Rode my first big bike

**danielle** · 28th July 2010, 21:53

So went for a ride in the weekend on my fxr150 with my bf on the gixxer and his mate on what i think is a gsxf600 early 90s or late 80s. We rode up behind Pohongina past Apiti etc and half way thru the ride, towards the areas that were more full of straights my bfs mate asked if i wanted a go on his bike. So i did! And wasnt it great. I only stalled twice before take off and realised it was just like taking of on my bike (unlike what i think the gixxer would be like fast and nippy). I was only worried becuase the thing was like a tank but it was great. It was great to feel comfertable travelling at 100km instead of fighting with the bike, it was great to feel more grounded on the road due to the tyres being thicker.

When i got back on my bike it was like riding a scooter and i realised how much i want a bigger bike! Theres still 5 months till i can get my full so im thinking about getting a cheap 250 to blat around on.
I cant wait!

**Tink** · 28th July 2010, 21:58

Originally Posted by danielle

So went for a ride in the weekend on my fxr150 with my bf on the gixxer and his mate on what i think is a gsxf600 early 90s or late 80s. We rode up behind Pohongina past Apiti etc and half way thru the ride, towards the areas that were more full of straights my bfs mate asked if i wanted a go on his bike. So i did! And wasnt it great. I only stalled twice before take off and realised it was just like taking of on my bike (unlike what i think the gixxer would be like fast and nippy). I was only worried becuase the thing was like a tank but it was great. It was great to feel comfertable travelling at 100km instead of fighting with the bike, it was great to feel more grounded on the road due to the tyres being thicker.

When i got back on my bike it was like riding a scooter and i realised how much i want a bigger bike! Theres still 5 months till i can get my full so im thinking about getting a cheap 250 to blat around on.
I cant wait!

BANGARANG, I have ridden 650's and I feel I have to kick my bloody horse to go faster... 2 1/2 more months and on my full... whew...can't wait !!!

**Old Steve** · 29th July 2010, 19:58

Haven't ridden a big bike, but I think I know what you mean. My Hyosung GV250 is big for a 250, I feel comfortable at 100 to 120 (max on the straight and flat, will go faster downhill with a following wind).

I do wonder how GN250 riders, and riders on even smaller learner bikes, manage though. And this last weekend I did lust over the other bikes I was riding with, even the Harley (which didn't break down - contrary to all the rumours I've heard about HD reliability).

I would love a bigger bike when I get my 6F, something like a Honda Shadow or Suzuki Boulevard C50. But bigger bikes cost more money, so I might hang on to my GV250 for quite a while. And today I picked her up from Bay City Motorcycles fitted with a new back tyre - and they'd been so ashamed of how dirty it was (hey, I'm riding it as often as I can, I don't have time to clean it) that they cleaned and polished it.

**Corse1** · 29th July 2010, 20:25

Originally Posted by Old Steve

I would love a bigger bike when I get my 6F, something like a Honda Shadow or Suzuki Boulevard C50. But bigger bikes cost more money, so I might hang on to my GV250 for quite a while. And today I picked her up from Bay City Motorcycles fitted with a new back tyre - and they'd been so ashamed of how dirty it was (hey, I'm riding it as often as I can, I don't have time to clean it) that they cleaned and polished it.

Plus 1 on BCM. Visited there for the first time a couple months ago and the staff were very pleasant

**mikemike104** · 29th July 2010, 21:46

I know what you mean, I can get my Restricted in Sept, my bike goes well for a 250 I guess but it would be so nice to just zip past cars with no effort like the guy I see daily on my commute who rides a ZX10, I'm so jealous

**ttmadness** · 29th July 2010, 21:55

There is nothing forcing you to ride a smaller bike. If you want just get a gsxr750 and go for it if you like it that much. It's only a fine if you get caught. Just ride responsibly and you should be fine! Have gone from my learners to full on a 03 GSXR750 and a collection of 400cc sports bikes. Never looked back since- never an accident or anything

. Has taught me patience and responsible riding, choosing and waiting for the appropriate environment to have fun. I have never found riding a bigger bike so much of a wonderful thing and the only reason I started with them is because I couldn't justify the fucking ludicrously expensive 250 prices. 5 grand for some ancient, tatty pieces of shit, simply falling apart now- I don't think so. On the contrary, I think riding a 250cc bike can be a hell of a fun time, often more fun! Just think outside the box, you don't have to be a sucker of the system if you don't want to! Happy riding and take care!

