I know this is a GS500 forum, but I'm gonna ask anyway....how you would you guys rate the GS vs the SV as a first bike? I'm going to take the MSF course, a private training course, and have at least 6 months on a rebel 250 before getting my first bike and as of now, I'm going to choose between the two. I'm leaning toward the SV because I've heard alot of good things about it from some of the other forums I've posted on, but there are very few people anywhere who post anything about the GS. I love sportbikes and love the styling, but am a little worried it's underpowered for the 60+ miles of highway riding at 80mph that I need it to handle every day. Any info you guys can give would be appreciated.
I think the GS is better suited as a beginner bike compared the the SV. While both can be used as beginner bikes, the GS is far better suited for the task. The GS is extremely forgiving in errors that you will inevitably make. The SVs can be snatchy especially off throttle transitions.
There was a thread on the SV board about this: http://forum.svrider.com/index.php?topic=46184.0
Most of the SV riders suggested the GS500, and appropriately so.
personally, i find the SV akward and it just doesn't do it for me, if you're considering SV650, just move to a real sport bike like CBR/r6/etc.
when i rode the SV it wasn't very nice to ride, and frankly i enjoy riding the GS500F better than the SV. it is not nearly as fast... but then again, going fast on the SV is not very comfortable compared to 600cc sport bikes.
I was considering the SV650 for my next bike, but after riding it, i knew right away it wasn't the bike for me. the SV feels like a fast version of the GS500 with steeper front rake angle, but not as steep as the 600 sport bikes... it is a really weird feeling bike to go fast on (at least in my opinion)
I can only think of one thing that ranks the SV above the GS in the "beginner" area...fuel injection.
Outside of that I think the bike's a bit too aggressive for someone with no experience. I only suggest an SV to those who've had some street experience or have abundant dirt experience.
Hey whats up TREY, I didnt think you'd show up ahah
Hey listen, these guys know an ass load about bikes, not just the GS. I havent had a question that these guys couldnt answer
Quote from: AlphaFire X5 on June 20, 2006, 07:38:22 PM
I think the GS is better suited as a beginner bike compared the the SV. While both can be used as beginner bikes, the GS is far better suited for the task. The GS is extremely forgiving in errors that you will inevitably make. The SVs can be snatchy especially off throttle transitions.
There was a thread on the SV board about this: http://forum.svrider.com/index.php?topic=46184.0
Most of the SV riders suggested the GS500, and appropriately so.
I think the SV gives a newbie more ability to play around with the gears.. i find the GS to be very particular (which is good for learning i guess) about what gear it is in. After riding both, i'd say you're more likely to get yourself in trouble downshifting the GS or being in the wrong gear than with the SV. The SV power doesn't really come on that sharp at all, to me, it felt like a faster version of a GS with suspension mods and some steeper raked forks.
what are u talking about go with a zx-14, true raw power so u dont ever have to worry about an upgrade
you forgot one thing nick, a turbo charger come on, get real
i ride my gs every day, 80 miles perday at least. and this is mostly at 80MPH as that is what everyone drive at.
Quote from: rangerbrown on June 20, 2006, 08:03:33 PM
i ride my gs every day, 80 miles perday at least. and this is mostly at 80MPH as that is what everyone drive at.
yeah - to answer the threadstarter's question regarding speed...
the GS is fast enough to get your licence taken away if you were so inclined to open it up, it rides nicely on the highway with zero problems at all. getting up to speed, passing and cruising at high speeds is not a problem for the GS at all.
bro, all u need is nitrus
Quote from: nick_villan on June 20, 2006, 08:17:43 PM
bro, all u need is nitrus
FIDDY SHOT OF NAWS! and a ten thousand dollar fuel management system
(http://news.bbc.co.uk/media/images/39445000/jpg/_39445506_50-cent2_ap.jpg)
ur sucker just got served on a golden platter :2guns:
The SV is a far better bike. For beginners, for intermediates, for experienced riders. The carburation and the forks on a GS suck so bad, it is unbelievable. The strong midrange on an SV is much easier to ride than a GS with it's hesitation, flat spots, forks bottoming out on a grain of sand, etc., etc. Yeah, I know, you can rejet, new fork springs, but they have been making these bikes for a long time, this shaZam! should have been fixed long ago, but they weren't. I've owned both, and I wish I still had my SV.
90% Rider, 10% bike.
Get used to it.
