ER-6F/N, GSR 600 or SV650/S?

[captain_andrey]

As some of you know I am currently residing in Sweden :) Its summer here and naturally I want a bike.
Things are a bit different here which means anything with too many ZZZ XXX or RRR in the model number is un-insurable and insurance is compulsory.

So I am left with the bikes above. All 2006-07 models with low Ks and perfect condition. All same price. What would you get? Why? Anything else in the category I should consider? (under 650cc and not a supersport)

Plan to do long rides around the country and into Europe mainland.

But also, a friend of mine will be learning how to ride and will be borrowing my bike most likely. What would be most learner friendly?

Thanks for advice and enjoy the winter :shifty:

[george formby]

I don't think you could far wrong with any of them. Find out which "fits" you the best or get the best condition bike for your money.

[MSTRS]

Thanks for advice and enjoy the winter :shifty:

Any, all or none. We hate you...

[PirateJafa]

As some of you know I am currently residing in Sweden :) Its summer here and naturally I want a bike.
Things are a bit different here which means anything with too many ZZZ XXX or RRR in the model number is un-insurable and insurance is compulsory.

So I am left with the bikes above. All 2006-07 models with low Ks and perfect condition. All same price. What would you get? Why? Anything else in the category I should consider? (under 650cc and not a supersport)

Plan to do long rides around the country and into Europe mainland.

But also, a friend of mine will be learning how to ride and will be borrowing my bike most likely. What would be most learner friendly?

Thanks for advice and enjoy the winter :shifty:

ER6n is the hands-down winner there.

The GSR600's look quite nice, but I understand they have serious quality issues, particularly in the corrosion department according to UK owners.

The SVs feel cheaply made, and are one of the most uninspiring bikes I've ever ridden. Same goes for the thou version. Plus even with a exhaust, they still sound like ass.

The ER6f essentially is a ER6n for people who want to pretend they have a Ninja. It doesn't quite pull off the look, and the downside to the fairings is that it makes it expensive to drop, and provides a real disincentive to exploring the back gravel roads.

However the ER6n has it all. That great parallel twin 650cc engine (which is admittedly an oooold design, but there's no point changing something that clearly works?), comfortable for pillions, sounds good even with the stock exhaust, handles well on the road and on the gravel, good brakes...

Of course, that's just my 2c.

[wysper]

Hehehe shows how personal taste comes in to it.
I have to disagree with the Honourable Pirate above.

I really disliked the ER6's. For me they were a nothing bike. Just didn't do it for me.

I had an SV, loved it. I like twins. Nice torque, not a rocket ship but you can have fun at New Zealands speed limits. Mine gave me no troubles over several years of use. It was stock and was fun.

So for me, I would go with the SV.

But really, only you will be able to know which one you like the best.

(although Pirate is right, the SV is definitely built to a price point)

[Nutter34]

Er6n.

Never ridden one but always preferred it to the SV.

Tough call between faired and unfaired. For long distance etc, I'd have said faired. For teaching/learning on, definately naked with crash bungs.

The other thing for naked, conventional bars vs clip-ons... Easier to replace.

Ride them, choose the one which thrills you most.

[NZsarge]

Don't discount the new Yamaha XJ6 or even the new FZ8.

[breakaway]

The GSR600's look quite nice, but I understand they have serious quality issues, particularly in the corrosion department according to UK owners.

Don't they put salt on the roads over there?

[captain_andrey]

Don't they put salt on the roads over there?
They put salt on everything, road, candy.... But I wont be riding in winter.

[blackdog]

They put salt on everything, road, candy.... But I wont be riding in winter.

does the gsx650f fall into the catagory?

reasonably sproty, efi and enough cylinders

[Urano]

er6.
F.

if you want to use it for touring the fairing is a bless.
and if you fall, all you need is a... a... oh fuck... how do you call them?? well those two little steel things to screw to the frame that keep the fairing safe...
the only problem is a bit of vibration: the kawa engine is phenomenal but a bit "buzzy"...

you can consider the diversion too... but it's finished as a shit...

[CookMySock]

Anything vtwin, and put a loud pipe on it. :niceone:

Steve

[DarkLord]

I have a 2001 SV650s which I've spent the last 6 months tidying up. From what I have heard from others, they are good, strong bikes with a solid engine. Mine has over 70,000 k's on the clock now and it still runs fine, despite the odd rattle/clunk here and there you would expect from a bike that is 9 years old.

