Too big a move up?

[klyong82]

Just do it ... it wont stop the smile on ya face

[modboy]

I'm feeling keen already. Better wait for the naysayers.

Do it, you'll be fine !

I went from a Vespa PX200 - about as much horsepower as an egg beater, to a Triumph Thruxton 900. Granted the Thruxys aren't a huge amount of HP but they are well over 200kg. Took a little bit of getting used to.

It is almost entirely about self control and building confidence slowly. Just take it easy - spend plenty of time getting used to the difference - you'll be sweet.

All this crock about incrementally stepping up displacement is a bias based on our licensing system. A Daytona 675 would kick my thruxys butt, well and truely in every sense.

[Blackbird]

Like a lot of other people have said, prudent throttle control is a major consideration. If you're sensible, then no worries and you should get used to the way that everything happens at warp speed compared with your 250. I would however, recommend that you do an advanced riding course at an early stage. When I switched from a 1000cc BMW K series to a Blackbird, the difference in performance and handling was pretty dramatic so I enrolled on an advanced course for extra insurance. Really glad that I did because I learned so much.

Others have mentioned the difference in bike weights. Absolutely true but particularly at low speeds or walking pace when you're trying to manoeuvre it. The Blackbird has a taller seat height than my Beemer and as I'm a relative shortarse, I have to be extra careful at slow speeds as I can't get my feet down flat. Just a thought unless you're reasonably tall as that's where the extra weight can catch you out.

Other than that, best of luck!!

[Dealer]

I've been looking at bigger bikes and spotted one on TardMe I like the look of, it's a Kawasaki ZZR1100 C1. Is this too big a move up from a 250 or is it all in the amount of wrist movement ?? I'm generally a confident rider, ride in all weather but not been on anything bigger than a 250. I know it's my decision but like to see a bit of dissention, it's so rare

I did the same thing, went from a 250 to the 1300 busa. its entirely your decision, but be warned you need to change your riding style completely.
3 weeks after getting the busa i threw it into a corner and it reminded me that it wasn't a 250 by riding straight off the edge of the road.
If you are a big guy like me, it is worth getting a bike to suit, but take care, they can bite hard when you turn your back.
If you are cautious, go for it!

[Cheshire Cat]

I've been looking at bigger bikes and spotted one on TardMe I like the look of, it's a Kawasaki ZZR1100 C1. Is this too big a move up from a 250 or is it all in the amount of wrist movement ?? I'm generally a confident rider, ride in all weather but not been on anything bigger than a 250. I know it's my decision but like to see a bit of dissention, it's so rare

Hey!! People give me shit for wanting to upgrade to a bike alot bigger than what i have now but fook em! If you're not a lunatic loose unit then get whatever you want!

[varminter]

To answer a couple of questions, not sure about the budget, depends on 'The Leader' I'm six foot and 78kgs.... and cautious. I like the 1100 Katana and it's here in Rotovagas, hmmm. Just got to go try some. Thanks again all of you.

[mossy1200]

To answer a couple of questions, not sure about the budget, depends on 'The Leader' I'm six foot and 78kgs.... and cautious. I like the 1100 Katana and it's here in Rotovagas, hmmm. Just got to go try some. Thanks again all of you.

Peter is a straight up guy and a KB member.Does that work in same sentence.
Im sure he would bring it around for you to check it out.Tell him mossy says its only worth 6.5 and hes dreaming.

His member name is Peter Smith
Its always good to get a bike from someone with attention to detail service wise.Very low milage aswell.

[Cynic]

I went from the GT250R to my SV1000s. I'm glad I did, it's the bike I wanted at the price I could afford, I think that's all that matters really.

I say do it if you are realistic and honest to yourself about the risk.

+1

This is pretty much what I did although I went from an FXR150 to an SV1000s. I calmed down a whole lot and stopped doing a heap of stuff that was going to lead to an injury. That was three years ago. Aside from two standing drops in the first 6 months where the weight caught me out, I've had no problems. Excellent move all things considered...

[R-Soul]

There are a couple of things to look at - the amount of oomf available and whether you are experienced enough to know WHEN to use it (ie. not coming out fo a corner in the wet), and the way in which the oomf hits.

A nice V-twin 1000 like mine is really easily handleable (no power band as such- just smooth linear FRIGHTENING torque). The more you open throttle, the faster you go. Easy.

I reckon getting a big bike (or even 600 supersport could be almost as dangerous as a really big bike, since it also tends to hit a rev threshold and EXPLODE) is not a problem, as long as it puts its horses out predictably. You just REALLY dont want anything that can explode unpredictably out of a corner in the wet...or when you are not expecting it to. Finding yourself wheelie when you dont want to be can be frightening!

Also, it tales a while to get used to how fast you are actually going in such a SHORt time. It only takes one misjudgement of speed to find yourself buried so far up a cages tailpipe that you can see his valves... The key word here is self control and slow buildup and LOTS of respect for that much power.

[Grubber]

Ok my 2 cents worth....Don't play with the big toys till ya got it all sorted on the small ones. 1000cc and 160hp+ can be deadly. The weight alone can through you out of a good corner with a bit too much gas. As others have said, you will be up a tailpipe before you know it. Some of you have mentioned the odd oops here and there and i would say they have have been very lucky that the oops wasn't a big one as it could well have been if luck went the other way a little.
The 650 twin you mentioned would be my pick for a next step. 12 months on that will get you on your way to riding a bigger bike safely.
You can all carry on now.

I SAY DON"T DO IT!

[sport-cruzer?]

I think the 650 is a smarter choice than the 1100, I recently moved from a 250 hornet to a vx800, Definitely a totally different ride, you'll notice the weight of the bigger bike but essentially much easier to ride, I find the v twin satisfying just rolling around at the speed limit whereas the hornet was always begging to be rung out. riding the torque out of a roundabout will give you a smile but won't attract too much attention the way 15000rpm can.
A medium to large twin shouldn't cause you any trouble but big fours should be approached cautiously, They can bite!

If I'd had a bit more cash to play with a SV650 would have been my pick.

[Yossarian]

My personal experience....

My first bike was a VTR Honda 250, I had that for about a year then moved and bought myself a Triumph Street Triple R 675. I asked mates that had been riding alot longer than me what to go 'up' to and they said the sensible progression is the mid-range bikes.
I would not have felt comfortable going to a 'thou' or some such until I had served my time on something with less cc.

So yeah, I think progression is the key.

Anyhoo good luck.

[george formby]

I went from a 125 to a 750. It took me 2 months to put it through a hedge. Mind you I was of a bulletproof age & demeanour at the time. The biggest thing I remember was the size & weight of the bike in comparison to my wee 2 smoke. Oh, & realizing that it's not clever to deliberately try to grind the centre stand down through the bends.

[thebadger]

Test ride a whole bunch of the fuckers...

400cc dirt, 600cc gixxers, 1000c dukes if you can find 'em. The DS is a marvel. You get the picture.

Test Ride, then decide.

A gixxer with go fast bits will give you a hellofa run for your money at 750ccs, but a goldwing might bore the pants off you. It's all about HOW you ride. WHAT should always come second.

**oopps: my missus was still logged in. It's EnzoYug posting....***

[R-Soul]

+1

This is pretty much what I did although I went from an FXR150 to an SV1000s. I calmed down a whole lot and stopped doing a heap of stuff that was going to lead to an injury. That was three years ago. Aside from two standing drops in the first 6 months where the weight caught me out, I've had no problems. Excellent move all things considered...

Yes but as I explained below, a nice linear throttle to control on a big V-twin is very different from throttle control on a 600 supersport at 10000 rpm, or a 180+hp zx10.

If you are going to get a big bike, get a V-twin. End of story. and avoid the 600 supersports classes for a while.