Baby Bikes (<100cc)

[SMOKEU]

BUT!...in saying that, I have noticed (compared to a large bike) the lack of control, braking and general handling around town and more so on the open road is not even comparable to a bigger motorcycle...its...well...adequate...yet kind of lacking?.
And I have found it seems to feel more dangerous than a big bike.

Little bikes are so much more fun than big bikes. Straight line speed ain't everything. Incidentally my FZR1000 just sold and I shall be investing the money in multiple 2 strokes.

I'm having a lot more fun on my GSXR600 than on the CBR250R I had, and the GSXR feels a lot safer because the suspension is much, much better. The 600 is a lot more stable on the road and it doesn't have tired 24 year old suspension which was designed for tiny Japanese riders. Also the extra power is useful for overtaking.

When I'm pushing the GSXR out of my garage, it feels heavier than the 250 but on the road the GSXR feels lighter in some ways as the steering is a lot more sharp and responsive than the 250. I did have a bloody good time on the 250 though, it was a really good bike.

[avgas]

I'm having a lot more fun on my GSXR600 than on the CBR250R I had, and the GSXR feels a lot safer because the suspension is much, much better. The 600 is a lot more stable on the road and it doesn't have tired 24 year old suspension which was designed for tiny Japanese riders. Also the extra power is useful for overtaking.

When I'm pushing the GSXR out of my garage, it feels heavier than the 250 but on the road the GSXR feels lighter in some ways as the steering is a lot more sharp and responsive than the 250. I did have a bloody good time on the 250 though, it was a really good bike.

Ride a 30 year old big bike and you soon realize all that poor handling and brakes on your 250 had nothing to do with the fact it was a 250......and lots to do with the fact it was 24 years old.
I miss my big bike. But love blatting with little ones. You don't have to risk as much.
On my FZ1 it didn't feel like it was 'going' on the open road until about 140-150kph. At 200 you feel as if your just starting to stretch your legs.
Scary concept when you like keeping your license.

[Tigadee]

I'm beginning to embrace being on a small (engine, not size) bike - I am after all, mostly a daily commuter and weekend pootler around greater Auckland, so I have no need for a open road machine.

As long as it's big enough to be comfortable for me, I can now see myself on a 250 bike for a long time, for the following reasons:
1. Lower fuel consumption
2. Cheaper parts and maintenance
3. Lighter weight
4. Lower rego

The Venox I am extremely pleased with as it has all these qualities. The Scorpio is great in most areas except for the lack of seating comfort... Power? I have all I need, even if I have to switch gears a little more often than someone on a bigger engine bike. I'm not a speedster, just a middle-aged guy wanting some wind in his face and a feeling of freedom, and THAT you can get no matter the size of the engine...

The exception is when the wife decides to join me as a pillion after I get my full, then I will start looking for a larger bike to handle two-up. Hmmmm, will I lose my sense of freedom then though?

[Drew]

Great message, "ride at, or beyond the bikes limits".

I am well aware of the upside to riding small bikes, and do so from time to time. That said, your analogy to being childless doesn't ring true from what I have seen in society, and the idea of riding a bike past it's limit on public roads is usually not that well met by the bunch round here.

Meh, the world is full of fuckin hypocrites, what's one more example to the bunch?

[superman]

I've been told to get a 125 as it improves your skill immensely in carrying speed through corners and trying to keep up your momentum. I'm actually considering a CBR125 as my second bike, cheaper fuel, cheaper tyres, cheaper bike. Pretty keen on my very limited budget.

[Sable]

Go RG150. Cheaper faster and they sound awesome when the powervalves open. I'll have a rebuilt one coming up for sale shortly.

[SMOKEU]

I've been told to get a 125 as it improves your skill immensely in carrying speed through corners and trying to keep up your momentum. I'm actually considering a CBR125 as my second bike, cheaper fuel, cheaper tyres, cheaper bike. Pretty keen on my very limited budget.

By the time you buy another bike, pay the insurance premiums, vehicle licensing, WOF and maintenance it will cost you more money than the amount you'll ever save in fuel costs or tyres. Not a good idea if you're on a "very limited budget".

[superman]

By the time you buy another bike, pay the insurance premiums, vehicle licensing, WOF and maintenance it will cost you more money than the amount you'll ever save in fuel costs or tyres. Not a good idea if you're on a "very limited budget".

I'm averaging about 650km per week. My 250 currently costs me $65 a week in fuel (at 2.20 a litre), a 125 would get that down to $35.75.

Huge saving if I keep it for a good while.

Maybe it wouldn't save me money if I rode the bike only on nice weekends like some people...

Not to mention insurance only costing me about $45 a year... (yay for third party)