New to riding... What to buy....

You need one of these babies.... if you can find one.

 

+1 on 250cc for first bike. I ride an 1100cc Shadow, and until we sold it when we left Hawaii I used to borrow my wife's 250 Nighthawk all the time, because it was fun as hell. I'm a big dude, so it wasn't an ideal highway bike, but for going balls out on back roads the 250 is a blast. You can also generally get one dirt cheap, and since as a new rider you are more or less gaurenteed to put it down at least a couple of times my $.02 would be to get a cheap 250, take the MSF basic course with it, ride for a while. Take the MSF experienced rider course. Buy larger bike (if neccessary) and repeat.

Also, I weigh 235 lbs before I put my boots and leathers on and I can still get a 250cc to rock close to 70mph on the highway. And you get way better gas mileage on the 250.

YMMV

Michael

 

Thanks for clarifying. Yep, sumo is basically dirtbike with street wheels.

That genre is going to be my next bike...hands down...I need to find a SMC when I'm ready.

 

Yeah, what the hell. Just get an rc51. You want torque and a nasty throaty rumble? It's got a bit of that

 

Pm sent, gotta let you listen to the 650cc parallel twin.

 

Has anyone mentioned the sv650 yet? :mrgreen: Seriously, they're a great bike that won't intimidate a noob and can still entertain veteran riders. They're stone reliable and there's lots of parts avaliable if you happen to drop it. I prefer riding my sv more than my K1200S beemer around town and on twisty back roads. It's light, flickable, and FUN!

 

clip ons are handle bars. the S is lower and more sporty, while the N is higher. despite the intent, the N is actually fairly sporty.

rear sets are foot pegs. the S is higher and more sporty, while the N is lower. again, despite the intent...the N is fairly sporty.

what it amounts to is ergonomics.

the shorter wheelbase will make it a bit more turnable, however...you won't be able to tell the difference.

"lowers" are just the lower parts of the fairings. there are aftermarket lowers for the pre 2008 sv650s bikes, and after 2008 they come with the lowers installed.

no lowers:


with lowers:

 

what ever your skills allow and what ever you like

 

No. They are fixed in stock form. Its very easy to buy a set of rearsets, and those would you give you the ability to adjust the position of the pegs.

You may also be able to put N stock pegs on the S model. I don't know for sure about that though. I do know rearsets that are adjustable are available.

Absolutely. Just a few bolts.

If you like the front fairing on the S model, its almost always easier and cheaper to get the S model and change the riding position to a more neutral position then it is to take a N model and but the fairing on it.

If you havent looked, the fairings for the S model by themselves are pretty expensive.

 

Yep, adjustability is a option for both handlebars and footpegs. There are always options. You can also have a professional shave and re-contour the seat the help with seat-height and comfort.

 

Get a Suzuki GSXR-750. It's the one you will always be dreaming about. It's too much horsepower, but you'll love it and always thank me for steering you clear of those boring 'me-too' v-twins.

 

all gsxr's are over rated. so are european twins. niether of these are very desirable. any Yamaha will be.

 

Always so negative...

 

The fairing will be a great plus if you are making any extended trips. Just that little bit of wind relief can add 200 miles of comfortable range to your day.