trainspottingbaby Posted April 15, 2017 Share Posted April 15, 2017 This is a really great and supportive forum, and I can't imagine a better induction back into the world of riding! You guys are awesome. About me: I'm a returning rider from Calgary, Canada. My previous bike was a 2002 Suzuki SV650-S, which I sold after my first child was born. 12 years and 2 kids later, on my 44th bday, my amazing wife surprised me with "Go pick out a new motorcycle". Yep, that really happened! I was pretty set on getting another Suzuki SV650 because it was such a blast, and it too was coming out of a sort of hiatus for 2017. I read/watched everything I could find to feed my confirmation bias. Filled with excitement and brand loyalty, I went to the shop thinking she would be mine. In person the black SV650 looked/felt fine. My crotch was forced up against the tank, but I was willing to put up with a bit of discomfort. Then with a mea culpa, the sales guy showed me a metallic blue 2017 FZ-07 ABS and suggested it's a better fit for a "returning" rider. This caused me some cognitive dissonance; I hadn't considered this bike, and had built up the Suzuki so much that I was almost resentful for being shown something that was obviously sexier and undeniably more comfy. I melted into it. So I went away and did more research, strangely still hoping the SV650 would be a clear winner. It was not. Everything I read indicated they were comparable, but by all accounts the FZ had the edge in pure fun and comfort. It was also lighter, plus with Yamaha's highest reliability rankings and a special Yamaha-Costco promo starting that day which would save me a few hundred $, the choice became clear. So how does my new FZ-07 measure up in the 3 days of suitable riding weather we've had since I took possession of her? So much freaking fun, I'm grinning just thinking about it. Can't wait for sunshine, I even took it out once in light flurries (which I promise to never do again). Is it better than the SV? Yes. Not in every way, but certainly in torque and comfort. TBH as a returning rider I might have actually become quickly bored with the SV650, as I remember it struggling to keep up with other riders. Whereas the 07 has so much more to give than I dare take at my experience level. There's no doubt in my mind, I made the right choice. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jetgirl Posted April 15, 2017 Share Posted April 15, 2017 Your wife is awesome! I know how you feel about the 07. For years I wanted the Ninja 650 and when I finally had the money, the FZ07 came out. I wanted to still want the Ninja but the 07 was just better for me. So much for the Ninja. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
trainspottingbaby Posted April 15, 2017 Author Share Posted April 15, 2017 Your wife is awesome! I know how you feel about the 07. For years I wanted the Ninja 650 and when I finally had the money, the FZ07 came out. I wanted to still want the Ninja but the 07 was just better for me. So much for the Ninja.LOL, "wanted to still want" pretty much nails it. Does a part of you still kind of like a full-fairing sport, or are you completely good with the FZ-07 naked aesthetic now? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jetgirl Posted April 15, 2017 Share Posted April 15, 2017 Your wife is awesome! I know how you feel about the 07. For years I wanted the Ninja 650 and when I finally had the money, the FZ07 came out. I wanted to still want the Ninja but the 07 was just better for me. So much for the Ninja.LOL, "wanted to still want" pretty much nails it. Does a part of you still kind of like a full-fairing sport, or are you completely good with the FZ-07 naked aesthetic now? I had never considered a naked bike before the FZ. I think I prefer the full fairing look just a tiny bit more but only a tiny bit. Today I spent hours sitting outside, staring and drooling at my bike. It is sex on wheels! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
trainspottingbaby Posted April 15, 2017 Author Share Posted April 15, 2017 LOL, "wanted to still want" pretty much nails it. Does a part of you still kind of like a full-fairing sport, or are you completely good with the FZ-07 naked aesthetic now? I had never considered a naked bike before the FZ. I think I prefer the full fairing look just a tiny bit more but only a tiny bit. Today I spent hours sitting outside, staring and drooling at my bike. It is sex on wheels! I know, right?! On several occasions I've made excuses to go out to the garage just to stare at my 07, and just try to take it all in. As a sciency guy the naked aesthetic has always appealed to me a bit more because I'm fascinated how everything fits together and I wouldn't want to hide that behind plastic. The 07 has it all -- sexy AND smart! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Premium Member DewMan Posted April 15, 2017 Premium Member Share Posted April 15, 2017 Your story sounds eerily similar to mine... minus the kids . Welcome back to riding. DewMan Just shut up and ride. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Premium Member Eastern Kayaker Posted April 15, 2017 Premium Member Share Posted April 15, 2017 Welcome back! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
trainspottingbaby Posted April 16, 2017 Author Share Posted April 16, 2017 Your story sounds eerily similar to mine... minus the kids . Welcome back to riding. I just read your introduction. It does sound uncannily similar. I am also a cubical dweller, so there's that too! Big difference is that it seems you were completely open-minded and honest with yourself about the whole search, whereas I was brand-loyal and hard headed. The only other bike I had considered prior to visiting the shop, other than the SV650, was an Aprilia Shiver. Thinking back, I would read reviews about it subconsciously filtering out anything negative -- which is easy to do, since motorcycle magazines have to toe the line and rarely make an obvious negative statement about any bike. I could see that the sales guy was really trying hard to toe the line as well, yet came very close to saying "dude -- don't screw this up. Buy the 07". Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hugson2wheels Posted April 16, 2017 Share Posted April 16, 2017 Welcome back to riding. I can relate. I started riding again only last year after a 19 year hiatus. I'm 42, last time I road I was 23. Zoinks! Enjoy your bike. They're a blast to ride. If god created us in his image, does that mean god is an egomaniac as well? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Global Moderator jeffkisthename Posted April 16, 2017 Global Moderator Share Posted April 16, 2017 Welcome back! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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