Newbie from Connecticut

[Head]

But even them Harley folk get in a bad spot sometimes.  Last year a gentleman on a Harley overcooked a tricky corner near my house and imbeded himself in the engine compartment of a Chevy 1500.  The bike ended up pushing the engine back a bunch of inches and somehow the man lived.  Seriously injured, but still.  What I'm trying to say is, take the MSF course, get some crappy little learner bikes, get the skills ingrained, then get what you want.

I don't want to see more accidents, and really neither do the First Responders up here, or anywhere I imagine.

[EasyRider]

I was just on Gixxer.com. Over there just as you all have said here, just about all of them say the Gixxers or too much bike for new riders.

We are signed up to take the Connecticut state riding course and a intermediate course in New York before getting our bikes.

So what do you guys think of the SV650 ABS and the SV650S ABS as starter bikes? I also am looking at the VStorm 650ABS.
The VStorm 650 ABS looks like it has a lot in common with the SV650 just a little bigger to fit me better.

I'm not too sure the SV650ABS will be good for my knees. The VStorm 650 ABS look like it might have more room for me. I'm 6'0" tall and 44years old. I don’t think my legs will be to happy with the jockey riding position on the SV650ABS.  

Also, I just told my son I am looking a less powerfull starter bikes for both of us for the first season instead of a Gixxer and the FJR1300. I did not go over well. But he has no choise in the mater unless he wants to wait till he is 18 and can pay for the Gixxer on his own and pay for the insurance also.

[denydog]

Congratulations.  Excellent choices on starting bike sizes, and training in my opinion.  As far as comfort,  the SV's require me to lean over a little too much for my own taste, and the VStoms are a little on the tall side, but may fit you just fine.  Certain modifications for comfort are certainly possible as well.  I'm sure people with more real experience with these bikes will help you out here, but I think you are on the right track now.

[carpe_diem]

I was just on Gixxer.com. Over there just as you all have said here, just about all of them say the Gixxers or too much bike for new riders.

We are signed up to take the Connecticut state riding course and a intermediate course in New York before getting our bikes.

So what do you guys think of the SV650 ABS and the SV650S ABS as starter bikes? I also am looking at the VStorm 650ABS.
The VStorm 650 ABS looks like it has a lot in common with the SV650 just a little bigger to fit me better.

I'm not too sure the SV650ABS will be good for my knees. The VStorm 650 ABS look like it might have more room for me. I'm 6'0" tall and 44years old. I don’t think my legs will be to happy with the jockey riding position on the SV650ABS.  

Also, I just told my son I am looking a less powerfull starter bikes for both of us for the first season instead of a Gixxer and the FJR1300. I did not go over well. But he has no choise in the mater unless he wants to wait till he is 18 and can pay for the Gixxer on his own and pay for the insurance also.

I was just at Stamford motorsports on Saturday and they had a used G500F on the lot (the fully faired version of the GS) in black. For a teenager, I think this might be a better choice than the SV650. You should go check it out.

http://www.stamfordmotorsports.net/equipment.htm

[GerryPetrecca]

We are signed up to take the Connecticut state riding course and a intermediate course in New York before getting our bikes.

So what do you guys think of the SV650 ABS and the SV650S ABS as starter bikes? I also am looking at the VStorm 650ABS.
The VStorm 650 ABS looks like it has a lot in common with the SV650 just a little bigger to fit me better.

I'm not too sure the SV650ABS will be good for my knees. The VStorm 650 ABS look like it might have more room for me. I'm 6'0" tall and 44years old. I don’t think my legs will be to happy with the jockey riding position on the SV650ABS.  

Also, I just told my son I am looking a less powerfull starter bikes for both of us for the first season instead of a Gixxer and the FJR1300. I did not go over well. But he has no choise in the mater unless he wants to wait till he is 18 and can pay for the Gixxer on his own and pay for the insurance also.

Greetings,

Another option and a great do-it-all standard you might want to consider is a Kawasaki ZR-7 (unfaired) or ZR-7S (faired) 738 cc I4.  I bought mine after completing the MSF course in April 3003 and still have it.  Makes a great commuter and an affordable  Sport Tour bike.

Regards,

Gerry

[Grainbelt]

There's no problem with giving your son some choices, within a certain set of parameters. The Ninja 650R is similar to the SV, but fully faired w/out clipons. I love mine, and its fairly easy to ride. Not sure the ABS option is offered in the US. A used Ducati Monster 620 would be fine as well, not sure on the new 695's.   All 3 of the above are fuel injected with a neutral seating position, and would be decent bikes for a beginner.

Good luck, and happy shopping!

[ctfz1]

Wee-strom fine choice, probably better suspended for large fella, Ninja 650 good compromise choice if son fits. IF large may want SV650 with spring change.  Spend some time on Advrider.com , possibly son would like KLR650 OR DR650 OR DR400 SUPERMOTAD?

[bcityroller]

Since folks are talking about SV and 650R, you may want to consider the FZ6 as well. While it's suspension may leave something to be desired it's prolly not to the point that you'll have problems using it for a beginner bike (I'm not) and there are upgrades available for later. Big selling points for me were reasonably comfy ergos, decent wind protection, sporty look with underseat exhaust and the add-on lower fairing and enough motor that it should keep me happy for a while.

[Fun Dog]

If you get a powerful motorcycle, remember to keep your wrist low on the throttle.  That is, while sitting at idle, place your hand on the grip so that your hand makes a right angle with your wrist.  This will keep you from whacking the throttle wide open when you see a hot chick on the sidewalk.

[bikerfish1100]

"low wrist" and "right angle" are not quite the same. the general idea is valid as it produces much greater low speed control, but a right angle at the wrist/forearm junction can not be maintained due to the discomfort. "maintain a slight bend with knuckles higher than the wrist" would be fine.

[katzke]

My only problem with people who haven't ridden a lot getting on powerful bikes is the whole knowing how to keep the shit from hitting the fan thing. Knowing the right wrist angle is one thing, having that behaviour be second nature is another thing. I've got great wrist angle, but do I always remember it when I'm in the twisties these days after having a garage queen for 2 years now? Nope. So I won't climb on anything like BunBun's XX in the near future (or even his GF's ninja...) the chances of me wadding it because of something I've forgotten are significant.

[ctfz1]

Problem is there's too many things can hurt you waiting to happen. 99% wouldn't bother an experienced rider. New rider hesitates, flinches, makes the wrong move. Eperienced riders trust the bike to get them out of trouble. Make a fast pass and hit 140 mph, someone pulls out, no time to think, just do. Experience has options in hand and can use them.  Into the corner too fast what do you do?