I am a 6'2' 185 lb guy who is looking to buy his first bike and is trying to decide between the gs500 and the sv650. i dont want to over committ with the 650 but am afraid that the 500 maybe too small in stature for me. i dont need a super fast bike but want to be sure the 500 is a good fit and i will be able to use it for at least a year.  is the 650 too much? the 500 too small? thanks for your help.
zach

6'2" 215 w/36" inseam.  Fits me fine. I've run a couple of 200 mile days.  All I have to compare it to is a DRZ400.

Either would be a decent choice.  I would recommend the GS just because there are many more bargains (the model is older than the SV) and the older GS sans fairing is surprising cheap to crash 

Oh, and I should mention that I am 6'2", 185 lbs and I have owned both a GS and an SV.  After three years of riding I still have a hoot on the SV.  I wouldn't be too concerned about either model being boring.

Quote from: vtlion on March 02, 2006, 02:47:52 PM
the older GS sans fairing is surprising cheap to crash 

wow. I couldn't put it better myself!!!

Is the 500 too small for a beginner? I don't think it's too small for a seasoned veteran.

Holy shaZam!...36" inseam?!  What's it like bangin your knees on the handle bars everytime you shift?

As far as it's size?  I'm 6'2" and the bikes are great under me.  I'm also a seasoned rider adn spend most of my time on a TL1000S putting down nearly 3 times the power...I still think that the GS and EX are both exceptional.  I've known riders to start on the GS and EX and never "move up".

q

You're 6'2" and a 36-inch inseam is long to you? You've gotta be close to that, like a 34, unless you have a loooooooooot of torso...

But that's not the point here. Get the GS!

it seemed a lot until I realized mine was 33~34...

so it seems like the conversation has deviated a bit here from bike size to pants size, but nonetheless i appreciate the help. i think the 500 sounds like its the best bet for me for learning, i just didnt want to look/feel like a goofball on a bike that was too small for me, but i think those fears have been allievated, seeing as there's all these long-legged people already tooling around on 500's- as far as the power goes though do you guys think i would be overinvesting myself as a beginner if i got the sv650? i kind of prefer the look but dont want to get in over my head in the beginning. let me know what you think.
thanks
zach

zach,

I'm 6'1" and 225 pounds starting on the gs500 that I bought from my 6'2" 260 pound roommate. The 500 is a good start coming from another beginner.  I have ridden a gsx 600 and a can say that I am happy where I am for now.  The sv650 was one of my other picks, but I couldn't pass up a $600 bike.  Try the 500 and I think you will enjoy it.   

Mack,  
The only shifting issue I have with the shifter is when I'm running around in town.  I like to sit full forward when I am on and off the brakes.  With the leg length, full forward tends to rotate my feet down.  The reverse lever on the 05F, one spline is too high, one spline is too low.  I either have to lift my foot off the peg to downshift with the factory notch or one spline down isn't as crisp since it forces the pedal to slide more due to the front pivot.  I'm jealous rear sets with near peg pivots and turnbuckle position adjustment.
Other than that, tank notches lock me in well, never hit the bar with a knee.  Specifically skipped on Ninja 500 because the tank ridges cut me at the knees.

36"

Get the SV650...Since you've narrowed your choices to two, if you get the 500, you'll most likely wish you got the SV once you figure out how to ride.

I went for a ride today on my 50....

think monkey f#cking a football


i could care less if i look tarded
it is fun to ride
(also full leathers and race boots)

I'm 6'4 / 210 / 34" pantsleg.  The GS fits me like a glove.  If you're not sure which to get do what I'm doing; buy an old cheap GS500 and learn to ride it well.  When you feel like you're ready to move up sell it for what you paid for it and go shopping.

-M

mandres has the best advice. Buy used and sell it after a year. I've had everything. 250 ninja uptp a 750 ninja, On my 9th bike now. They will all get you there. I am 6' 210 and the 250 ninja pulled me just fine. Every bike I bought used except for one... and I traded that one after 3 months. Used is the way to go for sure. The gs500 is by far the easiest of them all to work on. Keep it stock and just turn the pilot screw out a half turn and it will do you just fine. If you can get a used sv650 get a 2003 or newer since they are fuel injected.  I sat on the new ninja 650 the other day. It felt good but I like the naked bike look better and it is only available in the euros and canada.

I spent 7 months on the GS, loved every minute of it.  Now I am choosing to move up, but it is not because I think I maxed out the GS.  It is because I wanted something a bit more reliable for the season (my bike was old and had some issues that kept popping up).  It is a great beginner bike, won't burn you and will be a blast for a while.  My gf learned on an SV.  It's a great beginner bike as well and, at your height, you won't have any problems with it being significantly bigger.  Either is a great choice.  I think what you need to think about is whether you like the SV as a longer-term bike.  I sold my GS and am changing styles of bike.  my gf is completely happy with her SV (though is going to change the suspension I think) and won't change bikes for a while.  If you like the SV and want to ride it for a long time, go with it.  If you think you want a different style of bike in the not-too-distant future, go with a GS.  You will pay more but, man, it is one fun bike....

[4

Hi Zach et al,
My thoughts on your question ...
The GS500 is not just a beginner bike, as others here have mentioned.
I've been riding for 30 years and have owned my GS500 since 1993 -- 13 very happy and satisfying years.
I could have a bigger or different bike but came back to this one after owning Honda and Suzuki fours, then Yamaha two-stroke twin rocketbikes. I loved them all, but the 1991 GS500E I still own lets me go anywhere, needs little unscheduled repairs, is cheap to own and run and insure and makes me laugh like an idiot under my Arai helmet every single day.
To me, it's the perfect only-bike to own.
The SV650 is probably in that vein, but then there's more to deal with with liquid-cooling and bodywork to remove at maintenance time. I like things simpler.
The GS500 isn't as fast or flashy as the SV650, but it will be a great partner as you learn to ride then choose to keep riding.
Let us know what you eventually get, and don't forget to post some pictures.
Best wishes,
Todd