SV650s good starter bike?

[blankslate]

Hey guys, i know this is probably something you've heard more times then you want to hear but.. Is the sv650s a good starter bike?
I was orginally looking at the ninja 500r and the gs500f, but this bike caught my eye and has a good chance of lasting me more then one season.
I'm 6'0 185 lbs, NEVER rode a bike in my life. I will be done with my MSF classes at the end of october and will hopfully buy a bike the week after. I just wanted to see if i am getting in over my head, or if i'm right where i should be.
In the end no one can make this descion for me except for myself, but it's never a bad idea to get some advice from people who've been in a similar situation.
Thanks for your time.

[davepugh1981]

An sv was my first bike after learning on a 500cc.

Everyone has a different idea on this, an sv is a powerful bike compared to bikes from 20 years ago, so having one straight away could be dangerous.

For me I treated it with respect for a good 6 months, and even know I know I am still learning. I think I'm the type of person that could rise an R1 sensibly as I dont have the type of personality that would trash it from day 1.

Only you know what you are like, a 125 ridden like a **** is arguably more dangerous than a sv with a newbie on.

Good luck with your decision
Dave

[Keith1983]

YES, YES, YES. I am now on my second sv after having a Honda xr125 and a yellow curvy sv. If you ride sensibly and take your time getting to know the bike I owuld consider it an excellent first "big" bike. It is gentle enough when ridden sensibly and it will have enough ability to keep you learning for a coupl eof years at least. I would be the first to admit that my sv has currently more ability than I do! All I would say is that the blue pointy ones are fastest though!

[sinbad]

An sv was my first bike after learning on a 500cc.

Everyone has a different idea on this, an sv is a powerful bike compared to bikes from 20 years ago, so having one straight away could be dangerous.

For me I treated it with respect for a good 6 months, and even know I know I am still learning. I think I'm the type of person that could rise an R1 sensibly as I dont have the type of personality that would trash it from day 1.

Only you know what you are like, a 125 ridden like a **** is arguably more dangerous than a sv with a newbie on.

Good luck with your decision
Dave

Good post, I'm much the same as you. Been riding my 650s since November, and I knew that despite being labelled a "girl's bike" it is still more than enough to get you into big trouble in no time so I respected its potential and my limitations. I'm now glad I went for something "more" than the obvious safe choices of ER500, GS500, CB500 etc, but the good point you make is that cc's and bhp aren't all that relevant if your attitude is appropriate.

@ the op:
The SV is a fine starter bike, you'll fit it well and unless you're a Hopkins or Hayden future rival (assuming that you're American) it will keep you entertained for a long time and be much more capable at most things than you are as a rider.

[Blue_SV650S]

Personally I think the power traits of the SV (V-Twin) make it harder to ride than an GPz (ninja?) Or GS500 (Parallel Twins). I don't think the SV 650 is the easiest to pull away on for instance. I also think that with the greater engine breaking, a wrong gear change has potential to be more dramatic.

Although I obviously love the SV, I wouldn't personally recommend one for a first bike over a GPZ or a GS as I think it is harder for a noob to ride!!

Sure there are tons of people that have had one as a first bike and got on OK, but the fact remains the parallel twins ARE easier to ride ;)

[thefallenangel]

i've bought an SV after a CG and KR1s.

The CG really gives you an idea on how powerful a bike can be compared to a car

The KR was an experience. I'm not saying any more nut riding experience wise it taught me something different.

My SV is teaching me lots. If your big and can handle the weight then it's be kind but make sure you buy R+Gs. They save when silly mistakes happen otherwise go for it.

and i'm 6"3 and 210lbs (fat git i know) but the sv is great for me.

[Brian]

Yes a very good starter bike!!!

I jumped on the SV right after passing my test.
It's a very forgiving bike, I mean, it will forgive many minor riding mistakes you may make.

Also it's not so powerful that you'll hurt yourself unlike some of the faster 600cc sports bikes, you'd have to be trying pretty hard to cause yourself grief on one.

Like has been said, it is still a big bike, just take your time with it, you won't regret buying an SV!!!

I could go on really, there's so many good things to mention about the SV...

[SV Muppet]

Personally I think the power traits of the SV (V-Twin) make it harder to ride than an GPz (ninja?) Or GS500 (Parallel Twins). I don't think the SV 650 is the easiest to pull away on for instance. I also think that with the greater engine breaking, a wrong gear change has potential to be more dramatic. ;)

I agree with the above. I used to ride a 350 YPVS and with almost no engine braking it was incredibly easy to ride smoothly. The SV, on the other hand, is the total opposite with it's significant engine braking which does demand that you are smooth with your right wrist, if you'll excuse the expression.
I still think it's a good bike for beginners but I'd suggest the naked version so you don't have so much weight forward and will find the throttle easier to operate.

[sinbad]

Also it's not so powerful that you'll hurt yourself unlike some of the faster 600cc sports bikes, you'd have to be trying pretty hard to cause yourself grief on one.

Like has been said, it is still a big bike, just take your time with it, you won't regret buying an SV!!!


