I'm sure there's a lot of members here who have had a handful of bikes in the past and are potentially on the prowl for something new. I know I've been considering an SV650 or Bandit 600 for awhile now. My question is, what makes you say "I think I'd like to get something else"? Is it wanting more power? More comfort? Maybe a different style of bike? Reaching what you feel is the limit of your current bike?
I know this is helpful to me and I think it can be helpful to others as well. Everyone gets a wandering eye now and then and I'm curious as to what makes people choose what they choose and when they choose.
i just crashed mine...time for a new bike, lol
Quote from: jfoley on June 29, 2011, 08:18:09 PM
i just crashed mine...time for a new bike, lol
I'd say that is a pretty legitimate reason.
For me the decision would be based on comfort. I've been thinking about buying a larger, heavier bike for touring. But I'll keep the GS as my daily ride because it's a great commuter bike, it's fun in the twisties and riding a large/heavy bike around town sucks.
I had the wandering eye and money burning a hole in my pocket. I still kept the GS when I upgraded. It is good having two similar yet different bikes in the garage to choose to ride.
My main driver for a different bike is just for something different, I love the GS, its a great commuter bike, good fun in the twisties and easy to work on.... But, I like new things, or atleast new to me things lol
Well my Guzzi is 35 years old. I figured it would be nice to have something new to ride while I work on the old one. Bought the 2009 GS500F with 1 mile on it and am enjoying it :thumb:
I have an old CB350 I've been riding... but is always laid up in repair lately. Me too... I needed something to ride while the other one was in pieces... the GS500 is my new one.
I have a GS500 & a Honda 919.
With the GS I can: ride to work, hit the twisties and go on 300 mile rides without problem. Which is all the riding I do. So why get another bike?
With commuting and weekend riding I was Really stacking up the miles on the GS. In short order the bike would be close to 100,000 clicks and I'd be in need of a replacement bike. At that point the bike would be next to worthless as a trade in. And the subsequent bike would equally have a short life. So...
To enable me to keep the GS for longer I needed to spread the miles out between two bikes. One for commuting and one for the weekend. Enter the Honda 919.
So why a 919 and not another GS like Adidas? For a touch of variety. So I now have an air cooled twin and a water cooled fuel injected 4.
With over 40,000 clicks on my 09 GS (I put them all on), I still have not touched all the limits of the bike. So the idea of the bike's limits being reached is NOT a factor. It (the GS500) is just a darn fun bike to ride. There is something unassuming about it. And I like that other riders scoff at it. It's my (our) little secret. Their desire to prove something means they miss out on the underwhelming 500 from Suzuki.
Michael
For me it will be for highway comfort. I want a wind screen, so a SV650s will probably be my next bike bike when I find a good deal. Also, I hate carbs, so FI is a MUST!! Otherwise the GS is perfect. I will probably sell it because I dont really have room for two and could use the cash for a new bike. Im not really looking though so I will be on the GS a while longer I think.
:cheers:
For me, it'll be when I wear my '07 out. I'm not as productive as Mister: I've only done 40,000 in the last three years (my goodness!). But point is, I'll be through the useful life of my bike within the next 3 to 4 years. And I do want something that would be more comfortable for some light touring and be very durable.
Certainly, it will not be for the reason of "outgrowing" the bike, as I'm quite sure that the GS can be ridden harder than I do. It can be one hell of a fun ride! If I do get a different bike, I'll probably keep a GS for commuting, or for my wife (I would love for her to learn to ride).
Mike
For my street bikes, it's when the following 2 criteria are met...
1. I haven't had any incidents on my existing bike in a very long time.
2. I've realized that my existing bike is not really suitable for the type of riding I want to do.
#1 is kind of important - if you find yourself overshooting corners or dropping your GS500, a faster heavier bike is just going to make those issues worse. Nothing like spending big bucks on a shiny new piece of hardware only to put some shiny new scratches in it.
#2 is what tells me it might be time to replace... For instance, I used to do a 120 mile round trip commute daily on a GSX-R 600. Buying my first beemer made sense. Then, I started touring and doing lots of 2-up riding on that beemer. Since I was paying out the butt to finance it, I went ahead and bought a bigger nicer bike.
