out of the gate

[NATEK102]

hello everybody,

My name is Nate and i'm "new" to the sport bike world. I've ridden a handful of streetbikes but never took the plunge of purchasing one since some of my friends let me ride theirs when I wanted. Well that has disappeared so i'm on the trail to purchase my own. I'm here to learn and build contacts within the Portland biking community. Following suggestions, I've been keeping an eye on a Suzuki 650s or cbr600f4i. I welcome any sage advice you all may have to offer. :whipit
Thanks,
Nate

[MA$TER_E]

hello everybody,

My name is Nate and i'm "new" to the sport bike world. I've ridden a handful of streetbikes but never took the plunge of purchasing one since some of my friends let me ride theirs when I wanted. Well that has disappeared so i'm on the trail to purchase my own. I'm here to learn and build contacts within the Portland biking community. Following suggestions, I've been keeping an eye on a Suzuki 650s or cbr600f4i. I welcome any sage advice you all may have to offer. :whipit
Thanks,
Nate


Hey :welcome:

If you're a beginner, I highly recommend the SV-650. I did the same thing you're describing. My riding mentor is this guy I work with who has been riding since 1969. He told me to buy the SV and I wouldn't be sorry. He was right and I'm probably still alive today thanks to his advice. :bow:

The SV as gutless as many people think it is, has more than enough power to get a beginner into trouble and everything you'll need to build up a solid foundation of riding knowledge and skill. When you get to a point where you just don't feel comfortable pushing the SV any farther go do corner work for PIR and watch all the SV's zip around. You'll quickly realize its not so much the bike, its you...

SV's are cheap! Buy a used SV-650s if you can. One that has all the aftermarket goodies done to it already and is in good shape. I can provide a list of absolute must do mods :thumbup: but expect to drop it and scratch it. Buying a new bike is nice but for a beginner, I recommend used. Its not like it'll be the only bike you will ever own so ride the piss out of the poor thing, change the oil every 3k miles and say goodbye to being a beginner :yes:

Welcome to the group

:ride:

[ZX 14]

Sage advice Eric, I am a new rider and I think you are right although I chose a different path and bought a brand new ZX-14. That being said, I'm a pilot and I appreciate the subtle input on controls. I'm costantly learning and I'm still alive, but I don't take too many risks, only when I like the odds.

[Jane Honda]

Zx, we have been through this conversation on ESB.

Nate is a very good friend of mine, I've known him for a little over 15 years.

I've already spoke to him about this subject, and basically it's the same thing Eric said.


Not everybody has the same results as you did with a liter+ bike. The majority of beginners should never start with anything larger than an in line 4 600 or an SV 650.


That would be like me letting my daughter have a lamborghini as her very first car with no driving experience.

[Flyte Risk]

It's a relative subject Kris. The younger you are the less you should be on an inline 4 as a first biike. An older person like Eric (ZX-14) can start out on a superbike and be fine, a younger person will likely end his life prematurely.

That said, any rider will build skills and confidence more quickly on a smaller bike that is not trying to kill them like the liter+ class.

Regarless od age I only suggest the new(er) 600's and larger bike to the new riders who have excellent health insurance. you're going to need it eventually.

[JonXX]

I'm not super familiar with the SV's, but being a smaller twin I'd assume that it's got a fairly linear and low torque curve, which will make it much easier to learn to ride than something like the F4i that's akin to riding a skill saw in terms of power delivery.

Nate - what bikes have you ridden of your friends'? What did you like and dislike about each one?

And welcome and all that junk

[YAMR6]

Heya, I'm no pro but coming from an average Joe...

I started on and still have my 2007 R6. I had about 4 years on dirt before going to the street and that helped me out a bunch. If you haven't had a couple years injury free railing the dirt, I would say go 500, to the less sporty 600 class bike. Even with my time on dirt and being an easy going rider on my R6, it almost got away from me a couple times when I first started out.

Don't foget to check the ego in the driveway and welcome to the freak show.

[MA$TER_E]

Don't foget to check the ego in the driveway and welcome to the freak show.


