Is an SV650 too much?

[TomServo]

Two issues I'd have with an SV650 for a starter bike:

- The S model has a fairly aggressive riding position. It's not supersport, but it still has you forward much more than a standard bike. Not an issue for the naked version
- The engine braking is significant, and adds a layer of complexity to learning to ride. Aside from horsepower, this is the biggest thing that jumps out at me when I switch from my 250 to the 650.

Given those two things, I wonder why more people don't mention the Ninja 650R / ER-6n as a starter bike. A little less common that the SV650, but still not hard to find.

[CoonDawg]

Yeah I noticed the engine braking my first ride. I didn't even need my brakes for casual riding. I suppose this is a very bad and dangerous habit to get into, but it's sooooo much easier to do...

[TomServo]

I don't think it's a bad habit - quite the opposite in fact. If something happens where you need to move quickly while you're slowing down you're in the proper gear. Better than simply pulling in the clutch and clicking down all the gears once you come to a stop.

Since you should be at least coming down the gears while decelerating, the engine braking on an SV is something a new rider wouldn't have to content with on, say, a Ninja 250 or 650.

[Bird of Fire]

Originally Posted by TomServo

Two issues I'd have with an SV650 for a starter bike:

- The S model has a fairly aggressive riding position. It's not supersport, but it still has you forward much more than a standard bike. Not an issue for the naked version
- The engine braking is significant, and adds a layer of complexity to learning to ride. Aside from horsepower, this is the biggest thing that jumps out at me when I switch from my 250 to the 650.

Given those two things, I wonder why more people don't mention the Ninja 650R / ER-6n as a starter bike. A little less common that the SV650, but still not hard to find.

TPS Adjustment Step-by-Step Pictorial Guide - SV650.org - SV650 & Gladius 650 Forum

This lessens the throttle sensitivity quite significantly when going off the throttle. You need a security torx bit that you can find at sears 90% of the time. Makes the SV650 much much nicer and easier to deal with. Engine braking is still quite noticeable, but not nearly as abrupt out of the box. Trust me, do it, takes 30 minutes to do TOPS.

[Soulbreeze]

~~
Just to update this post:

I went the smart route and put money down on a '12 Honda CBR250 yesterday. I've seen pretty much nothing but positive reviews of the bike and many people keep it after 'upgrading' to use as a commuter. It will do everything I want it to do and still give me high MPG's.

I figure when I decide I want something bigger/quicker/full size for my weekend rides, I'll find something cheap and used that I won't mind learning to wrench on.

First priority is going to be to paint that fugly ass heat shield.
~~

[Girl O' Flight]

Originally Posted by Soulbreeze

~~
Just to update this post:

I went the smart route and put money down on a '12 Honda CBR250 yesterday. I've seen pretty much nothing but positive reviews of the bike and many people keep it after 'upgrading' to use as a commuter. It will do everything I want it to do and still give me high MPG's.

I figure when I decide I want something bigger/quicker/full size for my weekend rides, I'll find something cheap and used that I won't mind learning to wrench on.

First priority is going to be to paint that fugly ass heat shield.
~~

I think you made a wise decision!! Coming from a scooter it makes more sense to ease into the motorcycle thing from a smaller engine size than to jump in full bore and regret your decision!

The bike in my avatar was my first bike...I got it new in late 2008. It was way to big/heavy for me. I don't know your height/weight, but I have found alot of folks don't think about how WIDE a bike is and if it is kinda on the wide side and you are not real tall, that seriously hampers your ability to put your feet down securely, especially on sloping ground or in the gravel/dirt pull-outs. The 650F was too much bike for me at the time. I dropped it several times. I then bought a GSXR 600. Now some people might think imediately "stupid girl"! But for me, it was the perfect size, height, weight and power. I am not heavy handed on the throttle (another thing to consider when purchasing a bike. FI ones seem to deliver the power quicker, imho....I'm not mechanic...just an observance) I then got a 2007 SV650s. To me, that bike was WAY easier to ride than my GSXR. Yes, it's torquey, but to me it was easier to control the speed than the GSXR was. I don't know if it's a true beginners bike. I'd say that is entirely up to the rider to decide. You and you alone know your abilities, your style, your limitations (if you are honest with yourself) For me, I wish I'd gotten the SV instead of the GSXR. I think it would of been better for me. Also, the SV is now the Gladius which is nekked and has an upright seating postion. (I have one)
It's smoother excelerating than the SV......very easy to ride. You may like it down the road aways when you outgrow that 250! Jes' sayin'....

