Intermediate bike advice, moving on from a VTR250?

[StefM]

Hi Riders,

I am a learner rider since September and am currently down in Wellington riding a Honda VTR 250, which I absolutely adore! I am a very tall woman and the bike is perfect for commuting round town. However it's just struggling with me at highway speeds and on long rides out of town. I pretty much live on this bike and am riding all the time in every weather, I just feel as though my riding isn't improving with it! :facepalm:

I'm looking for something that is similar in riding style, naked look, with some grunt!! that is LAMS approved and isn't going to break the bank. :woohoo: I am also moving up to Whangarei in a couple of weeks so would be selling VTR immediately and looking to buy around the Auckland region.

There seems to be a few Suzuki GS500 available on trademe up there. IS this the sort of bike that I could handle and would improve my riding whilst not being too much for me?? Any other opinions on which bike or make is a good idea? 400 or 500 cc, i think I would hurt myself having too much fun on a 600+...

Looking for as much help as possible! The idea of selling the VTR and being bikeless is terrifying! :eek5:

Cheers,

Stef

[SMOKEU]

I've never ridden a GS500, but from what I've heard they're pretty sedate so you won't have any trouble. I didn't find it too bad going from a CBR250 to a GSXR600 which has about double the power of the GS500. Just take it easy until you're used to it and there won't be any problems.

[TheDemonLord]

Suzuki Hayabusa :lol:

I am oogling up a GSX650FU - the LAMS approved version and after taking it for a ride, it is ver nice, but since it is a new model, it comes with a new model $$$

[Stirts]

I didn't find it too bad going from a CBR250 to a GSXR600 which has about double the power of the GS500. Just take it easy until you're used to it and there won't be any problems.

What he said.

I went from a Hornet 250 to ER6n. Had no issues, just take it slow and steady getting to know your new bike, and you'll be sweet.

[Devil]

There seems to be a few Suzuki GS500 available on trademe up there. IS this the sort of bike that I could handle and would improve my riding whilst not being too much for me??

The GS500 is a motorcycle. You cant really get any more specific with it. It goes, stops and turns, but doesn't really do any of that particularly well. It *IS* however pretty good value, not too heavy and reasonably reliable.

If you want something exciting, look somewhere else.

Yeah ER6 or something would be fine. How tall is tall? You can have a lot of fun on something like a Suzuki DR650 adventure bike... Very friendly, quite comfy and you can take it plenty of dumb places.

[Crasherfromwayback]

There seems to be a few Suzuki GS500 available on trademe up there.Cheers,

Stef

GS500's are great wee bikes Stef. You'll be fine. Best of luck with the move!

Pete

[oneblackflag]

Suzuki Hayabusa

+1 Just dont put L plates on it aye:innocent:

[Erelyes]

I am a learner rider since September and am currently down in Wellington riding a Honda VTR 250, which I absolutely adore! I am a very tall woman and the bike is perfect for commuting round town. However it's just struggling with me at highway speeds and on long rides out of town. I pretty much live on this bike and am riding all the time in every weather, I just feel as though my riding isn't improving with it! :facepalm:

Nothing wrong with the GS500.

All due respect I think you'll have plenty to learn yet on your 2fitty though. Have you done any courses e.g. ACC subsidised bronze/silver www.rideforever.co.nz ?

I am 6'3 (190cm) and ride an 07 Ninja 250, btw. I looked into getting a GS500 and they are not going to offer too much more 'grunt' etc for the ~$5k a tidy one costs.

When you say it's struggling at highway speeds - can you clarify? My bike will do 100k up nearly any hill*, you just have to keep it in the revs.

* Haven't tried Baldwin St yet

[boman]

Hi Riders,

I am a learner rider since September and am currently down in Wellington riding a Honda VTR 250, which I absolutely adore! I am a very tall woman and the bike is perfect for commuting round town. However it's just struggling with me at highway speeds and on long rides out of town. I pretty much live on this bike and am riding all the time in every weather, I just feel as though my riding isn't improving with it! :facepalm:

I'm looking for something that is similar in riding style, naked look, with some grunt!! that is LAMS approved and isn't going to break the bank. :woohoo: I am also moving up to Whangarei in a couple of weeks so would be selling VTR immediately and looking to buy around the Auckland region.

There seems to be a few Suzuki GS500 available on trademe up there. IS this the sort of bike that I could handle and would improve my riding whilst not being too much for me?? Any other opinions on which bike or make is a good idea? 400 or 500 cc, i think I would hurt myself having too much fun on a 600+...

Looking for as much help as possible! The idea of selling the VTR and being bikeless is terrifying! :eek5:

Cheers,

Stef


A Suzuki Gladius. It is still a Vtwin, and it will do everything you want it to do, all day long.

Or if your pockets are deeper, then the Ducati Monster 656. Again a Vtwin, and a lot of fun to boot.

[Gremlin]

Budget? New or 2nd hand? Honda have their CB500 range as well.

[Metastable]

GS500e (naked) is a great bike. I had one as a second bike many years ago. It is easy to work on, it was easy to ride, and the best part is you can buy a used one that is a few years old and sell it for the same amount a few years later. :D

As mentioned lots of good parallel twin bikes out there that are similar.... like a CB500.

