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Talking about SVs, I'm kind of faffing about maybe swapping street/naked/touring bike next year. I feel like I'm done with insano rev before something happens i4 engines after owning my 2004 fz6n. I'm looking at the Suzuki sv1000 and the Honda vtr/superhawk/firestorm as I enjoyed the v-twin in my transalp. I'm leaning towards the sv1000. As I do a bit of touring, the fuel range on vtr seems like it would annoy me. I average around 10k miles a year. 99% of my street rides are with a top box and from what I can find noone has a top box solution for the vtr. Value wise on good sales/buy I can swap my fz6n with sv1000(vtrs are lower valued) that's in decent milage/ condition no problem. And ofc drop 1k usd on it to make it mine, ie farkle it up as I like them, sort the luggage situation, fresh pirellis, full fluid swap/service etc etc. From what I can see the sv1000 is pretty undervalued/unknown. So, has anyone here ridden/owned one? Is it a good buy? Engine time bombs? I read something somewhere about epoxyed magnets in the generator/stator that fails with age on the early sv bikes?
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Nov 12, 2021 21:26
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Couple of points: you're generally right about having to wait for the power with an I4 but the fz6 isn't very representative because after all the waiting you don't actually get power. The sv1000 I'm very familiar with. They are a bike of contrasts. On the one hand, they are magical on the chassis and handling front. The combination of a big twin with 90's gixxer suspension and geometry is really intoxicating, it's like an old Ducati without the flaws, or a vtr1000 without the floppy soggy porkyness. The size and weight and tyre sizes are at a perfect sweet spot, at least for me. On the other hand, the engine is...not great. They're basically indestructible and fairly low maintenance, but the power delivery is really coarse. They come across as having really  fuel mapping, like you can quite literally feel the zigzagging mixture plot as you steam up through the revs, they also respond poorly to noisy pipes. A power commander fixes all of this, but at the end you still have a somewhat... underwhelming? engine, like you sit there wondering if it's actually got 1000cc. The vtr1000 engine by comparison feels really 'big', the torque is much broader and smoother, throttle response is nicer (gigantic carbs with their own set of problems). This doesn't make up for the Honda's flaws, I think the Suzuki is a much better bike overall, but it's a good comparison.The overall build quality is a considerable step back from your Yamaha but it's pretty much the norm for Suzuki and doesn't really matter that much. Also the half faired model has the best headlights I've ever used. Basically if you're expecting a 1000cc v-twin naked sport bike they're underwhelming, if you're expecting a razor sharp jumbo SV with all the 650's flaws fixed from the factory, they're fucken delightful.
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Nov 12, 2021 21:40
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Hm, thanks for the info  My course of action looks to be an interested buyer in the spring to get some test rides to see how I Iike/accept the engine vs the handling/chassis. I haven't tried the sv650 version either so I'll look for local ones of those too.
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Nov 12, 2021 22:55
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Few months ago, I asked which bike to sell. Then I listed two out of three on the marketplace and well, nothing. I'm not listing at fire sale prices, and unfortunately there's very little interest. Out of few dozen people messaging, only few actually showed up. And no sale. I'm mainly selling to clear out garage space, and eventually upgrade do something more desirable in the future. But at this point I wonder if it's worth to lower the price to get rid of em, or just take the listings down until it's tax rebate time. Here in Pennsylvania the riding season is basically over, and it will pick up again middle of spring. Motorcycle sales do very well end of February and beginning of March because of tax rebates. The season to buy cheap motorcycles starts now, because people are desperate for Holiday money. Anyone have a suggestion?
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Nov 13, 2021 00:57
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Do you need the garage space now? Dump them. If not, hold till the spring.
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Nov 13, 2021 01:33
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I’d say wait it out, myself, I can’t imagine REALLY needing three extra months of a little bit of garage space.
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Nov 13, 2021 01:33
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Nitrox posted:Few months ago, I asked which bike to sell. Then I listed two out of three on the marketplace and well, nothing. I'm not listing at fire sale prices, and unfortunately there's very little interest. Out of few dozen people messaging, only few actually showed up. And no sale. I sold a pretty uninteresting bike in January in Colorado for $1200 ($300 under my listing price) once. It took a while of nothing much happening and occasionally refreshing the ad and then I got a solid bite on it. It can be done but basically I think you just have to put it to the side in the garage and mostly out of your mind but on the tender and gassed up ready to go.
