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Main Area => General GS500 Discussion => Topic started by: Mummra on August 17, 2006, 01:03:11 PM

Title: If you've own/owned a ducati, sv650 or other naked bike
Post by: Mummra on August 17, 2006, 01:03:11 PM
today while climbing over the pulaski skyway (long bridge in jersey) i really noticed that my GS, which so far i completely love, can really struggle during uphills at highway speeds.

im not looking to get torn apart for posting about non GS bikes like many attacked the guy comparing a GS to an SV.  im simply trying to figure out if it's a good idea to upgrade and also what the other bikes feel like.  Ducati 620 on bikez.com is said to have less HP then the GS!! and the SV is said to have far more.

i know i could go to a ducati forum or SV forum and ask but they prolly wouldnt know the exact feelings of the GS like some of you.

PM, Email or IM me if you'd like.  Hopefully i wont come back to find a ton of threads commenting my spelling, grammar and lack of punctuation use.  Thx in advance.


PS im really just trying to find out what bikes i should keep an eye out for and if maybe upgrading would be a good idea.  i dont need something to do tripple the speed limit on, but definetly dont like finding myself unable to get out of the way of aholes on the road.



Title: Re: If you've own/owned a ducati, sv650 or other naked bike
Post by: The Buddha on August 17, 2006, 01:05:18 PM
OK do it in like 4th or 5th. Not 6th.
Cool.
Srinath.
Title: Re: If you've own/owned a ducati, sv650 or other naked bike
Post by: blue05twin on August 17, 2006, 01:30:46 PM
Quote from: seshadri_srinath on August 17, 2006, 01:05:18 PM
OK do it in like 4th or 5th. Not 6th.
Cool.
Srinath.

The GS will get you through those highway hills, just do what Srinath said.  I use 6th for flat highway's that are flat and speed of travel is fairly constant.  Otherwise it's in 5th. 
Title: Re: If you've own/owned a ducati, sv650 or other naked bike
Post by: scratch on August 17, 2006, 01:35:44 PM
Quote from: seshadri_srinath on August 17, 2006, 01:05:18 PM
OK do it in like 4th or 5th. Not 6th.
+4
Title: Re: If you've own/owned a ducati, sv650 or other naked bike
Post by: hwindle on August 17, 2006, 03:19:34 PM
After doing the air cleaner, pipe, and jetting,(which were done before I got the bike-except I did the jetting again) mine has no trouble accelerating in 6th, even at 80 MPH. Yours may need some tuning, as they come very lean on jetting from the factory.
Title: Re: If you've own/owned a ducati, sv650 or other naked bike
Post by: Wrecent_Wryder on August 17, 2006, 03:23:26 PM
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Title: Re: If you've own/owned a ducati, sv650 or other naked bike
Post by: Mummra on August 17, 2006, 07:04:13 PM
Quote from: Wrecent_Wryder on August 17, 2006, 03:23:26 PM
Quote from: hwindle on August 17, 2006, 03:19:34 PM
After doing the air cleaner, pipe, and jetting,(which were done before I got the bike-except I did the jetting again) mine has no trouble accelerating in 6th, even at 80 MPH. Yours may need some tuning, as they come very lean on jetting from the factory.

That was sort of my thought, reading it.

What's naked got to do with it?



this year mine got a K&N stage 1 Jet, Cobra F1s Exahust and was tuned up.  maybe there's more i can do to get it to push a little more.  and the fact that it's naked has nothing to do, just really love the look, therefore if i was to change i would only stick with that type of look.
Title: Re: If you've own/owned a ducati, sv650 or other naked bike
Post by: ChaosGS500 on August 17, 2006, 07:19:37 PM
well you COULD buy any bike you like the specs on and jsut remove the farings cowling and replace the headlight
Title: Re: If you've own/owned a ducati, sv650 or other naked bike
Post by: SVjohn39 on August 25, 2006, 02:52:58 PM
 I have owned several 03-05 Sv's and an 02 Duc 620ie Dark. The SV does have more motor and better FI but the Duc sounds sweet and looks a lot better. Oh, the suspension is better on the Duc, kinda squishy on the SV.
Title: Re: If you've own/owned a ducati, sv650 or other naked bike
Post by: TarzanBoy on August 25, 2006, 10:18:14 PM
Try looking at the Yamaha FZ6.  It has a naked look like the SV650, but it has an inline 4 iengine instead of a v-twin..   There is also the Suzuki V-strom , the Honda 599 (closest bike to a GS in terms of looks) and the honda VTR1000 superhawk
Title: Re: If you've own/owned a ducati, sv650 or other naked bike
Post by: ducati_nolan on August 29, 2006, 12:46:20 PM
I don't know about the 620 ducatis, but I rode an S2R 800 ducati and it had a lot more power than the GS (75 hp or so?) and was better in every way than the GS, looks, power suspension, sound, you name it. I think it was $8,000 or $8,500 for the dark, I think that it is like $1,000 or so more than the 620.  The 620 is mostly a beginer bike or for short people, definately in the same class as the GS except that it looks and sounds better, so I wouldn't look at it as an upgrade but the 800 and 1000 (108hp I think :2guns:) would be the way to go if you're looking at stepping up. Sweet bikes.

