Disclaimer: Unneeded history follows. Skip to the bottom to get to the point

It's been about a year since I sold my R6 and now I'm considering getting another bike. I'd probably be looking at 03+ SV's this time around. My first bike was an 04 GS500F and while it had no balls, it was very cheap to insure, to fill up, and it was comfortable. I added a few things to it (It was stock when I got it) but nothing made any real difference.



It was a great first bike but left me wanting more. I used to work at a motorcycle dealership as a reconditioner so I got to ride a ton of different bikes. One day I decided that an R6 wouldn't be too bad of a bike to own, so I found one and bought it. It was a blast, it had a full Yoshimura system and I added a GYT-R filter and PCIII USB, integrated tail, shorty levers, sliders, etc. I loved the R6 but it just wasn't comfortable, especially to ride with my girlfriend as passenger.

The R6:


I sold it to get money to put towards a Subaru, I don't regret doing this at all. The STi is fun ALL year round However, I've started to miss riding, and it would be nice to have something to keep miles off the STi when I can. I rode a few SV's when I worked at the dealership and I really liked how comfortable they are. The looks of the SV650S/F/whatever the full fairing model is called are right up my alley (I don't like the looks of the Gladius, Ninja 650, FZ6, etc). I feel like the SV would be a lot more comfortable for a passenger as well.









The point:

Here are my thoughts. I'm looking for opinions, so please feel free to try to persuade me one way or the other. Either option is going to cost me about the same up front, so cost is not an issue. I've been saving my pennies and have a budget of around $3K.

Option 1: Put the money into the car.
The STi is quick (let's not compare cars to bikes here), but it's got a lot of room to grow. I've already done a lot of work to make the car handle well, it's ready to do some trackdays/autocrossing. Motor wise I've only done a turbo back exhaust and a tune. I can buy a larger intercooler, larger turbo, injectors, fuel pump, retune, etc to get to around 400 AWHP and have an extremely fun car.

OR

Option 2: Buy a SV650. This has advantages and disadvantages, which I've listed.
Pros:
- I kept all my gear, nothing is needed except insurance and a bike.
- Saves gas over daily driving the STi.
- Keeps miles off the STi (big deal to me).
- An exciting drive is no where near as exciting as a good bike trip.
- I do miss riding. My dad rides as well and it was nice to have a riding buddy.

Cons:
- Extra insurance policy. Cost isn't a huge problem (My R6 was only $309/year for full coverage plus lots of extra coverage, the GS was 86/year fully insured), but it's in addition to the car insurance.
- This is Ohio. I can't shake the feeling that if I buy a bike, it will rain. Every day.
- Can't enjoy the bike in the winter.
- Time. I work 2 jobs and am going to school full time (done in less than a year). I don't want the bike to just become a utilitarian thing that just gets ridden to work and school to keep the car parked, but that could very well happen.
- The STi doesn't get any faster. I'm planning on going to some trackdays, and I'd like to be able to impress myself. Maybe the slower car will give me a chance to improve my driving, but I'd rather have 400 at all 4 wheels than 290 at all 4.



So there it is. If you were in my situation, what would you do?

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'05 WRX STi - COBB Stage 2|Invidia DP|3" Borla XR-1|Coilovers|Camber Plates|Swaybars|Endlinks|Bushings|Braces|Anti Lift Kit|DBA4000s|SS lines|
Sold: 06 Cobalt SS/SC, 99 GTP 245WHP/326 Ft-lbs, 06 R6

the post needs more Poll

and cowbell

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92 LeBaron Convert: Turbo 3L 97 Grand Prix GT 4dr "Frankenstein": L67 4t65 swap
97 Grand Marquis: Summer DD 99 Grand Prix GTP: Top Swap Beater

Your face needs more poll!

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'05 WRX STi - COBB Stage 2|Invidia DP|3" Borla XR-1|Coilovers|Camber Plates|Swaybars|Endlinks|Bushings|Braces|Anti Lift Kit|DBA4000s|SS lines|
Sold: 06 Cobalt SS/SC, 99 GTP 245WHP/326 Ft-lbs, 06 R6

but seriusly this is what i want to know. if you mod the STi do you have a dependable DD you can use? it not get a bike. why ruin your perfectly good running ONLY form of transportation in the name of going fast? i say this from experiance with the 01 modding your only car is a bad idea

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92 LeBaron Convert: Turbo 3L 97 Grand Prix GT 4dr "Frankenstein": L67 4t65 swap
97 Grand Marquis: Summer DD 99 Grand Prix GTP: Top Swap Beater

Buy a bike. It benefits the STi in the longterm (or benefits the purchase of another Scooby), Brap will only feel slow again after driving it for a while with 400AWHP and you'll still complain that you don't want to drive it anywhere.

So, buy bike, deal with 400AWHP when T-belt change time comes around. That's what I would do, but you know my feelings on speed.

