Re: [St] I can't decide...

["Joel Ashman" <ashmite@xxxxxxxxx>]

I've had both. Both are great.  I had  the original SV when you couldn't buy
one of the first 2000 made.  It was quickly targeted and stolen and bound
for the track (I suspect). I replaced it with the ST.

If they are your only choice, I'd go with the SV because of the weight, size
and (theoretical) ease of parts.  If my riding was to be more in town, tight
roads, etc.  The ST is your choice.  Plus, I've seen an off-road version
someone did a few years ago.  You can get some nice 17" SM tires with some
decent gravel road capability from Continental.

I sold my ST when I moved from DC because I no longered needed a bike to put
80 miles a day on getting me back and forth from work, carrying 'stuff' like
rain gear, warmer gloves, etc.  It was also a little too big and a little
too heavy for me.

Now that I'm returning to DC, I'll be replacing my current bike (my
DR-Z400SM) to get something better (and faster) for the roads there.

Now, if I could buy any bike for the adventure you are taking, I'd be
looking at a DR650 .  Rock solid.  Good performance (with easy mods).
Fairly light and can tackle off-road and on-road including some highway
use.  Plus there are a lot of options, bags, corbin seat, etc for it.

They go for < $3000 used.  In fact, it might be my target bike this spring
back in DC.  I might even get 2.  1 to be SM's and one to be more dirt-ish.

--Joel



On Thu, Nov 27, 2008 at 11:22 PM, John Ulizzi <jaulizzi@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>wrote:

