Newbie needing opinions

Hi all,
Having just registered, i thought id introduce myself. Im 23, been riding 18months and live in the North East UK. Ive just sold a GS500 ive had since passing my DAS and im after some opinions and advice

Since i passed my test, ive always fancied the SV650s for its looks but back when i first passed, i couldnt afford one so i bought the GS. Ive actually ran up only 2000 miles on the GS in the time i had it for one reason or another but having given me an initial introduction into riding i feel its time for a step up.

The 2 bikes im considering are the SV650s and the Bandit 600s. Now you may say, why ask which is better on an SV forum however im wondering if there are people who have ridden or tested both who can give their opinions.

Having ridden a GS, im quite used to a twin bike, blipping the throttle, keeping it high in the rev ranges, but i was sick of having to wring the GS' neck to get past cars quickly on single carriageways. Im not sure for this reason, whether the SV will be a big step up in terms of power.

Has anyone moved up from a GS? What are your thoughts?

Im looking to do mainly decent weather riding, possibly some 2 day trips to Scotland etc but at the end of the day, i want useable power, good handling for the twisties and good looks.

Im looking for the newer Shape SV - K3 i believe (I cant afford any higher) so im interested if anyone has one for sale in the North of England


Your opinions appreciated
Rob

more than enough power for overtakes in any gear handles well.dont get a bandit there dated now and sluggish and ugly

howdy newbie!

i cannot give advice on the bandit, however i can tell you that soon you will get people replying that have ridden both. i think mr jabba the hut is one such "person". as you say its an SV forum but i promise that will not deflect people from giving their honest candid opinions on both bikes. i've been given lots of advice on how to hone my skills, what i'm doing wrong etc on here, all of it invaluable

whatever you chose you'll have many years of great riding.

that said if you chose the bandit you're wrong, its SV all the way

and it better be a blue one - cos they're the quickest!!

can this be moved to SV talk forum?

Ive got 30 days to find a bike, otherwise they're looking to cancel my insurance which expires in July leaving me out of pocket (about 70 quid)

Welcome to the site, i use to ride a gs500 and changed to the sv, i also looked at the bandit but found it felt to top heavey for me. I think i made the right choice,the riding postion took a bit of getting use to but i find its o.k now.

I see you are from the northeast to, why don't you pop into the pennine massive section.

Originally Posted by robchester

blipping the throttle, keeping it high in the rev ranges

You only need blip the throttle when changing down in a hurry, otherwise the rear will lock up

As for keeping it high in the rev ranges - why
That sounds more like an IL4 than a V-twin - the SV has more grunt than a field full of pigs

Originally Posted by robchester

but i was sick of having to wring the GS' neck to get past cars quickly on single carriageways. Im not sure for this reason, whether the SV will be a big step up in terms of power.

Overtake in any gear you like (more or less) - best to drop down a cog if in a hurry though

70 bhp as standard, and a lot of torque - gets most of us around at a decent lick

GS500 has about 40hp vs SV650 with just shy of 70hp.

The SV has plenty of go and it's more useable than the Bandit which, as has been said is getting a bit dated now.

Welcome.

I am also new to biking and chose the SV due to a number of good write ups in the bike mags. Also due to the forum and the good reports on here. I don't think I've ever read a bad comment about it, apart from the usual.... suspension and uncomfortable seat.

A couple of other things that swung it for me for the SV was the lower insurance group and the cost of the bike to begin with. Not to mention the actual looks.

Sorry I can't be technical in my answer, but I think it is benificial to hear feedback from all sides i.e. experienced, inexperienced.

I think the excessive revs may be due to the GS being a parallel twin as opposed to a V-twin. Anyway, the SV is a better bike for all around riding. The Bandit is a more touring oriented bike (not to mention it is heavier, a bit dated, and generally not at nice as the SV) If you get the SV you'll see you don't need to rev it much past 8000 (unless you really want to). I had a GS550ESD (the IL4 version) before my SV, and I found the SV way lighter,more powerful, and easier to ride. HTH

PS Welcome to the site

Splke has a lovely K3 for sale, fully kitted out and nearly as nice as my one was

Look in the For Sale section.