Upgrading from 250

[Hectic]

Iam looking at buying a new bike in just over a months time, and was wanting some advice on what to get? I have had a few goes on my mates 98 zx7r and realy liked it, but there doesnt seem to be many around for sale, also had a go on a K2 Gixxer thou and couldnt wipe the smile off my face for a couple of days:cool: but think I might leave the thou's for a bit later, so I have something to upgrade to.

Any advice would be much appreciated:niceone:

[fireball]

Iam looking at buying a new bike in just over a months time, and was wanting some advice on what to get? I have had a few goes on my mates 98 zx7r and realy liked it, but there doesnt seem to be many around for sale, also had a go on a K2 Gixxer thou and couldnt wipe the smile off my face for a couple of days:cool: but think I might leave the thou's for a bit later, so I have something to upgrade to.

Any advice would be much appreciated:niceone:


ill take your 250! :woohoo:

[Kinje]

Think about what kind of riding your wanting to do and what kind of bike matches that riding style.

I'd keep away from the IL4 Thou's too. I went through this process a few months ago and was really keen on a V2 Thou. Test rode quite a few, but then I realised I could still learn more on the 250 so scrapped the idea of upgrading and kept on the 250 for a few more months.

Then just for interests sake I rode a CBR600RR and fell in love. I had to have it, bought it, put about 10000 km on it and wrote it off :( Now I'm back on the 250.

Don't jump up too quick, even the 600 had heaps of power. Think about your riding style and what you want to do with the new bike. Test ride.

Enjoy the process :)

[SimJen]

Many moons ago after three or four 4 stroke 250's and a two stroke, I sold my NSR250SP and bought a GSX-R600 (the older 2000 Shape).
Great bike and mega fast compared to my NSR, although the NSR was quicker around corners ;)
I then moved onto 1000's, having had a few now I don't think i'd go back to something smaller. The power is very addictive, I have to do trackdays to be able to use it properly!! :)
I think getting something midway, like a 600 is a good stepping stone and eases you into the performance difference (you gotta use common sense though).
I was a little older when I did the step, but I'd been riding two strokes fast for a number of years on track and road before I moved up in engine capacity.
Thinking back, I was happy to stay on the NSR till I had learnt what I thought it could teach me (I was a two stroke lover). Only then did I decide to move to something larger.

[Hectic]

Great advice guys, I hear what your saying, although I feel Iam ready to upgrade to something biger I have pushed my little 250 to its very limits, and it has been a great bike. Im still pretty keen on the 750s as Iam 6'2 and 95kg and would feel more comfortable on a full size bike, but maybe I will have to take a few 600s out for a test ride, I definatly want a sports bike thou.

[avgas]

I said it before, i will say it again. These bikes are perfect second bikes
anything 400cc or lower or
GB500
ER6 (n or f)
GS500 - new ones looks as good as the 600 sport bikes.
Monster 400/600
Hyosung 650's etc
something with less than 70hp
any more than 80hp and your a dead man

[MotoGirl]

I personally don't see the point in 400s so wouldn't suggest you go out and buy one. I semi agree with avgas where "any more than 80hp and your a dead man".

I reckon it's ideal to take a step up (e.g. to a 600), but don't take a too bigger step onto a 1000. The power on those things is just ludicrous and it might just chew you up and spit you out.

Once you've ridden something with a bit more power and you've thrashed the crap out of that, you would've learned to respect what power it does have and you'll be in a far better position to take on a 1k.

[avgas]

I personally don't see the point in 400s
Fair enough, but a question i propose to you is have you ever owned a 400?

[klyong82]

600s would be a good step up. They got enough power for riding and to keep up with the thou's. They turn better too

The 98 zx7r were heavy bikes. Personally I would get a GSXR750. So much lighter and might have been the first of the fuel injected engines.

[Gremlin]

The 98 zx7r were heavy bikes. Personally I would get a GSXR750.
On paper, the gsxr wins, but the 7r kicked decent ass, for its age, weight, and had an amazing front end. Looked a shitload better too

imho, if you're going to get a 600-750, buy a second hand older one. Too many go from a 10+ yo 250 to a brand new 600, and think its brilliant, and they can handle it. Sure, they handle really good, but its only when the shit hits the fan, that you find out whether or not you actually have the skills to handle it.

I went from a zzr250 to a modified 7r (and modified it a bit more ;)) and I think it was perfect for me. It taught me how to handle a big bike, that is good, but not brilliant or easily flickable. Once you move up from that, most other bikes are easy to handle (to a given speed anyway).

[jrandom]

I don't care what anyone else says, 7Rs give me the horn. Buy one if you can find one. I had to make do with a '99 GSX-R750. Nice bike, but less gnahhh.

Just don't be silly with the throttle and you'll be fine.

[blade1000]

got 02 kawasaki 636 for sale great bike

[HDTboy]

My K2 600 will be for sale this weekend, I'm in Takapuna if you want to have a look at it

[MotoGirl]

Fair enough, but a question i propose to you is have you ever owned a 400?

Nah, the first bike I owned was a VTR1000. I was lucky enough to ride Cajun's 250 and my mother's 600 so never had to worry about picking a bike until I wanted to ride something bigger again.

[jrandom]

My K2 600 will be for sale this weekend...

See above.

For what it's worth, this is a nice bike and very well cared for. Good choice for a first step up from a 250, too.

I've always wanted a gixxer in the Telefonica colours. Sigh...

I'd recommend getting in touch with HDTboy and checking his machine out.

[SPman]

DMNTD has got his ZX10R for sale........the perfect step up.......:woohoo:

[megageoff76]

Yeah something mid sized is a good choice. While having big power certainly is fun, its far more satisfying to have something you can really rev up and ride the wheels off, which is more difficult on the road with a big bike.

