[beck]

I have heard sv650's make great track backs for beginners.

I sometimes miss mine - I think Jen mentioned ride height on the FZ being a challenge previously - the seat height is pretty high on the SV650 (33" if i remember correctly) - that's an inch taller than 09 and a full 3 inches taller than the R3. That can be a big difference.

 

[Steve101]

I believe being able to move The Bike out of the garage on her own was far and away her #1 priority -- Any bike as heavy or as difficult to move as the FZ09 could not be considered. Having read through this thread dozens of times I've concluded the prerequisites were few, very few.

 

[Desert Rat]

It's obvious she's uncomfortable hearing the R3 sound like a Sewing Machine be tortured at high RPM's.

My advice to Jen is, that motor was designed to turn high revs, get used to it. Even before you get it broken in, you can take it to red line in first and/or second; it's only 'sustained' high revs you need to avoid till fully broken in.

Also, I suspect Jen has enough money to not be overly concerned about getting the most bang for the buck for a track/learner bike.

 

[Jen]

Are you keeping it? Remember: the engine is tight and is only 321cc... For break-in you'll be keeping it below 5-6k revs, especially at just 10 miles. A small engine won't produce much torque, certainly not compared to the FZ 09, and will produce it's power above 6k. The R3 may be smoother in fourth at 38mph but, trust me, that's not not really the gear / revs for anything but an anemic response from a new small motor - you won't be using that gear at that speed on a track. Surprised by the choice of a new bike for learning how to track a bike - the lack of torque will make it less forgiving of wrong gears; the lack of suspension adjustability won't teach you anything about set-up. I have not ridden an R3, but expect it to be light and down on power so shouldn't be too much bike for a beginner - the question is: how quickly will it become not enough bike? Only you can answer that. Good luck with your decision.

How long? About two miles.

The steering is way different than our bike. I think getting used to the steering should be enough of a reason to keep it for a season before getting a 600.

I don't know if this guy's policy is 20 miles and trade for another bike? He has nothing I would want. If I got a 600, it would be a GSXR or ZX6R, he has an R6.

I didn't take the bike out again so I can possibly have the option. The manual said not to ride above 7k for extended periods. I had it over 7k but tried to keep it under. It said 1k before you can ride it normally, which seems like a lot. If I keep it, I'll try to do that over a few days at least.

 

[Jen]

You guys are lucky. My options for a bike I can move are pretty slim- Rebel, Suzuki s40 (my first bike), Ninja or CBR 300, V Star 250, you get the idea. I can move an Indian Scout. That could be in the garage next year once they sort out the initial issues. The Yamaha R3 was the best of the worst.

 

[SetFZtoStun]

I don't know if this guy's policy is 20 miles and trade for another bike?

Worth finding out for definite rather than assume there are conditions associated - you know what they say about assuming... That said, it sounds like you want 'a bike'; I'm just not sure the R3 is 'it' to make it worth keeping for a season, but that's for you to decide... Is an SV650 too big for you? Pretty sure they can be lowered... Not sure if it'd be enough, and would affect ground clearance - not good in a track bike.

 

[DTM74]

I sometimes miss mine - I think Jen mentioned ride height on the FZ being a challenge previously - the seat height is pretty high on the SV650 (33" if i remember correctly) - that's an inch taller than 09 and a full 3 inches taller than the R3. That can be a big difference.

I believe the seat height on my (1st Gen) SV650 is 31.5"...I think the 2nd Gens were just a tad taller IIRC, the FZ is taller by 0.5" or so.

I'll probably sell my SV here in a few weeks...I know I'll miss it when it's gone. But time to move on...get something more updated

 

[beck]

You guys are lucky. My options for a bike I can move are pretty slim- Rebel, Suzuki s40 (my first bike), Ninja or CBR 300, V Star 250, you get the idea. I can move an Indian Scout. That could be in the garage next year once they sort out the initial issues. The Yamaha R3 was the best of the worst.

i didn't read through this all but how much easier is the R3 to move for you? It it a combo of lower seat height and weight or is the seat height the main reason?

If it's seat height - unfortunately you're right - Honda cbr650f, Kawi ninja 650 both have ride heights close to the FZ. The Yamaha FZ6R has a ride eight of 30.9 which is the lowest of the 3 but still a tenth of an inch higher than R3 which could be enough to be uncomfortable (though not sure).