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Nov 13, 2021 04:37
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Supradog posted:Hm, thanks for the info SV650s are awesome. The engine is rev happy (goes to 10500rpm), but it doesn't *need* the revs. I mostly ride it between 3500 and 6500rpm. If you're in slow traffic and barely cracking open the throttle, it'll just roll along in 1st or 2nd gear at 2000rpm. And that is one of the best things about it. It just never bucks or runs rough, unless you're really abusing it. It's super usable in standard traffic situations. Of course you can't accelerate like normal from 2000rpm, but it's smooth enough to crawl in traffic at those revs. Many other bikes i tried need a lot more clutch modulation in slow, crawling traffic. On the opposite end, it's also just easy to ride quickly. Up to 180km/h it's totally happy and it will get there quickly, above that it starts to get a bit labored and feels a bit more sloppy (stock suspension). Gotta say, at 180km/h you really do need the half fairing of the S version, and you gotta lie down on the tank. My best fuel consumption number is 4,5l/100km. I average about 5,5l/100km including the occasional 'Wheee, bikey fast' urge i give into, so range with the 15l tank is very usable. At continuous full throttle on the autobahn it does 10l/100km, and that equals exactly 202km/h (Hi Mallard!) on GPS on my 22 year old SV. Definitely check one out. LimaBiker fucked around with this message at 12:37 on Nov 13, 2021 |
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Nov 13, 2021 12:34
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A midsize V-twin in a sporty frame with mostly upright seating is the perfect all-around street bike. There's a reason people love the Hawk GT and the SV650 and now the Ducati Scrambler. I don't know why every manufacturer doesn't keep a bike like that in their lineup at all times. I guess Yamaha MT-07 with their 270-degree parallel-twin is pretty close in spirit, and people (even Slavvy!) love that bike too. More than enough power to get on the highway comfortably without screaming or buzzing, but not so much that you never get out of first around town, ideal power delivery and gearing for city streets or twisty two-lanes, sharp handling and easy steering, doesn't break your wrists or fold you up. Lovely Sagebrush fucked around with this message at 18:44 on Nov 13, 2021 |
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Nov 13, 2021 18:38
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would i be a dummy to buy new as my beginner bike? seems impossible to find any used beaters in my area that arent market up with 200% covid tax
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Nov 13, 2021 22:05
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tyrelhill posted:would i be a dummy to buy new as my beginner bike? seems impossible to find any used beaters in my area that arent market up with 200% covid tax It's always advisable to buy a used first bike but buying new is not forbidden. It's just more expensive, and psychologically riskier since you're going to drop it and feel worse because it was new and shiny and now it's not.
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Nov 13, 2021 22:12
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I bought new because I didn't want to deal with the possibility of a used bike having something wrong with it when I don't know what wrong feels like yet and it was fine. But I was able to pay with cash and didn't mind the break in period meaning I couldn't really do much highway driving. Somehow, I haven't dropped it yet but I figure that will come in the spring when I've forgotten everything over the winter.
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Nov 13, 2021 22:17
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yea i am not a horrible rider in any way, did a bunch back when i was younger... still have the feeling i am gonna drop at least once tho haha not in a rush either with the season basically over now, maybe ill get lucky and find someone selling on craigslist over the winter
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Nov 13, 2021 22:32
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KillHour posted:I bought new because I didn't want to deal with the possibility of a used bike having something wrong with it when I don't know what wrong feels like yet and it was fine. But I was able to pay with cash and didn't mind the break in period meaning I couldn't really do much highway driving. Have fun with those thoughts!
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Nov 13, 2021 22:54
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Heading to a shop that has some new Versys 650's in stock (which I'm not excited about in any way, but trying to keep an open mind about everything), a used Tenere, and a bunch of cruisers. With more used stuff coming into stock, it's getting a lot easier to throw my leg over a variety of things and see if my bum hip screams at me or not. Put a couple hours on my scooter last night and I definitely sit too low on it to get comfortable for long periods while in full fall/winter gear. It wasn't bad when I was in riding jeans, but with my pull-overs, it pinches the nerve in my hip that's bothering me more easily so I was definitely doing a lot of stretches at every stop light. I'm hopeful my physical therapy will continue to make the whole situation better, but if my leg is numb I'm not going to feel like riding as often. They've got a 2016 Vulcan I'm going to at least glance at because even though it's not at all what I think I want, I like how it looks and I really want to at least consider all the possibilities. Previous advice given here was leaning towards a V-Strom (I'm 6'2", 32" inseam, looking for something with an upright riding position for comfort, plan on going moto-camping and do mild off-roading) and that's what I've sat on that most closely felt like what I'd want once I have enough cash in hand. There's probably a 50/50 chance my partner's husband goes home on a Goldwing today.
