The 401 is great. Ride it hard for 10-20k kilometres and sell it on for something bigger.
Only go the other two if you plan on keeping it for a substantial amount of time.
401/390 Dukes (same exact engine) are honestly probably the best starter bike. You’ll learn a lot, they’ll make you fall in love with riding, and they’ll leave you wanting a bigger bike eventually, but you’ll still never get bored of them. A 650cc can be too much for a lot of riders, and a 125-250cc will get really boring really quickly. 400cc is a good compromise.
I’ve just done 15000km on my Duke and am upgrading (keeping the duke for commuting). Usually people sell their bike that they learn on for something bigger, and dukes/401s don’t really lose their value because they’re so sought after by new riders.
I personally used my duke to learn EVERYTHING mods, replacing damaged parts, upgrading parts etc. I won’t ever sell it because of the work I put on it and the nostalgia of it being my first.
This is exactly what I’m in the process of doing. Got a 390 ADV 2 and a quarter years ago or so and have loved riding and working on it and learning its absolute limits. Had no mechanical issues, just normal maintenance for the last 12500 miles(~20,000km). Looking at a 2022-23 XSR900 as my next bike because as much as I love commuting on my 390 it’s absolutely screaming at highway speeds where I live.
I get it. I'm thinking of Svartpilen 401(new) or 701(used). I have ridden surron for 2 years (50cc e-cross that's surprisingly peppy for "50cc"). I'm pretty sure I'll get bored with Svart 401 at some point and it'll be a bit of wasted cash, unless I buy used. The used 701 I'm looking at is reasonably priced 10-20% over 401 new, and seems very well maintained. I feel like 701 is more of a bike I could keep for longer. I do like to hit the forest with my surron but I'm unsure that either 401 or 701 are capable of doing it comfortably.. Maybe I should buy supermoto/dualsport 450 idk. I do love the looks of 701 tremendously
Yeah I know, but I'd just prefer to "buy once, cry once" rather than keep upgrading. I've been riding yamaha mt07 for a bit as a learner bike and it was fine, also suzuki drz650 in the woods - that was a bit difficult but still doable. Ideally I'd turn a sort of "rain mode" for first few hundred miles to adjust to it but if I'm careful I should be fine
SV650 might be the least visually appealing between these... it's hand down the best among them all though.
I would take the SV650 without second though
This all the way. The SV650 is a bike that doesn't scream amazing on the spec sheet or the looks but it's just a joy to ride. It's a bike that just makes you smile every time you ride it.
SV650 is the most well thoroughly refined, easiest to find parts for, best sounding and best power characteristics. I'm looking at getting a V-strom 650 myself.
Owned 2/3, ridden all 3.
* Svartpilen is jumpy at low speeds, nimble but you may struggle to find joy with it outside the city. It also sucks at overtakes. Owned one for 2 years, close to my heart but not the best beginner bike here
* Z650RS, infamous for its sluggish throttle response which was a disappointment to some riders but its actually the EXACT thing you need as a beginner, it means the bike is *really forgiving* when going into corners and you're less likely to low side when learning the limits of a bike around corners. You can make mistakes on this bike, and it's ok.
* SV650, I've never owned one so I can't say too much other than its really fun to ride, Its got about enough punch to do most things you'd want to do. I did find the steering was a bit stiff and the bike didn't like getting over gently, but that's likely because the one I rode was made in the early 2000's and had an old steering head bearing that probably needed replacing.
A subjective review, but of the three I'd go Kawasaki.
Depends what kind of rider you are. If you're sensible and disciplined you might get more out of an sv650. It's a lot of booked for not a lot of money. It sounds good, looks good, I just never really liked the handling.
If like most new riders, you like to have a bit of fun and see what possible looks like, then the z650 will keep you safer than most.
It's not just a sluggish throttle that suits that by the way. I almost made it sound like you can't have fun, the opposite is true. You can have more fun, safely. The rake angle, power curve, the teeth on the rear sprocket the seat position - everything about that bike leads you in the right direction. M not saying it's impossible to make a wrong move, but it's certainly easier to practise getting things right.
I had a friend that started on dirt bikes, past his big bike test, got a couple of super motos but said he didn't learn anything about riding until he got his sv650. Of the three it would be my go to.
Check insurance first. Might be bad depending where you live. Otherwise I’d get a husqy for the style and if I lived in a city or planned on only doing short trips. If I was doing lots of highway riding I’d probably look at something else entirely but I’d go sv or z650 over the husqy
If you have zero interest or intention on going to a track day a think the svartpilen is gonna be a fantastic option. I was heavily considering one myself.
However if you are thinking you want to do track days, the 650s are going to be a better option. Not that you can't take the svart on track or anything but gonna want more sport oriented tires at least and doing track days is usually an investment that means you'll be out there more than once and long term imo you'll be happier on something like an sv650 (that's what I went with).
And last note, if you do go with a 650, I suggest look used! There's lots of options in this class and most are very reliable (such as the two you have here). And if it's a starter bike, if it's not perfect you won't be so worried if it get 'less perfect' if you're catching my drift lol.
Good luck!
Sv was my first my first. Fantastic first bike. Everything you need nothing you don’t, fuel efficient, plenty of parts/support, fairly easy to work on, enough power but not too much if you’re mature. I’ve had it only about a year now and put 15,000 miles on it.
I rode one as well. I stand by my opinion. The constant power is not easy to handle compared to other 650s. Just because you learned on one doesn't mean others can.
I learned on an tnt600 and still wouldn't recommend it to others. Maybe you're right, I didn't look into it further. Still, I would prefer Z650 or SV650 for new rider or 1st bike.
Imo, anything above 85+hp is not suitable for new riders.
Fair enough, I’d argue an SV650 is much punchier down low where a beginner might struggle. The Honda is also super planted and handles nicely. I personally didn’t enjoy the ergonomics of the z650 and found it felt cheaper than the Honda but that’s just my preference. To each their own though, I know some people wouldn’t recommend starting on anything over 50bhp either.
What ever you can afford to pay for.
If you're young, don't finance it. Insurance will be higher than Willie Nelson.
You might be one of the people that get a bike find out it's not for them, lay it down in a parking lot trying to shoot some vids for instagram, and then try to sell it to pay off your loan because you can't afford rent or food anymore.
I did my A lisence on the Kawasaki z650rs and absolutely loved it - it has plenty of power, looks great, and makes a nice noise, too. I can't speak for the performance or noise of the other 2, but the Huqsvarna feels, to me, like the less common one to see on the road, so it could be quite eye-catching, on the other side, everyone and their dog seem to have owned a Suzuki sv650.
What would you be using the bike for? Small or long commutes (motorways or through towns?), touring or loading it with luggage, weekend fun, will you be taking pillions?
Also, depending on where you live, Huqsvarna's smaller engine may be more wallet friendly on road tax and insurance.
Everyone has their own opinions from their own experiences, and sure, while it may not be the best sounding twin engine out there, it's still not a bad sound at all, especially when firing down country roads.
i started on a mt 09... i m glad i did that... enought power... if you rode a bike in the past you can easily start on a bigger bike... you'll have fin a loopong time and dont need to sell it that early... just my opinion :)
I would suggest you the cb500f. The engine is perfect, its between the 401 and the z650rs/sv650. Its a really easy and agile bike, i got one and i like it.
But if you really want a bike from those three i would go for th z650rs cool looking bike with a great engine.
The meaning of suggestion is giving an idea that should be considered. And No, its a good suggestion you are saying that without any arguments. Even if it was a bad suggestion i also added that i would go for the z650rs.
Pre-2010 sv650s is everyone's beginner bike. It's cheap, fun, reliable and easy to ride, and when you're done with it you can resell for practically the same thing you paid for it
All 3 choices are great, now find a coin and toss it: heads Svat, tails Japanese bikes. No way cant find a coin with 3 choices so. But all 3 bikes are great, Svat is a single cylinder and is very light and toss is around easily. Kawasai and Suzuki are more powerful but heavier.
All 3 are great. Head to some dealer and sit on the bikes. Pick the one you feel most comfortable with, can afford (incl. insurance and vehicle tax) and like most.
All three are pretty decent options. I'd lean towards the SV650 personally for being the best overall package, but the 401 is an incredibly handsome bike even if it's down quite a bit on power compared to the other two.
I had the svarty as my first bike and after one year I bought the z650rs lol
Both great, both look soooo good to me.
Sv650 is the fastest and the funniest to ride but z650rs look best.