HA! Check the ego sooner than that. By the time you get to the end of the driveway its already to late :haha: I've got video to prove it :thumbup:

[volvo700]

Hello and stuff :welcome:

[YAMR6]

HA! Check the ego sooner than that. By the time you get to the end of the driveway its already to late :haha: I've got video to prove it :thumbup:

Is that the one of you "I'm just going around the block" oopps trip?:haha::haha:

[MA$TER_E]

Thats the one :yes:

:bowtie-guy:

Its just around the block... What could happen?

:crash:

[Flyte Risk]

Been around that block... made it half way and broke my leg.

[r6jon]

Welcome Nate! F4i's are a great all around 600, probably the best do it all in that cc. If you're looking smaller the SV650 and Kawi 650 twins are really popular, another great choice... Hook it up!

[MA$TER_E]

By popular demand, here it is :bowtie-guy:

DO NOT be this guy... What a Moran (http://i299.photobucket.com/albums/mm287/land6266/Public%20Share/moran.jpg)...

:ride:


http://i299.photobucket.com/albums/mm287/land6266/Public%20Share/th_SVFAIL.jpg (http://s299.photobucket.com/albums/mm287/land6266/Public%20Share/?action=view&current=SVFAIL.flv)

[ZX 14]

That would be like me letting my daughter have a lamborghini as her very first car with no driving experience.

I hear you Kris, my oldest got his permit last Friday; he only wants a Bugatti_Veyron...
:whipit

[JonXX]

I'm guessing your kid wouldn't be this dumb (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4NJmB1F2mdE) if he had a Bugatti...

[MA$TER_E]

Oh.... My... Gawd...


:eek2:

[89zx6er]

:wtf::clapping::wtf::mecry:nough said:whipit

[Jane Honda]

By popular demand, here it is :bowtie-guy:

DO NOT be this guy... What a Moran (http://i299.photobucket.com/albums/mm287/land6266/Public%20Share/moran.jpg)...

:ride:


http://i299.photobucket.com/albums/mm287/land6266/Public%20Share/th_SVFAIL.jpg (http://s299.photobucket.com/albums/mm287/land6266/Public%20Share/?action=view&current=SVFAIL.flv)


I still have heart attacks every time I see this... :sad:

[JonXX]

wait what? was that you?

[MA$TER_E]

Uh, yes John, it was I...

The SV and I took a tour around the block and we didn't make it...

[NATEK102]

Wow! I didn't expect so much response! Thanks for the welcome and advice. In response to jonxx, I started out on dirt bikes. I was actually riding before I could drive. My last bike was a yz450f. I liked it because the only limit was me and not the bike. Here's a list of what i've ridden on the street with pros and cons:

1. ninja 500 - pros. it felt comfortable. First street bike i'd been on! - cons. I wished it had more after a few months.

2. honda magna 750 (cruiser) - pros. great fun on a sunny day. comfortable riding position cons - gutless, not my riding style.

3. 07 gsxr600 - pros. enough power to keep me happy. - cons. the seat seemed really skinny and it seemed cramped.

I should mention, I've had two friends more generous than you typically meet to allow me to ride so much.

[JonXX]

Sounds like maybe you ought to swing a leg over a ZX6 then, if the Ninjas fit you better.

[89zx6er]

those bike are sooooooooo sweet :)

[MA$TER_E]

Yea... The ZX6 pretty much rocks :rad:

:yes:

[89zx6er]

:rad::hitit::5cycle::mep:rad: yup not bad at all

[NATEK102]

So let me throw in one other item. I'm trying to cap my spending on this bike at 4k. Is that doable with a zx6?

concerning to sv's. someone mentioned a list of good mods. are they fairly inexpensive to "beef up" as time progresses?

[89zx6er]

there is to zx6r's on craigslist going for around that, right now if it is listed at 5 you might get it for around that, never know till you ask, give me about an hour and I will try and post the links for ya

[89zx6er]

http://salem.craigslist.org/mcy/1630899760.html

http://salem.craigslist.org/mcy/1607392977.html

http://salem.craigslist.org/mcy/1607392977.html

you can cut and copy if the link doesn't work. there are like ten more ninja's on there, put zx6r in the serch on the main and it brings them up for salem, albany, portland ect. hope it helps:idunno:

[MA$TER_E]

So let me throw in one other item. I'm trying to cap my spending on this bike at 4k. Is that doable with a zx6?

concerning to sv's. someone mentioned a list of good mods. are they fairly inexpensive to "beef up" as time progresses?

