New bike options for a mid-range novice?

[mattian]

I've starting thinking about transitioning from my Gladius 650 to a Sports bike.
Been riding "full-time" for about 4 years now. All v-twins.... Started on the trusty VL 250, then had a Kymco Venox 250 (google it) then got my first "step up" bike the Gladius 650.
I am still in love with this bike and its the perfect commuter, which is the majority of the kind of riding I do, but, I feel like I have been missing out having only ever ridden V-twins.
I will eventually get round to test riding some sporties. I love the look of the new CBRs and GSX's but, before I do that thought I would gauge some opinion about, what kind of differences I should expect from you more experienced sports bike riders.

cheers.

[mattian]

............................ wow, there goes the tumble weed wafting through my post.............................................. ......... guess you must all be out riding.....lol

[firefighter]

R6 in black is the sexiest sports bike I reckon. That or a GSXR-750, more for it's size than looks (not a 1000cc but still that little bit extra).

In all reality, the only real differences past looks are how they feel to you. The performance is so close that you won't really notice fuckall without being an expert.

If I had the money and was in a position to choose what I wanted and it had to be a Jappa, i'd go off looks to be honest, and for me personally it's the R6 for sure. They are all pretty similar comfort wise for me, i'm pretty adaptable though.

If I could choose any bike, it would be the 848 as pictured in my Avatar, I have never ridden one or sat on one, but I mean really, it's more performance than I need, and I love the look of it. I don't give two shits if I have to get used to the riding position!

[mattian]

Oh yeah and the R6.... beautiful machine. Over -all much more Hp than my Gladius. Am I going to be pulling accidental wheelies everytime I take off at the lights?...lol

[Ocean1]

"Sports" doesn't necessarily mean IL4 dude, and the SV's a tad porky but they’re not exactly a slug. May be just me but I find big V2's are usually better at the sort of fun you can have at legal speeds. Personally I find top-end sports bikes both boring and dangerous, they have such a narrow focus. A great deal of that focus is making sure it looks exactly like the current GP machinery and what genuine performance design intent exists is optimised for speeds well over legal.

Also, I don't particularly enjoy being bent permanently in half in order to wring an ounce of top end or lean angle out of the equation. So I’d try to define what you mean by “sports bike” a bit better and then make a concerted assault on the showrooms eh? And by all means take, say an R1 for a bit of a fang, just make sure you give it a protracted quiet trundle too, just like you do every day.

[firefighter]

Oh yeah and the R6.... beautiful machine. Over -all much more Hp than my Gladius. Am I going to be pulling accidental wheelies everytime I take off at the lights?...lol

Nah man definitely not. I rode my bros R6 when I was still on my learners, it had smaller and larger sprockets respectively, power commander-basically all the extras to get any extra acceleration out of it, and I had only ever ridden my ZZR250 and I could ride it around without pulling accidental wheelies. I was intimidated for sure but after a bit of riding I sussed out it is all related to your right hand. You don't have to be all that gifted to ride one safely. Fast and well, yes.

It's in your head that to be honest, you can definitely do them if you throw the throttle open and drop the clutch, but you can do that on a Gladius too.

You'll be ok mate. Just buy what you like.

[mattian]

My understanding of the definition of a sports bike is the fully faired (usually inline) tuned for high rev grunt. much more sutiable for open road speeds and racing tracks. Street bikes, like my naked Gladius, tuned for low-mid rev grunt, much more suited to commuting in start/stop traffic flows.

I have hardly ever had the occasion to use my 6th gear on my Gladius. I dont see myself commuting to work anywhere near 200 ks an hour.

[\m/]

Gsxr750, remove the fairings then install a gasmask headlight unit, barend mirrors and motocross bars.

[Corse1]

My understanding of the definition of a sports bike is the fully faired (usually inline) tuned for high rev grunt. much more sutiable for open road speeds and racing tracks. Street bikes, like my naked Gladius, tuned for low-mid rev grunt, much more suited to commuting in start/stop traffic flows.

I have hardly ever had the occasion to use my 6th gear on my Gladius. I dont see myself commuting to work anywhere near 200 ks an hour.

And if you are going to commute on it why do you then want a sport bike?? How about a triumph triple:shutup:

[Little Miss Trouble]

My understanding of the definition of a sports bike is the fully faired (usually inline) tuned for high rev grunt. much more sutiable for open road speeds and racing tracks. Street bikes, like my naked Gladius, tuned for low-mid rev grunt, much more suited to commuting in start/stop traffic flows.

