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ukiwi
11th September 2008, 22:00
I'm starting to look around for a step up from my 250. At the risk of getting a pounding for being boring or gay I should tell you that my current ride is a cbf250 and that I've been looking at the hornet as my next ride, what can I say I like the reliability and look of Hondas. My question is, would the jump from a 250 to a 900 be to big. I'm no speed freak, I have full control over my right wrist and consider my riding ability to be pretty good (so far), but even so I'm thinking it might still be a bit of a shock to the system.
So do I play it safe and go for the 600 or just stop being such a pussy and go for its big brother?

Hitcher
11th September 2008, 22:02
Jumping a 250 would probably be too much for stock suspension and inadvisable. Unless, of course, the bike had upsidedown forks.

FJRider
11th September 2008, 22:07
Its been done before...people can live doing it. It may take a little longer to get used to the bigger bike.
What are you looking at getting...

ukiwi
11th September 2008, 22:09
great advice I'll keep it in mind

ukiwi
11th September 2008, 22:11
Hornet 900. I want a bit of an all-rounder, commuting into Wellington, weekend rides of the Rimatukas and the odd trip to Nelson.

ukiwi
11th September 2008, 22:12
OVER the Rimatuks even

FJRider
11th September 2008, 22:17
OVER the Rimatuks even

You can't live near Welly'town and NOT...
Go for it...why not. Bike price for both will be about the same...

DEATH_INC.
11th September 2008, 22:19
I'll get flamed for this, but I think the jump is too big. Work ya way up, it's actually more fun and you'll be a better rider for it.

Usarka
11th September 2008, 22:27
I'll get flamed for this, but I think the jump is too big. Work ya way up, it's actually more fun and you'll be a better rider for it.

Yeah if you go full tit to start off with what have you got to look forward to? Having said that a 9 horn aint beyond the capabilities of a "sensible" rider.....


Jumping a 250 would probably be too much for stock suspension and inadvisable. Unless, of course, the bike had upsidedown forks You done your USA trip then?????? can you link the trip report? :niceone:

ukiwi
11th September 2008, 22:29
I know it makes sense to work your way up but its the thought of going through the whole searching, viewing and buying process all over again.
Would a 600 be ok for the kind riding i will be doing?

McJim
11th September 2008, 22:57
I know it makes sense to work your way up but its the thought of going through the whole searching, viewing and buying process all over again.
Would a 600 be ok for the kind riding i will be doing?

Do you plan on going faster than 230kph? I only ask because most modern 600s are good for 230-250kph so if you don't need to go any faster than that a 6 hundy will do you just fine. My bike tops out at about 195kph and that suits me.

Shadows
11th September 2008, 23:03
The simple fact that you think the jump might be too big proves the jump won't be too big.

Don't fuck around "working your way up". What a crock of shit. Get the bike you want. If you want a 600 all well and good, if you don't, then don't waste your time and money on a one then.

Drum
11th September 2008, 23:10
The Hornet is relatively tame for a 900, or at least that's the way it seemed to me when Buckbuck gave me a turn on his.

No worries stepping up I reckon.

ukiwi
12th September 2008, 15:51
Thanks for all the advice on engine size. Now what about suitability (is that even a word). The rides I take might end up getting longer, such as a tour of the south island at some stage, will a bike like the hornet let me do it without having to have a spinal reajustment at the end of the trip, and what about lugage etc. I have thought about something like a vstrom or transalp but my legs are to short.

ZigZag
12th September 2008, 18:27
I dont think the jump is too big dude. I went from riding 250's, to no road riding for 6 years, to a VTR1000. I did hav a few years of dirt riding tho to keep my 2-wheeled skills up. Provided your sensible with it, i think your better off getting the bike you want first off, instead of getting something smaller and using it as a stepping stone.

EJT
12th September 2008, 18:45
Thanks for all the advice on engine size. Now what about suitability (is that even a word). The rides I take might end up getting longer, such as a tour of the south island at some stage, will a bike like the hornet let me do it without having to have a spinal reajustment at the end of the trip, and what about lugage etc. I have thought about something like a vstrom or transalp but my legs are to short.

You will adjust to the bike. I did over 1500ks last weekend on the 6R and felt good at the end. When I first started riding it I was suffering after 50ks.

Either the 600 or the 900 will be fine.

nico
14th September 2008, 07:56
hey dude my.2c would be try a 400 or a 600 mabie a vfr or cbr something on those lines hondas are great but imho a 250 to a 900 power and weight may be a bit much not saying your ant got exprenence but i comuit every day from hut to welly as well and am daily having to watch out,

so my my advice would be to get a step up bike inbetween i could be wrong
end of the day it up to you.

gijoe1313
14th September 2008, 08:38
As long as you got restraint on your right wrist, a Big Ol'Hornet will suit you fine, they are nice bikes with good response and great for your everyday riding, long touring and the squirt through some nice twisties.

