Love of big bikes vs handling of smaller?

[rocketman1]

I note that NZ'rs seems to have preference for 1000cc + bikes compared to Europe where 600cc seems to be preferred.
There is no doubt that smaller bikes handle better than larger, yet where do all NZ bikers prefer to ride on the twisty winding roads. This is where the smaller bikes with narrower tyres rule, my 750 beats the 1000 through this type of road, and is more enjoyable to ride in these situations.
I image if I had a CBR600 or a GSXR600 it would be faster again.
Just wondering if many KBrs have gone from 1000+ to 600's, for this and other reasons?

I know what bike I would rather ride around the coro loop.

[beyond]

I just absolutely love riding the GSX1400 on twisty roads and the twistier the better. The Coro loop is my favourite playground for the 14. It thrives on it and so do I

[Pussy]

I went from a K6 GSX-R1000 to a K6 sem fiddy.... best of both worlds

[Headbanger]

I love riding my HD through the twisties, I hunt them out on every ride.

Don't give a damn what speed others getting through them at.

[boomer]

The 990 kills the thous and the 600's.. it's a sports bike killer..before its had breakfast

[Hitcher]

If you're having fun and riding within your limits, it shouldn't matter what bike you're riding. So what if the guys on the sports thous are on their second coffee by the time you arrive at the next scheduled stop? You've had the longer ride, and that's what's more important.

[boomer]

If you're having fun and riding within your limits, it shouldn't matter what bike you're riding. So what if the guys on the sports thous are on their second coffee by the time you arrive at the next scheduled stop? You've had the longer ride, and that's what's more important.

typical hog rider

[AllanB]

I note that NZ'rs seems to have preference for 1000cc + bikes compared to Europe where 600cc seems to be preferred.

I've had a few biker shops express their frustration with the Kiwi attitude of 'if it's not 1000cc is not a real bike'.

A lot of it comes to pricing too - if the litre bike is only another 1-1.5 k over the 650-750 the majority get the bigger one.

Plus we do not have any discrimination regarding cc with rego or insurances as they do overseas.

Would I be 'quicker' on a 600cc Hornet riding to Akaroa than my 900? Possibly but the leather on my gear shifting boot will last a lot longer on the 900

[Subike]

I just love the lazy tourque of my 1100.
Ridden a few smaller bikes, yes easy as to toss around,
yes quicker in the hills ,
yes to all the performance things,
but my 1100 will pull in top gear from 30kph to 230kph
And the sound.......
well 1100 cc IL4 at 7000+rpm out of a Harris megaphone!!
Totally Illegal!

[NighthawkNZ:Me]

Plus we do not have any discrimination regarding cc with rego or insurances as they do overseas.

Correct on Rego but debatable insurance ... depends on your insurance company i guess... it would have been cheaper for me on insurance was I to buy the 900 I use also looking at when I got the Firestorm.

I ask why and they said it was because it was a 1000cc when I ask what was the cover for the 900 there was a good difference, yet we know they can both do the same damage

[short-circuit]

I note that NZ'rs seems to have preference for 1000cc + bikes compared to Europe where 600cc seems to be preferred.
There is no doubt that smaller bikes handle better than larger, yet where do all NZ bikers prefer to ride on the twisty winding roads. This is where the smaller bikes with narrower tyres rule, my 750 beats the 1000 through this type of road, and is more enjoyable to ride in these situations.
I image if I had a CBR600 or a GSXR600 it would be faster again.
Just wondering if many KBrs have gone from 1000+ to 600's, for this and other reasons?

I know what bike I would rather ride around the coro loop.

Yep yep yep

[DarkLord]

I've found the thou sports bikes to be a bit ridiculous on the road. Awesome nonetheless but it feels as if there is a lot of power that's just unusable. I reckon a 600 would give you all the grunt you need as well as a bit less weight, plus hopefully a little less cash hungry (tyres, petrol etc).

[MIXONE]

I think it is part of the "mine's bigger then yours" attitude of many kiwi males.
The fact that they don't know how to use the extra cubes is totally irrevalent.

[hayd3n]

600 plenty of power to enjoy 1 up 2 up no drama for my old girl

[YellowDog]

My view is that the bigger bikes provide a more relaxing and enjoyable ride (which is what I like).

600+ V-twins are great however need a bit more work to ride.

It's easier to ride a big bike slowly. It is also easier to zip from 120Kph to 200Kph down a long straight.

I moved from a 650cc to a 1050cc and have no regrets at all.

Whatever floats you boat.....................