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Dubs:00 VW GTI VR6, Low and Slow 91 VW GTI 8v, Shave the Bay!! 91 VW Cabriolet 8v, bitch Basket
GP's:04 GP GT, Past now G-Ma's Girlfriend's 97 GP GT, "Project Pink Power"

At 350AWHP (where it will be 95% of the time) it'll be very reliable. The car will have a hybrid Manual boost controller/electronic boost control setup where I can dial to power down for DD'ing. That 5% is where it gets fun though.

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'05 WRX STi - COBB Stage 2|Invidia DP|3" Borla XR-1|Coilovers|Camber Plates|Swaybars|Endlinks|Bushings|Braces|Anti Lift Kit|DBA4000s|SS lines|
Sold: 06 Cobalt SS/SC, 99 GTP 245WHP/326 Ft-lbs, 06 R6

that is not the point. modding your DD is not smart no matter how "reliable" it SHOULD be.

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92 LeBaron Convert: Turbo 3L 97 Grand Prix GT 4dr "Frankenstein": L67 4t65 swap
97 Grand Marquis: Summer DD 99 Grand Prix GTP: Top Swap Beater

Or a 3rd option, buy bike and Cabriolet

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Dubs:00 VW GTI VR6, Low and Slow 91 VW GTI 8v, Shave the Bay!! 91 VW Cabriolet 8v, bitch Basket
GP's:04 GP GT, Past now G-Ma's Girlfriend's 97 GP GT, "Project Pink Power"

he already has cabby he offered it for sale at $250 lol

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92 LeBaron Convert: Turbo 3L 97 Grand Prix GT 4dr "Frankenstein": L67 4t65 swap
97 Grand Marquis: Summer DD 99 Grand Prix GTP: Top Swap Beater

Funny thing is, I think the title is still in the car right now. Which shoot, Kyle, could you look to see if it's on the floor (should be in/near the owners manual) because if the top is leaking at all I don't want a waterlogged title. The DMV would love that.

How much are SV's going for anyway?

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Dubs:00 VW GTI VR6, Low and Slow 91 VW GTI 8v, Shave the Bay!! 91 VW Cabriolet 8v, bitch Basket
GP's:04 GP GT, Past now G-Ma's Girlfriend's 97 GP GT, "Project Pink Power"

As a full faired bike have you looked at the fz6r?? The semi faired fz6 is no longer in production, the " r " replaced it. It has slightly less power than the fz6 but still has the more comfy seat position. ( we have an fz6, and I have done some research and been part of some forums with them.)

I choose have them both. I love the car but the tiger is so much fun in the summer. I figure the gas savings basically makes the payment and insurance during the summer.

Sent from my DROID X using my Thumbs via Tapatalk

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2001 white gt coupe with enough crap to make it run mid 13's with 3 bad pistons
2002 40th GTP sedan mostly stock

I'd get the bike. Yea utilitarian duty would get old after a while on the bike, but just think of how many miles you could keep off your car, and how much you'd save in gas. Not only would you help resale value on the car, you wouldn't blow your load on a bunch of mods at once and get bored with the car as quick. But yea, the way weather has been here in OH lately, I'm kind of expecting a super wet year as well. Been wanting a bike myself, but know as soon as I grab one I won't get any nice riding time on it at all cause of weather.

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'96 Black Grand Prix SE 3100
'94 Green Grand Prix SE 3100
'94 Mazda B4000 SE 4x4

I have, especially since I've always preferred to ride Yamaha and that's what I grew up riding. I just don't like the looks.

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'05 WRX STi - COBB Stage 2|Invidia DP|3" Borla XR-1|Coilovers|Camber Plates|Swaybars|Endlinks|Bushings|Braces|Anti Lift Kit|DBA4000s|SS lines|
Sold: 06 Cobalt SS/SC, 99 GTP 245WHP/326 Ft-lbs, 06 R6

i am waiting for

bought bike HAS NOT STOP RAINING!!! thread

sort of liek how my uncle got a snowmobile and has not been able to use it once lol

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92 LeBaron Convert: Turbo 3L 97 Grand Prix GT 4dr "Frankenstein": L67 4t65 swap
97 Grand Marquis: Summer DD 99 Grand Prix GTP: Top Swap Beater

I'm leaning towards this, but I can't make up my mind.

-- Thu Jan 26, 2012 1:23 am --




I'll check it out brewski.

Fuel injected SV's can be had for as little as $2K with decently low mileage (under 30K) and in good shape. They run a long time for bikes, commonly over 100K miles and sometimes over 150K miles, so a 25K mile SV isn't a bad thing. Ideally I'll find something that's been laid down and needs new fairings or something and pick it up for under $1500.

-- Thu Jan 26, 2012 1:23 am --



Bought Blizzaks and it's not snowing.

-- Thu Jan 26, 2012 1:25 am --




The weather is what's really stopping me. I put over 6K miles on my first bike in a year, and about 2800 miles on the R6 because it wasn't comfortable. I'm thinking if I get a more comfortable bike I'll ride more, but only if the weather plays along.