I love :love: mine and its all good, treat it right and you will be riding it for a long, long, long time! The power is all linear with no nasty surprises, agile enough for all your purposes and there is plenty of aftermarket blingness for it :msn-wink:

If you can, snap up a brand new Big Ol'Hornet, they ain't making anymore of them! It will keep running long after more flashier ones are feeling their age :yes:

Duke girl
14th September 2008, 08:48
It really doesnt matter whether you go from a 250 to a 600 or a 250 to 1200 as it all comes down to whether or not you can handle that many cc's. Only you know what your capability is on a bike so the decision is purely yours. All you need to do is give yourself some time to get use to the bigger power ratio and getting use to knowing what your bike is capable off doing while riding it. Like most of us that ride Im sure you wont be going out there doing anythink stupid as you will be hoping to ride for many years to come. Goodluck with what ever decision you make and happy riding.

Drew
14th September 2008, 08:59
Do you plan on going faster than 230kph? I only ask because most modern 600s are good for 230-250kph so if you don't need to go any faster than that a 6 hundy will do you just fine. My bike tops out at about 195kph and that suits me.

Flat out in top cog the 900 hornet is only good for about 240kph.

I think the step to a hornet 9 is less dangerous than on to a modern 600 sports bike.

Hawkeye
14th September 2008, 10:00
It also depends on what you want to do re: commute. I have a 500 which is great for commuting, has enough power for playing and is very good on fuel.

The only time I have felt underpowered is when I did a track day.

I would suggest that the 600 is a good compromise to cover the needs.
I don't know your financial situation but the other option of course is to hang onto the 250 for commuting and get whatever you like for playing.

AlBundy
14th September 2008, 10:18
I think the step to a hornet 9 is less dangerous than on to a modern 600 sports bike.


About sums it up really...

klyong82
14th September 2008, 13:21
Do it.....a Hornet 900 is ok ....if you jumping to a Cbr1000RR then you will be missing out all the fun from a 600RR

Winston001
14th September 2008, 13:54
The issue which isn't really addressed here is the big increase in weight over a 250. It can be deceptive. Plenty of power so you don't notice the weight on a big bike - until you get into trouble. Suddenly the damn thing is going some place you didn't intend and very quickly. A 250 can be flicked in any direction, try it with a quarter tonne 900 and you'll need new undies :weep:.

Inertia. Chisel that in your mind.

This won't only happen at speed - it can catch you in a carpark. Very very easily. In fact the slower you are going the more chance your balance will be compromised.

So my advice is, yes, a 900 Hornet would suit you provided you are as sensible as you sound. Practise riding it in a supermarket carpark with cans or something to ride between. Once you gain confidence and get a feel for the bike at low speed, you'll be a better rider and a safer rider.

My 2 cents.

aahsv
14th September 2008, 15:04
Some good advice given so far - also bikes are like women, some are more compatible than others, test ride a variety and see what suits :niceone:

Toaster
14th September 2008, 15:27
The Hornet is relatively tame for a 900, or at least that's the way it seemed to me when Buckbuck gave me a turn on his.

No worries stepping up I reckon.

Agreed! A tame bike like a hornet ridden with care would be fine.

Toaster
14th September 2008, 15:30
I dont think the jump is too big dude. I went from riding 250's, to no road riding for 6 years, to a VTR1000.

I did similar.... from a GSX250 to a VTR1000F - nice second bike that VTR and the more relaxed v-twin power was at a level within a band I could cope with until I was ready for the in-line fours.

Toaster
14th September 2008, 15:30
Some good advice given so far - also bikes are like women, some are more compatible than others, test ride a variety and see what suits :niceone:

Ride them hard and change them often???

nallac
14th September 2008, 20:08
Ride them hard and change them often???

now theres a bloody good/expensive idea.

Drew
14th September 2008, 20:08
My 2 cents.Good job you added this at the end, or I'd have felt compelled to say your post was new age hippy crap, and call you a twat. I would hope anyone looking to get off a 250, is well past setting up obstacle courses in a carpark to "get a feel" for a new bike.

My 2 cents


Some good advice given so far - also bikes are like women, some are more compatible than others, test ride a variety and see what suits :niceone:


Ride them hard and change them often???


That's more like it lads, bring on da ho's!

Jerry74
14th September 2008, 20:40
I used to ride a 750 but am on a 250 now for the legal reasons of graduating to my full.... take it easy and you will be fine.

