Nearly finished my DAS: Bike choice

Pants · 13 Sep 2015 at 14:56

Almost there.

I've passed and got my paperwork for CBT, Theory & Mod 1. All lessons done now. Just need to pass my Mod 2 on Wednesday.

Training on a Suzuki SFV650, I still enjoy my 125 but going between the two is a bit of a shocker. The 125 feels so flat now I've got used to having torque. :/

Still trying to work out what sort of motorbike I want. Something naked that corners great but has a relatively relaxed riding position. The seating position on the SFV650 is naff, constantly forced into the tank crushing my man parts, and the low seat and high pegs mean my knees are bent right back. The engine is epic though, love the v twin.

On the other end of the scale my 125 seating position I find better, probably a little too relaxed for enthusiastic riding, but it's not cramped and being able to see over traffic is nice.

Need to test ride loads more bikes, but can probably sell the 125 for about £1200.

Mod 1 video for the lulz:

125 seating position:

TallPaul_S · 13 Sep 2015 at 15:18

I'm guessing you're a tallish chap going by the video and your choice of 125? What's your budget?

Pants · 13 Sep 2015 at 15:27

Tallish, 6 foot.

Not much in the way of budget, up to £1500.

This bandit 400 could be a cheeky bargain, looks semi-relaxed and 14K revs must be amusing even if it's modestly powered. Hard to gauge if it's big enough for me from pics though.

TallPaul_S · 13 Sep 2015 at 15:47

That is dirt cheap.

I'm 6ft 3", and ride a Honda CB400 superfour, so very similar to that bandit 400. My legs are pretty bent, as much as if I was riding a full on 600cc sport bike, but it's still comfy enough to do 300-400 miles in a day.

Oh and 50bhp and 14k rpm is very fun

However you'll have zero power below about 6-7k rpm, so very different to the v-twin you've been riding.

An SV650 might suit you, they're a little small for me but only just. Does the £1500 include the sale of your 125?

wazza300 · 13 Sep 2015 at 16:47

Your used to a tall trail bike riding position going by your 125

Something like a drz 400 would suit you,unless you fancied a naked v twin or inl4

Clum · 13 Sep 2015 at 18:41

Seems like it's the power/torque of the 600 twin that's impressing you, so maybe look at a 600? Should be plenty of Bandit 600s kicking about for that sort of money.

Pants · 13 Sep 2015 at 19:11

Anyone know how the ergo's of a naked SV650 compare to the SFV650. As suggested above I already know I love the engine, it was all just a bit cramped. Budget might have to be stretched?

The seat on the SV is higher and definitely flatter, looks like it won't force me into the tank too:

Compared to the SFV:

TallPaul_S · 13 Sep 2015 at 19:17

http://cycle-ergo.com/

Use this and it'll show you knee angles/seat heights etc. of course it can't tell you about the seat shape of how big the knee cutouts are, but it's a good place to begin.

Drangueos · 14 Sep 2015 at 00:37

I have a Suzuki SFV650 and it is the perfect size for me, I'm 5ft6 so....
I think for the price it is a really good bike and you can get a higher and more comfortable seat for around £200, as the original seat is not very comfortable.

Tefal · 14 Sep 2015 at 01:56

http://cycle-ergo.com/

handy site for comparing ergonomics

doph beaten

DanF · 14 Sep 2015 at 10:36

I had an sv650s and I'm 6". It was fine for shorter stuff but yeah would get a bit sore on longer stuff over 2hrs. Bent knees and the seat is fairly hard. Saying that they are good bikes for the price and as you've seen the engine is a lot of fun. Low enough power you can cane it a fair amount and decent mid range torque.

MowyTone · 14 Sep 2015 at 11:52

I have an SV650S as well and love it. As said the seat is a bit hard but you can have a short break and get back on without issues. You could look at getting a softer seat.

They also sound great once you change the exhaust

Participant · 14 Sep 2015 at 20:16

SV650S rider here too, 5'11". Ditto the hard seat / sore knees comments, though I am getting on a bit @ 35

.

Great bikes though.

wazza300 · 14 Sep 2015 at 20:19

you need a cushion under your bottom now your all getting on in years

you can get a jackup kit to raise the bike a bit and maybe some rearsets with adjustable footpegs?

MowyTone · 14 Sep 2015 at 20:25

arfoll said:
SV650S here too and 5'10" it's good for me but I got the gel seat from suzuki which is much more comfy on long (2+ hr) rides. SV650 naked should be more comfy, if u like the engine it's a very nice bike

How much was the gel seat? Is that for carb or injected SV?

I tend to do longer rides if I'm out on the weekend and this sounds like a good option

tom_e · 14 Sep 2015 at 21:06

Love my SVS although I'm a short arse at 5'6 and a 29 inch inside leg

find the seat comfy though done 5 hours through Wales with no discomfort.

Dogbreath · 18 Sep 2015 at 08:06

MowyTone said:
How much was the gel seat? Is that for carb or injected SV?

I tend to do longer rides if I'm out on the weekend and this sounds like a good option

You can get gel seats for any of the SV650 models, both genuine suzuki and aftermarket. I had a Suzuki gel seat on my 05 bike and whilst it was more comfortable than the standard one, I just couldn't get on with the riding position and my backside was always in agony after an hour or so. When I moved up to an Aprilia RSV it was sitting in a comfy armchair you could spend all day in. Comfort is a very personal thing, so ideally you need to get a decent length test ride.

Wucked · 18 Sep 2015 at 12:31

You can't really go that wrong with an SV. I had an SV1000S for a while, loved the engine. Not the fastest of bikes, but it had a really nice spread of torque, 'usable' power.