A sad, and hopeful, change

[gearman]

While an 80's technology air cooled 500 may be the pinnacle of motorcycling pleasure to some, not all share that opinion. I've been riding for nearly 42 years and have owned and ridden many bikes in that performance/technology range and enjoyed every mile. However, I believe having a modern mid displacement sport-standard motorcycle (ER6, FZ6, CB600, SV650 etc.) as your primary ride has more advantages than disadvantages. Personally, I like 16K mile valve clearance check intervals and reliable fuel delivery systems that allow a relatively small displacement motor to produce ample hp and yet achieve 60+mpg fuel economy.

[bill14224]

If only the ninja 650 was a slightly better POS it would have made a decent step up form a GS.

So what is a decent step up from a GS?

A decent step up from a GS 500 is a bigger version of the same thing, and there are many of them.  The 1985 Suzuki GS 700E and ES are perfect.  80 HP.  Faster than a SV 650 they are, and they're air-cooled.  Go bigger and there's the GS1150E, the best all-around liter class street bike ever made.  The cycle mags gushed about that bike for 10 years.  I like Suzuki because I think they give you the most for the money.  

That said, you can't go wrong with a Honda Nighthawk either.  How about this vintage blast from the past?  The 1984 Honda 700SC Nighthawk has shaft drive and will eat a SV 650 for breakfast.  One of the guys at work had this exact bike back in the day.  Same color and all.  Man, that bike was bad:

http://www.motorcyclespecs.co.za/model/Honda/honda_cb700_nighthawk_s.htm

Oh, and for the record, I bought my bike from a guy who bought a brand new SV 650.  We've been in touch and he told me he lost 10 mpg.  50, not 60, but he loves it anyway.  ER 6?  Great bike, but no centerstand.  Kinda makes it hard to work on, unless you take it to the stealership for everything.

[Archer]

he went from 60 to 50?  I think I have him beat.  While i still have my GS500 (even rode it today)  I just bought a 2005 SV1000S

I went from 60mpg to 31mpg... going relatively easy on the gas...     I feel bent over with someone ramming the SV up my butt..

[Hawk996]

Yea, technology sucks...

Whats with these new duel core processors, 56 MBS internet connections and flat screens.  I really miss my old 333 on dial up and where the hell is my 40 pound 15" CRT monitor...

Do you even hear yourself?   Total american stereotype.  We fall in love with our vehicles and we (most of us) think that what ever we have is the best / baddest thing around.  How many times have you ever herd someone say "I hate this bike", or "I really got ripped off on that buy"?  I love this attitude.  You see someone get screwed on a bike, a car or even a computer  and they are always in total denial about it.

Whoever said that "if you need more power than a 500 you should not have a license".  You voted for Obama didn't you.  Lets ban all sport bikes, actually why not everything over 500 cc because that is what you ride and no one needs more than you have.  Hell while we are at it lets ban Corvettes, Mustangs, Cameros and Challengers because you own a Geo....

No more BS...  I don't care what you ride and I don't have to like your bike but if you find yourself in the Minneapolis area look me up, I will not be embarrassed to ride with you, your carburetor or your fuel injection.

[joshr08]

+1 well stated

[lawman]

Whoever said that "if you need more power than a 500 you should not have a license".  You voted for Obama didn't you.  Lets ban all sport bikes, actually why not everything over 500 cc because that is what you ride and no one needs more than you have.  Hell while we are at it lets ban Corvettes, Mustangs, Cameros and Challengers because you own a Geo....

Don't own a Geo, but I'm cool with doing all that....

[joshr08]

thats just dumb im glad people like you didnt start out on a 250. and a yugo  the world as far as driving would suck.

[The Buddha]

Decent step up from a GS - Has not been made (aluminum frame + parallel twin), but of the lot that is available I'd take an SV650 - with a gun to my head. With only a (say) stick to my head I'd take a SV1000 and proceed to call it a small step up from a GS. Vstroms as well.

I dont disagree that neglected steel bikes will rust. I'd like to see a "rust discount" - bloody gladius is more $ than a SV. Its gotta be over +1K cheaper so I can keep it inside, covered, dessicated and never run it in the rain or when humidity is over 50%.

Ninja 650 R has been updated for 09. Yes. Its got a nicer headlight and fairing. The frame rail (center spine) is a bit improved, its a box section not the 2 C shaped sheet metal channels of 06-08 but all the rest is the same. Lipstick on a pig. 07 is 4999, 09 is 6899. I think the new fairing should fit that old bike and cost ya 2-300 bucks fleabay.