And to those of you who only like the GS :cookoo:  :flipoff: come on we only have them because they are cheap, reliable, capable, and practical. Not because they are fast cool or sexy.
Title: Re: If you've own/owned a ducati, sv650 or other naked bike
Post by: TarzanBoy on August 29, 2006, 10:31:27 PM
For those looking for an upgrade without altering their bike's look very much:

Honda 599 (CB 600)
(http://riftwave.net/misc/2004-honda599.jpg)

Suzuki GS500
(http://www.ridertraining.biz/GS500.04.jpg)

Any questions?
Title: Re: If you've own/owned a ducati, sv650 or other naked bike
Post by: Turd Ferguson on August 29, 2006, 11:38:16 PM
The 04 599 has been a wet dream of mine since it came out...in the flat black.

(http://www.richardcawood.com/honda599/images/2004-hon-599-108-3.jpg)

-Turd.
Title: Re: If you've own/owned a ducati, sv650 or other naked bike
Post by: CirclesCenter on August 29, 2006, 11:45:20 PM
Ok I'm going to get flack for this, but before anyone says ANYTHING the road was closed for construction (and me being me I know the Q&D construction guys so I get to play on closed roads  :icon_mrgreen: )

Up a pretty gnarly hill I topped the GS's uphill reserves at an actual 98mph up a pretty steep grade (you know, the ones that say, "slower traffic keep right" and mean it?)
Indicated was like 105 and my speedo error is about ~6% - 7%.

Granted it wasn't a track, but the only moron who would have been hurt was me, and I was in gear. (Including my new fieldsheer carbolex, but I doubt they would have survived a ~100mph lowside.)

What was lame though was that the corners would need well over 140mph to really make them challenging. But at ~100mph I was like, "Hmmm, this is facking nutso." I can't even picture 140mph leaning hecka far over up a hill. I think I'd just pop. (POP!)

Oh yeah, what about the CB919?
Title: Re: If you've own/owned a ducati, sv650 or other naked bike
Post by: Wrecent_Wryder on August 30, 2006, 03:40:10 AM
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Title: Re: If you've own/owned a ducati, sv650 or other naked bike
Post by: Turd Ferguson on August 30, 2006, 07:19:40 AM
Quote from: Wrecent_Wryder on August 30, 2006, 03:40:10 AM
I've always liked the looks of the 599 and the 919, but they've always gotten very mediocre reviews... nothing wrong with them, really, just that most seem to think that they're overpriced for what they are, which is a bit heavy and old-tech by today's standards.

Yup, you hit the nail on the head.  These things are the only reasons that I'm not seriously considering the 599 for my next bike.

-Turd.
Title: Re: If you've own/owned a ducati, sv650 or other naked bike
Post by: Alphamazing on August 30, 2006, 08:17:14 AM
Quote from: Turd Ferguson on August 30, 2006, 07:19:40 AM
Quote from: Wrecent_Wryder on August 30, 2006, 03:40:10 AM
I've always liked the looks of the 599 and the 919, but they've always gotten very mediocre reviews... nothing wrong with them, really, just that most seem to think that they're overpriced for what they are, which is a bit heavy and old-tech by today's standards.

Yup, you hit the nail on the head.  These things are the only reasons that I'm not seriously considering the 599 for my next bike.

-Turd.

Word. F3 engine hasn't been made in over 8 years. They use carburetors ferchristsake! Underpowered, overpriced. Even on the used market (if you can ever find one) they are overpriced. Sad, really. They are good looking bikes.
Title: Re: If you've own/owned a ducati, sv650 or other naked bike
Post by: silver_rider on August 30, 2006, 08:32:18 AM
Here is a nice writeup about 599.

http://www.biketestusa.com/Article_Page.aspx?ArticleID=3000

I like the looks, but the  price is pretty steep for what it is.

Cheers,

Doug.
Title: Re: If you've own/owned a ducati, sv650 or other naked bike
Post by: Jake D on August 30, 2006, 08:39:42 AM
I've owned a GS, an SV and now have a Super Hawk.  The SV doesn't feel that much faster than the GS.  You'll like the power a lot more, but you'd get used to it in like a hour of riding.
Like Destro said, and he may kill me for ratting him out on this, "I've riden an EX250, a GS500, and an SV650, and I couldn't really tell the difference between any of them."  And the man is scientist for pete's sake.
Yes, you will shift less on the highway with the SV.  Yes it has more power and torque, but don't think for one hot second that you couldn't get used to the extra power in less than one day or riding.
That said, the SV has super touchy throttle response.  Sort of an on/off power delivery.  So that is one thing to keep in mind.  Feather the clutch in the friction zone until you get used to it.  Other than that, and the crappy suspension, the SV is an awsome ride.  Throw in some Race Tech springs and enjoy!
Title: Re: If you've own/owned a ducati, sv650 or other naked bike
Post by: Grainbelt on August 30, 2006, 09:20:31 AM
I moved to a Ninja 650 from the GS. There is a noticeable increase in power, but the biggest benefit is the buttery smooth delivery from 2k up. FI is a beautiful thing.

Title: Re: If you've own/owned a ducati, sv650 or other naked bike
Post by: Mummra on August 31, 2006, 01:30:05 PM
Just an update.  I moved up to an 02 Ducati Monster 750.  Wow, it's a nice ride.  I sold my GS to a guy who lives in my town so im sure i'll be able to ride the GS again to really feel the change.  although one thing i can definetly say is suspension on my duc is very nice and so far on highways havent really gone above 3rd gear.   

thanks for all ur responses, it helped me out.
Title: Re: If you've own/owned a ducati, sv650 or other naked bike
Post by: TarzanBoy on August 31, 2006, 05:50:45 PM
Ducati did a demo day here back in May and I rode a 999.   More powa than yo mama, but holy crap did that thing shake my teeth out if I let the rpms get up to ~7k.

Crazy V-twins!