I can walk through everything with you on the list of mods for an SV. It all depends on what you want. I knew what I wanted and I got it eventually. It just cost a lot of money that I really didn't have to spend when it was all said and done... Some mods are as easy as $12 bucks a couple minutes and make a big difference. The biggest most expensive mod for the SV I'd save for last is a full M4 exahust system and dyno. But everything else is pretty cheap. Come out to a Friday night gathering and we can BS about it over a beer :yes:

:ride:

[NATEK102]

From the sounds of it, I will get more for my money with the ZX6r. Thanks for posting those 89zx6er. i started looking and you're correct, there are alot of postings. So what type of things should i look for, listen for, when inspecting a bike of CS? I have some mechanical ability but i'm "bike mechanics" ignorant.

i liked these postings: http://portland.craigslist.org/clk/mcy/1644068824.html

http://portland.craigslist.org/mlt/mcy/1634646837.html

http://portland.craigslist.org/mlt/mcy/1644289802.html

[Flyte Risk]

The second one is the best deal. The third is just ok, nothing special but plentey of bike to keep you happy for many years. The first one I'd be a little skittish of just by the description. Sure a minor low speed crash can be nothing but saying "I took it to high speed" after is saying I beat on it and with that few miles I bet he beat it hard during the break in period.

All that said There is a reason the GSXR 600 is the best selling bike out there. Don't discount a bike because someone says something else is better. The <insert bike model here> may be better then mine on paper but mine fits me and is comfortable to me. Look at all the bikes and pick whick one suits you. Comfort is paramount to becoming a better rider. Pick the bike you are comfortable on/with and then explore the boundaries of what you can do with your trusted steed.

[YAMR6]

Yeah, I sat on a lot of bikes and the r6 felt better for me. Sencond would have to be the CBR and ZX. GSXR...just doesn't feel right for me at all but it's a good bike.

[89zx6er]

there are a ton of bike out there right now, I live in salem and the shop here will check the bike out, give it a run thru and check for compression, spark, cnd they have a mile long check list but they do it all for free, ask the seller about and call your local shops, a lot of the guys on here know some great people use there knowledge and like me...it will save you a lot of money and pain in the ass, best of luck

[MA$TER_E]

Totaly agree with flyte... Gsxrs are great bikes, no arguing that. Tons of race development which trickles down to the real world street riding. But that doesn't matter because it didn't fit me. The ZX fits me like a glove and that makes all the difference in the world.

[Jane Honda]

Totaly agree with flyte... Gsxrs are great bikes, no arguing that. Tons of race development which trickles down to the real world street riding. But that doesn't matter because it didn't fit me. The ZX fits me like a glove and that makes all the difference in the world.


Was that typed with a soft or a hard G? :haha:


Sorry, Purple, I had to bust ya.:thumbup:

[89zx6er]

:runaway::owned:
:runaway::ugly lol never gonna get past that one:yes:

[MA$TER_E]

Thats ok. Just don't ever forget to put your tail cowling all the way back on...
:hysterical:

See Flyte for details :haha:

[YAMR6]

Flyte = Watch for flying parts

[Flyte Risk]

You rat bastards weren't even there and you give me shit or it. WTF...... Over?

[NinjaKitty]

You rat bastards weren't even there and you give me shit or it. WTF...... Over?

Who else can we rag on and enjoy at the same time while knowing you won't shread a tear except those from you laughing your ass off at our mundane and somewhat comments :yes: FYI, Welcome to OSB Natek102

[NATEK102]

what do you guys think of this deal? it seems that there are alot of aftermarkets already installed. Can these sv650's be modded to have comprable power to a 600?

http://portland.craigslist.org/clk/mcy/1642511921.html

[Flyte Risk]

I let Eric make the call on if it's a good deal or not, I don't know SV values well.

Will an SV ever compare to a 600 in power. Absolutely....... NOT. The engines and therefore the power the type and amount of power they produce, couldn't be more different. There really isn't an easy way of explaining it. I mean I could, but your head would explode.

[YAMR6]

You rat bastards weren't even there and you give me shit or it. WTF...... Over?


Sure hope your talking to Eric because if you forgot....I picked up your cowl.:twofinger::haha:

[JonXX]

what do you guys think of this deal? it seems that there are alot of aftermarkets already installed. Can these sv650's be modded to have comprable power to a 600?

http://portland.craigslist.org/clk/mcy/1642511921.html

Comparing V-Twin power to I4 power is like comparing a diesel engine to a gasser. Completely different power curves and delivery.