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'05 WRX STi - COBB Stage 2|Invidia DP|3" Borla XR-1|Coilovers|Camber Plates|Swaybars|Endlinks|Bushings|Braces|Anti Lift Kit|DBA4000s|SS lines|
Sold: 06 Cobalt SS/SC, 99 GTP 245WHP/326 Ft-lbs, 06 R6

this sounds pretty good to me...and like you said in your original post its fun to wake up and just go for a bike ride.

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04 GP GT1 black spo grilles/spoiler, tinted led tails/third brake light, painted reverse bar, 6k lows/fogs, gxp door rings, STB's/DR brackets, DR door locks, GMPP RTA's, Wizair

-- Thu Jan 26, 2012 6:48 am --

other than the huge rear fender, that can be taken care of with a fe, i think it looks very similer to the others. but is far more comfy

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2001 white gt coupe with enough crap to make it run mid 13's with 3 bad pistons
2002 40th GTP sedan mostly stock

Once you start racing, you won't want a faster car. You'll need to learn your cars current limits and more importantly learn yourself as a driver. It's much easier to make corrections to your driving in a slower vehicle than it is a faster one. Just food for thought there.

As far as a bike goes I don't think it's a bad idea. I'm not sure about an SV just because they're that weird sport crusier thing but if you've ridden them then you know that. Insurance would be a small amount of money compared to modding the STi... Because once you mod it, it will break. All reliable cars have their issues and yours would be no exception, especially while racking up all the miles from school/work. The bike might be a good way to enjoy nice days and to save the STi a mile or two. Really the only thing I have against bikes is that they're absolute death traps. No one pays attention in ther 6000lb SUV anymore.

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Everything needs more Corsa. No exceptions.

Follow my journey of flight at
http://alwaysastudentpilot.blogspot.com/

Newer STi AND RACE ALL THE THINGS

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2012 Ford Focus SE Sport
2012 MINI Cooper Clubman

I have ADHD and drive a Focus. Ironically.
Although gold dust is precious, when it gets in your eyes, it obstructs your vision.

I agree with this, I've learned the hard way several times. DD the piss out of STI, get something else to track or vice versa, track STI get a beater.....

again offer still stands to beater the VRT, I seriously don't want it sitting in the garage collecting dust.

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Gt2256v, FMIC, Port & Polish Head, Stage 2 Colt Cam. Rosten Rods, PD150 Pistons, Oil Cooler, Fuel Cooler, Diablo W/M kit, Built 5 speed with LSD
I work on enough GP's to know I don't want to own one =P

Why not take some advanced driving classes for racing? Your going to burn out the rest of the money on tires

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Why have more money than brains? Cuz RACE CAR :

On another hand Kyle, you could find a beater diesel and mod the STI.

That's what my dad said BTW haha. He decided to go that route, hes driving his till it stops driving =P

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Gt2256v, FMIC, Port & Polish Head, Stage 2 Colt Cam. Rosten Rods, PD150 Pistons, Oil Cooler, Fuel Cooler, Diablo W/M kit, Built 5 speed with LSD
I work on enough GP's to know I don't want to own one =P

Don't I know it!! I have dumb shits pull out in front of my one ton duelly pickup. Because their heads are up there asses. Even tho my bike is like 5ft tall and bright orange. They can't see what they don't pay attention to. If they can't see a damn semi truck wtf chance does a bike have?? But I love riding just the same and like the MPG I save in the summer too. Even tho I ride back and forth to work a fair bit. I use it as my freedom time before and after. Insted of just getting there and back.


Sent from my DROID X using my Thumbs via Tapatalk

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2001 white gt coupe with enough crap to make it run mid 13's with 3 bad pistons
2002 40th GTP sedan mostly stock

I was in the Z the other day and I had a guy pull out in front of me AND STOP IN THE ROAD AFTERWARDS. If I didn't have 6 piston brakes I wouldn't have a Corvette anymore after that one. My roommate got this || close to being rear-ended on his motorcycle on the freeway. That story alone is enough for me to say efff bikes.

Oh, and I have two friends who are paralyzed from bike accidents. One was a dirt bike and one was a motorcycle.

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Everything needs more Corsa. No exceptions.

Follow my journey of flight at
http://alwaysastudentpilot.blogspot.com/

I've had my share of close calls too, especially on the R6. Luckily that thing could literally stop on a dime. Whenever I'm on a bike and I see I car, I run though the same thought process:

1. What are the worst things this person can do, right now?
2. Assume they will do them.

I ride under the assumption that I'm invisible, meaning I expect no one to see me.

-- Thu Jan 26, 2012 4:48 pm --




I was looking at cars last night. 1998 Golf with "electrical issues" $800.


I need to see what liability insurance on a GPGT would cost. It can't be too much. A GP would be a good DD.

-- Thu Jan 26, 2012 4:49 pm --



Thought about this as well. I could get some licenses/endorsements with 3K and a decent amount of professionally instructed track time.

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'05 WRX STi - COBB Stage 2|Invidia DP|3" Borla XR-1|Coilovers|Camber Plates|Swaybars|Endlinks|Bushings|Braces|Anti Lift Kit|DBA4000s|SS lines|
Sold: 06 Cobalt SS/SC, 99 GTP 245WHP/326 Ft-lbs, 06 R6