Decisions decisions decisions.......what first big bike?

Charlie0560 · Two Stroke Sniffer Joined: 24 Oct 2011 Karma :

Hi boys and girls
So here is my dilemma!! I like a couple of Suzuki's and am really spoilt for choice and need some good honest practical advice.
No 1 - I just love the look and feel of the V strom 650 Cool

, although being short in stature, I can only just tip toe the floor with a low seat. The dealer thinks it could be a little big for me
No2 - I also like the idea of a sports-tourer and quite fancy the GSX650F Very Happy

. I can sit comfy on this and touch the floor, although the dealer thinks this should be bike no 3 in a couple of years time at best as this is potentially a beast.
No3 - the dealer thinks a Gladius is the way to go, and it is a nice bike, but everyone I have talked with thinks I will be bored with it in a couple of months and by the way...........its really a girls bike! Is it??? Embarassed

No4 - so that just leaves the SV650 which is sold as a sports bike and a cheap one at that. Is it any good and can I tour on it? I haven't seen any panniers on a SV!!!! Confused

So Im er-hum, 50 ish, calm on the road and want a good all rounder that will do all the mundane stuff and also be a good bet for the odd weekend away and eventually a week touring etc. Wink

So some good advice and general comments would be appreciated.
I just cant hardly wait to pass my mod2, bring it on baby!!!!!!
____________________
CBT 04/06/11. Theory 10/08/11. MOD1 19/02/12. MOD2 03/04/12
The only silly question is the one you didn't ask!

Rogerborg · nimbA Joined: 26 Oct 2010 Karma :

Considering how well Suzukis are selling right now (they aren't), the dealer should be falling over himself to get you on the bike that you really want.

You can get lowering links (1", 2") for the V-Strom for the princely sum of £15 delivered. A dealer could fit them in short order as a sweetener.

The GSX650F is a "beast"? It's a very slightly tweaked Bandit 650 in a frock.

And I'm pretty bored with hearing about how riders will be bored with a 135mph 650 bike in months. I'm just now wanting a little more than a 33bhp 300 after 2 years on it, including doing ride outs with larger bikes.

Nobody else knows what you want in a bike, so once you have your license (DAS, right?) you can get test rides and make your own mind up.
____________________
Biking is 1/20th as dangerous as horse riding.
GONE: HN125-8, LF-250B, GPz 305, GPZ 500S, Burgman 400 // RIDING: F650GS (800 twin), Royal Enfield Bullet Electra 500 AVL, Ninja 250R because racebike

Charlie0560 · Two Stroke Sniffer Joined: 24 Oct 2011 Karma :

I was beginning to think Im missing something when I go to see the dealer, but now not thank you.
The only issue I reckon I got is a short inside leg and that will be a defining moment if I feel safe handling what-ever bike I choose.
Thanks for the advice and I just booked my MOD2 for 20th March.
____________________
CBT 04/06/11. Theory 10/08/11. MOD1 19/02/12. MOD2 03/04/12
The only silly question is the one you didn't ask!

biker7 · Crazy Courier Joined: 15 Feb 2012 Karma :

Englishman · Trackday Trickster Joined: 03 Nov 2011 Karma :

If you like the wee strom, but feel a bit short for it, go and sit on a Kawasaki Versys 650. I'm biased, since I LOVE mine, but I did look at the v-strom first but felt that it was just too massive. The Versys will tour all day long, and you can get loads of different panniers for it.
Plus, it rides great and will keep up with most sport bikes in the bendy bits at least. So I'm told, I'm not good enough to ride fast and loose just yet.

Rogerborg · nimbA Joined: 26 Oct 2010 Karma :

I've got a 29" inside leg and have dropped a Bandit 650 because of the fat seat (and 1/4 tonne of lard), but if I were buying a new bike right now, especially a new Suzuki, I'd expect the dealer to get in there with a hacksaw and duct tape to make it fit.

Really, go in there with a license and say "I'm buying today if you can make a bike fit me" and watch the magic happen.
____________________
Biking is 1/20th as dangerous as horse riding.
GONE: HN125-8, LF-250B, GPz 305, GPZ 500S, Burgman 400 // RIDING: F650GS (800 twin), Royal Enfield Bullet Electra 500 AVL, Ninja 250R because racebike

harscot · Crazy Courier Joined: 19 Apr 2011 Karma :

Rogerborgs got my vote Thumbs Up

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First bike R reg Suzuki 125 GT twin in 1978:
2nd bike X reg Honda 650 Deauville in 2011:
Wish bike a Triumph Thunderbird: Dream bike Triumph Rocket........

