GS500 or SV650 As a first bike mostly used for commuting...

[afcno9]

in city driving. I shall be taking my test next week, I was considering a GS500 as i will use it most often commuting into london and back ( I live just on the edge). Im just worried that I may get bored of the GS500 too quickly and wished i'd got the SV. Is the SV practical for city riding?
Replies really appreciated!!!!

[GRU]

yeah, the SV is a lot better...i would say that it's better in almost every way...it has more torque so you could ride it on lower RPM then the GS...

if you don't mind paying more for the bike and insurance, then get the SV

[Rema1000]

Considering that you're taking your test next week, there are a couple more things to consider.  The SV is a great machine, but it's definitely built for sports and carving twisties more than daily commuting.  The SV riding position is a bit more bent-over, which some people can't take day-in and day-out (the GS has a "standard" comfortable upright seating position).  Also, the power on the SV is a little touchier than the GS500.  Pablo, one of this board's prolific posters (and apparently an adrenaline junky), once got caught by surprise riding a borrowed SV and had a near-miss stopping in a parking lot.  The SV is definitely something you can grow to use effectively, but I don't think it makes as good a first bike as the GS500.

Another thing you mention is that you might get bored with the GS.  Any motorcycle has way more power than you can take advantage of legally on the street (I think even the smaller GS500 has a 0-60 of like 3.9!  If you downshift twice and red-line it, it will snap your arms back).  The only time you can completely work the range of the engine is on the track.  And strangely, many racers who ride liter bikes on the street move down to the GS500 for track racing, because it's a fun machine to flog.  The smaller bike lets you work on your skills in the powerband (I think a new rider on the SV would spend a while afraid of the powerband, which is no fun).  So I don't see much danger of "boredom" on the GS.

One suggestion: don't buy any bike until you've finished the class.  Then, don't buy a bike until you've sat on it in riding position for a while, and hopefully walked it around the showroom, or preferably test-ridden it (that can be hard to do, though).  

Note: I don't race; I ride safely, wear a helmet, and never exceed posted speed-limits

[Cal Price]

afcno9, are you taking the A2 test on a 125 or Direct access on a 500 after an approved training course? If you are taking it on a 125 and have the two-year restriction the game changes.
Assuming direct access, they are both great bikes and the world is your Oyster, both bikes will deliver a lot more than you need for commuting and will be a blast at weekends as well. See if you can test-ride both, work out your finances and make your choice. Bear in mind that running costs on SV are likely to be a fair bit more, if you are under 25 the insurance will be a bit steep. On this board you would expect a lot of support for the GS and I won't dissapoint on that score, mine's brilliant for a short daily commute and hacking around just for the fun of it.
If you have the two-year restriction, neither bike will suffer too badly, top-out about 90/95 mph is normal with a little less whiz in the acceleration but you may feel frustrated by it, on the other hand the insurance will be less. If you are going the restricted route I would go GS but consider buying a "hack" for the two year period, get experience and re-evaluate in two years.
GOOD LUCK WITH THE TEST. LIFESAVER! LIFESAVER! LIFESAVER!

[nl_carey]

Don't you guys in the UK have serious problems with bikes rusting away in the winter? For a commuter bike that is going to be hammered, why spend much much more on a SV650 until you really know what you want? The GS is cheap, teaches you a lot, and you can watch it rust away during the winter without crying so much. It should also be a bit more crash-resistant than an SV650, and won't depreciate much.
So, why not save the running costs, insurance, depreciation and get a new bike in a couple of years with the money you save + any cash you get for the GS? You might be able to get a second-hand FZ6 by that time - or you'll be better prepared for a bigger bike if you feel like it.
That said, the SV is a much sexier, gruntier bike, but you could always save that up for when you are better prepared for it.

[Lars]

For commuting I would take the GS500. I ride it for almost 3 years now, and it doesn't bore me. Of course it doesn't have a furious acceleration like an SV, but I think you could keep up with a porsche until 120 km/h or so. It's also ideal for fast riding in dense traffic because it's very narrow and extremely nimble.  I used it a lot for commuting and it's really comfortable for that. I think that riding slowly in trafficjams is also easier than on the SV because the GS doesn't have too much torque down low, so it doesn't want to "shoot away".
It has enough power to cruise the highway easily (and even enough to ride like an @$$hole, the top of a standard GS is 185 km/h).
Combine it with cheap running costs and you have the ideal bike for commuting.

[pantablo]

what do you mean by "get bored with it?"

If you mean "I dont scare myself silly anymore" than yeah, you'll 'get bored' quickly with the gs.

If you mean, "My riding skills are beyond the limits of the bikes capabilities", well...that will take MUCH longer, won't it?