[MA$TER_E]

what do you guys think of this deal? it seems that there are alot of aftermarkets already installed. Can these sv650's be modded to have comprable power to a 600?

http://portland.craigslist.org/clk/mcy/1642511921.html

I let Eric make the call on if it's a good deal or not, I don't know SV values well.

Will an SV ever compare to a 600 in power. Absolutely....... NOT. The engines and therefore the power the type and amount of power they produce, couldn't be more different. There really isn't an easy way of explaining it. I mean I could, but your head would explode.

That ones not "bad" the fact that its been down is a little concerning but aside from that its not to bad of a price. Looks like its just a Leo Vince slip-on so really the exhaust adds no real power or value to the bike and I didn't see anything about having a PCIII so it sounds like its pretty much stock other than some minor accessories... If there's no real damage from being down "dents and cracks" I think it would be a good place to start...

Mine was an 04 SV650N with 12k or 13k miles on it and had a small dent in the tank from dumping it in the driveway. But it had every mod possible for the SV done to it. Literally when I sold mine (for $4k) I sold all the aftermarket goodies I put on it and through the bike in as an extra... We can elaborate further at FNG about whats the smartest most economical route for mod'ing an SV.

As for getting power out of the 650; like Flyte and John Said they are two very different engines. The SV's V-twin has a ton of low end torque and not very much high end. The inline 600's are oposite of that. So there are two totally different riding styles for each. I could keep up just fine with the guys on the 600's with the SV. But they can drop two gears at 50mph crack it open and be gone in an instant. If you drop two gears on the SV at 50mph you just found the limiter... But on the other end of that you can roll on the throttle at 2,500rpms on the SV and pull away from the 600's pretty quick. But they will catch you once they get the RPM's up. You'll have to shift at about 11,000rms... They have 5,000 more to go before they have to shift...

They are both great bikes but for a beginner on the street I think the 650 is the best option for its forgiveness. A 650 is more than capable of getting you in over your head; I've been there and it scared the hell out of me. But unlike the inline four it takes a little longer to get there alowing you to have a thought or two about what you're doing before its to late.

Come to FNG... I could blab on for hours about this topic...

:ride:

[NATEK102]

I said I was motorcycle stupid, not general stupid :). I understand the difference in power delivery by the two different engine configurations, I just wasn't sure if an sv650 could ever feel as strong after its been modded. Guess i'll just have to go to the FNG Eric keeps hinting at.

[JonXX]

What type of bike, ultimately, do you want to wind up with? Hard question to answer. The question also assumes that, like many (most maybe) people, you'll only have one bike at a time.

I'll tell you a little story and attempt to keep from rambling. You'll note some pitfalls here and there lol.

I started out riding wring 'em out two strokes. Then when I was street legal age, my first bikes were Harleys. Plow tractor-like power delivery. Then I bought a couple sport bikes (a GPZ900 and then a 95 ZX11). Had to learn how to ride on the street all over again. Then I went back to Harleys for about ten years, and comfortable plowing the roads and got complacent with all the low end torque and not having to pay so much attention to what gear I was in, etc. A little over a year ago I bought this CBR1100 and I'm still "unlearning" the Harley way to ride, still having to be conscious of engine speed management and moving around on the bike. Again, basically, learning how to ride all over again.

The point of the story is that while I agree that an SV will be easier to learn to ride, if you want to shift to an I4 sportbike, I think that transition will be more difficult because of the "unlearning" you'll have to do.

[MA$TER_E]

An everyday upgraded 650 will pull just as hard as a 600... <insert the lecture I'll be getting from 600 riders here for saying that> But only for a little while and only at a certain RPM...

My SV pulled really hard from about 5k to 10k. After 10k you're done, theres nothing left to give and you have to shift. The ZX pulls really hard from 8k to 16k and its strong all the way until the limiter kicks in... (not that I'd do such a thing; I read that it is in a magazine) :haha:

I miss my SV :(

http://i299.photobucket.com/albums/mm287/land6266/Public%20Share/SV_001.jpg
http://i299.photobucket.com/albums/mm287/land6266/Public%20Share/SV_004.jpg
http://i299.photobucket.com/albums/mm287/land6266/Public%20Share/SV_003.jpg

[JonXX]

This is the first time I've seen your SV.

