I had this bike two years ago and re-bought it this summer. I just sold it again because I bought a SV-650 today. I am going to miss that bike a ton. I really loved it and I didn't care what anyone said. It was pure bike. It had something special, a feeling or something I can't put my finger on.
Maybe someday I will it back again.
congrats on your new ride. pics would be nice!
Here are some pics.
(http://i295.photobucket.com/albums/mm156/kgriggs8/IMGP0539.jpg)
(http://i295.photobucket.com/albums/mm156/kgriggs8/IMGP0540.jpg)
So I know you miss the GS, but what's your comparison on the GS versus the SV? aside from the obvious "the SV has more power"
There's a 2003 SV on craigslist now for $1500, quite a deal if I was looking for one, although I'm more partial to the first generation like yours. Someday I'm going to buy one "for Heather" to replace the GS. I think that'll be a good enough cover for me to buy on, right? "I don't need two motorcycles, this one is for you!"
The SV feels like a slightly larger, slightly more powerful GS, huh?
It's like, GS500+
I actually wanted an 03 or newer because they are fuel injected. $1500 sounds like a STEAL! If it is running and in decent shape, buy it now! I paid $2000 for mine and I think I got a bargain.
The thing about the SV-650 is there are three versions. There is the naked bike and the one with the half fairing which are basically the same bike then there is the SV-650S or SV-650FS depending on year. That one is the "Sport" version which has the low clip on handle bars and is more of a crotch rocket in design. The sport version feels like a slightly relaxed GSXR and not nearly as highly strung in the motor. It is a great beginner sport bike because it is more forgiving than a real GSXR. The GSXR is faster in the straights but the SV-650 is every bit as good in the twisties.
I guess the sport version would be about half way between the GS500 and the GSXR in overall riding position feel. Not as upright and relaxed as the GS500 but not as far forward and uncomfortable as the GSXR.
I think you should change the title of this thread to "Just sold my GS500E but by next week I won't miss it at all since I have a SV650 now". Congratulations on the new bike.
Quote from: speedsix on August 16, 2009, 06:21:10 AM
I guess the sport version would be about half way between the GS500 and the GSXR in overall riding position feel. Not as upright and relaxed as the GS500 but not as far forward and uncomfortable as the GSXR.
In terms of riding position, sure. But the way the engine is, it's way more GS-feeling than GSX-R feeling. Also, the SV has nearly-as-bad-as-the-GS suspension. God damn, the SV suspension is rubbish.
Quote from: Alphamazing on August 16, 2009, 03:54:57 PM
Quote from: speedsix on August 16, 2009, 06:21:10 AM
I guess the sport version would be about half way between the GS500 and the GSXR in overall riding position feel. Not as upright and relaxed as the GS500 but not as far forward and uncomfortable as the GSXR.
In terms of riding position, sure. But the way the engine is, it's way more GS-feeling than GSX-R feeling. Also, the SV has nearly-as-bad-as-the-GS suspension. God damn, the SV suspension is rubbish.
Maybe a stock SV650 but mine has a few mods. It has a K&N filter and box, Scorpion exhaust, stage one jet, ect. It is still no GSXR but it is faster than a stock SV650. I guess the engine feels like a GS500 on steroids. It is a V-twin so it has a similar feel.
Quote from: speedsix on August 16, 2009, 05:23:47 PM
Maybe a stock SV650 but mine has a few mods. It has a K&N filter and box, Scorpion exhaust, stage one jet, ect. It is still no GSXR but it is faster than a stock SV650. I guess the engine feels like a GS500 on steroids. It is a V-twin so it has a similar feel.
That adds a bit, no doubt. A few HP, some throttle response. Honestly, the first thing you need to do is fix the damn suspension. Either swap out the front forks for GSX-R forks (best option, but expensive), or re-spring it for your weight with some quality straight rate springs. I like RaceTechs. The stock suspension sucks balls. You're going to have a whole new bike when you fix the suspension.
Or just ditch it and import one of these :D http://www.suzuki-gb.co.uk/bike/gsr600k8/
-Jessie
Why do the Euros get all the cool smaller and medium sized bikes? I guess because we are Americans we need everything big. I like smaller bikes. That 600c looks like a Honda 599 killer if I ever saw one. My wife wants a 599 but she would sell her GS500F for one of those 600s in a minute!
Quote from: speedsix on August 17, 2009, 06:04:36 AM
Why do the Euros get all the cool smaller and medium sized bikes? I guess because we are Americans we need everything big. I like smaller bikes. That 600c looks like a Honda 599 killer if I ever saw one. My wife wants a 599 but she would sell her GS500F for one of those 600s in a minute!
Because we don't have a tired licensing system, and anyone can walk into a dealer and get a motorcycle. Most people go with what they think looks best (hell, can you blame them? Motorcycles look cool), and the full fairing supersports are, in their mind, cool looking bikes. Why would they bother with some naked bike that doesn't have flashy colors and graphics if they don't have to?
In short, the Euros get those cool bike because they sell there. Cool naked bikes don't sell all that well here. That's why the Z1000 was discontinued. That's why we don't get the new 599/CB600F, the GSR600, the Z750, the naked Ninja 650R (the ER-6n), any of the fully naked Bandit 1250s, the Bandit 650, the MT-series from Yamaha, the XJR1300, the naked FZ1, the awesome little 125cc GP bikes from Yamaha, the entire CB range from Honda, etc.
