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

Sorry I did not get a chance to read all the posts, so if I'm repeating something someone else said I apologize!

To the OP, I really think a mid size dual sport would be a wise choice to get comforable riding. Learing to ride off-road is alot more enjoyable, teaches you good balance and you really need to be alert. I own 9 motorcycles at the present time and really enjoy off and on road riding.

Here's a picture of my DRZ400 and my brother in-laws Husqvarna.



Here's another one of mine, an 83 XT250, very fun bike to ride!

 

My first bike was and is an '03 SV650S. Its a great bike to learn on and is in no way underpowered. When you get used to it your always gonna have plenty of zip around town or whenever you'll need it. Plus the thing handles great and in my opinion is much more comfortable than an R1 (especially if you have a bad back).

To be honest if you get a thousand as your first bike your most likely gonna wreck. Learn how to handle the bike and ride the right way and worry about dodgin' those darn 4 wheel demons before you get yourself a superbike.

 

i know a few guys that race WERA and CCS. know a lot of guys that are into many different disciplines of riding, and have ridden at least 20 years of my life. i wouldnt own a 1000cc bike. theyre too much. unless youre racing competitively and doin real well theres no need to own a litre bike. most people on the road shouldnt even own a 600.

 

i've ridden dirt bikes my whole life and plan on going with a 600 when i get my first street bike, if your new to bikes in general i'd say practice on dirt with a dual sport and then move it to pavement, you'll learn more skills and be safer on the road that way. later on you could move up to the bigger bike of your choice and you'll know that you'll be somewhat safer from the knowledge you'll gain.

 

dirt and street bikes are two different styles. street bikes are a lean and itll turn machine. dirt bikes ya use the bars and brakes to take ya where ya wanna go. i was a dirt kid til i got my first road bike. wow was i a mess on that thing. start with somethin small for sure. and dont try to drag a knee or go fast. just ride. save all that go fast stuff for a track.

 

Go for the SV650, I still have one after 4 years and love it, also bought a bigger cruiser, but I love the SV. Also check on the insurance price, it is based on CC's and usually a 1 liter bike starts to get the attention of the insurance companies. Check out SVrider.com these bike have a big following.

 

I have had both a 2007 SV650S and a 2008 R1. The SV was my first bike and man do I miss it! There is nothing better for blasting back roads than a middle weight v-twin. I outran plenty of zx-6r's, gsxr 600 and 750's and a zx12 on my favorite back roads. I will hopefully get a gladius one day, but for now my raider is plenty. You can't go wrong with the SV, in any configuration. They are beginner friendly because of their broad torque curve but that also makes for a bike that can go fast effortlessly. My 08 R1 was a rocket, no doubt, but you really had to work it and keep it in the high rpm's, which killed it's back road performance. I could outrun it on my old SV on those roads without a problem. Awesome suspension and brakes though.

I had a leo vince slip on on my SV and it sounded awesome! I highly recommend leo vince. The SV has plenty of power, but suspension is where it can use some upgrades. Put some money there and you will have a commuter/carver/track bike in one. God i miss mine!

And don't get a liter bike for your first, and think real hard about it later too. They are way too much machine for the street and you will either be bored and disappointed because you can't use all of it or flirting with death while you try. After having a mid size v twin (SV) and big I4 (R1), i will never go back to inline motors. If i ever go back to hard core sport bikes it will be a v twin. An I4 has that top end rush, but a v twin keeps the power in the low and mid range where you will actually use it on the street and go much faster with less effort.

 

Tad,

What did you get, the SV???

 

i got 06 sv650 and for beginer bike its a great bike, stick with sv, r1 will scare you

 

600's FTW.... Nothing handles better than a 600, well a sumo.... Been riding 23 years, racing for a few and I'll keep my 600 over a 1000 any day..

 

I had an SV650 as a second bike and fell in love with V-Twins, not as much power as a flat four but the torque availability is awesome. I'd say go for the SV, learn on it have a good day, then jet, filter, and pipe it, tweak the suspension and you've got yourself a pretty much race ready v-twin rocket.

 

I think an enduro or supermoto bike is the best way to start off. I've had a couple buddies die because they thought they could handle a 600 off the bat. I had a bmw f650 dakar enduro since i was 16 (24 now), i just got a streetbike last year at 23.

Without much experience, start with something with less agressive power. You can always upgrade. Supermotos and enduro bikes keep their value, you won't lose your money investing in one for a year.

 

My Hyper is for sale...
http://www.jaxmotosport.com/showcaseproductdetail.htm?ID=138105&Used=1

 

some R1's develop a ticking noise in the motor. google it.

 

Mmm sexy Ducati! Just jumping in to put my 0.02 in. I would start with the SV as a first bike. Not only will it be more manageable, but also more fun and more forgiving to a new rider for around town riding and such. I started on an 06 Ninja 650r this year and LOVE the torque it has down low and midrange. No other bike I've ridden has had the power from a dig like my bike. Wife started on an 09 Ninja 250r, and I've gotta say, I'm quite impressed with it as well. The 250 is a blast to ride! I've only ridden one liter bike so far (ZX10), but I would say that it isn't a practical first bike, hell I wouldn't say even a 600cc SS bikes would be ideal to learn on. A 250 or 650 twin such as the Ninja or SV would be the best bet IMO

 

i would start out with a 600 nothing smaller i owned a 2000 r6 loved it went down at low speeds but thats life i now own a 2002 R1 and i dont regret it at all. no mater what you ride you have the posibility of going down it just happens thats the joy of owning a toy like that

 

X2

I learned on a CR125 off road, excellent way to hone your skills and get some airtime! I took to it immediately and a few years later I could afford a streetbike.
I got into this same debate over what to get. The final factor came down to insurance costs. Have you checked these yet? Unfortunately I ended up buying a Suzuki GS500. Not a bad looking bike, awesome mileage (50mpg+) but I outgrew it in a month. Later that summer i bought an 07 ZX6R with only 1700km on it.

I rode that bike until the snow flew, what a fun thing to ride but could only ever open it up back country or deserted highways. It was too much for the street, It does 135km/h in FIRST gear. These are race bikes for a reason. I never had any scares or anything but Ill tell you that if a 600 is too much for the street, so is a liter bike.

I have since sold the ninja and plan on buying an 08 Kawi ZZR600. I like the inline 600 sound and the looks of the supersports. Also riding 2 up I get less complaints when there is an actual seat behind you instead of a pancake.

Remember a pro is faster on a slower bike than a rookie on a rocket.

 

i've had friends who learned on the R1 and other liter bikes. they're quite happy with their choice. no matter what you get you just gotta be careful. i just wouldn't want the R1 cuz of the hit or miss with the engine tick, nor the new generation CBR1000RR cuz of the hit or miss with oil burning.

 

Depends on the bike... with the technology these days, most bikes, (600's and thousands), are within noticeable difference wight wise. I've ridden and raced both, and some have their strong points and weaknesses...

As far as a 1k for a first bike, everybody here seems to be pretty dead on. SV650's are awesome bikes, too. LOTS of spares around for them if something does happen.

 

This would be a great starter bike for you .
KLR 650..I rode this bike for around a year and had a blast on it..Then moved up to a Yamaha FZ1..But what ever you ride make sure and wear some good gear..I have a friend that crashed last year and now is brain dead,because he was wearing a novelty helment.(brain bucket)what all the cool Harley riders wear...