Bill - I'd say Bandit 600/1200 and yes your point is taken. No a nighthawk 700S very much runs out of steam ~100-110. SV does not. That nighthawk is a heavy turkey dude. Nice shaftie yea, hydraulic valves too. Like its boxy 80's YJM look as well. Had one for 8 months, sold last july, it has nightmare carbs/airbox combo. WHy the F*(k did they have to fit these tiny boots to the airbox. The 650's longer boots work well and easier to remove.

Archer I got near 40 or even more on ocassion with the SV1K. I am fabbing a larger tank for it. One without that airbox depression cos I removed its top. I do plan to run the stock air filter, but no top.

Ha ha ... no Sr*($&h for you ... muahahahahahah .... hahahahah hahaha
Cool.
Buddha.

[Juan1]

The point that technology isn't always better is a fair.  Technology can take the wrench away from the owner, and replace it with high maintenance costs.  Furthermore, it can unneccesarily raise the price of a vehicle.  In cars, who needs the complexity and the electronic gismos found in a BMW 5 series (a car with an alternator that costs over $1,000), when a 5 year old supercharged Miata will get you there faster, more reliably, and with a bigger smile on your face?

On the other hand, I think its silly to say that technology was so great 20 years ago that there was no room for improvement.  Stronger frames that don't rust are a very practical improvement.  Better suspension is very practical.  Bikes with significantly reduced emissions, significantly more power, and slightly less fuel economy are a practical improvement.

To me, it is all a matter of price.  Are the technological improvements of a thing practical enough to offset the added cost? 

[lawman]

thats just dumb im glad people like you didnt start out on a 250. and a yugo  the world as far as driving would suck.

We wouldn't have a gas "crisis" and need to obliterate wildlife and natural habitat to try to "Solve" it by accelerating it either... 

[joshr08]

lol..im sure an bike burns the gas that the polititions us in there jets while telling everyone they need to buckle down   you ever fly anywhere?  i dont so if i want to drive a bigger bike and burn a bit of fuel then guess what ill drive a bigger bike and burn a bit of fuel.  no matter what i drive for a bike i dont burn 1/2 the fuel i do driving my jimmy when its cold out.

[VSG]

^ you may not use as much fuel, but older motorcycles pollute a lot more per mile than most modern cars do.

As for the old vs. new argument - I love the simplicity of the GS.  The fact that it is almost as fun as a newer 650 while costing a lot less and being easier to work on is the best part about it.

[joshr08]

so my 05 is an old bike?  im confused at your comment pointing at me.

[The Buddha]

Oddly I think FI is good, as is lower powered and more efficient bikes.
650 is almost too big. 500 is plenty. Water cooled, fuel injected, DOHC 500 parallel in an aluminum frame.
You see, 90% of the energy is used to make the damn thing. No sense getting it to your house only to have you discard it in 2-3 years.
If its running 10% less efficient than their new models it will still take 10 years to make the difference.
Cool.
Buddha.

[lawman]

lol..im sure an bike burns the gas that the polititions us in there jets while telling everyone they need to buckle down   you ever fly anywhere?  i dont so if i want to drive a bigger bike and burn a bit of fuel then guess what ill drive a bigger bike and burn a bit of fuel.  no matter what i drive for a bike i dont burn 1/2 the fuel i do driving my jimmy when its cold out.

Which is why we shoulid double the tax on gas and legislate your Jimmie out of existence.

[joshr08]

do you want to take my guns to?

[The Buddha]

<snippage>
  You voted for Obama didn't you.  <snippage>.

I think everyone, including McCain's wife voted for Obama.   
That Sarah Palin and the Joe the plummer routines pretty much obliterated any chance McCain had.
Lets see, how many of us have been stiffed by a plumber ...
OK then how many of us hate the local beauty queen. OK
McCain made it personal but he also made it negative and really really spoke to us though people we hate.
Cool.
Buddha.

[joshr08]

nice touch on my post buddha.

[sector9]

that's cool man. enjoy the ride, whatever you pose on

also congrats on getting your money back from the bike.

i wonder though- how did you part with her when the buyer came ? (I couldn't)

I parted with it by spending some time with it before the guy was coming to pick it up. Looking over all the pictures I've taken on the GS helped as well to pay homage to the good times that were made possible by that trusty GS. Still wasn't easy...

[lawman]

do you want to take my guns to?

You mean "too?"

Are they single shot long-barreled hunting rifles?  If not, yes.