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Nov 13, 2021 23:23
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Ordinarily I would say don't buy a used bike but ever since covid the prices on used bikes are so insane I'd just buy a new one if you want.
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Nov 13, 2021 23:26
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Winter time is the season to do killer deals on bikes where the seller HAS TO free up some cash. But you need access to/rent of a closed trailer, a easy place to store and maybe work on the new bike and of course you can't really test ride it.
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Nov 13, 2021 23:30
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Geekboy posted:Heading to a shop that has some new Versys 650's in stock (which I'm not excited about in any way, but trying to keep an open mind about everything), a used Tenere, and a bunch of cruisers. With more used stuff coming into stock, it's getting a lot easier to throw my leg over a variety of things and see if my bum hip screams at me or not. I had a Versys 650 and it was fine. Comfy, reliable, a bit boring but that's not always a bad thing. The cool thing with the Vulcan is there are multiple setups for it with seats, pegs and bars, but I don't know how that works with second hand bikes (I'm guessing it doesn't unless being sold by a main dealer.
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Nov 13, 2021 23:53
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Please consider something that's not almost 500lb for your first motorcycle.
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Nov 14, 2021 00:17
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The dealership didn’t have, like, any of the bikes we went to see actually in stock. So we went to the Harley dealership. I … really liked a 2017 Roadster I sat on and it was super comfy with lots of options to make it more comfy.
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Nov 14, 2021 02:40
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Russian Bear posted:Please consider something that's not almost
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Nov 14, 2021 06:16
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Or alternatively, buy whatever dumb thing you want and a GoPro.
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Nov 14, 2021 06:17
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Slavvy posted:Or alternatively, buy whatever dumb thing you want and a GoPro. Underestimating your turning circle into a ditch, understeering/target fixating into a ditch, dropping your bike on its side at an oddly cambered stop sign, or on a bit of gravel, or when you forgot your kickstand, doesn't make for good GoPro footage, it just makes you do the Spongebob Squarepants kid face while your visor is still down and then have to strip out of your jacket and give your buddy a hand pushing his 600lb piece of poo poo Vulcan 900 out of said ditch, or back upright.
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Nov 14, 2021 07:25
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I am sincerely looking for something that doesn’t weigh 500 pounds, but everything remotely comfortable I’ve sat on was heavy or a dirt bike.
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Nov 14, 2021 07:32
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Congrats on the new dirt bike
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Nov 14, 2021 07:50
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Geekboy posted:I am sincerely looking for something that doesn’t weigh 500 pounds, but everything remotely comfortable I’ve sat on was heavy or a dirt bike. Remember that time you got told to get a dr650?
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Nov 14, 2021 08:33
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Sit on: Versys 300X Honda 300L Rally KLX 300 SM or dual sport version Or any number of naked beginner bikes if your off roading is going to consist of a dirt road to a camping site (Z400, MT03, CB300R). Edit: my list is carb free low fat Russian Bear fucked around with this message at 09:46 on Nov 14, 2021 |
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Nov 14, 2021 09:18
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I’m not buying anything with a carb. Well, anything else. Russian Bear posted:Sit on: Most of these are in stock locally. Thank you for the list. Geekboy fucked around with this message at 18:26 on Nov 14, 2021 |
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Nov 14, 2021 09:35
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Russian Bear posted:Or any number of naked beginner bikes if your off roading is going to consist of a dirt road to a camping site (Z400, MT03, CB300R). Aye there's a huge list of smaller displacement bikes that would be fine, including a bunch of 500s like the CB500F, CMX500 Rebel etc. Benelli do some decent 500s but they are heavy as poo poo for their size.
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Nov 14, 2021 12:16
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What is it with people and carbs
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Nov 14, 2021 15:31
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HenryJLittlefinger posted:What is it with people and carbs They suck. They can't help it, it's what they're built to do.
