Hi my name is jonathan and im 16 years old and i want a bike, im planning on taking the msf course in september and after that im planning on getting a sv650s, is it a good staters bike? or should i go for the gs500f? and also do you know any type of pipes or slip ons for the gs500f because if i get one i want it to have a nice loud sound you know what im saying. Please feel free to give me advice.

sigh........

the GS is a better "starter bike" than the SV.  Don't be fooled into thinking the GS is slow or that it isn't fun just because it's a "slow" bike.  It handles great, is very forgiving, is easy to repair and service, and is still fast enough to scare you.

plus, at 16, the GS is about the only thing you will be able to aford to insure.  

Get a used GS500e (no fairing) and learn how to ride...then try out a bigger, more powerful bike.  You can pick one up in good condition for less than $2000.  Paying for a new bike would be a gigantic mistake.

Both are good bikes.  Depending on what your intentions are and what type of riding you want to do should make the decision for you.  The SV has a good deal more power, it is heavier, the seat is higher, and insurance is more expensive.  The GS is a very competent bike, though.  It can do anything (exept MX,    although if someone has done that I'd like to see pics).  Many people who ask similar questions about first bikes get a lot of different answers.

My ADVICE:  Find a cheap used GS (probably an E model) that is in good mechanical shape (cosmetics don't matter much).  Buy it.  Ride it for a while (10k mi. or more).  Have a wreck or three (be sure to NOT die).  If you really love the GS, consider getting one that is new/ mint condition, or keep the one you have and mod it out.  If you feel like you want a bigger bike get one. Sell the GS for what you bought it for.  Use that money and the money you saved on gas/ insurance as a down-payment, or buy outright.

My '92 cost $1000 last summer.  After doing some mods, it's better bike than that new F you're looking at, and for less than half the cost.  even with all my mods, the total cost is still less than $2000.

Quote from: MR_PINKsigh........

i hear ya...

as far as the bikes - I HIGHLY suggest the gs500, a sv650 is way too much power for someone just learning to ride on the street, plus the insurance would be astronomical, If you could find an insurance company that will insure such a young rider on that bike!

Yeah, go for a used 'E as a starter bike.  If your worried about it being too slow, you shouldn't.  Its my first bike, and its got plenty of power to entertain and I only pay $9 a month to insure (liability).

Check out this video:

http://www.bikepower.net/gs500e-power/movies/wheelies.avi