For track use... That's a harder decision. I'm getting towards the point where I could probably learn a lot on a bigger faster bike. But, I feel like I can take the GS500 further than I am right now, so I'd like to hang onto it for a while longer.
For me it is whenever I get the itch for something else. Since my latest purchase (VTX1800) I haven't had the itch even a little bit.
Well maybe a little but nothing that is going to make me go out and drop thousands.
1. Financial - I don't have money to replace what I am driving now.
2. Logistic - The bike I have does everything I need it to do. When I feel I need it to do more, I will upgrade. I don't need a bike that can do 160mph, because there's nowhere around me that I could possibly be able to do it (at least without some legal rammifications.).
3. Mechanical - When I get tired of fiddling wth carburetors, and/or the motorcycle is costing me more to run it/maintain than I feel it should, I will upgrade. Also, when I can't get the parts i need for it anymore, I will upgrade to something else.
4. Mental - do I have the skills and self-control to handle something more powerful than what I currently have? I've only had my license for 2 years, so I still have a lot to learn.
That said, a fuel injected SV650 is in my future probably not immediate future.)
Quote from: Twism86 on June 30, 2011, 06:02:04 AM
For me it will be for highway comfort. I want a wind screen, so a SV650s will probably be my next bike bike when I find a good deal. Also, I hate carbs, so FI is a MUST!! Otherwise the GS is perfect. I will probably sell it because I dont really have room for two and could use the cash for a new bike. Im not really looking though so I will be on the GS a while longer I think.
I haven't been riding that long, but I am considering another bike for the same two reasons, windshield and fuel injection. Also, my bike is already 20 years old, it's got some rust, and generally speaking old things are not as reliable as new things. This matters to my wife more than me, but when she says you can have something shiny and new cause it's safer, TAKE IT! :) Next year when I get rid of my car payment, I was thinking about upgrading. After a lot of research I was between 2 bikes: SV650 or ER-6N/F.
I am leaning towards the Kawi. It's supposed to be more comfortable with a more upright riding position and softer suspension. Also, everyone without a 4 cylinder seems to have an SV650. My only choice is do I want the naked ER-6N or the fairing ER-6F. I much prefer the naked look, but then I don't have the windshield. Still looks great with fairings, but then it looks too much like your run of the mill sport bike.
Anyway, I don't know too much about bikes yet, but being a teacher I'm great at research. My research and personal preferences point to the ER-6N/F
When both your connecting rods and 3 quarts of oil drop out onto the road, causing you to lose control and wind up in a sludge filled roadside ditch with a broke leg and road rash.
Quote from: ojstinson on June 30, 2011, 03:47:11 PM
When both your connecting rods and 3 quarts of oil drop out onto the road, causing you to lose control and wind up in a sludge filled roadside ditch with a broke leg and road rash.
maybe its just time to not ride for a while...... :icon_lol:
Quote from: MistahT on June 30, 2011, 03:41:45 PM
Quote from: Twism86 on June 30, 2011, 06:02:04 AM
For me it will be for highway comfort. I want a wind screen, so a SV650s will probably be my next bike bike when I find a good deal. Also, I hate carbs, so FI is a MUST!! Otherwise the GS is perfect. I will probably sell it because I dont really have room for two and could use the cash for a new bike. Im not really looking though so I will be on the GS a while longer I think.
I haven't been riding that long, but I am considering another bike for the same two reasons, windshield and fuel injection. Also, my bike is already 20 years old, it's got some rust, and generally speaking old things are not as reliable as new things. This matters to my wife more than me, but when she says you can have something shiny and new cause it's safer, TAKE IT! :) Next year when I get rid of my car payment, I was thinking about upgrading. After a lot of research I was between 2 bikes: SV650 or ER-6N/F.