**reggie1198** · 29th July 2010, 22:05

Originally Posted by ttmadness

There is nothing forcing you to ride a smaller bike. If you want just get a gsxr750 and go for it if you like it that much. It's only a fine if you get caught. Just ride responsibly and you should be fine! Have gone from my learners to full on a 03 GSXR750 and a collection of 400cc sports bikes. Never looked back- never an accident or anything

. Just think outside the box, you don't have to be a sucker of the system if you don't want to! Happy riding and take care!

The only trouble doing it this way is your insurance (if any) would be null and void, as you are riding outside the conditions of your license.

**ttmadness** · 29th July 2010, 22:07

Originally Posted by reggie1198

The only trouble doing it this way is your insurance (if any) would be null and void, as you are riding outside the conditions of your license.

Yes that is true and definitely something to consider.

**rastuscat** · 30th July 2010, 08:07

Riding big bikes is easy. Yes, heavier, more powerful etc, but compared to little bikes, easier.

The skillls you learn on a little bike are awesome to have. You really have to work harder on a FXR150 to make it go. It has to be made to take corners, it has to be really manhandled.

I did some advanced training for work a few years ago. The work bike is an R1200RT BMW. The first thing they did was put us on XR200 Hondas for us to relearn handling skills. We did some off-road stuff, but the big benefit was on the tarmac. You can throw a XR around without much fear of it going all wrong.

Doing so taught me way better handling, which translated directly to the big bike.

Yes, big bikes are fun, but little bikes can also be fun, and are easier to learn real skills on.

So there.

**jeremysprite** · 30th July 2010, 10:45

I know that 'I want a bigger bike' feeling all too well!
Rode an FXR for close to two years? I think. Did a few long trips on it, (3-4 hours is LONG on an FXR)

First 'big' bike I think I rode was a Buel XB12... what a feeling!

I would recommend going to a cheap 250 for a few months if you don't think you'll lose any $ on sale. Buying now in winter and selling in summer could be a good idea. It's just that much more of a jump from an FXR to a bigger bike, best to get the experience on the 250 first.
And if you rode a il4 250 you'll be amazed at the power difference to the FXR...

**george formby** · 30th July 2010, 10:46

Originally Posted by rastuscat

Riding big bikes is easy. Yes, heavier, more powerful etc, but compared to little bikes, easier.

The skillls you learn on a little bike are awesome to have. You really have to work harder on a FXR150 to make it go. It has to be made to take corners, it has to be really manhandled.

I did some advanced training for work a few years ago. The work bike is an R1200RT BMW. The first thing they did was put us on XR200 Hondas for us to relearn handling skills. We did some off-road stuff, but the big benefit was on the tarmac. You can throw a XR around without much fear of it going all wrong.

Doing so taught me way better handling, which translated directly to the big bike.

Yes, big bikes are fun, but little bikes can also be fun, and are easier to learn real skills on.

So there.

agreed, I still love jumping on a smaller bike and caning it to within an inch of it's life, maximising cornering speed to keep up momentum. Looking wayyyyyyy ahead to keep the little bugger on song, great fun.

**McWild** · 30th July 2010, 11:25

If you have only 5 months I would suggest just holding tight.

Any 250 that you'll feel a significant power difference with will not be cheap.

Good post though.

**racefactory** · 30th July 2010, 15:41

agree wit what the other guy said. No point waiting jus get a bigger bike right now if you really think it's that good. Only get one life.. enjoy it. life is too short for riding bikes you don't want to.

**danielle** · 30th July 2010, 16:00

thats what im guna do, sell my fxr asap then try and find a 250 thats cheap as (possibly high ks) and sell it in summer. i would keep the fxr but taking it on long rides going 100ks gets so tiring fighting with the bike all the time. now ive had the taste of big bike its all i want!