I am somewhat new to the riding scene (ridden dirt bikes most of my life but new to the street bikes) and so far have been very pleased with my bike. I started out looking for a used motorcycle, it being my first street bike of course, and finally was talked into a new one (07) by my wife...
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I am somewhat new to the riding scene (ridden dirt bikes most of my life but new to the street bikes) and so far have been very pleased with my bike. I started out looking for a used motorcycle, it being my first street bike of course, and finally was talked into a new one (07) by my wife surprisingly. I finally chose the SV 650 (naked bike) as the SV 650S (full fairing) had a much lower riding posture and was about 100 insurance points higher. I loved the upright riding posture of the naked 650 and was drawn to the extreme comfort of my wrist position. On most street bikes you are forced to lean over the front forks and gas tank for the measly hour you can comfortably ride and your back and wrists take hell. On this bike, my wrists feel great and I am riding almost as upright as possible. Being over six feet tall, this is a HUGE plus. I was impressed with the bikes V-twin, more than enough power to get a fat ass like me in trouble, but not too much that she threw you off the back. The instrument cluster is all digital, minus the tach, and very visible even to the tallest of riders. It comes with trip meters, clock, MPH and odometer.....all digital! There is also a coolant light (it's liquid cooled with antifreeze after all), low oil light and turn signals. The lack of windshield over the front headlight completes the naked look but does pose a small problem with wind. You know this going into the purchase so for me it was not a big deal. Great braking power, sharp, and I do mean sharp looks, make this bike one for the guys and definitely one for the ladies. With a top speed of about a buck thirty, and crazy low end torque this bike will leave many of the 750's sitting on the line. The only negative aspects about the bike are a slightly uncomfortable seat, a new gel seat will cure this, and the foot pegs are a little high for this guy. However, for a street bike, the pegs and seat height are better than many of the alternatives. All in all, the bike is pretty mint. The price was well worth it, and the consensus for gas mileage is between 40 and the high 50's. I did a lot of research on bikes, especially insurance and gas mileage before purchasing one, and the SV 650 comes out on top. I highly recommend this bike for the beginner as well as the experienced. A friend of mine has about four years of riding experience with a 750 and was very impressed the power and the versatility of the 650. Definitely a bike worth looking into!
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