Sumfoo, the parallel twin is a good beginner bike not just because of the low HP but the power delivery. The parallel twins are a nice linear power delivery, not too much of a powerband to kick you off but enough for fun. With a 600 if you are in a little bit of trouble then hit the powerband you will be in a LOT of trouble quick. Most of the 600s just don't have a low end, for the street I far prefer a little more low end. That's part of why I am selling the 636 and getting a SV next. The 636 is THE BEST street bike of the 600s (except for the 675 maybe), and I still preferred the parallel or v twin. Some of that also had to do with my desire to experience the whole rpm range a bike offers, and you just can't really do that legally on a 600. The older 600s are better street bikes as well, they are not as race tuned as the newer ones. Everybody wants lots of power, but what they don't realize is that they are trading real world usability to get a bike with more impressive stats on paper.

If you are looking at a ninja 250 or 500 let me know, I'm fairly familiar with them. If properly maintained they last a LONG time. Know a guy with over 70k on his 250 (still the original engine, impressive considering how high the things rev). I put 20k on my 1st 250 before my neighbor ran it over and the one I am riding now is probably closing in on 35k (odometer does not match the actual mileage). ONly thing it really needs is a clutch cable, maybe a few plates but that's an issue the previous owner created and cheap to fix.

8/27/2008 8:59:01 PM

thank you sir

8/27/2008 9:44:07 PM

Quote :

"The 636 is THE BEST street bike of the 600s (except for the 675 maybe), "

that's arguable at best

not hating on it--it's a good bike. it has some great competition, though.

8/27/2008 10:26:06 PM

Yeah, but it has everything the other bikes do (well mine didn't have a slipper clutch because it was an '03 and i was too lazy to change it) and more low/mid. Not tons more (definitely not as much as a twin), but you notice it around town.

I rode the thing loaded down with luggage on many occasions, was happy with it. Some of the older 600s are not too bad either, but if you go too much older you lose the FI and that was one of my main reasons for buying it. Wanted something with FI to make my winters a little easier.

Turns out FI isn't THAT important if you are a wuss like me and don't really ride much below 40, and play with the idle mix a little.

[Edited on August 27, 2008 at 10:46 PM. Reason : ...]

8/27/2008 10:42:25 PM

well, comparing 03 models is pointless...they're all a couple generations outdated at this point. Also, to me, HP is one of the least important factors. I don't really care about the difference of 2 hp between the bikes. I'm more into handling, ergos, etc.

and do you mean play with the idle mixture or the idle speed?


______________________________

I like my SV so far, especially for what I paid for it. Yes, any 600 race-replica from at LEAST the last 10 years will annihilate it, but it's just fine for what I want to do with it for the time being.

[Edited on August 27, 2008 at 11:22 PM. Reason : asdfads]

8/27/2008 10:57:04 PM

Yup, I mean idle mixture. The screws on the bottom of the carbs, just a tiny little adjustment will do wondering for your winter riding.

I'm not really interested in the latest and greatest or top end (all sport bikes have that), I'd rather get a used bike that's a couple years old so the reliability information is there. Ergos on the 636 are great for me, and handling is better than you can/should be testing the limits of on the street.

8/27/2008 11:41:59 PM

Quote :

"I like my SV so far, especially for what I paid for it. Yes, any 600 race-replica from at LEAST the last 10 years will annihilate it, but it's just fine for what I want to do with it for the time being."

That's pretty much my thoughts on it. I don't want to do a 120mph wheelie down 40, so I'll end up with something that has low end and gets good gas mileage like a SV or parallel twin kawi. Am too short for a dual sport.

8/27/2008 11:45:14 PM

^^ yeah, i just figured you weren't bothering with the mixture screws, particularly on in I-4. i figured you were just bumping up the idle a tiny bit.

8/27/2008 11:48:55 PM

So you snagged an SV eh? Got pics?

8/27/2008 11:51:32 PM

That's another benefit of twins, idle mix adjustments are a lot easier. I have a pair of mechanics gloves and a chopped off screwdriver so it's not bad to adjust at all. I actually need to mess with it a little again, think it might be a tiny bit too rich. The bike was parked for years with no stabil and after a carb cleaning and a couple k miles is now back to running like new.

8/28/2008 9:19:29 AM

http://atlanta.craigslist.org/mcy/778904852.html

i'd prefer an sv but for something i'm probably just going to drop... the price is right...
hahah

8/28/2008 9:32:56 AM

Just plan on that thing taking a long time to warm up!

Air cooled and carbs, not for getting anywhere quick in the winter.

8/28/2008 9:39:25 AM

yeah troo...
but i have to take my dog out in the morns anyway...
so might as well fire up the bike.

8/28/2008 9:48:08 AM

Yeah, I'm not a morning person. if you don't mind the wait for it to warm up then those and the old parallel ninjas are pretty bulletproof. You can play with the carbs a little to help things in the winter too.

8/28/2008 11:42:24 AM

i'd really prefer an sv cause the mileage is about the same but the performance is a little better and the sound is 10 fold better.

8/28/2008 11:44:22 AM

Yeah, if you can wait until winter and check svrider on the regular should be able to find a sweet deal.

My boyfriend got one of the carbed ones for $650. Needed a little work and paint but nothing too bad.

8/28/2008 12:09:24 PM

awesome!!!

8/28/2008 1:22:16 PM

Oops, should have mentioned he bought it from a friend in the middle of nowhere IL. I seriously doubt you will find a deal that good but bike prices are super seasonal so you definitely will spend less in the winter.

8/28/2008 2:59:47 PM

yeah i can fly free so middle of no where is worth it.

8/28/2008 3:04:48 PM

I had a '95 Kawaski EX500 (500r)

It was a sweet bike for the money I had in it.

