This just my be the last season of  me riding for my venerable GS500F. The bike is great. It runs like a champ. Handles sharp and rides great. It gets a lot of looks (plus the sporadic "How do you like your Gixxer" comments. To which i have to snicker and correct the wayward glancer) But... After a few years of riding the GS, it seems it's almost time to move on to larger pastures. I know that comment has been made a thousand times on this forum. And I'm sure the questions asked in the rest of this post will draw a fair share of the traditional "Have you ever heard of the search function". But, old topics sometimes breed new ideas and opinions so here goes.

I'm thinking of looking into something a little larger and more capable of carrying a passenger (of almost my weight ~180lbs) and is a good choice for cross town joy riding and cross state cruising both solo and with the wife.

I'm riding the GS right now because obviously budget is a concern. So Ducs and Triumphs are pretty much out. Honda is VERY proud of anything they make. And Yamaha has the FZ1 but it may be a little too aggressive for what I want . That leaves me with good old reliable Suzuki. I've been looking into the V-Strom 1000 and the Bandit 1250. Both have the look that I like (sporty but not curled up into a ball on top of a blazing hot rocket of plastic, carbon fiber and steel) and are in my price range.  The only bike shop around here that let you test ride closed at the beginning of the summer and the remaining shop would rather see you ride off on the newest Super Sport or chromed beast and never give you the time of day when you come in looking for a Standard or Sport Tourer.

So I put it to the Masses... at the end of the season with cheap last years models...Does anyone have any ideas, opinions, or ride reports on anything I've mentioned or failed to think of?


P.S. I still love my 500F and will gladly continue riding it of no opportunities present themselves that seem worthy of a planned departure.

-Thanks

united motors 650 faired model

bandit 1200s 

dont discount the FZ1. its got a comfy position, better all around than the bandit 1200, except for throttle response can be abrupt at times...

the vstrom is a great all around bike. the bandit is also good. You can probably get a much better deal on the bandit though, particularly previous years model 1200 instead of the 1250. The 1200 is a fantastic bike too.

SV?
SVS?

Quote from: pantablo on September 24, 2007, 10:46:04 PM
dont discount the FZ1. its got a comfy position, better all around than the bandit 1200, except for throttle response can be abrupt at times...

the vstrom is a great all around bike. the bandit is also good. You can probably get a much better deal on the bandit though, particularly previous years model 1200 instead of the 1250. The 1200 is a fantastic bike too.

+1000

http://portland.craigslist.org/nco/mcy/431240860.html
http://portland.craigslist.org/mlt/mcy/431159259.html
http://portland.craigslist.org/mlt/mcy/431123979.html
http://portland.craigslist.org/clc/mcy/431123435.html
http://salem.craigslist.org/mcy/431372907.html

I'm a big fan of the SV 1000S.  Thats actually the only bike I got to test ride before the shop closed. It fit me like a glove and I loved the way it handled and rode. I just remember the position being a bit on the aggressive side. I don't mind an aggressive position. But, after riding around with SM2 bars on for about half a season I found out that too aggressive makes my hands go numb no matter how I suppose my weight and I took them off (sitting in my closet right now if anyone is looking for a set).  I definitely like the looks of the SVS and FZ1. Those are ranking up high on the possibility charts right now. I need to find a place that lets you test ride so I can make comparisons.

Keep the opinions and ideas coming. All knowledge is worth having.

V-Strom 650.
Know someone that has the 1000 and is sorry the 650 was not around when he got his 1000.
650 has no known issues and you can't beat he mpg as compared to the 1000.
I have 37,000+ miles on mine and not one problem.
Never even checked the valves.  My riding buddy has 60,000+ on his 650 and never had
to set the valves.  Last time he checked was around 40,000 miles.

what, in particular are the pros and cons discovered between the 650 and 1000 (other that larger displacement=less MPG)? What makes the Bandit 1200 better than the 1250? Can a 650 handle the load of a rider and a passenger any better than the GS? I'm looking for likes/dislikes, goods, bads, and the uglies...The more detail the better. How would you honestly describe these bikes to someone who has never ridden on them (because obviously I haven't and riding one motorcycle is definitely not like riding every other motorcycle)

Sorry about being pushy..I just like details.

+1 on the SV1000S  I have one and I love it and this might be a great time to pick one up since rumor has it that this is going to be its last year. 

Regarding riding position and numb wrists.  I can assure you that although I suffered from both after moving to the SV1K from the GS500, I'm now very comfortable and my wrists are fine.  The only thing I did was adjust the brake and clutch lever positions.  You can also buy helibars that raise the handlebar positions to make them more comfortable. 

As far as power and fun are concerned, I can definitely say that it's hard to beat the big SV for the money.  I wouldn't recommend it for pillion riding, but I've talked with many folks who have taken theirs for long treks.  The power, compared to the 500, will scare you to death if you try to test it before getting used to it, so just take it easy until you're comfortable.  Once you are, the grin factor is just outstanding.  Regarding fuel consumption, the best I got was 45 (mixed freeway/city) and I regularly get 35-40 commute MPGs, so it's not that bad.  Not great either.  Also, the transition wasn't too bad.

Good luck!

Also, any of these bikes can be hustled at a fast pace on the street or track..
A friend on his FZ1


an aquaintance on a bandit 1200:

Quote from: 500F-Rider on September 25, 2007, 03:01:42 PM
...SM2 bars... (sitting in my closet right now if anyone is looking for a set). 

put those up in For Sale and they'll be gone in no time.