[Soulbreeze]

~~
I'm sure whenever/if I decide to move up, it will be in the 70ish horsepower range of bikes (SV, Ninja 650, FZ6R). The FZ6r is actually the bike I see myself riding for a long time. Well, on paper at least. From it's neutral seating position, to it's still respectable gas mileage, I just don't see any downsides to it. Sure it's an in-line 4, but it's a down tuned one and has hella long valve check intervals. It can be quick if you ride it such, or it can be a commuter if you baby it.

I'm sure a year or two on the CBR will define what I'm looking for in the future. Who know's? I might decide I don't even like the sport bike style and end up on dual sports or something. We'll see.

Oh, and I'm 5'6" and around 165lbs, so bike size is a considerable issue for the future. I have strong legs from years of soccer and skateboarding from around 5 years old to my mid 20's, but still have about a 29' inseam. I really like adventure bikes like the KLR and V-strom, but I have no delusions about being comfortable or confident with 34' seat heights.
~~

[kevin_stevens]

Originally Posted by Prier84

It's all up to you and how mature you are and how much respect you have for the bike. I started on a sv650 for less than a month before I got a gsxr 600 just because I couldn't pass up the deal I was offered. Neither one have ever got me in trouble because I respect them and have only rode within my skill set the more experience I got the harder I started riding just take it easy and only ride as hard as your comfortable with and you'll be ok. Seriously though just respect respect respect the bike no matter how small of one you get and be very attentive to traffic and you'll be fine

In the context of the New Rider forum, "respect" is a synonym for "want".

It's all up to you and how mature you are and how much you want the bike. I started on a sv650 for less than a month before I got a gsxr 600 just because I couldn't pass up the deal I was offered. Neither one have ever got me in trouble because I want them and have only rode within my skill set the more experience I got the harder I started riding just take it easy and only ride as hard as your comfortable with and you'll be ok. Seriously though just want want want the bike no matter how small of one you get and be very attentive to traffic and you'll be fine

See how well that works?

KeS

[arcticamt6]

Originally Posted by Soulbreeze

~~
I'm sure whenever/if I decide to move up, it will be in the 70ish horsepower range of bikes (SV, Ninja 650, FZ6R). The FZ6r is actually the bike I see myself riding for a long time. Well, on paper at least. From it's neutral seating position, to it's still respectable gas mileage, I just don't see any downsides to it. Sure it's an in-line 4, but it's a down tuned one and has hella long valve check intervals. It can be quick if you ride it such, or it can be a commuter if you baby it.

I'm sure a year or two on the CBR will define what I'm looking for in the future. Who know's? I might decide I don't even like the sport bike style and end up on dual sports or something. We'll see.

Oh, and I'm 5'6" and around 165lbs, so bike size is a considerable issue for the future. I have strong legs from years of soccer and skateboarding from around 5 years old to my mid 20's, but still have about a 29' inseam. I really like adventure bikes like the KLR and V-strom, but I have no delusions about being comfortable or confident with 34' seat heights.
~~

You will have difficulty with the dual sport bikes. Hell, I have difficulty and I'm 5'9. I could only get 1 foot down (on the ball of that foot as well, mind you) on a DRZ400 and a KLR650. The Tiger 800XC I could get two balls of my feet down. If I buy a dual sport/adventure bike, the Tiger is at the top of my list.

[SamanthaSchou]

Originally Posted by Soulbreeze

I have no delusions about being comfortable or confident with 34' seat heights.
~~

29" inseam on a 34' bike

[I-Jo]

Originally Posted by arcticamt6

You will have difficulty with the dual sport bikes. Hell, I have difficulty and I'm 5'9. I could only get 1 foot down (on the ball of that foot as well, mind you) on a DRZ400 and a KLR650. The Tiger 800XC I could get two balls of my feet down. If I buy a dual sport/adventure bike, the Tiger is at the top of my list.

funniest moment of the day- well not the funniest- but it was pretty epic watching you take off on that dual sport- with not even your leg over the bike- more like just your calf.

that was awesome.

[Soulbreeze]

Originally Posted by arcticamt6

You will have difficulty with the dual sport bikes. Hell, I have difficulty and I'm 5'9. I could only get 1 foot down (on the ball of that foot as well, mind you) on a DRZ400 and a KLR650. The Tiger 800XC I could get two balls of my feet down. If I buy a dual sport/adventure bike, the Tiger is at the top of my list.

~~
And that's too bad, 'cause i really like the flavor of the adventure bikes. They're sporty and aggresive styled, with neutral riding positions. Could give a shit about off-road capability, but I really like their compromised style. The new Honda CB500X, as far as it's styling, is the kind of bike I really like.
~~

[bluspyder]

Im 5' 5 and I ride a ktm duke 2 supermoto and a v-Strom 1000.

Don't worry about the height. When you become an experienced ride you will be fine.

When I'm at a stop light I calf my ktm. Or look for a curb to put my foot on.