I only sold it because I bought a '04 CBR 600rr

[Edited on August 28, 2008 at 4:30 PM. Reason : .]

8/28/2008 4:29:23 PM

iver never really seen anyone run one of the latest generate 600 till the edge.. I certainly cant.

my old kat was a bitch in the winter. The 4th cylinder didnt even start firing until the 6 minute warm up was done.

ohh yea i think the exhaust was completely gutted. Even ran it without the pipe before, at least ryan and err....well ive had a too many drings to name the other ugy right now hes on a boat... anyway.

Ill ahve the 600 back up soon again need to go for a fall ride.

[Edited on August 28, 2008 at 8:30 PM. Reason : dd]

8/28/2008 8:26:40 PM

If you don't give a crap where it is then look at the St. Louis craigslist. That's where I got my $150 ninja 250 and have seen other nice deals there. Only problem is that the BEST deals are when there is snow on the ground, so no riding it home.

8/28/2008 9:46:57 PM

Dammit. I can't get my SV loaded into the back of my truck, because the tailgate is so high off the ground. I even used an 8' sheet of plywood as a ramp, and the ramp angle was so steep that it high-centered the bike, even with the truck going down my fairly steep driveway.

I need a large bank to back the truck up to...I want to bring my bike home on leave so I can ride it some!

8/28/2008 10:40:05 PM

Come on duke your a big strong guy, manhandle the bitch

8/29/2008 6:25:50 AM

Uhaul rents motorcycle trailers for something like $20 a day. Probably worth it.

8/29/2008 11:04:36 AM

they don't do one way, though

i ended up just going up to the dealership 2 miles from my house. i bought a Joe Rocket Phoenix 5.0 jacket that I needed anyway (though I could've probably found it or the equivalent for $120 instead of the $155 I paid there), and one of their guys gave me a ride to my house to pick up the SV, then helped me load it using the shop's ramp when I rode it back up to the dealership.

8/29/2008 12:19:42 PM

What year/color SV? Is it completely stock? Pics?

8/29/2008 1:15:45 PM

I just bought a '97 ex500. I gotta say, having never ridden before, it's exciting as hell, but I have a ton to learn.

8/29/2008 10:45:42 PM

BUY GEAR

8/29/2008 10:53:11 PM

ALREADY DID

8/29/2008 10:58:02 PM

NO YOU DIDN'T

8/30/2008 6:37:52 PM

8/30/2008 7:45:52 PM

What did you buy then?

Corona tank top does not count as gear.

8/30/2008 8:38:00 PM

rabble rabble rabble

8/30/2008 9:56:09 PM

[image]http://Corona tank top does not count as gear. [/image]

8/30/2008 11:30:03 PM

Helmet, mesh jacket, gloves and boots. I'm gonna get riding pants pretty soon as well. Not looking at tank bags just yet heh, but I'll probably get an Ogio hydration pack.

8/31/2008 12:06:09 AM

"BLAH, BLAH, BLAH, I DON'T HAVE GEAR, BLAH, BLAH, BLAH."

8/31/2008 7:40:33 AM

For riding pants, the most versatility for the price is tourmaster flex over pants. I use them from 30 to 100 degrees comfortably.

http://www.sporttour.com has the best prices around on the flex too.

I like the pants so much I am thinking about getting the matching jacket, even though I already have mesh, textile, and perforated leather jackets.

8/31/2008 1:30:30 PM

post some pics of this gear

and the corona tank top

8/31/2008 4:06:10 PM

8/31/2008 7:23:15 PM

awesome

9/1/2008 8:06:08 AM

SO WE HAVE ESTABLISHED THAT DAVE WEARS LA GEAR WOMEN'S SHOES AND A CORONA TANK TOP AND CALLS IT "GEAR."

9/1/2008 8:59:43 AM

I wouldn't mind getting a new updated bike, but I'm pretty sure it would reduce my confidence by quite a bit if I tracked it. I'm still contemplating if I should sell off the 600RR since I barely use it (maybe once a month) just to clear the garage and have some extra spending cash for new photo gear. I sold my F2 last year for the 70-200 telephoto lens.

9/1/2008 9:12:19 AM

Ouch, not really.
Scorpion Exo-400 helmet
http://www.cyclegear.com/spgm.cfm?L1=3&L2=&L3=&L4=&item=URI_MESH3-JKT-BLK-SM_G&tier2=65
Mesh Jacket
A pair of Alpinestars gloves, and I'm using a pair of desert combat boots that I took from my dad. No LA Gear here buddy.

9/1/2008 12:04:29 PM

i wanna get some reebok pumps, or maybe british knights! that would be pretty rad. will a helmet mess up my high top fade?

9/1/2008 12:22:10 PM

Yeah it might man. You just gotta be careful putting the helmet on.

9/1/2008 12:25:32 PM

Quote :

"http://www.cyclegear.com/spgm.cfm?L1=3&L2=&L3=&L4=&item=URI_MESH3-JKT-BLK-SM_G&tier2=65"

Yeah, that does look pretty nice man:

9/1/2008 12:37:16 PM

Not quite man. Although most of the military guys do seem to think that that, a pair of shorts, and flip flops are standard riding gear around here in fayetteville.

9/1/2008 12:45:56 PM

really? I would have thought they'd have to be riding with gear all the time by some military code. I know they have to wear a reflective jersey all the time on base.

9/1/2008 1:25:45 PM

Technically they are, they're required to wear at least a reflective belt, but off post it isn't enforced at all. Of course, if they cream the bike and get badly hurt, tricare won't cover the medical costs because they weren't wearing proper gear.

9/1/2008 2:12:34 PM