Stock 600 supersport seat heights are all around the FZ size - i was actually surprised (i thought these sit lower than our bike) - they are probably more cumbersome to move too given the clip ons vs. the more upright handlebars.

As mentioned there are lowering kits - but that's $300 plus labor if you're not doing it yourself.

here is a good article on lowering a bike if you're interested - Lowering Your Bike Safely - The Long and Short of It | Sport Rider

 

[Obijack]

A f4i would be a good option for a entry level supersport. It has a lower seat height that a 600rr or gsxr or 636.

 

[SetFZtoStun]

Can also take some foam out of the seat to lower the height, but that's no good if the bike is too heavy...

 

[weaponzero]

First generation SV650s have a much lower seat height than second gens. I think it was only 28.5"

 

[beck]

I was wrong with 33" but Wikipedia says 31.5 for gen 2, gen 1 they claim is 31.7. Half inch shorter than the fz. Didn't feel that way to me but it's been awhile since I rode that bike.

https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sv650

 

[Steve101]

I was wrong with 33" but Wikipedia says 31.5 for gen 2, gen 1 they claim is 31.7. Half inch shorter than the fz. Didn't feel that way to me but it's been awhile since I rode that bike.

https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sv650

It was probably a wider sear than the stock seat on the FZ09 -- wider seats usually feel/seem higher....

 

[Da Braddah]

The meat of the power band is from 7-9K, max power output at 10,750 rpm--I'd suggest giving it a chance and ride it within the power band and see how it feels. Buyers remorse is a tough thing to live with. Maybe after you get accustomed to it and the differences from what you're used to riding, you'll learn to love it. Looks like a pretty fun bike to ride at 9/10ths to me, and it looks great as well. A 600 supersport is a laggy dog below 6-7 rpm as well, you'll find...

 

[1duckyboy]

Rented a Honda CRF250L dual sport in Northern Thailand last year and spent a week wringing it out on the best paved mountain roads I've ever ridden. Had huge fun keeping the revs up when exiting corners and timing passing cars. Not enough power to scare so could concentrate on lines and timing to get the most out of the motor. Small motor = big fun.

 

[Da Braddah]

Steve,
When I rode the Ninja, I was close to redline because
it didn't go anywhere. I don't feel the need to redline the FZ.

 

[sparker]

All this talk of redline, etc has been annoying me more than it should for some reason. I just can't let it go that you are looking for 4th gear at 38mph. I put the R3 owners manual gear ratios into gearing commander, 38mph should be reachable in 1st gear if you are pushing it.

 

[Da Braddah]

That's a pretty flat torque curve from 4K to about 9,500, sure not as much as the 09, but enough to wring it out if you stay in the fat part...

 

[Thantos]

Jen sorry to hear the new bike wasn't as you hoped it would be. A similar situation happened to my wife. She hasn't seriously ridden in about five years, and lately she'd expressed a desire to start up again. After talking about this, we decided to sell her old bike, a 2000 SV naked, and buy her a smaller bike. I never felt she'd bonded with the SV, and I urged her to start again riding with a small bike. I found her a 2008 250 Ninja with 5700 miles. It had been laid down, had broken levers; a perfect beginner bike. She liked the looks (online, as she was at her Mom's visiting), and told me to pull the trigger. I put about 300 miles on it, riding in the mountains where I live. I even rode it to work one day (100 miles round trip). Suffice to say, I enjoyed it. I put a new double bubble screen, mad hornet levers, black fasteners and tires. I told her I'd swap out the bodywork ($440/ebay) once she'd gotten comfortable with it. All systems go. When she returned home, she looked at it, sat on it, and pronounced it not to her liking. You're not alone Jen, it's also more difficult as test rides are virtually non existent for many riders. I forgot to mention, do you ever try to move your bike without sitting on it? Once the balance of doing so has been established, and you get the feel of it, you can let the bike lean into your side as you pull back or push forward. It's like pushing your bike as you may have done when you were a kid.

 

[beck]

If there's one thing I've learned about motorcycles - they are in no way like cars or even cruisers in terms of being made to order, particularly if you want to push the bike beyond just commuting or cruising on the highway. Ergos, controls, suspension, etc are all things that can make a big difference to tailor the bike more for you. Even people who buy s1000rrs are making adjustments to better the bike to their body and riding specs.

It's an expensive sickness but it can really change a bike for the better. the FZ for me really drove that point home. Stock set up I would have sold this bike already. But ECU flash and suspension transformed this bike into one I'll keep until it dies.