Going from a 250 to a thou....too much of a jump?

[DarkLord]

Hey all,

This isn't something I'm planning on any time soon as I've only had my learners for 2 months and only been riding my Whoflung 250 for 3 months, so I'm still very much in the learning curve...

but sometime in the future I'd love to get myself an R1, or a CBR-1000 or something. A litre bike with some serious fugging balls. I can see it being a very steep learning curve, going from a little 250 to a monster like an R1 or something....

So what I really wanted to know is, how many of you out there have done this sort of thing, and would you recommend making a jump that big? One of my flatmates has done it (although it was a very old thou he went to, an '87 Kawasaki GTR-1000) and he hasn't had any bins or anything, but I'd like to get a bit more feedback.

Still a long way off, like I said but it'd just be nice to hear some thoughts from those of you who have made a jump this size and what your experience of it was like, and if you'd recommend it to others.

:)

Cheers all,

Graham.

[Jimmy B]

Hey Graham, plenty on this topic already but my 2c

Nothing is impossible and plenty have done it but I think the jump to a litre bike from a 250 is not the smartest idea.

If the numbers 0-100 in 2.8 secs sound daunting then also consider 80-90 meters per second near the top end. If you have the skill and discipline to control a machine with these characteristics then no problem. If you have a doubt then maybe aim la bit lower.

Luck

JB

[MSTRS]

Listen to all the advice first. Get all the pros and cons. Then go get yourself a 600 sprot as a step-up. They will have more than enough go for you.
Edit: - have a read of Mikkel's journey from ZXR250 to a (old) ZXR750

[HornetBoy]

I jumpt from a 250 hornet to a 900 hornet ,was really great choice in my mind .

Only hassles were :

the bike weighd alot more so i had to get used to wrestleing it a bit more.
the fuel injection was very touchy compared to carbies so i had to get used to that.
The power :shit: wow ,instead of basically redlineing or winding the throttle full lock to get going i only had to flick and i was off.
Basically the power change was the major thing to get used to as it was so nerve racking and made me have an almost fear in the bike ,this wore off after a few days of rideing but yea.

I personally now ride a 600cc as its just a whole lot more fun and i think its much more exciting to make a slower bike go fast then a big bike and its just a whole lot more tempting to open it up on the straights with a 1000cc bike whereas a 600 youve got that high revs and fun of flicking through the gears while not having to be at warp speeds.

id reccommend the 250-1000 jump ,but personally wouldnt think of a R1 or cbr1000rr just too much going from a 250cc .why not go with a R6 if you have to choose a supersport styled bike ?

[Mikkel]

Well, having made the jump from a zxr250 to a zx7rr (which has about the same power as a modern IL4 600 ccm sportsbike but more weight) just yesterday I think I would put it this way:

If you possess a healthy amount of discipline and a strong sense of self-preservation you MAY be ok.

Without at least those two you're likely to get into trouble very very quickly :yes:
As MSTRS said, a modern 600 ccms would most likely have all the go you could possibly want coming from a 250. It's a completely different ballgames.

[DarkLord]

Thanks for the replies everyone.

I do consider myself a pretty disciplined rider and I think I have the discipline and mental stability to be able to handle a bigger bike, but at the same time I still have a lot to learn so perhaps an R1 would be a bit too much.

I can see the weight issue being a problem as I'm not exactly a heavyweight (I weigh about 60 kgs) and I can imagine wrestling something like an R1 as one helluva battle. However, my flatmate can do it and he's currently riding a Bandit 1200, so it is possible.

I do like the idea of an R6 though, Hornetboy.

[MSTRS]

Hyobag - 28hp
R1 - 180hp
60kg (relatively) inexperienced rider
Working that one out is a no brainer

[DarkLord]

True that, but like I said it's not something I'd look at doing for a few years or so. I was just curious to hear about others who have made a jump that size and what their thoughts were.

[Jimmy B]

I can see the weight issue being a problem .

Strangely most new riders concern themselves with a perceived weight issue when in fact weight can be a valuable ally and is something that you get used too very quickly.

The real issue is power and the amount of ground you can cover before you realise that you have made a mistake. :niceone:

[DarkLord]

True, that's good to hear. I guess it just concerned me a little because every now and then I find myself wrestling with the Hyosung, to keep it up while riding slow, which was why I thought having a bigger bike would present a problem.

Hopefully that's just because I'm still a n00b and that problem will be resolved by experience by the time I look at something bigger. :)

[Jimmy B]

As your skills improve you will work out how to manage your bike and weight will no longer be an issue, especially at low speed. Once thats worked out then the step up in terms of weight will not be a problem.

Given your current bike size a 600 sprots will not feel much different but it will be considerably quicker. I am more into naked bikes but rate the R6, it has some "serious fugging balls" and would be my weapon of choice for 90% of the riding that we do.

[onearmedbandit]

Seriously, I've been riding sportsbikes for 15yrs and my thou can still scare the shit out of me and if I wasn't careful and experienced, could easily put me into a very bad situation, such is the power, torque and sheer acceleration of these things.

My suggestion? You're young (I assume), relatively new to the sport, and in no rush to die. Take your time getting the most out of your current bike, use it as experience, then when the time is right update to a 600, even a CBR600F4 will blow your mind compared to your current ride. Repeat the previous step, get the most out of that bike you can, use it as experience. Then maybe a new 600 or 750, or maybe even then you will be ready for the thou. The thing is, when you step up to one of these bikes you will need as much experience and confidence you can muster to even begin to enjoy a thou, otherwise it will scare the shit out of you every time you ride it (ie you will never use it to it's ability, and will probably be faster and more confident on a smaller bike).

[DarkLord]

You have a good point, onearmedbandit.

I certainly want to be riding the bike to its full potential and don't want to be terrified every time I get on! My plan is to stick with the Whoflung at least until I get my full licence which is probably 18 months away or more anyway.

I've heard stories about people touching the throttle on a thou or something and having the thing take off like a ballistic missile. No doubt it would take a lot of getting used to especially seeing as I have to open the throttle right up on the Whoflung just to pass someone.

The idea of an R6 first or a Ninja or something seems to make more and more sense.

[Morcs]

Little steps are good. You still get awed by them.

I went:
50cc
180cc
250cc
400cc
600cc
1000cc

You couldnt get any more perfect steps really, and you get to know the different size engines and what they are capable of, for example, I loved 400's, and will quite happily own another one.

[EJK]

Test ride them (R1, CBR1000 etc). If you bin, then get something smaller ;)

[DarkLord]

Hehe....I'm sure the store would be delighted if I came back with a smashed up R1 and said "nah it's a bit too big for me at the moment ay, thanks for the test ride though!"

[EJK]

R1:

177Kg
112Nm
180hp


GT250R:

146Kg
22.68Nm
28hp


R1: 1.01hp/kg, close to a 1:1 ratio.
GT250R: 0.19hp/kg.

According to the calculation, it's basically 5 times more powerful. :sunny::sunny::sunny:

You'll feel some difference ;)

TBH, its your choice not mine :yes: follow your heart(?)

[Ragingrob]

You have a good point, onearmedbandit.

I certainly want to be riding the bike to its full potential and don't want to be terrified every time I get on! My plan is to stick with the Whoflung at least until I get my full licence which is probably 18 months away or more anyway.

I've heard stories about people touching the throttle on a thou or something and having the thing take off like a ballistic missile. No doubt it would take a lot of getting used to especially seeing as I have to open the throttle right up on the Whoflung just to pass someone.

The idea of an R6 first or a Ninja or something seems to make more and more sense.

If you rode a litre bike to it's full potential... ummm... :pinch:, yeah I'm pretty sure there's no point. You could ride from Auck to Welly on an R1 in bloody 1st gear if you really wanted.

Get a 600, at least for a bit. Many people never bother to step up from that anyway.

Litre bike don't really appreciate speed limits if you wanna use them properly!

