that age-old newbie question - SV good first bike?
 

Hello all,
I am a fresh-faced newbie here today, having only recently passed my DAS (with no previous experience)

My question is one that has oft been asked, and I've spent a lot of time reading through past posts, having come up with quite an mixed answer.

Ever since passing my DAS in January I have been itching to get my first bike.
I passed my DAS on the humble GS500 which I found to be no trouble at all.

I'd always fancied an SV, and have been looking at them for a while now.

I have been offered to buy a Naked Curvy through a friend for a price that would be ridiculous to refuse.

Am I getting in over my head for a newbie or with a bit of discipline and care, can this be a fantastic first bike for me?

Re: that age-old newbie question!
 

Curvy or pointy the SV650 is an absolutely awesome first bike.

Fast enough to be fun, cheap(ish) to repair if you screw up and a whole pile of fun. Providing your mate has taken care of it you'll have a great time.

I spent about 4 months on a ybr125 then passed my test in december and went straight into my sv650s pointy. Love it and never regretted it.

Don't get me wrong there's plenty of scope for it to kill me but I've taken it easy and I'm picking it up. I've never felt out of control or that it's too 'grown up' for a first bike.

You'll love it mate.

Re: that age-old newbie question!
 

+1, can't be more right. Pretty much the perfect 'big' bike.

Re: that age-old newbie question!
 

as others have said, the simple answer is yes, although I would caution you the curvys are getting on and the SV can have a tough life, so either put up your location (under your user name to the left, use "userCP" from the menu bar) or tell us where you are and see if someone local can have a look for you, before you buy.

Cheers Mark.

Re: that age-old newbie question!
 

In adding to all the yes's, I'd also say SV's are one of quite a few bikes you would get on with perfectly fine. There is enjoyment in learning about the different character of V2's & I4's. To some, they offer completely different riding experiences.

For me, the best thing so far is simply learning - from improving riding technique to gaining knowledge on the mechanical and maintenance side of things. Its like baby steps, the stuff you learn on your first bike will stand you in good stead for the future whatever bike you may have.

So my advice is get the SV (do all your usual checks to make sure its sound) and then immerse yourself in getting to know the bike.

Happy riding.

Re: that age-old newbie question!
 

Without doubt the SV is an excellent first BIG bike. Passed my test last May after 5 weeks on a Honda CG125. After a 100 yards of riding the SV out of the showroom I knew I had made the right choice. I have now covered 4000 miles in most conditions, got done for speeding and done a Bike Safe course and still love it. I have considered other bikes but so far I cannot find a better machine for the money, go for it, but get someone to check it over if you can.

Re: that age-old newbie question!
 

Congrats on passing the test and welcome to the forum James!

As for getting the SV, I can't think of a better first bike bike than the SV. I passed my DAS in 2009 and i choose the SV as my steed.

You'll have loads of fun on it thats for sure and if you have any queries at all regarding the SV or anything else for that matter there is certainly enough qualified folk on the forum to lend you a hand!

Happy :riding:

Re: that age-old newbie question!
 

You obviously haven't looked hard enough, there are loads of better bikes than the SV, but for a first timer it is pretty much perfect, not too fast not too slow, easy to handle and fix, cheap insurance and if you bin (which you probably will at some point) you have peace of mind that it didn't cost you £3000+.

How much is it up for? what year? and mileage?