250 vs bigger bike. In case you wondered.

**gatch** · 7th June 2009, 14:11

I rode my spada for 4 years till it lost its desire to live..

I've ridden a bunch of biger bikes (not hard of course), I've had a few laps at the track on a couple of bikes and I can't say which is "better".

Most of my recreational riding has been done in twisty bits of road and for that I loved my 250, nothing more fun than working the gearbox to make any decent headway. Where as the same road on a bigger bike would simply be one or two gears, and some practise in throttle control.

BUT ! For longer trips/commuting/comfort/actual performance/hooliganism I would have loved a bigger bike if I could afford it. I definately think there is place for a 250 in most peoples garage. (it would seperate the riders from the point and shooters too)

**The Pastor** · 7th June 2009, 14:15

Originally Posted by SixPackBack

BAHAHAHAHAHAH......next you'll be telling us virginity rocks!?..............
Well does it punk?

differnt err strokes for differnt folks?

**del-solider** · 8th June 2009, 11:19

I for one cant wait until get my full and upgrade to a bigger bike!

I have done quite a few trackdays on my TZR and while its heaps of fun, especially scaring alot of the "Big" bikes through the corners i feel that's its time to move on a get something bigger.

I will however be keeping the TZR nothing beats a good ol thrashing on a two stroke

**p.dath** · 8th June 2009, 12:49

I first got my bike learner's licence back in late the 1990's. I only moved to a 600 cc bike this year.

I had a couple of 250's over that time. I was having a lot of fun riding 250's, and didn't feel the need to go to a bigger bike.

But after nearly 10 years I was finding the 250's just didn't have anything more to offer me, so I finally made the shift. One big thing I noticed was the weight difference, which I could especially feel cornering. It made me very nervous for a while (but a track day helped fix that).

So unless your itching to go to a bigger bike, enjoy the one you are with! :-)

**MSTRS:Me** · 8th June 2009, 13:10

Originally Posted by Maki

LoL. It does not chew through fuel, sprockets and chains at the same rate, does it?

Actually, I'd say that a GN would likely be similar, if not harder on those consumables. Esp the chains and sprockets, because the available parts are much lower quality. Tyres are another matter...
P.Dath has the idea.

**crazyhorse** · 8th June 2009, 13:43

Too many people are in a hurry to change up - but part of the problem is that many riders actually need to learn how to ride - and its easier to learn on something that is nimble and light - without having the speed factor and un-predictability of a big bike to handle as well.

Advancing to a bigger bike should occur when the rider is confident - therefore guys, wait until you are off your restricted and are ready to change - every bike handles differently - but don't jump straight to a 1000cc - um.... that's dumb! work your way up there. You have a life time of riding ahead of you - just enjoy being out there and doing it.

**Mschvs** · 8th June 2009, 13:49

I'll be sticking on a 250 for quite some time I think. Like you say, being slightly more nimble and forgiving allows a new rider to push a little and learn in the process, but not too fast that if you push a little too much, that you can't recover easily from it.

There's always times that you want just a little more power of course, but that's really just being greedy! I won't be upgrading until I feel like I have learnt everything I need to know about riding a 250, and then maybe waiting a year or so after that!!

**MSTRS:Me** · 8th June 2009, 15:44

Originally Posted by crazyhorse

Too many people are in a hurry to change up - but part of the problem is that many riders actually need to learn how to ride - and its easier to learn on something that is nimble and light - without having the speed factor and un-predictability of a big bike to handle as well.

Advancing to a bigger bike should occur when the rider is confident - therefore guys, wait until you are off your restricted and are ready to change - every bike handles differently - but don't jump straight to a 1000cc - um.... that's dumb! work your way up there. You have a life time of riding ahead of you - just enjoy being out there and doing it.

And how long that is, is up to the rider, eh?
Get a proper grounding on a suitable bike before making the next step.
It's really that simple.

**slydesigns** · 8th June 2009, 16:16

My girl is itching for more go and has been looking at an Aprilia RS250... "OMG" I thought, is she mad?? BUT, she threw a leg over my D675 and went nuts on it last night, laughing the whole time! So tonight shes testing the RS250... Big step up still from her CBF250!!