[DarkLord]

Whoa. The R1's only slightly heavier than the GT250, yet is nearly 5 times as powerful.

I see. I did not know that.

:eek5:

[YellowDog]

Hi Gazza,
To make such a large biking power jump, as you allude to in your initial post, IMO would be suicide.

If you were to trade in your 250cc on Monday afternoon and ride home on a CBR1000 in the evening, subject to a Post Mortem being required, you could be 2m underground by Thursday afternoon.

On the other hand, if you intent introducing yourself to such powerful beasts on a gradual basis; paticpating in Track days and also take some instruction, then you really will not have a problem. Your choice on the type of 600cc or 1000cc bike would also be a big factor in how much training you would need.

Take care and you will accomplish your ambitions.

'bon chance'

[McJim]

There are very few people out there who can actually use more than 60-70% of their litre sportsbikes. I've heard many litre bike riders talk of selling them for something smaller coz they can't really use what they've got on the open road or they're afraid they're going to lose their licence.

The big question is why do you want to move to a litre bike? In the context of the open road what are you going to do on it that you couldn't do on a 600 or even a 1000cc twin?

Once you answer that question honestly to yourself I think you'll see what your options are.

Enjoy whatever you do though.

[DarkLord]

So you think that even doing a track day on the Hyosung would help me handle a bigger bike better?

[tide]

So you think that even doing a track day on the Hyosung would help me handle a bigger bike better?

hell yeah... any time on the track will help... I did a track day on my hyobag... has made a huge difference...

[NOMIS]

Hey,

A friend of mine had his cbr 250 stolen from westgate he got payed out insurance and went and got a r1 and has had no problems, Me myself I dont think I would be able to handel the power around town and i mainly ride my bike to work and back everyday in traffic I wouldnt wana do this on something with the power of a r1. a r6 maybe :-)

[jrandom]

Don't get a modern thousand-cc sportbike.

You'll be all "WHOOOOAHHH!" for a bit, then you'll be WHOOOOAHHHH! some more, then you'll realise that basically, on such a bike, it's a choice between one or more of:

A. Getting far too cocky far too quickly, ending up in all sorts of trouble at something over 200 kilometres an hour and dying horribly;

B. Riding like a complete nana everywhere, never learning to go around corners properly, and being shit-scared of opening the throttle in case the thing goes sideways and wraps you around a tree;

C. The best option, mastering the bike after plenty of practice, which really should be on a track, and then spending a lot of your riding time feeling slightly frustrated because, frankly, riding a bike that's pretty much designed as a base machine for good lap times on international GP circuits on NZ roads can be... frustrating.

And don't forget that at some point during all of the above, you're probably going to lose your licence.

I'd say, once you can, just test ride everything, make sure you try riding styles of motorcycle other than 1000cc and 600cc production racebikes - after all, that's only a small (albeit popular) segment of the two-wheeled world.

Above all, have fun!

[DarkLord]

True that...I should get myself to a track day sometime. When I'm not quite as broke as I am right now!

I think the main reason I would consider a bigger bike, like a thou or something is because of my flatmates Bandit 1200 which just has torque and acceleration to boot in practically any gear (I know as I've been on it many times and that thing can go!) which is something that I'd really like to have on a bike, is just that buttload of power, right there whenever I need it.

Correct me if I'm wrong but from what I hear it's a bit different at least with my flatmates R6 as he has to drop gears and rev really high to get the power as the bike is apparently a bit gutless at lower revs. I guess I could get used to that but the idea of having all of that torque and acceleration right there is an attractive one. :)

[hurricane_r]

simple master 250----> goto 600
master 600 (good luck) go to thou


no point upgrading from a 250 if you cant
thrash the maximum tits off it,

[Steam]

no point upgrading from a 250 if you cant
thrash the maximum tits off it,

Certainly there is. If you want to tour around comfortably at 100kph and not hold up traffic on the uphill or into a headwind, then more than 250 is pretty much necessary. You don't need to be able to thrash the tits off a 250 to benefit from a bit more horsepower on the open road.

[tide]

I think the main reason I would consider a bigger bike, like a thou or something is because of my flatmates Bandit 1200 which just has torque and acceleration to boot in practically any gear (I know as I've been on it many times and that thing can go!) which is something that I'd really like to have on a bike, is just that buttload of power, right there whenever I need it.

Correct me if I'm wrong but from what I hear it's a bit different at least with my flatmates R6 as he has to drop gears and rev really high to get the power as the bike is apparently a bit gutless at lower revs. I guess I could get used to that but the idea of having all of that torque and acceleration right there is an attractive one. :)

mmm you are comparing a Bandit to a R6??? two completely different class of bikes... like comparing apples to oranges... mmm both fruit... simplistic but think you get the point...

you are currently on a lazy v-twin... very different to highly stressed inline-4

My first bike was the Hyobag... have upgraded to the ER-6N... awesome bike the ER is... but even on that have twisted the wrist a little hard and have gone oh shit... but managed...

I have also had the pleasure of riding jrandoms betty... mmm now that is a 1400 and a very nice bike to ride... comfy and sit in any gear, want to accelerate twist grip... but even that would scare the shit out of me if I was not careful...

test ride and enjoy...

[jrandom]

... because of my flatmates Bandit 1200 which just has torque and acceleration to boot in practically any gear (I know as I've been on it many times and that thing can go!) which is something that I'd really like to have on a bike, is just that buttload of power, right there whenever I need it.

:yes:

That's why I ride a GSX1400. Significantly more torque than a Bandit 1200 (or even the new 1250), and extraordinary levels of comfort for all-day touring at mildly illegal speeds.

Such bikes are great, but their main drawback is the fact that they're big and heavy and it takes a little bit of practice and skill to maneuver them around. Riding them also requires a fair degree of both commitment and restraint; you can't quickly correct for misjudgements like you can on a nimble sportbike.

There are plenty of bikes that you could look at that have better low-down pull than the new 600s. The current R6 is an extreme example; it's a bike that's really just designed for the track, with a very peaky engine, to all accounts.

Just try everything out there and see what you like, really. Don't get blinkered into thinking that your options are limited to folding your knees around your ears on a something-600 or a something-thou.

[DarkLord]

How long were you on the Whoflung for tide? How did you find the jump to the ER-6N?

[MaxB]

Since you are a noob I'd say wait a few years before stepping up. Get as much riding in as you can on your 250. Experience is everything. Even with its modest power you can still get a 28 day walk on your bike.

If you step up too soon you may use the extra power to compensate for the lack of skills and never develop as a rider.

Maybe you might want to look at Hyosung sites for tuning and set up data and think about better tyres, improved shocks and fork set up. A well trained rider on a well set up 250 is going to hard to catch especially on roads like the Scenic Drive or the Hunuas.

[klyong82]

I jumped from a 250 to a CBR900. Main thing was to be discipline with the throttle. Other than that it was pretty much learning to turn on a 180 size tyre compared to a 140.

When I owned the 900 I bought a 600 half a year later. Did not like as it did not have the torque of a 900 sold it a few months later. The other reason was also that the 600 had a higher seat height than the 900.

As many people have suggested get a 600cc first to learn and also appreciate what fun you can have with with a 600 especially on twisties.

[DarkLord]

:yes:

That's why I ride a GSX1400. Significantly more torque than a Bandit 1200 (or even the new 1250), and extraordinary levels of comfort for all-day touring at mildly illegal speeds.

Such bikes are great, but their main drawback is the fact that they're big and heavy and it takes a little bit of practice and skill to maneuver them around. Riding them also requires a fair degree of both commitment and restraint; you can't quickly correct for misjudgements like you can on a nimble sportbike.

There are plenty of bikes that you could look at that have better low-down pull than the new 600s. The current R6 is an extreme example; it's a bike that's really just designed for the track, with a very peaky engine, to all accounts.

Just try everything out there and see what you like, really. Don't get blinkered into thinking that your options are limited to folding your knees around your ears on a something-600 or a something-thou.