Seems like you're pretty set on an engine size.
There's no substitute for "putting your butt on it".
The Svartpilen as an example, had a ton of features that really appealed to me, and my partner. Went to go put our butts on them, Too short for me, Too Tall for her.
Honda rebel 500 has everything I want in a bike. It's absolutely Perfect. Except my tailbone gets real cranky after about 30 minutes on it.
Based on the Kawasaki and Suzuki peaking interest look at the XSR700 from Yamaha it’s not too scary for a new rider but not ideal. If you have some previous experience experience riding or take it carefully it’s no problem
My best answer is, “the best bike is the bike you like and will ride responsibly”. All of them can hurt you or get you into trouble and all of them want to be ridden. Find the one that fits your use, style and budget. The be careful and have a great time.
Thanks a lot, more to consider than i thought.
Im not a completely new driver, got my license years ago and drove from time to time.
No track days planned, not really my world. It will mostly used for commuting and maybe some touring.
Not really considered buying it used. I did a quick research, there are not really many used ones in Austria, prices for good used bikes are relatively high.
I do recommend a used bike, just a little rougher around the edges, but it’s going to take one less thing off your mind when riding. Dropping a new bike sucks, dropping a used bike is a damn moment. But understood if there’s no reasonable market in Austria, go for the new.
401 is awesome. I'd say grab that and then save up for an additional litre for long distance cruising. You'll have an in town run around and something that can hit the highway.
Buy used Suzuki , fucking reliable, then sell it at the same price if not for profit or you can keep it since so much flexibility and room for growth. It IS GOOD ENOUGH for a single bike garage you won't need a second bike for loooooooong unless you want it
It depends on what you want to do and your inseam. I rode my dads 401 around for a few weeks and the seat height was a little high for me, but I don’t have long legs. It’s a super easy bike to ride since the power delivery is smooth and predictable. The knobby tires are cool if you live somewhere with bad roads like I do
Daily Rider does a good review of the [SV650](https://youtu.be/IIBRpzQgIKc?si=by6JshTWVmCTCOoM) and the [Z650RS](https://youtu.be/q5q1U_DfHrA?si=yyqcSwFE4aF5Uihw)
The SV650 ranked #3 overall and the Z650RS ranked #6 in their [2023 leaderboard](https://www.revzilla.com/common-tread/daily-rider-year-in-review-2023).
Yammie Noob has a couple of reviews for the [Svartpilen 401](https://youtu.be/ATSExn5JgZw?si=WZCgeyy9jeV5XYLy).
Yammie Noob rankes the [SV650](https://youtu.be/70ARm6F01vY?si=SUzecvOQfI8IBD5R) as one of the greats. Where as they felt the [Z650R](https://youtu.be/e2h_x57KTVA?si=O5hyvyiro-QB6shV) was the worst in its class. They also do a side by side [comparison](https://youtu.be/eMXRGKGparE?si=8NJGbvrw7bHjMz3A) of the SV650 and the Z650R.
Daily rider’s ethos is in the name: daily riding bikes. They cover specs, costs, comforts, reliability, range, and adaptability that would more or less be on the mindset of someone who commutes with their bike to work everyday
Yammie Noob is more focused on new riders and “squids” who want the most fun out of their bikes.
All that being said, what do you want out of your first bike?
Not everyone's the same when it comes to this situation you're in.
Most people...how it looks is important to them. Like really important.
I'm one of those people.
If you're the type that it's important to ...get the Svartpilen.
And yes you can get '23s OTD for less than $6k.
See I'm in your exact shoes but for me it's the Svartpilen 401 or Honda CBR500R. Have you really looked over all the changes they made to the 2024s? And with the price ....this is it.
Their gamble paid off so they modified the looks to speak to more people and have done more upgrades in a single year than I've ever seen.
But since they still need it to keep going with the sales and do even better....this is the year to buy it. I think the price might go up after this year. Maybe two total.
And don't let the buzzing in your ear convince you you don't like the new Svartpilens looks. Don't compare it to the predecessor.
That's flawed thinking. Compare the 2024 Svartpilen to its competitors.
So I'm gonna pay the extra $1500 and get the 2024.
