Moneeb,

IMO the SV650 is an ideal bike for almost everyone from beginners to expert racers. Yes, it has enough power to get you in trouble if you use it wrong, but the V-twin has a very friendly, broad powerband, unlike the inline 4s which have a more abrupt topend hit. That said, I've seen riders wreck even slow bikes b/c they didn't know what they were doing. The SV is light, handles great, is F-U-N, easy to ride, reliable, and cheap to insure. It's also one of the hottest roadracing bikes currently, so I don't think you'd have to worry about outgrowing it.

I'm thinking about getting another streetbike in the next few months (once it cools down), and if I do it will be a '02 SV 650S. I've had much faster bikes like the R1, R6, ZX9R, Superhawk, etc., but have decided those are overkill on the street. The SV has plenty of power to have plenty of fun w/ lower risk.

 

Moneeb:

Though I agree with most eveything that's been posted here, I have a few things to add & a slightly different opinion. . .

I understand 2kturkey's point about learning on a 125 or 250cc bike. However, the reality is that unless you're going to be "off-roading" or "dual sport" riding, you will probably be better suited on a bigger bike (600), especially for highway riding. . .

The safety course will use 125 and/or 250's & most of the riding instructors will readily admit that the training bikes are typically smaller than what a new rider will end up buying. . . Also, from my experience, the 250 Honda Nighthawks & Rebels used during the safety course were LESS stable than the 600 CBR F4 during cornering & emergency situations (primarily becuase of their weight distribution). . .

IMO, I think a 600 (CBR F4i, Yamaha R6, etc) are definitely GOOD starter bikes, if you RESPECT the power and take the TIME to learn how to ride correctly (in empty parking lots, etc). . . Are they great starter bikes, NO. Why? Because they do have considerable power given their weight. In an ideal world (money not a factor, etc.), I would agree with 2kturkey in terms of getting a 250. However, I personally can't reccommend someone spending $2-4K on a bike that they will only keep for a year (or less).

In the world of sport bikes, its hard to balance the "beginner rider" versus "beginner bike" ratio. Personally, though the potential for mistakes is higher with sportbikes (versus cruisers or standard bikes), the probability is lower with the 600s because the maximum power is only available at very high RPM (unlike a 900+cc bikes where the power is available almost instantly). This means that you really need to "make a mistake (i.e., grab too much throttle) for a mistake to happen.

Bottomline, since you're interst is in riding sportbikes, I suggest getting a 600 sportbike. HOWEVER, look for a used 600. You'll save a lot of money, while being able to learn how to ride a sportbike & decide if sportbikes are for you. Also, if you happen to drop the bike while learning, you won't worry about wrecking a $8-9K machine. . .

Additionally, riding position is a factor. Most sportbikes put a lot of weight on the rider's wrists. . . Keep this in mind when looking at sportbikes. Just because it looks "cool" doesn't make it comfortable. That being said, the Honda 600's & the Suzuki non GSXR's, have more standard (less aggressive) riding positions than comparable Yamaha's, Suzuki GSXR's, & Ninja's. . . With the Honda, you can lean over the gas tank when you want that "racing style", but you're not forced to do it all the time. . .

Good luck. . .

 

Probably not along the lines you are thinking, but something like the KLR-650 has some advantages:

1. It's inexpensive new, and cheap as dirt used.

2. Bulletproof, and drops without much damage.

3. You can ride it on and off road

4. Very streetable.

5. If you graduate to a sport-bike, makes a perfect garage-mate!

Negatives would be not terrific brakes, the vibration of a single, and it's not the prettiest bike on the planet...

 

Moneeb-

As with your last posted question, I think you have gotten a lot of valuable advice here.

It's interesting to note that there is such a wide variance of opinions here. I guess it's true that opinons are like butt's, eveyone has one...

Here's mine. The Suzuki SV650 and SV650S are fantastic bikes that I think make good first motorcycles. They are relatively light, have a low seating position, are comfortable and plenty quick even for very experienced riders yet not so high strung as to be intimidating to beginners.