Thanks dude. That is one thing my flatmate complains about from time to time, is the weight of his bike. I can see myself on something a little lighter, we've got a fairly steep driveway and parking can be awkward sometimes... I find the Whoflung a bit of a pain to maneuver around our place at times so I can't imagine trying to do the same on a big lumbering beast of a bike!

I think the test ride idea is a good one too as I might find something that really suits me, yet I didn't expect would!

[tide]

How long were you on the Whoflung for tide? How did you find the jump to the ER-6N?

got the Hyobag 18Nov 06 I had the GT250R... and have had the ER-6N for just over a week... so mmm just under 18months, in most case the step up has been easy... weight wise the bikes are similar... power wise mmm double... and it is noticeable...

I am still learning the ER, and don't feel I needed to get anything bigger... ;)

[jrandom]

Thanks dude. That is one thing my flatmate complains about from time to time, is the weight of his bike. I can see myself on something a little lighter, we've got a fairly steep driveway and parking can be awkward sometimes...

I'm with you on that one.

To be honest, I often just park Betty on the footpath because turning her and backing her down the driveway and into the carport is such a 30-second pain in the arse.

:o

[jrandom]

I am still learning the ER, and don't feel I needed to get anything bigger... ;)

You won't ever need to get anything bigger, man. If you do, it'll just be because you want some form of different feel to the bike.

I followed Crazy Steve along SH22 the other weekend. I was on Betty, he was on his girlfriend's ER6. Put it this way, I sure as hell wasn't feeling the need to try and pass him...

[DarkLord]

So basically you can get next to the same performance out of a 1000 as you can to a 600, without that much difference, the only real difference is the weight of the bike and a different riding style?

I guess it all comes down to the rider too....

[tide]

You won't ever need to get anything bigger, man. If you do, it'll just be because you want some form of different feel to the bike.

I followed Crazy Steve along SH22 the other weekend. I was on Betty, he was on his girlfriend's ER6. Put it this way, I sure as hell wasn't feeling the need to try and pass him...


Yeah that is what I have been told... very capable bikes... must definitely do that swapsy ride soon... lol...

[avgas]

Just do it.
If your too much of a squid you wont get the chance to learn it and will die anywho.

[jrandom]

So basically you can get next to the same performance out of a 1000 as you can to a 600, without that much difference...

You'll notice the difference in:

1. Quarter-mile times at the drag strip.

2. Lap times at the track, maybe. If you could, f'rinstance, go out on a 1000 and do better lap times on any track than the guys racing 600s in F2 at the Nationals and winter series, I'll take my hat off to you. Off the bat, though, if you want to go play on a racetrack, you'll do quicker times on a 600 than a 1000. Guaranteed.

3. How easy it is to ride fast open roads with good surfaces at a pace of twice the legal limit or more. (Why would you ever want do that, anyway?)

[Jimmy B]

So basically you can get next to the same performance out of a 1000 as you can to a 600, without that much difference, the only real difference is the weight of the bike and a different riding style?

I guess it all comes down to the rider too....

Basically right, in fact the 600s are probably quicker in the tight stuff than the 1000's an advantage they hold till they hit the first straight thats longer than 100ms.

Back to the weight thing...this will sort itself out over time. The way I see it, if my 60 year old mate with bung knees can swing his Blackbird around on an off camber very steep driveway then the rest of us should have very little problem. Just takes practice.

[onearmedbandit]

So basically you can get next to the same performance out of a 1000 as you can to a 600, without that much difference, the only real difference is the weight of the bike and a different riding style?

I guess it all comes down to the rider too....

Oh don't forget the power wheelies at 150km/h in 2nd gear :lol: , and the satisfying feeling that you are riding a beast :lol: . I'll admit it, there (to me at least) is a satisfaction in knowing I'm riding a litre bike (must be my small cock), and I do love the effortless wheelies. Another reason for my choice in riding a thou is the spread of power and torque, passing, etc all happens in the slightest twist of the wrist. Of course there are other bikes out there capable of this, like for instance Mr Random's GSX1400.

[xwhatsit]

You say you've only had your learners for two months. Wait! You'll spend probably another year on your 250 just yet. In that time you'll learn wonderful things such as
Cornering properly
Dodging down little back streets
Having your bike completely tapped out at it's limits
The simple joy of riding a motorcycle fully
Pushing some fatty on an 1100 hard through some tight twisties

After doing this you'll forget about your desire for an R1. In fact, instead of seeing 300kph and knee-down as your end goal, you'll understand the fun of the journey of learning to ride a bike. And then you'll want to take it slowly -- buy a 450cc, perhaps, or a 650 twin. Try something interesting like a big single. Maybe after that an 800cc V4.

Going straight to a 1000cc you'll be cutting so much fun out of learning to ride. It's like women. Maybe you like blondes with big tits. Should you only bang blondes with big tits? No! Try a little spicy curvy Spanish bint. Maybe a sleek and tiny Japanese girl. That dark-haired jogger you see running most mornings. Try them all, then re-evaluate what it is that you enjoy about sex/motorcycling.

I'll lay off the good shit now.

[CookMySock]

I do consider myself a pretty disciplined rider and I think I have the discipline and mental stability to be able to handle a bigger bikeEveryone does though.. I think you will be ok on an R1 provided you keep those revvs well down, and don't drop it while doing a u-turn. But change down one gear too many in a corner and enter the danger zone, son.. :pinch:

The real problem is more like you will so busy trying to keep the shiney side up, that you will never expand your skillset - and that means it's not fun any more.

disclaimer: never ridden an R1

DB

[DarkLord]

Thanks for the advice Xerxes. I do plan to spend a bit of time on the 250 as of yet. From everyone's responses it seems to be that going to a 600 is a better idea than straight to a 1000. That may well end up being what I do, however time will tell of course! :)

I hear what people are saying about just going straight to a thou and missing out a lot of necessary skills they should have learnt on smaller bikes previously. That's something I DON'T want to do!

[vifferman]

Don't forget to get some dirt bike experience.

[jrandom]

Maybe you like blondes with big tits. Should you only bang blondes with big tits?

YES!

:2thumbsup

[vifferman]

YES!

:2thumbsup
D'Oh! That is to say: :doh:

[jrandom]

:doh:

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[Gubb]

Ha! and here you are in another thread telling me i'm mental.

Don't worry Gaz, i'll let you have a turn....

[EJK]

So basically you can get next to the same performance out of a 1000 as you can to a 600, without that much difference, the only real difference is the weight of the bike and a different riding style?

I guess it all comes down to the rider too....

Ask Renegade_Master.

He rides a 250cc CBR RR, and sometimes he over takes Ducatis*, Aprilias**, ZX-10Rs etc... in the Coro Loop twisties

*999S
**RSVR

No kidding :sunny:

[MidnightMike]

Hyobag - 28hp
R1 - 180hp
60kg (relatively) inexperienced rider
Working that one out is a no brainer

I think the word is suicide, with a side of stupidity.


You have a good point, onearmedbandit.

I certainly want to be riding the bike to its full potential and don't want to be terrified every time I get on! My plan is to stick with the Whoflung at least until I get my full licence which is probably 18 months away or more anyway.

1) You wont really be able to do that unless your on the track.
2) You wont even get close to that on a 600, and a thou? well.... have you ever watched those ghostrider videos on youtube?
3) Enjoy your 250, its one of the few bikes you can ride hard on the road without getting into trouble with mr plod, really quickly.


I think the main reason I would consider a bigger bike, like a thou or something is because of my flatmates Bandit 1200 which just has torque and acceleration to boot in practically any gear (I know as I've been on it many times and that thing can go!) which is something that I'd really like to have on a bike, is just that buttload of power, right there whenever I need it.

Correct me if I'm wrong but from what I hear it's a bit different at least with my flatmates R6 as he has to drop gears and rev really high to get the power as the bike is apparently a bit gutless at lower revs. I guess I could get used to that but the idea of having all of that torque and acceleration right there is an attractive one. :)

Its an inline four sportsbike, its made to be ridden in those revs.

