2nd bike suggestions

[PSUDUG]

HI everyone
I love the GS but I have been looking into getting a second/maybe replacement bike and I would like to see what other members upgraded to.  What I want is a bike that can handle the Atlantic City Expressway at about 75 - 80 mph comfortably and taking 1 - 2 hour road trips.  Also I ride 2up on shorter trips a lot.

I have been looking at the SV650S, SV1000S, and new '05 ZZR600.  Any thoughts on these bikes or others?  All input is great! thanks

[Roadstergal]

http://www.svrider.com/phpbb/viewtopic.php?t=30704

Last post on the first page.

[cajrovd]

A friend of mine has an 04 SV650S and loves it. It's actually his first bike, but it's really easy to manage, really comfortable, lots of power. I think it would be a easy transition up to the SV, whereas moving up to a R6, gixxer, CBR600RR (input Pablo?) would be more of a jump.

[werase643]

R1.... GSXR1000....ZX10RR.....DUCK 999......BUSA

or the other extreme monkey bike or CT70

[The Buddha]

Call me weird... but a GS500 is the best second bike...  :lol:
Cool.
Srinath.

[werase643]

it's easy to troubleshoot when you have a complete assembled selection of spare parts......

[PSUDUG]

Roadstergal, how is the sv650s on the highway above 70mph? Have you rode 2up?

[Roadstergal]

I haven't ridden it 2up yet.  It's geared a bit taller than the GS; with that and the v-twin, it's quite smooth at 70-80.  A little more stable at speed and with crosswinds than the GS (but mine is lowered).

[The Buddha]

it's easy to troubleshoot when you have a complete assembled selection of spare parts......

Yup... parts swapping is very very quick... 2 bikes will be fixed faster than 1.
Cool.
Srinath.

[chuey]

SV or the YZF 600R is a great bike.

I went from a GS500 to an R6 to a YZF600R.

Im looking for an SV650 now. The R6 is fun but not practical, not a lot of midrange. YZF is torquey, my speedo has said 140 on it, hits 100 quick...

[vtlion]

with stock suspension, the SV can go all the way to its max speed under load with good stability.  

However, cruising is a little different.  When cruising (i.e. not accelerating)I start to get head-shake on mine at about 90mph indicated, and I white-knuckle at about 110 indicated.

so if you are only going to blast it for quick passes where you accellerate then quickly decelerate, it is a fine bike.  If you want to cruise at triple digit speeds, I would recommend a differet bike, or budget for some suspension mods.

[cajrovd]

chuey wrote:

SV or the YZF 600R is a great bike.

I went from a GS500 to an R6 to a YZF600R.

Im looking for an SV650 now. The R6 is fun but not practical, not a lot of midrange. YZF is torquey, my speedo has said 140 on it, hits 100 quick...

Hey chuey, interesting sequence of bikes. What did you like/dislike about the R6 and YZF600R and why are you going to the sv650?

I am seriously considering a R6/CBR600/GSX600/ZX6R for a second bike, but also am considering practicality.

[chuey]

R6 I got a great deal on it and couldn't pass it up.  The '03 was the sharpest turning fastest bike that I've ever owned. Quick revving...fast as heck, only one drawback had to keep the bike in the proper rev ranges to get it to go, once in the proper rev ranges acceleration was insancely fast...Liter bike fast (my brother rode an RC 51 for the past year and a Honda 900RR before that) the bike was near as quick as those two but not as torquey. Hit 7-9K RPM and it would be seconds to redline where you really had to hang on.  Hit 140 on the R6 and YZF (speedo error I would knock off maybe 20-25 miles to that speed realistically).  Both bikes hit 100 in a blink with plenty of power for more. R6's windscreen was useless and the front was a tad iffy at high speeds and a bumpy road, however it was light as a toy, felt like nothing underneath the legs. Insurance was 200 more than the YZF.

YZF600R very torquey and powerful in the midrange. A blast to ride 9K RPM and up. Gobs of power past 4K RPM. The nicest brakes  I've ever had on a bike (identical the the R6 and R1 brakes). Fairing was huge, tuck under at 100MPH and you feel nothing no shake, nothing. 60lbs heavier than the R6 and you felt it.  Also though with the added weight it was the most stable confidence inspiring bike out of the ones that I've had. Suspension was rock solid in any condition that I've rid in.  It made you confident enough to ride fast. Also if you are not too light its very hard to get the wheel up, but its torquey in the mids...more so than the R6 according to some mags.  Not RC51 torquey but enough to have some real fun. Comfy as heck....just perfect mix of ergos for sport not too upright not too slanted. Can get for great prices...