I am leaning towards the Kawi. It's supposed to be more comfortable with a more upright riding position and softer suspension. Also, everyone without a 4 cylinder seems to have an SV650. My only choice is do I want the naked ER-6N or the fairing ER-6F. I much prefer the naked look, but then I don't have the windshield. Still looks great with fairings, but then it looks too much like your run of the mill sport bike.
Anyway, I don't know too much about bikes yet, but being a teacher I'm great at research. My research and personal preferences point to the ER-6N/F
For me its between the SV650s and the Ninja 650R. Same as your ER basically. I like them both so when im in the market it will come down to which one I find a better deal on first.
I think you find you will be disappointed with the ER6. I know I was. Stick with the SV650.
Quote from: tialloydragon on June 30, 2011, 02:37:27 PM
1. Financial - I don't have money to replace what I am driving now.
2. Logistic - The bike I have does everything I need it to do. When I feel I need it to do more, I will upgrade. I don't need a bike that can do 160mph, because there's nowhere around me that I could possibly be able to do it (at least without some legal rammifications.).
3. Mechanical - When I get tired of fiddling wth carburetors, and/or the motorcycle is costing me more to run it/maintain than I feel it should, I will upgrade. Also, when I can't get the parts i need for it anymore, I will upgrade to something else.
4. Mental - do I have the skills and self-control to handle something more powerful than what I currently have? I've only had my license for 2 years, so I still have a lot to learn.
That said, a fuel injected SV650 is in my future probably not immediate future.)
Well said. I'm almost exactly the same way. I have the money to be able to get an sv but is it really worth it at this juncture? Maybe one day...
Quote from: Twisted on June 30, 2011, 04:16:30 PM
I think you find you will be disappointed with the ER6. I know I was. Stick with the SV650.
I think it looks a lot better and I've heard reviews that make it seem like a good fit for me. Why didn't you like the ER6?
I had a visit from the new bike fairy.
i bought...well kinda..traded for my first bike 2005 gs..
i traded a 95 240sx that i paid 1000 for.. the guy wanted an import car :thumb:
i rode the mess out of the gs.. the only way i was gonna get rid of it was if someone would trade me straight up for a 600 4 cyl
put a few ad's up.. and got a hit.. a 97 ZX6-r.. i did reading, and felt it was a suitable choice.. as i only had 1k in the gs..
a few months later, im laying in the road with my feet jammed into some idiots wheel.. that bike bit the dust..
now im in the 1L territory..
enter the 2002 FZ-1
best bike..hands down.. power to make your heart race. yet i can do 400 mile days no prob.. (havent done anything farther cause there isnt much over 5, most is 650 and up miles away..
all should consider the FZ. :woohoo:
How do I know when it's time for a new bike? When my current bike is leaking oil faster than I can repair it.
Quote from: GS500Fmode on July 06, 2011, 06:35:53 PM
i bought...well kinda..traded for my first bike 2005 gs..
i traded a 95 240sx that i paid 1000 for.. the guy wanted an import car :thumb:
i rode the mess out of the gs.. the only way i was gonna get rid of it was if someone would trade me straight up for a 600 4 cyl
put a few ad's up.. and got a hit.. a 97 ZX6-r.. i did reading, and felt it was a suitable choice.. as i only had 1k in the gs..
a few months later, im laying in the road with my feet jammed into some idiots wheel.. that bike bit the dust..
now im in the 1L territory..
enter the 2002 FZ-1
best bike..hands down.. power to make your heart race. yet i can do 400 mile days no prob.. (havent done anything farther cause there isnt much over 5, most is 650 and up miles away..
all should consider the FZ. :woohoo:
So you crash a 600 and buying a larger, crazier bike is your next step?
had 25 bikes.
dirtbikes, street bikes, motards, 1 cruiser, old CBs, vfr, ninja's, Dual sports( bought werase's dr350)
looking for a gs500 now.
gonna get a dirt bike to go with it.
If you ask my wife why I get a new one, its usually just because I want to clean out the garage of all the clunkers I buy.
Ask me, I will tell you it is because I am still in search of the elusive "perfect ride"
But really I want to have ride everything, I just like to put the helmet on and ride.
