Its official........................

[DD]

ps: but who would want a SV650 anyway

I can't beleive you don't like them. I think the old shape SV is one of the nicest bikes of all time (new shape isn't so nice).

As for the CB500 topic, the old CB500 is a bit top-heavy and dated (although apparently it's supposed to be a great bike to ride ) - the new CBF500 is quite nice though

Note the -----> I do like the old SV650 and the TL1000 I was trying to get the attention of a certen SV1 owner but you bit However I just cant get used to the new SV shape... maybe if the fairing came down further to cover the radiator.

I saw the CB500 and 125's on one of the above www's thanks nothing like them over here look alright realy a good alternative to a high reving 4cyl.

[bluesman]

Sorry Bluesman, but Aprillias SUCK!! Unreliable, italian electrics (or wherever they are made), boring brand name.

I'd rather have an SV / Storm than ANY Aprillia anyday.

Can't agree. That's "box thinking".

That's one of "legends" based on outdated information from past.
I am not talking attempts started with Falco's or other first attempts.
Several of my friends have aprillias (I am talking exclusively Mille and Tuono), some Mille's since 2000 - not one problem more that I had with my Honda.
Loads of people changed their opinion after 2000 about Aprillia reliaility.

Engine and handling are miles better than our bikes, suspension WAY more advanced and expensive, but I must admit that Mille feels like it can bite - not "nice"bike. It is of range of RC51, not of road bike like Storm or SV.

[steve trow]

No can do. Blue is the colour and the colour shall be blue.

Orange? Not sure about that

Pink is a poofs colour.

Imagine a pink 'storm?

Hmmm..........blue is not the colour for the storm. For the Sv maybe as it looks traditional in Suzuki blue so i got one...
My storm was the dark metalic blue which I liked.....But every dealer i took it to when i was trading in said the same 'on its own it looks nice....just doesnt stand out when in the showroom with other bikes...a bit dull really' basically dealers like the silver...orange and red ones.
I called in to see if my old one was still for sale.......gone was the red one...yellow tatty one gone as well........ my nice blue one still there in the corner looking unwanted pity really as nowt wrong with it. ( apart from it not being an Sv !)

[Iwantafirestorm]

Bluesman wrote: Box thinking (I've had to write/edit this manually because my quote thingy didn't work )

What is box thinking?

I will say that the Aprillia in the movie "Torque" does sound pretty awesome (but my favourite bike in the movie is the SP-1 (or is it an SP-2)) Of course my favourite bike would be a Honda 1000cc V-twin!

Anyone here seen that movie? (I ought to start a new thread with that as the title to see what people think of it)

[Iwantafirestorm]

Hmmm..........blue is not the colour for the storm. For the Sv maybe as it looks traditional in Suzuki blue

Maybe the blue isn't normal for a Honda, but I'm no normal biker! Everything I like and dislike seems to be against public opinion: eg:

1) I think the Honda CB250 is a great bike (my last bike)
2) I think the Suzuki GS500E is a superb bike and underrated (current bike)
3) I think cruisers look good, sound good and look very comfy

PS: As one Suzuki owner to another, do you think Suzuki's K3 blue is MUCH nicer than the K4 blue - ie: the K3 (& older) blue is a much deeper gloss, shinier, and a deeper blue that just looks better at a glance or close up? THis is the blue that is on the K3 GS500 + K3 SV range, then K4 GS500 + K4 SV range.

Strangely, Suzuki are showing both colours on their website for the SV range at the moment

[DD]

Sorry Bluesman, but Aprillias SUCK!! Unreliable, italian electrics (or wherever they are made), boring brand name.

I'd rather have an SV / Storm than ANY Aprillia anyday.

