600cc V-Twins. Fill me in?

[Hitcher]

Let's put this on the list.

That's the 2009 SL750 GT, with ABS. It has OEM Metzeler M3s. Not in New Zealand yet, but a nice choice!

[FROSTY:Me]

600/650 twins.
SV650 as noted already Nice engine but let down by cheap suspenders.--new about 10k
Kwakka er6 --My opinion a bit nicer to ride -slightly better factory suspenders-similar power. same sorta money
TRX850 -semi nekkid (small fairing) same sort of HP -older bike so suspenders normally well sorted out. -5-8k
Gladius--newer version of the SV --slightly smaller/lighter aparently same suspension issues if ya start to push matters
Ducati do a 650 twin but based on the old air cooled engine--lovely to ride but down on HP
Cagiva raptor 650 --this is mechanically a SV650 but has be wrapped up in nice suspenders -lower seat height than an sv too.14k
Honda Bros 650 --again older bike but by gosh it slipped under the radar in its day. -good suspenders so handling is really nice 6k

Ive personally ridden all of these bikes on road or track except the gladius.
Me Id probably buy a SV thats had a few bucks thrown at it in the suspension area -only because being common means parts are readilly available.
EDIT- SORRY I left off the hyusung 650 which comes both faired and unfaired.-Rode a faired one basicly brand new and must say not impressed by the brakes or suspension. Might have just been that particular bike

[popelli]

wife has a 600 monster

brilliant little bike and a lot of fun to ride

fantastic handling and more than adecuate power

reliability wise it is far better than any jap bike I have ever owned

obvious alternative to this is a SV suzuki that can be summed up with one word - bland

I was so impressed by shona's monster I went and bought a 900ss

[slofox]

If you want a sports bike, I would think that counts the Gladius out. Very upright seat compared to the SVS (which is what I have). The SVS has the half fairing and clip ons so you are tilted more forward than on the nekkid SV or the Gladius.
Suspension issues with the SV are mostly related to the forks which I fixed for $1000ish but then I got it done at the shop and paid full price. The biggest improvement I made was to put on decent tyres (Pilot Road 2's). Oh and I put an audible horn on it as well but that's just my wish.
Engine and frame wise I cannot fault it. One year and 18,000k's later it has not gone bang at all...just ROAR mostly...

[rocketman1]

Buy a Suzuki SV650 all the power you need, reliability, handling and fuel consumption...No need to look any further.

[Hiflyer]

if you get a 1000 and dont ride like This guy then you'll be fine, i know a guy who went from a 250 to a brand new Gixxer thou and hasn't crashed cos hes sensible, lost his licence tho, but knows his riding limits.

I think that if you dont ride like a psyco to start with then with a pinch of luck you will be fine.

so yea maybe an SV1000? they sound way better than the 650 as well in my opinion

[davebullet]

Let's put this on the list.

Anyone know how much they cost?

Or go for a Shiver. A while ago they were approx $15k - $16k new - but I'd be surprised if you could still get one at that price now.
New model so not many if any second hand (not many.... if any... sorry - couldn't resist).

Nice bike though. Never ridden one of course, but I think fully adjustable suspension, 4 pot brakes, 750 vtwin. They have quite wide handlebars. Suit a larger rider better IMHO compared to the SV650.

[KX500]

Agree with Highflyer, mate brought brand new 600 gixser, wished had got the 1000 a month later, and he went from a cbr400r

[Choco]

600/650 twins.
SV650 as noted already Nice engine but let down by cheap suspenders.--new about 10k
Kwakka er6 --My opinion a bit nicer to ride -slightly better factory suspenders-similar power. same sorta money
TRX850 -semi nekkid (small fairing) same sort of HP -older bike so suspenders normally well sorted out. -5-8k
Gladius--newer version of the SV --slightly smaller/lighter aparently same suspension issues if ya start to push matters
Ducati do a 650 twin but based on the old air cooled engine--lovely to ride but down on HP
Cagiva raptor 650 --this is mechanically a SV650 but has be wrapped up in nice suspenders -lower seat height than an sv too.14k
Honda Bros 650 --again older bike but by gosh it slipped under the radar in its day. -good suspenders so handling is really nice 6k

Ive personally ridden all of these bikes on road or track except the gladius.
Me Id probably buy a SV thats had a few bucks thrown at it in the suspension area -only because being common means parts are readilly available.