Quote from: justinmc84 on July 06, 2011, 07:23:14 PM
Quote from: GS500Fmode on July 06, 2011, 06:35:53 PM
i bought...well kinda..traded for my first bike 2005 gs..
i traded a 95 240sx that i paid 1000 for.. the guy wanted an import car :thumb:
i rode the mess out of the gs.. the only way i was gonna get rid of it was if someone would trade me straight up for a 600 4 cyl
put a few ad's up.. and got a hit.. a 97 ZX6-r.. i did reading, and felt it was a suitable choice.. as i only had 1k in the gs..
a few months later, im laying in the road with my feet jammed into some idiots wheel.. that bike bit the dust..
now im in the 1L territory..
enter the 2002 FZ-1
best bike..hands down.. power to make your heart race. yet i can do 400 mile days no prob.. (havent done anything farther cause there isnt much over 5, most is 650 and up miles away..
all should consider the FZ. :woohoo:
So you crash a 600 and buying a larger, crazier bike is your next step?
the crashing of the 600 had nothing to do with my inability. was hit. and was proven and shown that it was her fault.
i got the fz1 bc i got a hella deal on it.
ive ridden 2 wheeled monsters since i can remember, the gs felt like a 100cc dirt bike to me.. this fz1 is more of what i raced.. the 250cc (2stroke) and 450cc bad boys)....... wanna hate some more? shift happens..
Shift happens? Alright then. I'm unsure how asking a simple question is "hating" but I suppose there's something new to learn every day.
Quote from: justinmc84 on July 06, 2011, 07:23:14 PM
Quote from: GS500Fmode on July 06, 2011, 06:35:53 PM
i bought...well kinda..traded for my first bike 2005 gs..
i traded a 95 240sx that i paid 1000 for.. the guy wanted an import car :thumb:
i rode the mess out of the gs.. the only way i was gonna get rid of it was if someone would trade me straight up for a 600 4 cyl
put a few ad's up.. and got a hit.. a 97 ZX6-r.. i did reading, and felt it was a suitable choice.. as i only had 1k in the gs..
a few months later, im laying in the road with my feet jammed into some idiots wheel.. that bike bit the dust..
now im in the 1L territory..
enter the 2002 FZ-1
best bike..hands down.. power to make your heart race. yet i can do 400 mile days no prob.. (havent done anything farther cause there isnt much over 5, most is 650 and up miles away..
all should consider the FZ. :woohoo:
So you crash a 600 and buying a larger, crazier bike is your next step?
+1
lmao, i think it's time for a new/different bike when you want one for whatever reason...uh, hopefully though it's not to "cruise" up and down the same stretch of street like some idiots around where i live though....my gs is about to have a friend, hopefully i'll get some pics when her friend arrives...and reason for this new "friend"....opportunity/bike came up for sale and looks like a good deal and been wanting something bigger but i do like my gs alot...i mostly use it to commute back and forth to work but at least i ride it, half the people at my work barely ever ride their bikes to work and that's more riding i do than if i were to go to the local "bike nights", also big factor for wanting newer/other/different bike is is hell....they take up a lot less room in a garage than one car....plus i read alot about all the diffferent bikes made and reviews of them and pretty much swooned every which way reading about them, i'd love to have a 900rr...919 hornet, sv650....sv1000....fz1...srad gsxr...ducati monster....etc...but when it comes down to it i think i'll always hang onto the gs...after reading people reviewing and talking about them on here and seeing all th eendless possibilities of mods to them, it'd suck to get rid of something that costs me about 115 bucks a year in insurance thats so cheap to maintain and take care of
GS Forever!!...(HOpefully)!
Honestly, I bought my new GS500F in the spring of 2011 with the thought that it would be my beginner bike for a year or two and then I would move on up to something bigger. I am at about 3000 miles now. I use it as a daily commuter in heavy interstate traffic and also on two lane highways. My commute is around 70 miles round trip per day.