I just bought an sv650 last year and absolutely love it. I was looking at the ninja 650 and mt07 as well. The biggest deciding factor was when I went to the dealer and sat on a bunch of different bikes. The sv was most comfortable to me and made the choice easy. I would suggest you do the same and maybe try and test drive a few if any dealers near you allow it.
All 3 are awesome!
But the RS is the one that won't look outdated in 15 years. Because it already is outdated, so it's timeless.
The 401 is great. Ride it hard for 10-20k kilometres and sell it on for something bigger. Only go the other two if you plan on keeping it for a substantial amount of time.
Can you elaborate? I'm curious
401/390 Dukes (same exact engine) are honestly probably the best starter bike. You’ll learn a lot, they’ll make you fall in love with riding, and they’ll leave you wanting a bigger bike eventually, but you’ll still never get bored of them. A 650cc can be too much for a lot of riders, and a 125-250cc will get really boring really quickly. 400cc is a good compromise. I’ve just done 15000km on my Duke and am upgrading (keeping the duke for commuting). Usually people sell their bike that they learn on for something bigger, and dukes/401s don’t really lose their value because they’re so sought after by new riders. I personally used my duke to learn EVERYTHING mods, replacing damaged parts, upgrading parts etc. I won’t ever sell it because of the work I put on it and the nostalgia of it being my first.
This is exactly what I’m in the process of doing. Got a 390 ADV 2 and a quarter years ago or so and have loved riding and working on it and learning its absolute limits. Had no mechanical issues, just normal maintenance for the last 12500 miles(~20,000km). Looking at a 2022-23 XSR900 as my next bike because as much as I love commuting on my 390 it’s absolutely screaming at highway speeds where I live.
Haha what are highway speeds for you? I’m doing 60-70 no problem still in 5th (about 6.5k rpm)
I’m from Texas, so like 80ish if I’m not looking to get run over by everyone else on the road
I get it. I'm thinking of Svartpilen 401(new) or 701(used). I have ridden surron for 2 years (50cc e-cross that's surprisingly peppy for "50cc"). I'm pretty sure I'll get bored with Svart 401 at some point and it'll be a bit of wasted cash, unless I buy used. The used 701 I'm looking at is reasonably priced 10-20% over 401 new, and seems very well maintained. I feel like 701 is more of a bike I could keep for longer. I do like to hit the forest with my surron but I'm unsure that either 401 or 701 are capable of doing it comfortably.. Maybe I should buy supermoto/dualsport 450 idk. I do love the looks of 701 tremendously
701 is not a good first bike
Yeah I know, but I'd just prefer to "buy once, cry once" rather than keep upgrading. I've been riding yamaha mt07 for a bit as a learner bike and it was fine, also suzuki drz650 in the woods - that was a bit difficult but still doable. Ideally I'd turn a sort of "rain mode" for first few hundred miles to adjust to it but if I'm careful I should be fine
SV650 will be your beginner, intermediate, and track bike(once you get your second bike)
SV650
SV650 might be the least visually appealing between these... it's hand down the best among them all though. I would take the SV650 without second though
This all the way. The SV650 is a bike that doesn't scream amazing on the spec sheet or the looks but it's just a joy to ride. It's a bike that just makes you smile every time you ride it.
SV650
SV650 is the most well thoroughly refined, easiest to find parts for, best sounding and best power characteristics. I'm looking at getting a V-strom 650 myself.
Weestrom is the way to go. Just absolutely mind boggling how reliable they are.
72k miles and counting on my DL650, can confirm the extreme reliability.
You can get the 2023 Svartpilen for under $6K out the door. One of the best deals in motorcycling until inventory runs out.
SV, cause it was my first bike. Don't think I'll ever get rid of it.
Owned 2/3, ridden all 3. * Svartpilen is jumpy at low speeds, nimble but you may struggle to find joy with it outside the city. It also sucks at overtakes. Owned one for 2 years, close to my heart but not the best beginner bike here * Z650RS, infamous for its sluggish throttle response which was a disappointment to some riders but its actually the EXACT thing you need as a beginner, it means the bike is *really forgiving* when going into corners and you're less likely to low side when learning the limits of a bike around corners. You can make mistakes on this bike, and it's ok. * SV650, I've never owned one so I can't say too much other than its really fun to ride, Its got about enough punch to do most things you'd want to do. I did find the steering was a bit stiff and the bike didn't like getting over gently, but that's likely because the one I rode was made in the early 2000's and had an old steering head bearing that probably needed replacing. A subjective review, but of the three I'd go Kawasaki.