It's priddy.

[MA$TER_E]

The point of the story is that while I agree that an SV will be easier to learn to ride, if you want to shift to an I4 sportbike, I think that transition will be more difficult because of the "unlearning" you'll have to do.


Oh yea?! Well you're stupid!

:haha:

:hug:

I understand where you're coming from. But the SV is different than most other bikes. Its just like a real sport bike only smaller :yes: Much of what I learned on the SV translated directly to the ZX. The power of the machine, winding it out to 15k rpms and going into a corner at 9k rpms were the biggest things I had to get used to. The SV went into corners at about 5 or 6k which would nearly be lugging the ZX...

[Flyte Risk]

Something to think about.

When I upgraded to a brand new GSXR I had a reason for it. When Eric upgraded to a brand new ZX6R He said the same reason was the best way to explain it. That reason was we were at the point we were getting close to the limits of the machines we were on. Our actual thought was "If I'm going to be carving it up like this I need a sharper knife!"

I say that as a reminder to you that as you look for a first bike you would be better served to not go with cutting edge (no pun intended) bikes. When you first learned to cut things your parents only let you use a "butter" knife, then once you got the idea you got a "steak" knife and then finally you got to use the kitchen swords.

Don't let the sparkle of the latest and greatest fool you. The 600 class bikes of the last 5 to 7 years are razor sharp and are waiting to draw blood the first time you get complacent. You so much as forget that you have 40 miles on a tank of fuel and hit the throttle to hard could put you in the hospital.

[NATEK102]

Thanks for all of your input. You are correct in assuming i'll only have one bike at a time. My reason for asking all these questions is I don't want to get tired of the SV and have to purchase a new bike next year. I really enjoyed the power band of the suzuki and kawasaki i was riding. It reminded me of the 2-strokes i used to ride. I think what I really need to do now is put some cash in my back pocket and go try out some sv650's.

[MA$TER_E]

I rode my SV for about 4 years and I may still be riding it today if it was an SV650s rather than an SV650n. Mine had the handle bars and the sport tour upright riding position so it was very uncomfortable for me to achieve "extreme" lean angle, it felt very sketchy like there wasn't much more the bike could do. I did put clip-ons on at one point and really liked them. But the rake and posture of the bike was all wrong for that kind of riding. It was better, but just didn't work... This was after 3 years of riding it to get to that point though.

Thats about when I went to the track and realized that none of the SV's on the track are N's they are all S's and thats when I slowly started to come to grips that no matter what I do my SV could never sporty like the other SV's it was just never designed to be. I guess thats why they stopped making the N series of the SV this, or maybe last year I'm not sure. I just know they stopped making them...

[DrDuc]

Hi Nate,

I've been riding motorcycles for 43 years. I've owned at least 32 bikes. I started out riding dirt bikes when I was nine years old. I started on a Honda 50 and worked my up the power curve by going to a Yamaha 80, then a Honda 100, Honda 125, Honda 250, CZ 400, Maico 400, KTM 495, and so on. When I was 19, I started riding on the street. The same strategy that applied to dirt bikes was appropriate for the street. That is, I started small and worked my up through the power range. My first street bike was a Yamaha RD 400. Over the years, I've had three of them including one radically modified Daytona Special - GAWD, I miss that bike. I currently ride a highly modified Ducati Paul Smart 1000 LE. a highly modified Aprilia SL1000, and a basically stock '89 Honda NT650 Hawk. I ride between 20K and 25K miles per year. I've survived crashing at between 100 and 125 mph. My Yamaha YZ400F is in still in pieces in the garage with a seized crank, so I'm without a dirt bike for now. I'm very opinionated about motorcycling and how it ought to be done, and I'm not shy about sharing my opinion, so take it or leave it, but I'm promise that you'll become a better rider in the end if you heed this advice.

Do yourself a favor and start out with a small bike. Jane Honda (aka: Kris) has a 250 Ninja. I love those bikes. They are awesome bikes for someone to learn how to ride on the street. On a twisty road that doesn't allow for more than about 85 mph, a good rider on a 250 Ninja can embarrass the hell out of the typical person riding liter sized bikes. On the little bikes, you have to learn how to manage momentum. You learn how to carry speed through corners. You learn that it's not how long you can hold the throttle on before you hit the brakes going into the corner, it about how soon you can get on the gas so that you get a great drive coming out of the corner.