If you want torque get a 650 twin - Like the sv650 or Er6n - Ive ridden both and they have enough to rip past cars like their not even moving - without even having to change down.

[Mikkel]

Seriously, I've been riding sportsbikes for 15yrs and my thou can still scare the shit out of me and if I wasn't careful and experienced, could easily put me into a very bad situation, such is the power, torque and sheer acceleration of these things.

You ought to be scared when you only have got one hand on the handle bar, wheeling along - at 240 km/h :rolleyes:

[onearmedbandit]

You ought to be scared when you only have got one hand on the handle bar, wheeling along - at 240 km/h :rolleyes:

Hey, if I had a choice I'd had both hands on the 'bars. Stop picking on the cripple. :weep:

[Toaster]

250 to a 1000? Maybe try a v-twin... less aggressive than the super sports bikes with in-line fours which have loads more HP.

I found the Honda Firestorm a good stepping stone from the GSX 250. More grunt but nothing too outrageous until the skill level catches up with the desire.

[1200custom]

if your only on your learners you still have a GOOD year and a half at least till you can get a bigger bike, in that time your choices will change all the time so theres not really much point in deciding on a new bike when you have had your L plates for only acouple of months

[henry]

I don't see why anyone would need a bike bigger than 600cc

[boomer]

Don't get a modern thousand-cc sportbike.

You'll be all "WHOOOOAHHH!" for a bit, then you'll be WHOOOOAHHHH! some more, then you'll realise that basically, on such a bike, it's a choice between one or more of:

A. Getting far too cocky far too quickly, ending up in all sorts of trouble at something over 200 kilometres an hour and dying horribly;

B. Riding like a complete nana everywhere, never learning to go around corners properly, and being shit-scared of opening the throttle in case the thing goes sideways and wraps you around a tree;

C. The best option, mastering the bike after plenty of practice, which really should be on a track, and then spending a lot of your riding time feeling slightly frustrated because, frankly, riding a bike that's pretty much designed as a base machine for good lap times on international GP circuits on NZ roads can be... frustrating.

And don't forget that at some point during all of the above, you're probably going to lose your licence.

I'd say, once you can, just test ride everything, make sure you try riding styles of motorcycle other than 1000cc and 600cc production racebikes - after all, that's only a small (albeit popular) segment of the two-wheeled world.

Above all, have fun!


Don't listen to these pussies!!!! buy a litre and enjoy it!!!!!

[boomer]

I don't see why anyone would need a bike bigger than 600cc

says you with a 675... :nono:


anyone moaning or telling you otherwise is a nanna and too scared based on there own fears and experiences.


race your own race and make your own choices.. stop being a fag.

[lostinflyz]

if you are into hoofing it take small steps. I got a 400 and nearly off'd myself on it for the first few rides. my flatmate had a '00 CBR and that is a whole other story.

if you cruisy and into slowly getting used to things a 600's the way to go. but if u like to give it a bit of a go, take smaller steps.

the biggest issues ive found on all my bikes is when you twist your wrist, u get there alot quicker. thats a problem when you going 100 into 35's.

but its all about discipline. and not being a fuckwit. like me

[jrandom]

anyone... telling you otherwise is... scared based on there own... experiences.

It's odd how with the drivel cut out, you sound like you're arguing against yourself.

;)

[boomer]

It's odd how with the drivel cut out, you sound like you're arguing against yourself.

;)

i'm sorry Dan, did i take up space on your interdweeb site?

My bad; as you were.

[jrandom]

i'm sorry Dan, did i take up space on your interdweeb site?

My bad; as you were.

C'mon, you know what I'm saying.

The folk who are twitchy about a n00b on a litrebike are twitchy with good reason and often from personal experience.

[Mort]

I agree with building up to a big sports bike.... But I totally disagree that 1000cc sports bikes are too much for the road. If you ride any bike (over 250 say) flat-stick your risking your licence and yourself. Road riding is not (all) about riding as fast as the bike will go....its about you getting what you want out of riding that bike.

In the end its about whether you like the experience of riding that bike. I like my CBR1000RR because its as light as a 600, has more punch throughout the rev range and when you do hit the gas its awesome. I seriously object to people saying to me its too much because in any given situation (Including the track) , it gives as much as I ask it for and (and there's no getting away from this)....I love riding it.

If your dream is to ride an R1, work on your skills, build up to it and get one. It won't disappoint performance-wise. But if you enjoy getting the maximum from a bike I would say a) stick to small bikes or b)start track riding.

One final point. Nothing will improve your skills like track riding and a 250 will do just fine for starters.

[slopster]

If you can ride a 250 confidently you can ride a modern 1000 confidently. Thats half the problem they are that easy to ride if you take it easy. The difference is that the 1000 will get you to warp speed in a few seconds if you open it up. You don't need to be experienced you just need to be sensible - probably for quite a while if your used to a 250. The new 1000's weigh about 2kg more then the 600's and probably no more then the old 250s.

[kermit63]

Just my 2 worth.

I had an XR200 25 years ago and got back onto a Daytona 675 just over a year ago. From what I've read, you're young, light, live on a steep drive and want a quick bike with lots of torque. I originally wanted an R6, but heard about the high revving and not being much fun around town, which too be honest is where I do most of my riding.

When the 675 came out, it seemed the perfect solution - speed with low down torque. Having owned it for a year, the riding position is fine, but low speed manouvering into parks with its reduced steering lock took a bit of getting used to. It will however chug along in the traffic at 3,000 revs no problems whatsoever.

Since then, the street triple (naked bike with same engine) has come out with it's more upright riding position and more low down torque. Also probably better for manouverability, so you might want to think about something like that.

Having said all that, i really, really, really wanted a sports bike so would have gone for the Daytona anyway. I didn't have the balls for a thou (it happens when you get older), so a 600ish was (and probably always will be) more than enough for me. So do what your heart really tells you, but as others have said small steps are also fun, and there is life after (pick an age that feels old) and you can still be riding a bike when you are (pick an age when you think you should have popped off), so there's plenty of time.

Good luck.

[YellowDog]

So you think that even doing a track day on the Hyosung would help me handle a bigger bike better?
I would suggest that you would hire/borrow a bigger bike for a track day. You could then get a good feel for how a bigger bike handles around different corner types, without their being any oncoming traffic to potentially cream you.

[YellowDog]

Just a bit concerned about the 1000cc status thingy!

As has been already been stated, it is not the engine size that will be your problem. All bike types have specific handling and performance capabilities. Going from a 250cc Hyo to an R1 would be suicide. Going from a Hyo 250 to a 1200 Bandit would be less challenging (but still a big step).

[MSTRS]

Will this help to put things into perspective?....
What's the top speed on your Hyobag? 140 - 150kph?
My 750 will beat that in 1st gear....and it's a slug compared to an R1.
If you want useable power/weight/size, then you should be looking at SV650/ER6.

[DarkLord]

Yeah top speed is about 150 or so, 160 but that'd be pushing it...

From everyone's replies the better idea seems to be taking steps towards it, perhaps getting a 600cc first once I've had the Whoflung for a year or 2, and after that perhaps look at a thou. Time will tell, I suppose.

[Phurrball]

250 to a 1000? Maybe try a v-twin... less aggressive than the super sports bikes with in-line fours which have loads more HP.

I found the Honda Firestorm a good stepping stone from the GSX 250. More grunt but nothing too outrageous until the skill level catches up with the desire.

What Toaster says is true: I made the jump from a Bandit 250 - the Firestorm is probably the least agressive of the big twins, and you can make such a jump IF you are by nature a cautious and level-headed person not prone to rash decisions.

I think I'm a relatively cautious rider (I hope I'm accurate in that assessment) I'm almost 30 and the voices of reason are louder these days if considering a potentially risky move (It'll hurt, be expensive, a pain in the arse etc if it goes pear-shaped).

