new bike advice and lid while im here!!

[berto46]

I currently have a scooter (50cc) as I work close by. But they time has now come to get my bigger bike.

I was thinking about an SV650 because they are classed as a great mid range comuter, but I have recently thought that I will get bored of theis bike very quick and want another one.

So my question is to all those budding Rossi's out there is.... Do I go for a bigger bike??? The one I had in mind was a 4 years old VFR800. I have done myself a few insurance quotes and they are roughtly the same price give or take £50.

I would like to say im sensible on the road, 30 years old and 15 stone (so the weight of the bike shouldnt be a problem also the SV maybe a bit crushed under my fat gut!!)

Also I will be looking for a new lid roughtly the same time as buying my new bike so does anyone have the rossi AGV ti-tech??

I hear that AGV's arnt particularly good as a tourers lid due to noise and needing ear plugs etc so I would like someone who owns this type of lid to give feedback if they would so kindly.

Many thanks in advance for all replys and assistance

[FreshAL]

My SV is a great bike to have as my first big bike, forgiving and exciting enough BUT

I really wouldn't recommend it as a commuter after all the mechanical problems I've had with it, it's just not up to being used every day in british weather.

[berto46]

Cheers AL,

I have heard that the SV is a little poor when it comes to riding in all conditions due to build quality and have heard that the forks in particular start pitting as soon as the slightest of salt contact. I have also heard that the engine is suseptible to missfiring due to water contact on the front spark plug??????

Sounds like I am talking myself into the VFR but would still like a bit more info!!!

[Harold_Shand]

Hello

I haven't ridden either of those, so I can't really help you there only to say that given the choice I'd have the VFR.

Black Knight is selling his which looks a peach in the Bikes and accesories section for a more than reasonable price

I can recommend a Shoei Raid 2 lid-wise. 200 notes well spent, low noise, really light, pinlock ( pinlock is beautiful ) so no fogging up in the rain.
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BCF's 6th favourite poster 2009-2010

Harold_Shand's theory might be the best explanation.

[Keen]

I thought about the sv but I went for the hornet, more power (I'm still not bored of it, great top end rush compared to what I've been used to) and much more practical as an everyday bike.
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"he who makes a beast of himself gets rid of the pain of being a man"- Dr. Johnson

[FreshAL]

[Dazbo666]

I can't comment on the VFR or the SV as I've never ridden either of 'em, but as for the lid, I have AGV V-Flyer (as in my avatar) and can confirm that it's fairly loud from about 50mph+

If I'm planning any trip that includes long sections of dual carriageway or motorway, I'll always make sure I have my earplugs at the ready. (Even to the point that lately I've been keeping at least one pair in my jacket pocket just to be prepared).

I must also add that the V-Flyer is the only lid that I've owned so far, so I also don't have anything else to compare it with, but IMO yes I think it's likely to be loud enough to cause problems if I went without ear plugs.
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1st bike (Sept'06 - May'10) : 1991 GPZ500S / Current bike (since Nov 2009) : 2003 Suzuki Bandit 600N
Word of the day : DILLIGAF

[Cillit-BANG]

Sv1000s?

Ducati 900ss? Wonderfull bike, more sporty than tourer though. £3k would get you a peach. They don't have the higher sevicing costs either.

Fazer Thou?

[colin1]

i dont think sv650 is much good as a commuter as really its for weekend riding.

i suspect that vfr400 is also not great as a commuter

how about getting a supermoto ? low rev torque is good for commuting

sports bikes are geared such that they dont pull well at low speeds
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colin1 is officially faster than god

[nrml76]

A BMW? Perhaps the ultimate commuter / tourer. Older bikes can be had for reasonable prices, and the new FS800 is sensibly priced.

[Simple]

Helmet - I have an AGV V flyer, is quite noisy but ALOT quieter than Nitro's.

BMF show coming up in may, lots of new helmets there at good prices.

Had my AGV 18months now, its taken some knocks, and I've fallen off and hit my head (even walked into a bar ) with it on and it's in good nick. only gripe with em I have is...

AGV's have an UBER crud visor mechanism, the 'tabs' ineviatbly break and at £25 for a visor from AGV You'd be better off spending your money on a different brand with a better mechanism.

simple
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Insta - FemFeral

[Zimbo]

It depends what sort of commuting really, the SV does have more "budget" build quality than the VFR, I personally would probably go for the VFR in this instance if I had far to go each day. Nothing much wrong with the SV, it's fast enough for most as an everyday bike and handles a lot better than it should with the fairly budget suspension it has, but it does suffer from winter a bit, and you do need to keep the front plug sealed as you say, they do suffer from misfires in the wet if you don't. The one thing in the SV's favour is the very low insurance. The VFR is obviously bigger and dearer to insure generally, but handles OK and has a great engine, more than enough grunt for most riders!

As for helmets, I've not had an AGV but a lot of people have commented on how quiet their AGV is when compared to, say, an Arai. I personally like Shoei, but try some on and get one that fits you best. Avoid helmets with lots of stick out stabilisers / vents etc if you want a nice quiet one!

[Itchy]

get two if you can't decide

ie get an indestructable rat bike

suggestions

GT550 / 750
NTV650
GS500 (buy lots of scottoil)
Cb500
Divvie 600

+ lots of hammerite

and get something nicer for the weekend , though currently I ride a rat at all times , which makes some of the other folks in the riding group look at me funny. (esp since my 13 year old beastie can keep up on twisty lanes with 1-2 YO sports 600s)

[berto46]

Just like to thank all for the above info and help.

I have decided to go with the GSXF750 instead of the VFR800 due to insurance and cost comparisons on the bikes.

As for the AGV even though the Ti tech rossi is amazing to look at..... if it doesnt perform to what I want then its not worth wasting my money!!

Anyone else got a GSXF750?? write ups I have read have said its a great "budget" sports/tourer and is a poor mans VFR800!!! so that about sums me up!!

Cheers

[veeeffarr]

I have an AGV Airtech in Red/Silver/Black/White.

It is noisy as fuck, but a nice comfy lid.

[dainesefreak]

Ok time to say it, have you tried these lids on yet? If not do so and buy the best fitting in a nice colour. As for the bike, I'm afraid it's got to be the VFR, the outstanding sports tourer and has been for the last decade.

[berto46]

DF. NO I haven't tried a Ti Tech on yet, but then I dont want to if they are noisy as fuck as toby has stated!!!

As for the VFR I will have to re-evaluate my budget to see what I can come up with. Ideally I would like the VFR but may have to settle for its cheaper alternative instead.

[dainesefreak]

Don't want to tell you how to suck eggs and all that but most helmets are quite loud that's why earplugs are a must. Find a store with a bigish selection of brands and ask for a few in your price range try them all on and buy the best fit cheaper off the web. Fit is the most important thing.

As for the VFR, the 750 was a great bike too and IMHO better looking than the 800.

[Philwild]

Last year my DAS instructor had a VFR800 and he swears by them! His has a ridiculously high milage as he uses it constantly all week and he said nothing has gone wrong.

He said the linked brake system takes some getting used to but I doubt you'd tell the difference if you had not ridden anything else.

Nice bike IMO

[dodsi]