In most European countries, as well as most Asian countries, motorcycle licensing is a stepped process. You have to start out on small bikes, get plenty of experience on them, and earn the right to ride the bigger bikes. Those countries have the right idea.

Do yourself a favor. Buy a Ninja 250, a Ninja 500, a Suzuki GS500, or an older Honda 400 Hawk, or something like that. Take some riding lessons, and once you get to the point that you can get everything that those bikes have to offer out of them, start working your way up through the more powerful bikes. You'll end up a far better rider in the end if you do it this way than you will if you dive into more powerful bikes right out of the gate.

Now, can someone please give this old, slow, geezer a hand stepping down from this damn soapbox?

hello everybody,

My name is Nate and i'm "new" to the sport bike world. I've ridden a handful of streetbikes but never took the plunge of purchasing one since some of my friends let me ride theirs when I wanted. Well that has disappeared so i'm on the trail to purchase my own. I'm here to learn and build contacts within the Portland biking community. Following suggestions, I've been keeping an eye on a Suzuki 650s or cbr600f4i. I welcome any sage advice you all may have to offer. :whipit
Thanks,
Nate

[Jane Honda]

*offers DrDuc a very respectful and affectionate hand off his soap box*



This man knows what the heck he's talking about Nate, also so do the others. I can't wait for you to get your bike!!!!

Hi Nate,

I've been riding motorcycles for 43 years. I've owned at least 32 bikes. I started out riding dirt bikes when I was nine years old. I started on a Honda 50 and worked my up the power curve by going to a Yamaha 80, then a Honda 100, Honda 125, Honda 250, CZ 400, Maico 400, KTM 495, and so on. When I was 19, I started riding on the street. The same strategy that applied to dirt bikes was appropriate for the street. That is, I started small and worked my up through the power range. My first street bike was a Yamaha RD 400. Over the years, I've had three of them including one radically modified Daytona Special - GAWD, I miss that bike. I currently ride a highly modified Ducati Paul Smart 1000 LE. a highly modified Aprilia SL1000, and a basically stock '89 Honda NT650 Hawk. I ride between 20K and 25K miles per year. I've survived crashing at between 100 and 125 mph. My Yamaha YZ400F is in still in pieces in the garage with a seized crank, so I'm without a dirt bike for now. I'm very opinionated about motorcycling and how it ought to be done, and I'm not shy about sharing my opinion, so take it or leave it, but I'm promise that you'll become a better rider in the end if you heed this advice.

Do yourself a favor and start out with a small bike. Jane Honda (aka: Kris) has a 250 Ninja. I love those bikes. They are awesome bikes for someone to learn how to ride on the street. On a twisty road that doesn't allow for more than about 85 mph, a good rider on a 250 Ninja can embarrass the hell out of the typical person riding liter sized bikes. On the little bikes, you have to learn how to manage momentum. You learn how to carry speed through corners. You learn that it's not how long you can hold the throttle on before you hit the brakes going into the corner, it about how soon you can get on the gas so that you get a great drive coming out of the corner.

In most European countries, as well as most Asian countries, motorcycle licensing is a stepped process. You have to start out on small bikes, get plenty of experience on them, and earn the right to ride the bigger bikes. Those countries have the right idea.

Do yourself a favor. Buy a Ninja 250, a Ninja 500, a Suzuki GS500, or an older Honda 400 Hawk, or something like that. Take some riding lessons, and once you get to the point that you can get everything that those bikes have to offer out of them, start working your way up through the more powerful bikes. You'll end up a far better rider in the end if you do it this way than you will if you dive into more powerful bikes right out of the gate.

Now, can someone please give this old, slow, geezer a hand stepping down from this damn soapbox?

[MA$TER_E]

When I bought the SV I really wanted a CBR or an R6 or even a GSXR. My riding mentor "Tom" from where I work has been riding on the street since 1969. He looked me straight in the eye and asked "why do you want to start out on a bike like that?" I realized how silly my answerers were half way through delivering them. "Cuz they're so cool, and thats the kind of bike I want to ride"... Basically when I was done he told me the exact same thing Dale just said and recommended at most that I start with the SV. I remember touring his neighborhood for my first time on the street; I nearly dropped it a couple times. I know you're not that green to bikes and have been riding a little bit. But I sure was and it was the approach to getting on the street and advice from the old guys that really helped me out in the long run. I'm just a young guy relaying that advice.

