GS 500 or SV650?

[Duster8]

I'm looking to buy my first street bike and I've narrowed it down to either an SV650 or GS500.  I've ridden dirtbikes a lot, and one small street bike, but never a true road bike.  Im 19 and weigh about 165 lbs.  Im wondering if i can handle a 650 or not.  Thanks for any help.

[mrslush50]

well, I think that on this board you'll find that many people will recomend the gs500.  for riders with no experience at all, the sv is too much bike.  (the gs can actually be to much bike for some people as well)  But I would recomend that you ride them both.  Back to back if possible, then see what you think.  If you've riden a lot off road then you have an advantage over many people.  you may be able to handle the sv with out any problems.  much of it may depend on your temperment and riding style however.  the gs will not get you into as much trouble, nor will it do so as easily as the sv.

[Seth]

The GS will kill you just as fast as the SV, it's all about your mentallity and abilities when riding.  Both bikes demand respect, it's all in how you ride them.

[pantablo]

I think the GS is a better first bike in general, even given your motorcycling background. I tend to err on the less HP side of things...that'll make you a better rider (nothing compares to having some guy on a bandit 1200 comment to you about hearing your GS screaming near redline as you passed him in the canyons-me, two weekends ago).

Having said that, given your motorcycling background and the propensity of youthful riders as you are, you'll likely feel the gs500 is too small, too little power once you've got a few thousand miles under your belt on the roads...in which case the sv650 is the better choice. I disagree with this logic but it seems to be a prediminant one.

You choose: GS500 and learn better riding technique, become a better and faster rider by virtue of learning on a lower powered machine. OR sv650 where the power of the machine and its better suspension can mask deficiencies in your riding.

Either one is a good choice for a first bike-most here, including me are biased toward the gs. The sv has more street cred, and more aftermarket (means you'll spend more money) and has enough HP to get you into trouble fast. The gs is an excellent first bike and is a good stepping stone to a sv.

Best to buy a used gs500 for a year or so, then up to a new sv650. That's what I'd do...wait, thats what I AM going to do...eventually. I'm sure you've checked out www.svriders.com or the L.A. local www.socalsvriders.com forums as well.

Whichever you choose be sure to factor into the $$ getting good gear-motorcycle boots, gloves, jacket, full face helmet that fits properly, and pants. And I recommend 1)taking the MSF course and 2)reading Keith Code's Twist of the Wrist II (esp if yo uplan on sport riding).

Good luck.

[Mat]

The sv has more street cred, and more aftermarket (means you'll spend more money) and has enough HP to get you into trouble fast.

it also has enough power to get you out of trouble.  
 but thats my opinion
i have been riding for almost a year and i feel like i have outgrown the gs
and for the record i am 20 and next spring i plan on getting a sv1000 (well see)

[pantablo]

it also has enough power to get you out of trouble.  
 but thats my opinion
i have been riding for almost a year and i feel like i have outgrown the gs
and for the record i am 20 and next spring i plan on getting a sv1000 (well see)

I'm in same boat-been riding 9 months and a while ago I was ready to move up. But going from a ~40hp gs500 to a liter bike is too big a step in my opinion.

The extra power will more likely get you into rather than out of trouble but both are cabaple of injuring you pretty bad if not respected. Given duster8's experience with dirtbikes he shouldnt have a problem on the sv I think. I still think the gs is a better first bike though.

[Mat]

But going from a ~40hp gs500 to a liter bike is too big a step in my opinion.

i could just go to a R6 or another super sport 600 and weigh less and have more horse power  i have seen two different bhp ratings for the SV1000 (99bhp and 110bhp) both being lower than a 600 super sport (roughly around 110-120bhp)  i want the power i have ridden on my friends bandit 600 and it wasn't enough for me so its SV1000 or Bandit 1200 :mrgreen:

but hey... my friends think i am crazy (not cuz my style, but my stunts)

Given duster8's experience with dirtbikes he shouldnt have a problem on the sv I think. I still think the gs is a better first bike though.

this apparently isn't his first bike.

i just don't want him to have any regrets (not that i regret buying the gs, i love my little pegasus blue rocket :mrgreen: )

[JamesG]

Tough call.

For a newbie a GS definately. But since you've ridden bikes you won't have any problems with the SV.
On thing to keep in mind.
There is about $1000 difference in the price of a GS and SV650, more if you are talking about an '03. With that you can buy GOOD gear (helmet,gloves, jacket, even full leathers if you get a good deal) that will last you thru several bikes (if you don't fall down).
Also, GS prices are stable where prices for SVs have started to go down since the '03s came out. This will only continue, so it might be prudent to wait.

[zoltan]

if you are mature enough to not be stupid on it, and you can swing it financially, i'd get the sv. i own a sv650 and my girlfriend owns a gs500, so i've ridden both quit a bit. i'm 6' with longish legs and on the gs500 i kinda feel like i'm riding a scooter or a 250, albeit with a lot more power. the gs500 will get you moving pretty fast, but for commuting or traffic teh sv650 is the best with it's v-twin torque. both handle really well, especially after some basic suspension upgrades. all else being equal, i definitely like my sv a lot more.

the question is, when you're on an open road or when a gsxr goes flying by, will you be able to keep your wrist under control?

don't forget to budget for good gear. if you don't have money left over for gear after a sv650, go with a gs500 instead. also, even though you've been riding dirt bikes, sign up and take the msf course.

