GS500F vs. SV650S?

[Treyplus20]

I know this is a GS500 forum, but I'm gonna ask anyway....how you would you guys rate the GS vs the SV as a first bike? I'm going to take the MSF course, a private training course, and have at least 6 months on a rebel 250 before getting my first bike and as of now, I'm going to choose between the two. I'm leaning toward the SV because I've heard alot of good things about it from some of the other forums I've posted on, but there are very few people anywhere who post anything about the GS. I love sportbikes and love the styling, but am a little worried it's underpowered for the 60+ miles of highway riding at 80mph that I need it to handle every day. Any info you guys can give would be appreciated.

[Alphamazing]

I think the GS is better suited as a beginner bike compared the the SV. While both can be used as beginner bikes, the GS is far better suited for the task. The GS is extremely forgiving in errors that you will inevitably make. The SVs can be snatchy especially off throttle transitions.

There was a thread on the SV board about this: http://forum.svrider.com/index.php?topic=46184.0
Most of the SV riders suggested the GS500, and appropriately so.

[mike_mike]

personally, i find the SV akward and it just doesn't do it for me, if you're considering SV650, just move to a real sport bike like CBR/r6/etc.

when i rode the SV it wasn't very nice to ride, and frankly i enjoy riding the GS500F better than the SV. it is not nearly as fast... but then again, going fast on the SV is not very comfortable compared to 600cc sport bikes.

I was considering the SV650 for my next bike, but after riding it, i knew right away it wasn't the bike for me. the SV feels like a fast version of the GS500 with steeper front rake angle, but not as steep as the 600 sport bikes... it is a really weird feeling bike to go fast on (at least in my opinion)

[makenzie71]

I can only think of one thing that ranks the SV above the GS in the "beginner" area...fuel injection.

Outside of that I think the bike's a bit too aggressive for someone with no experience.  I only suggest an SV to those who've had some street experience or have abundant dirt experience.

[TadMC]

Hey whats up TREY, I didnt think you'd show up ahah

Hey listen, these guys know an ass load about bikes, not just the GS.  I havent had a question that these guys couldnt answer

[mike_mike]

I think the GS is better suited as a beginner bike compared the the SV. While both can be used as beginner bikes, the GS is far better suited for the task. The GS is extremely forgiving in errors that you will inevitably make. The SVs can be snatchy especially off throttle transitions.

There was a thread on the SV board about this: http://forum.svrider.com/index.php?topic=46184.0
Most of the SV riders suggested the GS500, and appropriately so.

I think the SV gives a newbie more ability to play around with the gears.. i find the GS to be very particular (which is good for learning i guess) about what gear it is in. After riding both, i'd say you're more likely to get yourself in trouble downshifting the GS or being in the wrong gear than with the SV. The SV power doesn't really come on that sharp at all, to me, it felt like a faster version of a GS with suspension mods and some steeper raked forks.

[nick_villan]

what are u talking about go with a zx-14, true raw power so u dont ever have to worry about an upgrade

[TadMC]

you forgot one thing nick,  a turbo charger come on, get real

[rangerbrown]

i ride my gs every day, 80 miles perday at least. and this is mostly at 80MPH as that is what everyone drive at.

[mike_mike]

i ride my gs every day, 80 miles perday at least. and this is mostly at 80MPH as that is what everyone drive at.

yeah - to answer the threadstarter's question regarding speed...

the GS is fast enough to get your licence taken away if you were so inclined to open it up, it rides nicely on the highway with zero problems at all. getting up to speed, passing and cruising at high speeds is not a problem for the GS at all.

[nick_villan]

bro, all u need is nitrus

[mike_mike]

bro, all u need is nitrus

FIDDY SHOT OF NAWS! and a ten thousand dollar fuel management system

[nick_villan]

ur sucker just got served on a golden platter 

[corndog67]

The SV is a far better bike.  For beginners, for intermediates, for experienced riders.  The carburation and the forks on a GS suck so bad, it is unbelievable.  The strong midrange on an SV is much easier to ride than a GS with it's hesitation, flat spots, forks bottoming out on a grain of sand, etc., etc.  Yeah, I know, you can rejet, new fork springs, but they have been making these bikes for a long time, this shaZam! should have been fixed long ago, but they weren't.  I've owned both, and I wish I still had my SV. 

