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Main Area => General GS500 Discussion => Topic started by: on2wheels on October 08, 2006, 11:30:03 PM

Title: Opinions on 'upgrading' to sv650
Post by: on2wheels on October 08, 2006, 11:30:03 PM
Hi guys,
I have been riding my 04 GS for almost 2 years now and I have loved riding this bike alot. I know I still have a lot to learn but I feel the need for something with a little more power :icon_rolleyes:. I eventually would like to have a Gixer 750 or R6 in my possession but I don't want to go from the GS to one of those for several reasons 1. Too much of a step up in power 2. Money.
I went to the stealership where I bought my GS and spoke to a sales guy who looked after me very well with the GS and all my riding gear. He thinks that if I want to eventually go for a gixer 750 or R6 etc that it isn't worth bothering with the sv saying that I wouldn't really notice much difference in performance. I instantly thought  :bs: as he obviously wants more comission from a more expensive bike. I really think the sv may be a good option as it is far less expensive to insure and the increase in power won't be huuuge like on the super sports.
What do you guys think?
:cheers: :cheers:
Title: Re: Opinions on 'upgrading' to sv650
Post by: pantablo on October 08, 2006, 11:42:11 PM
I went from riding my gs for 16 months to the 600rr. Your sales guy is right. The step up in power is big but totally managable. Took me less than 2 weeks before I felt completely at home on the RR. That was it.

The SV is a slightly different , slightly better version of the gs. Get the bike you eventually want. Buy it used if you have to for budget reasons. But absolutely get quotes on insurance, both for the sv and the r6/750. You'll be surprised about the sv insurance. Many new riders start with them and there have been a ton of claims on them in the few years they've been out.
Title: Re: Opinions on 'upgrading' to sv650
Post by: on2wheels on October 09, 2006, 12:50:53 AM
Thanks for the reply Pablo. I know a guy who went from a cbr250 to an 03' 600RR and he said the transition was fine, but I'm still not too sure what I should do - the options are:
1. buy a used sv650 with low km for about $7-8K (Austrailian)
2. buy a new sv650
3. buy a used Gixer 600, 750 or an R6 with low km for $10-13K
I did a quick online insurance quote with one of the more expensive insurance companies and the sv came in at $800/year and the others were roughly $1300/year.
Title: Re: Opinions on 'upgrading' to sv650
Post by: ducati_nolan on October 09, 2006, 02:17:51 PM
Your sales guy isn't trying to make more money off of you, if he wanted to do that he would want to sell you the SV650 now and then the GSXR later. I don't think the sv650 is a big enough step up to bother with. You've ridden for two years so you have enough experience to get the GSXR or R6 so long as you don't go nuts on the throttle right away.

In the long run it'll cost a lot more to get the two bikes, than just getting the bike you really want.

And save your money on motorcycle insurance and just get good health insurance. If you do much dammage to somone else you'll probally be dead anyways  :laugh: I'm joking.....sort of.
:cheers:
Title: Re: Opinions on 'upgrading' to sv650
Post by: SVjohn39 on October 09, 2006, 06:08:51 PM
 I have owned 6 SV's and they rock. If you get an 03 up you will be impressed with the jump in HP. The bike is pretty much track ready with the addition of front springs and sticky tires. Just my .02 :thumb:
Title: Re: Opinions on 'upgrading' to sv650
Post by: TM_Dearborn on October 09, 2006, 06:22:57 PM
You will notice the step up in HP, but I agree with the others that you should be able to handle it without a problem.  It's a pretty nice engine.  I rode it on the track once, and I kept bumping up against the rev limiter.

It's a great bike for the money.
Title: Re: Opinions on 'upgrading' to sv650
Post by: pandy on October 09, 2006, 07:10:08 PM
I noticed both the greater HP *and* the rev limiter. I <3 my SVS.  :kiss3: :icon_mrgreen:
Title: Re: Opinions on 'upgrading' to sv650
Post by: sys49152 on October 09, 2006, 08:06:31 PM
I agree with the majority of the previous posts.. the SVS or R6 or gix750, I think you'd probably be fine on any of those.

But, what do you primarily do with the bike?   Do you often go for long rides, do you want to start touring a bit more?  If so, none of those options will be as comfortable as your GS, or other bikes with more power but less agressive ergos.  Or are you looking more at hitting the twisties and maybe commuting to work?  There are a ton of great options regardless of your budget and riding style, but I think riding type/style should be part of the decision making process.



Title: Re: Opinions on 'upgrading' to sv650
Post by: on2wheels on October 09, 2006, 08:28:31 PM
Thanks for all the replies  :cheers:.
The main purpose of the bike will be fun on the twisties  :icon_mrgreen: as I ride my montain bike to work and my better half has a car. I do make the odd trip to my parents house which is a 300km(186miles) trip one way, but thats not far anyway so I guess the super sport will be the better option in the long term, although the sv still does appeal to me.
I will probably go for a used supersport  :).
Title: Re: Opinions on 'upgrading' to sv650
Post by: CirclesCenter on October 09, 2006, 09:12:29 PM
Well I personally want a big steamy lump of engine known as the B12.

That and with a little work they're pretty decent carvers too.
Title: Re: Opinions on 'upgrading' to sv650
Post by: blue05twin on October 09, 2006, 11:11:24 PM
Get the bike that you fell most comfortable sitting on.  Let's say you get the 750 and after a month decide that it's to umcomfortable for you?  Or you get the SV and the same thing happens?  If you have already sit / rode the 3 bikes you listed and feel comfortable on each one then get the one you like looking at the most.
Title: Re: Opinions on 'upgrading' to sv650
Post by: Grainbelt on October 10, 2006, 10:01:19 AM
YZF600R - more power than SV, less than R6, more comfortable, not sure on insurance.  I really like 'em.
Title: Re: Opinions on 'upgrading' to sv650
Post by: Dr. Love on October 10, 2006, 04:55:44 PM
How about a big thumping tard?  :dunno_white: