A serious question for the more experienced riders amongst you.

[Sky-hi]

DO you think a 1000cc bike is "too much" for someone as their first "big" bike (ie, first bike on a full license)

I know it would depend partly on the attitude of the rider and where and how they ride etc. but in general terms? For a sensible rider that's been riding for a fair few years and just gotten around to getting a full. Not a child either, over 30 years of age that values their life over impressing other motorists.

to use for a daily auckland commute as well as longer weekend rides.

[Hitcher]

Another "how long is a piece of string" thread.

If you want a litre bike, buy one. It's your arse that will be getting carried to and fro on it. Go test riding, if you can find dealers with demos...

[Tank]

As you say - it depends on the rider more than the bike.

I moved to a 1000cc V-Strom (not the fastest in the world - but faster than a GN250) within a year of starting riding (had a licence exemption).

So far no problems at all.

[Sky-hi]

Another "how long is a piece of string" thread.

Fair call. Thanks for your advice.

[bsasuper]

I went from a 125 trail to a Gpz900r, never did me any harm.

[Matt Bleck]

Another "how long is a piece of string" thread.

If you want a litre bike, buy one. It's your arse that will be getting carried to and fro on it. Go test riding, if you can find dealers with demos...

twice half it's length?

[Maha]

Another "how long is a piece of string" thread.

That would be the measured distance between the begining of said piece of string and the end of said piece of string.

To answer the question...I would say yes, I have seen a guy go from a GN250 to a GSXR750 and it didn't make good viewing. He went back to GSR600.

[breakaway]

DO you think a 1000cc bike is "too much" for someone as their first "big" bike (ie, first bike on a full license)

I know it would depend partly on the attitude of the rider and where and how they ride etc. but in general terms? For a sensible rider that's been riding for a fair few years and just gotten around to getting a full. Not a child either, over 30 years of age that values their life over impressing other motorists.

to use for a daily auckland commute as well as longer weekend rides.

That depends. What kind of 1000cc bike? There's a huge difference between a GSXR1000 and a V-Storm (as stated by Tank a few posts above).

If it's the former then make sure stuff like this doesn't happen to you:





VERY easy to do on a bike with ~140 RWHP.

[jrandom]

I went from an FZX250 Zeal to a GSX-R750, highsided three weeks after I got the 750, and now my left hand is held together with titanium screws. I just wasn't used to what happens when 100hp tries to grab the ground through a motorcycle tyre sized contact patch in the rain.

That said, if you get a four-cylinder 1000cc sportbike, tiptoe around carefully and respect the machine, and get your arse to plenty of trackdays ASAP to develop and hone your control skills in a safe environment, I think you'll have every chance of a long and safe motorcycling career.

After all, it's quite possible to kill oneself very efficiently with less than half the horsepower. Look at that cruiser rider who died in a head-on bike vs bike crash near Mangakino on the weekend. I bet he and his missus bought their bike because they thought it was relatively 'safe'. As did the cruiser rider who crossed the centerline and hit them.

But then the shit still hit the fan, and someone outrode himself and caused a tragedy.

It's not the bike, it's the rider.

Buy your thou and be happy. But learn to ride it.

[madbikeboy]

I wouldn't.

Work up to the edge.

The step between a 250 and a 600 is a big one. Between a 250 and a thou is bigger. Much, much bigger.

Sense and sensibility aside, it's the moments where a smaller capacity bike will flatter you where the thou will likely expose you.

Here's a thought for you - most people go faster on a sports 600 than they can on a thou, and I'm one of them (and I own 2x thous).

Buy a nice SV650. Or a GSXR600. Or a Hornet 600.

Just watching those vids proves my point. When shit happens, it really happens on a thou. Imagine this scenario, riding through a corner I ride every day, a patch of diesel - leaned over, rolling into the throttle, back wheel starts to let go - what do you do? Do you have the experience to go against your natural instinct? Do you have the time in the saddle to feel the warning signs - you have about .2 of second to correct it on the gas on a thou. - So, what do you do?

[cowboyz]

wouldnt think there would be much difference between a 600 and a 750.

It really does depend on your mindset. Saw a brand new gsxr600 show up on a fri night ride a little while ago and was really impressed to see the guy ride it with his ego in check looking after it. If your gonna jump on a thou and ride it near the redline then there will be trouble.

Other thing to concider is thous are a real PITA to commute on in town.

[Sky-hi]

all very very good advice guys, thanks very much. I was tossing up an aprilia RSV mille. just love the look and the italianess of it all. but yes, it's all about respecting the power.

Is a V-Twin with it's torque "easier" to ride in traffic than a 4 cylinder do you think?

[jim.cox]

Is a V-Twin with it's torque "easier" to ride in traffic than a 4 cylinder do you think?

Yes

But I wouldn't use an RSV Mille for a commute scoot

[Big Dave]

Since you asked - I say don't do it.

You may be 'a natural' and a gifted rider from the get go. But then you possibly wouldn't be asking the question if that was the case. You'd know.

Go from a 250 to a mid horsepower machine.

A SV650, A Bonneville, A Versys, a XT660 - whatever.

When a lot of us that have been riding for a long time graduated to superbikes they had 90 horsepower and our experience base grew with the power outputs over the years.

Give yourself the same opportunity. Even if it's only for 6 or 12 months.

[Sky-hi]

When a lot of us that have been riding for a long time graduated to superbikes they had 90 horsepower and our experience base grew with the power outputs over the years.

Another excellent comment. as for "knowing" rather than asking. All I was after was opinion. Ultimately I will be making up my own mind. But having not ridden a thou yet, I thought it might be pertinent to get some experienced advice rather than rely on my own thoughts on the matter.