Rode my first big bike

[danielle]

So went for a ride in the weekend on my fxr150 with my bf on the gixxer and his mate on what i think is a gsxf600 early 90s or late 80s. We rode up behind Pohongina past Apiti etc and half way thru the ride, towards the areas that were more full of straights my bfs mate asked if i wanted a go on his bike. So i did! And wasnt it great. I only stalled twice before take off and realised it was just like taking of on my bike (unlike what i think the gixxer would be like fast and nippy). I was only worried becuase the thing was like a tank but it was great. It was great to feel comfertable travelling at 100km instead of fighting with the bike, it was great to feel more grounded on the road due to the tyres being thicker.

When i got back on my bike it was like riding a scooter and i realised how much i want a bigger bike! Theres still 5 months till i can get my full so im thinking about getting a cheap 250 to blat around on.
I cant wait!

[Tink]

So went for a ride in the weekend on my fxr150 with my bf on the gixxer and his mate on what i think is a gsxf600 early 90s or late 80s. We rode up behind Pohongina past Apiti etc and half way thru the ride, towards the areas that were more full of straights my bfs mate asked if i wanted a go on his bike. So i did! And wasnt it great. I only stalled twice before take off and realised it was just like taking of on my bike (unlike what i think the gixxer would be like fast and nippy). I was only worried becuase the thing was like a tank but it was great. It was great to feel comfertable travelling at 100km instead of fighting with the bike, it was great to feel more grounded on the road due to the tyres being thicker.

When i got back on my bike it was like riding a scooter and i realised how much i want a bigger bike! Theres still 5 months till i can get my full so im thinking about getting a cheap 250 to blat around on.
I cant wait!

BANGARANG, I have ridden 650's and I feel I have to kick my bloody horse to go faster... 2 1/2 more months and on my full... whew...can't wait !!! :)

[Old Steve]

Haven't ridden a big bike, but I think I know what you mean. My Hyosung GV250 is big for a 250, I feel comfortable at 100 to 120 (max on the straight and flat, will go faster downhill with a following wind).

I do wonder how GN250 riders, and riders on even smaller learner bikes, manage though. And this last weekend I did lust over the other bikes I was riding with, even the Harley (which didn't break down - contrary to all the rumours I've heard about HD reliability).

I would love a bigger bike when I get my 6F, something like a Honda Shadow or Suzuki Boulevard C50. But bigger bikes cost more money, so I might hang on to my GV250 for quite a while. And today I picked her up from Bay City Motorcycles fitted with a new back tyre - and they'd been so ashamed of how dirty it was (hey, I'm riding it as often as I can, I don't have time to clean it) that they cleaned and polished it.

[Corse1]

I would love a bigger bike when I get my 6F, something like a Honda Shadow or Suzuki Boulevard C50. But bigger bikes cost more money, so I might hang on to my GV250 for quite a while. And today I picked her up from Bay City Motorcycles fitted with a new back tyre - and they'd been so ashamed of how dirty it was (hey, I'm riding it as often as I can, I don't have time to clean it) that they cleaned and polished it.


Plus 1 on BCM. Visited there for the first time a couple months ago and the staff were very pleasant

[mikemike104]

I know what you mean, I can get my Restricted in Sept, my bike goes well for a 250 I guess but it would be so nice to just zip past cars with no effort like the guy I see daily on my commute who rides a ZX10, I'm so jealous;)

[ttmadness]

There is nothing forcing you to ride a smaller bike. If you want just get a gsxr750 and go for it if you like it that much. It's only a fine if you get caught. Just ride responsibly and you should be fine! Have gone from my learners to full on a 03 GSXR750 and a collection of 400cc sports bikes. Never looked back since- never an accident or anything :). Has taught me patience and responsible riding, choosing and waiting for the appropriate environment to have fun. I have never found riding a bigger bike so much of a wonderful thing and the only reason I started with them is because I couldn't justify the fucking ludicrously expensive 250 prices. 5 grand for some ancient, tatty pieces of shit, simply falling apart now- I don't think so. On the contrary, I think riding a 250cc bike can be a hell of a fun time, often more fun! Just think outside the box, you don't have to be a sucker of the system if you don't want to! Happy riding and take care!

