250 ---> 750 that's an experience innit!

[KiWiP]

So clutching my new, full license, ink still wet I push the 250 to the back of the garage and wheel the new toy (2008 Suzuki GSX750F Katana) out and into the sunlight. Here we go...

Now I've done the restricted, DDC and full tests and got an 'yep that's good' at each stage and I am happy on the 250 change change up and down smoothly with or without clutch. I can stop on a sixpence. I can corner without drama etc etc in short I am a happy 250 rider...

On the 750 it is a different world. My changes are clunky and rough. I rev too high too low, drop the clutch too slow too late, brake too hard, too soft. Corner like I'm wrestling an elephant on P. Where have my 12 months of carefully honed skills pissed off to?

Right. First things, breath... ah that's better lungs were starting to hurt. Next listen to the engine stopping looking at that sodding rev counter you didn't have it before you don't need it now. Be smooth and progressive with the clutch accelerator, brakes... Ah thats better. Corner now, stop fighting the elephant... be the elephant... lean, countersteer Oh that feels good... smoooooth.

Traffic lights. and off and stall and curse and restart and off bugger. But I will get there, may take some time

But I am a happy 750 rider, smile still splitting my face in two. WooHoo here we go, see you out there guys and gals :ride:

[DarkLord]

Good on ya man.

I remember riding to Tirau on my Hyosung GT250R shortly after I got my full license....

...And riding back to Taupo on my mate's 2007 GSX-R 1000.

Crikey. That was an experience and a half. :shit:

If you ever go back to a 250cc bike, you will most probably be amazed at how gutless it now seems, and wonder how you got by with one before. I sure have.

[SMOKEU]

I'm planning on jumping straight onto a CBR1000RR when I get my 6F. With my rather questionable riding ability at the best of times, it's bound to be fun.

[rwh]

When I bought my GSX750F - having not ridden much for 3 months (ie most of my restricted period) because my 250 had died - I rode it back from Levin to Wellington in the dark - via the Paekakariki Hill. I'm not convinced that was an entirely wise decision, but never mind :)

Richard

[Bald Eagle]

I got on my VFR700 after 20 plus years away from bikes and no test ride, straight in to a 5.00pm commute out of Welly to Raumati in the rain.

Arrived home grinning from ear to ear but butt didn't unclench for a while.

12 mths on after the demise of my beloved Bandit waiting for cast to come off so I can get another one , ... the madness is strong.

[Gremlin]

I went zzr250 to zx7r. I found out later a couple of mates had bets on how long before I ended up dead.

Several bikes later, I sure proved them wrong :yes: You definitely need some self control...

[Grubber]

I'm planning on jumping straight onto a CBR1000RR when I get my 6F. With my rather questionable riding ability at the best of times, it's bound to be fun.

It's been nice knowing you!!:shit:

[White trash]

I'm planning on jumping straight onto a CBR1000RR when I get my 6F. With my rather questionable riding ability at the best of times, it's bound to be fun.

Show us a wheelie Mr!!!!

[onearmedbandit]

I found out later a couple of mates had bets on how long before I ended up dead.



Ha, I've heard rumours about people saying the same behind my back on this forum.

[White trash]

Ha, I've heard rumours about people saying the same behind my back on this forum.

Never said it behind your back, you're a mad fucker. Can't believe you're still alive ya rotten ol' knob jockey.......

[A_Mans_Ruin]

I found out later a couple of mates had bets on how long before I ended up dead.

Oh Thee of little faith aye, I remember that line coming out of at least 5 or so peoples mouths... ALL KB'ERS too!!! hmmmm wheres the support lmao!!
Mind you I did go from a gsx250 to sex on wheels... :Oops: I mean the R1.

[Banditbandit]

So clutching my new, full license, ink still wet I push the 250 to the back of the garage and wheel the new toy (2008 Suzuki GSX750F Katana) out and into the sunlight. Here we go...

Now I've done the restricted, DDC and full tests and got an 'yep that's good' at each stage and I am happy on the 250 change change up and down smoothly with or without clutch. I can stop on a sixpence. I can corner without drama etc etc in short I am a happy 250 rider...

On the 750 it is a different world. My changes are clunky and rough. I rev too high too low, drop the clutch too slow too late, brake too hard, too soft. Corner like I'm wrestling an elephant on P. Where have my 12 months of carefully honed skills pissed off to?

Right. First things, breath... ah that's better lungs were starting to hurt. Next listen to the engine stopping looking at that sodding rev counter you didn't have it before you don't need it now. Be smooth and progressive with the clutch accelerator, brakes... Ah thats better. Corner now, stop fighting the elephant... be the elephant... lean, countersteer Oh that feels good... smoooooth.

Traffic lights. and off and stall and curse and restart and off bugger. But I will get there, may take some time

But I am a happy 750 rider, smile still splitting my face in two. WooHoo here we go, see you out there guys and gals :ride:

EXCELLENT. Yeah .. go with your gut instead of the clocks when riding ... once you get the hang of the increase in power (that'll take about two trips ...) you'll be away laughing

[Banditbandit]

I'm planning on jumping straight onto a CBR1000RR when I get my 6F. With my rather questionable riding ability at the best of times, it's bound to be fun.