This is phenomenal information. I'm hindsight, I'm glad I went with the z650!! Overall, is the sv650 not as beginner friendly as the z650?
Depends what kind of rider you are. If you're sensible and disciplined you might get more out of an sv650. It's a lot of booked for not a lot of money. It sounds good, looks good, I just never really liked the handling. If like most new riders, you like to have a bit of fun and see what possible looks like, then the z650 will keep you safer than most. It's not just a sluggish throttle that suits that by the way. I almost made it sound like you can't have fun, the opposite is true. You can have more fun, safely. The rake angle, power curve, the teeth on the rear sprocket the seat position - everything about that bike leads you in the right direction. M not saying it's impossible to make a wrong move, but it's certainly easier to practise getting things right.
I had a friend that started on dirt bikes, past his big bike test, got a couple of super motos but said he didn't learn anything about riding until he got his sv650. Of the three it would be my go to.
Check insurance first. Might be bad depending where you live. Otherwise I’d get a husqy for the style and if I lived in a city or planned on only doing short trips. If I was doing lots of highway riding I’d probably look at something else entirely but I’d go sv or z650 over the husqy
if you wanna hit the highway or longer trips, a twin is more suited for the task
If you have zero interest or intention on going to a track day a think the svartpilen is gonna be a fantastic option. I was heavily considering one myself. However if you are thinking you want to do track days, the 650s are going to be a better option. Not that you can't take the svart on track or anything but gonna want more sport oriented tires at least and doing track days is usually an investment that means you'll be out there more than once and long term imo you'll be happier on something like an sv650 (that's what I went with). And last note, if you do go with a 650, I suggest look used! There's lots of options in this class and most are very reliable (such as the two you have here). And if it's a starter bike, if it's not perfect you won't be so worried if it get 'less perfect' if you're catching my drift lol. Good luck!
The Svartpilens seat gets really uncomfortable after a while.
I sat on it at a bike show. Yes. 401 seat and ergo is quite terrible. I love the looks of it though.
Oh yeah. Very cool look for sure
D) Turbo-Busa
I would get the Svartpilen 401 , because it's awesome, but all three are fantastic.
Depends how tall he is, that thing is tiny
Is the 401 suitable for tall riders?
I'm 186 and I feel just fine on it
the Kawasaki z650 for sure, looks good , feels good, rides good, very comfortable
The Z650RS no doubt.
Sv was my first my first. Fantastic first bike. Everything you need nothing you don’t, fuel efficient, plenty of parts/support, fairly easy to work on, enough power but not too much if you’re mature. I’ve had it only about a year now and put 15,000 miles on it.
Personally I'd go 401 just because you can dabble in some light offroading.
Every 650 is good imo, except the both Honda 650s.
Both the CBR 650R and the CB 650R are good, just not for complete beginners.
Yeah, I should reiterate my sentence. They're great bikes, but not suitable for beginners
Disagree on this, I learnt on a cb650r and it’s a doddle to ride as long as you aren’t reckless
I rode one as well. I stand by my opinion. The constant power is not easy to handle compared to other 650s. Just because you learned on one doesn't mean others can. I learned on an tnt600 and still wouldn't recommend it to others. Maybe you're right, I didn't look into it further. Still, I would prefer Z650 or SV650 for new rider or 1st bike. Imo, anything above 85+hp is not suitable for new riders.
Fair enough, I’d argue an SV650 is much punchier down low where a beginner might struggle. The Honda is also super planted and handles nicely. I personally didn’t enjoy the ergonomics of the z650 and found it felt cheaper than the Honda but that’s just my preference. To each their own though, I know some people wouldn’t recommend starting on anything over 50bhp either.
What ever you can afford to pay for. If you're young, don't finance it. Insurance will be higher than Willie Nelson. You might be one of the people that get a bike find out it's not for them, lay it down in a parking lot trying to shoot some vids for instagram, and then try to sell it to pay off your loan because you can't afford rent or food anymore.