I do enjoy the SV, however mine is carb'd, I think my next bike will be fuel injected.

[captain_andrey]

Thanks for all the comments, I now am the owner of a 2005 SV650S and a friend of mine got the GSR which I also got to ride. They are both brilliant bikes. The GSR is the most good looking naked bike I have ever seen. I generally dont like naked bikes but this one is a beauty and the engine was great, reminded me of my CBR600RR.

With the SV I will have to learn how to ride again as I keep hitting the rev limiter :) but overall it was great. It fits me better then the CBR ever did. I can actually see the dashboard and I can actually fit myself behind the bubble.

[Nutter34]

That's the thing I couldn't get to like about twins. They just sound wrong, lol.

But, I have mates who feel the same about IL4's, so it's all good...

Enjoy the SV.

[onearmedbandit]

If you ride IL4's at the low end of the rev range they sound like nothing, and if you ride vtwins at the high end of the rev range they sound awkward.

Steve


Wrong. My IL4 sounds very nice from down low, from as low as 2000rpm. And a friends RSV1000R sounds great at high rev's. A low quality V-Twin probably sounds crap at high rev's, even with an aftermarket pipe. Whereas you don't hear many complaints about the sound of a Ducati 1198, RSV1000 or RC51 being rev'ed out.

Shooting my mouth off since ages ago.

[Oakie]

Pardon the thread dredge but I'm in the same position as the O.P. Looking to move the dear old Bandit on and I'm tossing up between Kawasaki's ER6n and Suzuki's GSR600.

I want an upright that'll handle around-town stuff for most of it's life and the occasional burst two up on the open road. I don't need a rocket-ship ... just an honest work-horse.

Anyone offer any pertinent comments?

[Tigadee]

Both are choice bikes... I'd go for the GSR600 (though it's apparently very prone to rust if not regularly cleaned) or even better, a Yamaha MT-07 or MT-09.

[akkadian]

How much money you want to spend? I'd get the ER6F but I'm bias. SV is fun but never looked right to me. To wide at the front? GSR is okay but again didn't like the look as much as the F. I can recommend the ER6. Goes well and looks pretty good doing it. No complaints from me.

[Ocean1]

I'd get the ER6F but I'm bias.

I had an ER6F, nice machine, no serious faults, nice ride and I'd have another one.

[akkadian]

I had an ER6F, nice machine, no serious faults, nice ride and I'd have another one.

Mine is on TM. Do you a good deal ;)

[scracha]

GSR has a lovely motor on the motorway and impeccible town manners.
ER6 fun in town. Dunno if I could live with it on motorway....it's not short of squirt but I dunno....just mibby me.

If you've got the coin, based on prior experience of owning all 3 brands, I would imagine either of the Yamaha MT's would piss all over them in terms of build quality and resale value.

[Oakie]

GSR has a lovely motor on the motorway and impeccible town manners.
ER6 fun in town. Dunno if I could live with it on motorway....it's not short of squirt but I dunno....just mibby me.

If you've got the coin, based on prior experience of owning all 3 brands, I would imagine either of the Yamaha MT's would piss all over them in terms of build quality and resale value.

Budget constraints max out at $7k but I'm aiming for $6.5k. I need pack rack and heated handgrips so I can pay closer to $7k for a bike that already has those things.

As a matter of interest, I've also considered the Katana ... 600 or 650. It's in third place because it's not quite as upright at the GSR or the ER. Comments anyone?

[scracha]

Budget constraints max out at $7k but I'm aiming for $6.5k. I need pack rack and heated handgrips so I can pay closer to $7k for a bike that already has those things.

As a matter of interest, I've also considered the Katana ... 600 or 650. It's in third place because it's not quite as upright at the GSR or the ER. Comments anyone?

Should get a TDM900 or a MK2 TDM850 in Europe for next to bugger all money. Insurance group is low on them. You can thank me later.

[Tigadee]

Should get a TDM900 or a MK2 TDM850 in Europe for next to bugger all money. Insurance group is low on them. You can thank me later.

Those are certainly upright! :yes:

[Banditbandit]

I'd forget the SV - I'm not impressed

Of the other two - both are very good bikes .. I'd take the GSR600 - the IL4 - simply because it's got more pep than the twin ...

