Looking for a first bike, Suzuki SV650S vs Yamaha R1 1000

x100 on the MSF. Always respect the bike, not matter what size you end up with.

 

Dude go with the zuki, sv is a proven track bike, besides you'll find parts galore for it as well, plus the parts from some katanas, and older bandits are interchangeable. The only problem I see is that I believe that sv is still carbuerated, where as the r1 is fi. If you do get the sv, get the manual as well, clymers has an excellent manual for zuki's. Trust me you'll be needing it to tinker with those carbs

 

I've taken the course... I'm looking to buy a bike here in about a week... I'm just indecisive between the Ninja 650R and the 250R

I want to buy the 650R but I need to learn some skills, plus I'm going to Iraq for a year in April and don't want a nice 650 to sit around. My GF took the MSF course with me and really wants the 250 so I might just get the 250 now and then hand it over to her while I'm in Iraq... pay it off will over there and then pick up the 650R when I get back

 

I'm not sure how dirt riding will help you on the street. Sure, balance and working the controls is one thing - but my experience off-road didn't help too much... those damn "speed limits"

I didn't suggest that he buy a 'busa.

Neither the SV650 nor Ninja 650 are overpowering bikes. I think the most important thing with getting into street riding and finding the right bike is finding something that PHYSICALLY feels good to you. Find something that you feel like you can toss around or at least semi-easily manipulate. It should be at least relatively comfortable for you to sit on and height IMO is one of the most difficult factors. If you can't put your feet down and roll the bike around OK, you'll be timid about putting your feet down and stopping the bike when you need to.

Ergonomically, the SV and both of the Ninjas mentioned are very similar. They're all relatively low to the ground and pretty light. They're also not real high revvers - my R6 takes about 6 grand to get moving and that can definitely be unnerving for a newer rider.

Your 250 plan seems pretty solid if she's not an adrenaline junkie and wants a bike. You can both tinker around on it and then she could already have a bike when you get bored with it (it's gonna happen, trust me. It MIGHT do 85)

 

First off, I'd take the MSF course to see if you even LIKE motorcycling. When you pass, and pretty much everybody passes, you'll be in a better position to decide how and what you want to ride.

Interesting choice of bikes. How did you pick those two? Neither is a starter bike IMO. If I was starting now, without the benefit of 40 years of riding, I'd find something smaller (250-400cc) and dual sport, preferably used. When looking at a bike ask yourself how loudly you'd cry if you dropped it. Forgetting to put the kickstand down at a gas station can cost $$$$ on some of the fully tupperware-clad crotch rockets. Advantage dual sport is that they are hard to make any uglier and they generally are mud splattered anyway.

Find yourself a smallish used dual sport on Craigslist, get comfy with it, push the envelope and develop your riding skills while scratching it up, and in a year sell it at a minimal loss and get what you really want.

BTW: don't think a 600 cc class bike doesn't have some get up and go. My little Yamaha FZ-6 redlined at 14k and would pass 100mph in just a few seconds. It is wicked easy to lull yourself into a fall sense of security and get yourself in serious trouble!

Pete
BMW R1200GS
BMW R1200RT
Triumph Tiger 1050
Yamaha FZ-6
Yamaha DT-175 (1978 and still a blast to ride in places I wouldn't dare take one of the bigger bikes!)

 

Sorry, just read the part about you already taking the MSF course. Starting with a 250 makes a LOT of sense. You might want to refresh your skills on the 250 when you get back. Listen to the voice of experience -- EVERYTHING feels fast when you come home from a deployment!

Semper fi, and thanks for serving!

Pete -- Retired Chief Warrant Officer of Marines

 

I was gonna come back with something witty because of your description of the "tupper ware bikes" but...

I can't talk chit to a vet...

 

Dont be a pussy...go with the R1. My frist bike was a new gsxr 1k then i bought a 600 to do tricks and mess around on....even if you havent rode much....its simple....take it easy, dont roll on the throttle. Get comfortable with the bike and slowly build up..if you go with the smaller bike a few months down the road you will regret it and be wanting more.

