Fellow Beyond Bikers, I need your help!

[RC-Cola]

Currently have a Ninja 250 that I've been ripping around the city for the past year. I'm now at the point where I want to upgrade. I've gone on several demo rides including the Ducati Monster 696, Yamaha R6, Yamaha Fazer 800 & the FZ6R. All of them have their +'s and -'s and none of them perfect. I mostly commute around the city with very little highway (other then Deerfoot) driving.

I really liked the down low grunt & torque of the Duc, but really didn't like the naked feel of the bike. Wasn't a huge fan of the R6 or FZ6R due to the fact you have to really rev it get it moving. The Fazer was a nice bike, but again don't really want a naked bike.

After reading and watching MANY reviews on the web I believe I've narrowed my search to the following bikes:

1) SV650S
2) Kawi Ninja 650r
3) Honda VFR800

The problem is that no dealer will allow you to test ride new bikes and I find it hard to call up someone on Kijiji to take a test spin to see if it's the bike for me.

Here's the question, does anyone have one of these bikes that they can comment on and would someone like to go for a ride where we can trade rides for a bit to give me a feel for their bike (maybe there's a case of beer in it for you)?

[Shlade]

Friend of mine has the SV650s and loves it.. Its a great bike.

Lots of torque coming from that thing and moves very well! Its also very comfortable to ride on the highway and in the city.. Doesnt sit as low and you dont have to have your back a little hunched over since the handlebars sit a little bit higher on it! And the seat... The Seat is amazingly comfortable!

[RiceMonkey]

SV650 Is A Naked Bike

[The Wanderer]

I was able to test ride my shadow at rocky mountain honda. If they have the honda you are looking for, you might want to give them a call. I don't know thier policies for sure but would not hurt to call. Also when I was looking at bikes, Bow cycle alowed me to test ride the bike I debated buying for them so if they have one of the bikes you want, you may wish to call them and see if you can test ride there.

[Calgaryrocky]

I would go with the sv650s, if you look you can find one with full or partial fairings. I don't like the look of the naked version but still a nice bike though.

On a side note, have you ridden the r6? I had a 99 r6 it was a really quick bike with only a few minor mods and it had a really broad power band.

[Cos]

I have the gladius which is the SV-650F (the new naked). Send me a PM.

Originally posted by RiceMonkey
SV650 Is A Naked Bike

Not all of them are, there are three variants (two in Canada)

[5.0]

Have you considered a Z1000? Its a bit more expensive but seems to fit into everything your looking for...

nevermind you dont like the naked bikes. I would still check it out though

[Go4Long]

Originally posted by 5.0
Have you considered a Z1000? Its a bit more expensive but seems to fit into everything your looking for...

and only 100 hp more than you're used to...lol

[revelations]

The VFR is probably overkill if you dont plan on any long trips on it.

However, it is a very good and comfortable bike.

[RC-Cola]

Originally posted by revelations
The VFR is probably overkill if you dont plan on any long trips on it.

However, it is a very good and comfortable bike.

Fair comment, I was hoping to kind of have a one bike fits-at-all. I don't want to get into the habit of flipping bikes every year or so.

BTW, a specials thanks to Cos as I was able to meet up with him on Wednesday and take his Gladius for a spin. Nice bike, great low-end power, nice grunty sound. Not a huge fan of the naked bikes though, I like a little wind shelter, especially on the highway.

[MrSector9]

new z1000 is not great in the low end grunt, the old one is one of the best drivable power bikes I had ridden, then again I am a sucker for the old zx9/z1000 engines.

If you do not want to change bikes every year.

Get a VFR, overkill in a sense around the city but they handle nice and have great power, If you ever want to go on a trip... no problem at all there.


Out of that list the VFR stands out to me, that being said it is the more expensive option.

[revelations]

Originally posted by RC-Cola
Fair comment, I was hoping to kind of have a one bike fits-at-all. I don't want to get into the habit of flipping bikes every year or so.

In that case, get a pre-2002 version without the VTEC - though you wont go wrong with either model really.

One of the best all-round road bikes out there (excluding the $$$ BMW's).

[Cos]

Originally posted by RC-Cola

Not a huge fan of the naked bikes though, I like a little wind shelter, especially on the highway.

There was a guy out by Bragg on Friday who had a windshield. It looked detachable and a big mother. Wasnt the best looking but may work for what you want if that is the only negative on the Gladius.


» Click image for larger version

Hard to tell but looked something like this.