But then - I'd also suggest having a look at the 650 Bandit ...

Like this one .. well inside the price range, (they do go for more) ... has Ventura rack and pack

http://www.trademe.co.nz/motors/motorbikes/motorbikes/tourers/auction-685879109.htm

At least have a serious look at it - I've seen 200 plus klicks on mine ... so they are no slug. Is great around town and the open road ...

[tobbera]

ER6n is a rally good bike. I have had one myself and it has been the best selling bike in Europe. Cant go wrong.

[Vinz0r]

Pardon the thread dredge but I'm in the same position as the O.P. Looking to move the dear old Bandit on and I'm tossing up between Kawasaki's ER6n and Suzuki's GSR600.

I want an upright that'll handle around-town stuff for most of it's life and the occasional burst two up on the open road. I don't need a rocket-ship ... just an honest work-horse.

Anyone offer any pertinent comments?


Err, why are you selling the Bandit then, that'll handle everything you want to do with it right?

Or is it a case of just wanting a shiny new bike? :cool:

Any particular reason you're only looking at the ER6 and GSR600? There are quite a few other good middleweights around, although the GSR600 and ER6 do seem to be in the sweet spot for you price-wise. Yamaha FZ6 or FZ8?

Have you considered anything a little bigger? Perhaps a Z750 (or even a Z1000), or a GSR750 (these look soooo good, but may be a bit outside the budget).

[Oakie]

Err, why are you selling the Bandit then, that'll handle everything you want to do with it right?

Or is it a case of just wanting a shiny new bike? :cool:

Any particular reason you're only looking at the ER6 and GSR600? There are quite a few other good middleweights around, although the GSR600 and ER6 do seem to be in the sweet spot for you price-wise. Yamaha FZ6 or FZ8?

Have you considered anything a little bigger? Perhaps a Z750 (or even a Z1000), or a GSR750 (these look soooo good, but may be a bit outside the budget).

Good questions.
- Only selling because it's approaching 60,000kms and even though it's had a gentle life, the ks are getting up to a point where it gets harder to sell. (I met my reserve within 4 days as it turns out)
- I wanted a bike with an upright seating position. ER6 and GSR600 were what was on Trade Me at the time. Also considered a 600 Katana although not quite upright. My budget was $7k which knocked Hornets and FZ6s out as I wanted something with less than 20,000kms
- A 600 was my goal to save a few rego dollars but I would have gone there if a 650 Bandit had turned up.

In the end it looks like I will buy a 2007 GSR600 with 16200 km on the clock. Also ticks my other boxes with a pack rack, heated hand grips and a small windscreen. I watched a YouTube clip last night of one hitting the twisties with gusto and it gave me quite an erection.

[Vinz0r]

Good questions.
- Only selling because it's approaching 60,000kms and even though it's had a gentle life, the ks are getting up to a point where it gets harder to sell. (I met my reserve within 4 days as it turns out)
- I wanted a bike with an upright seating position. ER6 and GSR600 were what was on Trade Me at the time. Also considered a 600 Katana although not quite upright. My budget was $7k which knocked Hornets and FZ6s out as I wanted something with less than 20,000kms
- A 600 was my goal to save a few rego dollars but I would have gone there if a 650 Bandit had turned up.

In the end it looks like I will buy a 2007 GSR600 with 16200 km on the clock. Also ticks my other boxes with a pack rack, heated hand grips and a small windscreen. I watched a YouTube clip last night of one hitting the twisties with gusto and it gave me quite an erection.

Ah ok I see. Yeah I was humming and ha'ing over a GSR600 awhile back as a mate was selling his, ended up going for a 1200 Bandit instead.
They're based on a K4 GSXR engine with more usable low down torque, still making 85ish HP at the wheel though, plenty of power to have fun with.
One thing that bothered me a little was that they have very snatchy fuel delivery, so closing and opening the throttle quickly results in a very jerky ride. I guess this is an issue that is easy to ride around by changing how you shift and accelerate, but I didn't like it. Some aftermarket fuel management would probably sort that out though.

[The Reibz]

Buy. A. Busa.

[Oakie]

Buy. A. Busa.

A 'busa would be wasted on me. You might as well tell a Cessna pilot to get an Airbus

[Tigadee]

Buy. A. Busa.

:shit:Ahhhhh, no wonder it's called Hayabusa! Sounds like 'Buy-a-busa'...