I saw one in person finally the other day. intresting piece of machinery. it was different looking. i'm not sure yet if i can exactly call it sexy, but i can't really call it ugly however. anyone had a chance to demo one yet? or know someone who has?  other thoughts/opinions? (yes, i know this is a suzuki board.....    )

had a customer come into hsop , ( was a lsow day, he had one), we got to talkin bout it. and was offered a quick ride, i went p road and back, my opinion, i actually liek the handling. dont care too much about the looks tho, hell i get ride offers, alot for some reason. that xr1200 was one of my funnest ones i must admit

Quote from: jserio on July 19, 2009, 10:53:42 PM
I saw one in person finally the other day. intresting piece of machinery. it was different looking. i'm not sure yet if i can exactly call it sexy, but i can't really call it ugly however. anyone had a chance to demo one yet? or know someone who has?  other thoughts/opinions? (yes, i know this is a suzuki board.....    )

Get up close and look at the paint quality and welds and frame etc etc ...

In my area the 650R usually gets parked in the areas of the dealer ships where the lighting is pastel and soft and romantic and ... sorta like candle light away from the harsh lights or sunlight etc etc ... y'know, like Barbara Walters and the soft gauze wrapped cameras that are supposd to be on her ... cos with out it, it looks like a Piece of Sheeeiteeee ... much like Barbara Walters.

We know the japanese can build a tight motor that will make good power and last a long time and be reliable and ... literally do what it says.
The rest of the bike is sourced from others, like brakes from nissin, wheels from enkei I think, suspension from showa ( though Kawi uses kayaba and they are garbage IMHO) ...

That pretty much leaves the frame and a few other small bits and pieces ... and I am sorry they threw it on as crrappily as they can.

Cool.
Buddha.

Back when I was riding my (then new) GS500 I found myself parking next to a guy on a ER-5 the identical colour to mine, also new,  we got to comparing notes and he made the observation that getting the plugs out took the best part of two hours as opposed to five minutes on the GS. The layout might be different now of course.

It's a 650R, just a little more goofy-looking.  See my previous comments on the 650R.   

Quote from: Cal Price on July 20, 2009, 08:24:19 AM
Back when I was riding my (then new) GS500 I found myself parking next to a guy on a ER-5 the identical colour to mine, also new,  we got to comparing notes and he made the observation that getting the plugs out took the best part of two hours as opposed to five minutes on the GS. The layout might be different now of course.

Oh, the Suzi and the kawi have swpped places on that one.
The SV is a disaster ... the 1000 is worse ... but atleast on a 1000 you can adjust the valves easier than the 650. Parallel twin will eat the V twins lunch in the maintenance department for similar types of vehicles.
Cool.
Buddha.

I gave up finding a decent used bike. Guess ill save the money and buy a new bmw when I'm 90.

The 650r is a nice ride, postion, smooth efi, but the looks.... ugh.

Smooth?  It's a parallel-twin sewing machine, like a bigger and more expensive GS500.

Tried the second-gen FZ6?  Now that's smooth, and that has great EFI.  As well as being super-comfy.

Had one, forced to sell due to being skint. The ER is a step well above the GS, bordering on sportsbike characteristics, that's if you know how to ride the twisties - proper ones.
It shat on the sv650 which was supposedly the be and end all of 600 budget bikes. There were frame weld issues with earlier bikes, google it and you know where to look - two frame mounting spots - bit like the crap front mounting bolts on the GS, etc, etc.
It's a twin so isn't comparable to an inline 4 like the now discontinued 2nd gen FZ6 - had one of them too - dodgy paintwork also. Hardly any of them around now, prob trashed or thrashed beyond repair.

The 2nd gen FZ6 is the current-gen ('07+) over here, and hasn't been discontinued.  Dunno if it's different over there (although I know y'all get the naked one for cheaper).  Mine was definitely a big jump over the 650R in quality.  The FZ6R is a big jump backwards, a cheap bike from every standpoint, and it's probably going to sell like hotcakes because it has a cute full-fairing (witness the 'new' 250R).

Quote from: Roadstergal on July 20, 2009, 10:30:09 AM
Smooth?  It's a parallel-twin sewing machine, like a bigger and more expensive GS500.

Tried the second-gen FZ6?  Now that's smooth, and that has great EFI.  As well as being super-comfy.

ya, i'm having some trouble finding a bike that has -ever- been in the vicinity of oil, maintenance, etc

the fz is way smoother, faster, about as comfy...

26K valve check interval - that sold me right there.