WooHoo - just got my licence!!
Discussion
depends on what you want from your next bike.........
This might sound stupid, but when I was looking for biks after passing my test last year, I looked (and test rode) a Fazer 600, Bandit 600, Honda CBF600 and SV650s - I never tried the F650 as I never fancied a big trailie
I have a 90 mile round daily trip into the city - Fenchurch street - and that ruled the Bandit out and any other naked bike - too much effort! I know you can get the S version - but thought this was too ugly!
There was not much between the CBF and the Fazer, and both were good bikes, but I bought the SV650s.
What swung it for me? Two things:-
1) I decided that the bike I was trying to progress to next would be a sportsbike (undecided what at this time - and have a year to think about it), the closest to a sportsbike for rinding position was the SV650s
2) Due to it being a Twin, you get your power at very low rev ranges...... which gives you a chance to concentrate on learning how to ride on the road, without having to concentrate on keeping the revs up for the power to kick in.
I would recommend testing all of the above - and any others you are interested in like the F650 - before you make any decision - and think what you want to progress to. You will need to call round the dealers, and due to being a new rider expect to pay up to £10 per couple of hour test ride, as not all dealers will let a new rider test ride.
As for the F650s and the other big trailies you mention - on a daily basis I get stuck behind one of these filtering through traffic in London - they are just two big to get through the tightest traffic!! Especially the BMW's where the engine is the problem.......
When I do get my sportsbike, I will probably keep the SV for commuting as it is perfect. I had a Fazer as a loan bike whilst mine was serviced recently, and for me the SV is so much more fun.
This might sound stupid, but when I was looking for biks after passing my test last year, I looked (and test rode) a Fazer 600, Bandit 600, Honda CBF600 and SV650s - I never tried the F650 as I never fancied a big trailie
I have a 90 mile round daily trip into the city - Fenchurch street - and that ruled the Bandit out and any other naked bike - too much effort! I know you can get the S version - but thought this was too ugly!
There was not much between the CBF and the Fazer, and both were good bikes, but I bought the SV650s.
What swung it for me? Two things:-
1) I decided that the bike I was trying to progress to next would be a sportsbike (undecided what at this time - and have a year to think about it), the closest to a sportsbike for rinding position was the SV650s
2) Due to it being a Twin, you get your power at very low rev ranges...... which gives you a chance to concentrate on learning how to ride on the road, without having to concentrate on keeping the revs up for the power to kick in.
I would recommend testing all of the above - and any others you are interested in like the F650 - before you make any decision - and think what you want to progress to. You will need to call round the dealers, and due to being a new rider expect to pay up to £10 per couple of hour test ride, as not all dealers will let a new rider test ride.
As for the F650s and the other big trailies you mention - on a daily basis I get stuck behind one of these filtering through traffic in London - they are just two big to get through the tightest traffic!! Especially the BMW's where the engine is the problem.......
When I do get my sportsbike, I will probably keep the SV for commuting as it is perfect. I had a Fazer as a loan bike whilst mine was serviced recently, and for me the SV is so much more fun.
I'm in the same position, passed on Friday! Used to ride (up to 250s) 25 years ago and I'm now aiming to get back in the saddle.
SV650 looks pretty good to me, I've got a test ride booked for the weekend.
I've also been looking at the DL650 (SV650 in a trailie/tourie type frame) and the Guzzi Breva. I like the idea of a v-twin as the torque is there low down so you don't have to thrash the nuts off it.
A couple of my mates use transalps to commute into the city. They seem to think they're the mutts nuts so I'll have to have a play with one of them as well.
SV650 looks pretty good to me, I've got a test ride booked for the weekend.
I've also been looking at the DL650 (SV650 in a trailie/tourie type frame) and the Guzzi Breva. I like the idea of a v-twin as the torque is there low down so you don't have to thrash the nuts off it.
A couple of my mates use transalps to commute into the city. They seem to think they're the mutts nuts so I'll have to have a play with one of them as well.
The BMW f650cs isn't a big trailie it's actually a very compact bike. It doesn't use the common boxer engine you see on a lot of BMs and is therefore a very narrow bike, ideal for commuting. It's belt driven and a lot of fun from what I've read....I personally wouldn't fancy one as I reckon it's underpowered and would be uncomfortable on long journeys but read some reviews on it - it might be just what you need.
The SV650 is okay - I had one when they first came out - but I think if commuting is your game then look elsewhere.
I've ridden the Triumph Tiger in the Rockies and I loved it. You're the king of the road on big trailies and I think a good view is needed for a daily urban experience. Added to which, the Tiger is nimble and handled twisty mountain turns with aplomb.
I have no experience of the Tiger's competitors but if I had to commute then I would be looking for this type of bike.
I've ridden the Triumph Tiger in the Rockies and I loved it. You're the king of the road on big trailies and I think a good view is needed for a daily urban experience. Added to which, the Tiger is nimble and handled twisty mountain turns with aplomb.
I have no experience of the Tiger's competitors but if I had to commute then I would be looking for this type of bike.
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