[reggie1198]

There is nothing forcing you to ride a smaller bike. If you want just get a gsxr750 and go for it if you like it that much. It's only a fine if you get caught. Just ride responsibly and you should be fine! Have gone from my learners to full on a 03 GSXR750 and a collection of 400cc sports bikes. Never looked back- never an accident or anything :). Just think outside the box, you don't have to be a sucker of the system if you don't want to! Happy riding and take care!

The only trouble doing it this way is your insurance (if any) would be null and void, as you are riding outside the conditions of your license.

[ttmadness]

The only trouble doing it this way is your insurance (if any) would be null and void, as you are riding outside the conditions of your license.

Yes that is true and definitely something to consider.

[rastuscat]

Riding big bikes is easy. Yes, heavier, more powerful etc, but compared to little bikes, easier.

The skillls you learn on a little bike are awesome to have. You really have to work harder on a FXR150 to make it go. It has to be made to take corners, it has to be really manhandled.

I did some advanced training for work a few years ago. The work bike is an R1200RT BMW. The first thing they did was put us on XR200 Hondas for us to relearn handling skills. We did some off-road stuff, but the big benefit was on the tarmac. You can throw a XR around without much fear of it going all wrong.

Doing so taught me way better handling, which translated directly to the big bike.

Yes, big bikes are fun, but little bikes can also be fun, and are easier to learn real skills on.

So there.
:Punk:

[jeremysprite]

I know that 'I want a bigger bike' feeling all too well!
Rode an FXR for close to two years? I think. Did a few long trips on it, (3-4 hours is LONG on an FXR)

First 'big' bike I think I rode was a Buel XB12... what a feeling!

I would recommend going to a cheap 250 for a few months if you don't think you'll lose any $ on sale. Buying now in winter and selling in summer could be a good idea. It's just that much more of a jump from an FXR to a bigger bike, best to get the experience on the 250 first.
And if you rode a il4 250 you'll be amazed at the power difference to the FXR...

[george formby]

Riding big bikes is easy. Yes, heavier, more powerful etc, but compared to little bikes, easier.

The skillls you learn on a little bike are awesome to have. You really have to work harder on a FXR150 to make it go. It has to be made to take corners, it has to be really manhandled.

I did some advanced training for work a few years ago. The work bike is an R1200RT BMW. The first thing they did was put us on XR200 Hondas for us to relearn handling skills. We did some off-road stuff, but the big benefit was on the tarmac. You can throw a XR around without much fear of it going all wrong.

Doing so taught me way better handling, which translated directly to the big bike.

Yes, big bikes are fun, but little bikes can also be fun, and are easier to learn real skills on.

So there.
:Punk:

:yes:agreed, I still love jumping on a smaller bike and caning it to within an inch of it's life, maximising cornering speed to keep up momentum. Looking wayyyyyyy ahead to keep the little bugger on song, great fun.

[McWild]

If you have only 5 months I would suggest just holding tight.

Any 250 that you'll feel a significant power difference with will not be cheap.

Good post though.

[racefactory]

agree wit what the other guy said. No point waiting jus get a bigger bike right now if you really think it's that good. Only get one life.. enjoy it. life is too short for riding bikes you don't want to.

[danielle]

thats what im guna do, sell my fxr asap then try and find a 250 thats cheap as (possibly high ks) and sell it in summer. i would keep the fxr but taking it on long rides going 100ks gets so tiring fighting with the bike all the time. now ive had the taste of big bike its all i want!

[rastuscat]

Looking wayyyyyyy ahead to keep the little bugger on song, great fun.

Yeah, and looking way ahead allows you to give the brakes 5 minutes notice of your wish to stop :sunny:

[george formby]

Yeah, and looking way ahead allows you to give the brakes 5 minutes notice of your wish to stop :sunny:

lol. The big squeeze, teeth & sphincter clenched. Ah, thems was the days.
bikes must be like fishing, first you just want to get one, then you want a bigger one, then you want lots of them & finally you just want to be out their doing it.:sunny:

[Insanity_rules]

Welcome to the world of more power. Its really adictive as you've probably realised. Years ago I went from a 5 year old VF 400 to a spankers new VFR 750 and it was like a revelation! Ever since I've been chasing the dragon so to speak. I'm all about the litre twins at the moment, talk about a smack in the back when you twist it hard.

If you liked the gixer wait till you try your first SV, VTR, Duke, Aprilia or the like.