Well the name is a bit Girly
Now there is this very topic happening on my Guzzi forum http://morini.com.au/phpBB2/viewtopic.p ... 6f12eb9224
A guy is looking at moving from Aprilia to Guzzi, well at the end of the day they are Itialian.... ya cant help that, but heres a reply from a x Aprilia owner (not a common event i would think)

"Ha! And I say again, Ha! Ever owned an Aprilia? I had a Caponord for 6 months (bought new) as an everyday bike until I traded it in in desperation for a reliable bike (Japanese). I won't list all the failures but suffice to say that most were directly or indirectly safety-related and most failures took the bike off the road for weeks at a time. I've never had that problem with a Japanese bike, or British ones come to that"

Ps: Aprilia's are definitively *Italian*. One look at the electrical system proves it

[Iwantafirestorm]

Proud to hear that British bikes are in good order (I love the Speed Triple - apparently same torque figure as Firestorm but at lower revs!(that'll start another conversation/discussion)

Yes, proof that Jap bikes are the ones to go for (or Brit or German). I personally wouldn't even consider buying anything other than the following (in order of preference):

1) Honda

2) Suzuki

3) Kawasaki

4) Yamaha

5) Triumph

6) BMW

That's it - no other brands at all, especially ones like Kymco, Malaguti, Daelim, Hyosung etc. (I'd definitely rather have an Aprillia than one of those)

Before anyones asks "how the hell can I put Suzuki 2 places above Yamaha", it's not on quality of build, but on what bikes they've got to offer me that I'd go for

Did y'all know that CCM bikes are British? (and apparently the're good as well)

[bluesman]

Before answering - fellow Stormers, that's just a my own perception, I do not try to convince you

Well, "box thinking" - this phrase slipped in as result of long hours at work sorry ..
Will try to explain - but English my third language -I apologize if I will not sound very clear.
It is kind of limitting things you look at by pre-set mind, like : " five years ago I had VW car that broke down, so I will never look at VW again".

I tend not to limit myself to that, I choosing bikes purely on ergonomics, engine behaviour, weight, handling, of course reliability etc. - everybody has it's own criterias, but I am proud to completely disregard "brand power" and resale value - I am buying bikes to ride them, not to sell them, despite I am not particularly wealthy.
That's my personal perception, not trying to convince anybody.

As for Aprillia - you may have noticed, that I was very precise about which Aprillias are OK with reliability according to my infrmation: Mille and Mille-based Tuono. They put most of efforts on quality improvement to those bikes (for Mille it took 2 years to get right) , because it is top of the range, their take on big 4.
And as example - you know how many folks in hot countries having troubles with failing RR units on VFRs or VTRs? Or on Yamahas? Or on Suzukis? For me relaibility is when engine runs and bike goes, not when your dashboard illumination gone.
Reliability are important, but writing bike off list for fact that somehow in UK (beleive me, at least in Belgium, France, Italy, Germany or Netherlands and many other countries it is not the case at all) Aprillia isn't "cool" brand

One thing for example - loads of people will tell you about ho reliable is BMW bikes. Well, they not. Not at all. Electrics will be OK, no doubt - it will be gearbox or engine that will geve you trouble. I see it day by day here - this bikes are popular here, and they are VERY cheap in finance when you buy them from dealers.
Only surprisingly reliable are R1150GS. Don't know why.
Typical example - gearboxes on RT1200, something with oil leak in left head, cam drive etc. Those bikes will not fail if you will not ride them hard, which often the case with BMW owners.

So - life is not perfect. Even despite Triumph has special place in my list - I just love that history assosiated with them, as I used to be very interested in story of caferacing , than rockers an mods and all this...
Even my all-favourite ST giving many people I know headaches with gearbox (don't know details, but Triumph dealers replaced them several times for couple of people I know).

And - yes, if I'd have choice between RC51 and Mille I would go for RC51, just because I like it more than Mille, that's all ...plus Honda ergonomics somhow VERY suitable for me - I am short guy, 174 cm, and Honda bikes ALWAYS comfortable for me, when for example Yamaha always to tall betwen seat and handlebars and Suzuki pegs always in "wrong" for me place, etc.
But again - all this IMO, so let's not fight for which bike is better. It is sealing that makes best bike....sealing between seat and hahndlebars

And - best bike in the world is "my" bike, so - what's the point


I saw Torque for sake of beatiful riding "clips" - I actually did cut out all rest and made "bikes only" tape from that movie, cos I can't stand play (I there a play?) and "acting" (is there acting?). I noticed that all "top dogs" in movie was on V-twins except that gang guy who was on Daytona....

