GSX-R or SV650

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Fr0stByte

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Hi All, I can't seem to decide what bike I want to ride this season. It comes down to a couple of factors but I see pros and cons for both. A short background - my first bike 10 years ago was a 2002 SV650s, rode that for 4-5 years and then recently was financing a 2010 R6 which I kept for a year or two but had to sell to buy a condo, full M since 2012). Now I cannot afford a newer 600 nor do I want to finance a bike ever again, I'm between a 2005-2007 GSX-R or a 2007-2009 SV650 (which I would like to modify into a more street-fighter look). I live in a high-rise with tight security but still, 600s and condos don't mix well, but what about old 600s? My parking is also 5 floors underground so I wonder how annoying trying to tame a 600 around and around a slick parking lot with cars whipping around the corners will be.. but I could always ask for a higher up spot. SV650 less expensive on insurance $80 a month vs $130 for a 600. sv650 could probably get for $3,000 GSXR probably $4,200. Purchase price isn't a make or break between 3-4k but the almost double for insurance kinda sucks. Love the power of a 600, love the growl of a SV.. streetfighter look will cost a bit of money, GSXR would just stay stock. I would be riding close to work and just kicking around on weekends, I don't want to worry about the bike being stolen or not riding it enough ($130 a month for GSXR Insurance *eye twitch*)... what to do what to do.... anyone care to give their opinion? sorry for no spaces, it doesn't work on this computer. maybe the FZ6 as well, reading another post on here seems like it would fit in my budget. Avoiding the FZ6R of course.
 
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In terms of bikes being stolen, I hardly think a thief would think twice about stealing a 2007 GSXR (maybe I'm biased, that's what I ride).

In my opinion you should go for the SV. For a year you’relooking at an extra $1,800 (insurance difference + buying price difference). Idon’t think that’s too justifiable seeing how the GSXR and SV are VERY similar.Since you’re already torn between the two just go for the SV. My two buddiesride SV650s and I have a GSXR600. At the speeds and routes we’re riding, doesn’treally make much of a difference. One guy tracks his SV and smokes half thepeople on 600s anyways lol. I do prefer the look of my bike, and the ridingposture.

I wouldn’t bank on doing the SF conversion though – it’s apain working on a bike or car in a condo.
 
Sticking with Suzuki, have you considered a Bandit 600/650? Kind of hits the mark smack-dab between both bikes. More upright and comfortable like the SV, but has the smooth power of the I4. 80hp is nothing to sneeze at. Price for one in the age range you're looking at should be on par with the bikes you've mentioned too. Best part is I don't think anyone has ever stolen a Bandit ever, lol! Seriously, I have one and they are great bikes and are way, waaayyy down the list on sporty bikes that get stolen. I'm never afraid to leave mine anywhere.
 
Theft is the big thing for me, condo + bike = a lot of sleepless nights. I want to avoid the super sportbikes for this reason. How sad, I'm literally cutting out an entire section of bikes just to avoid being robbed by the scum of the world. But anyways, was thinking the bandit or FZ6, but again would it still be a target for theft given the engine is still a inline-four? Do the scum bags steal SVs? Maybe I'll just pass on owning a bike until I have a house.
 
I had my GSXR In a condo in Brampton, lived there for a year and didn't get stolen lol. I parked it next to the stairwell lol
 
bboySushi said:
I had my GSXR In a condo in Brampton, lived there for a year and didn't get stolen lol. I parked it next to the stairwell lol
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Smart, my spot is 7 or 8 spots away from the stairs - 5 floors down with lots of other nicer bikes on P1,P2,P3 so...pfft.. nobody would want some little SV... right?
 
Fr0stByte said:
Theft is the big thing for me, condo + bike = a lot of sleepless nights.
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https://www.amazon.ca/SPOT-TRACE-Th...UTF8&qid=1459892055&sr=8-1&keywords=spottrace

Reports when it's moved every 10/30/60 minutes and sends one status message per day. Not sure how well it would work in an underground lot. There are trackers that can use cell towers, perhaps a better choice. Doesn't prevent your bike from being stolen, but might help retrieve it and give those scum bags a light Ontario slap on the wrist.

Edit: Yeah 5 floors down the Spot Trace isn't going to work. Doesn't even like being behind two layers of metal while outside.
 
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What about an SV1000? Used prices are similar to the 650, insurance is similar (if it's not based on the CC's), but lots more power and similar get up and go to an inline 4 - 600 cc. It looks identical to the 650 so no one is going to know what lies 'under the hood.'

If theft is an issue GSXR's are hot bikes due to the demand for parts. I'd feel pretty comfortable parking my SV anywhere, a Gixxer (or any supersport) notsomuch. If I had a Ducati I would park it in my living room - lol.
 
Fr0stByte said:
Smart, my spot is 7 or 8 spots away from the stairs - 5 floors down with lots of other nicer bikes on P1,P2,P3 so...pfft.. nobody would want some little SV... right?
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Neighbour who started parking his old Monster 696 next to me, all the way down in P3, had it stolen within a week. Lots of way nicer bikes on the way down. Pure madness.
 
Try a VStrom 1000 or 650, nobody steals those, but my DL1000 is like a Swiss Army knife.
 
Fr0stByte said:
Theft is the big thing for me, condo + bike = a lot of sleepless nights. I want to avoid the super sportbikes for this reason. How sad, I'm literally cutting out an entire section of bikes just to avoid being robbed by the scum of the world. But anyways, was thinking the bandit or FZ6, but again would it still be a target for theft given the engine is still a inline-four? Do the scum bags steal SVs? Maybe I'll just pass on owning a bike until I have a house.
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That's why you buy insurance, mate.
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