Just get used to the initial poos in pants feeling of the front wheel coming up upon acceleration.

Drew
14th September 2008, 20:50
Just get used to the initial poos in pants feeling of the front wheel coming up upon acceleration.

Ya gotta be pretty rough with the Hornet throttle to get them to hoist, but they can be held skywatchin for quite some time:2thumbsup

Deano
14th September 2008, 20:59
Compared to an RF, or do you need 2nd gear to tell ?

roy.nz
14th September 2008, 21:15
Hey there ukiwi i jumped from a hyo gt250r straight to gsxr600 k7 model and im still perfectly fine except for one fucken white line that screwed me over, got another gixxer 600 k7 and now im suspended but that due to me enjoying the speed. :2thumbsup

fatzx10r
14th September 2008, 21:20
take it easy and get used to the extra power, slower steering, braking etc and you will be fine, i went from a 250 to a 1000 without killing or hurting myself

Mort
14th September 2008, 21:45
I think you'd be fine on a 900 - keep it steady and get in to it... enjoy it.

Winston001
15th September 2008, 09:25
Good job you added this at the end, or I'd have felt compelled to say your post was new age hippy crap, and call you a twat. I would hope anyone looking to get off a 250, is well past setting up obstacle courses in a carpark to "get a feel" for a new bike.

My 2 cents



Gawd I've been outed :clap:Come over here and I'll give you a warm and fuzzy hug. :wari:



Skills. Never assume. Keep learning. The easiest way to bin is to be cocky. Doing some figure 8s with a bike which is twice the weight you are used to, deliberately front braking on loose grit at walking pace - wots wrong with that?? I recently had the experience of seeing a rider drop a bike at low speed because they weren't used to the lack of leverage with short bars.

Badjelly
15th September 2008, 10:01
Skills. Never assume. Keep learning. The easiest way to bin is to be cocky. Doing some figure 8s with a bike which is twice the weight you are used to, deliberately front braking on loose grit at walking pace - wots wrong with that??

You don't think you're going to get away with your new age hippy crap here just by making it sound like common sense, do you?

Sparky Bills
15th September 2008, 11:03
Hornet 900's are very easy bikes to ride.
EXTREMELY smooth with everything. I dont think you would have any problems stepping up onto one. In the end, its you who will will be riding it, so only you will be able to tell if your ready for it or not.
Id suggest you ride one before you buy one. It might not even be what your looking for.
Good luck.

mrchips
15th September 2008, 15:44
I'm probably gonna get my butt cheeks flammed big time for this but i've just gone from a GN250 to a CBR1000F.

fwiw i wanted a bigger bike for touring & 2 up, smooth gearing & some low down grunt cos i'm a lazy shit & don't wanna change gears every 5 seconds.

tbh I'm finding the bigger bike easier, more stable & safer to ride than my old trusty GN. Shure there's the obvious weight & power difference but if you're a RESPONSIBLE rider & have your wits about you will be fine, notice i said responsible.

If you are prone to having spaz attacks at other drivers misfortunes & generally do stupid maneouvers, i don't recommend it.

otherwise

be at one with your machnine & ride like the wind ..... hell i say go for it.

btw GN250 is for sale, will post details soon.

F5 Dave
15th September 2008, 18:25
The problem with these posts is you get advice from people who have done the same thing or people who have been riding for years & think it’s all a piece of piss. One of the former was a regular here & was always on about how it was no problem but now types one handed.

You will do what your ego tells you you want to do, but I will guarantee that it will stunt your riding growth. Smaller & lighter than a litre-bike is better for the next step up.

Drew
15th September 2008, 18:56
Gawd I've been outed :clap:Come over here and I'll give you a warm and fuzzy hug. :wari:



Skills. Never assume. Keep learning. The easiest way to bin is to be cocky. Doing some figure 8s with a bike which is twice the weight you are used to, deliberately front braking on loose grit at walking pace - wots wrong with that?? I recently had the experience of seeing a rider drop a bike at low speed because they weren't used to the lack of leverage with short bars.

Was just tryin to get some controversy going, I get bored easily.


The problem with these posts is you get advice from people who have done the same thing or people who have been riding for years & think it’s all a piece of piss. One of the former was a regular here & was always on about how it was no problem but now types one handed.

You will do what your ego tells you you want to do, but I will guarantee that it will stunt your riding growth. Smaller & lighter than a litre-bike is better for the next step up.

And I know people with just as nasty afflictions from small bikes.

There is no right or wrong way to go through the process of stepping onto a bigger bike, I dont think. I know people who have done it in steps, and come to grief, and others that jumped in boots an' all without incident.

I would attribute the boots in all success to a healthy fear for what they are getting onto.