I've yet to explore the potential of my bike to 100% (maybe 85% so far) and yet it's still given me a few scary reminders that I'm on a large (relatively) powerful bike - back end jumping sideways after downchanges, spinning up the back or hoisting the front when you weren't expeciting or desiring it. This from a bike heavier and less powerful than a modern supersport 600, and nowhere NEAR the fearsome power of a modern thou. My 'storm still feels to me like it spits the world out behind you if you crack the throttle...It's probably too much, but I'm growing into it by keeping my throttle hand in check.

What has been said about big bikes being HEAVY is also true - I'm nearly 100kg and 5'11" ish, yet the weight of the 'storm has caught me out a few times in slow manoeuvres (2 gentle lie-downs at the top of our gravel drive where it just went past the point of no return)

I regularly ride our VTR250 too - and it's so much fun! (in a different way to the 'storm) So light and easy to corner and manoeuvre - and so much cheaper to run! Tyres, fuel, chains/sprockets, insurance etc - there's a price to be paid to own a big bike...

Don't be in too much of a hurry to make the biggest leap of all...250s and other smaller bikes are great fun!

[CookMySock]

if you still really like your GT250R, and you ride around town mostly, then you must spend a morning caning a GT650R around town. They are a blast in traffic, with soo little gearchanging and sooo much torque, and that fat vtwin crackle behind you.. and so cheap!

I can't imagine I will ever want much more "bike" than an R1, but I worry that around town it just wont be fun any more. A step backwards even ?

DB

[Yanosh]

Don't get a modern thousand-cc sportbike.

You'll be all "WHOOOOAHHH!" for a bit, then you'll be WHOOOOAHHHH! some more, then you'll realise that basically, on such a bike, it's a choice between one or more of:

A. Getting far too cocky far too quickly, ending up in all sorts of trouble at something over 200 kilometres an hour and dying horribly;

B. Riding like a complete nana everywhere, never learning to go around corners properly, and being shit-scared of opening the throttle in case the thing goes sideways and wraps you around a tree;

C. The best option, mastering the bike after plenty of practice, which really should be on a track, and then spending a lot of your riding time feeling slightly frustrated because, frankly, riding a bike that's pretty much designed as a base machine for good lap times on international GP circuits on NZ roads can be... frustrating.

And don't forget that at some point during all of the above, you're probably going to lose your licence.

I'd say, once you can, just test ride everything, make sure you try riding styles of motorcycle other than 1000cc and 600cc production racebikes - after all, that's only a small (albeit popular) segment of the two-wheeled world.

Above all, have fun!

Great post mate - had me laughing out loud and wondering why I have an R1?!

I started on a Bandit 250, took it to the track and rode it hard for 1 summer before owning a cbr600f for a couple of months - Now I have an R1 and I love it but the thoughts posted above are very true!

(I had an oversea's unrestricted licence from the start)

[cowboyz]

the whole problem with the "should I go from 250 to 1000?" threads is (to be frank) you simply have no idea. The figures are impressive but they are just numbers.
I had a 250. Went for a 600 when I got my full. In the first few days I owned it I was following my wife out of town. We both pulled up to a give way. I was behind her. I thought I would be cheeky and pulled out past her as she took off. Wound on 1st gear to find a cop come round the corner. I only JUST passed my wife when I saw the cop and jumped on the brakes. Nabbed at 81km/hr. Took some talking to get out of that one (and that was just with the wife, cop didnt let me off). and I didnt get out of first gear.
I changed to the 9 for 2up riding because Mrs C didnt like the 6. (that and power wheelies)... I now consider the 6 was really tame.
In a couple of years it will all fall into place. Dont be in a rush to upgrade. It is really hard to go backwards. Power is addictive.

[Dealer]

Being a big man, i decided to take the big leap.
I went from my lil zzr 250 to a 1300 hayabusa.
3 weeks later i binned it.:Oops:
i learned from that, and when i got my bike back, my riding improved dramatically.
For anyone considering the leap, remember this. You cant just throw a big bike into the corners, you have to work out your entry and exit strategy at every corner, more so than a smaller bike. And also, a bike that can go faster, takes longer to stop too.
Ultimately though, it is your choice to make.

[CookMySock]

Going from a 250cc Hyo to an R1 would be suicide.What am I not getting ? Does an R1 throttle only have two settings ? off and on ? I'm not being argumentative - I would really like to get a used R1 this coming summer.

My 15 y/o learner kid can get in a $60,000 holden V8 and drive it quite successfully without all this 300kph talk.. Why can someone who has 12 months and 25,000km recent experience on a large(physical size) sport bike, not safely pootle around on an R1 ?

An R1 is not going to bite your arm off just by walking past it. So really, what am I missing ?


DB

[rogson]

Being a big man, i decided to take the big leap.
I went from my lil zzr 250 to a 1300 hayabusa.
3 weeks later i binned it.:Oops:
i learned from that, and when i got my bike back, my riding improved dramatically.
For anyone considering the leap, remember this. You cant just throw a big bike into the corners, you have to work out your entry and exit strategy at every corner, more so than a smaller bike. And also, a bike that can go faster, takes longer to stop too.
Ultimately though, it is your choice to make.

Very true, and it doesn't apply only to new licence holders.

I have a number of "back-to-biking" mates who got their licences when a powerful bike had 50HP. They all went out and bought 100hp+ bikes because.......it stroked their ego. Everyone of them has had a major scare (and some major injuries) due to being seduced by the power/pick-up of the bike and not having the skills/confidence to deal with the consequences.

[cowboyz]

what you are missing is this.

Lets take a very basic example.

On a 250. You take off from some lights in a hurry. By the time you come to your senses you are doing 100k and slow down.

on a R1. You take off from some lights in a hurry. Front lifts. Little panic. Front hits the ground crossed up. Tank slapper. By the time you come to your senses you are doing 150k/hr.

And R1s dont do 'pootle'.

[kiwifruit]

R1s dont do 'pootle'.

of course they do

[cowboyz]

ok. put an R1 in the hands of a kwaka rider and it might 'feel' like pootle but really. R1s dont pootle.

[CookMySock]

On a 250. You take off from some lights in a hurry. By the time you come to your senses you are doing 100k and slow down.

on a R1. You take off from some lights in a hurry. Front lifts. Little panic. Front hits the ground crossed up. Tank slapper. By the time you come to your senses you are doing 150k/hr.see this just adds to my confusion. You speak like I have absolutely no fucking idea whatsoever.

I take off on a 250 and by the time I come to my senses I'm doing 100 clicks ? That is complete bullshit. I could make a cup of fucken tea and roll a smoke one-handed in that time, AND talk on the phone at the same time. Not really, but it's equally exaggerated as your description.

Sure, If I dial an R1 harrrrd in a low gear its gunna bite me. Do that in a hot V8 and it will bite you too. So don't.

If I dial it harrrd in ANY gear I had better have my fucking brain switched on or face impending doom. Why is this not clear to anyone ? Maybe when they bought it they thought it was a 125cc scooter ? I don't think so.

Ok, I do get it, that I might not enjoy it because, a. I'm too scared of it, b. it's too much work to ride, c. it's too much hassle around town, d. it will make me shake like a leaf after my first big scare - and then I'll sell it.

Case in point - my wifes' GT250R is much easier to corner than my GT650R. Really, it is - hers flows around corners - mine, you get it right or you go wide.

DB

[Ragingrob]

Bastard : The thing is, with R1's you don't need to do anything "harrrd" in order for it to bite you. A small flick of your wrist and BOOM.

[Cr1MiNaL]

JediMaster you have much to learn, like I've said (without meaning to put you down) you are perhaps 5% of the way there to being a competent rider, and thats on the 250. 600'ds and 1000's are a different ball game altogether.

Using Gordons example is very misleading, as others have pointed out. CC ratings are just numbers and although G's 2nd bike was on old 1000cc bike, it perhaps had little more than 70 hp and was 3ce as heavy as I am.Stepping up to an R1 you are more than doubling that figure.