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Nov 14, 2021 15:42
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The thing is Geekboy, your situation is not unique. There’s big guys with bad hips on bikes everywhere. There are bikes in just about every class that fit big guys with bad hips. You’re filtering your search by “ergos sitting still at the dealership” primarily with “bikes at the dealership” and the unhelpful “no carbs” box checked. Filtering for abs is fine if you’re wedded to that and that rules out most carbed bikes. Carbs don’t mean you’ll always be fiddling with them and efi doesn’t mean nothing will ever go wrong. You’ve laid out a reasonable use case for what you think you want out of a bike, and a handful of bikes were suggested that are designed for exactly that. A Roadster is absolutely not that. Have you taken the MSF course? Do you even know if you like riding motorcycles? Are you in love with motorcycles or the idea of them? Also, I don’t know anything about your financial situation, but if you have the money to get a new bike, than you can afford to go find the actual bike that you think will work and try it at a different dealership rather than saying “well that one’s not here, maybe this 1200cc Harley will be good too.” HenryJLittlefinger fucked around with this message at 16:02 on Nov 14, 2021 |
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Nov 14, 2021 15:58
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The problem with bike shopping is all bikes look really good when you are shopping. I knew a ton of dudes when I was in the Navy that bought brand new full size Harleys for their first bikes, pretty sure all of them were sold with under 1000 miles for line half of retail. I would test a bike like that before I spent the 15k or whatever they are asking for it. I find them obscenely boring. Hell, see if your Harley shop does the MSF class. At least if you do it there you will probably do it on a sportster or something like that.
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Nov 14, 2021 16:52
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Finger Prince posted:Underestimating your turning circle into a ditch, understeering/target fixating into a ditch, dropping your bike on its side at an oddly cambered stop sign, or on a bit of gravel, or when you forgot your kickstand, doesn't make for good GoPro footage, it just makes you do the Spongebob Squarepants kid face while your visor is still down and then have to strip out of your jacket and give your buddy a hand pushing his 600lb piece of poo poo Vulcan 900 out of said ditch, or back upright.
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Nov 14, 2021 16:56
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A carbed single is much easier to work on than a modern FI single, but neither is likely to ever need it.
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Nov 14, 2021 17:55
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Gorson posted:A carbed single is much easier to work on than a modern FI single, but neither is likely to ever need it. Both are trouble free systems if it actually gets ridden and not treated as garage art.
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Nov 14, 2021 18:15
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The problem with keeping an open mind is that a lot of motorcycles are very good.
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Nov 14, 2021 18:33
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Rev. Dr. Moses P. Lester posted:I must disagree here, target fixating into a ditch is the best part of any No Prisoners video Ok I'll admit, that one did sound a bit exciting over the intercom.
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Nov 14, 2021 18:37
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cursedshitbox posted:Both are trouble free systems if it actually gets ridden and not treated as garage art. Yeah it's this, so much carb hate is based on bad owners who let bikes sit untouched , unmoved, and unloved for 5+ years. An FI bike is going to choke on old gas just like a carbed one, the only difference being the carbed one will have a pilot jet that needs to be cleared. Typical motorcycle ownership stages, present company excluded of course: 1. Overspend on older carbed bike because looks cool, is vintage. 2. This isn't what I envisioned, speeds over 15mph makes me poop my pants, the bugs and road debris are annoying but no way am I wearing a helmet. 3. Bike sits for years and years. 4. Owner gets an urge to ride, goes out and cranks the bike over for 20 minutes with no luck. Now the battery needs to be replaced and the starter system has been stressed to the limit. WTF carbs suck! 5. Bike goes up for sale, low miles, well maintained, garaged, I know what I got. Geekboy posted:The problem with keeping an open mind is that a lot of motorcycles are very good. You are approaching the Golden Path, that of multi bike ownership. It's inevitable so you may as well embrace it. Onroad and offroad are so wildly different in requirements that something that is perfect for both just doesn't exist, the closest being a lightish dual sport.
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Nov 14, 2021 18:59
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The other problem with older carb bike ownership is the desire to modify. "Man, it sure would be cool to have a custom built exhaust system, better open up the intake!" "I can change out this bank of carbs to a slightly newer bank, and I'll get .5hp improvement and increase my mileage by 1mpg!" By that point you spend more time tinkering with your carbs than you do riding, and you end up buying a bunch of carb kits from Russia because even though you have to mix and match the gaskets to get a decent fix it's still cheaper than buying them from Dennis Kirk or RevZilla.
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Nov 14, 2021 19:15
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