bike testing

hi, i would like to know if any one knows of a place to rent a sport bike in s.c. I have narrowed it down to a gsx-r600 or a R6. but unlike a car dealership no matter what your age or skills you can't test ride a bike. SO !!! who can i decide on a bike?  thanks for any help!  

I know theres atleast a couple places in CA that rent sportbikes, maybe one in Florida somewhere but I don't know.  I doubt you're going to find one in SC.  I don't know how old you are but your screen name says newbie and I know those rental places require you to be 25.  Is this going to be your first bike?  Neither of those are good first bikes, especially a new one.  IF you have experience and some extra cash to throw around you could "test ride" a GSXR600 at Kevin Schwantz (or a SV650S).  Theres a few other riding schools like that but I don't know if any of them have R6s to rent.  

thanks for the tip on the sv650s. but can you get plastic to cover the engine more like a gixxer 600? i can really consider this bike but i don't care for the open area around the engine. but thankz for your opinion. you gave me something to think about and check into. thankz Brandon

oh yah! i'm 24 but i'm not considering purchasing til around october when i'll be 25! 06 will be in  i might catch a deal.  

Oneida Suzuki link to OEM lower fairings for a SV650S



Same OEM lowers but on a SV1000S





I think with a seat cowl and an undertail kit (or even just chopping the fender to some extent) those bikes have REALLY nice looking tail sections.






MSRP $6,450 on a new '05 SV650S (although I'd still suggest used since it's a first bike, you'll have time for many new bikes later) compared to a new '05 600RR's MSRP of $8,999.  The 600RR for its higher price tag does have more power, better suspension and brakes but SV's are fine for riding on the street, especially with a new rider or someone riding at sane/legal paces.  Before I bought my '03 SV650S I called around to A LOT of differnet insurance companies and a lot of them gave my insurance quotes for a SV650S that was 1/3 the cost of a GSXR600.

My first bike was an '01 YZF600R and my second and current bike is an '03 SV650S.  The SV is a better first bike imo (almost everyone will agree with that).  My YZF600R dynoed at 93rwhp with a jet kit and exhaust, the '03+ SV650s make around 70-72rwhp.  Before I picked my SV650 up I was a little worried if I'd be upset/annoyed at losing 21-23rwhp or how fun the bike would be etc.  The SV really surprised me, it's definately faster and more fun to ride at anything below highway speeds compared to any 600 I've ever ridden.  It's lighter weight (compared to my YZF600R), shorter gearing (geared for 135mph instead of 160mph) and v-twin power delivery/mid range torque make it a really fun bike.  It's not the greatest bike out there or for everyone, but I think if more people gave it a shot it would surprise a lot of people.