SV650 or GSR600

[sinned]

As a returing biker (30 odd years ago) I was considering a SV650 as a good option until I decided what would suit me best. I need to keep up with a friend on his 1550 Harley so a smaller bike is out. Also I want a sportsbike. Now I have seen, sat on and read about the GSR600. There is a price difference of $2000. And for $3000 more could buy a SV1000.

What I liked about the SV is the V twin and its obvious low rev torque. Will I be disappointed by the multi 4 and its sound?

Any suggestions on what I should buy?

[The_Dover]

I'd spend the extra and get the SV1000

[skelstar]

Hey dennis. Welcome to the site.

Keystone19 is selling a mint SV650S if youre looking for a 2nd-hander. Dont knw much about the GSR600 but the SV's are very well documented and are well loved. Could be a factor.

[Hillbilly]

have a good read of this page first, it's got some valuable information:

http://www.motorcycle-training.f2s.com/bornagain.html

[Nutter34]

As a returing biker (30 odd years ago) I was considering a SV650 as a good option until I decided what would suit me best. I need to keep up with a friend on his 1550 Harley so a smaller bike is out. Also I want a sportsbike. Now I have seen, sat on and read about the GSR600. There is a price difference of $2000. And for $3000 more could buy a SV1000.

What I liked about the SV is the V twin and its obvious low rev torque. Will I be disappointed by the multi 4 and its sound?

Any suggestions on what I should buy?

What do you mean by keeping up? If it's with acceleration, you may need a big bike, but for speed, a 400cc will do. They are capable of speeds around 200, so doubt very much you need anything bigger.
I also think as a B.A.B, the SV650 is probably the better option.

[Bob]

SV650 will cope with 'keeping up' just fine. Admittedly I owned (two of) the faired version - but the engine and frame is the same, the S just has clipons and the rear sprocket is recogged on the naked version to give it a bit more initial grunt - ideal for a town bike.

25,000 miles on an SV and I'd say it is a nice bike for a returning biker. Light, easy to handle and the vee-twin is a lovely engine that will pull from pretty much any revs. The finish is poor - especially on the forks (make sure you keep them clean and muck free or they will start pitting if they are shown a photo of grit!)

As regards the GSR600 - take a look at the bike and product reviews. Suzy Q has just bought one, so her comments might be useful to you.

I think it is very much a case of try one and see which engine suits you best. I don't know if you are buying new or 2nd hand, but don't discount the ER-6 either - just to throw in a 3rd engine configuration (SV is a vee, GSR a 4 and the ER is a parallel twin).

Dover isn't off the mark suggesting the SV thou to be honest, but it might be a bit of a handful initially for a returning biker.

[sinned]

That article on training is very good. Makes me think of how I need to get my skill level up and choose a not too challenging bike.

Interesting pricing on the Suzuki SVs. The SV1000s is now priced below the naked SV1000 at $12500 versus $13999 for the SV1000s. That makes the SV1000s a very good buy at only $500 more than the SV650s. I was thinking of a naked but the pricing on the SV1000s is very tempting.

Still to test ride yet but before I do that I am going back to school. Next week will be getting some one on one tutition before starting on the test rides.

Second hand bikes seem to be in short supply and the 2 year old ones are so close to new price it seems to make sense to buy new - if you can afford to.

Still looking, listening and reading.

[DMNTD:Me]

Scored a new SV1000S a few months ago for the missus and reckon they're a bloody good alround bike.
VERY easy to ride and there's no worries laying them down in the corner too.
Bloody comfitable!! Actually prefer to ride the SV over my ZX10 for longer cruises (ouch).
$12500 for a new 1000cc bike is insanely good IMO...added some Yoshi cans and it came up to $13700. A lot of bike for that sort of $$$.
Never riden a SV650 but if you've got some maturity I'd personally go for the thousand...

[Devil]

This is my vote for either of the SV's.

[Keystone19]

Buy my bike.

[scracha]

I'd spend the extra and get the SV1000

So you're telling a guy who's not ridden a bike for 30 years to get a 1 litre sportsbike. Nice.

Personally I think he should beg, borrow or steal someone's 250/400 for a month or so before getting a 6 hundy.

[Devil]

So you're telling a guy who's not ridden a bike for 30 years to get a 1 litre sportsbike. Nice.

Personally I think he should beg, borrow or steal someone's 250/400 for a month or so before getting a 6 hundy.

I think both SV's are very friendly bikes. For someone with maturity there'd be no problem with the SV1000.

[Matt]

Pop down to see Glen at Motorad and give their demo ER6n a go, you can get them for $10k new.

Matt

[DMNTD:Me]

I think both SV's are very friendly bikes. For someone with maturity there'd be no problem with the SV1000.

Exactly my point...

[skelstar]

Buy a SV650 secondhand...it'll keep you nervous/excited for a year...then sell it, it has good re-sale value as shorter fairer ones like them as their 1st big bike (so Im told)...then get something even bigger if you have to.