I am a 6'2' 185 lb guy who is looking to buy his first bike and is trying to decide between the gs500 and the sv650. i dont want to over committ with the 650 but am afraid that the 500 maybe too small in stature for me. i dont need a super fast bike but want to be sure the 500 is a good fit and i will be able to use it for at least a year. is the 650 too much? the 500 too small? thanks for your help.
zach
6'2" 215 w/36" inseam. Fits me fine. I've run a couple of 200 mile days. All I have to compare it to is a DRZ400.
Either would be a decent choice. I would recommend the GS just because there are many more bargains (the model is older than the SV) and the older GS sans fairing is surprising cheap to crash :cheers:
Oh, and I should mention that I am 6'2", 185 lbs and I have owned both a GS and an SV. After three years of riding I still have a hoot on the SV. I wouldn't be too concerned about either model being boring.
Quote from: vtlion on March 02, 2006, 02:47:52 PM
the older GS sans fairing is surprising cheap to crash :cheers:
wow. I couldn't put it better myself!!! :thumb:
Is the 500 too small for a beginner? I don't think it's too small for a seasoned veteran.
Holy shaZam!...36" inseam?! What's it like bangin your knees on the handle bars everytime you shift?
As far as it's size? I'm 6'2" and the bikes are great under me. I'm also a seasoned rider adn spend most of my time on a TL1000S putting down nearly 3 times the power...I still think that the GS and EX are both exceptional. I've known riders to start on the GS and EX and never "move up".
q
You're 6'2" and a 36-inch inseam is long to you? You've gotta be close to that, like a 34, unless you have a loooooooooot of torso...
But that's not the point here. Get the GS!
it seemed a lot until I realized mine was 33~34...
so it seems like the conversation has deviated a bit here from bike size to pants size, but nonetheless i appreciate the help. i think the 500 sounds like its the best bet for me for learning, i just didnt want to look/feel like a goofball on a bike that was too small for me, but i think those fears have been allievated, seeing as there's all these long-legged people already tooling around on 500's- as far as the power goes though do you guys think i would be overinvesting myself as a beginner if i got the sv650? i kind of prefer the look but dont want to get in over my head in the beginning. let me know what you think.
thanks
zach
zach,
I'm 6'1" and 225 pounds starting on the gs500 that I bought from my 6'2" 260 pound roommate. The 500 is a good start coming from another beginner. I have ridden a gsx 600 and a can say that I am happy where I am for now. The sv650 was one of my other picks, but I couldn't pass up a $600 bike. Try the 500 and I think you will enjoy it.
Mack,
The only shifting issue I have with the shifter is when I'm running around in town. I like to sit full forward when I am on and off the brakes. With the leg length, full forward tends to rotate my feet down. The reverse lever on the 05F, one spline is too high, one spline is too low. I either have to lift my foot off the peg to downshift with the factory notch or one spline down isn't as crisp since it forces the pedal to slide more due to the front pivot. I'm jealous rear sets with near peg pivots and turnbuckle position adjustment.
Other than that, tank notches lock me in well, never hit the bar with a knee. Specifically skipped on Ninja 500 because the tank ridges cut me at the knees.
36"
Get the SV650...Since you've narrowed your choices to two, if you get the 500, you'll most likely wish you got the SV once you figure out how to ride.
I went for a ride today on my 50....
think monkey f#cking a football :icon_razz:
i could care less if i look tarded
it is fun to ride
(also full leathers and race boots)
I'm 6'4 / 210 / 34" pantsleg. The GS fits me like a glove. If you're not sure which to get do what I'm doing; buy an old cheap GS500 and learn to ride it well. When you feel like you're ready to move up sell it for what you paid for it and go shopping.
-M
mandres has the best advice. Buy used and sell it after a year. I've had everything. 250 ninja uptp a 750 ninja, On my 9th bike now. They will all get you there. I am 6' 210 and the 250 ninja pulled me just fine. Every bike I bought used except for one... and I traded that one after 3 months. Used is the way to go for sure. The gs500 is by far the easiest of them all to work on. Keep it stock and just turn the pilot screw out a half turn and it will do you just fine. If you can get a used sv650 get a 2003 or newer since they are fuel injected. I sat on the new ninja 650 the other day. It felt good but I like the naked bike look better and it is only available in the euros and canada.
I spent 7 months on the GS, loved every minute of it. Now I am choosing to move up, but it is not because I think I maxed out the GS. It is because I wanted something a bit more reliable for the season (my bike was old and had some issues that kept popping up). It is a great beginner bike, won't burn you and will be a blast for a while. My gf learned on an SV. It's a great beginner bike as well and, at your height, you won't have any problems with it being significantly bigger. Either is a great choice. I think what you need to think about is whether you like the SV as a longer-term bike. I sold my GS and am changing styles of bike. my gf is completely happy with her SV (though is going to change the suspension I think) and won't change bikes for a while. If you like the SV and want to ride it for a long time, go with it. If you think you want a different style of bike in the not-too-distant future, go with a GS. You will pay more but, man, it is one fun bike....
