SV650S, F4i, FZ6, YZF600R, or SV1000S - Page 2

FZ6_Rider · 07-01-2004, 11:15 AM

Again, everyone has their own experiences and preferences - but I got my FZ6 as a first bike. I was told by everyone I knew that rode that I would drop the bike at some point and accepted it as a risk of owning a nice bike. On the third day of being on the street my FZ6 was dropped at an intersection when I put my left foot down into some cages mess of oil and antifreeze. And did I cry? Nope...just picked up the bike, checked it for damage (just a few scratches in the alt cover and the back of the mirror), restarted it and finished my planned trip.

Honestly, my biggest concern about dropping a bike was not how to prevent it (happens to the best of us, so I'm told), but if I could actually get it back upright (I'm physically fit, but only 155lbs soaking wet). A friend let me try to pick up his HD Softail....and it was all I could do to get the 650+ lbs monster back on it wheels.

Bruce in Redding, CA

GSX400 · 07-01-2004, 11:49 PM

I know this sounds crazy, but yes my first bike and I'm considering a new one. I don't know much ridding experience but ridden mopet in the past. I know it's not the same. I'm not afraid of dropping the bike either. I'm taking the the msf class later this month. I know I should consider the 250 or 500, but they just don't appeal to me. I want a bike that I wouldn't grow out of it in a few months.

It sound the FZ6 is an excellent bike. Compare to the YZF 600R (2005) which is better?

dennisred69 · 07-02-2004, 12:40 AM

the value of the fz6 is great and more upright but i personaly like the yzf 600 if your mind is set then your going to get one of these any way just be carefull and stay light on the gas or youll be picking the bike up off the ground they all have a good bit of power

djalterego · 07-02-2004, 03:39 AM

After taking an MSF class my first bike was a 93 Yamaha Seca II. I bought the bright blue crapper for $900. I did not want to drop a shiny new bike on the ground or spend a bunch of money and come to find out that I can't ride. Well I never dropped it and I can ride but I am glad that I started on the Seca. It had managable power for a newbie. I wasn't afraid of damaging the bike itself so I could concentrate on my technique.

If you spend 1-2000 on a used beginners bike, you will be able to turn around and sell it the following year for pretty much what you paid for it. If you spend 6-8 grand on a new bike you wont be able to do that. I owned the Seca for a little over a year and sold the thing in 3 days for 50 bucks less than I bought it for. Now I ride a Liquid Silver YZF600R

GSX400 · 07-03-2004, 01:56 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by djalterego

After taking an MSF class my first bike was a 93 Yamaha Seca II. I bought the bright blue crapper for $900. I did not want to drop a shiny new bike on the ground or spend a bunch of money and come to find out that I can't ride. Well I never dropped it and I can ride but I am glad that I started on the Seca. It had managable power for a newbie. I wasn't afraid of damaging the bike itself so I could concentrate on my technique.

If you spend 1-2000 on a used beginners bike, you will be able to turn around and sell it the following year for pretty much what you paid for it. If you spend 6-8 grand on a new bike you wont be able to do that. I owned the Seca for a little over a year and sold the thing in 3 days for 50 bucks less than I bought it for. Now I ride a Liquid Silver YZF600R

That might something I would consider. I'll consider it, thank you. This weekend I'll look around to see if I can find an inexpensive bike to start first.

Samurai Jack · 07-03-2004, 09:56 AM

Just for the record, the FZ6 USED to have the engine the YZF600 had, not the FZR. It currently has a detuned R6 engine, just as the FZ-1 has the previous genereation R-1 engine. I would not recommend the FZ6 as a first bike due to just the top heaviness alone. It's your money, but regardless of engine size or type, I wouldn't buy new GSX400.
Do you have gear, insurance, bike tools, etc. etc? Those are all things that need to be factored into the equation. Besides, since you are just getting started, you might find that you love v-twins and can't stand inline fours, or that clip-ons don't bother you but cramped rearsets do, or vice versa or maybe not at all. Anyway, you get my point. At the moment you just don't have enough experience to know what you will and won't like. Go cheap and used to get a baseline for comparison. Good luck.

