The SV has had its day, the ER6 was the class leader, the title is now going the way of the MT-07.

Quote from: sledge on May 13, 2017, 12:21:33 AM
The SV has had its day, the ER6 was the class leader, the title is now going the way of the MT-07.

The ER6, really?  It didn't seem that popular, especially not compared to the SV.

That FZ/MT-07, though, such a good bike!

Quote from: Watcher on May 13, 2017, 04:42:46 AM
That FZ/MT-07, though, such a good bike!

Yeah if only they had the XSR version of it over here...
http://www.cycleworld.com/yamaha-xsr900-is-great-but-it-isnt-bike-you-want

So let's say they do begin bringing the XSR700 to the USA, then wait about another decade, then I can buy a used one... I still think I prefer to get a Ducati Scrambler. I suppose I'm one of the only people still around who still finds air-cooled simplicity to be a benefit.

I rode the MT-07. Parallel twins will NEVER have the gut pounding torque those V twins do.
Graph.

MT07. I bought one because it like it so much. Don't get me wrong, there is stuff to do but it is one hell of a bike.
The torque of a bike is the function of bore and stroke, not engine config. The MT07 is effectively a Vtwin ( a pretty wierd 270deg one, but not 180 or 360deg). A closefiring Vtwin is a big bang motor effectively so feels like a bigger kick but there is a big lay area between firing. The 270deg firing 07  gives you more lay than a 360deg crank twin, but not as much as a 180 deg ( like the GS500).
It is by far the lightest of the middleweight non single ( the KTM 690 is lighter).
Note the flat torque curve on the dyno graph . It isn't much good at the top of the revrange because of the camming . I have raced an ER6 AND an SV650 and the 07 has MORE torque and doesn't suffer from rear wheel lockup on overshift like a Vtwin without a slipper.
There is plenty of stuff available for the 07 now. If you like the GS500, you will love the Yammy 07 , once you sort the fuelling ( recommend a reflash of the ecu. Different smoother bike).
Very good US forum site for them with very good contributors ( FZ07.org). Like the GS500 it is becoming a bit of a cult bike. My gs500 is my tinkering project bike, My MT07 my main bike and my overtanked Husky TR650 is the bike I can't make myself get rid of just in case I find someone that wants to go adventure touring.
This is the only reasonably decent torque dyno chart I could find comparing the curves. http://www.sportrider.com/sportbikes/2014-middleweight-entry-level-sportbikes-dyno#page-2
Take it with the knowledge that the 07 is slightly bigger capacity and is specifically cammed for mid torque. All of them are capable of improvement.

Quote from: J_Walker on May 13, 2017, 11:09:00 AM
I rode the MT-07. Parallel twins will NEVER have the gut pounding torque those V twins do.

Granted EFI vs Carb but you can power-wheelie those FZs and I can't on the Monster (750cc).  Well, maybe not can't, but I haven't yet, and I have goosed it pretty good.
Figured I would have on accident by now, I ride aggressively enough.  Typically I'll get an accidental one coming out of a parking lot and rolling on hard to meet traffic flow or something...

That 270° crank throw basically gives the FZ a V-twin firing order.  They sound mean as hell, too, that's half the fun!

I want an FZ-07 sooooo bad. I've yet to ride one, but I've sat on a couple, and I'm sold. It's everything I love about the GS, plus EFI, some extra power, and I love the looks. Unfortunately I need a new car before I can buy a new bike.


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FZ07s are lacking in a few areas.  Primarily the seat.  Ouchies after about an hour.
The position of the key makes wind-screens a little hit or miss.
And a plastic cover over the fuel tank (plus the shape of it) limits luggage options.
But the engine is brilliant, the brakes are good, and it handles very well.

Hello Everyone,

Came back to this forum looking for advice and was surprised to stumble on this post.  I currently have 2 GS500F's and a GS500E as well as an SV650S, a C50, a GSX1250FA and testing a DL1000, ride daily and have 60K on my beloved GS's - I think I might minimally qualified to comment  .

Summary:
SV650S 1st gen - bought from a neighbor on a lark  - good buy.  Quick, nimble and it fits me perfect for sport touring (what?!?! you said)
C50 - handles like an empty dump truck (and I actually *like* this bike)
GSX1250FA - waaaaaaaaaaaaaaaay too much power.  Beautiful bike.  Was supposed to my upgrade bike from my GSs.  Wrong.  Likely selling it this week.
DL1000 - in the process of testing riding one... possibly buying it if I can figure out how to stop being narcissistic (these things are so ugly in my opinion). 

I have come to the conclusion that Suzuki does not really have an upgrade plan for us.  If you are looking for an upgrade from the GS, you are likely going to be disappointed on some level (looks, comfort, price/fun, etc).  The GS500E/F is just a damn good bike.  Why Suzuki has not released a fuel injected, twin in this size is beyond me. 

My suggestion, mod the heck out of the one you have and if you can get a used SV for the hooligan days.  Get some good bags, a windshield and the risers (I'd sell mine if I could find them).  I can easily ride my GS500F 400+ miles in a day.

I am taking my own suggestion and going back to my roots.