Having said that, I still think you are better off going the used route. Buying used motorcycles, as with cars, really helps out on the depreciation front. In addition, you can get in at a lower price and spend more money where it is important (i.e. helmet, leathers, etc).

I would avoid the Kaw 250. I only say that because for a very small incremental cost you can get a 500R or a EX 500. The Kaw Ninja 500R was my first bike and I (while admittedly biased) think it is the perfect first bike. It offers 90% of what the Suz 650 does at 50% the cost. The newer ones come with lower fairings and "look the sport bike part" as you seem to be concerned about the looks of the bike. Fair enough. Once you are comfortable on that bike a few hundred bucks invested in better tires and exhaust/jet kit will leave you with a bike that will come very close to competing with a couple year old full blown 600 sport bike (at least at reasonable speeds on the real road).

I got my '97 500R for like $3K. I rode the crap out of it and really enjoyed it for just over a year. I then sold the bike for $2,900. I think I could have done better but I found a great young buyer and felt like helping him out. $100 plus maintenance for a full years fun. Not bad.

Parts are plentiful for this model and you can use 100% of the power on the road. I don't think you can go wrong.

Don't believe me,check out most of the rags. Motorcycle online and others all agree that it's a pretty damned good used bike to buy as a first mount.

Good luck.

PS - a CBR600 is an awesome bike. I had an F3 for a while after selling my Ninja. It is, however, too much bike for a beginner in my opinion. Yes, you can be real disciplined and ride it safely. The temptation, and opportunity to get yourself into trouble is just too great. Use your head, I say, and don't put yourself in a position you aren't necessarily ready for.

 

To answer your first question: Yes, it's a very good choice. It is well balanced, delivers extremely good fuel economy, has great lowend torque and really good performance. Handling is superb. there are also quite alot of aftermarket products available if you get the bug.

Second question: Handling and power delivery charateristics are quite a bit diffrent. General riding position is more extreme and is not a comfortable for the everyday commute. Power delivery is more toggle switch. It's designed for high rpm horsepower delievery as opposed to lower down the rpm range for the SV650. More cylinders, more maintenance required. Handling superb and vergs on twitchy for a nonexperienced rider. The CBR and the SV are two diffrent class of bike don't confuse the two.

Third: Moneeb, this is purely your choice. I think eather choice is a good one. If you are going to plan on keeping it for more than 3 years, I'd say go with the CBR600F4. You can handle it without much problem. I will tell you that you need to excercise caution if you do. Especially until you get us to the bike and it's handling and power delivery charateristics. In your posts you have at least shown some excersise of caution. I have no doubt that you'll do the same with the Honda. Me, I'd take the Honda because you can grow with the bike. At first it will be far above your capability and you can learn and have confidence in the bikes handling ability. You sound like you would be more happy with the Honda.

Most salesman will steer you away from a particular bike because of special priced models and need to move more SKU's in that model. Few will actually give a darn if you are a new rider. Most don't even ride. They are just doing what the owner wants. They have no idea what your capabilities are. I've walked into dealerships and listened to salesman try their damnest to sell me a particular model because of a large floor plan stock in the warehouse. Most large volumn dealers floor plan their bikes. They have to sell X number of a particular model because the manfacture is requiring them to do so. I'll bet he has an overstock of the SV650. Buy what you'll be satisfied with for awhile. Not what the salesman reccomends! Very few salesman have any experience of what they sell. Most have never ridden a motorcycle for a long period of time. Questions you can ask to see if you have an experienced salesman and some buying tips:

BEFORE CHOOSING

1) Do you have a bike and what do you ride?

2) How long have you ridden?

3) Are you aware of service and maintenance intervals?

4) How long have you been in the motorcycle sales business?

5) Ask for a brochure, and study the specs. Ask him questions about the same. (Know what your buying.)

6) Make repeated trips to the dealer and ask to speak to the service manager, mechanics and sales manager.

