looking for a used Suzuki SV650 S

[darxus]

Darxus: I will say this about Motorcycle racing...
Don't do it...
It's like having a crack addiction...
I've done autoxing and it's "Fun"
Motorcycle racing is probably THE BEST RUSH you can have that's legal...
It's better than sex... and that's not just my opinion...
There are Track Days & there is racing...
Sky diving last 5-15 seconds if your lucky
Motorcycle racing lasts 20min...
Imaging having the best 20min orgasm of your life...
but doing that 6-8 times in a day...

So now I want a used Suzuki SV650 S, maybe about a year old.
(Cyron is an old friend of mine who's been doing this ~4 years.)

Comments

[benndragon.livejournal.com]

Have you ridden before?

[darxus.livejournal.com]

No. I've wanted to for years.

I was hoping I might get some suggestions from you since you've been going through this.

[benndragon.livejournal.com]

First step is MSF basic class. It'll cost $219-$389 for (4 or 8, can't remember) hours classroom time and 8 hours on a motorcycle. However, if you've done the work of getting the permit and you pass the test at the end of the course, you'll have a full Class M lisence (and if you pay the RMV and extra $15 when you get the permit, you don't have to go down there a second time like I did ;P). This class will probably save your life at least once. Here's the PDF that includes locations, dates, prices, and (if you print it out) a form you can mail to register for the course. Also, Ironstone Ventures out in Acton allows you to register online. Classes tend to fill up pretty quick, just as a warning.

Second step is gear (you'll have better luck with this than me perhaps, because I can't stand the space marine look that seems to go hand in hand with good gear *pout*) - leather gloves, leather pants, leather jacket, helmet (full face, cause the chin area gets hit the most based on studies and such), and good sturdy boots with ankle support. Armor is a big plus and a must if you plan on doing any racing. Make sure the leather things are "competition weight", 2mm thick at least.

Then you get to get your bike. Beginner Bikes has fabulous reviews of a bunch of diferent bikes - they pretty much led me to get my Savage, which I adore. I honestly don't know if the SV650S is too much bike for you to start off with - my first impulse is to say yes however, simply because it's designed to be a sportsbike. In general, if it's a sportbike you probably don't want to start with it - you're likely to drop it, and faring's expensive to replace and ugly when scratched. The Bandit 400 (a standard) is a good starter bike, as an example of a friend's bike that she deeply enjoyed when she took it to Track Day. I will note that my housemate got an SV650 (not the S version) about a month after he started riding and he really likes it. I also advise getting used if at all possible. I've done some very minor damage to my bike already in <5mph drops, and it's only been 20 miles (couldn't find a used Savage I could get financing for).

[darxus.livejournal.com]

Thanks for all the info.

Yeah, I'm probably okay with the space marine look :)

Yeah, I would guess the SV650S would be a little too much to start with, but Cyron has known me pretty well since like 1995, and strongly recommended it for beginning riding and beginning racing, so... I want it.

Talked to a couple peole about getting the non-S to not have the faring to break... sounds like dropping it is going to scrape it up but not break it enough that it'll *need* replacing. I fully expect to drop it, but I like the look of the S more enough that I'll try to get one.

yeah, I plan to get one used (about a year old).

[benndragon.livejournal.com]

I can ask metahacker what frame sliders he got for his SV650 - they look like they belong on the bike and they'll keep things like the oil radiator from getting scrapd/bent in the event of a fall. I don't know if they'll work on the S without cutting a hole in the faring, cause I don't know exactly where the faring would go. . .

[darxus.livejournal.com]

Frame sliders sound wonderful.

Craig's List

[autumnslight.livejournal.com]

A resource for used bikes in your area, if you're still lookin':
http://boston.craigslist.org/mcy/

Re: Craig's List

[darxus.livejournal.com]

Thanks, I did check there at some point. Looked again and they still don't have anything I want. And I'm fairly set on buying the one in Alabama, where Cyron just happens to be going with his trailer that can hold an extra bike.