To understand this concept better, let me share with you a small example from my University life, one that you can perhaps relate to. It is easy getting a B- B B+ and even an A-, but when you want an A or an A+ you have to be in the top 2-4 percentile of your class... similarly with speeds. When you are under 200 its all nice and gentle, 240 feels a bit intimidating at first.... and you feel every single km from then on in and the world around you changes... an R1 will take you to 300 and beyond before you can say "I would like to ride an R1 to its full potential but I'm too nub for it just yet".... and 600'ds are not far lacking in 'punish you if you so much as blink' factor either. The idea is to be smooth and therein lies the secret to speed. I shall show you when you are ready mate.

After 8 years on bikes and countless kays I am still not mentally ready for a thou... maybe thats just me but before I upgrade I always take it upon myself to master my current bike... and I am so far away from that its not even worth thinking about.

My progression has been (give or take a few) 149cc, 150cc, 150cc, 180cc, 250cc, 350cc, 450cc (motard), 600cc, 600cc... just to give you an idea.

Also dont let me mislead you when I say my bike is gutless under 9k rpm... yes it is (it has been specifically designed to be peaky, as it is a track bike first and a road bike second), but it will still blow your socks away !! Plus Gordon is a very capable rider himself and has been riding as long as me. Just like you and Josh, I dare not try learn master of puppets to begin with eh or it will just shatter my confidence in myself... I must start with nothing else matters... until you all tell me to shut it.

You have a very capable first bike, and are doing really well ... now MASTER IT ;)

[Timber020]

Dont do it, the lesson you may learn will be the hardest and most painful one you make until you get married.

[Yanosh]

When I was at Teratonga last weekend, the slowest rider and the guy who was in my opinion the most dangerous as he had no idea of lines and the bike was clearly far too intimidating for him was riding an R1....

Learn to ride and get onto a ltr sports bike when you know what you're in for

Do not be THAT guy :nono:

[McJim]

When I was at Teratonga last weekend, the slowest rider and the guy who was in my opinion the most dangerous as he had no idea of lines and the bike was clearly far too intimidating for him was riding an R1....

Learn to ride and get onto a ltr sports bike when you know what you're in for

Do not be THAT guy :nono:

Dude - I thought I was the slowest guy at Teretonga that weekend. I lasted 3 laps before the outrageous Motard activities made me decide to forget the track and go to the Catlins and do some outrageous speeds there in relative safety. I wasn't on an R1 though.....

[FilthyLuka]

Guys, come on

I did something reasonable, i jumped from a tweaked GN250 (~35 hp) to a slightly tweaked GSXR-750 (~110 hp) and its not crazy, just different. Sure the 750 wants to rev out, doesn't like being below 5k (thanks flatslides) and takes planning to corner, but its not suicidal. A woman in some honda sushi burner pulled out infront of me leaving school, i went around and was going to rip the throttle open to get back into my lane but brain went "Don't be fucken stupid." Rolled the throttle on gently, and was on my way.

Lets be honest here, he's not going jumping onto a H2a kawasaki with no experience what-so-ever, and an R1 is refined enough to be mental, but predictably mental. It's not going to be nice and quiet untill x revs then tear his balls of through the air intake

If you want to go from a 250 to an R1, go for it, just keep your right wrist in order and your brain switched on, when you loose focus is when it will bite

(personally i think a R1 would be silly, because i don't particularly like em, the first of 'em were pretty cool, but after '04 and the underseat exhausts it just went downhill for me. Ride some 600 and 750's, you might find that you like em better... on that note also testride some busses, George Forman Grills and a GSX1400 just to have some different stuff...)

Ride Safe

[Aero165]

of course they do

I second The 'Fruit.

I own a 06 R1. I commute on it ever day with out a problem.

It'll chug along nicely at 30km, 50km or 150km!

[.produKt]

I'm in the same boat i feel, but in a more sensible fashion :P

I'm about to go from a 1990 ZXr250 (76000 kms) to a 1992 Honda nc29 (?) CBR400RR.

i thought the zxr was bloody quick, but that's mostly all down to the noise at 18,000 torqueless rpm's... lol cheeky stab at zxr owners :P.

I haven't bought it yet mind you, so what do we think? do i go for it or flag it. I'm on my restricted and from what i've read i think the new biker rules might just allow me to ride it legally. Still unsure on that.

Chur!

[Paulus]

A friend bought a Fireblade as his first road bike. He had many years experience in the dirt including on a CR500 and he took to it like a duck to water. Another friend bought a 99 R1 after an RGV250 and sadly it destroyed his confidence. He would have been better off on a 600 and he ended up giving up completely.

To be fair the newer ones are a little easier to ride (if a little less exciting). I think what catches out a lot of riders from less powerful bikes is how easy it is to highside or lowside them coming out of a corner if you don't have good smooth throttle control.

If you buy one I guess you'll find out.

[jrandom]

on that note also testride some busses, George Forman Grills and a GSX1400 just to have some different stuff...

Oooh, you bitch.

[HornetBoy]

Cant go wrong with a 600 :2guns: except when you end up with a 215kg katana :argh: :bash: feels like a 250cc motor in a 1000cc frame

[avgas]

So really, what am I missing ?
DB
about 100hp
No but seriously, i was in exactly the same boat as you.
Be warned what your bike does at 100kph the big sport bikes do at 200kph.
Scared the shit out of me when i test rode the K5 Gixxer, 2001 R1 and ZX10R......there was no weight in the bike and the front wheel wouldn't go back down.
I bought the Fazer cos i still loved the motor, but not the lack of steering.

[Gwinch]

It's really not that much of a jump if you have some sort of self restraint. Sure you have the power to reach speeds previously thought ludicrious but really, how much do you value life? My suspicion is that a $10k+ bike pales in comparison. Assuming you have good throttle control and are not prone to scary moments of random throttle application during corners or slow speed maneuvering (also physically strong enough to handle the bike in such situations) you'll be just dandy.

So, how well do you know yourself and your limitations as a human being?

p.s I may be bias however, I just made the jump from a '96 Hornet 250 to a '07 VTR 1000 a matter of sixteen days ago. :whistle:

[onearmedbandit]

No disrespect to your bike, but a VTR1000 differs wildly from an R1.

[kiwifruit]

No disrespect to your bike, but a VTR1000 differs wildly from an R1.

what do you mean!? they're both thous!!!! :blank:

[onearmedbandit]

what do you mean!? they're both thous!!!! :blank:

Doh, my bad. Yes you're right.

[jrandom]

what do you mean!? they're both thous!!!!

Well, on the face of it, the same comment could be made vis-a-vis an R1 and a GSX-R1000 K3, couldn't it?

:buggerd:

[blueblade]

When I got back into bikes after a break of some 25 years I bought a 98 GSXR 600. Loved the sound it made when wound up but to be honest I really struggled to relearn on it. Needed to concentrate so much on being in the right gear that I was making little progress with the fine art of cornering. After 6 weeks I traded it on a 929 Fireblade and that was the best move I could have made. The bike had great handling and very good low and mid range power which made it much more relaxing to ride and let me concentrate more on cornering without having to worry so much about being in exactly the right gear all the time.
As others have said, provided you have a reasonable level of common sense and self control, most litre bikes can be ridden perfectly safely by someone with a couple of years (or even less) experience on a smaller machine.
Some people will never be safe, no matter what they are riding.
04/05 ZX10 might not be the best second bike in the world though :doctor:

[BIGBOSSMAN]

I got back into bikes after a 21 year break (and a painful leg break as well) and promptly purchased a nice little lime green '05 ZX10R.
It's as mean and 'widowmaker-ish' as I want it to be, and a brilliant re introduction into sport biking after my late, departed RG500 in 1986.
What's the fuss all about then? Just get to know the new weapon over time, don't just jump on it and propel yourself into oblivion immediately.

[lanci]

Yeah it is far to big a step but I am a pussy, girls blouse, soft-cock etc etc.