[MDJ]

As you say, you have to buy a bike which suits you and may be the best adjusted compromise perhaps to your needs or what is important to you.

Please no disrespect intended to you bluesman but with regard to Torque I thought the bike action was an insultingly bad depiction of riding a motorcycle and embarrassingly far fetched.

[bluesman]

I agree - this movie is total crap, but I never taken it as about "riding" - it's a comics (is that right name for those small animation books about Superman or Batman?)
When I want to see RIDING I watch cutouts from GP or French guys going bananas on Paris ring, but when I want to see "batman" - those cutouts from Torque will do...
To say that you right about RIDING i this movie - look at piece where they go through canyon roads - those guys show knee sliding AS A STUNT!!!
Plus - I am not hippy, but I hate putting bikes and guns together, and I do not like that "urban gang" culture.
So - don't misunderstand me, it is just like scene from Mission Impossible-2

[MDJ]

OK i understand how you mean, like that kid in Terminator with the yamaha dt 50cc and it seems to have never ending gears..

[Iwantafirestorm]

look at piece where they go through canyon roads - those guys show knee sliding AS A STUNT!!!

Did you know that the "sparks" from their kneesliders are actually fireworks strapped to their knees! (It tells you on the commentary version - this version is more interesting than watching the actual film itself)

The "action" in Torque is indeed ridiculously far-fetched. (In the commentary version the director says that it's not supposed to be realistic -only a (and I quote him) "popcorn movie".

If I want to watch riding, I watch Isle of Man TT 2004 - Amazing stuff!!

[steve trow]

" PS: As one Suzuki owner to another, do you think Suzuki's K3 blue is MUCH nicer than the K4 blue - ie: the K3 (& older) blue is a much deeper gloss, shinier, and a deeper blue that just looks better at a glance or close up? THis is the blue that is on the K3 GS500 + K3 SV range, then K4 GS500 + K4 SV range.

Strangely, Suzuki are showing both colours on their website for the SV range at the moment [/quote]"

Mines the SK3 model so its the nicer brighter blue. I could have had the later K4 in dark blue but i think it looks awfull. I prefer my colour as the newer one looks too dull.........the k4 model is slightly differrent. the angle of the exhaust cans are diferrent and doesnt flow the right line with the tail of the bike.
Lookin forward to the NEC to have a re think for my next bike for 2005/6. Maybe Mr Honda will have a storm mark 2 ready for 2006? or i might have to spend a little bit more and get that lovely red 999 ive had my eye on........they are now only £9999otr

[Iwantafirestorm]

Even though my GS500 was new in January and not pre-registered, it's actually a K2 model so it has the nice deep, glossy blue like your SV.

Also, as well as the different exhaust angle on the newer SV (which is noticeable on the pics on the Suzuki website, as the K3 and K4 pics are side-by-side), you've probably also noticed that the new models only have an "S" on the tank instead of the full brand name "SUZUKI"; this is another reason I don't like the new GS or SV's as much - I think it looks better with the full name - and you actually want to show the full brand name of your bike don't you? (All the other brands still show their name so I don't know why Suzuki have changed this)

Even my local dealer agrees that the older K3/earlier models look better

PS: Prepare for an onslaught of "You two should discuss this on a Suzuki forum"

[simon t]

I have a naked, black SV650 for the missus, although she STILL hasn't passed her test It's the older model and yes it looks cool and MUCH better than the current model.

Of course, if she does pass her test I'll have to have it restricted and 33bhp with me on board might be hard work.

ps can't we all live and let live and just enjoy the bikes we chose. Peace and love, man.