I want the SV650, because cheap, more realistic, more practical, Vtwin powerband, light. No bottom fairings to get scratched up in my narrow gate area.  Plus I'm not a Mladin so... the SV650 is fine for me. I can't outride any of the bikes I've owned thus far...anyhow.

Oh the R6 and YZF...the R6 no midrange punch not a big deal as it got to the higher rev ranges quick. YZF, a tad porkish. I loved both bikes not much bad to say about those bikes at all. Solved my cure from the GS500 having problems at highway speed for me. It took too long on the GS to hit a 100. GS was great in the city though and I miss it as a city bike. The SV650 seems like what I need, a great NYC bike plus enough power to cruise at 85-90 on the Jersey turnpike.

YZF looked best... even over the R6

http://www.ofoto.com/BrowsePhotos.jsp?&collid=739222954105&page=1&sort_order=0

[cajrovd]

Great review chuey!

It seems like you're saying that you're looking for more of an all around bike rather than either a great city bike (gs500) or a great high-speed bike (R6/YZF). I've heard the SV650 is a great all around bike, just a little more powerful than the gs500.

My question to you: how were the R6 and YZF in the city (stop and go, slow traffic)?

[vtlion]

I'm sure chuey will weigh in on this too, but my opinion of the R6 was that its fair around town.  TGreat handling, but the lack of punch at low RPM's didn't leave alot of power available for quick bursts that are sometimes necessary.  It came down to winding it up everywhere I went or scarificing the getaway power I like to keep in my pocket for an emergency.

I rode my R6 about 3000 miles before switching to the SV and I have to say that the SV is every bit as fast and nimble around town, and as a major plus the power delivery is much more linear and predictable.  This makes the SV the perfect commuter (that's what it was originally designed for, after all).

[chuey]

VTLion hit the head. There was a small dip around 7K in the powerband on the R6 hardly noticeable. But it was useful. The R6 was tame enough to be in the city so long as you didn't crack the throttle. Crack the throttle hard and you can do a no clutch power wheelie around 7-9K RPM depending how far you sit back on the seat. The YZF you can try all you want but you just couldnt do a power wheelie on the thing. That said that YZF was 100% stable and more real world usable. A little less pressure on the wrists as well.

The YZF was fine in the city although a little more portly. These bikes are  not like Vtwins even the SV has some more whiplash than an R6 or YZF at low speed. They look good as well all these bikes. But I don't have anywhere I can ride the Yammies and enjoy it for what it is. Which is why the SV650 is where I'm headed.

[cajrovd]

Thanks for the info vtlion and chuey.
The SV is probably a lot more comfortable riding 2up than the R6 too. Insurance is prolly less on the SV as well...

[chuey]

YZF is great for two up riding!!!  I was on a long striaght and visible stretch of my road and I wanted to see if I could open her up with the extra weight of my girlfriend on the back as she was pressing me to gun it because it was daylight and no traffic (we both had protection on too, I had a Trojan condom in my back pocket lol, just kidding).  I  hit 100MPH no problem just maybe 2 seconds slower than normal and had power to spare meaning I wasn't even in 6th gear. YZF has makes 88 horse to the wheel which isn't bad, the R6 is lighter and makes only maybe 7 more horse than a YZF. Its called a poor man's VFR...fast as heck for a "sport tourer" plus the wind screen might help you better if you are touring with someone. I would have to say the YZF's is tops... A YZF and an SV650 both new or used are right around the same price range.

[PSUDUG]

So it seems like the SV650S might be the way to go.  The price is right but I am still worried about the 69hp.  I don't want to wish for a more powerful bike 3 months after I buy it.  Anyone ever ride a SV1000S? More power and a better suspension, but its a little heavier and costs more.

[chuey]

Fun factor is what counts... the SV650 is fun as hell.  If a bike does a 1/4 in 11-13 seconds... that's still faster than an 88 Chevy Corvette.

In the real world this doesnt matter. But then again...these are bikes... buy what stirs emotion in you.

I used to ride my brother's RC51 sometimes for shitz and giggles. Even on the highway  I never left 4th gear doing 90MPH... what fun is that?