That's how I burnt the holy hell out of a ZX-6R. (Yes a 2006)
I personally don't like the SV650's looks or sound. (That's me, and not you, decide yourself)
If you are concerned about what bike is the absolute best, don't be. Either one that you saddle up you'll love!
corndog67... Sounds like your GS was a lemon. With the stock suspension my bike rode fine and only bottomed on really nasty bits. Flat spots? My bike only acts funny when I take off too soon (cold) or it's low on fuel. The Mikunis are fine, they are on a lot of bikes, and for me they work pretty bloody good! (Ok they have their issues, but nothing that makes life hell or even causes issues for more than 3 - 5 minutes.) Of course I got one of the bikes that seems to do well at 7000+ feet so go figure.
Sure you're not just sour today and the GS is your whipping boy?
Quote from: corndog67 on June 20, 2006, 08:30:57 PM
The SV is a far better bike. For beginners, for intermediates, for experienced riders. The carburation and the forks on a GS suck so bad, it is unbelievable. The strong midrange on an SV is much easier to ride than a GS with it's hesitation, flat spots, forks bottoming out on a grain of sand, etc., etc. Yeah, I know, you can rejet, new fork springs, but they have been making these bikes for a long time, this shaZam! should have been fixed long ago, but they weren't. I've owned both, and I wish I still had my SV.
the SV also suffers from budget suspension parts-just look at how many people on the SV board are installing gsxr rear shocks and either swapping gsxr forks or doing the stock suspension revalve. they're both moderate to ride. the gs is fast enough for highway work, even 2 up. the SV feels like its going slower but is going faster (the vtwin is deceptive). the SVs' ergos are on par with the gsxr of a year or two ago-aggressive.
I think the SV makes a great second bike, but the GS makes a better first bike (for someone with zero experience). If you're riding for 6 months on a rebel you should be alright on the SV, but you'd still become a better rider, sooner if you start on a gs. I credit the gs for how smooth I ride...
^yeah SV suspension sucks just as much as the GS...and every other budget bike on earth.
Quote from: Treyplus20 on June 20, 2006, 07:25:14 PM
I love sportbikes and love the styling, but am a little worried it's underpowered for the 60+ miles of highway riding at 80mph that I need it to handle every day.
I just got through with a 550 mile trip from Austin to the Oklahoma border and back. Non-stop interstate travel the whole time, 80+ essentially the entire way. Had no problems.
I have had and ridden my GS500E since 1998 and recently purchased my second bike, an SV1000S.
The GS500 is a superb first bike, forgiving of newbie mistakes that you will almost inevitably incur on. Easy maintenance (and you can learn to wrench bikes with it!)
The SV 650 is all over the motorcycle boards as a "good first bike" but in my mind, the better bike, by far, is the GS500.
The SV's are torque monsters, that's why they are so easy to ride FAST, and that's precisely the problem, it might get you into very serious trouble sooner than you think.
Stay alive my friend, start easy. I am keeping my GS, just love that thing to death, it's lots of fun to ride and yes, I will choose it over my new SV 1000 if the mood suits me for a relaxed ride in the country. The GS is also nearly indestructible if you take basic care of it, and extremely reliable. In 8 years it has NEVER, not once, left me stranded. No Fuel injection, cooling system or radiator leaks to worry about!
GS500 might be old technology, but it is a basically a damn good motorcycle.
PS: You can get killed just as easy on a GS as in any other bike, so always wear your common sense and protective gear and treat ANY bike you decide to ride with respect. :cheers:
Quote from: AlphaFire X5 on June 21, 2006, 05:29:18 PM
I just got through with a 550 mile trip from Austin to the Oklahoma border and back. Non-stop interstate travel the whole time, 80+ essentially the entire way. Had no problems.
Where'd you go?
Quote from: makenzie71 on June 21, 2006, 05:55:03 PM
Quote from: AlphaFire X5 on June 21, 2006, 05:29:18 PM
I just got through with a 550 mile trip from Austin to the Oklahoma border and back. Non-stop interstate travel the whole time, 80+ essentially the entire way. Had no problems.
Where'd you go?
Oklahoma. Just went up I-35 and back down.
You realize that Texas border 483 miles of Oklahoma, right? You missed a lot of good stuff by staying on the interstate, though...
Quote from: makenzie71 on June 21, 2006, 06:00:36 PM
You realize that Texas border 483 miles of Oklahoma, right? You missed a lot of good stuff by staying on the interstate, though...