[Old Steve]

Any 250 that you'll feel a significant power difference with will not be cheap.

Um, Hyosung GT250N, GT250R or GV250, they have 21 kW (28 HP) and lots of low down torque for a 250, and a 3 or 4 year old one can be cheap and reliable. Even a 2009 new one would only be in the region of $7000 or so. I find cruising at 100 to 110 km/hr is easy, I sometimes ride with guys on larger bikes such as Honda Goldwings, Harleys and Suzuki Boulevards and can keep up reasonably well at speeds up to 110.

And they have a great range, 15L tank with a 3L reserve makes it easy to cover well over 400 km, even up to 450 km or more, on a tank fill. I've done 380 km from Tauranga to Taupo and back, OK stopped for lunch at Taupo, but I wasn't crippled because of an uncomfortable seat.

[DarkLord]

Reminds me of my first big bike experience. I'd been riding about a year and was on my restricted and I owned an '07 Hyosung GT250R. Out on a long distance ride with my flatmate he offered me his Bandit 1200 for a bit.

Boy, that was fun. You couldn't take the stupid big ass grin off my face.

Then, in July last year, not long after I got my full I took a K7 GSXR1000 for a ride..... that was a different story altogether...:shit:

[Antonio]

http://www.depot4motorcycles.co.nz

[steel001]

Good stuff, it's a pretty step learning curve but also loads of fun when you get to play with bigger bikes plus they sound a load better than 250s.

Just remember that they are not as forgiving as smaller bikes- said by the guy that's not walking for 12 weeks after coming off. :weep:

[Mogwa]

Its definaly harder riding the small bikes. I had a GN 125 and was constantly having to look behind me for trucks coming up the inside lanes:shit: ( hugely increased my awareness ). It served its purpose though there was no way i was going to fail the licence test by speeding.
Its not cheap geting caught breaking licence conditions so good luck to you.

[Blinkwing]

Its definaly harder riding the small bikes. I had a GN 125 and was constantly having to look behind me for trucks coming up the inside lanes:shit: ( hugely increased my awareness ). It served its purpose though there was no way i was going to fail the licence test by speeding.
Its not cheap geting caught breaking licence conditions so good luck to you.

Yeah, my friend's been caught twice for breaching license conditions. Grand total of the fines is somewhere around $650. Worth it? Nah ...

[rastuscat]

Irony is we all break our necks to get onto bigger bikes.

Then years later we realise how much fun a 250 is, and take nostalgia rides on our mates kids learner bikes.

XL250s, VTR250s, ah, them wuz the days.

[tamarillo]

There is nothing forcing you to ride a smaller bike. If you want just get a gsxr750 and go for it if you like it that much. It's only a fine if you get caught. Just ride responsibly and you should be fine!

STUPID! One there are frequent checks and more than a fine. Two there is a damn good reason to stay up to 250 - its called learning skill and having time. Ride safe if you can but I doubt it with this attitude.:angry:

[R-Soul]

If you dont mind older bikes with many kms, you could try for an older ZXR250Rr or CRB250RR - although they generally don't come cheap. They have about 45hp, redline at 18000rpm, shriek like a nympho at a gangbang, and will cruise all day at 160kph easily. I took one CBR to an (indicated) 200kph.

[Hortz]

Welcome to the word of big horsepower. Mind you it's amazing how many dudes loose all reason as soon as they get some power between the legs. Good riding.

[bombsquad]

If you dont mind older bikes with many kms, you could try for an older ZXR250Rr or CRB250RR - although they generally don't come cheap. They have about 45hp, redline at 18000rpm, shriek like a nympho at a gangbang, and will cruise all day at 160kph easily. I took one CBR to an (indicated) 200kph.

Im still in love with the inline 4 ZXR/Ninja 250s, without a doubt one of the greatests bikes of all time in my opinion!! They had the looks and style big cc sport bikes, they felt like you were really on something special and race bread rather just another shitty little learner bike.
Id love to find a mint one just to have in the shed to blat round town on.
Also RGV250, possibly the most awesome/crazy learner bike, another golden oldie :Punk:

[aprilia_RS250]

I learned to ride on an RS250. She can keep up with bigger bikes on straights (up to 100km/h), even lose them on twisty roads as she so light and nimble, the double caliper Brembos and race suspension makes it stick to the road like a fly on shit.