[TheDemonLord]

+1 Just dont put L plates on it aye:innocent:

Nah, you need the LAMS approved version :lol:

[AllanB]

Nah, you need the LAMS approved version :lol:

Pull three of the plug leads and it may just squeeze in ..........

[Akzle]

:woohoo: I am also moving up to Whangarei in a couple of weeks
yessssssss...
:devil2:


There seems to be a few Suzuki GS500 available on trademe up there. IS this the sort of bike that I could handle and would improve my riding whilst not being too much for me??

pretty much anything is better than a honda.
And pretty much anything LAMS will not punch your babies.

But since youve honda'd already. Get horny.


...A honda horny.

...Hornet that is..

Nothing wrong with the gs.

Asides from missing an 'x' and an 'r' and being a slow piece of shit.

[skinman]

could look at the baby beemer adventure bikes, not expensive & go forever

[TheDemonLord]

Pull three of the plug leads and it may just squeeze in ..........

Okay - now I just have to caclulate that!

LAMS rules:


a maximum power-to-weight ratio of 150 kilowatts per tonne (the power is that specified by the manufacturer and the weight is the weight specified by the manufacturer plus 90kgs for the rider and riding gear); and
an upper engine capacity limit of 660cc.

So a single Hayabusa cylinder is 325cc (1300/4) so we are good there.

Power according to wikipedia is 147 KW - so per cylinder is (147/4) is 36.75 KW, Dry weight is 250 KG (according to Wiki) so plus 90 for the rider is 340. so power per tonne is: 36.75 / 0.340 which gives us 108 KW/tonne

So yes, a single cylinder Hayabusa would be LAMS approved (just) :lol::lol::lol::lol:

but not a 2 cylinder

[oneblackflag]

So yes, a single cylinder Hayabusa would be LAMS approved (just) :lol::lol::lol::lol:

but not a 2 cylinder

Gotta love a Thumper:headbang:

[rustyblade]

Okay - now I just have to caclulate that!

LAMS rules:


a maximum power-to-weight ratio of 150 kilowatts per tonne (the power is that specified by the manufacturer and the weight is the weight specified by the manufacturer plus 90kgs for the rider and riding gear); and
an upper engine capacity limit of 660cc.

So a single Hayabusa cylinder is 325cc (1300/4) so we are good there.

Power according to wikipedia is 147 KW - so per cylinder is (147/4) is 36.75 KW, Dry weight is 250 KG (according to Wiki) so plus 90 for the rider is 340. so power per tonne is: 36.75 / 0.340 which gives us 108 KW/tonne

So yes, a single cylinder Hayabusa would be LAMS approved (just) :lol::lol::lol::lol:

but not a 2 cylinder

shame you can't shove in a restrictor like you can in the UK...
33bhp 'busa would be hilarious!

on a serious note, VFR400. That is all. Only the pretty ones.
Gotta love that cam gear whine, gets me every time!

Damn I miss my VFR.

[Erelyes]

shame you can't shove in a restrictor like you can in the UK...
33bhp 'busa would be hilarious!

on a serious note, VFR400. That is all. Only the pretty ones.
Gotta love that cam gear whine, gets me every time!

Damn I miss my VFR.

Except they're not LAMS.

RVF400 is, and is the fastest LAMS bike one can buy, but you pay accordingly (if you can find one)

[rustyblade]

Except they're not LAMS.

RVF400 is, and is the fastest LAMS bike one can buy, but you pay accordingly (if you can find one)

shame they don't make a BabyBusa, hell Honda, Kawasaki, KTM and a load of other companies have made decent sporty lams bikes, why don't suzuki get off their arses and make something cheap, new and looks like it's breaking the speed limit still?
CBR500R's interest me for some reason.

[TheDemonLord]

They do the GSX650FU - which is rather nice...

[Spyke]

have a look at the cagiva rapter 650

[yevjenko]

Depends on
- how tall you are,
- what your budget is.

I would say that a gs500 would probably be too small for you if are have long legs as the saddle is quite low. perfectly competent bikes otherwise

for my money a tall bike like a kawasaki klr650, Suzuki dl650 vstrom or similar would suit well

here's the list http://www.nzta.govt.nz/licence/getting/motorcycles/lams.html

good luck and let us know how you get on

[Tigadee]

There seems to be a few Suzuki GS500 available on trademe up there. IS this the sort of bike that I could handle and would improve my riding whilst not being too much for me??

Yes.


Any other opinions on which bike or make is a good idea? 400 or 500 cc, i think I would hurt myself having too much fun on a 600+...

Honda CB500 series, Kawa ER series or their 300cc Ninjas... I recall another lady rider a couple years ago who went from a GN to the GS500 and she was very happy with that move.

[rustyblade]

ducati monster lite? Or the 400 for cheaper ACC?
They're pretty great all-rounders and make a nice rumble... oh and the frames look neat all red or white.

Costs aren't ridiculous and they're actually pretty cool bikes that'll last well.
Providing you give them an italian tune-up here and there...

I'd ride one happily and I'm 5'11"