Quote from: myersg11 on May 14, 2017, 10:16:21 AM
Hello Everyone,

Came back to this forum looking for advice and was surprised to stumble on this post.  I currently have 2 GS500F's and a GS500E as well as an SV650S, a C50, a GSX1250FA and testing a DL1000, ride daily and have 60K on my beloved GS's - I think I might minimally qualified to comment  .

Summary:
SV650S 1st gen - bought from a neighbor on a lark  - good buy.  Quick, nimble and it fits me perfect for sport touring (what?!?! you said)
C50 - handles like an empty dump truck (and I actually *like* this bike)
GSX1250FA - waaaaaaaaaaaaaaaay too much power.  Beautiful bike.  Was supposed to my upgrade bike from my GSs.  Wrong.  Likely selling it this week.
DL1000 - in the process of testing riding one... possibly buying it if I can figure out how to stop being narcissistic (these things are so ugly in my opinion). 

I have come to the conclusion that Suzuki does not really have an upgrade plan for us.  If you are looking for an upgrade from the GS, you are likely going to be disappointed on some level (looks, comfort, price/fun, etc).  The GS500E/F is just a damn good bike.  Why Suzuki has not released a fuel injected, twin in this size is beyond me. 

My suggestion, mod the heck out of the one you have and if you can get a used SV for the hooligan days.  Get some good bags, a windshield and the risers (I'd sell mine if I could find them).  I can easily ride my GS500F 400+ miles in a day.

I am taking my own suggestion and going back to my roots.

DL1000, known as THE VSTROM. if you get it you will love it..! those engines platforms are WAYY better then the GS engines, they just need less maintenance and "tuning", really why I like them.

I too have done 400 mile days on the GS.. I'm never gonna say it CANT be done, there's folks out there who've done across Europe trips on 50cc bikes, or across the outback [god that would be SOOO Boring]

if you're looking at a NEW vstrom [not the used market] take a look at the 2018 one, and take a look at the aprilia caponord 1200. as I'm in the same boat as you, looking for a new bike, mainly a bigger highway bike.

the 2018 VStrom is gonna be cheaper then the caponord. and the Vstrom is going to ALWAYS be cheaper on part replacement then anything aprilia. The Vstrom I fear is going to have "suzuki suspension" aka Pretty bare bones.. from what I've read and studied the caponord seems to have the better deal on the suspension. Of course its not "out" yet but if suzuki offers a package for touring hardware/luggage stuff, that'd be great depending how much it adds to the final price. but the caponord pretty much comes with what I want, without any added cost. Both bikes lack on available colors - what happened to that anyway? back not that long ago you could get a motorcycle in like 8 different colors most came in at least 4.. now days you're lucky to get 2!

Final thoughts though, the Vstrom will be cheaper on repairs in the long run. The caponord comes with all the packages I'm looking for, stock. Both will be good highway bikes. if the caponord or Vstrom came in shaft drive instead of chain, that would seal the package for one or the other to be honest.

The wheelieing of the 07 is a function of it's poor ecu fuel control. Once reflashed it is smoother and doesn't chuck the wheel skyward every time you open the throttle from fully closed. It will still wheelie, just when you want it to , rather than a random event.  It also will have more power and use less fuel. If you live in place3s with inane polltuion checking get the Yammaha Akra Ti "OEM" otherwise a lighter exhaust and the bike sounds superb. I have the Akra Carbon.
The seat is in fact AWEFUL. Not as bad as a BMWF800R but aweful. I replaced it with a Seat Concepts pad and cover. As good as you could ask for. Remember this is NOT and expensive bike , and anything you spend on it and it will still be relatively cheap.
The biggest problem for touring the 07 is the princess tiny tank. Despite the excellent fuel economy 14L only takes you a bit under 300km.
The DL is infact a superb tourer, but be aware, it is insanely heavy compared to the 07 and the GS and the weight it carried high. Can be a bit of a surprise when your tired legs give way when getting off after a long ride ( seen it happen....TWICE). It also has a nice big tank. I do think the smaller new model 650 is a better bike though. They do suffer from rear wheel lockup if you over downshift.
The biggest problem with trying to tour on little bikes is not just the power  ( and the suspension) but the usual tiny fuel tanks. 50 cc is too small for highway speeds though. HP for upright seated touring is about 10hp to do 100kph. Few 50 have that. I suspect you could tour on a CB125R because it is faired so needs less HP. With an exhaust and a power commander you can easaily get 15HP out of it  ( my old commuterlite class bike). That will sit you easily at 100kph and 11L tank will get you way over 300km ( insane fuel economy even at full race pace).
Which ever you will realize that the ancient GS500 was a bit of a masterpiece when it was built, when it comes to a touring bike. Capacity, fuel range, ergonomics, good fairing( F), kept the old frame design that allows decent attachment of luggage. It suffers from poor suspension ( fixable, so does pretty much everything except true sports bikes). It's heavier than it should be ( see my project on weight reductions). It needs good fuel injection and watercooling to bring it into the 20teenies.
Maybe a thread on what a range of GS500's should be for now?
Get the right bike and you won't miss it, but you will appreciate how good a bike it is, designed in the mid eighties as a commuter/tourer.