My second bike is an SV650s. I'm very happy with it and I think it's the perfect upgrade to the GS-especially if you're into sportier bikes. It's riding stance is slightly more aggressive than the GS, and it's obviously peppier. I was toying with the idea of going nekkid with it, but the more I ride it, the happier I am with the fairings.

Nice SV650s, it's on my list of next bikes.
Tony

Quote from: bkrtim on April 14, 2011, 08:30:02 PM
My second bike is an SV650s. I'm very happy with it and I think it's the perfect upgrade to the GS-especially if you're into sportier bikes. It's riding stance is slightly more aggressive than the GS, and it's obviously peppier. I was toying with the idea of going nekkid with it, but the more I ride it, the happier I am with the fairings.

THAT is what I want! Nice bike. I love that color. Now chop the rear fender and get a shorter slip on and your golden! Mmmm

Quote from: Twism86 on April 15, 2011, 06:38:57 AM

THAT is what I want! Nice bike. I love that color. Now chop the rear fender and get a shorter slip on and your golden! Mmmm

Fenderectomy was the FIRST thing I did after I got the bike. I'm in the process of getting a different pipe-just trying to decide what I want.

Nice work. I like that white stripe on it too. I wasnt a fan when they first came out but it grew on me.

I can't help throwing a recommendation in for one of these.... 



I know it's more 350-400cc more than you were looking at, but it's all torque and only 92hp so it's not the same as a high revving water cooled liter bike. Plus the bike is very small so it's easy to toss around like the GS.

While we are at it 



Very similar performance to TT's Buell. The SV650 is a great bike but these come with all the good gear all ready on them. No need to upgrade brakes or suspension.

Quote from: Twisted on April 15, 2011, 03:19:56 PM
While we are at it  



Very similar performance to TT's Buell. The SV650 is a great bike but these come with all the good gear all ready on them. No need to upgrade brakes or suspension.

But spirited Italian women cost more to maintain  

Hi Steven,

The answer really depends on what you want out of your next bike. What's wrong with the GS? Too small for you? Not enough power? Not sporty enough? Not comfortable for long distance riding? The options are endless, but you really need to have a good idea of what you want.

The GS500 is a great all-around bike, but doesn't excel in any area, and has some weaknesses. If you like that all around quality, but want something more modern, you have options like the new naked bikes hitting the market. I owned a BMW R1150R Rockster, and for the most part, it felt like a big, flashy, modern GS -- more power, much better suspension. But naked and nimble.

GSX650F  

Quote from: Suzuki Stevo on April 15, 2011, 04:26:30 PM


But spirited Italian women cost more to maintain  

Stick with the 2 valve ducks and the maintenance is not much more than a Jap bike.   

Quote from: Twisted on April 15, 2011, 05:52:13 PM

Stick with the 2 valve ducks and the maintenance is not much more than a Jap bike.   .

for air cooled twins. My xb has hydraulic valve adjusters so I NEVER even have to check the valves. No chain turns it into a zero maintenance bike aside from oil changes.

The one thing I noticed when I hopped back on my GS after not riding for years, and coming down from a 600 was the suspension. It wasn't even the power I missed, it was that nice/responsive firm ride. The highlight of bikes like the buell and the ducati isn't the fact that they have a bigger motor, it's the fact that you can get a reasonably powered bike that comes with decent brakes, good suspension, and plenty of other decent parts. The one thing that I've never been crazy about with a lot of japanese naked bike is that they're usually recycled motors built up with a lot of cheaper parts. If you want good brakes and suspension you have to buy a gsxr/R1 and it seemed like that was all the japanese companies took seriously. Companies like Buell/Ducati/Triumph love their naked bikes. Japan is getting better, but it's mostly still just with their 1000cc bikes, but I think eventually it'll trickle down to the 600s as well and you can buy a nice bike that won't need better fork springs/oil and new brake pads/braided hoses before it actually rides how you want it to.

edit: that's also one bonus of supermotos too! You can buy a DRZ400sm with only 35hp so you don't have to worry about killing yourself, but you're still getting a good bike with nice suspension and brakes.

Quote from: Suzuki Stevo on April 15, 2011, 04:49:58 PM
GSX650F  

Your baby Stevo?

Nice 

And I bet you don't notice this Weight that people carry on about, do you?

Michael

Quote from: mister on April 15, 2011, 11:19:11 PM

Quote from: Suzuki Stevo on April 15, 2011, 04:49:58 PM
GSX650F  
Snip:my baby was here

Your baby Stevo?

Nice  

And I bet you don't notice this Weight that people carry on about, do you?

Michael

Yes my baby and No..not at all, people forget that you need some mass for a good ride, people also forget that it is a Sport Touring bike and need to stop constantly comparing it to a Sport bike. You only notice the weight when you push it around in the garage with a full tank, other than that it's only heavy until you let the clutch out. A GSXR or a CBR or an R6 or an R1 and on and on would be my last choice for a 500 mile day touring on a bike anyway  

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jHRfsy6-IMg&feature

Quote from: Suzuki Stevo on April 16, 2011, 08:49:06 AM

=
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jHRfsy6-IMg&feature

Oh man what I wouldn't give to have free access to a go-kart track to play on my bike

The bike I'm stuck on right now is the FZ6R.  I pretty much use my GS as a commuter bike and as a toy on the weekends, no 500 mile trips for me.  I know the FZ doesn't get a lot of love on here but I love the looks and the riding position isnt much different than the GS

Quote from: Suzuki Stevo on April 16, 2011, 08:49:06 AM

Quote from: mister on April 15, 2011, 11:19:11 PM

Quote from: Suzuki Stevo on April 15, 2011, 04:49:58 PM
GSX650F  
Snip:my baby was here

Your baby Stevo?

Nice  

And I bet you don't notice this Weight that people carry on about, do you?

Michael

Yes my baby and No..not at all, people forget that you need some mass for a good ride, people also forget that it is a Sport Touring bike and need to stop constantly comparing it to a Sport bike.

Yeah, cause they never compare it to a heavy cruiser. You'd swear they're doing it just so they can find something negative about it. Just crabs in the bucket.

QuoteI know the FZ doesn't get a lot of love on here but I love the looks and the riding position isnt much different than the GS

I've only ridden the naked version. And it wasn't really that inspiring for me. Maybe it was the bike in question and a different one would have been better to ride. What was funny though, was that while I knew it wasn't available new anymore (not in Australia) and I hadn't seen a new one for sale anywhere, the salesman told me they were still available new - which I know, if I'd gone for it, would have turned into a Bait 'n Switch into an FZ8.

Michael

FZ8 is "supposed" to be Yamaha's answer to the Z750. I guess we will see if they're as good as the Z's through their sales.

I was just riding with a kid on an fz6r last weekend. It seemed like a pretty nice bike. It sounded great for having a stock exhaust on it and a few times when the road opened up he'd take off and the bike would get moving pretty quick.

This is going to be my next bike if I don't get into any more bad accidents:
80


The best time to buy is in the winter. The Gladius is over $12K during the riding season, and only $8K in the winter, taxes and everything else included. Sweet deal.

I guess I'm just lucky to live in a place where no one buys bikes during the winter. Dealers are aching to get rid of their inventory so they can make room for the new models.

Would love to have this one too:



But they don't make em anymore