Yeah .. what they all said . at least we'll see the back of you ... :woohoo:


When I bought my GSX750F - having not ridden much for 3 months (ie most of my restricted period) because my 250 had died - I rode it back from Levin to Wellington in the dark - via the Paekakariki Hill. I'm not convinced that was an entirely wise decision, but never mind :)

Richard

No - not a wise decision - but you survived it .. and I'll bet it was fun ...

[Dogboy900]

Interestingly I have a different perspective on the whole 250cc learner thing to our enforcement agencies.

I started riding on a CBR 600 F2 while in the USA where you pass the test you can ride any bike you like. I brought it back to NZ with me when I returned and went through my learners, restricted, full.

Despite some hairy moments when I first started riding it, I think that starting out on a bigger bike taught me better throttle control, and induced a bit of caution in my riding.
Most of my riding mates who started on 250's learned to wring its neck out of every corner, squeeze the brakes like crazy, and rev the shit out of it at the lights. When they hit bigger bikes there were a number of accidents involving high sides, accidental wheelies resulting in lose of control, and locking up the front when hard braking.

I was already an experienced driver though and had people telling me I was crazy and would kill myself which may have contributed to my survival.

[jeremysprite]

I
Most of my riding mates who started on 250's learned to wring its neck out of every corner, squeeze the brakes like crazy, and rev the shit out of it at the lights.

Totally agree here, I learnt on a 150 single and have since learned to ride/drive always gunning the engine and revving to the line. Only now on a 400 il4 have I learned to throttle control more.

[Rych]

Yup I owned a ZXR250 which I sold about a year ago, borrowed a new Ninja off a mate for the last week to get back into it and sit my full then same day bought a 2006 R6. It's a pretty amazing experience, the physical size the fat tires, all that grip / comfort they give and too much power to handle on the very first ride and I'm sure for many to come.

Going to ease into it I continue to tell myself! :D

[Hawkeye]

So clutching my new, full license, ink still wet I push the 250 to the back of the garage and wheel the new toy (2008 Suzuki GSX750F Katana) out and into the sunlight. Here we go...

Now I've done the restricted, DDC and full tests and got an 'yep that's good' at each stage and I am happy on the 250 change change up and down smoothly with or without clutch. I can stop on a sixpence. I can corner without drama etc etc in short I am a happy 250 rider...

On the 750 it is a different world. My changes are clunky and rough. I rev too high too low, drop the clutch too slow too late, brake too hard, too soft. Corner like I'm wrestling an elephant on P. Where have my 12 months of carefully honed skills pissed off to?

Right. First things, breath... ah that's better lungs were starting to hurt. Next listen to the engine stopping looking at that sodding rev counter you didn't have it before you don't need it now. Be smooth and progressive with the clutch accelerator, brakes... Ah thats better. Corner now, stop fighting the elephant... be the elephant... lean, countersteer Oh that feels good... smoooooth.

Traffic lights. and off and stall and curse and restart and off bugger. But I will get there, may take some time

But I am a happy 750 rider, smile still splitting my face in two. WooHoo here we go, see you out there guys and gals :ride:

Excellent choice of bike. I've never regretted the purchase of the Katana. I've got the same 2007-2008 model. Now onto my second one after having written my first one off last December. You get a lot of beast for very reasonable cash with those bikes. Looked around and thought bugger it, enjoyed the Katana too much not to replace it with the same.
Enjoy the ride mate and believe me, in weeks you will be riding it just like your 250.
Just remember though! There is a lot of grunt there that can bite you in the backside if you don't repect it.

Enjoy :2thumbsup

[schrodingers cat]

Yep. Hadn't ridden a bike for 10 years and the largest I'd been on at that stage was a 600.
Got the twitch. Applied the TM salve.
Cheap as chips - FZR 1000.

Jaaaaaaaaaeeeeeeeeeeeesuuuuuuuusssssssssssssssssss sssssssssss

Two months and a track day day before I started to relax.

But I can't stop smiling

[davebullet]

How scary the ride is directly proportional to how much you twist your wrist.

I found the VTR250 -> SV650 jump more than the SV650 -> Speed Triple. Then again, I'm only using the Speed Triple like an SV650 (now run is nearly complete I can tap out the last 30% of the rev range).

All 3 bikes still far more capable than me through the corners though...

[Grubber]

How scary the ride is directly proportional to how much you twist your wrist.


All 3 bikes still far more capable than me through the corners though...

That last quote you have made is very true in many cases.
The bike in fact is capable of far more than many riders can confidently through at them.
Self control is the biggest asset i think when riding the faster machines. The more you twist the closer to Crash you come. All dependant on the time and place of coarse.

[grbaker]

Good stuff.... I did the same thing 20oddish years ago on a GSX750FL. The 250 never prepares you for the big horse power increase nor the less forgiving nature of a big bike.

Still, 10 years from now you'll sit on a 250 and say "There is something wrong with this bike.. how can anyone ride this piddly little bike like this..." and so on...

but for now take the time to teach your bike your limits...:yes: