Discussion
Steve_T said:
All are good, the best thing is to ride each of them and see what you like the most. The best bike for you is more important than which bike a magazine tester thinks is best.
That's very good advice. I've had an SV650 in the past and can highly recommend it. However, the ER6 and the new Hornet both offer ABS, which is handy to have for a first bike, winter commuting, wet riding, etc. p490kvp said:
Sounds crazy but if you have the cash get a new GSX-R1000.
That's hilarious
A Gixxer Thou for a first bike - that's one for the Darwin Awards 
Edited by SVS on Sunday 4th March 18:36
Really want to stay away from sports bikes as I fear it will result in instant death. I know myself too well which is why I want to start off with something semi-sensible. Being verifically challanged, I need something quite small. I know that you can reduce the ride height on the SV650 which is a bonus. There are soo many bikes to choose from, its making my brain hurt!!
bikerchick2b said:
Really want to stay away from sports bikes as I fear it will result in instant death. I know myself too well which is why I want to start off with something semi-sensible. Being verifically challanged, I need something quite small. I know that you can reduce the ride height on the SV650 which is a bonus. There are soo many bikes to choose from, its making my brain hurt!!
The guy I sit next to at work has a SV and he loves it....canes the ar*e off of it as well and it stands up to it very well. It also sounds nice too being a V-twin, especially with the Akrapovic system on it.
Out of the 3 I'd go for the SV, but I love V-twins.
As has already been said, try them all and find the one that best suits your requirements. All are good bikes but all are different and only you will know which one does what you want.
While trying these bikes, also try a few others such as the Fazer and the F650.
As it’s your first bike I would suggest getting something second hand for a couple of reasons:
- You are more likely to drop the bike and it’s ‘less expensive’ on a S/H bike.
- You may find that after a couple of months of motorcycling in the real world that your requirements change and the bike you bought to start with is no longer what you want. A S/H bike will depreciate less.
While trying these bikes, also try a few others such as the Fazer and the F650.
As it’s your first bike I would suggest getting something second hand for a couple of reasons:
- You are more likely to drop the bike and it’s ‘less expensive’ on a S/H bike.
- You may find that after a couple of months of motorcycling in the real world that your requirements change and the bike you bought to start with is no longer what you want. A S/H bike will depreciate less.
Low seat height? ZZR600 or SV650 are about the best i know for low standard seat height, and remember you can get a custom lowered seat for most bikes which will bring you an inch or two closer to the ground (i just did this for my Honda Blackbird - less than £200 for a very nice seat).
black-k1 said:
As it’s your first bike I would suggest getting something second hand for a couple of reasons:
- You are more likely to drop the bike and it’s ‘less expensive’ on a S/H bike.
- You may find that after a couple of months of motorcycling in the real world that your requirements change and the bike you bought to start with is no longer what you want. A S/H bike will depreciate less.
I'd go with the SV but not the S.
I bought a Suzuki SV650S as my first bike, I'm currently enjoying it.
I would advise that you buy a fairly cheap bike as your first, because you don;t really know what you want until you have been riding a while. Plus their is a fair chance you will drop it. I dropped mine within a week of owning it. (a nut had fallen out of the stand) But I don/t mind that much as I have a 1999 SV which cost only £1900.
I will probably sell my bike after a year and look at upgrading to something a bit more comfortable.
I would advise that you buy a fairly cheap bike as your first, because you don;t really know what you want until you have been riding a while. Plus their is a fair chance you will drop it. I dropped mine within a week of owning it. (a nut had fallen out of the stand) But I don/t mind that much as I have a 1999 SV which cost only £1900.
I will probably sell my bike after a year and look at upgrading to something a bit more comfortable.
y2blade said:
those ER-6N's look great imho deffo the best looking newbie bike
but as others above me have said ,get some test rides and chose the one feel feel the most confident with
enjoy
but as others above me have said ,get some test rides and chose the one feel feel the most confident with
enjoy
Agree with you about the ER6-N, gorgeous bike in the flesh and incredibly comfy to sit on. I was very tempted to trade in my naked SV for one, but I don't really use my bike enough at the moment to warrant upgrading and it's a very similar bike.
Bear in mind the twins are quite torquey but don't have a brilliant top speed compared to the in-line 4s (the Hornet has 100HP compared to the SV's 70 so above 90 leptons the SV will go backwards), but top speed isn't pleasant on a naked bike anyway!
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