Motorcycle.com

guitarfreak8188 · 07-08-2009, 10:14 AM

Hey, I've poked around the site and found some already very helpful advice in choosing my first bike. I've done my homework and I have narrowed down my choices to several bikes. I hope you guys can help me out.

I've taken a basic rider course, and gotten my license not two weeks ago. Aside from that, I really don't have any street riding experience.

My boss got a VFR as his first bike, and he says I can't go wrong with that. I've read its a nice steady increase in speed, not twitchy like say an R6, which got me excited. I also read about the breaking system which seems to have everything you could ask for. The only reason I think I may have an issue with this bike, is the weight. I suppose I don't really know how much this would affect my riding.

Now the bike I have been leaning for is the SV650 (looking at both 02 and 09 which are currently available). I read the bike is also a great starter bike with a smooth acceleration. I also read the bike is high on the comfort scale, much like the VFR.

Either bike new are a tad pricey, but I know I won't get bored with them within the next couple years. So the issue here is I don't know if I would be jumping the gun with the VFR, or if the SV is too conservative.

I am planning on riding the bike I purchase for recreation. Highways, back roads, country side riding are all interesting to me.

Thanks for all your help in advanced!

acecycleins · 07-08-2009, 10:36 AM

VFR's are nice, but the weight and technology are better than 10 yo- three bike generations. If you buy one get a used 2001-2004 model. SV's are great- yet simple machines. Again, buy used.
Personally, I would lean toward the SV as your entry bike. Easy to learn on, easy to ride, easy to ride hard when the experience comes, easy to off when you're ready to move up and easy to turn into a trackday weapon if you keep it and buy something different.
VFR's are like any other sport tour style bike- great all around motorcycle that has an audience of 1- you. If you need to sell it in a pinch you'll be disappointed at your responses from Craigslist. It's like buying an old BMW K bike. Everyone likes them- no one buys them.
Good luck to you young grasshopper.

The_AirHawk · 07-08-2009, 10:36 AM

I'd choose the SV over the Viffer, and a HawkGT over the SV. I even know where you could get a good Hawk for about $2500.

If you're really interested, I'll facilitate the info-swap.

sarnali2 · 07-08-2009, 10:53 AM

The problem with the VFR aside from weight is the bodywork. The first time you knock it over you're looking at serious bucks to replace it, any faired bike for that matter. The SV would be the better choice based on that alone.

guitarfreak8188 · 07-08-2009, 12:40 PM

Thanks for the info, I'm going to go with the SV. I just wanted to ask some of the pros before I purchased the VFR, and I will... after I get some more experience with the SV

Kenneth_Moore · 07-08-2009, 01:03 PM

Good call. The viffer is too much bike for a noob. It's so easy to ride over your head they'd be scraping you off a verticle surface within a week. The SV will be fun, and you won't outgrow it quickly.

longride · 07-08-2009, 03:50 PM

"I just wanted to ask some of the pros before I purchased the VFR,.."

Then why would you ask these clowns?

mscuddy · 07-08-2009, 04:43 PM

Nooo Laddie Dona Do It! Git Yerself A Nice Triumph Cub! And Some Spare Parts Too!

tripleripple · 07-08-2009, 10:11 PM

Holy Lord. I think we've just had a successful first-bike thread. An intelligent poster, did everything right to prepare for riding, narrowed his choices down to two sane bikes, and went with the sage advice of seasoned riders. Shut down the site.

trenttheuncatchable · 07-09-2009, 08:05 AM

If he was really green he'd get a Kawi 500R. In green.

07-08-2009, 10:14 AM	#1
guitarfreak8188 Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: Manchester CT Posts: 3	A tid bit green Hey, I've poked around the site and found some already very helpful advice in choosing my first bike. I've done my homework and I have narrowed down my choices to several bikes. I hope you guys can help me out. I've taken a basic rider course, and gotten my license not two weeks ago. Aside from that, I really don't have any street riding experience. My boss got a VFR as his first bike, and he says I can't go wrong with that. I've read its a nice steady increase in speed, not twitchy like say an R6, which got me excited. I also read about the breaking system which seems to have everything you could ask for. The only reason I think I may have an issue with this bike, is the weight. I suppose I don't really know how much this would affect my riding. Now the bike I have been leaning for is the SV650 (looking at both 02 and 09 which are currently available). I read the bike is also a great starter bike with a smooth acceleration. I also read the bike is high on the comfort scale, much like the VFR. Either bike new are a tad pricey, but I know I won't get bored with them within the next couple years. So the issue here is I don't know if I would be jumping the gun with the VFR, or if the SV is too conservative. I am planning on riding the bike I purchase for recreation. Highways, back roads, country side riding are all interesting to me. Thanks for all your help in advanced!

