A Big Guy wants some info on small(ish) bikes

[Bonez]

Would you people stop encouraging a learner to jump from a 250 to a 750, 850 and 1100 ! That's not a natural progression and wont help his riding confidence build over time. First corner he reaches way too fast he's going to shit himself (the least we can hope for) and quit bikes for good.
DarkNinja, there's nothing wrong with 400cc or 500cc bikes.

I tend to agreee. But something like a Zepher 750 or W650 should be ok as well. As long as you ease into it. Less likely to ugrade in a hurry either.

[DarkNinja]

im a real safety freak when it comes to anything on teh road, i had a go at my mate tonight coz he was speeding a lil too much, needless to say he doesnt see my side of it. so i dont think i was going to jump on a 600 i would go risk my life on teh first corner. would ya recommend i buy a shit old 400/400 ust to ease into bigger bikes? i find that i have a bit of a braking problem with the 250 and i dont know if its me or not, its not dangerous but when i progressivly/emergency brake the front end dips right down and starts to shudder, i think im just far too heavy on it. as for the bigger bikes i really dont feel like jumping right up to 1100cc just yet, just too big. someone mentioned about two-up, i am gonna be doing it in and out of town every day after i get my licence, gotta practice that too... lol
Cheers for the info guys keep it coming

[riffer]

Okay then, seeing as my previous suggests were too much (actually I thought the GSX750F was pretty good - the ZZR may have been TOO much) how about this one:

http://www.trademe.co.nz/structure/a...2&key=16844966

Lovely condition, 400cc, nothing to really damage if you fall off - a great commuter and its in Welly.

[John]

Okay then, seeing as my previous suggests were too much (actually I thought the GSX750F was pretty good - the ZZR may have been TOO much) how about this one:

http://www.trademe.co.nz/structure/a...2&key=16844966

Lovely condition, 400cc, nothing to really damage if you fall off - a great commuter and its in Welly.

FYI Feint is selling his http://www.kiwibiker.co.nz/forums/sh...ad.php?t=13055

[Bonez]

im a real safety freak when it comes to anything on teh road, i had a go at my mate tonight coz he was speeding a lil too much, needless to say he doesnt see my side of it. so i dont think i was going to jump on a 600 i would go risk my life on teh first corner. would ya recommend i buy a shit old 400/400 ust to ease into bigger bikes? i find that i have a bit of a braking problem with the 250 and i dont know if its me or not, its not dangerous but when i progressivly/emergency brake the front end dips right down and starts to shudder, i think im just far too heavy on it. as for the bigger bikes i really dont feel like jumping right up to 1100cc just yet, just too big. someone mentioned about two-up, i am gonna be doing it in and out of town every day after i get my licence, gotta practice that too... lol
Cheers for the info guys keep it coming

Nothing wrong with being safety orientated. Sounds like you are over doing it on the front brake. Try and use a combo of front/rear (remember the rear break is around a 3rd of the bikes stopping ability-ease it on not stomp) and what lil engine braking the 250 can give. Feint's 400 looks the go as a step up bike. Also try not to be forced to keep up with your mate. If he's a real mate he'll slow down to your speed/ability when riding with you. Best of luck on your next purchase.

[sAsLEX]

remember the rear break is around a 3rd of the bikes stopping .

really depends, on a balls out sprot bike with all your weight on the front it is less, watch rossi coming in to some corners the back is generally only just hovering on or slightly above the deck, but he does use it in the corner to balance throttle torque etc

But on a crusier with more weight rear biased the rear can be alot more than a 3rd.

personally dont use the back all that much, wel maybe twice or three times a week

[Bonez]

really depends, on a balls out sprot bike with all your weight on the front it is less, watch rossi coming in to some corners the back is generally only just hovering on or slightly above the deck, but he does use it in the corner to balance throttle torque etc

Just quoting the advice of a well respected Ducuti tuner in these parts and passing it on.

[Big Dog]

Would you people stop encouraging a learner to jump from a 250 to a 750, 850 and 1100 ! That's not a natural progression and wont help his riding confidence build over time. First corner he reaches way too fast he's going to shit himself (the least we can hope for) and quit bikes for good.
DarkNinja, there's nothing wrong with 400cc or 500cc bikes. Sure at the time they were made the 600+ bikes got the top peformance stuff. You've been riding a 250 so you know how a small bikes feel with your weight on board. Please try something like a GS500 twin or similar before buying a bigger - and therefore older and more worm out bike. A newer 500 is a better deal than a crapped-out 1100

Having gone straight from a 250 to an 1100 I have to say it aint the cc its the IQ.
I would never reccomend going up to a R any thing over 600cc. But f's are a different kettle of lobster! comfort agility and stability are the only concerns.

I think it speaks volumes that I had three acidents on a 250 - and never once got out of my depth on the 1100cc. A healthy dose of fear can help but the bigger factor was the bike had skills, because it wasn't my bitch I did not feel compelled to to thrash it.

[Suney]

. YOUR BLACKTURD HAS HAD MORE HITS THAN ELVIS

LOL you're coming up with the funniest lines

[zooter]

Having gone straight from a 250 to an 1100 I have to say it aint the cc its the IQ.
I would never reccomend going up to a R any thing over 600cc. But f's are a different kettle of lobster! comfort agility and stability are the only concerns.

I think it speaks volumes that I had three acidents on a 250 - and never once got out of my depth on the 1100cc. A healthy dose of fear can help but the bigger factor was the bike had skills, because it wasn't my bitch I did not feel compelled to to thrash it.

I second Big Dog
I went`from a 250 to my GSX1100g no worries and I'm only a wee fella. If you're still scared of it it will have no easier time killing you than the ninja. At the end of the day it's got two wheels and an engine. So long as you have the right wrist under control it can't bite you.
And that ex Big Dog mobile sounds like an awesome deal. The motor is legendary tough.

[JohnBoy]

my best advice other than the previous would be to think how long that you intend to keep the bike, if you don't mind updating in say 12 to 18 months then buy something thats not so powerful. but if you want to keep it id reconmend that you buy something with a bit of go. nothing worse than having to do excessive maintenance cause your giving it full noise.

My reconmendations:
Long time ownership: GSX 600, ZXR 600, CBR 600, R6, VTR1000 (firestorm), CBR900 (Hornet)
Short time: GS500, 600SS (what i owned for 14months before buying my current) or a SV650

happy hunting