Honestly everyone is governed by ones own self control, so if you are a fucking moron, a litre bike may not be a good idea (I'm not saying you are moron). I get stupid sometimes and am inexperienced hence my choice of Monster 620, although that is easily enough to get you killed.

[Brett]

The fact is that the go-juice to the motor is controlled by your right hand...you dictate how much power goes to the rear. Fact is, having only ridden a 250, and a low powered one at that, a 600cc is enough to put you in trouble, a 1000cc will almost undoubtedly put you in the poo.

[discotex]

The fact is that the go-juice to the motor is controlled by your right hand...you dictate how much power goes to the rear. Fact is, having only ridden a 250, and a low powered one at that, a 600cc is enough to put you in trouble, a 1000cc will almost undoubtedly put you in the poo.

Exactly. Yes you are in control of your right hand but what's the point if you can never open it wide up because your experience isn't up there with the performance of the bike.

Even the 600cc supersports are a big jump. My CBR600RR is 3 times the power of a CBR250RR and the same dry weight. It's really too insane fast for the road but perfect on the track.

[backinthesaddle]

I went from a GSXR250 to a GSX750F many moons ago. Yes I did give myself some serious scares and was lucky enough not to crash. Now have a 1200 after 15 yrs of nothing & the same rules apply. Get to Know your bike & ride within your current capabilities. Increased speed & confidence will increase with age & experience. Take it easy & enjoy the ride! :yes:

[DarkLord]

Thanks for the advice everyone,

One thing that someone said that has proven to be very true is that a well trained rider on a well set up 250 is tough to keep up with on twisty roads. Like I say, I'm not the most experienced rider but today I was out with a whole heap of bikes out towards Hamilton on SH 22, and I passed (and stayed in front of) someone on a VR 1000. A lot of the bikes we were out with had more grunt on the straights but even the wee Hyosung kept up with the bigger bikes around the corners and stuff. I'm stoked!!

I wasn't planning on getting a bigger bike for a long time anyhow but after today it's really made me realise just how much fun you can have on a 250, plus how much I will need to learn before I can master the Whoflung and move up to something bigger. I can see myself sticking with the 250 for quite some time to come yet!

[backinthesaddle]

Thanks for the advice everyone,

One thing that someone said that has proven to be very true is that a well trained rider on a well set up 250 is tough to keep up with on twisty roads. Like I say, I'm not the most experienced rider but today I was out with a whole heap of bikes out towards Hamilton on SH 22, and I passed (and stayed in front of) someone on a VR 1000. A lot of the bikes we were out with had more grunt on the straights but even the wee Hyosung kept up with the bigger bikes around the corners and stuff. I'm stoked!!

I wasn't planning on getting a bigger bike for a long time anyhow but after today it's really made me realise just how much fun you can have on a 250, plus how much I will need to learn before I can master the Whoflung and move up to something bigger. I can see myself sticking with the 250 for quite some time to come yet!
glad to see you're out there enjoing yourself. that's what its all about. Some of my most enjoyable times were on my 250. You can have alot of fun wringing the shit out of them in the tight stuff without getting into serious warp speeds.

[DarkLord]

Thanks dude. Yeah I had a BLAST!!! there were so many bikes yet I was still at the front of the pack, I've never been so proud of the Whoflung in my whole time riding :D

I don't know if I would have enjoyed it as much with a bigger bike at this stage cos I reckon I would have found myself reaching warp speed and then hitting a corner and basically going "oh shit" and wiping out. I need to get to the point where I can give the Whoflung absolute hell and handle it, before I can think of taking up the challenge of something more ginormous. :)

[CookMySock]

I don't know if I would have enjoyed it as much with a bigger bike at this stage cos I reckon I would have found myself reaching warp speed and then hitting a corner and basically going "oh shit" and wiping out. I need to get to the point where I can give the Whoflung absolute hell and handle it, before I can think of taking up the challenge of something more ginormous. :)Yep. Having both a GT250R and a GT650R here, I can confirm the larger one requires more skill, patience, and BALLS to corner at more than nana speeds. Alarmingly, It wants to run wide at high speed if you chicken out on the bar-push, and at slower speeds, it wants to drop into the corner harder, when you DO bar-push hard.. So overall, the 250R is much more docile and predictable to ride. So to progress to the 650R, concentrate on accuracy, lines, and general precision at greater lean angles.

Oh but you will lurrrrve the fat thunderclap + crackle and big torque of the 650, hee hee.

DB

[Radar]

Thanks for the advice everyone,

One thing that someone said that has proven to be very true is that a well trained rider on a well set up 250 is tough to keep up with on twisty roads. Like I say, I'm not the most experienced rider but today I was out with a whole heap of bikes out towards Hamilton on SH 22, and I passed (and stayed in front of) someone on a VR 1000. A lot of the bikes we were out with had more grunt on the straights but even the wee Hyosung kept up with the bigger bikes around the corners and stuff. I'm stoked!!

I wasn't planning on getting a bigger bike for a long time anyhow but after today it's really made me realise just how much fun you can have on a 250, plus how much I will need to learn before I can master the Whoflung and move up to something bigger. I can see myself sticking with the 250 for quite some time to come yet!

Well said. Like you, I am having a great time on my Hyo 250 when riding with big bikes. No problem at all keeping up with the 600's, 800's, 1100's or whatever. Yesterday went for a long ride from Masterton to Wellington with ten other bikes and even managed to pass a few on the motorway. One time when going 110 kph and following close to the guys in front, a big Kawa passed me and I think he was just pissed off having to follow a 250, LOL.

DangerousBastard - you make some good points, making me think that I won't upgrade too soon (as I have been thinking recently). The last thing I want to to do is to swing wide with a big bike on the Rimatuka road.

[CookMySock]

The last thing I want to to do is to swing wide with a big bike on the Rimatuka road.You will be fine. Just come back slowly and carefully on it. Stick to open roads with smooth sweepers until you feel your skill returning.. Take GREAT care adding speed in fast sweepers unless you VERY ready to bar-push your way out of (into?) trouble. You really have to be quite fearless here and get that inside bar forward without regard for your seemingly apparent demise, or else face your demise. If you are fully up to speed on your GT250R then maybe you are past all this, but just expect the bar-push forces to be larger, and the tip-in to get just a wee bit more dramatic as the angles increase.

Once you move to a bigger bike, I suggest you make the tight-and-windy stuff off limits for a few weeks.. The larger bike is just doesnt really seem to 'want' to do it like the 250 does, and when you coax it in, it will struggle against you somewhat. A little battle of wills that you will find you will chicken out early on, and then run wide..

DB

[jrandom]

... I reckon I would have found myself reaching warp speed and then hitting a corner and basically going "oh shit" and wiping out.

You are allowed to use the brakes, you know.

:crazy:

[.produKt]

"A little battle of wills that you will find you will chicken out early on, and then run wide.."

Oh the amount of times I've done that and given myself the shits lol

[Mikkel]

I agree with building up to a big sports bike.... But I totally disagree that 1000cc sports bikes are too much for the road. If you ride any bike (over 250 say) flat-stick your risking your licence and yourself. Road riding is not (all) about riding as fast as the bike will go....its about you getting what you want out of riding that bike.

There are, at least, some 250 that'll happily loose you your license and your life if you don't exercise at least a small amount of judgement!

Hell, getting yourself killed on a pushbike is easy peasy...


You are allowed to use the brakes, you know.

It is however a good exercise to aspire to not use them and work on smoothness rather than "fastness".

[Radar]

You are allowed to use the brakes, you know.

:crazy:

Gently, gently ! Too much rear brake and the rear end moves sideways. Too much front brake and its a highender.
(this is intended for newbies who may read this)



"A little battle of wills that you will find you will chicken out early on, and then run wide.."
l

How true. Now I go into curves wondering what all the fuss was about a month ago, but then I know the answer!



