Ninja 650r vs Yamaha FZ6r

[sonofhonor]

Why would you recommend this bike?

[The_AirHawk]

Originally Posted by sonofhonor

Why would you recommend this bike?

Tractable power-delivery in a fairly lightweight, agile chassis. And you get yer "sportbike look" without the high-strung, disrespect-me-and-wear-me-as-a-hat throttle-response of a supersport.

I wouldn't rate it as an "excellent" beginner bike; but it's a damn sight better than any 4-cylinder 600.

HUGE aftermarket support for the SV - racing, sport-touring, Blizzing-YO!-ing, you name it: someone probably makes it for the SV. There's a bazillion of the damn things out there in the used market (used = not such big tears WHEN YOU DROP IT, and you will...............)

[seruzawa]

Originally Posted by sonofhonor

well i am personally very fond of the sport bike styling and would love to get a "real" sportsbike but im pretty new to riding. I wanted to get something more user friendly without sacrificing the look i like so much. thats why i have avoided the naked/standard bikes. although i did consider the kawi er-6n. I wondering about personal insight from people who are familiar with these models. i don't want to make a rash decision so i thought i would ask. thanks for the posts.

Ummmmm. The Ninja650 is a "real" sportbike. Don't fall for that snobbery BS from people who buy bikes that are excruciatingly uncomfortable and feel a need to look down on wiser buyers.

[SmokeU]

I'm seriously considering a Ninja 650 to go along with the Concours. 'Cept the vife has to give me the OK first.

I saw a sweet(as sweet as they get anyway) GS500 on Craigslist the other day for $2000.

[Kenneth_Moore]

Originally Posted by sonofhonor

Why would you recommend this bike?

I recommended it first! Geez, I hate these Butt-Inskis.

The SV650 has an "L-90" V-Twin engine. This is the same configuration used on most Ducatis and many other V-Twin bikes. It's an inherently balanced design; it doesn't need balance shafts etc. Generally speaking, V-Twins tend to have a better "bottom-end" in their power curve; they produce more usable "street-power" than a comparable I-4. The SV, as noted below, is extremely well-supported by the aftermarket; you can find endless upgrades for the bike. If you ever get into track-days, you'll find there is a big SV rider community out there. And for less than $8k, you get more capability than 90% of motorcyclists can use. I'm thinking of buying one myself.

One more thing: Kevin Duke said he'd rather ride an SV-650 on a track day than any 600 or liter sportbike.

[Buzglyd]

Originally Posted by Kenneth_Moore

I recommended it first! Geez, I hate these Butt-Inskis.

The SV650 has an "L-90" V-Twin engine. This is the same configuration used on most Ducatis and many other V-Twin bikes. It's an inherently balanced design; it doesn't need balance shafts etc. Generally speaking, V-Twins tend to have a better "bottom-end" in their power curve; they produce more usable "street-power" than a comparable I-4. The SV, as noted below, is extremely well-supported by the aftermarket; you can find endless upgrades for the bike. If you ever get into track-days, you'll find there is a big SV rider community out there. And for less than $8k, you get more capability than 90% of motorcyclists can use. I'm thinking of buying one myself.

One more thing: Kevin Duke said he'd rather ride an SV-650 on a track day than any 600 or liter sportbike.

Without fur on the tank it's just a useless POS.

[trenttheuncatchable]

Originally Posted by Kenneth_Moore

I recommended it first!

Yes, you did. I was reiterating your recommendation, especially after that particular follow-up post.