> Paul,
>
> You have an ST, and RS, and an SV? Wow, I guess you would be the guy to
> talk to... Please expound on your reasoning for recommending the SV. It is
> the Standard, BTW...
>
> --- On Thu, 11/27/08, Paul Traina <pst@xxxxxxx> wrote:
>
> From: Paul Traina <pst@xxxxxxx>
> Subject: Re: [St] I can't decide...
> To: ST@xxxxxxxxxxxxxx
> Date: Thursday, November 27, 2008, 3:16 PM
>
> Make that SV-4... and I would definitely go with the 650, not the
> 650S... well, if wishes were horses...
>
> Tiger 675
> DL650
> SV650
> Tiger
> Sprint ST
> Sprint RS
>
> The Sprint just doesn't seem to make a lot of sense there.  Sigh.
>
> On Nov 24, 2008, at 6:22 AM, John Ulizzi wrote:
>
> > Dave,
> >
> > No one will banish you from anywhere. It is interesting though that
> > out of three responses, the score is SV-3, RS -0, and this on a
> > Sprint list !!!
> >
> > As far as visiting Costa Rica, you or anyone else on this list would
> > be most welcome once I am a bit more settled in. Perhaps by this
> > time next year that will be the case. Among other things by then I
> > would expect to have two wheels of my own, as well as access to
> > other bikes to rent/borrow for when visiters come. The best time to
> > be there is December thru March. It is the dry season there, and
> > coincides with the "party to mostly shitty" season here...
> >
> > :-)
> >
> > --- On Mon, 11/24/08, David Bardell <bardelld@xxxxxxxxxxxx> wrote:
> >
> > From: David Bardell <bardelld@xxxxxxxxxxxx>
> > Subject: Re: [St] I can't decide...
> > To: ST@xxxxxxxxxxxxxx
> > Date: Monday, November 24, 2008, 8:32 AM
> >
> > John,
> >
> > At the risk of being banished from the ST list, I personally would
> > go with
> > the Suzuki.  Owning a Sprint ST and having owned a V-Strom 650, the
> > Suzuki
> > was a better commuter and much easier to get around in traffic.
> >
> > I sold it to get an 07 Tiger that I really like, but still wish I
> > had the
> > Suzuki back quite often.  Probably will someday sell the ST and get a
> > used SV or V-Strom.  Gas mileage was about the same, but the strom
> > was much
> > more enjoyable in close quarters. I envy you going to Costa Rica,
> > would love
> > to visit these and or retire there if my IRA ever comes back.....
> >
> > Dave Bardell
> > in snowy/cold/miserable Central PA
> >
> > On Sun, Nov 23, 2008 at 10:24 PM, John Ulizzi
> > <jaulizzi@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>wrote:
> >
> >> OK folks, here's a nice motorcycle thread for wintertime when we
> cant
> > be
> >> riding. I need to make a decision on a bike purchase, and soon, I
> >> have
> >> narrowed the field to two, and am weighing the merits of each.
> Here's
> > the
> >> story:
> >>
> >> I spend a significant portion of my time in Costa Rica. My
> >> significant
> >> other is there and eventually I will move there. We have a car, a
> >> Suzuki
> >> Gran Vitara, that is absolutley perfect for our needs there. But
> >> there are
> >> two of us and only one vehicle. Vehicles are expensive there and so
> >> is
> > gas,
> >> so I would like our second vehicle to be a bike. It will be enjoyed
> >> to be
> >> sure, but unlike my bikes here in the states that are pure toys,
> >> this will
> >> be my daily driver. I need something that is flickable and
> >> manuverable for
> >> inner city traffic, congested on tiny little pothole filled roads,
> >> that
> > will
> >> also handle the occasional weekend two up trip. Out in the country,
> >> the
> >> roads are tight and twisty and small, like the goat paths so many
> >> of us
> > ride
> >> in West Virginia at Mail Pouch. My two choices are an 01 Sprint RS
> >> that is
> >> already there, owned by someone I am acquainted with, and I am
> >> familiar
> > with
> >> the bike, at least I was a few years ago. Bike is, or at least was,
> >> in good shape the last time I saw it. About 5000 miles, bone stock
> >> except
> >> for maybe the OEM can and tune, and has mostly sat since 03. The
> >> other is
> > an
> >> 01 SV-650 standard, owned by a good friend that I know and trust
> >> here in
> >> town. 4000 miles, great shape, lots of goodies, pipe, jet, fox shock,
> >> emulators, give top box, sitting for a year or two. The total cost
> >> to have
> >> either bike on the road down there, factoring in transport, import
> > tariffs,
> >> etc, is similar, about $5000-5500. Budget has narrowed my choices
> >> to these
> >> two, but the decision between these two isnt about money. Its about
> >> which
> > is
> >> the better horse for the job.
> >>
> >> Pros for the Sprint are:
> >> -Higher performance machine with similar fuel mileage
> >> -Higher residual value , athough I am not sure that matters...
> >> -Better two up
> >> -I am familiar ( put 5k miles on this bike's brother, and own a 02
> RS
> >> myself)
> >> -Better headlights ( but I can augment either)
> >> -Much less screwing around. Write check, register, title, ride.
> >>
> >> Cons for the Sprint are:
> >> -It's heavy and has a long wheelbase. Not really flickable
> >> -Clutch pull is hard. Only a problem in city traffic.
> >> -Long reach to bars, leaned over a bit for city riding.
> >> -I trust the american owner, but not so sure about his associate I
> >> need to
> >> deal with down there.
> >> -I already have one. (Which I may sell...)
> >>
> >> Pros for SV:
> >> -Smaller, lighter, more flickable
> >> -Cute as hell. ( Yes, the RS is gorgeous too...)
> >> -Upright riding position.
> >> -Givi top box. Read: Lockable hard luggage in a land where one doesnt
> > leave
> >> things unattended
> >> -Probably easier to work on.
> >> -Probably wont shred rear tires like the Sprint
> >> -Plenty of power, not the equal of the Sprint, but that may keep me
> >> out of
> >> trouble...
> >> -Light enough to put on 80/20 tires and handle dirt roads ( no,
> it's
> > not a
> >> dirt bike..)
> >> -I just picture the SV being a better street fighter, where I will
> >> spend
> >> most of my time. Safety is an issue here.
> >>
> >> Cons for the SV:
> >> -I am guessing not as good two up. I dont know that for sure. ( Not
> >> alot
> > of
> >> two up riding, but some)
> >> -Carberated. Could be pro or con. easier to work on, doesnt deal with
> >> altitude changes so well. Most of my time will be spent at
> >> 4000-5000 feet,
> >> but I will go from sea level to 13,000 feet occasionally
> >> - I have to go through the hassle of importing it. That is probably
> >> the
> >> biggest, and perhaps only con for the SV. HAssle factor and time
> >> constraints. Part of me really thinks the SV is the better choice.
> >>
> >> Opinions please !
> >>
> >> John
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