New Guy!!!

Welcome and good luck.

[Paul the 6th]

Hiya Tom, welcome along

obviously we're not going to be biased (it's not like this forum is dedicated to the sv or anything ), but it is a cracking bike. Read any reviews from years gone by or posts from people on here and it's mentioned everytime "Great for new riders looking to build confidence but just as good for experienced riders who fancy something a bit different" etc... The engine has lots of mid range so you don't have to rag the shiz out of it when you wanna make moves, with experience you'll start to find the brakes aren't as powerful as the unit's on full on sportsbikes but they're far from rubbish..

You'll probably struggle to get a test ride with being a new rider but if you've only ridden learner school bikes (honda cb500 type things) then an SV will feel like the dogs danglies..

In terms of gear, leathers generally give better protection in the event of an off but won't keep you as warm or dry in crap weather. Likewise, textiles will probably be a little bit comfier and snuggly if you're gonna ride all year round/commute but personally I think leathers look smarter/cooler etc. Not sure if Hein Gericke still do their 0% finance on purchases but you could get kitted out with £300-£400 quids worth of decent gear (lid/leathers or textiles/gloves/boots) and take it over like 9 months and it'll work out around £40/month... Their store in leeds is quite big and I've found the staff to be very helpful.

if your budget won't stretch that far then eBay is generally good for 2nd hand kit but make sure you go and try it on before buying anything or you'll just end up losing money/selling it on eBay yourself.

My first helmet was a £90 caberg, 2nd helmet was an Arai TourX3 - I'll definitely buy Arai again

apart from that, pop your head up in the Pennine Massive section - I'm from mirfield originally (wf14) and there's quite a few of us allover the place now.. we all try and meet at squires most wednesday evenings for drinks and a natter, and we also organise big rideouts allover the place throughout the year

god I feel like a meet and greet nobster lol

Originally Posted by Paul the 6th

god I feel like a meet and great nobster lol

You are.

Everyone has covered it already about the bikes an about the gear etc.

Im in WF15 also, so your in the cleck'heck'sedge area if you wanna know a little more about the SV's your free to pop round take a look at either the curvy or pointy we're oddly welcoming like that on the org.

[Paul the 6th]

he's a sex offender tom, don't listen to him

[yorkie_chris]

Originally Posted by Paul the 6th

he's a sex offender tom, don't listen to him

Says the man who does rude things with bagels.

[Paul the 6th]

it was a creme brulee actually, and I only dangled it in there once

[G]

Welcome, you have probably found one of the most active friendly bike related forum on the net.

SV is a great bike, I would go for leather, I always regret buying textiles first.

Originally Posted by Paul the 6th

he's a sex offender tom, don't listen to him

Oi cake fiddler, stop slowing my progress! Dont you have a baked good violate.

welcome to the nut house "see posts before mine" :P

personal i wouldn't touch a arai but thats just me, if you have a fair wad to spen then have a look at the agv gp tech helemt can be had for £260 on ebay with a rrp of £440 but try it on before buying

[G]

Originally Posted by barwel1992

personal i wouldn't touch a arai but thats just me,

Just out of interest why not?

They don't fit my head and I find them unbelievably noisey... but with a statement like above you must feel strongly.