Cunnington · Spanner Monkey Joined: 01 Jun 2011 Karma :

When I bought my SV, I foolishly listened to the reviews in the bike press, who all said that the SV was a better bike than the V-Strom. The SV was (is) a brilliant bike, but the riding position became uncomfortable after a while, as it put pressure on my lower back. The SV maybe a better bike but I reckon if I'd gone for the V-Strom I'd still have it, because it is more suited to what I want.

Go for the one that fits you best. If you don't feel comfortable, it will eventually distract you and detract from your riding. Try different brands and consider buying an old hack to cut your teeth on. That way if you do drop it, you are not measuring the slide down the tarmac in hundreds of pounds per metre.

No-one can tell you if you will be bored of a bike because until you start riding, you wont know what you want. Once you know what you want, you can then invest your hard earned wedge into what you want, rather than taking a punt. Some people love the laziness of plenty low down grunt, others love the rush of a screaming power band.

Also consider that if you buy brand new, you will be depriving yourself of maintaining it and finding out how it actually works, as you will want to keep up a service record for warranty / resale value. When my Z1000 went and I got my project Revere, the freedom to get the spanners out again and start fixing things was a great feeling.

TL;DR
Go for the bike that fits you best. Consider buying an old hack to cut your teeth, which will give you time to work out what you want, and is much cheaper to drop.

Good luck and enjoy!
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'82 C50, '81 CB100, '84 GS125, '95 NTV650, '00 Bandit 600, '06 SV650, '56 Z1000, '89 NTV600
The Shaggy D.A. wrote: "You are invisible. Those who can see you are trying to kill you."

Charlie0560 · Two Stroke Sniffer Joined: 24 Oct 2011 Karma :

So today I went out and looked at a BMW F650CS which was quite old but was immaculate condition and only 8000 miles & £2500. Sitting on it was a really comfy and felt good, so I might go back and have a test ride WHEN I pass mod 2 on the 20th Smile

I also had a look at a trans-alp which was a Cat C repair, but although I liked the look I just wasnt comfy with it. Reckon on it starting to go, it would go big-style and Im not butch enough to stop it.......would let it go to save me, lol so that is one bike defo out of the running.
Also sat on a GSX650F and liked that very much, so will look at a test ride on that as well if its still there in 3 weeks time.
I said to the dealer that his prices seemed ish but he hadnt moved much stock over the last few months when talking about prices, so he said that he was going to put his prices up in a few weeks cos sales will pick up. Hmmmmmmmmm, if the prices go up, he defo wont get my business, co I reckon his bikes would then be overpriced. He said all dealers did this at the start of spring. Really??? Do they???? If they do, should I take a punt and buy one now before they put prices up?
____________________
CBT 04/06/11. Theory 10/08/11. MOD1 19/02/12. MOD2 03/04/12
The only silly question is the one you didn't ask!

Recluso · Brolly Dolly Joined: 16 Mar 2011 Karma :

Not wanting to burst your bubble but you may not be able to test ride. A lot of places want at least a year on a license (or rather their insurance does).

Glad you're getting the feel of things! You gotta enjoy what you're riding after all!
____________________
'Just erotic. Nothing kinky. It's the difference between using a feather and using a chicken.'
Honda PS125i > Yamaha YBR125 > Yamaha XJ6 Diversion > Yamaha Tracer 900

Villers · World Chat Champion Joined: 13 Sep 2004 Karma :

How short is this inside leg? Im no beanpole myself, think mines about 30 inches, and Ive not really found a bike I cant ride. The biggest part of that though is confidence, something that will grow on you as you get more experience!

You do sound quite sensible, and have maturity on your side so for me theres no reason why you couldnt have the 650 plastic bandit thing. The same goes for the SV650, theyve both got a bit of poke and at first may feel like rocketships but that will pass over time in the saddle. Definately not in the bracket of 'beast' though and sounds like a dealer trying to shift stock rather than look after your interests. On a side note any dealer who blazenly told me how business was slow, then told me how he was upping his prices deserves absolutely no trade from you, his opinion in what you should ride also takes a nose dive because it is based purely on his sales figures. There are 'dealers' out there who care, but this doesnt sound like one of them.