[mrslush50]

... given duster8's experience with dirtbikes he shouldnt have a problem on the sv I think...

that was my thought exactly.  people with dirt riding experience get into far fewer wrecks on the street than people with out.  I would assume this is because a majority of motorcycle crashes are caused when people don't know how to handle low traction situations, which dirt riding prepares you for.  I still think the biggest deciding factor is your attitude and riding style.  before I got my gs, I thought that I would have been fine with the sv.  I felt that I could keep my self in check, and not use the bike to it's limits.  I've since found out that if I had started on an sv I probably would have crashed several times by now.

[sprint_9]

I would go with the SV if I had the money, if your smart and and dont do stupid things. The GS is a great bike but after the first 300 thru 400 miles I had mine I was wanting something more. You have to remember to take time to learn your new bike and not override. Remeber that if your not smart about riding your new bike the local law enforcement will likely remind you . Either way your going to get a great bike .

[The Buddha]

The ironic thing is guys I agree with much of this advise but for a entirely different reason...Power (mainly torque) is your friend, weight, height, location of the weight etc are your enemy. SV is better in the first department, but worse in the next 3...how much worst would determine if its a better beginer bike or not...so having said that the TL/SV1000 is just a shade heavier, same height and same weight bias and IMHO trounces the SV650 and the GS. You can put it in 3rd and ride all day long in traffic, you can accelerate without down shifting in any gear, it wont jerk or stall etc etc...But I guess being easier to ride, it wont teach you to ride better so there may be some aspects of the 650 that is better...
Cool.
Srinath.

[Piper5177]

Mat said:
"i could just go to a R6 or another super sport 600 and weigh less and have more horse power i have seen two different bhp ratings for the SV1000 (99bhp and 110bhp) both being lower than a 600 super sport (roughly around 110-120bhp)"

You can't compare the 99 or 110 hp from a V-twin to the 99-110 HP of a 600cc inline four.  There is also torque, and torque make a world of difference.  An RC51 destroys a 600RR in sheer power but they have close to the same HP output.  You don't get that power at the lower revs on a 600.

[The Buddha]

Yes right...Torque means you dont have to work as hard in traffic, you dont have to be in the right gear at the right speed, no tap dancing on the shifter to keep it running, no bucking and stalling and no need to get the revs up and gently letting out the clutch to get moving...anyhting you do is fine by it...Want to date a 300 lb fat chick...no problemo...as long as her ass fits the postage stanp they call a seat...no problem...what the 300 lbs could be all boob...
Cool.
Srinath.

[zoltan]

mmmmmmm, 300 pound boob......

[Mat]

An RC51 destroys a 600RR in sheer power but they have close to the same HP output.  You don't get that power at the lower revs on a 600.

you also can't compair a 600 to a liter bike.

there is no replacement for displacement.

[Seth]

An RC51 destroys a 600RR in sheer power but they have close to the same HP output. You don't get that power at the lower revs on a 600.

Yep oh so true, a V-Twin generates more power in really low revs but as soon as an inline 4 gets going the V-Twin is going to lose everytime.  Now take that same V-Twin and add 3 more cylinders like Honda's MotoGP V5 and you have a rocket on two wheels.  Anyway just buy the SV.

[KevinC]

Yep oh so true, a V-Twin generates more power in really low revs but as soon as an inline 4 gets going the V-Twin is going to lose everytime.

I guess you don't watch too much World Super Bike. The Duc twins have won every race against the GSXR1000's. And they do pretty well in BSB witout any restrictions on the 4 cylinder intake sizes too.

Twins are much nicer for the street, IMO. The SV650 is a great bike. I've been riding for 28 years, and fortunately I haven't "out-grown" either the GS500, or the SV.

I really don't understand why all the new riders need 100+ hp. One of our experienced local racers is still slower on his GSXR1000 than he was on his SV650, after a whole year of practice.

[Arpee]

The SV (versus the GS500) will simply feel like "more bike".  It's taller, has about 25 more horseys, and pulls REAL hard down low.  I love mine, and wouldn't trade it for a bigger bike.
I still like the GS because it's a total hoot to ride, but it just feels "soft" after riding the SV.  The other nice thing about being an SV owner is that wonderful V-twin roar.. :mrgreen:

[Lex143ms]

I want a SV, I have riden the GS since the beginning of the summer and i am ready to get on with a quicker bike.  I had a gs450 from '82 and then got the 2001 gs500, but i definitely should have looked for an SV.  I have been riding for 3 years on street bikes I am bored with the gs500. but maybe i just need to get into it a little more and mess with the engine and rejet, perhaps a new pipe cause the squeel that comes out of the stock pipe at 9k gets a bit annoying.  just my .994 cents get the SV and take it easy and the MSF