As my riding abilities have improved I have begun to appreciate the GS500 more and more. I am now to the point where I do not believe I will need to upgrade to a faster bike any time soon. I can do everything I ever wanted on the GS500. It can out run, stop quicker, and out maneuver just about any car or truck. It has plenty of power and is very dependable. I truly appreciate the bike now and am somewhat ashamed that it has taken me 3k miles to appreciate it. Not to mention I am getting 60mpg and that is sweet too. :thumb:
Quote from: Falcon01 on June 29, 2011, 09:01:39 PM
For me the decision would be based on comfort. I've been thinking about buying a larger, heavier bike for touring. But I'll keep the GS as my daily ride because it's a great commuter bike, it's fun in the twisties and riding a large/heavy bike around town sucks.
disclaimer: I'm a new rider, so please state what may be "obvious" to others :)
Why is heavier, better?
Maybe I've been spoiled with LA weather or something, but in tootling around the LA freeways, I think the gs500 is just fine.
Also, for those people who wrote about buying a new bike, for a bigger windscreen...
Um... why not save yourself (mumble) THOUSAND dollars, and just buy a Bigger Windscreen? !
They're only about $100 ?
was riding a super motard 200cc, was fun in winter time, riding on icy road is way fun :D fell few times, 3 actually, every time i fell cause of white lines- until i was missing gears and throttle-solt id got GS
GS was a rocket when i first got it, never fell of it, actually once but while was parking with 60+kgs of stuff on bike, couldnt hold it-now im missing gears n throttle- will get 4cyl 100hp bike, thinking gsxf750 or zzr600 i want a tourer but with lot of power-next best thing.
as i said first 2 times "this is fast enough and powerfull enough for me i will not want faster" ill say it again when i buy bigger bike, but this time is for real :cookoo: :icon_lol:
I've already decided on my next bike. Triumph Daytona, as to when, well dunno money is the biggest factor. Since is the GS is a 500 and mechanically simple and a hoot to ride it will be a while before my eye starts to wander.
Quote from: FJCharlie on August 12, 2011, 05:53:34 PM
will get 4cyl 100hp bike, thinking gsxf750 or zzr600 i want a tourer but with lot of power-next best thing.
Honda 919 (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Honda_CB900F#Second_generation) - 100+hp, can be set up as a tourer easy. See mine...
(https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-rqbRAn3wIf0/TS_K2kKDWCI/AAAAAAAAAgw/akJH05Dy_xE/CB900-panniers.jpg)
Quote from: aussiegs on August 12, 2011, 06:05:53 PM
I've already decided on my next bike. Triumph Daytona, as to when, well dunno money is the biggest factor.
Is that the Daytona 675 - faired version of the Street Triple - or the not-made-anymore 955i?
Quote from: Phil B on August 12, 2011, 02:03:26 PM
Quote from: Falcon01 on June 29, 2011, 09:01:39 PM
For me the decision would be based on comfort. I've been thinking about buying a larger, heavier bike for touring. But I'll keep the GS as my daily ride because it's a great commuter bike, it's fun in the twisties and riding a large/heavy bike around town sucks.
disclaimer: I'm a new rider, so please state what may be "obvious" to others :)
Why is heavier, better?
A heavier bike has more momentum and thus takes a larger force to make the bike move in another direction. Thus, as you hit bumps, the main part of the bike is more likely to stay put and the shocks will be forced to take the bump's force, giving the rider a smoother ride. Larger heavier bikes also have a longer wheelbase which also diminishes the felt bumps.
Michael
not into naked anymore, at least i think so :D
(http://img803.imageshack.us/img803/5466/20297453.jpg)
this is kinda sexyer (http://katriders.com/vb/images/smilies/zdrool.gif)
+1 to Mister's response. The other benefit is that heavier bikes don't get pushed around in the wind as much. We get some strong winds in Northern Cal.
Quote from: aussiegs on August 12, 2011, 06:05:53 PM
I've already decided on my next bike. Triumph Daytona, as to when, well dunno money is the biggest factor.
Is that the Daytona 675 - faired version of the Street Triple - or the not-made-anymore
Michael
[/quote]
I'm pretty sure they still make it, if not one of the ones with fuel injection. They were named bike of the year so has to stand for something, plus the noise.
