I am thinkin about gettin a bike next spring and have been lookin around. I'm only 17 so insurance is gonna be a big part. I was lookin at the Suzuki SV650S because they are cheap and insurance wouldnt be too bad but i was wondering how much slower they are then I-4 600s. Also don't tell me i need a beginner bike like some little 250 because i have been ridin dirtbikes since i was little so i know how to ride, and also what are some other good sport bike forums for info on the net?

 

Insurance on a SV650 is going to be significantly less than any 600cc inline-4 sportbike. I personally would get the SV over any of the 600 sportbikes...there is a huge aftermarket for them, and if you do outgrow it on the street, they are some of the best track bikes going right now. Not to mention they are cheaper to buy, maintain, and insure in most states.

As for the dirt bike bit, you may have a shorter learning curve than someone who's never ridden, but it'll still be there. The street is a totally different place than the dirt, with much wider traction differences, much higher speeds, and more obstacles to deal with, some of which move at almost the same speed as you. It's 2 different worlds, and only the basics are the same.

 

My CBR 600 f4i isn't categorized as a sportbike through progressive because technically it's smaller than their limit by 1cc (the CBR 600 is actually 599cc) so insurance isn't so bad, however, looking back on things, I would've bought used instead of new.

When I layed my brand new baby down, it was such a huge disappointment, but if I had a used bike instead, I don't think it would've been so bad.

And I really think that most people will lay down their first bike within the first year or so. Of the 6 people that I ride with, every single one of us layed them down within our first year of riding.

Some people get lucky and just don't get put in a position to have to lay it down, but most people do, largely because it's not up to you to decide, it's up to the other cars to decide when you go down.

 

Actually some companies are catching the 599cc bikes in new classification rules. Look carefully, some 600s are 598cc


[Modified by tonydatyga, 8:24 PM 11/11/2002]

 

yup, you're exactly right