[CirclesCenter]

90% Rider, 10% bike.

Get used to it.

That's how I burnt the holy hell out of a ZX-6R. (Yes a 2006)
I personally don't like the SV650's looks or sound. (That's me, and not you, decide yourself)

If you are concerned about what bike is the absolute best, don't be. Either one that you saddle up you'll love!

corndog67... Sounds like your GS was a lemon. With the stock suspension my bike rode fine and only bottomed on really nasty bits. Flat spots? My bike only acts funny when I take off too soon (cold) or it's low on fuel. The Mikunis are fine, they are on a lot of bikes, and for me they work pretty bloody good! (Ok they have their issues, but nothing that makes life hell or even causes issues for more than 3 - 5 minutes.) Of course I got one of the bikes that seems to do well at 7000+ feet so go figure.

Sure you're not just sour today and the GS is your whipping boy?

[pantablo]

The SV is a far better bike. For beginners, for intermediates, for experienced riders. The carburation and the forks on a GS suck so bad, it is unbelievable. The strong midrange on an SV is much easier to ride than a GS with it's hesitation, flat spots, forks bottoming out on a grain of sand, etc., etc. Yeah, I know, you can rejet, new fork springs, but they have been making these bikes for a long time, this shaZam! should have been fixed long ago, but they weren't. I've owned both, and I wish I still had my SV.

the SV also suffers from budget suspension parts-just look at how many people on the SV board are installing gsxr rear shocks and either swapping gsxr forks or doing the stock suspension revalve. they're both moderate to ride. the gs is fast enough for highway work, even 2 up. the SV feels like its going slower but is going faster (the vtwin is deceptive). the SVs' ergos are on par with the gsxr of a year or two ago-aggressive.

I think the SV makes a great second bike, but the GS makes a better first bike (for someone with zero experience). If you're riding for 6 months on a rebel you should be alright on the SV, but you'd still become a better rider, sooner if you start on a gs. I credit the gs for how smooth I ride...

[makenzie71]

^yeah SV suspension sucks just as much as the GS...and every other budget bike on earth.

[Alphamazing]

I love sportbikes and love the styling, but am a little worried it's underpowered for the 60+ miles of highway riding at 80mph that I need it to handle every day.

I just got through with a 550 mile trip from Austin to the Oklahoma border and back. Non-stop interstate travel the whole time, 80+ essentially the entire way. Had no problems.

[DGBone]

I have had and ridden my GS500E since 1998 and recently purchased my second bike, an SV1000S.
The GS500 is a superb first bike, forgiving of newbie mistakes that you will almost inevitably incur on. Easy maintenance (and you can learn to wrench bikes with it!)
The SV 650 is all over the motorcycle boards as a "good first bike" but in my mind, the better bike, by far, is the GS500.
The SV's are torque monsters, that's why they are so easy to ride FAST, and that's precisely the problem, it might get you into very serious trouble sooner than you think.
Stay alive my friend, start easy. I am keeping my GS, just love that thing to death, it's lots of fun to ride and yes, I will choose it over my new SV 1000 if the mood suits me for a relaxed ride in the country. The GS is also nearly indestructible if you take basic care of it, and extremely reliable. In 8 years it has NEVER, not once, left me stranded. No Fuel injection, cooling system or radiator leaks to worry about!
GS500 might be old technology, but it is a basically a damn good motorcycle.
PS: You can get killed just as easy on a GS as in any other bike, so always wear your common sense and protective gear and treat ANY bike you decide to ride with respect. 

[makenzie71]

I just got through with a 550 mile trip from Austin to the Oklahoma border and back. Non-stop interstate travel the whole time, 80+ essentially the entire way. Had no problems.

Where'd you go?