The baby steps approach going haywire, to a lack of thought, it's only a little bit quicker than my last bike mindset.

Get the bike you like I say, but ride more than just the one you are currently looking at, you may find something better suited.

bryce
15th September 2008, 19:44
once you can ride in a straight line and turn a corner and keep your line .it

doesn,t matter if u go from a 50 to a 1650 or to a 100 if u don,t have the

sense to learn the bike ,work up your speed with you ability,that u asked

shows a good start .to start small does make senes but one of the best

rider i know started on a bud bug 3 month,gsx 750 12 month ,cbr 1000 15

month ,tlr 1000 ,i had been riding bikes for 25 years and i,d say he was as

good or better than me before he sold the cbr.he was also only 17yr old .i

have also followed people in there 20 that have scared me .:sick:

Bend-it
16th September 2008, 17:58
I went from a 250 bandit to and RF900, and now, I'm back onto a 650 twin.

So there. While it's not necessarily too big a jump, you probably don't know what you want, coming straight off a 250. Go for the 900 if that's what rocks your boat, and don't be afraid to drop to a 600 or whatever after that... :)

Salival
17th September 2008, 19:12
I, like ZigZag, have just bought my first big bike - VTR1000 as an upgrade from a GSX250 and six months off riding.

I don't think the jump was too big *for me*, though I know some other 250 riders who I don't think would survive very long on my bike.

Everyone in "the industry" who I dealt with during the sale of my bike (insurance, sales people, etc etc) have all said "you know it's a big bike and you need to be careful." I will be heeding their advice.

I don't keep up with my friends on 250s around the twisties because I just don't know the bike that well yet.

My advice is to recognise your limits as a motorcyclist. Whatever the next bike is that you get, the chances are it will have higher limits than you. You can kill yourself on any machine, and it's down to how you ride it.

Know your limits and ride within them.

raftn
17th September 2008, 20:09
From reading this thread, it is obvious that the main thing is that wat ever bike you get, as long as you are responsiable you will be fine. I went to a big bike pretty quickly, with very little riding experince, but i took it careful, was painfully slow at first, but saying that am now very comfortable and carnt imagine myselfon any thing smaller.

ZigZag
17th September 2008, 21:24
Hate to pretty much repeat everyone else, but take it slow and treat a bigger bike with a healty dose of respect. Going from 250's and dirt bikes to a 1000 made me feel like a beginer again. Power, handling and weight were a big change from what i was used to. However, i still wouldnt of done it any other way. I wouldnt of been happy with a smaller bike i would view as a 'stepping stone'

CHOPPA
17th September 2008, 22:39
If thats what you want and you can ride and have a brain you will have no problems

Bend-it
18th September 2008, 10:07
From reading this thread, it is obvious that the main thing is that wat ever bike you get, as long as you are responsiable you will be fine..

Yup, having said that... I did have several drops on my RF, all at 0kph, because I wasn't used to the weight of the bike at very low speeds, around carparks, steep driveways etc. I fully agree with whoever it was that talked about the weight of the bike. Anyone can ride fast(-ish), maintaining control at low speeds is the trick. :)


I would hope anyone looking to get off a 250, is well past setting up obstacle courses in a carpark to "get a feel" for a new bike.


And so... low speed handling is all soooo important for any biker. After my few 0kph drops on my RF, I manned up and went along to a ridesafe course and have never dropped a bike since then *fingers crossed*!

I still practice low speed manoevuring and emergency braking every once in awhile to make sure I still have it. Assumption is the mother of all ....

Call me a hippy, I don't care! As long as I can be a gas guzzling, fat drinking, gun-shooting, conservative hippie! :whistle:

Monamie
18th September 2008, 10:38
I have just sold my CBF250 ...bloody good bike to learn on too.:headbang:
I tried a 900 Hornet and loved it. It is very similar to the CBF in seating position, but heaps easier to ride as it is way more stable (positive) on the road. You will love it.:drool: It would be ideal to tour around on-really comfortable with all the power you could need.
I tried another couple too but settled on my `hearts desire` and I am very pleased with it.

As long as you realise you have a load more power-so no more grabbing that extra bit of throttle, and a heavier bike too- so stopping is quite different, you will be fine.:cool:

Enjoy!!

slimjim
18th September 2008, 10:43
.Go for it.:niceone:

OutForADuck
18th September 2008, 11:26
Just go get a test ride. Its not about the engine size its about the weight, comfort, balance, power delivery, your control, skills, intended use, passion.

Ride lots, don't shop from the magazine pages, take a few test rides and you'll soon decide so-n-so is the bike for me.

Just look at the difference in Oh-My-God factor between an R6 and a R1100S!!!

Test ride them!!