 

said perfectly!

 

Please tell me you've got a mohawk on your icon helmet?

 

I've been driving a xt225 (street legal) for almost a year now and am thinking about an r6. If you want a bike like an R1 but have no need for the power go with the r6. These guys are right when they say the R1 is too much. Also IMO the 225 is a little weak on power as it'll barely hit 70 but I don't take it on the highway anyways.. However it is a light bike and something heavier with more surface area and better brakes is what I would recommend and am looking for myself.

 

I would echo everyones opinion here, except the mohawk icon helmet guy. Start small and move up. You can usually find a 250cc bike that someone had a couple years really cheap and when you drop it you won't sweat the cost. I am not a sport biker, started on 1980 suzuki 400 (20 years ago). It did fine for one summer, then bought my first HOG. I never regret owning that bike, sometimes wish I still had it and with my fat ass on it 55 mph was max speed....

FYI- I am not saying stay away from sport bikes(just stating my experience), get what you want, it is your money. enjoy and be careful.

 

Not going with an R1 for a beginner bike has nothing to do with being a pussy, it has to do with experience and knowing how to control a bike that powerful. They handle incredibly well but things can go from fine to 'oh shit' without the driver even knowing what happened. The beginner bikes if you will you at least have a chance of recovering if things start to go bad since they're not as tightly tuned. The clutch isn't as tight and theres less power reducing the chance of spinning out of a corner. I'm glad it worked out for you, some people take to motorcycles better than others but not many people can get on an R1 for their first trip and live to tell the tale.

 

Op, regardless of all of our preferences or opinions I would just hope that you at least get a chance to sit on and feel out whatever bike you end up purchasing. Only you know your comfort zone and that's what all this debate swirls around. Get something you think you'll enjoy, get some good gear (road rash doesn't wipe off) and take the msf course if you can! Be safe!

 

Sure you can! After you've absorbed a few hunks of scrap metal nothing else can possibly hurt as much!

Tupperware was intended as a term of endearment. My Tiger is half Tupperware and the RT wears enough to supply the needs of a small town. My point is a gas station drop on the RT is a LOT more painful than the GS!

 

Go for a Ninja 250. They rock as first bikes. You'll outgrow it quickly (hopefully). I started off with one and upgraded to an R6 the next year.

 

I just recently lost my 2001 Sv650s in an accident. But the year I did ride it i put over 8,000 mi on it and trust me you with be happier on the SV vs the R1. Sv had no problem on the track or the street on the turns keeping up with the other inline 4cyl bikes. Matter of fact from my experience the SV corners a lot better than the 1000. The R1 will get ya on straight line speed but even then my SV topped out at 152mph. Plenty fast enough to hurt ya. I also got about 50ish mpg. Torque on demand as well will pull the front end very easily if wanted. Whatever you choose be safe. Of all the stupid and reckless things i did pine needles in a turn at 30mph did me in. So ride Safe and keep it rubber side down.

 

I was mostly just amused with your terminology, I've never heard that before!

I'm painfully smarta$s, but I assure you it's all in good spirits

^This. IMO this is good and bad - if you dont mind bike shopping again in a year then absolutely go for it. I'd just rather get longer use out of a bike.

Again OP, when you buy a bike drop me a line and I'll point you in the direction of awesome pricing on whatever gear and accessories you need!

 

The v-twins in the SV are a great motor. I have a v-strom 650, same basic motor, I think the sv has iron cylinders compared to the plated ones in the v-strom. My 650 will run 120 on the highway, which is plenty fast. With my nature, I wouldn't have a bike capable of 150+ MPH if I didn't go that fast. Go with something a little more tame and get some miles under your belt. You can always sell the bike and move up when you are confident in your riding skills. Stay safe.

 

Speaking of which... What about a V-Strom 650 as a first bike? Reasonable displacement and performance, proven engine with plenty of torque for stop n go situations, a devoted following, parts and help all over the country...