[Hectic]

Hey HDTBOY yeah could be interested in your bike whats your contact details so I can get hold of ya and how much you looking to get for it?

[Hectic]

DMNTD has got his ZX10R for sale........the perfect step up.......:woohoo:

Oooh ZX10R mmmmmmmmm:drool: love the power of those thous its really addictive, but proberly would be putting the nail in my coffin:doctor:

[FkNAmerican]

My vote goes to the Ninja 636. Dont know what used examples go for in NZ but here in the states you can pick up a nice 05 or 06 model for just over $5 grand........which IMO is a steal.

Examples from my local Cycle Trader:

2005 Zx6r 636, blue, only 200 miles, excellent condition, no dings, dents, or scrapes. Never been layed down. Bone stock and ready to ride. $5,800

2006 Ninja ZX636, 2,200 miles. Silver w/ red flames. Remaining warranty, no scratches or dings. Never been layed down or abused. Properly broken in. Adult ridden. $6,000

There is even one of the last remaining brand new ZERO miles examples in NC being sold for $8,899. Its kinda a cult bike here in the US so its tough to find a brand new 0 mile example these days.......Wish I had saved up some more cash and not bought that CBR........Id have jumped all over a brand new 636!!!!

Anyway, they have no serious issues or problems, they handle well, they have nice midrange grunt for a 600 and they look damn good.........

As far as I know, the only 600 class sports bike with a midrange like the 636 would be the 07 CBR600RR (or a Triumph 675) and those go for $$$$$$

If you wanna be conservative with your power/performance/price upgrades then you might look into a Ninja 500 (I think its called an Ex-500 in NZ). That bike it nice....if a bit heavy and utilitarian looking.

[NighthawkNZ]

Personally going from a 250 to the 600 is a good step and have a decent stint on them, then after that buy that 1ltr (or bigger) bike

Going from 250 straight to the big guns is IMHO too much of a power change even on the comparitly dossile vtr (though with a dino kit they are a different bike :doh:)

My point though its a huge step and many young riders make that mistake of too big a step... its not just the speed and power in a straight line any one can do that... but also how fast or not so fast are they in the twisties, they usually also have a longer wheel base, heavier, different balance and CoG... how forgiving the sub frame is... Though this applies to all bikes adding in the factor of 1000cc's to the mix on an intermediate skilled rider could be a dangerous mix...

My 2 cents worth and IMHO

[R6_kid]

take your time...

Take your time to test ride as many possibly bikes as possible. Ride different styles of bikes and see what you like, dont be too single minded!

Take your time to check out each bike in detail, taking notes of what you do and dont like about it as you ride them, and if possibly ride each bike on the same strech of road - preferably the strech of road you ride most.

Dont get emotional over upgrading, there is not rush, and you will find that the longer you take to decide the more (better?) options you will have.

Whatever you do end up getting... Take your time learing to ride it, it will most likely be a couple of months of good summer riding before your head has really caught up with the new speeds you are doing, especially in the case of jumping from a 250 to a 600. Remember that it accelerates a lot faster than your 250 and also carries its speed much longer than the 250.

Best of luck for your search dude, you'll get something mint in the end :Punk:

[HDTboy]

Anyway, they have no serious issues or problems, they handle well, they have nice midrange grunt for a 600 and they look damn good.........

As far as I know, the only 600 class sports bike with a midrange like the 636 would be the 07 CBR600RR (or a Triumph 675) and those go for $$$$$$

Um, looking up the performance (especially torque) figures here (http://www.motorcyclistonline.com/performancedata/#kawasaki) confirmed my seat of the pants feeling that the 636 makes less torque (or mid range grunt) than a K1-K3 GSX-R 600

[FkNAmerican]

Hmmm, I didnt know that about the K1 series Gixxer's. I've never really taken a look at them as I've never been into the old school sportbikes. The oldest bike I'd even consider would be a 2002 year or similar. Looking back, the 90's era bikes just dont do it for me.

But hey, if he can find a good K-1 and he actually likes them then more power to him. Im sure they are cheap as dirt these days.

[HDTboy]

K1 is the same as K2 which is the same as K3. All injected, all faster than 636's

[VF AAR]

I agree with one of the other guys who posted saying they fell inlove with cbr600
Those things are beuts man wish i never sold mine.

Anybike can be an ideal upgrade man. I mean I upgraded to an older and less powerful bike and still get the same joy out of it. 600cc is the best gap to jump in my opinion though.

[Coyote]

I had a CBR250, downgraded to a RG150 cause they were cheaper, and now I'm onto my VFR400. I got it instead of a 600 which is what I really wanted because insurance was cheaper, consumables are cheaper and don't run out so quick and the V4 engine sounds so good. I'm pleased with it, I'm having great fun. A 600 would be more fun on straights but the 400 has plenty of power around corners for me right now. Although it annoys me in hindsight I should've got a 250 2 stroke instead of the 150 long ago since they were cheap back then (dealers have got hold of them) and I could handle the power.

[Hectic]

Cheers for all your input guys and gals much appreciated, but I think im still going to go for the zx7r (if I can find one) my mate has a 98 zx7r which I have taken for a couple of long rides now, and although it is quite heavy and lacks the power of a gsxr750, I really enjoy it. also has a desent back seat for the mrs (she gets a sore ass on the 250)

I still have just over a month before I can go for my full licence and have got to get rid of my bike as well, which is a great bike if any one is interested 89 gsxr250rr it is the RR model in black and red and goes bloody well, will probably put it on trade me.