[NATEK102]

Thanks again for all your advice; I really do appreciate it. Like I posted previously, we've reached a diminishing level of returns and I need to couple your advice with some sv650 test rides.
What do you think of this deal Eric?
http://salem.craigslist.org/mcy/1613622248.html

[MA$TER_E]

That ones not to bad. The M4 is a plus but only appears to be a slip-on which is fine for right now. If you want power though a full M4 system is the only way to go and with this, your half way there. All you'd have to do order the headers and mid-pipe to get a full system. Sprinkle a PCIII and a TRE on and you're pretty much done building power for the bike. Regardless, it seams like a good deal. I'd want to know how that crack got on the front fairing and if anything else was damaged. The tires are pretty good I run the BT-016's and love them and hear the 021's are similar but really it doesn't matter to much. The only time it would be worth while mentioning tires in an Ad is if they were brand new never touched the ground kind of new otherwise; there just tires...

If you want to put fairings on it I'm pretty sure that you can get the stays and a set of shark skins or OEM plastic for a few hundred bucks and make it look like this... And with the high mount M4 and seat cowl that'd be sessy :drool:

The fork work is a must and the shock is good so it sounds like the guy did all the right things to it. You'll just want to make sure that its setup to you. If the guy is about your size and weight you'll be ok as long as he had it set. Properly adjusted suspension makes an amazing difference.


http://www.totalmotorcycle.com/photos/2009models/2009-Suzuki-SV650Sa-small.jpg

[Flyte Risk]

That does sound like a good deal. Thats about $1k in extras.

[Jane Honda]

Thanks again for all your advice; I really do appreciate it. Like I posted previously, we've reached a diminishing level of returns and I need to couple your advice with some sv650 test rides.
What do you think of this deal Eric?
http://salem.craigslist.org/mcy/1613622248.html





Gorgeous! Go for it!!!! :thumbup:

[NATEK102]

well i ended up purchasing that bike down in Salem. I'll post some pictures when I have a chance. Now i need to find a good helmet and jacket. Right now i'm using an older Shoei, but I feel I should get something else to mark this occasion. Also, what your opinion on synthetic vs leather jackets?

[Flyte Risk]

Leather alll the way. Your odds of walking away from the (eventual) crash increase expontially, even compared to textile.

[MA$TER_E]

Congrats on the new bike :rad: its the blue one with the M4 right?

:ride:

I'd agree, leather all the way; more importantly leather that zips together. Textile has its advantages but leather resists abrasion a lot better and is a bit more impermeable from rocks, dirt, lite rain, birds and whatever else you get hit with thats flying down the road. Let me know if you run into troubles with gear. How much are you thinking about spending? Used? 2 piece? 1 piece? It may seam like a lot but I get my gear from Tilt Customs anymore. Its cut to me and fits like a glove. Totaly custom 1 or 2 piece suit for only $500 bucks... Most "fancy" new jackets will run you $350... If thats more than you want to spend and can wait a few weeks I'll make you a good deal on my gear if you're interested and it fits.

Congrats on the ride though :thumbup: I think you'll really like it :ride:

Now we can discuss mods :yes:

[JonXX]

Excellent!

Ditto on leather.

Gear of any kind isn't going to do much to prevent broken bones, but leather will protect you from rash exponentially better than textiles. As anyone that's had bad road rash will tell you, the biggest danger is infection in that large area. So effectively preventing it is very important. That's why Eric said "2 piece that zips together." When you get off and slide, your pants will keep your jacket in place and prevent it from sliding up toward your shoulders, and vice-versa with the pants sliding down off of your ass.

[NATEK102]

well leather it is then. ya it was the blue one with the M4 slip on and upgraded suspension. I'm definitely willing to wait and try your stuff Eric. I'm going up to Seattle for the rest of the week but maybe we can hook up next week. I'll give Kris a call when I get back. What do you all reccomend for helmets? I want protection but i'd also like to keep it alive (ie no flat black helmets). i like some of the arai and suomy designs, but i'm having trouble justifying $600-$700. Will an Icon mainframe protect my melon just as well?