Kawasaki is importing the ER-6n to the US now. It got a positive write up in this months Motorcyclist Mag. (or may have been in Rider). The seat was the biggest complaint which is one of the SV's short comings as well. I don't know if the seat was improved on the Gladius.
-Jessie
I really really really want a Kawasaki zxr 400. 65hp out of a 400cc. I have no clue why Kawasaki sold the ex500 here for so long when the 400 was so much better. I think I'd prefer the 400 over a 600.
Quote from: Alphamazing on August 17, 2009, 06:26:52 AM
That's why the Z1000 was discontinued.
What's this about the Z1000 being discontinued? It's still on Kawasaki's website...
http://kawasaki.com/Products/Product-Specifications.aspx?scid=6&id=269
I'd be sad if it was gone, even though I'd never buy a new one anyway, but still, I just like knowing it's there.
to the OP: so did you have a chance to ride the bike some more? Can you elaborate a little on the engine 'behavior'.
What I mean is mostly the smoothness of the engine. As I am sure you sure know that the GS500's engine vibrates quite a lot and riding in more that 6000 RPMS is quite unpleasant (at least tha. 's my opinion)
How is the SV behaving in higher RPM range? How is the engine noise and vibration?
Can't speak for speedsix but the '06 SV650 I have is pretty smooth above 5,000 rpm but vibrates horribly when you accelerate at any rpm below that. With the stock exhaust the engine is pretty quiet.
-Jessie
Quote from: tt_four on August 17, 2009, 04:15:39 PM
Quote from: Alphamazing on August 17, 2009, 06:26:52 AM
That's why the Z1000 was discontinued.
What's this about the Z1000 being discontinued? It's still on Kawasaki's website...
http://kawasaki.com/Products/Product-Specifications.aspx?scid=6&id=269
I'd be sad if it was gone, even though I'd never buy a new one anyway, but still, I just like knowing it's there.
That's a 2008 model. No 2009. No more Z1000.
Ooh, I wonder why it's still on Kawasaki's website, I didn't even think to look at the model year, I just assumed their website would be more up to date considering they usually start putting new models on the website the year before. Do they have any plans for another larger naked bike to replace it, or are they just giving up on the whole class?
Quote from: tt_four on August 17, 2009, 07:07:12 PM
Ooh, I wonder why it's still on Kawasaki's website, I didn't even think to look at the model year, I just assumed their website would be more up to date considering they usually start putting new models on the website the year before. Do they have any plans for another larger naked bike to replace it, or are they just giving up on the whole class?
The SV650 is still on the Suzuki website, even though it was replaced by the Gladius. They usually keep models that can be somewhat commonly found on dealers lots.
Alright. I had heard about the Gladius replacing the SV650, but thought people were crazy because it was also on the website. That explains why they can get away with selling it for more than the SV650, even though the actual bike is less than the sv650. It's sad to see that bike go too.
If I remember right, Suzuki is keeping the SV650S model, but have discontinued the SV650N (ie. naked or non-faired) model and replacing it with the Gladius.
Tony
That's the same that I heard from a Canadian Dealer.
SFV650 is the new SV650N. Worst-looking POS I ever saw... and the marketing campaign! :2guns: :bs:
I'll keep my eyes open for a used SV650N, or blow it all on an Aprilia Shiver.
Haha, are you referring to www.gladiusstyle.com or is there even more that I haven't seen yet?? That website is the worst thing I've ever seen. I don't need Suzuki's opinion on which fur lined gloves and scarf would go best with my motorcycle.
Aside from that, I do really like the styling of the bike a lot. It reminds of a mini MV Agusta Brutale. Everyone else said Ducati because of the frame, but it definitely looks more like the MV, it's Italian styling either way, but I don't know. Taking a step back in performance is an odd concept, although if the Monster 600 is their competition, they could've stuck a sack of potatos where the engine should be and no one would've noticed a difference(OUCH!). The naked 600 class is considered more for commuters and beginners than it is for performance, so i guess they can get away with it anyway.
Last comment for this threadjack of mine...
We don't even get the all black SFV650 (I refuse to call it Gladius) in Canada!!
If it ever wanted a chance it should have launched in an all black kit.
At least then a guy might look at it for more than 0.25 seconds. :icon_rolleyes:
It has interested my wife though, in Blue/White. :oops:
Quote from: CliffHanger on August 18, 2009, 09:59:40 AM
Last comment for this threadjack of mine...
We don't even get the all black SFV650 (I refuse to call it Gladius) in Canada!!
If it ever wanted a chance it should have launched in an all black kit.
At least then a guy might look at it for more than 0.25 seconds. :icon_rolleyes:
It has interested my wife though, in Blue/White. :oops:
You got the naked Kawasaki Z750, among other things.
Someone on the SV650 forum did a Photo SHop of a 1st gen SV65-S fairing mounted on the Gladius and I thought it looked great.
lulz, I just bought a 2004 sv650s. I kept my gs500 as well though.
imo, the sv650s is better in almost every aspect (the suspension still sucks though)
but i still get more compliments on the gs500 than the sv650s even when they are parked right next to each other... funny how a '92 can win over a '04
Quote from: speedsix on August 19, 2009, 09:23:56 AM
Someone on the SV650 forum did a Photo SHop of a 1st gen SV65-S fairing mounted on the Gladius and I thought it looked great.
I'd like to see the picture if you can find it!