I had one day to ride. 550 miles in one day is enough for me, thankyouverymuch. I'm going on a lunch ride tomorrow and I start work on Friday. Had nowhere to stay the night either (unless I went to Plainview, but that's still a 10 hour ride from Austin).
The "483 miles" comment was aimed at saying you went to the OK border...lol...not that you should have ridden it all.
You hav family or something in Plainview? That's quite a bit from any of the borders, though...
Quote from: makenzie71 on June 21, 2006, 06:09:20 PM
You hav family or something in Plainview? That's quite a bit from any of the borders, though...
My friend and roommate lives there and is bored as hell until he comes back to Austin.
Plainviews 45 miles from lubbock...and there's always a concert happening in lubbock. Tell him to hit up Jakes...there literally is always someone playing there.
Having ridden both - I'd go for the SV any day.
I found I was at home on it within two minutes.
Quality, performance and handling are way better (as is resale) and I found the comfort acceptable as I'd owned a cafe-racer styled bike for a couple of years as well.
After purchasing my new GS500F and then riding the SV a couple of months later I knew I'd purchased the wrong machine.
My two penny/cents/centimes/pesos etc. worth.
i had the same worry as you on one point,, x-way speed and the GS is only 500cc. i commute 1000/miles per 7 day work week and ride as much as possible. after i felt my motor was broke in well enough im running mine as fast as 90 mph in commute traffic for long distances. it handles it well i am surprized and gets stunning economy, i think the "v" configuration and larger displacement of the SV will supply big low end torque over the GS. that low end grunt is the only thing the GS is missing for me,, but then again i also knew i was buying a 500cc bike. just my thoughts.
Quote from: CirclesCenter on June 20, 2006, 10:14:19 PM
90% Rider, 10% bike.
Get used to it.
That's how I burnt the holy hell out of a ZX-6R. (Yes a 2006)
I personally don't like the SV650's looks or sound. (That's me, and not you, decide yourself)
If you are concerned about what bike is the absolute best, don't be. Either one that you saddle up you'll love!
corndog67... Sounds like your GS was a lemon. With the stock suspension my bike rode fine and only bottomed on really nasty bits. Flat spots? My bike only acts funny when I take off too soon (cold) or it's low on fuel. The Mikunis are fine, they are on a lot of bikes, and for me they work pretty bloody good! (Ok they have their issues, but nothing that makes life hell or even causes issues for more than 3 - 5 minutes.) Of course I got one of the bikes that seems to do well at 7000+ feet so go figure.
Sure you're not just sour today and the GS is your whipping boy?
No, it wasn't a lemon. Just check the posts here. The forks and the carburetion are both below par. Someone else mentioned that the SV has crappy forks also. True, but not as bad as the stock 500. I've rejetted mine, and it runs alright. Not perfect, but its ok. It is reliable, gets about 50mpg, and always starts. It will do about 110 mph. But I have owned both, and in my opinion, the SV is just a much better bike. The GS gets by, but the SV does wheelies, stoppies, you can haul ass on it, and you don't have to beat it anywhere near as hard as you do the GS, to get anywhere near the speed out of it.
And, like you said, it's the rider most of the time. I'm not sure what you mean when you say you smoked an 06 ZX-6. The ZX-6 has about 65 more HP than a GS.
Just my opinion. I don't get attached to any of my bikes. I look at them objectively, not with affection or attachment.
I think I can offer a unique perspective here since I have a 00 SV650 and my wife (read I ;)) owns a 1991 GS500E.
I ride both daily and I think I can give a truly UNBIASED opnion on the matter.
IMO either bike can be a great first bike, in fact they both have been thus far for my wife and I. There are postives for both bikes, as well as negatives.
IMO the GS500E is a VERY easy bike to ride, and easier to deal with than the SV650. I can toss the GS500 around effortlessly and I can lean the bike much further during low spee turns. It's definately confidence inspring. The bike is DECENTLY quick too. I think the biggest plus for the GS is it's light feeling and ease of handling.
The SV650 is just a better overall performer, no matter how you slice it. Damn well should be considering they cost more when comparing similiar years. The SV650 has one huge advantage that the GS500 just cannot compare with - TORQUE. Man you can pass in 4/5/6 gears on an Sv650 when the GS500 would need 3rd to pull the same way. In a way the torque can make low speed tuning easier because once you go into the throttle in a turn on the SV650 it goes, unlike the GS500 which has to catch it's breath.
Life is not a dragrace though, so there will be many people who say the GS500 is plenty fast enough. I agree to an extent, but from my own personal experience with both bikes I could not have a GS500 as my sole bike because I'd have grown bored with it too soon.
I'll be keeping my SV650 for years to come, with no signs of wanting an "upgrade." I could not say the same for the GS500E even though it's a stellar fuel saver that's fun to ride.
My post here is not meant to thumb my nose at any GS500 owners - I'm just giving my opinion.
BTW:
I have a SV650 naked because I can't stand the clip-on bars' riding position on the Sv650S even though the SV650S is still more comfy to ride than say, an R6, CBR600RR, 636, etc.
Quote from: B18C5-EH2 on June 22, 2006, 06:42:44 AM
Life is not a dragrace though, so there will be many people who say the GS500 is plenty fast enough. I agree to an extent, but from my own personal experience with both bikes I could not have a GS500 as my sole bike because I'd have grown bored with it too soon.
That's not really the issue. It's not about which bike is better or worse, but which bike is better for a
beginer to learn on. That means flickable, confidence inspiring, easy to maintain, easy to handle, and manageable power delivery. That
TORQUE involved with the SV650 can get a new rider into trouble MUCH faster than a GS500 can. Forcing the rider not to rely on power to keep up
forces them to learn how to ride well if they want to go fast. THAT is why the GS500 is better suited than the SV650 as a beginner bike.
I'm picking up my new SV650S Sunday. :)
Hey DBNNC
Is that an Fmodel you have, and if so how do those clip ons handle, Im looking to do that to mine
Those are not clip on but look like SM2 bars.
Sense smaller is better get an EX 250.
For beginner bikes the GS would be better but some people are really put off by the fact it's 500cc's, or by the image they are riding a bike that has less then 600cc's. If they wan't to learn get the GS if they want image forget the SV and just get whatever supersport they like the best.
You will be taking the MSF and then be riding a honda 250 for 6 months. . .dont' rush and limit yourself to just those two bikes. After 6 months on the 250 you might want something different. And who know's how your riding skills will develope
The GS was my first bike. . . but it won't be my last one.
Okay I'll give my personal testimony about learning to ride a motorcycle.
I had never so much as ridden a dirtbike when I decided I wanted a motorcycle. I was 26 (I'm 27 - been riding for a little over a year) and I just decided I wanted a bike.
I hopped on a Honda CBR F2 and rode down a street my auto repair shop is on (it's always empty) and after riding that bike off and on around my lot and street I began looking for bikes.
I bought an SV650 and hopped on it and rode it with zero issues to this day in terms of falls, scares, etc.
I don't buy into the "you must get a small displacement, light-as-possible" bike to learn on. Sure it helps, but the problem is that once you coin up for a "starter" bike you can grow tired of it soon after you get comfortable with it.
Had I purchased a GS500 as my first bike I'd already have grown incredibly bored with it. It's fun as hell, don't get me wrong, but I enjoy the power, feel, and sound of the SV much more. Sure there are plenty of bikers who see the SV650 as a "beginner bike" and would much rather have an RC51, R1, whatever liter bike, etc. and think the SV is a weak, underpowered bike.
Bottom line?
The GS500 is an excellent bike, and possibly easier to learn on but in no way does that mean that the SV650 is NOT an easy bike to learn on as well. Where I think the SV650 shines is it's residual value, meaning long after you've learned how to ride a motorcycle you will still enjoy this bike and not feel the need to "upgrade" nearly as soon as you would with the GS500.
All of the above is again, my personal opinion.
Tad,
They are Suburban Machinery 2 bars. I like them. They do put a little more pressure on your wrists and hands than the stock bars but they make the bike easier to steer and flick around.
Doug
Quote from: dbNnc on June 22, 2006, 08:00:44 AM
Tad,
They are Suburban Machinery 2 bars. I like them. They do put a little more pressure on your wrists and hands than the stock bars but they make the bike easier to steer and flick around.
Doug
I actually have a set of suburban bars that came on my 00 SV650 that I swapped in favor of the more wrist-friendly stock bars. i'd be selling them cheap if anyone needs them.