I have hardly ever had the occasion to use my 6th gear on my Gladius. I dont see myself commuting to work anywhere near 200 ks an hour.

:facepalm: From that description of your riding, you don't need a sportsbike, and would be better suited to one of those ghey 400cc scooter things that MarkH has

[puddytat]

Good step up I reckon would be an R6...but the S model. Cheaper than an R6 or Gsxr & more user friendly. Will do 260 kmh if desired yet put around town all day.
Having owned one I would say that eh.:yes:

[mattian]

:facepalm: From that description of your riding, you don't need a sportsbike, and would be better suited to one of those ghey 400cc scooter things that MarkH has

hahahaha... you're quite right too.:lol:

[mattian]

And if you are going to commute on it why do you then want a sport bike?? How about a triumph triple:shutup:

I have always loved the Triumphs..... just price wise, a little out of my league.

[firefighter]

And if you are going to commute on it why do you then want a sport bike?? How about a triumph triple:shutup:


:facepalm: From that description of your riding, you don't need a sportsbike, and would be better suited to one of those ghey 400cc scooter things that MarkH has

Um, because that's what he wants.....the only thing you really need is a 250cc for commuting, so your arguments are moot, you don't even need a 250 even.

Don't listen to the haters bro.

I've commuted on a CB900, a perfect sit up style bike for commuting, and my GSX-R 750 which to be honest is'nt as good, but certainly no complaints in the slightest. I actually like it better because I think it's cooler (personal opinion here), it's more fun for spirited weekend rides and i'm all round happy with it. Unless you commute an hour+ each way, any sports bike is fine.

Go get your R6 if you want it bro, you'll get used to it, and shit you'll be fine commuting on it. Not the best bike but you've probably already got the ideal bike for that - if what you are wanting is a sports bike, get one! I was in a similar situation when I had my Hornet, absolutely nothing wrong with it, but I wanted a sportsbike, so I bought one. No regrets here.

[HenryDorsetCase]

I've starting thinking about transitioning from my Gladius 650 to a Sports bike.
Been riding "full-time" for about 4 years now. All v-twins.... Started on the trusty VL 250, then had a Kymco Venox 250 (google it) then got my first "step up" bike the Gladius 650.
I am still in love with this bike and its the perfect commuter, which is the majority of the kind of riding I do, but, I feel like I have been missing out having only ever ridden V-twins.
I will eventually get round to test riding some sporties. I love the look of the new CBRs and GSX's but, before I do that thought I would gauge some opinion about, what kind of differences I should expect from you more experienced sports bike riders.

cheers.

Google the specs. your gladrag is what, 65hp? A modern 600 has nearly twice that, and weighs less. Your bike is designed for the type of riding you do, but a sprots bike is designed to lap Ruapuna as quick as possible. Everything else is secondary to that: rider comfort? fuhgeddaboudit. user friendly? not so much. a three year life cycle and living on the edge of the world means parts are hard to get and expensive. (that probably applies to the Gladrag too). Servicing costs are more expensive. You need four of the consumables. Tyres for these bikes are hell expensive and they chew them up pretty quick.

Not to mention the fact that you go: Waaaaaaa (first gear) waaaaaaaaaah (second gear) -thats 120kph, (third gear) waaaaaaaah (thats 180) and dang, who needed a licence anyway?

fun though. oh yes. but keep the Gladrag for commuting.

[HenryDorsetCase]

serious suggestion: go to Hampton Downs and do the superbike school, on one of their 600's (take the extra insurance). Learn a bunch of stuff, and get to thrash the tits off someone elses bike. If you like it, go buy one, but you might get it out of your system. Or not.

[Sable]

Don't forget the 675.

[SMOKEU]

I have hardly ever had the occasion to use my 6th gear on my Gladius. I dont see myself commuting to work anywhere near 200 ks an hour.

You say that now, I've seen what the litre bike boys ride like around town.

[firefighter]

Man some people have some weird ideas.

It's just a fucken sports bike, there are shit loads of us who commute on them just fine, and plenty of us still with clean licences, and plenty of cruiser riders who've lost theirs.

I say again, buy what you like, learn to ride it and just enjoy it. Don't over-think it.

