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Bike recommendations

Two SV650 riders in the immediate family and I've observed mileage varying from low 40s to high 50s depending on rider style, weight, and bike mods. The best mileage I've seen was around 60 on an '02, bike equipped with a Holeshot muffler, carb shims, and 115lb non-aggressive rider. Results not typical. Non-adjustable jouncy stock suspension and engine vibration are common complaints. They are fun reliable bikes and a good value though.
 
Where does BARF stand on the Suzuki Gladius (SFV650)? I like mine, but I don't have enough motorcycle experience to properly recommend it, and I can see how the looks could be off putting.
 
GAJ said:
This shootout was tailor made for the OP.

The title is ridiculous but the test is well worth reading.

BTW, my friend in Miami who's been riding 30+ year loves his 696.

http://www.motorcycle-usa.com/8/13636/Motorcycle-Article/2012-Womens-Street-Bike-Shootout.aspx
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That was interesting and about what I expected.
Monsters are just fun. Not that I'm biased or anything. I think they are great bikes for inseam challenged people and they keep getting better. I'm also of the opinion that 700-900cc range are best ones. (750, 800, 796, 900) I haven't ridden a 696 though.
They are flexible, fun and you can do a lot with them with simple mods. Want to sport tour and ride all day? Soft luggage on the tail, taller windscreen and heated grips. The only thing they don't do well is cruise on the interstate and I could say that about most naked bikes.
:thumbup
 
SV650 or Ninja650. Both are excellent bikes with good low end. FZ6 needs to be rev up to get torque. My brother used to ride 2003 SV650S and he loved it. Very practical in city and excellent runner around Alice's. BMW 650 is a good bike and I used to own BMW 1100. Pretty reliable but if something happens, be ready to pay a lot. Parts are very expensive on BMW. :ride
 
davidji said:
No. I barely get acceptable sag in back though--and less in front.
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The stock spring on the Versys is stupid; I had to change it. It wouldn't move when I sat on it with the preload out. The front forks are fine, while the 650R is the opposite - fine rear spring for lightweights, front forks too stiff.

Any of these budget bikes (Ninja 650, SV650, Versys, FZ6) will benefit from getting the suspension set. Since they're budget bikes, you can do that and still not be spending much. :laughing The FZ6's suspension was less grossly wrong than the Ninja out of the box, but I think the Ninja is a better streetbike for a timid shortie; it's much narrower.
 
I'm 5'5", 32" inseam, and I ride an '09 Kawi 650R; couldn't be happier.

More than enough power, great brakes, and comfy. Today I logged 48.05 mpg and 49.2 mpg, measured tank-to-tank, while tearing around on twisties (Nacimiento-Fergusson) and bendies (Hwy 1) over a six-hour ride.

Couldn't quite keep up with my partner on her 675 Daytona when she passed (legally) ten-plus cars on Hwy 1, but only ended up two cars behind. :thumbup
 
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650R fun to ride! easy! great mileage!

TONS of low end torque, you could probably take off in 5th gear.

Also buries the speedo...which on the 06 only went to 140mph which I found annoying a few times.
 
Roadstergal said:
The stock spring on the Versys is stupid; I had to change it. It wouldn't move when I sat on it with the preload out. The front forks are fine, while the 650R is the opposite - fine rear spring for lightweights, front forks too stiff.
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Yeah I had to change fork springs on my Ninja 650R. The Versys fork was much improved by getting a custom shim stack designed by Uktech at Evolution Suspension. Softer springs (or trimming the preload spacers) might not hurt, but the front isn't bad as is. I have an R1 shock modified to fit the rear, but might sell it and buy an aftermarket shock instead.

I'm tired of the cheap suspensions on inexpensive bikes. Next time I'd like to get something with better suspenders. Maybe the FZ6R that others were recommending is a lot better there? The reviewers seemed to like it.
 
akdmx said:
Where does BARF stand on the Suzuki Gladius (SFV650)? I like mine, but I don't have enough motorcycle experience to properly recommend it, and I can see how the looks could be off putting.
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its gay. they took the SV650 and made it worse.
 
Oceansides said:
its gay. they took the SV650 and made it worse.
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The engine is still great. It was tweaked and makes more power than previous SV.

It's a smaller feeling bike for sure. Other than looking odd, it's also softer... then again the SV never had great stock suspension. It probably gets the most shit for the looks and basically turning into a "women's bike"... whatever that means. I haven't seen too many women promoting it. I don't know if it's actually unappealing or if women don't want to ride "women's bikes" either. :laughing
 
Nightmonkey which 650 are you referring to?

I just test rode the BMW f650 and it's really tall but I could tip-toe on it. There's a way to lower it - the guy selling it has the bars the last owner (a short gal) had installed.

My inseam is about 29.5 inches I would guess. I'm actually not that short, just inherited my dads stumpy legs. Makes finding the right bike difficult.

I've tried out the ninja and it's out for me. Don't like to lean that far over. But thanks for the other suggestion. Will check them out.
 
Jordanaj said:
I've tried out the ninja and it's out for me. Don't like to lean that far over.
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One thing you might consider is to practice, on your current bike, the art of one-flat-foot-down, other foot up, bike leaned over. This is a really good technique for the short-legged, and will greatly increase both the number of bikes you can ride right from the get-go, and your confidence on all bikes. It may be easier to get comfortable doing that on the bike you're already comfortable on - then you have a skill you can take to any bike. You can tweak a bike to fit you, for sure, but it's so limiting to have to cross bikes off of your list on the basis of seat height alone. :)


It seems counter-intuitive, but having the bike leaned over a bit is actually more stable. When it's straight up and down, it's a bit precarious, and wants to lean randomly to one side or the other. When it's leaned to the left, it stays that way, and your leg is in control.
 
Sounds like the OP should take her current bike to a track school if afraid of leaning.

Learning how to corner correctly is a vital piece of knowledge to have in your bag of survival tricks.
 
Jordanaj said:
Nightmonkey which 650 are you referring to?

I just test rode the BMW f650 and it's really tall but I could tip-toe on it. There's a way to lower it - the guy selling it has the bars the last owner (a short gal) had installed.

My inseam is about 29.5 inches I would guess. I'm actually not that short, just inherited my dads stumpy legs. Makes finding the right bike difficult.

I've tried out the ninja and it's out for me. Don't like to lean that far over. But thanks for the other suggestion. Will check them out.
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The 2013 model vibrates pretty crazy like. I have to position my gloves and glasses on the seat so they don't vibrate off when I'm warming the bike, while putting my helmet on of course, and the mirrors vibrate a lot so you can see vehicles but cant make out details (police markings specifically). The seat height is about 32" for the 650, while the FZ6r is only 30-31". I would check it out if I were you. Like other people in this thread, I don't like the look of the SV either, but you could check it out just to see if its a good fit.
 
unhinged said:
The engine is still great. It was tweaked and makes more power than previous SV.

It's a smaller feeling bike for sure. Other than looking odd, it's also softer... then again the SV never had great stock suspension. It probably gets the most shit for the looks and basically turning into a "women's bike"... whatever that means. I haven't seen too many women promoting it. I don't know if it's actually unappealing or if women don't want to ride "women's bikes" either. :laughing
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see gary856s response. I personally have never owned a SV650, but i respect the bikes for what they were.
 
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