;)
BTW one last thing, and I meant to type this up the first time for a direct comparison of the SV650 and GS500:
GS500E:
Better fuel economy
Cheaper (this is relatively speaking - good older ones can be purchased for $1,500-$2,000 whereas good SV650s start around $2,500-$3,000)
Easier to work on
Slightly lighter, but feels even lighter
Easier to toss around at lower speeds
Lower ride height stock (this is great for beginbers because you can flatfoot it easier)
SV650:
Much more torque and horsepower - no matter how you slice it more power and torque = more long term fun
Better handling capabilities at higher speeds - better suspension (not amazing, but certainly better than GS500 stockers), wider tires/wheels
V-Twin sound - sorry this is an opinion, but damn the runble of the V-Twin sounds so much sicker than the put-put from the Inline Twin
About the same weight as the GS500 due to aluminum frame even though it has the V-Twin lump
Both bikes are superbly reliable, and honestly both bikes could use upgraded fork springs and oil (I had my SV650 front forks redone with Racetech springs and 20wt. oil). they are both entry-level bikes that are fun to ride.
My opinions.... I owned a GS500 for a year, my girlfriend owns an SV650 (2001, so carbed). We both learned to ride at the same time. she got her bike, then I got mine. I think we took different approaches to our first bike. She bought the SV with the intention of using it for a long time. While she may get another bike next year, we intend to keep the SV because it is such a fun, reliable and useful bike. It is good for everything. It will get you from point A to point B comfortably, fun on the track, fun in the canyons, good power. The suspension is decent, but nothing special.
I bought the GS with the intention of learning to ride it, then get rid of it with minimal loss of cash. I rode it for a year, got my experience out of it then sold it for what I paid for it. I had an old bike with high mileage. It was comfortable, I couldn't drop it if I tried (it's small and bottom heavy, easier than the SV to manage), was good in the twisties, good on my commute, comfortable. I definitely played catch-up if she decided to open her bike up at all, it was not even close. But, I sold it with no loss and comfortably upgraded to a much larger and more powerful bike.
So, in my opinion, after your time on the Rebel, you can upgrade to either bike. If you love to the look and feel of the Sv, go with it. It will serve you for a long time, great, fun bike. Six months may be too short of a time (or may not be) to do a serious upgrade (like to a suprsport). If you go the Gs route, you also will be happy. It will treat you well, cost less, but, relative to the SV, you get less.... It all depends on how much you want to spend and what you intend to do...
Allow me to clarify one thing. The SV suspension does indeed suck, but it sucks MUCH less than the GS. I have owned both, so I know what I'm talking about.
Whatever bike you get for your first, just get it used. No matter how much you research the matter, you will not know exactly what you are looking for in a bike until you get one and ride it for a while to learn what riding is all about anyway.
NAS! (Runs away, riced-out car blows up)
Corndog67, I mean that on the way up one of the local twisties me and my buddy kent (ZX6R) had ourselves a sortie. He could not keep up.
Thanks for all the info guys, it's been a big help. I think I'm gonna stay with my first impulse and keep looking for an SV as it seems to be the better choice of the two (sorry GS guys). I've still got about 8 months before I'll be getting my own bike, so there is still time to change my mind. As of now, the plan will be to get a naked SV, ride it for until I'm ready to move up to something bigger (I'm in love with the new Yamaha YZF-R6...OMG that bike is SEXY!!!) then I'll turn the SV into a street fighter or track bike, something to have fun with. Thanks again fr the info!
Like I said before, you could be on a damn moped and have more fun than you know what to do with.
I got my GS as an opportunity thing. Good bike, low miles, $1000. Don't see too many SV's hit that price point due to the fact that they are more popular. I really don't care too much for the SV, but of course I can't help but go against the grain.
When you decide to move up if you like your SV you might just go to the SV1000. Same bike, just more of it. That's kind of my plan, except I don't like the SV, so I'm looking at either a Z1000, a Honda Hornet 900, or a Bandit 1200. (Or a GSX1400 if I get the chance, even though it is a tuna boat!)
Regardless, 2 wheels = 1 freaking great time.
I agree with you that the R6 is sexy, but it has NO power below 10K RPM. Of the new 600's, it is the least street-friendly. It is a highly-tuned track baby. Check out the Daytona 675 (my baby) or the Ninja 636. They have a lot more low end power than most 600's making them much more street friendly. They also rip like nothing else at high RPM! I personally an totally in love with the 675...
i must add... even though the GS is not very fast, it sure is fun to throw it around in the corners, even more so than some 600cc bikes i've ridden.