I have owned 3 SV650's and raced one of them. There is nothing better to learn on for the $$$ and they will haul butt if asked. Insurance on a 650cc bike that costs 3500bucks will be hard to beat too. Get a 1999 to 2002, put some Hawkins woods pro taper bars on it and when you buy the Multi, it will ...

Not good advice to someone just starting out. The chances of having a long riding career get smaller with more agression combined with little experience. Good luck!!!! I hope you have someone watching over you.

Go ahead and flame on!!!! I just think that starting slow and building riding skills ...

Used BMW F650 in 2001 or newer for around $5500. I raced downhill mountain bikes on the NORBA circuit so I know what kind of skills and riding position you are used to. The BMW is like that although heavy. Very good on long distances too. Second choice would be a SV650 naked not the S version. 1999 ...

absolutely agree with that one and it also applies to any suspension. it is amazing to me how someone buys a bike and never bothers setting the sag and preload to suit their weight and just rides it like it comes from the factory. the whole handling of the bike can easily be changed as well as the ...

I agree with the "looks" of the Ohlins BUT, go ride both like you normally would ride once. It will be an easy choice from there. On any uneven roads the Ohlins are just plush compared. I would definitely try both if you could. I don't have Ohlins on mine. I wish I did. First bike I have had for a ...

No choice. Get the S if you can afford it. Nothing works like Ohlins, not to mention the poser factor. You'd never be able to upgrade for twice that amount. Even riding moderately, the Ohlins are plush. A standard Multi is still an awesome bike, the S is that much better. IMO

MODCOBRA

No problem here.
The ST is a good bike but the Uglystrada is a much more comfortable riding position. If I was wanting to do many miles a day, maybe the ST would be better? I have ridden 1000+ a day on a thumper, so that shows you how stoopid I am.

Personally, I have gotten used to the ...

I've been riding since the late sixties and been on about everything including the hogsters. Some of my bikes have even been featured in Hot Rod Bikes, which is a HD V twin magazine. I quit riding Harleys because they don't suit my riding style which is the twisty mountain back roads at a pretty ...

I rode my R1150R and my buddy had the Multi and we switched back and forth on bikes in the mountains one weekend. I still like them both a lot. The BMW was surprisingly fast. It is no lightweight though.

http://www.ambackforum.com/viewtopic.php?p=81035#81035

Doesn't sound bad at all. I'd make sure the frame and forks aren't tweaked first. The bodywork is pretty expensive but cheap to repair and paint if all the tabs are OK. Depends on how much they are asking for it.
$5000 UDS is about all I would pay. Maybe get 1500-2000 more to make it perfect and you ...

Like comparing a Corvette to a Ferrari. Both are very good bikes. One gets the blood going. One doesn't. Neither one is bad. The BMW is what it is, a good all rounder that won't tire you out going cross country. Not a duc.

BTW: Did you get the exhaust on and fit a Power Commander yet?

I've ridden the new BMW on and off road on forest roads and it just awesome. It belongs to a buddy of mine. I had my DRZ-400 and had a real hard time losing him on the technical stuff and as soon as the road straightened out, he was gone. It is heavy. He was tired and I wasn't after riding off road ...

Both are great bikes. Keep the multi on the road. A good rider can run the crap out of either one. I'd hate to drop either one in the dirt$$$$$$$