Your opinion on a new bike?

[busterkat]

I went to the dealer this weekend to look at new bikes, but cant seem to make up my mind. I am looking for different opinions on these bikes ............ Kawasaki  Ninja 650R ............ suzuki Sv650S.............Yamaha Fz6.........

[mike_mike]

The FZ6 is nice.. the styling is not the greatest, but it is a nice bike that you could comfortably ride pretty far.

Personally. i didn't like the SV650 bikes at all, comming from the GS they felt akward compared to a supersport. It is this weird in between feeling that just didn't sit well with me.

can't comment on kawasaki, i don't ride kawasakis.

[pandy]

Here's a thread that talks about the FZ6 and SV650S. I haven't ridden the Ninja, but I do believe Maduro Mistress just got the 650R within the past month or two.....we haven't seen her much since then...

[metallic5spd]

ive ridden a 650S and LOVED it, very fast and felt good riding it.

[Egaeus]

Go to the dealer, have them bring out a rearstand, and sit on each bike for 1/2 hour (one bike per day).  Buy the most comfortable one. 

[mike_mike]

Go to the dealer, have them bring out a rearstand, and sit on each bike for 1/2 hour (one bike per day).  Buy the most comfortable one. 

or go on a demo ride!

[metallic5spd]

def, the only way to know for yourself is to go test ride each of them...

[FearedGS500]

yup go test ride them . i'm not sure how bike dealers are . i think you have to be approved for one before you can take it on a test ride but i'd test them all. the kaw. suz. yamahahahaha  and HONDA  sorry when it comes to bikes i'm normaly honda all the way but they dont make a small bike like the gs with a low ins. and all that ... i know they have the 599 but ..     i  dont regret getting the gs one bit but test them all and see how you like them . the only way you can really see witch one you like is to test ride it. hell go even try out the buell you might be suprised

[pantablo]

the kawi650r is a new bike that isnt time-tested. having said that, everyone that buys one loves it. I know of one lady who has a dozen bikes (mostly sportbikes including a zx10r, zx12, zx6r among others...yeah, she digs kawi)...and she loves her 650r the most.

the fz6 is in the same bike category but it has a very peaky motor. power is all up top and hard to use. makes the bike easy to ride in the lower rpms but if it gets up there its dramatic. not the most noob friendly.

the sv is a benchmark. lots of praise can be found for the sv. in reality, its quite a bit different to the gs and very similar in many ways too. it is also a budget/new rider bike so the suspension is also crap. v-twin gets some getting used to for most. you either love the twin or dont. LOTS of aftermarket support and loads of great online forums.

[CirclesCenter]

Pork it. Buy a Busa. (oh god, I'm a whore don't kill me!)

IDK the exhaust on the SV650 is so ugly it makes me hate the whole bike.

Ummmm........ CB 599?

[pantablo]

the exhaust can be changed...dont dismiss any bike for just one reason alone if all else seems good...just my $0.02

[trend]

I like the Kawasaki  Ninja 650R personally.. (soley on looks since I haven't touch any of them)

[Alphamazing]

Pork it. Buy a Busa. (oh god, I'm a whore don't kill me!)

IDK the exhaust on the SV650 is so ugly it makes me hate the whole bike.

Ummmm........ CB 599?

The naked SV650s are kinda ugly... until you do a few basic mods to them. THEN they get pretty.
1) USD GSX-R front end with clip-ons.
2) solo seat cowl and passenger peg removal
3) rearsets

I realized this recently. I kept seeing naked 2nd Gen SVs and seeing how ugly they were, then seeing them with a few mods and saying to myself "WOW!". It seriously changes the character of the bike from a blah boring commuter to a down and dirty street fighter.

FZ6 is more of a sport-tourer, I think. It has a fairly plush ride, but as Pablo said the engine is a bit peaky. Now, that's not saying it won't boogie when asked, but maybe not as readily as the others.

599 - overpriced and under-teched. It's the old CBR F3 engine, carbureted and underperforming. The 599 is nice looking, but rather unremarkable. The 919 is a better choice of the two.

SV - Tried and true bike with a fantastic engine. However, as noted earlier, the suspension is crap and could use replacing or upgrading with stiffer springs at the minimum.

650R - Well... I don't like fully faired bikes much, and it isn't the prettiest thing in the world to me. All the articles I've read put it a notch below the SV, too.

[deathlucky]

if its you first bike dont do it man
if you ride like an idiot dont do it man

if you ride like an old woman then u can do it

[LMT]

I had a Kawa. EX250 and sold it.  It was fine for a very beginner.  Have a 2005 GS500F and it's still fine.  I sat on all 3 you mention and really liked the feel of the Kawasaki and the write-ups on it have been very good.

[busterkat]

I just got back from yamaha dealer ready to buy tonight but could not agree on price so i'm still shopping around.

[busterkat]

BTW  Thanks for all your replies

[VersOne]

Depends entirely on the kind of riding you will be doing...but my pick would be the SV!!!!!

They have a cult following, and are good enough to be raced with a few upgrades.  They also makes perfect canyon carvers and are more comfortable than a supersport.

It's a no brainer!

Personally I like the rush of the i-4's....heheheh
Good luck! 

Vers

[97gs500e]

Theres a good article in this months' issue of Sport Rider about this.  It compares the latest Suzuki SV650, Ninja 650R, Honda 599, and Yamaha FZ6.

I'll assume you don't have the magazine, so I'll paraphrase.

599:
+ Great engine with smooth power delivery
+ Low seat height with tiny feel
- Way overpriced
- Suspension is soft for even light riders
x Sharp styling is a hit

650R:
+ Comfortable ergos with good wind protection
+ Budget chassis is suprisingly solid
- Different handlebar would improve front-end feel
- Down on power to the SV
x Strongest overall package for both new and experienced riders

SV650:
+ Torquey engine has great top-end too
+ Great chassis and best suspension
- Abrupt throttle response
- Odd handlebar bend hurts steering
x Still the best bike to learn performance riding on

FZ6:
+ R6 engine has strong top-end hit
+ Good suspension and brakes
- Horrible throttle response
- Buzzy engine has no bottom-end
x Engine and chassis are a mismatched package

Quarter-Mile:
599:     11.65 sec. @ 116.8 mph
650R:   12.03 sec. @ 109.0 mph
SV650: 11.92 sec. @ 110.9 mph
FZ6:     11.35 sec. @ 119.3 mph

Roll-ons, 80-100mph:
599:     6.26 sec.
650R:   4.68 sec.
SV650: 5.18 sec.
FZ6:     5.21 sec.

Price:
Honda 599:                $7399
Kawasaki Ninja 650R:  $6299
Suzuki SV650:            $5949
Yamaha FZ6:              $6799

>>do your research and you'll find the bike that is best for you and your riding style.

[The Antibody]

Leno Loves the 650R. Isn't that enough reason to buy it? 

In all seriousness, the 650R impressed the hell out of me as I read about it. That is now the bike I ultimately want in the near future. It's a jack of all trades. THe SV is quick, but not the best commuter. The FZ did well, but not good enough to beat the others. The 599 just doesn't do it for me performance or styling wize. Motorcyclist had a great artical similar to the one 97gs500e mentioned. They liked the SV and the Kawi 650R.

  -Anti