07-08-2009, 10:36 AM	#2
acecycleins Founding Member Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: North Georgia Posts: 4,125	VFR's are nice, but the weight and technology are better than 10 yo- three bike generations. If you buy one get a used 2001-2004 model. SV's are great- yet simple machines. Again, buy used. Personally, I would lean toward the SV as your entry bike. Easy to learn on, easy to ride, easy to ride hard when the experience comes, easy to off when you're ready to move up and easy to turn into a trackday weapon if you keep it and buy something different. VFR's are like any other sport tour style bike- great all around motorcycle that has an audience of 1- you. If you need to sell it in a pinch you'll be disappointed at your responses from Craigslist. It's like buying an old BMW K bike. Everyone likes them- no one buys them. Good luck to you young grasshopper. __________________ "Slack" - a state of being in which everything flows smoothly.....a frame of mind so at ease that the universe naturally cooperates.

07-08-2009, 10:36 AM	#3
The_AirHawk Founding Member Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Livin' in a Van: down by the Mariana Trench Posts: 10,891	I'd choose the SV over the Viffer, and a HawkGT over the SV. I even know where you could get a good Hawk for about $2500. If you're really interested, I'll facilitate the info-swap. __________________ *Parfois, on fait pas semblant* Sometimes, it's not pretend Oderint Dum Metuant Let them hate so long as they fear политики предпочитают безоружных крестьян Politicians Prefer Unarmed Peasants Nothing to see here, Citizen. Move along now...

07-08-2009, 10:53 AM	#4
sarnali2 Aging Cafe` Racer Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Sittin' down by my window, lookin' at the rain. Posts: 8,132	The problem with the VFR aside from weight is the bodywork. The first time you knock it over you're looking at serious bucks to replace it, any faired bike for that matter. The SV would be the better choice based on that alone. __________________ "Carpe` Throttelum -Loud Suits Save Lives" "All the BMW riders in the room, I want you to leave. Now. Out. "

07-08-2009, 01:03 PM	#6
Kenneth_Moore Registered Member Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: VIsiting the GIft Shop in the Pit of DIspair Posts: 7,118	Good call. The viffer is too much bike for a noob. It's so easy to ride over your head they'd be scraping you off a verticle surface within a week. The SV will be fun, and you won't outgrow it quickly. __________________ www.kennethmoore.org

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07-08-2009, 12:40 PM	#5
guitarfreak8188 Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: Manchester CT Posts: 3	Thanks for the info, I'm going to go with the SV. I just wanted to ask some of the pros before I purchased the VFR, and I will... after I get some more experience with the SV

07-08-2009, 03:50 PM	#7
longride Super Duper Mod Man Join Date: Nov 2001 Location: Anywhere they let me Posts: 10,484	"I just wanted to ask some of the pros before I purchased the VFR,.." Then why would you ask these clowns? __________________ I'm a knucklehead

07-08-2009, 04:43 PM	#8
mscuddy MODERATOR X Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Next to my still checkin the temp. Posts: 5,444	Nooo Laddie Dona Do It! Git Yerself A Nice Triumph Cub! And Some Spare Parts Too! __________________ A gun is a tool, Marian; no better or no worse than any other tool: an axe, a shovel or anything. A gun is as good or as bad as the man using it. Remember that.

07-08-2009, 10:11 PM	#9
tripleripple Founding Member Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Lightly Fortified Compound (apartment): Chicago, IL Posts: 421	Holy Lord. I think we've just had a successful first-bike thread. An intelligent poster, did everything right to prepare for riding, narrowed his choices down to two sane bikes, and went with the sage advice of seasoned riders. Shut down the site.

07-09-2009, 08:05 AM	#10
trenttheuncatchable Founding Member Join Date: Jun 2007 Posts: 834	If he was really green he'd get a Kawi 500R. In green.