[4
Hi Zach et al,
My thoughts on your question ...
The GS500 is not just a beginner bike, as others here have mentioned.
I've been riding for 30 years and have owned my GS500 since 1993 -- 13 very happy and satisfying years.
I could have a bigger or different bike but came back to this one after owning Honda and Suzuki fours, then Yamaha two-stroke twin rocketbikes. I loved them all, but the 1991 GS500E I still own lets me go anywhere, needs little unscheduled repairs, is cheap to own and run and insure and makes me laugh like an idiot under my Arai helmet every single day.
To me, it's the perfect only-bike to own.
The SV650 is probably in that vein, but then there's more to deal with with liquid-cooling and bodywork to remove at maintenance time. I like things simpler.
The GS500 isn't as fast or flashy as the SV650, but it will be a great partner as you learn to ride then choose to keep riding.
Let us know what you eventually get, and don't forget to post some pictures. :)
Best wishes,
Todd
I'm 6'3", 185 lbs. 34" inseam. The GS500 fits great, as others have said. The "standard style" is well suited for taller people.
I'm going into my 4th riding season with the bike. Part of me would like to upgrade, most likely to an SV650, but my practical side knows that for my purposes, the GS500 is just about perfect.
jeff
Damn you 6'+ tall people... I'm only 6', 35" :o inseam, 33" waist :icon_twisted:... legs just fit under the tanks cutout. The 89's more forward cant pushes your toe down a bit more than the later model, so the shifter can be run a bit lower and stil be comfy (i find...). Go '89!
[f
Thanks to everyone for all the help and advice. I feel pretty confident that the 500 is probably the best choice for me given my inexperience and desire to have a simple, manageable, dependable, and fun bike. im anxious to get out there and get started. i think that having a bike like the 500 will allow me to learn also about the maintenence and inner workings without being overcomplicated and costly.
what do you guys think about an 01 with 16k miles on it for $2800? seems a bit much but i feel like if i could get it for 2300 it would be worth it?
let me know what you thiink, and bear in mind that i live in SF so things may be more costly than other parts.
thanks again
zach
Jake D is bigger than most men. Everyday at the mine, you see him arrive. He stands six foot six, weighs two thirty five. Broad at the shoulder, narrow 'a hip. Everybody knows you don't give no lip to. . .
Big Jaaaaaaaaake. Big Jaaaa-ake. Big bad Jake.
Hey, I'd get an SV if I were you. I think it is a good starter bike. Just as good as the GS.
I love the look of the SV. That is really the only reason I say that. I don't get caught up in the "how many CC's do you have game." My opinion is based pretty much only on looks. And I have a GS. Which is a beautiful bike. But I like the tail section of the SV better.
Edit: that sounds like a pretty great deal if you can get it for $2300.
one more question- is it probably a good idea to have a bike mechanic look at this 01 should the deal progress before buying. seems like a no brainer, but i wasnt sure if people do that like they do before buying a car. dont want to get stuck with a lemon, but maybe there are things to look for that i could do myself instead of taking it to a shop?
zach
I think having mechanic look at it is a great idea.
Look at the chain, look at the sprockets, look at the frame and look at the swingarm for rust (expecially just forward of the rear tire). And, look in the tank for rust, too. Look at the rear sprocket to see if the teeth are hooked (bad). Look where the rear axle is on the swingarm, you'll see some graduated marks on teh swingarm, the farther back, the more stretched the chain is. See if the tires have tread left, or cracking. See how much brake pad is left. Ask, what brand and weight fork oil he used and when was the last time he changed it. Ask the same about the engine oil. When was the last valve adjustment done (supposed to be done every 4000 miles, or multiple thereof)? How old is the battery? What color is the brake fluid (check the rear resivior under the seat)? If it's dark brown, it's going to need to be changed. What tire pressures is he running? Any, "I don't know's" is a tipoff he didn't take care of it.
I'm 6'2", 32" inseam, and...um...over 300 lbs. :oops: The GS fits me great. My knees fit the tank perfectly, I don't feel hunched over when I ride, and it has plenty of power for riding round town, down country roads, and state highways. I haven't tried the interstate yet, but I imagine it'd handle it just fine, and that's while lugging my ample gut around.
Here is a photo of Admiral Crunch checking out his GS before a ride. :icon_razz: :icon_twisted: :kiss3:
(http://i3.photobucket.com/albums/y69/jaked1166/bear.jpg)
I was in the same shoes as you regarding which bike to choose..
I decided to go w/ the the GS over the SV but regret it. My buddy who got into riding for the 1st time choose the SV and so I've had good experience on both and they're great choices to learn on, however, the VTwin I find extremely fun and less likely to outgrow as soon. Size wise, as people have mentioned, both bikes will kick you above higway speeds so I don't see that being too much of an issue.
You'll get comfortable on either with some riding time in and I would suggest the SV.
Depending on your finances, get an older GS if that's what you're thinking and learn to ride it, but I don't really think it's necessary.