[TOTO]

VFR800 sounds like you

[Little Miss Trouble]

Um, because that's what he wants.....the only thing you really need is a 250cc for commuting, so your arguments are moot, you don't even need a 250 even.

Don't listen to the haters bro.

I've commuted on a CB900, a perfect sit up style bike for commuting, and my GSX-R 750 which to be honest is'nt as good, but certainly no complaints in the slightest. I actually like it better because I think it's cooler (personal opinion here), it's more fun for spirited weekend rides and i'm all round happy with it. Unless you commute an hour+ each way, any sports bike is fine.

Go get your R6 if you want it bro, you'll get used to it, and shit you'll be fine commuting on it. Not the best bike but you've probably already got the ideal bike for that - if what you are wanting is a sports bike, get one! I was in a similar situation when I had my Hornet, absolutely nothing wrong with it, but I wanted a sportsbike, so I bought one. No regrets here.

Mattian should be used to me giving him shit by now, he does after all ride a girls bike :shutup:



Good step up I reckon would be an R6...but the S model. Cheaper than an R6 or Gsxr & more user friendly. Will do 260 kmh if desired yet put around town all day.
Having owned one I would say that eh.:yes:

Seriously though, test ride em all and then get the one you like best.
As Puddytat mentioned, take a look at the R6S. It's basically a 03-05 shaped R6 which I think is a very sexy shaped bike (but then I would say that!) It has a slightly more relaxed riding position than the 06 onwards and is the first bike I've owned that I'm yet to get bored with! ...Doesn't stop me lusting after a 675 as well though!

[firefighter]

Mattian should be used to me giving him shit by now, he does after all ride a girls bike :shutup:


R6S. It's basically a 03-05 shaped R6 which I think is a very sexy shaped bike (but then I would say that!) It has a slightly more relaxed riding position than the 06 onwards and is the first bike I've owned that I'm yet to get bored with! ...Doesn't stop me lusting after a 675 as well though!

I hear ya there! But I think the R6's' is also a girls bike.......definitely cool with a chick on it, a bit girly for a guy......

I think they should have given it a completely different name personally. It just does'nt look as 'tough'.

[Little Miss Trouble]

I hear ya there! But I think the R6's' is also a girls bike.......definitely cool with a chick on it, a bit girly for a guy......

I think they should have given it a completely different name personally. It just does'nt look as 'tough'.

Technically mine is an 04 R6, not an R6S and sounds very horny with a stubby scorpion pipe on it :love:

[imdying]

I hear ya there! But I think the R6's' is also a girls bikeBecause only girls should get useable smaller engined sportsbikes?

[firefighter]

Because only girls should get useable smaller engined sportsbikes?

What's un-useable about an R6?

Where did I say that only girls should get useable smaller engined sportsbikes?

I'm not interested in having an argument which you are obviously about to try and start. He's asked for opinions, i'm giving mine, and I think the 's' is a girly version of the R6. That's all I was saying.

[HenryDorsetCase]

What's un-useable about an R6?

Where did I say that only girls should get useable smaller engined sportsbikes?

I'm not interested in having an argument which you are obviously about to try and start. He's asked for opinions, i'm giving mine, and I think the 's' is a girly version of the R6. That's all I was saying.

"girly"

fascinating.

[Juzz976]

IMHO go twin but bigger!

Dont get me wrong, I love the fours but the ride is way different as with the sound.

I guess I just can't be bothered changing gears all the time....

[Little Miss Trouble]

Because only girls should get useable smaller engined sportsbikes?

Of Course. Men are supposed to be able to want the biggest, baddest, totally impractical for 95% of their riding, sprotsbike. You are a man, aren't you? :shutup:
[/sarcasm]

[firefighter]

"girly"

fascinating.

Just my opinion, and i'm meaning in comparison to the R6 we often think of. To me it just does'nt quite cut it. I know, we don't all think the same that's for sure, side by side I would be feeling like i'm missing something between the two if I had the 's' version.

Lets not get too off track here or too carried away, it's what he likes the look of that counts here really!

[firefighter]

Of Course. Men are supposed to be able to want the biggest, baddest, totally impractical for 95% of their riding, sprotsbike. You are a man, aren't you? :shutup:
[/sarcasm]

Not necessarily, I would never get a 1000cc bike. And my dream bike is an 848, rather than the 1098 or 1198.......I know i'd never use that.