I disagree on the first point, but totally agree with the second of course :). Supersport 600s are of course faster, but arguably only significantly so (particularly to a newbie) if you work them hard and rev them high. What counts is how fast the next corner can creep up on you, and the SV is more than capable enough of charging down a short straight in any gear, as long as there's a few revs on the counter, and arriving at the next one very soon and very quickly, it does the quarter mile in 12-13 seconds remember. That's how (I believe) a fast bike can get you into trouble, and it was something I became immediately very aware of.

Blue's spot on about the engine character too, it's a bike that demands real concentration and respect, despite its relatively low power output.

[Brian]

I disagree on the first point, but totally agree with the second of course :).

True, true.....
Even a 50cc bike can get you into trouble if you're a novice etc.
I guess I was taking my own riding style/experience too much into account in the first statement, slightly thoughtless of me.

Blue does make some very points about the SV/v-twin engine character which I overlooked, having forgotten about them due to experience etc..

Looking back to when I first rode the SV, I did find the engine very snatchy, engine-braking did catch me out a few times.

But, having myself made the obvious rider errors mentioned above such as engine braking etc, I did find the SV to be very forgiving.
But again, that may of just been down to experience/luck, knowing not to change gear mid-bend or just before entry etc etc...
And yes you do have to think alot more when riding a v-twin than a parallel-twin or inline 4 etc.

I still think it's a great first big bike though!

Can I go now? :(

[hovis]

do a search;)

i learned on a gs500 and then got the SV i found it a great bike, but im a riding god, so noting can scare me

arrrrrrrrrrrrhhhhhhhhhh
a spider



:offtopic:

sorry............... yup get a SV they are great fun it wont take too long to get used to, but watch out for the engine breaking

[northwind]

Personally I think a bit of time spent on an absolute piece of rubbish does you good. My year on a Virago 125 made me appreciate the SV in a way I wouldn't have if I'd gone straight to it as a first bike :D And also, I think everyone else should suffer as I did.

[Dave The Rave]

Personally I think a bit of time spent on an absolute piece of rubbish does you good. My year on a Virago 125 made me appreciate the SV in a way I wouldn't have if I'd gone straight to it as a first bike :D And also, I think everyone else should suffer as I did.

:lol: Fab mate! Nothing better than a good laugh in the morning.

[Pedro68]

My SV is my first bike (passed my test Oct 2006) ... and I absolutely love it! It DOES take a little bit of getting used to after jumping off the bike school's ER5's, but once you get used to it ... PURE JOY :D

However, bike has recently been off the road (for longer than I had hoped) and during that time I was loaned a CBF1000 and a CB600F (Hornet). Have to say that BOTH of those bikes are EASIER to ride than the SV.

Having said that ... the CBF is too big (weight-wise) for me (think it's about a good 50-60kg heavier than the SV). I also found it boring as f*ck!

The Hornet is a great little bike and is DEAD EASY to ride :) But, no fairing is a pain in the ar$e when you commute up and down motorways regularly :-s

Would I change my choice of first bike? Not a chance!

As some have said already ... it's the kinda bike that is still far more capable than I am :) so I try to treat it with respect these days ... makes for a smoother ride, and a lot less "hairy moments" ;-)

Pete

[metalmonkey]

I passed my test my August, I'm now on a SV 650 Sport full fairing, I love my bike....I have found it a good starter bike you do have think what you doing it will be alot faster and have more power than a GS500 or ER5 which what I guess you will be learning on....

When I first got on the bike and went for my first ride I was nervous but 30 miles later I felt more confident and enjoyed myself, I did 70 miles that day!

Oh I found out about the engine breaking the hard way, went into a to lower gear and the back squirmed around a bit too much! Didn't do it again!

But I would say get an SV, its is friendly to a newbie like me I haven't had any problems done nearly 700 miles done the first service now. I'm loving it.

I knew I wanted an SV so I got one.....but if your unsure pass your test then go for a test ride. Put it this way I'm 5ft 7" 29" leg and weight about 10/10 1/2 stone I can ride the bike no problems:D

Good luck with the test (if haven't already done it) and enjoy I haven't regeratted getting my SV at all! Join the club Let us know how you get on!

[MrRoper]

I must echo everyone here that has bought an SV 650 as a first bike.

I got mine in august after passing my test and I LOVE her! Cheap to buy and run, Handles well and i like the V-twin torque and the fact that I am not worrying about what gear i`m in constantly.

The engine breaking took me by suprise at first :o My only problem now is lighting the brake light when slowing as i dont need to use the brakes most of the time :p

Go get one, get some experience and then in a year or so trade in and try something else..nothing to lose!

[Nostrils]

Echo what has been said so far. 1yr on a CBR125, took test on ER5 feeling the power difference and brought my SV in September. I definitely made the right choice as a first big bike using my head and not my heart (which would have me buying a gixxer 600, one day perhaps!) - my visits to this forum made my choice really, never test rode one and the SV has turned out to be everything members have said. The biggest thing as others have said is the amount of engine braking, getting used to still but every ride it gets better and the smile gets wider. I am 5'9" and about 12 stone and can handle the bike very well.

Good Luck and ride safe