How soon is too soon to level up from a 250?

[R1SK]

Hey all,

1st post..!

I've had my Hornet 250 since about Feb, been riding it *almost every day.

It's a great bike, but my goal is to get something bigger to carry pillion for some tours, and also use it for general thrashing about in the weekends..

- Anyone have any thoughts on 6 months being too soon to get something faster?

Also, how many other Hornet 250 riders are out there??

Cheers!

[jaffaonajappa]

Hey all,

1st post..!

I've had my Hornet 250 since about Feb, been riding it *almost every day.

It's a great bike, but my goal is to get something bigger to carry pillion for some tours, and also use it for general thrashing about in the weekends..

- Anyone have any thoughts on 6 months being too soon to get something faster?

Also, how many other Hornet 250 riders are out there??

Cheers!

Hiya. Yeah - you sound like you may have enough experience to move up a bit and dabble with something better.
But. Even after 2 or 3 or 5 years....your still considered a learner by many peoples standards.
Have a look at the 400 to 600 range. Stay away from the big or high HP bikes.
Older CBR600 would be an awesome experience - just dont try to experience its limits too early.

And welcome to KB!!!

[tigertim20]

some people should never even upgrade from a GN250. . .
If you are at the point where you feel good on your bike thats great, but also consider other factors.
Youve been riding 6 months, so theres still alot of different weather conditions you havent experienced riding in, and I think its worth getting some experience riding in a full years' diversity of weather before jumping on a 600 or something. It feels alot like youre all in control after youve ridden a fewmonths. If youre that confident, go do a couple trackdays- they dont need to be about being the fastest, you learn a hell of a lot of skills at trackdays, and also go do some advanced rider training. After that, if you still feel like your 6 months on a bike is enough to upgrade, then by all means do so, But in my opinion, while people most certainly do progress very rapidly in their first 6 months on a bike, it is very easy to overestimate your ability and skill level.

Do some other upskilling etc too. just my $0.02

[R1SK]

Cheers both those are all fair points.

Yeah fully agree on stepping up to a 600 max.. Would be an FZ6 or GSR600 or something I guess.

Def keen for a track day! Have already booked an advance drivers course

- How would you guys rate the difficulty of learning to carry a pillion passenger?

[Spuds1234]

Learning to carry a pillion isnt hard.

Its remembering that you need to allow a lot more time for braking that can be difficult sometimes.

[Gremlin]

Depends on the pillion. Some feel like a backpack, others may as well be the ones riding your bike.

[Urano]

when i was 14 i started with a 50 cc, the maximum allowed here below 16.
i kept it for 2 years, and it taught me how to remain alive on the street.

then i switched on a 125, the maximum allowed here below 18.
i kept it for 2 years again, and it taught me how to ride a bike.

when i passed on heavier stuff some years after the sell of my futura every km i've done with those two little bikes remained greatly useful.

now you don't tell us if this is your first bike or you have a little experience, but, considering your question, i'll assume it's the first.

so the thing is:
you are old.
you are probably used to drive a car, you have a formed mind with spaces, speed, reactions, necessity of driving a car, not a bike.

250 cc is a fast bike and you need your time to learn. 600 cc are bikes with a hun of horses and are NOT beginners bikes despite the marketing messages we are directed...

i understand your will to step up, and your desire to enhance the possibility, but especially if you are going to ride in couple PLEASE consider your responsibility.

i strongly recommend you to keep this bike at least a pair of winters, and to attend some one to one course: you'll have to learn again how to LOOK, how to COUNT, how to FEEL other thing on the road...

[schrodingers cat]

The throttle works in two directions.
The brakes are always on the RHS.

Its the brain on the bike not the motor.

You can ride a litre bike like a GN250 if you like.

You decide. Its your life and your choice.
Get out there and enjoy yourself

[gijoe1313]

Morning, good to see another lil'ol'hornet being ridden around! I've done 100 000km+ on my one and even though I had qualified on a Full Licence, I still rode my chewfiddy around for several months after that (before I got a 900 Hornet).

Don't have to be in such a rush to get a bigger bike and just keep on building your skills up on the lil'ol'hornet. It can pillion just fine - I've had large guys on the back of mine (yes, being a Honda rider .. )

Use the time to build up the funds and do some detailed research about your next upgrade ( oooh, not that I am biased ... but mayhap a CB600 Hornet (either the new or old model)? Or a nice 900? Or the Predator ... or the CB1300 ... or ... )

In fact, I ride my lil'ol'hornet to work and then swap over to my other bikes as I feel fit!

Got any piccies of your ride?

[Urano]

The throttle works in two directions.
The brakes are always on the RHS.

Its the brain on the bike not the motor.

You can ride a litre bike like a GN250 if you like.

You decide.

sorry cat, i disagree.

if on a litre bike you turn the two-direction-throttle of the same amount you do on a 250, you'll prolly find yourself on the right position to live here in italy...

energies are huge: you need time to understand. especially if you are not a kid and you are used to consider yourself something with 4 legs...

and 20 years after i'm still considering the possibility to buy a little 125 aside the 600 to clean up my technique...

[EJK]

Hey all,

1st post..!

I've had my Hornet 250 since about Feb, been riding it *almost every day.

It's a great bike, but my goal is to get something bigger to carry pillion for some tours, and also use it for general thrashing about in the weekends..

- Anyone have any thoughts on 6 months being too soon to get something faster?

Also, how many other Hornet 250 riders are out there??

Cheers!

I know some people started riding from a ZX6R and doing fine. It's all got to do with how you feel comfortable (and sensible) I guess...

6 months too early? In my opinion, maybe....... It highly depends on the type of people (and I don't know you so). But if you can go for it, then go for it. Who's gonna stop ya?

[ducatilover]

'Tis very hard to say without knowing you, or your riding. It's not the bike that's the problem, it's the loose nut behind the bars.
If you're a sensible rider and not too fussed about going quick, then why not?
As already said, it's your life

[R1SK]

so the thing is:
you are old.
you are probably used to drive a car, you have a formed mind with spaces, speed, reactions, necessity of driving a car, not a bike....

damn... haven't felt it until now... haha

Actually yeah - cornering is a whole new world compared to a car!!

[R1SK]

CB600 Hornet...

Actually a really good point re saving up cash - I totally hear you on that one.

Currently only doing about ~800kms-ish per month (I live near work), most of this is theweekend rides out of the city like out Miranda or Kumeu/Warkwoth way.

Good point I should actually take some pics of my bike before some wanker ends up *successfully stealing it..


- Cheers for all your advice kids, I'll prob be hanging onto it for another three-six months I guess and see where that goes.


PS can I just say that this website is awesome and I never expected to many responses from experienced riders out there

[schrodingers cat]

[QUOTE=Urano;1130090227]sorry cat, i disagree.

if on a litre bike you turn the two-direction-throttle of the same amount you do on a 250, you'll prolly find yourself on the right position to live here in italy...
QUOTE]

And therein lies the challenge - using finer increments to balance the machine.

I'm certainly not suggesting jumping on a big bike and riding it like a lunatic.

The top 4 inches determine what bike you should own.