[kumho600]

what bike would be better to start out on? This will be my first bike and i have been looking around and both of these bikes seem good for there price? What is the best bike to start out on?

[GSX-R-Done]

Really depends on which one you like the best. I've rode the Suzuki and it's great. You can get fairings for the Suzuki as well so it would look smoother IMO. I dont think you could go wrong either way. ( Suzuki )
Chris

[kumho600]

i can get the ninja for 6600 out the door and the sv around 6500 out the door but then the fairings would cost another 600. are these good prices and based on them which would be the better value? or would something else be better

[GSX-R-Done]

Originally Posted by kumho600

i can get the ninja for 6600 out the door and the sv around 6500 out the door but then the fairings would cost another 600. are these good prices and based on them which would be the better value? or would something else be better

Those prices are a few hundred cheaper than what I was just quoted on them.Personally, I prefer the SV 650S, but that because I've ridden that bike. Another forum I'm on Gixxer.com has an assload of information on it about the Suzuki. That bike comes highly reccomended by almost every person that posts to the thread there. I dont think you need anymore than that to start off, certainly not a 600,750, or 1K supersport. You could ride the SV for a long time before you ever needed anything else. I think it's better to learn how to ride bettere a little slower than just barely hanging on by the skin of your teeth. Know what I mean?

[kumho600]

that makes sense. ive read alot of good things about the sv but i cant really find that much info on the ninja 650. what is the difference between the sv650 and 650s

[GSX-R-Done]

Me neither. I do here a few people bitching about being cramped thou.
When you gonna buy?

[kumho600]

hopefully in 3 months. i have to save up alittle bit more cash. i want to be able to pay for most of it up front

[GSX-R-Done]

Good idea!

[GSX-R-Done]

Originally Posted by kumho600

that makes sense. ive read alot of good things about the sv but i cant really find that much info on the ninja 650. what is the difference between the sv650 and 650s

S model has the cowl and fairings. Few $$$ more and you can get the full fairing kit. That looks schweet!

[BRP]

Originally Posted by kumho600

that makes sense. ive read alot of good things about the sv but i cant really find that much info on the ninja 650. what is the difference between the sv650 and 650s

2006 Kawasaki NINJA 650 and ER 6N
The SV is faster, Kawi out handles the SV hands down.

[Fastrr]

Get the SV. It is a time tested engine the frame is sweet. There are also tons of upgrades that can be done to an SV650. In short you will want to sell the Ninja650 within a year, the SV you will want to keep for many years.

The SV can handle way better than the Kawi 650 with some simple fork upgrades like springs, fork oil, Racetech emulators. or you can even bolt on a set of GSXR750 forks and front wheel and brakes. I knew a guy who did it and he loved it.

[BRP]

Originally Posted by Fastrr

Get the SV. It is a time tested engine the frame is sweet. There are also tons of upgrades that can be done to an SV650. In short you will want to sell the Ninja650 within a year, the SV you will want to keep for many years.

The SV can handle way better than the Kawi 650 with some simple fork upgrades like springs, fork oil, Racetech emulators. or you can even bolt on a set of GSXR750 forks and front wheel and brakes. I knew a guy who did it and he loved it.

If the SV is so much better, why did Zoran, on of the foremost SV authorities, switch to racing Kawasaki. Why is the #1 lightweight Moto-St team on a Kawasaki. Facts is facts, put your money where you mouth is.
We have posted the fasted lap times at almost every track we race at.
The 650R is only in it's 2nd year of production, in the US.
Until you ride one you are just talking out of you're ...
We raced SV's for 4 years, before switching to Kawi!

[GSX-R-Done]

Originally Posted by BRP

If the SV is so much better, why did Zoran, on of the foremost SV authorities, switch to racing Kawasaki. Why is the #1 lightweight Moto-St team on a Kawasaki. Facts is facts, put your money where you mouth is.
We have posted the fasted lap times at almost every track we race at.
The 650R is only in it's 2nd year of production, in the US.
Until you ride one you are just talking out of you're ...
We raced SV's for 4 years, before switching to Kawi!

Easy there Cowboy! Nobody's putting down a Kawi. There great bikes by all the accounts I've read. I just put in what I know from experience.
Sheesh, you'd think somebody run your dog over

[BRP]

I've raced both bikes.You say the SV has a better frame and engine, which is not true. Most agree that the new generation SV's frame is worse that the 1st generation. SV's are known to hand grenade, blowing the rods through the engine cases. So I get a bit upset, when people say the SV is better.
Out of the box, the only thing the SV has over the Kawi, is hp.
The Kawi, with the same suspension mods you are talking about doing to a SV, will blow said SV away in the twisties.

[GSX-R-Done]

Originally Posted by BRP

I've raced both bikes.You say the SV has a better frame and engine, which is not true. Most agree that the new generation SV's frame is worse that the 1st generation. SV's are known to hand grenade, blowing the rods through the engine cases. So I get a bit upset, when people say the SV is better.
Out of the box, the only thing the SV has over the Kawi, is hp.
The Kawi, with the same suspension mods you are talking about doing to a SV, will blow said SV away in the twisties.

