Hi Guys,

There is a local used bike dealer that had 3 of the four bikes I was looking at for the upcoming season. Turning 36 on Monday, I think I am due a nice present for the second half of my life! The three I was looking at (cause I'll never buy new again), were the SV650, Ninja 650r, S50, and ER-6N. They had a 07 sv650 just under 3k(miles), 06 S50 at 1300(m!), 07 Ninja 650r at 13k (someone loved that ride), and no ER, which who cares, it's a ninja without plastic. The price point was about the same for all of them, and they were all well taken care of...

Sitting on the 06 s50, of course, felt very natural. Afterall, I spent 2 seasons on the savage. The bike was beautiful. The owner obviously spent more time polishing the bike than riding it. It looked exactly like the bike I didn't buy starting out when I opted for the savage, no regrets. I thought it was the one I would choose going in...

In short, I sat on all three for a long time. The ninja's seat was too broad, so no dice, the s50 felt natural, too much so, the sv actually fit like a glove, and I was surprised to feel so comfortable on it since I dismissed it as a first bike two years ago. I don't regret that, I love my s40. I am keeping it.

So, I own a sv650...Sorry for the long description. I expect it to take me a few months to connect with her. I was just wondering if anyone has suggestions on what to expect or how to handle the first few months. It might seem like a stupid question, but going into the s40 blind, it seems a little expertise could have made the flatfoot to bike changes easier, and safer!

I have not been on a SV650 so cannot speak from personal experience, but all I have heard about it is all good.  It seems to be an excellent all-around bike, with superb handling, very good brakes and great power.

Congrat's, I think you will like it more every day.

Plus it looks cool! Good luck with the new bike.

I have just owned an SV650 and other than the crotch rocket seating position it is an excellent motorcycle.

The engine is the BEST mid sized bike engine, period.  It has like 2 Korean copies out now, which is ironic since it was the Japanese "improved" copy version of a Ducati engine, so you got copies of the copy going on right now.

Aprillia Shiver (first Italian copy version) makes a clean 80 HP and the original SV type 1 made a clean 65 HP.

Race tweaked SV motors hit over 90 HP, so there is a lot more there to be had.

This new copy makes a stated 92 HP.....

http://www.motorcycle-usa.com/35/2297/Motorcycle-Article/2009-Aprilia-Dorsodu...

People keep asking Suzuki for another 100cc in the engine since aftermarket kits have been doing that and more for quite some time now.

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Please note, we all still have our Savages .... even though we owned SVs for a bit.  

Proof that power isn't everything

Oldfeller, and Nik, thanks for the posts. I don't know what to say about the 90hp, I don't think I'll need that, hopefully ever, if I do I'm in deep trouble. The Aprillia looks alright, but with the seat height I would look like I a "person of real short stature" on a Versus. I have found 31.5 is my limit. I'll try the 0-60 range in August, may-be...It might sound funny but I have no intention of pushing this thing anytime soon, it feels *much* different form the savage. Thanks for the link, that is a tall woman.

I appreciate the gas tank squeeze advice. I don't plan to use knee pucks unless intending to head into twists, may-be August  . I am looking forward to getting to know her like the s40.