Long story short, too many toys, not enough time..18 month old daughter and wife, two non running "project vehicles" an s10 and a Nova...my 1996 GS (first bike, jetted, jardine exhaust, lunchbox) and another my, a 2000 zx6r...i mainly commute on my bikes, 50 miles round trip...i get 47 mpg on gs...and ON THE 2000 ZX6r...it's got a yosh pipe...last fill up i got 51 MPGs on zx6r...OK MY question is...any sv owners that don't have their gs and don't really miss it that much or like the sv a lot better.(i'd like to get an sv in the future)...the whole vtwin thing really appeals to me for some reason, i've also seen on some sv forums people getting almost 60 mpg's on the highway alot like an unmodified gs, i know the sv doesn't have alot more power but their's a strong aftermarket for them and i've seen some SVs that i drool over...whereas...the gs...not so much...i like revving the gs up to get her to move...but when i get on my zx6r...i can just roll the throttle and be at 60 in NO Time so basically has anyone replaced their gs with an sv and been more than happy with the decision?..or maybe i should stop rambling, sell the gs, come back in a month and wine about missing her..? haha..
I just want to see pics of the nova,..... 8)
The GS500 stems from the GS400 in the 1970s which became the GS450 in 1980 which became the GS500 in 1989. This bike is based on 1970s and 1980s technology. The engine is simple, air cooled, and carb'ed.
The next logical step-up for most people is an SV650, Kawasaki Ninja 650, or a 600cc 4 cylinder bike.
Newer technology is bigger, better, faster, smoother, etc. Most people are happy with an SV650 or Ninja 650 as an upgrade. Both are twin cylinder engines. 600cc sport bikes are 4 cylinder, which have a different power band than a twin cylinder bike.
I have a real affectation for mechanically simple things ~ two of my favorite vehicles ever were a 1970's manual shift VW Beetle, and the GS500. At the same time, their limitations become frustrating at times, particularly when you know there is more capable machinery out there. What do you find going from the ZX6R back to the GS ? I would buy a 2006 GS500 if I could find one at an appealing price, and if I had another bike to ride on days the low-tech of the GS was getting tedious.
On the whole, I think you will find the SV650 a mix of what you like about the GS500 and the ZX6R.
Safe-t that's kinda what I'm thinking bout the sv...a mix between the two..as far as goin from one bike to the other...they r both pretty different...gs is easier to manuever around slowly like in parrking lots etc... both bikes need brake overhauls id say...fluid drained...possibly lines upgraded and pistons in calipers overhauled ..gs is jetted with a dynojet lot..jardine exhaust and lunchbox..I wad hoping it would be my commuter and knock down over 50 mpg..oh and its got a 15t sprocket..but the damn thing consistently got 47 on 3 fillups...I keep revs looww too..on zx I got 51 on second to last fill up!!...its all stock except pipe as far as I know ..zx's power is addictive..I'm not stupid on it but to be able to pass people and not worry about not making a pass is non existent wheras on the gs sometimes I'm like hmmm won't make that..oh and another thing ...zx will start and warm up so easily...gs takes a while...and won't hold idle hardly ...dies when pulling clutch in and coasting a lot etc...so its been a frustrati.g booger lately ...kinda wish I hadn't jetted or basically should read more into it on here first ...oh and wind and aero protection on zx is ..pretty nice in the cold
The following is a highly subjective statement but...
The ONLY thing I miss about the GS is the center stand. That is my honest opinion. I've had quite a number of different bikes and by FAR my SV650S (02 'curvy') has been my absolute favorite. If I was going to get another bike in the future I'd probably buy another SV650 or maybe move to the SV1000.
Unfortunately, it looks like in the near future I may be selling it to buy a car to facilitate my upcoming job. It kind of works right now because my current job only requires me to work when it's not raining. Well, retail stores don't exactly understand if you don't come to work because it's raining.
Haha...I got rid of center stand when we modified my bike....honestly I couldnt get the damn thing up on it...fortunately when i got the zx I got universal axle and swing ARM stands with the purchase
I almost bought a 2005 SV650N last Thursday on E-bay......I love the sound of a V-twin and the better brakes/handling of the SV has me thinking very strongly about getting one. My GS was bought on the cheap with the sole intention of it being my rain or shine 55 mile round trip work commuter bike and it has served its purpose with over 3500 commuter miles logged since April.......I average 46-51 MPG's with her too.........I like the naked look of both GS and SV and the handlebars are so much more comfy than the clip ons....
I can't comment on the SV but here is my 2 cents regarding bikes as transport in general. When it comes to bikes don't let mpg fool you, that is not where the running costs are! Tyres, chains, parts (I take it your 600 is a 4cyl, and uses some fancy, not easily available plugs, you get my point). I have a VFR 750, absolutely love that bike, but if I used it as my only transport it would bankrupt me. Being relatively light and underpowered the GS isn't going to eat up tyres and chains the way a bigger bike would. My advice to be honest, would be, replace the zx6 (you would probably get a better price/trade in anyway) with something really nice for a play bike, and hang on to the GS. Please understand that I know nothing of the US bike scene so am only talking from my own point of reference.