7) Do not impulse buy, ever!

8) Read magazine articles, and rewiew internet magazine sites on the prospective bike.

9) Don't ever let a salesman make up your mind for you. If you don't know go away until you do.

10) Make sure that you review any warranty information and purchase agreements throughly.

11) Do not make your selection and purchase in one day.

12) Do not buy a demo ever. Anything with more than 5 miles on the clock.

13) Shop around!

If you run acrossed any of the first four questions that the answer is no or I don't know, find another salesman. He needs the comission and will try to sell you anything. He can't advise you honestly on anything. Steer clear of the saleman that tries to guide you to a particular model because it seems to suit you better. He doesn't know what you like anyway. Try to find an experienced rider/salesman that will talk to you about what you want. Don't get in a hurry. Pick what you want and than sleep on it.

 

OK, first I'll apologize for recommending a Rebel. I bought the Rebel for my wife because it was the only thing she could plant both feet on the ground. She's only 4'10". The price was right too.
Cruisers are difficult for beginners to ride, due to the amount of rake. Makes the bike feels like it wants to fall in slow turns.
Personally I've ridden Harleys and Honda Shadows and I don't like the handleing characteristics of the cruiser style. My Gold wing handles better and it weighs 1000 lbs. The Honda CBR 600F2 was a blast, but long rides were uncomfortable. What a rush though!
The used bike advice is still valid. Buy cheap, learn, sell, buy the dream machine.
I like the street/dirt option too. Excellent handling and dual use.
The sport bikes are very stable and easy to learn to ride.
Crotch rockets are fine, just expensive.
In Texas the rider's course provides the bike.
Why not sign up and learn on theirs?

 

I agree the SV650 is probably a great first bike but I also recommend buying a beater-bike as your first. But not anything less than 500 cc IMO. Yes I dropped my first bike, several times, but always at around 5 MPH (wet leaves are my nemesis) and the worst damage was scratches and a busted mirror. While you might find a used SV650, you're sure to find a Ninja 500EX, which would keep you in the sporting category, but very cheaply. I can also humbly recommend a 1982 Kawasaki GPZ 550, my favorite sporty standard. I'm still sorry I sold mine.

The SV650 is easier for a beginner than what I and some of my friends started with. For me it was my dad's 1973 BMW R75/5. A banana seat, binary drum brakes (locking up "on" or useless "off"), clutch engagement measure in arc-seconds, and a nasty oscillating suspension (short frame model). So don't let people poo poo an SV650 too hard.

You'll outgrow anything smaller too fast. You may never outgrow the SV650. I sometimes go canyon carving with two guys, one newbie who runs an SV and another experienced guy who rides a Ducati (996, I think). The SV can hang with most other bikes and is a hoot to ride. This guy added a fairing to keep some wind off him on the highway. Oh, and I ride a BMW R1200C which is NOT sporty and NOT a beginner-bike but I can at least keep these guys in sight and when I ride from LA to SF and back they're nowhere to be found.

As an aside, DON'T buy a 1982 Honda CX500 turbo! Man, they are cool but they are also more trouble than it is worth and hard to ride.

 

Man I see these race bike groups ride together on the freeway with their helmets on and chicks in the back. I've got to admit it's pretty cool.

 

I second that recommendation on the Ninja 500 or GPZ550. Both damn nice beater bikes. Easy to ride and you'll wish you never sold it. I still wish I had my CB1100F. Same style. upright riding position, very little rake. Handled like a ten speed. OH well. Riding experience counts for a lot. But you won't live long without a helmet! Buy one and don't scrimp on cost. But above all, wear it. Even if your just going down the street.

 

i noticed youre in la, first thing id like to say,myself being a rider in la, is that you have to be extremely careful no matter what bike you get, always paying attention to your surroundings,(especially these days with people on cell phones all the time) try to spend as much riding time away from other vehicles to get familiar with the bike and the basics of riding. just my two cents worth. ride safe, and good luck.