Suzuki or Kawasaki? and Hi.....

[Ixion]

I'd love a W650,I don't think the seat height is as low as a cruiser,but it's styled as a classic bike,and they fitted a broad range of people.A versatile bike that can be adapted to other uses,and capable of different riding styles - not being narrow focused (sportsbike,cruiser,dirtbike) you will find the handling and seating position will allow you cope with more varied road and weather/traffic conditions.A great bike,I'd like to have the funds to head in that direction.

The classic Brits were easy on shorter people because their seats were NARROW. This is actually more important than height. When I first got the Whale I found it very hard to manage. Admittedly, I'm a short arse (actually a long arse, but the legs were meant for a pygmy. Another cockup in Igor's assembly plant), but I never had any problem with Triumphs and BSAs and Velos. And on paper the BMW seat is actually LOWER than a unit Triumph. Finally worked out it was because of the width. Look at the saddle on a classic Brit, and it come to quite a narrow point at the front. The BMW saddle is full width right to the front. So i attacked the seat base with my trusty hacksaw. A bit of narrowing and refitting of the vinyl , and it made a tremendous difference.

I really liked the preunit predecessor of the W650, m'self.

[Ixion]

Spokes. It's got spokes...

I like spokes. I can rebuild a spoked wheel, too.

[LB]

Spokes. It's got spokes...

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The clever BMW people now make spoked wheels that run tubeless tyres.....

(though having said that, I'm not sure if the 650's have them or if it's just the 1150GS range - I'm sure Beemer will be able to tell us.)
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[dawnrazor]

ktee, if you like the sports bike feel and look, you might be very dissapointed with a cruiser. The handling and control are SO different. I started on a Yamaha SR125, and to be honest i don't think it did anything for my riding skills, because at the end of the day it was just to easy to ride, you didn't even think about what you did half the time. It wasn't until i got a TZR125 and later an aprillia RS250 that i began to learn how to ride (and enjoy myself).
The bandit 600 is a peach to ride, and if thats too tall, you shouldn't have any probs on a suzuki SV650, very easy to ride fast and slow, a great first bike that will test you but not scare the bejesus out of you. The little v-twin is a cracker and the riding position isn't overly sporty. I think the fared version has a slightly lower seat.

[Indiana_Jones]

I NEED A RIDE

-Indy

[ktee]

Thanks for that. I will checkout those two bikes. The Bandit 600 ... is that a Kawasaki?

I appreciate your constructive feedback. Cheers

[Bonez]

Best thing to do is take both for a test ride. W650 would be my preference personnally. Knew a gent who owned two. Reliable, rode and handled fine when we were out on rides together. Best of luck on your final decision. Bandits are suzukis and damn fine value.

[ktee]

Both Suzuki I have learnt.

Mmmmm....I like the look of the SV650. Not so keen on the back half of the Bandit but rather nice in the front.

They are now on my list of bikes to testride. Cheers

[ktee]

Thanks Bonez

[Bonez]

Thanks Bonez

No probs. Couple of other things I like about them is they have a kickstart, mainstand, no radiator/coolants other than the engine oil to worry about and only one chain-the final drive chain- non in the engine. Tyres being 18" rear and 19" front don't cost an arm and a leg to buy/replace either. Jim did 50,000 kms on his first one in 3 years without any problems before he got his second one. Valve clearances use shims so don't usually need adjusting as often as screw/locknut adjusters. Good bike to learn basic maintenance on too if you are that way inclined.

[brianken]

yo girl have u ride a kawasaki zzr250 1997 model before?

[cowpoos]

Hi there. I've been reading your excellent info for so long now that I decided to join in.

Question ...... Have any of you ladies riden or owned a Kawasaki W650 or a Suzuki Marauder 800? I'm trying to decide what next to buy and someone elses experience is always a good starting point. Which is best in terms of ease of riding. I'm 5"4 and how far forward are the foot pegs on the Marauder? Anyhoo lots of questions but enuf for now. Cheers

hi......since you obviously like cruzers....your ghey....now why don't you just come out of the closet and get a honda

[Mental Trousers]

Mmmmm....I like the look of the SV650.

Keystone has an SV650. She's not a big girl by any stretch of the imagination, but I believe she's at least a couple of inches taller than you. Ask her how she finds it and her height etc. Also, Riff Raff as one as well. But I don't know how tall she is.

[Riff Raff]

Also, Riff Raff as one as well. But I don't know how tall she is.

I'm 5'6" and don't have problems.
Mad Duck is another SV rider and is quite a bit shorter than me. She had hers lowered to suit, and I believe her beast is now in harmony with her height!

[Cajun]

My wife as a 04 gsxr1000 which as a seat height of 825mm, she is about 5'5-5'6

She is okay riding, its the stoping she sometimes had problems with. We do custom lowering of bikes, most moden sports bikes can be lowered rather easy, over all it does not make a huge difference to the handling for most users.