This looks like the SV owners corner LOL.

Said this on other thread, But you should really go for whatever pulls your chain, Ride with mates on faster bikes and spend all the time playing catch-up, thrashing the tits off it and not focusing on whats on the road in front of you. That said you should always ride at a speed which you feel comfortable, just make sure its not too heavy for you to manhandle at low speeds.
Get good quality protection.(Boots,Gloves, Gold star Lid & zip together 2 piece or one piece Leather suit) and don't just settle on the Direct Access, Get some advanced training.
IMHO this is more important than just getting the latest brand new bike. Better to budget £600 for all the gear and shop around than spend £350 on a top lid and ride in jeans and a paddock jacket(cos it looks cool).


If all your mates ride SV's , get an SV and you'll be OK. They are Immeasurably better than a Harley and loads of wimmen ride them.

[Edited by DRUNKNORGY - 10/2/2002 4:02:09 PM]

I am cosidering getting one in the next few months.
Did my CBT a while back and had a TZR125 however a bus driver decided that he 'couldnt see me':rolleyes: so havnt bothered getting my act together since then.
Long story short: going to do direct access then fancy either a NC30 or a SV650s.
which would you all suggest was the better bike for a beginner??

Paul

sv, 2 of my mates started on sv's I have had a go on one & they are plenty quick enough to get you going, look good, & are easy to ride.

SV mate. No contest.

Sv - no question - I have one and it does everything you need and more as a novice. Good bike to upgrade from too.

I would agree about the SV.
You must be really keen though if you want to get back into biking with winter fast approaching.

Don't forget he did say "for a beginner". It would be too easy for a beginner to make a mistake on a more powerfull bike. He can always get something more appropriate to his riding preference after gaining some experience on whatever he chooses at this stage.

When I started riding bikes, the quickest on the road was a 1000cc Suzuki Katana @ 145mph book speed. You could go out and get one after passing your test at 17 years of age, get insurance at a sensible rate and ride it on the road, This was considered to be very fast indeed and very few riders would go there from just starting out. Now you can get an Aprilia 250GP which will on a good day knock on the door of 140mph. People get bored of maxing their bikes out and only do it once or twice whatever they ride just to prove they have done it. Not many newbies would have gone there with a big bike, but got something sensible like a GSX550 (top speed 115 on a good day)after passing their test. This was level with its peers and considered fast for its class.I don't accept the theory about all this speed from bigger faster bikes being more dangerous as an SV is good for 135mph anyday of the week. What I'm trying to say is its all relative really. If a SV650 was introduced to the market 20 years ago, it would have been considered to be in the supersports league of today and people would have been saying the same that you are saying now about todays supersports bikes. The danger to a Newbie from getting a Hayabusa or similar is the weight of the machine. Even a blade rider has to concede that above 100 mph on an open road, you are not riding a bike, more like pointing a missile and those who say different are not talking from experience, but more from supposition. Its not how bigs your engine, more how bigs your bottle. There are plenty of scoob drivers out there in 250 bhp+ cars who realistically don't have a clue. If you drive or ride on the road everywhere flat out like a d!ckhead, a top speed of 135mph or 175mph is really academic.

BTW the mistakes are more likely to be made in braking not accelerating, going into a corner to hot and trying to ride through it on the brakes. Its not in the straightline where the skill is needed. Training and experience are what keep bikers alive,and that applies from Mopeds to Goldwings. We need it more than car drivers for sure.


[Edited by drunkenorgy - 10/2/2002 11:46:12 PM]

I would advise on an SV as a first big bike... I am looking on getting one. I bought an FZR400RR as my first bike and although it is great fun around the track and for short journeys on the road.. it is pretty uncomfortable and a hunched riding position for getting a lot of experience on.

(I really don't feel as if I can call myself a biker.. I have had the 400 3 years and have put about 4000 miles on the clock - mainly because if we were going for long rides I'd go pillion.. as it was more comfy!) So if I were to do the last 3 years again.. I'd get a more sensible bike and keep the 400 for the track .. which is about what I am thinking of doing now! :o)