For straight up commuting they're both capable machines. The gs will probably cost you less to maintain overall (tires, fuel, etc).

[scar_ace]

I was in the same situation exactly a year ago. Deciding on a new GS or a used SV for roughly the same price, I went for the new GS. It's now a year on, and I commute into London everyday and haven't had an accident yet. The cool factor is much less on a GS, and there is no point people being utilitarian if that is what it is about to you. Bike riding isn't always the most practical type of commuting, and a lot of people do ride for simple fun. I wish I chose an SV sometimes because of all the aftermarket parts available, but then again powerwise my GS is fine for me. But consider future proofing, because it is a big purchase. Nothing wrong with buying a bigger bike and being sensible.
Regards Simon

[ladybrid]

I don't know about the SV, but I can say that my best friend has been commuting on my gs for a week or so.
He usually rides a gxr600, he went back to the gxr, and said he felt like it was horribly heavy and sluggish in street traffic, until he readjusted back to his bike.  He wants to know if he can play with the gs more often.

[SVSlurker]

I own 2 SVS's (one track only) and have done 50km/day city commuting for that 2yrs on the SV and have had no issues. It's ergo's are more than exceptable for commuting, I actually changed mine to be more sport and still am comfortable with it's city ride.

I have ridden a GS500 on several occasions and found it to be a blast to throw around but, also found it to be a little on the small side for between town commutes.

I say pick up an '99-'02 SV.

[afcno9]

A big SORRY for using the term "get boring"  I am very ignorant at the moment and have only ever ridden a 100cc scooter.  I am not the sort of person who wants to turn heads and ride like a mad man.   I just wanted the opinions of which bike would be good for commuting and have that extra for weekend riding.  Perhaps wrongly i had the impression that the GS was a good sturdy and economic bike to run but didnt put a grin on your face.  I just wondered if after a year down the line i may have regretted not getting the SV.
Ive heard differing opinions one reply i had on an SV forum said this, does anyone agree?
"One important note is the SV has closer gear ratios, which means less need to shift; a valuable thing when in varying traffic. More torque on the SV also helps in commuting situations. "

Anyway thanks for all of the replies!

[Turkina]

Well... why not do what many of us here do.  Buy a used GS for cheap, use it to get used to riding a motorcycle, maintain it in good condition, then upgrade in a year or two  If it's used, you won't take a big hit on resale value.  

Now, having all that torque and the fatter powerband on the SV is nice.  But while learning, you don't want the power to overwhelm you or cause problems.  Unintended throttle application in a panic situation...

I got my GS cause I wanted something inexpensive but had good characteristics while I learned.  The SV was out of my price range... Wasn't going to dump a ton of money into something I might not like.  Then again, I have spent plenty of money on motorcycle stuff since then    but glad I did it!

[Rema1000]

SV has closer gear ratios, which means less need to shift; a valuable thing when in varying traffic. More torque on the SV also helps in commuting situations. "

Ah, a substantive question!  Thanks, but we only allow religious arguments here (j/k) .

One aspect of the SV is that it has alot of torque (comparitively) even from low in the RPM range.  One side-effect is that if you are on the highway, and want to pass someone, you can roll-on the throttle, and the bike accelerates.  A GS has less torque in midrange RPMs, so if you are cruising the highway and want to speed up sometime soon, then you'll want to downshift before adding throttle.  I wouldn't say that this makes the SV a great highway bike; for that, you'd also want a higher gearing that puts 65mph right at a comfortable loping RPM... like the VX800 with European gearbox (no-longer in production).

To make a comparison, I like the VW 4 cyl. turbo.  My wife likes the V6.  The V6 is nice on the highway, with good throttle response anywhere in the RPM range.  But when I drive it in the city, starting from a stop, I feel like I'm gearing-up to pull tree stumps or something.  There are too many gears, spaced too closely to be useful for my driving style ("vroom!"), so I shift 1-3-4 or 1-2-4.  For city driving, I prefer the 4-cyl, which lets me rev up to a sensible RPM before each upshift.  When I'm riding or driving within the metro area, then I prefer gear spacing that lets me work the RPMs a bit more.  If I were doing variable-speed highway riding, then I'd want more torque and closer spacing, and a taller gearing.

There's also a safety aspect to the gear ratio: having extra torque down-low means that the bike is a little less forgiving to 1st-year screwups.  I got the GS partially because I really, really didn't want to meet the pavement during my first year.  It was pretty clear to me that if I even had a low-speed low-side and my spouse found-out, then I was going to give-up riding or sleep on the couch.  Riding an SV sensibly should have been OK too, but I was motivated enough to avoid a get-off, that I decided that getting the GS was a safer bet.  Hey, sex is important!