Anyway, the top and bottom of it for me is that you get what YOU want. If you have a criteria to meet (touring, luggage etc) then go for the one that meets it. Either way have fun, good luck with the mod 2 and all the best on the bike choice! Wink

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RS125 > CBR6 > SV650S > ZX636R > GSX1300RZ Hayabusa > 06 RSVR Mille > SV1000S > Street Triple 765 RS

Charlie0560 · Two Stroke Sniffer Joined: 24 Oct 2011 Karma :

I'm defo not really paranoid about being short, really Im not Laughing

and unfortunately my growth gene stopped at a 29 ish inside leg and as for you guys with a freaky gene that made you taller than me I hold no grudges hahahahahaha. Wink

Seriously though, I am now becoming aware that experience and common sense is essential for riding the bigger bikes. I guess I have the common sense, just need the experience and eventually that will lead me to the right bike and of course at the right price. Thumbs Up

I guess that apart from the essential safety aspects of doing DAS or any side of bike training, what you are essentially doing is learning to pass a test, then you learn from those basics, gathering (hopefully safely) the experience of riding many miles, effectively learning to ride the open roads. Its the same as learning to drive a car....... you just learn to pass the test then learn to drive. Neutral

I'm seriously considering doing some form of advanced training during the summer as well. Two reasons really.
1 - to help me be better and safer
2 - hopefully it will have an impact on my insurance and give me reduced premiums.
We shall see!!!!!
____________________
CBT 04/06/11. Theory 10/08/11. MOD1 19/02/12. MOD2 03/04/12
The only silly question is the one you didn't ask!

Sherwood Bambi · Nova Slayer Joined: 22 Aug 2011 Karma :

Interestingt thread - and a dilemna I'm familiar with being vertically challanged myself !

I'm 51 and passed my test last year after many years away from 2 wheels. Personally I went for a 2011 Triumph Bonneville and haven't regretted it for a second.

I'm 5ft 5 and can get both feet down comfortably - it's a big enough bike to feel I'm riding a "proper" bike and has loads of character.

I have thought about buying a sports tourer myself but the height thing is putting me off a little !

Charlie0560 · Two Stroke Sniffer Joined: 24 Oct 2011 Karma :

The Bonnie is a fantastic bike, just not sure I want to be that low down......being vertically challenged as you say, i want to try and hopefully see my way ahead a bit more, and tourers are good for that due to the height and as for sports tourers, Im not so sure, I reckon on them being similar to the Bonnie. But I could be wrong.
I have looked at the Bonnie myself when I went to look at a Tiger 955 and laughed so much it hurt......I couldn't touch the floor at all. I did sit on a Tiger 800 which was near damn perfect, just going to be a wee bit out of my price range at the moment!
____________________
CBT 04/06/11. Theory 10/08/11. MOD1 19/02/12. MOD2 03/04/12
The only silly question is the one you didn't ask!

Villers · World Chat Champion Joined: 13 Sep 2004 Karma :

ON my cureent RSVR I can either tippy toe it or I can put one foot flat with my arse all the way off the seat.

Having give it the big I am earlier on I have to admit I was too puny to pull my mates valedero off its sidestand in a wet carpark, but it was with full luggage and I was too light to compress his suspension!
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RS125 > CBR6 > SV650S > ZX636R > GSX1300RZ Hayabusa > 06 RSVR Mille > SV1000S > Street Triple 765 RS

Charlie0560 · Two Stroke Sniffer Joined: 24 Oct 2011 Karma :

I saw one post from a guy that suggested that all bikers should do weight training......I guess to build up some beef to be able to pick up the bigger bikes etc.
Nice bike tho!!!!!!!!!
____________________
CBT 04/06/11. Theory 10/08/11. MOD1 19/02/12. MOD2 03/04/12
The only silly question is the one you didn't ask!

Recluso · Brolly Dolly Joined: 16 Mar 2011 Karma :

Read this.

As a fellow shortie, it was very insightful. I'm 5'2" and have a 27" inside leg. Currently I'm considering the Yamaha XJ range and the Kawasaki ER6 range. Similar sort of styles to one another, but two ranges which I've found comfortable and not too hefty feeling.

I first thought that the height of the bike would be my big issue. I'm now finding that it's the length of the tank/riding style. For example, on an SV650 I was so squashed down just to reach the handlebars I don't believe I would actually have been able to turn. But on an XJ6-Diversion I was able to reach the handlebars easily and comfortably.
____________________
'Just erotic. Nothing kinky. It's the difference between using a feather and using a chicken.'
Honda PS125i > Yamaha YBR125 > Yamaha XJ6 Diversion > Yamaha Tracer 900

Charlie0560 · Two Stroke Sniffer Joined: 24 Oct 2011 Karma :

Its the devils own being short changed in the stature department for sure, but I guess the its all down to riding technique in some way with the bigger bikes unless you have short arms and have reach problems. If thats the case then it really is a problem. So far I've been lucky and guess that my arms are just about long enough.
One thing for me is that I dont want to be slouched across the top of tank on a super-sports bike, I really want to be more upright and that really does limit the bikes I can look at.
____________________
CBT 04/06/11. Theory 10/08/11. MOD1 19/02/12. MOD2 03/04/12
The only silly question is the one you didn't ask!