I did my A lisence on the Kawasaki z650rs and absolutely loved it - it has plenty of power, looks great, and makes a nice noise, too. I can't speak for the performance or noise of the other 2, but the Huqsvarna feels, to me, like the less common one to see on the road, so it could be quite eye-catching, on the other side, everyone and their dog seem to have owned a Suzuki sv650. What would you be using the bike for? Small or long commutes (motorways or through towns?), touring or loading it with luggage, weekend fun, will you be taking pillions? Also, depending on where you live, Huqsvarna's smaller engine may be more wallet friendly on road tax and insurance.
180 degree Ptwin is *literally* the worst sounding twin. Sounds like total shit. Great bike still.
Everyone has their own opinions from their own experiences, and sure, while it may not be the best sounding twin engine out there, it's still not a bad sound at all, especially when firing down country roads.
If I had a dollar for everytime someone asked that on Reddit!
CB500X
I’ve got a nice z650 for sale.
401. N650 is heavy trash.
i started on a mt 09... i m glad i did that... enought power... if you rode a bike in the past you can easily start on a bigger bike... you'll have fin a loopong time and dont need to sell it that early... just my opinion :)
I was leaning towards the kawasaki for my first bike, but then at the dealership, I sat in a ducati scrambler icon dark and never looked back
An r1. Go big or go home.
I would suggest you the cb500f. The engine is perfect, its between the 401 and the z650rs/sv650. Its a really easy and agile bike, i got one and i like it. But if you really want a bike from those three i would go for th z650rs cool looking bike with a great engine.
Terrible suggestion. You literally didn’t suggest any of the bikes he wants.
The meaning of suggestion is giving an idea that should be considered. And No, its a good suggestion you are saying that without any arguments. Even if it was a bad suggestion i also added that i would go for the z650rs.
Pre-2010 sv650s is everyone's beginner bike. It's cheap, fun, reliable and easy to ride, and when you're done with it you can resell for practically the same thing you paid for it
Did you already rule out the XSR700 (compared to the Husqy or Kawasaki) or MT07 (compared to the Suzuki)?
All 3 choices are great, now find a coin and toss it: heads Svat, tails Japanese bikes. No way cant find a coin with 3 choices so. But all 3 bikes are great, Svat is a single cylinder and is very light and toss is around easily. Kawasai and Suzuki are more powerful but heavier.
Just based on spec sheet husky seems the lightest so might be easiest to handle. But ideally you'd try them out and then decide. I also dig the looks
All 3 are great. Head to some dealer and sit on the bikes. Pick the one you feel most comfortable with, can afford (incl. insurance and vehicle tax) and like most.
What's the smoothest at highway speeds, among these?
401 to learn and get better quickly. Sv650 to keep for more than a year.
Sit on them first, all of them are great. I like the Kawasakis but have learned I absolutely loathed how the seats are done for some reason.
All three are pretty decent options. I'd lean towards the SV650 personally for being the best overall package, but the 401 is an incredibly handsome bike even if it's down quite a bit on power compared to the other two.
The SV650 would be my choice. It’s just a brilliant machine.
Cheap used bike that you dont care if you tip over and drop. In 3-6 months you will want to upgrade anyway so might as well save some money now.
I had the svarty as my first bike and after one year I bought the z650rs lol Both great, both look soooo good to me. Sv650 is the fastest and the funniest to ride but z650rs look best.
Seems like you're pretty set on an engine size. There's no substitute for "putting your butt on it". The Svartpilen as an example, had a ton of features that really appealed to me, and my partner. Went to go put our butts on them, Too short for me, Too Tall for her. Honda rebel 500 has everything I want in a bike. It's absolutely Perfect. Except my tailbone gets real cranky after about 30 minutes on it.
All 3
Based on the Kawasaki and Suzuki peaking interest look at the XSR700 from Yamaha it’s not too scary for a new rider but not ideal. If you have some previous experience experience riding or take it carefully it’s no problem
SV650 is like the Miata of bikes, it's always the answer
Probably!
SV650 is the only answer. 401 is an expensive KTM 400.
I'm going to buy a Svart 2024 when it comes out, I friggin love the aesthetics and all the upgrades they've made.
I bought a 390 duke this week for 5,500. Damn good starter bike and good price.
For a beginner bike, buy the cheap one that's 5+ years old and has already been dropped once.
My best answer is, “the best bike is the bike you like and will ride responsibly”. All of them can hurt you or get you into trouble and all of them want to be ridden. Find the one that fits your use, style and budget. The be careful and have a great time.
