RE [ST] MPG/new tune. FIRST bike Q

["Nowak, Nick" <n.nowak@xxxxxxxxxxxxxx>]

I would definitely start out with the MSF course.  Once you are done with
the class, seat height and engine size becomes much less of an issue.  I
will be a bit biased in my bike suggestion since this is what I started out
on... a 1981 Honda CB650 Custom.  They made these from '79 to '83 if I
remember correctly with the custom version being available '81 to '83.  They
can be had quite cheaply now, are quite reliable, have plenty of power for a
newbie, and the seat is lower than other bikes in the CB series (the custom
version is even lower - 5'7" and both feet were flat on the ground with room
to spare).  It tops out at around 110mph and carried me and all of my gear
on a 3500 mile trip through the rockies.  Look at the old cheap bike this
way - It will cost about the same as the replacement body work for your
potential new bike that might get dropped.

As for the SV650, it might be light and nimble, but I would have to agree
with the other post that the seat height is quite high and roughly at the
same level as my RS.

Nick "the dirtbag"
'00 yellow RS