Thanks Frosty!
I'm in the same sorta position as this dude, but still waiting on my full to test ride everything i can get my hands on! only 12 days till my full test!!!

[CookMySock]

I've heard great things

Don't give up on them too quickly. They really only need the rear shock sorted and they ride quite well. It's a 3-4 year old bike in new condition, plenty of go, cheap to run, crash, and rebuild, and they look good.

I got the 250 and adjusted to the power very quickly and am wanting something that's going to push me a little bit and able to give me a bit of a scare every now and then.

Stop reading here if you don't want advice. Scare? That is the wrong way to think. They won't give you a scare in a straight line at all - its just exhilaration, not fear. Even at 190km/hr there is little or no fear - its just good fun.

If you DO get a fright at speed in a corner, you are going straight to hell.

a. You are going much quicker than you are used to ;

b. You will almost certainly brain-lock and refuse to the lean the bike further or stand it upright ;

c. Everything happens in the blink of an eye ;

d. You die.

Basically, you slow right down and start again from scratch. Don't try to corner it hard for some weeks.

Be careful out there.

Steve

[Bend-it]

And of course a Cagiva Raptor!

SV motor with uprated styling, brakes, suspension and of course, the flair!

Bellissimo!

[Winston001]

Well I'm going to surprise everyone and suggest a..............Ducati

It depends upon what fits you best at this point in your life. Any modern 650 is the equivalent of a 1000 from the 1980s plus is lighter, more reliable etc etc. So you are spoilt for choice.

Don't be put off by the myth about Ducati reliability and being expensive to service. It isn't true. I'm way past the days of doing my own servicing and wouldn't own a Ducati if reliability was an issue.

Couple of thoughts: any bike you buy will eventually become hum drum, and you'll start to lust after bigger and newer bikes. It's just part of the motorcycle addiction. So an SV650 won't be your last bike, or the wrong choice, its just a step along the way. And a very good one.

Do you see yourself eventually getting an Aprilia, Buell, Ducati, SuperDuke etc? If so, plan it for say 3 years time and enjoy a 600 now.

If instead you'd like something different right now, I'd suggest a late model Ducati 750SS. These are not superbikes (which tend to be multi-valved, water-cooled, complex machines) but are easy to service, classic, hold their value, and stand out from the crowd.

If you want a motorcycle which you'll not only enjoy riding but also owning, consider a 750SS.....

http://www.trademe.co.nz/Trade-Me-Mo...-213613015.htm

http://www.trademe.co.nz/Trade-Me-Mo...-208130260.htm

http://www.trademe.co.nz/Trade-Me-Mo...-209363304.htm

http://www.trademe.co.nz/Trade-Me-Mo...-212920836.htm

http://www.trademe.co.nz/Trade-Me-Mo...-212528156.htm

and this looks like a good deal and an indication that some of the above asking prices are optimistic - buyers market at the moment

http://www.trademe.co.nz/Trade-Me-Mo...-211853093.htm

[kevfromcoro]

Have a look at a v-strom

Best bike for your buck

[Aa7]

i know a guy who went from a 250 to a brand new Gixxer thou and hasn't crashed cos hes sensible, lost his licence tho,

what a complete knob-jockey!!!!!!!!! how is losing your license in any way being sensible!!!! oh that's right, he hasn't crashed it so he must be a sensible idiot..... grow up before you ride a big boys bike please

back to the 600s and the OP, get the bike that YOU like best and suits YOU not what every cool kid is riding. Take them all out and find YOUR bike not someone elses dream machine.

My 2P, go the Cagiva maybe as its basically an SV with better brakes and suspension or spend the cash to upgrade an SV as it will be more common for any parts you may require. If you do want to jump to a thou rather than a 600, go for a TL-R mmmmmmmmmmmmmmm

[Hiflyer]

Haha well your a wanker aren't you?

Maybe if you take into account the fact that he hasnt got any other speeding fines then that would be better for your widdle bwain. (Or do you need smilies and other assortment of pictures to help you understand?)

am i not a sensible rider cos i got a ticket for doing 65 in a 50 when i was in a hurry?