I just rode the new Honda 500. A much better buy than the Ninjette IMO. It's a beginner bike that will be good enough for most people to keep for a long, long time. Yes, it's a bit more OTD, but it's a lot more bike.
Rode both the CBR and the naked CB500F last week. Thought the naked version in particular was a blast to ride. It takes over that naked, basic bike category that really hasn't had much in it since the SV650, which is part of the reason that it galled me to see the latest Gladius variant on the list. The naked Honda is perhaps a bit less powerful, but no less fun than the old SV650 and for most people probably just as good a bike. I keep saying this, but Honda really nailed this one in terms of both features and price. If touring was not one of my requirements, I'd have picked one up already.10 best is very relative to each others needs. I agree the new Ninjette is quite nice but bang for the $$$ not sure if it worth it in my opinion. I'll throw some extra cash and get the CBR500...
Likewise. Not that it didn't need an updating by 2008. The design was a bit too boxy, the round muffler hanging off the side needed to be restyled, and yeah the engine needed some updating too. But I just don't get the design they came up with. If the intention was to compete with the Monster and other naked bikes, there are so many things they could have done, while maintaining the bulletproof and efficient reputation the bike had.2013 Suzuki SVF 650 Gladi-puss
Why did Suzuki continue this monstrous raping of the SV?
The SV was a beauty, I would have purchased one in 2010 had they continued it within the 2004 stream of thinking, but no they entertained the Gladius design...