[MA$TER_E]

well leather it is then. ya it was the blue one with the M4 slip on and upgraded suspension. I'm definitely willing to wait and try your stuff Eric. I'm going up to Seattle for the rest of the week but maybe we can hook up next week. I'll give Kris a call when I get back. What do you all reccomend for helmets? I want protection but i'd also like to keep it alive (ie no flat black helmets). i like some of the arai and suomy designs, but i'm having trouble justifying $600-$700. Will an Icon mainframe protect my melon just as well?


Oh boy... Talking about helmets is like like having an online debate about politics or religion. This thread will go on and on and on with each post having the intent of being the last and final word we all accept and embrace as the be all end all...

I've had quite a few lids. I started with an HJC AC-12, then a Scorpion EXO-1000, Icon Domain Decay II, Shoie RF-1000 and now my Arai Profile. The Arai fits me the best out of all of them but each one had its pro's and cons. You just need to find one that fits. Use what you have for now and just try helmets on here and there. Keep in mind many helmets come in different shells, like the Arai. I tried an Arai on a long time ago and it just didn't fit me worth a damn so I figured I just don't fit in an Arai and never looked back... Several years and hundreds of dollars later in helmets I tried an Arai on again in a different shell (when I figured out there were three different ones) and its by far the best fitting helmet out of all the ones I've had before...

So my advice, don't look at price. An $89 lid does the same job a $800 lid does but what do you like? $89 lid will be cheap and lack a lot of vents, visors and padding. So try a bunch of stuff on regardless of price and find one you really like and that fits you well. Then go try some more on... The biggest thing that cost me the most is being compulsive. Have some patients and spend two or three weeks trying on different lids then go back and start looking at the onces you really liked more closely.

Unless you're cool with spending $1600 bucks on all kinds of different helmets... In which case you should come over and hang out more often :yes:

:ride:

[MA$TER_E]

If you need a lid right now this second I still have this one...

http://www.oregonsportbike.com/forum/showthread.php?t=3858

I'd make you a real good deal on it :thumbup:

[Flyte Risk]

I respectfully have to differ with Eric on the price not meaning anything. Once you get much below the $100 range you're getting what you pay for.

I've had 2 KBC helmets, 1 ICON and a Suomy. The first KBC and the Suomy fit me the best. Even though the second KBC (which is my current lid) is the same model and size they changed the fitment and I'm still adjusting to it. The Suomy was far and away the best. Lighter, tighter, quieter, everything about it was better.

When you do decide on what you want I know a shop here in Portland that will order you any helmet you want for $50 over cost and he will show you his cost. When I was debating on ordering a replacement Suomy Spec-1R Extreme it was going to be under $500, that more then $200 less they anywhere else in the area and $150 less then online.

Eric is quite right about the fitment issues. Try on different brands and even different models within the brands. Shells and padding vary from one to another. Arai and Suomy are top of the line, KBC, HJC, Shoei, ICON, etc are all good helmets. Even with the cheaper models anything is still better then nothing and comfort is paramount to fancy vents, graphics or having the latest and greatest from whoever the cool kids are buying them from nowdays.

[NATEK102]

i'm definitely economically conscientious (it's my dutch heritage). I'm always looking for that smoking deal but also realize you can't put a price on your health. I sent you a pm ERic. THanks for the tip flyte, i'll definitely be talking to you if i don't pick up ERic's helmet!

[NATEK102]

So here is the promised picture of my bike. http://i873.photobucket.com/albums/ab296/natek102/IMG00008-20100323-1821.jpg What do you think?

[JonXX]

oooOOOooo it's purty.

Now you need a turbo.

[89zx6er]

looks good congrats on the new bike

[YAMR6]

Nice bike

[MA$TER_E]

Ah, its a pile... :haha:

Bring that beast over and let me work on it :yes: have I mentioned I miss mine :(

[Jane Honda]

Ah, its a pile... :haha:

Bring that beast over and let me work on it :yes: have I mentioned I miss mine :(


:hug: :sad:



Nate, it's pretty! I can't wait for you to come riding with us!!!! :rad:

[Flyte Risk]

Yeah, Jon would enjoy the company in the back.