Well it's coming down to the wire... time to make a decision on bike shopping. I've pretty much narrowed it down to two top choices. Either a Honda CBR600F3 (95-99) or a Suzuki SV650 (99-02). I think these two both match my criteria:

* Good first bike
* Sporty
* Comfortable

I want a nice sportbike that I can use to commute to class on Monday and carve up the country roads on Sunday. Drive 250 miles on a roadtrip this weekend, then do a riding school at the track next weekend. You know, a good bike-of-all-trades.

I might go for the CBR F2 or F3 depending on what I can find in good shape for a good price. I can't really swing an F4 or F4i on my budget (around or under $3000). And the SV is going to be a first-gen naked because of pricing too. If I could swing a second-gen, I'd go for the SVS, but I don't particularly like the curvy Katana-like first-gen SVS fairing.

So what do you think I should do? And why?

 

I would go with the Honda. I have owned alot of honda's, everything form dirtbikes,4wheelers, and street bikes and can say that I have ever had with any of them. I have had friends that have owned other brands of toys and I can say they didn't have near as good luck as I did with a Honda. It could all be in how they are maintained too. You sould buy what you really want though.

 

Buy the Honda. Everything else is 2nd best.

 

Sit on both of them to see if the ergonomics agree with you, and if you really can't make up your mind, you'd probably be happy with either one. In that case, why narrow it down? You're twice as likely to find a good deal on a good bike if you don't eliminate one model before you see what's available.

I use my F3 to commute to work, visit job sites, and also for as much fun riding as I can squeeze in, and couldn't be happier with it as my first bike.

 

Hey, I owned a SV650 for 2 years and I now have a 1996 f3 I plan on turning into a track bike. First of all I will say that they are both great bikes, you cant go wrong with either choice. but if I had to pick one it would be the SV650. That thing was so much fun to ride. Very comfortable and pretty darn quick. Wish I still had it. If you are wondering, I moved up to a Yamaha R1 after the SV.

I say go with the SV650.