Suzuki GSX-650F vs SV650?

[IXFe]

So I'm new to the motorcycle world and needed some advice about buying my very first bike.

What do you guys think of the following two bikes?

2011 Suzuki GSX-650F (with ABS)
2011 Suzuki SV650 (with ABS and fairings)

How much would you pay for these bikes brand new?

Any advice would be greatly apprecaited.


Thanks.

For general riding*, SV would be an ideal choice. Light, excellent useable torque.
If the bike you get will used for significant touring** the GSXF might be a better choice (100 pounds heavier than the SV, a bit more horsepower).

*eg. regular commutes to work. booting around town to meet friends weekday evenings. day trips on wknds.
** riding to California and back exploring Americana

[EAGuy]

You could look into a GSF-650 Bandit used instead of the GSX-F650. Bandits over here are not as popular as they are in EU but they're terrific do-it-all bikes and really easy to ride day-to-day making it ideal for newbies. It is a little on the heavy side but it's only noticeable when wheeling it around in the garage or at a stop; on the road it is more nimble + flickable than a 600 supersport at lower speeds, even my CBR 250 wasn't as flickable.

EDIT: Bonus, Bandits are usually pretty cheap used too... <$5K for a tidy 650 bandit and you don't have to worry about fairing removal (which is irritating... done it a few times for friend's SSes) for any maintenance.

[stevie t]

You could look into a GSF-650 Bandit used instead of the GSX-F650. Bandits over here are not as popular as they are in EU but they're terrific do-it-all bikes and really easy to ride day-to-day making it ideal for newbies. It is a little on the heavy side but it's only noticeable when wheeling it around in the garage or at a stop; on the road it is more nimble + flickable than a 600 supersport at lower speeds, even my CBR 250 wasn't as flickable.

EDIT: Bonus, Bandits are usually pretty cheap used too... <$5K for a tidy 650 bandit and you don't have to worry about fairing removal (which is irritating... done it a few times for friend's SSes) for any maintenance.

Bandits are great bikes. I tour on a 650 and have ridden it across Canada and down to the southern states with no issues, mechanical or otherwise. Highly recommended for a general riding/touring bike.....and yes they are pretty cheap used....got mine for 5k, less than a year old with a set of Givi hard bags.