Reread the posts above. I havn't said anything about the frame. That was from another poster. The original question was which is better? I answered what I know from personnal experience, which isn't much as far as these two bikes are concerned. Nobody's downin a Kawi. As far as this bike vs that bike, in the grand scheme of things there isn't a whole hell of alot of difference. Me thinks personnal preference and what you like is the most important thing to consider. So what if my bike can outrun your's, I may like riding your bike better than mine. See where I'm coming from?

[sinfuldragon]

Originally Posted by BRP

I've raced both bikes.You say the SV has a better frame and engine, which is not true. Most agree that the new generation SV's frame is worse that the 1st generation. SV's are known to hand grenade, blowing the rods through the engine cases. So I get a bit upset, when people say the SV is better.
Out of the box, the only thing the SV has over the Kawi, is hp.
The Kawi, with the same suspension mods you are talking about doing to a SV, will blow said SV away in the twisties.

Did you read the post that started this thread? He is looking for a beginners bike. He isn't racing the bike so the fact that you have raced both and find the kawi to be better is pointless since I'm sure his will be bone stock for quite some time to come.

[GSX-R-Done]

Originally Posted by sinfuldragon

Did you read the post that started this thread? He is looking for a beginners bike. He isn't racing the bike so the fact that you have raced both and find the kawi to be better is pointless since I'm sure his will be bone stock for quite some time to come.

[BRP]

Yes, I can read. You ever hear the saying race on Sunday, sell on Monday?
There are plenty of former street SV owners, now on Kawi.
It is marketed towards new riders.
My point, is unless you have ridden them both, you are not qualified to tell anyone which is better.

[sinfuldragon]

I don't recall saying flat out that one was better than the other. they all had the IMO in there when they said what way THEY would lean. You are the only one who has come out and said that a is better than b because you said so

[GSX-R-Done]

Originally Posted by GSX-R-Done

Really depends on which one you like the best. I've rode the Suzuki and it's great. You can get fairings for the Suzuki as well so it would look smoother IMO. I dont think you could go wrong either way. ( Suzuki )
Chris

BRP, did you not read this post from above? And I certainly do have as much right to give my opinion as anybody else. By the way, IMO means In My OPINION, not you have to by this one or that one. With out going back over the whole shooting match again, I gave my opinion(there's that word again) based on the fact that I have ridden a SV. I'm sure the 650R is a wonderful bike. They do look good, I'll give them that.

Edited to say: That being said, I still like the looks of the SV over the Kawasaki.

[midas6t6]

Since this is your first bike and you're not buying for another 3 months or so wait for the new 500 Ninja. There are rumors it's being updated. It's a great bike to start with and you'll be able keep it for years. Once you learn to ride it you can keep up with most bikes when the road gets twisty.

PS - I know the post is old but just wanted to give another option.

[babisgr]

get the sv...is much better looking and has faster motor.The ninja (er-6 called here in europe) is more or less in the same performance as the sv but the sv has tons of mods and upgrades for it.PLus its V engine....

[Twincam]

Ever thought about the Honda Hornet 600? The new model looks nice and they can be modified quite easily (if you wanted to). They are comfortable, have good MPG and also are quick. Good learner bike...

What ever you choose will be nice anyway. Just keep looking before you buy. you may find something better?

[slickwill]

I like the look and sound of the SV a lot better. Haven't ever ridden either one though. I have a friend with an SV. I'll hit him up this week and take it for a spin. He has the standard one but replaced the bars with clip-ons. It gives a pretty good street-fighter look.

[midas6t6]

The Hornet 600 is not available here; it's either cruiser or sportbike, very few standard models brought into the US.

[Phadreus]

Here's a good website for info on SV's: www.sv650.org - UK based SV650 resource

For my money, I would go for the SV. Good history, well established, lot's of aftermarket, and a blast to ride to boot. Let us know what you decide!

Good luck!

[drz_adventure]

Originally Posted by kumho600

what bike would be better to start out on? This will be my first bike and i have been looking around and both of these bikes seem good for there price? What is the best bike to start out on?

I don't know if kumho600 is still watching this thread or has bought a bike yet, but You can get an '07 Ninja 650r at Extreme Powersports in Madisonville, TN for about $5700 OTD. Talk to Brad. Of course you would pay tax and title back in GA.

I ride a Ninja 650. It is a nice bike. Runs strong and easy to maintain and ride. If you decide you want more of a super sport riding position there are plenty of aftermarket parts to make that happen.

[Steigs84]

I got rid of my '04 SV and bought a new Ninja 650R in April 2006. The ninja was a perfect fit for me. But you need to sit on both and possibly test drive and see which you like better. Both are easily modded, you can put a ZX636 front end on a 650R. If you plan on moving up to a larger platform after the 650 (SV or R), you might want to buy a used Ninja 500 or GS 500, you will save $$$ in the long run. Last piece of advice, Check out other forums/websites, Ninja650.com is excellent. Phadreus, thanks for the SV link, there are a few guys with SVs over here that kept asking me for a SV forum/website. edited-(Just found another, SVrider.com)

[simpsonsbug]

I have a ninja 650, my brother in law has a sv 650s. I have ridden his, and he has ridden mine. We both agree that the ninja is more comfortable, and when it comes to power we are even.