day today, just one of those days!
pointy.........wrong answer :shock:
pointy.........right answer :shock:
Blimey, I agree with hov5 on something!
Someone, quick, shoot me... wait, no, shoot HIM ;)
If you are coming from a supermoto, then get a naked. The riding position on the S is sporty and can cause pain in wrists etc. Both types of bike are fun.
It also depends on how much motorway riding youll do. A lot, then the 's' not a lot, then the naked
Welcome by they way.
Welcome to the asylum :smt006
There is a big difference between the pointy SVs. The pointy version naked bike has a more upright riding position and will be much better through slow traffic, far less weight on the arms, shoulders. The bars are mounted above the top yoke. The unfaired one also is slighly lower geared by having a slightly different sprocket. The S faired version would be better for comfort at higher speeds with the bars mounted below.
The curvy is a different animal again. You sit more in the bike compared to on it with the pointy. The S faired version also has a higher seat to bar distance which makes it better for round town, fitting a double bubble screen will help keep the wind off. I don't know what other differences compared to the naked curvy.
Hope this helps.
Oh and red pointy S models are the fastest and best handling :wink:
netsurfer
03-01-07, 02:46 PM
The S is a great bike for looks, but after riding a non faired version, I'm torn between the two... the non faired is deffo a better ride (at lower speeds for sure) Then again maybe raising the clipons a bit and a higher screen might make the S version the better all rounder.
I suppose it really depends on your average speed.
Pete
Mervalous
03-01-07, 02:47 PM
Oh and red pointy S models are the fastest and best handling :wink:
Damn I was hoping for a black pointy naked one, :(
Im hoping it wont be much motorway maybe some A roads, Im in SW London and will HOPEFULLY only be working in or around London anyway
Oh and red pointy S models are the fastest and best handling :wink:
Damn I was hoping for a black pointy naked one, :(
Im hoping it wont be much motorway maybe some A roads, Im in SW London and will HOPEFULLY only be working in or around London anyway
That would also be a good choice :wink: Steer clear of yello fully faired curvy ones, they are owned by odd people :wink:
Alpinestarhero
03-01-07, 03:23 PM
Although, Curvy Yellow ones with a bellypan are owned by the kewlest people eva
:D
Matt
the white rabbit
03-01-07, 04:00 PM
I'm also a member on visordown
Do you mean your a member of Visordown or you tend to misbehave there?
:wink: :lol:
socommk23
03-01-07, 04:01 PM
blue 02 curvey one! naked! the bestest!
Although, Curvy Yellow ones with a bellypan are owned by the kewlest people eva
:D
Matt
correct answer sir.xx :D
Mr Toad
03-01-07, 04:13 PM
For London, get a naked. The riding position means you'll be able to see a lot better over most cars when filtering, and they'll be able to see you. On an S model you'll be down level with them which aint good in the traffic
Mervalous
03-01-07, 04:14 PM
I'm also a member on visordown
Do you mean your a member of Visordown or you tend to misbehave there?
:wink: :lol:
aha yes... well bit of both really ;)
For London, get a naked. The riding position means you'll be able to see a lot better over most cars when filtering, and they'll be able to see you. On an S model you'll be down level with them which aint good in the trafficBut they are slimmer than a naked which means you can slip thorugh smaller gaps
PsychoCannon
03-01-07, 04:32 PM
I commute daily (about 12 miles each way) and often more than that (going to see the better half) on the S and It's pretty comfy and great for the motorway.
Done a bit of town/london driving and found it was good to get through traffic but as said I was lower than some other bikes which means you're not AS visable, especially if you're down in the full on racing position rather than sitting upright like some people insist on doing :)
As for wheeling It may not be the best bike for it but it's also pretty easy to do ;)
I should know as I've done it by accident several times now :lol: , imagine what I could do if I knew what I was doing and was trying :lol: :lol: ...wait on second thoughts...don't...
fizzwheel
03-01-07, 04:32 PM
TBH the riding position on the S isnt actually that sporty, ( well I dont find it to be so ) If you rotate the brake and clutch levers round the bars you can get it pretty comfortable. If your commuting and doing lots of motorway / dual carriageway personally I'd get the S. But like all these things the best way to find out is to get a test ride on both and then see which you get on with best. If you find the bars on the S to low you can I think do something about this and fit flat bars to raise the riding position up. I commute through heavy traffic on my S and I dont find it a problem, my girlfriend commutes 120 miles a day on her S and she doesnt find it a problem donig long distances on it.
It'll wheelie alright, theres a knack to it. ask Davido...
LondonLad
03-01-07, 04:37 PM
get a honda VFR :lol:
As others have said (and I forgot about)...
The S can have raisers to bring the clip-ons up a bit, you can also move the foot-pegs a bit so you get a more upright position. More upright for traffic, bikini fairing for high speed (70mph officer!)
Long distance on the S isn't an issue, I thought about getting a gel seat, but I'm used to it now, so it'd be money down the drain IMO.
Yes it will wheelie (I've done it accidentally - and no so accidentally :oops:), but only briefly. Just enough to get the wheel off the floor & back before I get a brown mark on my seat.
when i sat on the s in a shop it did feel a bit uncomfortable? but when i test rode a differant one i did not notice?.............strange???
Biker Biggles
03-01-07, 04:44 PM
Why get an S and then move the bars and pegs when you can buy a naked cheaper in the first place?Naked is the bike for town riding,and is only significantly wider if you fit Renthalls.
I'm told they wheely better as well. :wink:
strange???
You need an answer? ;)
Just a question on the risers for the S, can the existing throttle, clutch and brake hoses be re-used or would they be too short?
Mervalous
03-01-07, 04:48 PM
This may be a really silly question but can you fit any aftermarket fairings on the naked at a later date?
Just a question on the risers for the S, can the existing throttle, clutch and brake hoses be re-used or would they be too short?
nope .too short
strange???
You need an answer? ;)
Baph wrote:
It pains me to say it, but yes, hovi5 is right
Hovi5 got it ri-ight, Hovi5 got i ri-ight, laa laa la la, laa laa la la
Biker Biggles
03-01-07, 04:58 PM
There's plenty of aftermarket handlebar fairings available for the naked bikes.Everything from a small screen mounted on the headlamp bolts to a bikini fairing.They look good with a bellypan too.
I find a headlamp screen deflects a lot of wind off the rider considering it's size.
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