M.

Squid Killer · 07-03-2004, 10:07 AM

I put 40,000 miles on my YZF600 in two years. That says a lot about its comfort.

Max Deutch · 07-03-2004, 02:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Squid Killer

I put 40,000 miles on my YZF600 in two years. That says a lot about its comfort.

Man, that is a bunch of riding. How is it holding up?

obijuan · 07-03-2004, 03:03 PM

The YZF600 would be a good choice. The FZ6 having the R6 engine would be a bit more powerful/faster. The YZF is comfortable, and very docile, but as you progress it has good power for when you're ready for it. It actually has more low end torque and HP than an R6. It's a bit heavy, but once moving, it's fine, and still weighs less than the FZ6. It handles very well, and has adjustible suspension front and back, where the FZ6 doesn't. The only thing I don't like is its very cold blooded. Takes a while to warm up. The FZ6 has the advantage of being fuel injected.

Fazer6 · 07-24-2004, 10:01 PM

I bought an FZ6 as my first bike earlier this year. Love it. Comfortable upright riding position. Enough power to keep me happy for a while. Handles well in the canyons.

Downside: Jerky throttle response at low speed(1st and 2nd gear); Front suspension seems soft and not adjustable.

neutom72 · 07-24-2004, 10:37 PM

The SV1000S might not be a good choice for you now, but the others would be okay. Don't discount the Katana 600. I started out on a Suzuki 88' Kan o' tuna and it was a great first bike. Not a true sportbike, but cheap thrills for a first bike.

lawson · 07-24-2004, 11:32 PM

Get a 500. i havent got my bike yet and i want to start at a 500 or less becuase im afraid i will do somthing wrong and end up hurt on a more powerfull bike

YZF600_SILVER_CAT · 07-25-2004, 12:31 AM

I have a 2003 Yzf 600 and I love it. It's not the fastest bike out there by far but it does have plenty of power for the street. The handling is great with awsome brakes for the crazy car drivers you have to dodge. I am 6'1" 160 lbs and it fits me great. How much power do you need for the street anyway? My good freind has a 2004 Honda F4I and when I set on it I feel like my hips are being spread apart and I don't feel like that on the Yzf. They are cold blooded but it don't take that long to warm up. I don't notice the extra few pounds that they weigh especially since I have a tank bag on it for commuting to work anyway. The suspension settings are all there for you to adjust for the way you like to ride. I have mine set so that it launches when you get on it instead of pulling the front in the air. How much better can you get since Yamaha hasn't changed anything since 97 and still makes the same bike in 2005. I will say that get what you like and to HELL with what everyone says. YOU MAKE THE PAYMENTS NOT THEM.

lawson · 07-25-2004, 01:03 AM

thats a really nice bike.. cant wait for next summer gonna have my m2 this summer and just get my bike next summer and start riding. gonna be so much fun.

anot · 05-07-2007, 06:13 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by lawson

Get a 500. i havent got my bike yet and i want to start at a 500 or less becuase im afraid i will do somthing wrong and end up hurt on a more powerful bike

I started with a Honda CB500 (don't know if you get them in the states) but I got tired of it pretty quickly, so don't get a 500...

I have also had an SV650 which I really liked, however a Volvo came my way so now I own an FZ6. Out of the bikes I have owned I must say that I like the FZ6 best, and it is in my opinion a good bike to start with. It is easy to ride and won't give you any nasty surprises, and the upright riding position is very comfortable.

I actually think the SV is a less good choice for you since the seat isn't all that comfortable, the stock front suspension is way too soft (replace with Öhlins) and the brakes could be a bit better.

Do you get the Kawasaki 650 parallel twin in the US? If so, that is also a really good choice and alot cheaper than the FZ, atleast in Europe.