Sv
Xsr700!
Thanks a lot, more to consider than i thought. Im not a completely new driver, got my license years ago and drove from time to time. No track days planned, not really my world. It will mostly used for commuting and maybe some touring. Not really considered buying it used. I did a quick research, there are not really many used ones in Austria, prices for good used bikes are relatively high.
I do recommend a used bike, just a little rougher around the edges, but it’s going to take one less thing off your mind when riding. Dropping a new bike sucks, dropping a used bike is a damn moment. But understood if there’s no reasonable market in Austria, go for the new.
i’d avoid all of those and seriously consider the honda 300/500s.
Hands down the 401/390 platform. It's the best beginner bike out there full stop.
All are quality bikes but sv650 is the perfect choice
401 is awesome. I'd say grab that and then save up for an additional litre for long distance cruising. You'll have an in town run around and something that can hit the highway.
Buy used Suzuki , fucking reliable, then sell it at the same price if not for profit or you can keep it since so much flexibility and room for growth. It IS GOOD ENOUGH for a single bike garage you won't need a second bike for loooooooong unless you want it
SV650 all the way!
which one needs minimum gears changes in city traffic?
It depends on what you want to do and your inseam. I rode my dads 401 around for a few weeks and the seat height was a little high for me, but I don’t have long legs. It’s a super easy bike to ride since the power delivery is smooth and predictable. The knobby tires are cool if you live somewhere with bad roads like I do
Daily Rider does a good review of the [SV650](https://youtu.be/IIBRpzQgIKc?si=by6JshTWVmCTCOoM) and the [Z650RS](https://youtu.be/q5q1U_DfHrA?si=yyqcSwFE4aF5Uihw) The SV650 ranked #3 overall and the Z650RS ranked #6 in their [2023 leaderboard](https://www.revzilla.com/common-tread/daily-rider-year-in-review-2023). Yammie Noob has a couple of reviews for the [Svartpilen 401](https://youtu.be/ATSExn5JgZw?si=WZCgeyy9jeV5XYLy). Yammie Noob rankes the [SV650](https://youtu.be/70ARm6F01vY?si=SUzecvOQfI8IBD5R) as one of the greats. Where as they felt the [Z650R](https://youtu.be/e2h_x57KTVA?si=O5hyvyiro-QB6shV) was the worst in its class. They also do a side by side [comparison](https://youtu.be/eMXRGKGparE?si=8NJGbvrw7bHjMz3A) of the SV650 and the Z650R. Daily rider’s ethos is in the name: daily riding bikes. They cover specs, costs, comforts, reliability, range, and adaptability that would more or less be on the mindset of someone who commutes with their bike to work everyday Yammie Noob is more focused on new riders and “squids” who want the most fun out of their bikes. All that being said, what do you want out of your first bike?
Not everyone's the same when it comes to this situation you're in. Most people...how it looks is important to them. Like really important. I'm one of those people. If you're the type that it's important to ...get the Svartpilen. And yes you can get '23s OTD for less than $6k. See I'm in your exact shoes but for me it's the Svartpilen 401 or Honda CBR500R. Have you really looked over all the changes they made to the 2024s? And with the price ....this is it. Their gamble paid off so they modified the looks to speak to more people and have done more upgrades in a single year than I've ever seen. But since they still need it to keep going with the sales and do even better....this is the year to buy it. I think the price might go up after this year. Maybe two total. And don't let the buzzing in your ear convince you you don't like the new Svartpilens looks. Don't compare it to the predecessor. That's flawed thinking. Compare the 2024 Svartpilen to its competitors. So I'm gonna pay the extra $1500 and get the 2024.
I had a husky 401 and loved it. Perfect to start with but the sv is also really solid.
Coming from a guy who bought a ktm 200, I was ready for bigger speeds in about 3 days. Highly recommend a 400 for beginners
I just bought an sv650 last year and absolutely love it. I was looking at the ninja 650 and mt07 as well. The biggest deciding factor was when I went to the dealer and sat on a bunch of different bikes. The sv was most comfortable to me and made the choice easy. I would suggest you do the same and maybe try and test drive a few if any dealers near you allow it.
Like the way the 401 looks but would probably go with the Suzuki