Re: Should I, shouldn't I? - SV1000 as first bike.
 

I'd get some insurance quotes before you finally make your mind up. I cant remember what group the 1000 is, but it'll be more expensive than the 650 is I would have thought, especially as you are such a new rider.

Re: Should I, shouldn't I? - SV1000 as first bike.
 

I had £240 for my 650SY and £340 for 1000S, so, insurance isn't that much of a jump

Re: Should I, shouldn't I? - SV1000 as first bike.
 

as for insurance depends where you live and what cover you want / need. and rember with the thous the black framed ones are the updated version !

Re: Should I, shouldn't I? - SV1000 as first bike.
 

6'4", 19 stone, fully packed throwovers, tailpack, tankbag - 2300 miles in 9 days. Still easily capable of a ton plus on the err track in that state.

Re: Should I, shouldn't I? - SV1000 as first bike.
 

The 650 is not sluggish, so what if you are on the heavy side, 650 will still be absolutely more than fine for a first bike!

Re: Should I, shouldn't I? - SV1000 as first bike.
 

650 perhaps a better start to biking than the 1000. Know many a larger framed bloke that ride them.
I've pondered for the last three years about a larger capacity machine, and always decided that the 650 is enough. After holding a full license for six years, most people would say I'm a very slow decision maker!
Its only this year after getting one of the SVs all singing and dancing again, that I have decided the lesser of the two may get sold and the Xtra Raptor I've been hankering after will be bought...after I have had my baby.
The SV is still more than enough for me, but I've missed the roar of my ex's Raptor being around, and want my own. Having been around one for three years I know all its little quirks without even setting foot on it. Obviously one mans perspective of a bike to someone elses is completely different, but I know exactly what to expect from one, because I've always had inside, and first hand information rather than reading a strangers input on a forum.

An SV1000 has been thought of, but I haven't been convinced by the owners on here to buy one. Theres plenty of them about, just the right info to my ears hasn't got there yet. Raptor still wins every time, but thats my personal choice.

See if you can find someone who lives with one, and get a good personal account of them, then if you can find somehere to test ride, take it ffrom there

Re: Should I, shouldn't I? - SV1000 as first bike.
 

Either bike will be fine engine wise. My 650 hauls me at 12.5 stone plus my Girlie at some lesser amount, plus a load of camping kit that puts the combined weight well above your 19 stone. It does this at a reasonable pace and you can get a serious shift on. (ask fizzwheel :-P)

You will completely overwhelm the suspension on both of them, however some springs are a cheap way to solve the worst of any problems as you notice them.


IMO the 650 is plenty bike. Still fast enough to get into trouble on and a LOT more forgiving at getting you out of trouble when you do. The 1000 has a lot of very instant torque, loads of grunt right from the bottom, you can get into a lot of bother very quickly!

Also I would not recommend test riding them. IMO you don't have the experience to say which is right for you based on such a short ride.


What I would recommend you do is buy a cheap 650, do a few thousand miles on it to build experience and a working knowledge of what a bike is like, feels like, handles like, goes like etc. THEN test ride a thou and upgrade if you feel the need.

Re: Should I, shouldn't I? - SV1000 as first bike.
 

Hi,

they will let you but you need to contact them beforehand and ask them to have both bikes restricted as if you just turn up they probably wont have time then at that point to restrict them, but they are happy to help in most dealership i found anyway.

happy buying

Re: Should I, shouldn't I? - SV1000 as first bike.
 

He hasn't mentioned restriction so i guessed he did the DAS test.

If it's a restricted 650 or 1000 to choose then its pretty simple, 650 every time. Otherwise you're just paying an insurance premium for nowt and the fuel economy goes to hell on 33bhp in a 650, with a thou that's gonna be even worse i assume.

Re: Should I, shouldn't I? - SV1000 as first bike.
 

I did DAS :D ...... So no Restrictor needed :eek: ...............And as for insurance as previously mention it is a minimul difference about £200 for the year....

To be honest from the sound off all these post the only thing to do is make a decision myself :smt017 about what I want do and hope it is the correct one.... if not i get splatted :-| or bored lol :(:-| ......

Thanks For all the input guys ....

Will read through this again and then make a decision....

Dave