Quote
Quote from: aussiegs on August 12, 2011, 09:54:04 PM
Quote from: aussiegs on August 12, 2011, 06:05:53 PM
I've already decided on my next bike. Triumph Daytona, as to when, well dunno money is the biggest factor.
Is that the Daytona 675 - faired version of the Street Triple - or the not-made-anymore
Michael
I'm pretty sure they still make it, if not one of the ones with fuel injection. They were named bike of the year so has to stand for something, plus the noise.
Triumph still makes the 675, but the 955i isn't available any more - unless they have left over stock somewhere.
Michael
Then all is still mostly right with the world lol.
I'll be buying a new bike to coincide with what I've realized is my preferred riding style. Adventure touring. Enter the BMW F800GS. My dream bike. (http://www.springfish.com/dump/800gs/004.jpg)
Quote from: jacob_ns on August 13, 2011, 06:50:39 PM
I'll be buying a new bike to coincide with what I've realized is my preferred riding style. Adventure touring. Enter the BMW F800GS. My dream bike. (http://www.springfish.com/dump/800gs/004.jpg)
Well I spose it is still a GS and a twin
https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-rqbRAn3wIf0/TS_K2kKDWCI/AAAAAAAAAgw/akJH05Dy_xE/CB900-panniers.jpg
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2ImZTwYwCug Sir Mix-A-Lot - I like big butts ( Official Music Video )
For me, it was all about reliability. I just couldn't fight the fuel-starvation problem on my Baby G any longer, and I commuted too much to keep getting stranded out on busy highways. I bought my '06 SV650s when he was born (in November 2005), and I've been a happy FI camper ever since! :icon_mrgreen:
Are the days of carbs dead when purchasing bikes? I think so I've only had limited carb trouble but tell ya what next bike will be fuel injected.
There are a few out there with carbs still.
Quote from: mister on August 12, 2011, 06:37:30 PM
Quote from: Phil B on August 12, 2011, 02:03:26 PM
disclaimer: I'm a new rider, so please state what may be "obvious" to others :)
Why is heavier, better?
A heavier bike has more momentum and thus takes a larger force to make the bike move in another direction. Thus, as you hit bumps, the main part of the bike is more likely to stay put and the shocks will be forced to take the bump's force, giving the rider a smoother ride. Larger heavier bikes also have a longer wheelbase which also diminishes the felt bumps.
Michael
Thanks for the reply...
Couldnt you achieve something a bit similar, by swapping out to "softer" shocks or something though?
I could use a bit more comfort on the bumps myself. But.. I can barely get my GS500 up, if I drop it. No way I could get a heavier bike up.
And yes I know about the "put your back on the seat, lift with your legs" blah-de-blah. It doesnt work for me, for some reason.
I have to wrestle it up with the handlebars :(
Quote from: Phil B on August 15, 2011, 10:44:55 AM
Quote from: mister on August 12, 2011, 06:37:30 PM
Quote from: Phil B on August 12, 2011, 02:03:26 PM
disclaimer: I'm a new rider, so please state what may be "obvious" to others :)
Why is heavier, better?
A heavier bike has more momentum and thus takes a larger force to make the bike move in another direction. Thus, as you hit bumps, the main part of the bike is more likely to stay put and the shocks will be forced to take the bump's force, giving the rider a smoother ride. Larger heavier bikes also have a longer wheelbase which also diminishes the felt bumps.
Michael
Thanks for the reply...
Couldnt you achieve something a bit similar, by swapping out to "softer" shocks or something though?
I could use a bit more comfort on the bumps myself. But.. I can barely get my GS500 up, if I drop it. No way I could get a heavier bike up.
And yes I know about the "put your back on the seat, lift with your legs" blah-de-blah. It doesnt work for me, for some reason.
I have to wrestle it up with the handlebars :(
Get a supermoto it will cush the bumps as you will be actively seeking them for fun! A wr250x yamaha supermoto is lighter than a GS and would be a lot easier to pick up. I love the ride of the supermotos