Brazilians are insane I guess.

**tychver** · 10th June 2009, 23:08

Real dry weights for 600s are getting close to 200kg. The 2006 R6 weighed 191kg with oil, water and petrol.

An NSR or RGV250 wearing tyga bodywork and pipes can get close to 130kg wet. They can also put out 65-70hp without much work. The power advantage of the 600s is negligible compared to the cornering and braking of the closest thing to a GP bike ever made (desmodeci excluded).

I'm already looking for an NSR

**NOWOOL** · 22nd June 2009, 01:40

Ok, I'll throw in my two cents worth.........
the biggest concern when moving up to a bigger bike is confidence. comfort and control placement have more to do with it than power or weight. pick a bike that you feel confident riding and braking and stopping. Ideally, both your feet should be firmly planted when you stop.
Somehow the importers got the idea that NZ can lag behind the rest of the world when it comes to bike advances so we end up with the crap of what the bike makers actually produce. While advances like traction control and ABS are commonplace on motorcycles in the rest of the world, we get stuck with old technology and higher prices (if you don't believe me then have a look at the mfr's web pages in other countries). The 'best buy' bikes in NZ are the BMW's. they don't gouge on based on currency exchange as bad as the other brands. Harley Davidson at least sells us the same bike it sells everywhere else. Wish I could say the same about the Jap bikes.
You have to try each style of bike and pick what works best for you. If you like cruisers and their weight is a concern, then add footboards - then they can't fall over. My Harley supposedly weighs 330 kgs and its far more comfortable to learn to ride than my GN250 (plus it can't fall over!).
Sport bikes in my opinion have digressed... in the 80's they were comfortable to ride with plenty of legroom and narrow seats; now you sit with pretzel legs and hope you don't have to stand up on the foot pegs going over a bridge or that the light turns green so you don't have to stop and put your feet down (you may be thinking i'm complaining because i'm short legged- I'm a little over 5'11. I'm sure that's above most japanese consumers).
Onto Dual-Purpose bikes......there isn't such a thing. it's a trade off. better to buy two bikes.

Crusiers.....you might as well buy a harley......otherwise its a copy of a Harley and when you ride it you'll hope people think its a Harley. I've noticed that when riding a Harley cars don't tailgate...could be the hells angel's image thing.....but i'm not complaining.

Auto transmissions.......the best thing to ever happen to motorcycles.....the less time gear changing the more time concentrating on the road......combine that with synchro abs and traction control and you end up with either the perfect bike (if a bike in NZ had all that) or a typical high end scooter.

ok.....i'm done....sorry for those I may offended......but then again they are probably easily offended and should toughen up before nature weeds them out.

**smoky** · 22nd June 2009, 10:40

Originally Posted by NOWOOL

Ok, I'll throw in my two cents worth.........

If you like cruisers and their weight is a concern, then add footboards - then they can't fall over.
My Harley supposedly weighs 330 kgs and its far more comfortable to learn to ride than my GN250 (plus it can't fall over!).

Sport bikes in my opinion have digressed... in the 80's they were comfortable to ride with plenty of legroom and narrow seats; now you sit with pretzel legs and hope you don't have to stand up on the foot pegs going over a bridge or that the light turns green so you don't have to stop and put your feet down

Crusiers.....you might as well buy a harley.........could be the hells angel's image thing.....

Auto transmissions.......the best thing to ever happen to motorcycles....

Dude! you should be a comedian, you either have no idea about riding or your post is a piss take - surely

There in lies an opinion from some one who just rides a motorbike, rather than someone who is a motorcyclist

**Rosie** · 22nd June 2009, 11:00

Originally Posted by NOWOOL

... Onto Dual-Purpose bikes......there isn't such a thing. it's a trade off. better to buy two bikes.
...

Every motorbike is a trade-off. It's great that you've found a bike that works for you.

**Brett** · 22nd June 2009, 18:57

I do agree, there is just as much fun to be had riding a decent 250 such as a ZXR or CBR rr as there is bigger bikes, however they just don't provide the thrill of the bigger bikes. I really do miss being able to ride the ZXR very hard on the road, even against the bigger bikes and it still being moderately safe. The same attitude on the gsxr will not be too great for my health.