You will be fine. ... Once you move to a bigger bike, I suggest you make the tight-and-windy stuff off limits for a few weeks.. The larger bike is just doesnt really seem to 'want' to do it like the 250 does, and when you coax it in, it will struggle against you somewhat. A little battle of wills that you will find you will chicken out early on, and then run wide..
DB

All good - thanks. Just want you to know that I did have two big bikes when I was a young guy in my 20's. I do not remember any problem chickening out with my Triumph Bonneville on the Colorado mountain roads, and my BMW zooming along narrow twisty Austrian mountain routes (when following a crazy German guy I rode with). Back then I had more muscle, more testosterone, and less fear... and now I wonder how I got through without an accident. But now I do appreciate reminders from DB and others because doing tight curves requires me to re-learn the skills!

[Mikkel]

Hey, if I had a choice I'd had both hands on the 'bars. Stop picking on the cripple. :weep:

So we are playing the disability card now... pfft!

What are you going to do about it sissy boy :p

As for choice - if you want me to I can help you duct tape that spare arm of yours to the left handlebar... Provided you get yourself a barend for it.
Problem solved :nicepne:

Btw - weather isn't looking too bad for tomorrow... Fancy a race like last week ;)

[onearmedbandit]

So we are playing the disability card now... pfft!

Been playing that well before the accident.


What are you going to do about it sissy boy :p

Hello, Human Rights Commission?


As for choice - if you want me to I can help you duct tape that spare arm of yours to the left handlebar... Provided you get yourself a barend for it.
Problem solved :nicepne:

Why? So it doesn't look so bad for you when you get beaten on the track?


Btw - weather isn't looking too bad for tomorrow... Fancy a race like last week ;)

Mate, that wasn't a race...

But yeah I'd be keen!

[Mikkel]

Been playing that well before the accident.

Youth today :rolleyes: No backbone whatsoever...


Hello, Human Rights Commission?

Overrated - go watch the olympics if you doubt it. They are NOT going to save your skin...


Why? So it doesn't look so bad for you when you get beaten on the track?

Nah, just so you can keep that frontwheel of yours straight instead of queer when you get on the rear... :yes:


Mate, that wasn't a race...

Oh, my mistake I wonder what you were doing behind me all that time then... Admiring my arse? I wouldn't be surprised considering the orientation of your frontwheel...

[CookMySock]

I do not remember any problem chickening out with my Triumph Bonneville on the Colorado mountain roads, and my BMW zooming along narrow twisty Austrian mountain routes (when following a crazy German guy I rode with). Back then I had more muscle, more testosterone, and less fear... and now I wonder how I got through without an accident.This sounds like me following teh mighty Delphinus around the East Cape a month ago. I wonder now if I should have done it. Anyway, I am still here.

Well you have it already perhaps. Soon you will see. No rocket science.

DB

[Cr1MiNaL]

HTFU you pussies!

[Gubb]

HTFU you pussies!

Quiet please.

[DarkLord]

Well spoken bud.

YR64L needs to be riding one of these - :scooter:

:bleh:

[Dobie]

When 16 to 22 i rode a honda CB 350 with friends we used to have some great rides to the west coast and akaroa.I then learnt more about girls and other things that took me away from riding motor bikes.I am now in my mid life crisis and after 32 years of not riding bikes have returned and bought a BMW R1100RS.After buying the bike off a really nice guy on trademe i decided to take a one hour training lesson from the people at mainland riding school.This was one of the most beneficial things i have done to update my riding skills after all the years.The bike arrived by bike tranz from Edendale to Christchurch.Great guy spent nearly half an hour teaching me its functions highly recommend them.When quiet on the street at about 7.30 at night went out to practice just going round the block and getting used to the size and extra speed.I then increased my distance as i got more used to the bike and its tendacies.After three nights it was put wifey on the back and off to lyttleton .Then Diamond Harbour just very quietly still getting used to bike and so forth where it said 35 for a bend thats what we did.Every time we go out i learn a little bit more and after one month of riding kaikoura but very slowly as it is not a race to learn.And hi to eveybody on the forum great forum

[Damantis]

Ive only been riding a couple of months and am dreaming of owning a thou sportsbike too. Have done a alot of open road riding and have taken my bike up to 150kph while overtaking. I think to jump on a litre bike that would happily "cruise" at that speed, not to mention get to that speed twice as fast would be a pretty silly step up. I think the key is to make the most of your 250, as I am doing, and when it's time to get a bigger bike go with a ninja 600 or cbr600rr? Am sure it would provide an additional 2-3 years of excitement and learning. If you learnt to drive in a maza 323, would it be sensible to make your second car v8?

[EJK]

Good advice :)
Wow 10 year is a preety big gap :gob:

Well, welcome to the site :)

[Citroenjunkie]

One bloody great big leap!

My 50 would, on a good day, down a very long, steep hill probably got all the way up to 90. The GT 550 would do 90 in first.

I got a speeding fine on the first day I had my licence and the cop crapped me out non stop for about 10 minutes telling me what a wanker I was. The guys in cars were all pissing themselves until he turned on them and gave them a rev too. It was actually bloody funny...expensive though!

When I came back to riding 4 years ago I deliberately bought an old, slow 250 just to give me lots of time to get the feel for riding again.

After two years I had done the 'back to riding' course and about 3000k's and so went to buy a 650. I came home with a Honda CB400SF which has as much power as a 600 and is the most fun I've ever had on a motorbike. I see no need to spend time in jail, cause that is what would happen if I owned a 1000. 180kph on the 400 is enough! (Theoretically of course as travelling at that actual speed on a public road would be both foolish and illegal!):2thumbsup

[Monty69]

I reckon go for a 600cc supersport bike (CBR ofcourse). Ive been riding 250's for 7 yrs and am still finding ways to ride them even faster, have more fun and i still never get bored. However years of lust for a properly fast 1000 have caught up with me and next month im buying a CBR600F4i. Yep... thought about it sensibly and decided u just dont need that much power!:shit: How often are u really going to use a 1000 to its FULL potential? Modern 600's make 120+hp and are very, very fast by any standards. They are cheaper to buy, cheaper to run (petrol $2 a litre soon) and lighter making them more nimble and agile. On new zealand roads, in the real world, the straitline advantage of a 1000 could rarely be used to full effect. I believe the jump to a thou can be done easily, if u know ur limits and have good self control. But a 600 will be better allround...

[YAMASAKI]

I just recently made the step up to a bigger bike(KTM520), I ummmm'd and aaaah'd for ages before coming to the realisation that top speed is pointless on NZ roads :Police::nono:. I recon you should consider a supermoto, they're a LOT more forgiving than a sports bike and are just as much fun at a lot slower speed. mine weighs in at 114kg, less than my zxr250 but it has stupid amounts of power. Once you're used to having used to the front wheel being off the ground 90% of the time you'll be fine :niceone:.

[motelbob]

go for it. After a week on a litre bike you'll be so used to it ,you'll wonder what all the fuss was about. Hammer it.

[Ryan432]

...but the idea of having all of that torque and acceleration right there is an attractive one. :)

Why has no one mentioned the SV thou? Its the perfect road bike! (then again I am biased :whistle:) It sounds like a monster, with some yoshi's of course, and it goes more than fast enough to have fun on.With the twin the acceleration kicks in straight away so I find that your more aware of your speed whereas on a I4 you are pootling along until you hit 8000RPM and then you take off into the startoshpere without realising and find youself moving at very dangerous speeds very quickly! Not saying that the SV isnt quick you still have to be carefull its just easier to manage. With a big twin you have "all of that torque and acceleration right there" any time you want it!

[MSTRS]

....one the 'back to riding' course and about 3000k's and so went to buy a 650. I came home with a Honda CB400SF which has as much power as a 600 and is the most fun I've ever had on a motorbike....

Excellent choice until you are well back up to speed, riding-wise. But 400 having the same power as a 600? I don't think so. Your bike has 54hp, the 600F has 95, and the 600RR version has 117.