I'm completely motivated by the looks. The performance is completely moot for me as they're all going to give far more than I could ever use. If I could afford it i'd sell my 750 and get a 06' R6, which is actually a downsize! It's just my favourite Jap bike.

You have me waaaaay wrong! :drinkup:

[Juzz976]

oh yeh VFR800 is a damn fine bike, I would very much like one of them.

If I could ever bare to part with my TL it may be for one of them, just for a while as an interim thing.

[imdying]

What's un-useable about an R6?Compared to an R6S, the torque curve. Perhaps the OP is looking for a track focussed bike, but that's not what I took from the post.


Of Course. Men are supposed to be able to want the biggest, baddest, totally impractical for 95% of their riding, sprotsbike. You are a man, aren't you? :shutup:
[/sarcasm]:laugh:

[Little Miss Trouble]

I'm completely motivated by the looks. The performance is completely moot for me as they're all going to give far more than I could ever use. If I could afford it i'd sell my 750 and get a 06' R6, which is actually a downsize! It's just my favourite Jap bike.

You have me waaaaay wrong! :drinkup:

Haha I'm not picking on you, or anyone in particular, just taking the piss out of the usual neaderthalistic sterotypical attitudes.


Not necessarily, I would never get a 1000cc bike. And my dream bike is an 848

Giz a ride when you get one Mister?

[mattian]

Mattian should be used to me giving him shit by now, he does after all ride a girls bike:shutup:[/SIZE]

My mangina aches from all the ribbing I've had since I got this bike..... lol

but yes! thanks for the advice and the VFR800 is a bike I have been considering too. I oggled at one when some joker pulled up next to me at the lights one day. Same height as my Gladius but much fatter with all the fairing, just wondering how it would manage while lane splitting. I would hate to accidently gouge some poor cagers paint job......:shifty:

[jimbo_on_travels]

I ride my R6S to work and back, go food shopping (+large backpack), weekend blats over the 'takas and oh the track once in a while.. :)

The beauty of the R6 (and other R6 riders will know this..) is it really shows you the technical mastery of motorbike riding.. if you're not in the power band (above 10,000 rpm) on a tight corner, you're pretty much dead or going nowhere. It also shows you how to take corners, what gear, when to shift, power, braking, road grip, weight distribution etc..

Going from a VTR250 a couple of years ago, I thought I knew how to ride.. but this machine has taught me waaaay more than I could have ever imagined.

[Thani-B]

I've starting thinking about transitioning from my Gladius 650 to a Sports bike.

I was in the same boat, wanting to upgrade from my ER6n. I started to test ride, and then spent a lot of time thinking about it and decided that my bike is perfect for what I need it for anyway. It's great for commuting, touring, it doesn't get left behind with the 250's, and I've even taken it on the track a few times. I'm still going to keep on test riding though, I just think I'll keep it for a bit longer.

My advice would be to test ride everything you can think of, and also take your gladius to a track day if you haven't already. It might change your mind about changing bikes.

[carbonhed]

There's a really good article in one of the latest Performance Bike mags about the K6 GSXR 750. I reckon that would tick all the boxes for you.

The 675's got the torque and lovely linear delivery but it's a torture rack tootling around in traffic. The 848 has a lovely motor but it's expensive and has an even more brutal ergonomic setup. The R6....? The least usable road bike of all the middle weights... but it is pretty.

[Luckylegs]

...The 675's got the torque and lovely linear delivery but it's a torture rack tootling around in traffic.

What's with that. Everyone says that but I commutue 20ks each way each day two up and frankly find it more comfy than my old 06 zx6r. .????

It's a mystery huh ? Maybe at 5'10 and change I'm shorter than ya average 675 pilot and hence don't notice it.

[carbonhed]

What's with that. Everyone says that but I commutue 20ks each way each day two up and frankly find it more comfy than my old 06 zx6r. .????

It's a mystery huh ? Maybe at 5'10 and change I'm shorter than ya average 675 pilot and hence don't notice it.

:laugh: Well everybody is different and I'm a bit taller but I hate dribbling around on a trailing throttle in traffic on mine. All the weight leans on the front end. Done some big miles up around Gisborne and East Cape and it's fine when it's flying... just not so much fun when it's not.

Never had anybody on the back either but then it doesn't have a pillion seat at the moment. Don't imagine that would be much fun either.

Yer a hard man and no mistake.