im lookin at getting a 650S for my first bike. I really like the full fairings and rear seat cover.

Overall i guess i just wanted to get some opinions on this bike. Did you enjoy starting on this bike ? Is it relatively forgiving ? I will be taking the MSF course if i do decide to pursue this more. For the past 3 years ive wanted a bike, but im glad i waiting a little bit for my head to catch up to my *****. The main purpose of the bike is to go out and enjoy my weekends, ride PCH every now and then, and when i feel more comfortable and im used to riding maybe ride it to work a few days a week ( bout 20 min drive on the freeway )

Is this a pretty safe choice for a first bike ? I know this forum has seen tons and tons of these type of questions, but you gotta learn it from someone. Better other enthusiasts then some salesmen trying to sucker me in.

Thanks guys.

 

I bought mine new in '03 after the Canadian equivalent of the MSF course. It is more fogiving that a 600SS, but you still have to be careful. It can easily over power a beginning rider. But, it is very nimble, narrow and agile, so it inspires cofidence (this has both positive AND negative effects)

Needless to day, it's been two years already and 10,000kms later and I still love the thing and wouldn't part with it. I don't have the lower fairing( I do want one) but I have every other OEM mod for it (tank bra, tire hugger, seat cover, undertail).

Do yourself a favour, get a nice exhaust with it right off the bat!

Good luck

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by 98TypeSH &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">im lookin at getting a 650S for my first bike. I really like the full fairings and rear seat cover.

Overall i guess i just wanted to get some opinions on this bike. Did you enjoy starting on this bike ? Is it relatively forgiving ? I will be taking the MSF course if i do decide to pursue this more. For the past 3 years ive wanted a bike, but im glad i waiting a little bit for my head to catch up to my *****. The main purpose of the bike is to go out and enjoy my weekends, ride PCH every now and then, and when i feel more comfortable and im used to riding maybe ride it to work a few days a week ( bout 20 min drive on the freeway )

Is this a pretty safe choice for a first bike ? I know this forum has seen tons and tons of these type of questions, but you gotta learn it from someone. Better other enthusiasts then some salesmen trying to sucker me in.

Thanks guys.</TD></TR></TABLE>

Apoocolypse has one and started out in the same position as you. In fact if you offered him $$$ for his 650 (which is mint and low miles) you could have one. IMO they are the perfect starter bike, and with a few mods can be a decent track tool.

 

I bought the bike as a beginner, dead set on getting the full fairings. The half fairings actually grew on me since it's nice to have something different and not worry about scratching expensive plastics.

I think its proved itself a great starter bike, the only thing I wish for is a bit meatier shocks up front. If you're a big guy and you grab a handful a brake without being cognisant of what you're doing, it's really easy to pitch the nose forward a good bit.

Do yourself a favor and get frame sliders.

Half-fairing sliders: http://www.suzukicycles.com/Ac...4192a
Full-fairing sliders: http://www.suzukicycles.com/Ac...438cd

 

It's a great starter bike and intermediate bike as well. It has a broad power band so you dont have to continuously hunt for gears. For the riding you described it will be a perfect bike. Good luck with it, I really like mine

Brian

 

Thanks for the replies. I do intend on going with sliders. I may stick with the half fairings till i get used to the bike. don't wanna smash up perfectly good plastics on account of inexperience.

Now the hunt begins for a used one. Anyone local to SoCal who has recently upgraded that is looking to sell ? Might be cycletrader time.

 

I know quite a few people (including myself) who found bikes on craigslist... you may want to check there.

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by Luke &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">Apoocolypse </TD></TR></TABLE>

LOL

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by Apocalypse &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">I know quite a few people (including myself) who found bikes on craigslist... you may want to check there.</TD></TR></TABLE>

I sold my bike on CL, after getting ZERO bites on HT, DCSB.net and DCSB.com.