You asked if you would regret the GS after a year?  I don't think so.  I'm still working on setting up my line for turns, and dealing with the questionable surfaces that pass for roads here.  I want to take the ERC and maybe dirt-bike classes to help me deal with gravel.  Maybe after 2 years, I'll want a used VStrom 650 (same engine as SV650), but not this year.

One thing to keep in-mind: if you buy used, it really doesn't need to cost much to switch bikes.  I could sell my bike for 85% of what I paid for it within a week, or 100% if I were patient.  My cost for riding a GS first, then switching bikes later, will probably be about $400US.  But I'm going to save most of that $400 on the cheaper insurance over two years, so it really isn't costing me much.

I'd say to take your test and ride both, and get the one that fits you now.  Who knows, it might be either bike, or even a small Ninja or dual-sport.

[pantablo]

the Sv (and all v-twins actually) are *deceptively fast* because of their torque.  if you want to commute the GS is perfect. if you want to commute and go scratching on the weekends, the SV is a better alternative if you are experienced on bikes, otherwise the GS is still the sensible choice.

[Traveler]

AFC#9 said he is mainly going to commute......in London that means the longest high speed stretch is less than 4 miles and only high speed at 3.30 am on a Sunday. The revs, torque and acceleration are almost non-issues; a  moped is probably quicker in real time in the City, taking into account the traffic lights and ability to sneak by cars.
The GS is more easily managed by a beginner, especially in City traffic. Having said that, my sister ran a 4 cylinder Honda from Sidcup to the BBC offices daily for 4 years and only quit after she was hit for the second time.
My vote is  for the GS.
Side issue: OK I may be old, but forget black , go for bright and be the live nerd with a naff fluorescent green overvest, rather than a toe tag in black.  

[BigRedMonkeyButt]

I ride a SV, but my vote is for the GS.

I love the SV, but for a beginner, you're better off with a GS.  That's actually why Im here... trying to find a first bike for the wife.

The SV has tons o torque, and there is less room for mistakes; mistakes you will make as a beginner.  They also dont get busted up too bad when you drop them.  That is a very nice feature.  

If I had started with a SV instead of a GS, I'd be poorer for having to replace clutch levers, brake levers, and handlebars.  :dunno:

[hehehemann]

Coming from a beginner who had the same choice to make I'd stick with the GS too. You may very well drop the bike at some point being a beginner, I did and so many others have too. Like BigRedMonkeyButt said dropping the GS is far less expensive than dropping the SV. I only needed a new brake lever, cost $20 to fix thats it and the bike stil runs perfect. They are cheap to maintain and great for a beginner who wants to dabble with the mechanical side of things.
I use the bike for commuting, but for me it's not the rainy streets of manchester anymore but now the sunshine of florida instead. The GS is perfect for learning on and resale value will bring you pretty much what you paid for it.

[Puunjob]

I think the SV is the civic of bikes i like my gs cause it stands out a little and the SV is higher off the ground which us short guys don't like so much

[Afterburner]

I started with a GS500 one year ago.  Yes, I got bored with it after a few months, but that's because I like to ride very aggressively.  (I put in a lot of miles and took the course and got my skills up to speed quickly before getting an SV).   Even so, I still respect the GS's great handling and smoothness and comfortable upright riding position and safe but adequate power curve.  I now have an SV1000 naked, which is more upright than the S, the same position as the SV650n.  It gives me my thrills, but I wish it had the ergos and handling of the GS500.  

I could sell my GS for just about what I paid for it (so all my use of it would have been basically free), but I'm not going to because it's such a good bike.  One son has been riding it since I got the SV, but does not want to move up from the GS. He says it's all he needs or wants, all he can handle.  Another son may want to learn, and I wouldn't let him start with an SV because it would just be too unforgiving, too likely to amplify a beginner goof and make it a serious accident.

So in the long run, you can change bikes.  In the short run (and maybe the long run too) you want the GS.  But you don't have to think you're buying one bike forever.  The GS is unquestionably the better starter bike.  IF you get bored with it, trade up.

[smp]

I bought a GS for my first bike and in my first season I put almost 20,000 km on it , crossed the country and had plenty of fun. I commuted to work on it every day and it was always a blast, sometimes dangerously so. I think the GS was the perfect beginner bike. I rode a couple of SVs and I liked them, a lot actually (both  happened to have really nice aftermarket pipes and those SVs sound great) ...  I did find the throttle to be .. 'twitchier' because the power was down low .. small inputs on the throttle had bigger results than with the GS ..  it was good though, because the lower centre of gravity made it feel really planted at low speeds.
Anyways, I can't really say much more about the SV for lack of experience, but I can definately give a big A+ to the GS. I really wish I could have kept it and gotten the bigger bike, but I had to choose one and change is good.