[grissom29]

Hello everyone,

I found this forum today while doing some googling to try and answer a question I have. I'll get to the question shortly...

I bought a '97 Suzuki Savage 650 in December. While it is my first street bike, it's not my first motorcycle I've ever ridden. It's now about 600 miles later, and I am wondering if I bought the wrong style of bike? I'm concerned because I am frequently dragging the pegs when I turn and it's quite alarming when it happens. I know it won't hurt anything unless I brake or let go of the gas when it happens, I just might have to replace my pegs more often. However; I have noticed that I'm starting to hold back in my turns because I am uncomfortable with dragging the peg. I think it's a bit subconcious like when someone flenchs every time they fire a gun...

Should I be looking at getting something that can lean like I can? Should I have gotten a beginner type sportbike?

Thanks,

Jason

 

[vstrombc]

congratulations !! - you are not are cruiser

obviously you ride more sporty than your bike. there is a wide selection of bikes out there with more ground clearance. I haven't touched my pegs yet with the v-strom. you don't need a full on sportbike to corner - most standards like the V-Stroms, Bandits, Yamaha FZ's & many others have plenty of cornering clearance to help you enjoy the ride. Sell the Savage to someone short who likes straight roads

 

[Louis]

Welcome to the site. I think Vstrombc is right. You might need a more standard or sport type bike.

 

[grissom29]

congratulations !! - you are not are cruiser

Why thank you!

That's kinda what I was thinking this meant. Well, I'm going to start looking around for something more sporty. I'm not ready for a full on sportbike, but maybe I'll work up to one someday. I've always loved the look of them.

Since I'm not really fond of the brick wall of air that hits me in the chest at 50+ mph, I think I'll look for something with some basic fairing to it.

I guess I should be looking for something like you mentioned and include things like the Ninja's, Katana's...

Any other suggestions for something appropriate for an advanced beginner? I want to stay reasonable with my selection based on the fact I'm a newly returning rider, but don't want to make a habit of short upgrades.

Thanks for your input and candor,

Jason

 

[Clint]

Indermediate riders love their Bandit 600s. I'm not trying to sell anyone a bike, but I'm familiar with a number of people who own them. They're comfortable and they handle well. The fairing does a good job of keeping the blast off your chest. A late model (2000+) can be had cheap, too, and they're a breeze to work on. Here's my 1200 - essentially the same bike.

 

[sime]

totally agree with rowdyred, but then i would seeing as i ride the bandit 600S -and have enormous respect for a bike that cost me a lot less than supposedly much sportier bikes

it has great cornering clearance but dont worry if you scrape anything, it has good stability. compared tp the savage it's probably light years ahead in handling.

 

[Clint]

And that's a first gen. Suzuki made some nice updates to the second gens, some of which was to the suspension.

 

[grissom29]

I'll give the Bandit a sit also if I come across one. I'm going to start looking around this weekend even though I am waiting for my IRS check to come in to make this upgrade.

Is there anything I should know or consider regarding accessories for specific bikes? Like XYZ bike has little to none, so be aware if you like that XYZ bike, etc... Do any of them have problems with tank bags sticking to them?

Thanks again for the input,

Jason

 

[sime]

as far as luggage goes, i use a Ventura luggage rack and bag. this product comes from new zealand and is an excellent alternative to panniers. the top part of the rack can be completely removed leaving just the posts, which are reltively discreet. unfortunately on the newer bandits they run the rails along the top of the ducktail as opposed to beneath it.

http://www.ventura-bike.co.nz/english/fitments/display_picture.asp?fitment_id=626

 

[grissom29]

That looks like a kinda cool alternative alright. I'll keep that in mind.

Jason

 

[98corona]

Get a gsxr. If you perfected your cornering skill to lean like so I recommend the gsxr. I am bias although.

 

[grissom29]

I'm not ready for the throttle on a GSXR (IMO).

What do you all think of the Katana's?

Jason

 

[pitbull76]

I'm not ready for the throttle on a GSXR (IMO).

What do you all think of the Katana's?

Jason

I like my Katana, but just take a sit on it compared to the Bandit. I'm kind of like you in that I like the sporty look of a fully-faired bike, but I didn't want the "twitchy" response of a GSX-R or CBR. Maybe after a couple years I'll change my mind again.

 

[grissom29]

I'm going to do some sit testing this weekend.

So far I'd like to sit on the Ninja 500, Bandit 600, Katana 600, and the SV650.

Last time I tried I was a bit short for the SV though. I'm 5'8", 195 lbs, with 30" inseam.

Jason

 

[wolph69]

i'm in a similar situation. I have a 2003 gsxr 600 and I just want to enjoy riding instead of worrying about all the power under my right hand and the touchy brakes. so, i'm gonna get a suzuki gs500f. It's faired so it has the sporty look your after, and it's simple 50hp air/oil cooled engine. very reliable since the engine has been around since 1988. and the price is only 4999. check it out on the suzuki website maybe you'll like it.

 

[grissom29]

"I rike it rots!"

But it's out of my price range. I'm going to have to get something used, and hopefully will take my Savage in trade (I bought it for below blue book). I'll then add my "2 large" (divorced custodial parent has tax perks) from the IRS that should be here any week now...

I could look at a Ninja 500, and I'm not ruling it out. I'll just have to see what is available to me when that check comes in I guess.

Jason

 

[gsxrjeffro]

i think the sv650 is a great choice. you can find more aftermarket parts for the sv. suzuki even makes a complete lower fairing, windshield, fender eliminator, rear seat cowll, gel seat, frame sliders.. etc i can go on the v-twin trq makes this a fun bike in the twisties. here's a link to the micron exhaust page. listen to the sound sample of the 650. it sounds like a small block..
http://micronexhaust.com/store/sounds.htm
have a great day, jeffro

 

[grissom29]

That's got a really cool sound to it, thanks for sharing.

So many options... so few dollars...

Jason

 

[gsxrjeffro]

where are you located. my suzuki dealer is letting the sv's go pretty cheap. suzuki's list price is $6299. our dealer has a blue 02 ($5300), a silver 03 ($5400) and a copper 03 ($5400) . just make the offer to your local dealer. you will find that most dealers will match. if not and you are close to west virginia i can hook you up with my local dealer..
-jeffro

 

[grissom29]

Thanks for the offer, I appreciate it.

My budget is going to be around $3k. I figure I'll just try and find something that I can ride til next year. If my calculations are right, I should have enough to buy a good new bike for '05 with this bike for a trade in.

Jason