Can I ride a 919 Hornet like a Nana?

**skelstar** · 26th September 2005, 14:46

I have asked a couple of people that I know and respect about this but I would like some more opinions on this subject, so please bear with me :

I have ridden my 250 for a while now (6500km - my first bike) and I find I am getting to the point where it is a bit slow. Dont get me wrong, although it is not as quick as a CBR250RR or zxr250 it is not exactly 'underpowered'. However I spent alot of time riding in the weekend on backroads around the Wairarapa and Im getting frustrated with ringing the snot out of throttle...so I am thinking about upgrading.

Now people will tell you that you should buy something in the 400-600cc range for your FIRST BIG BIKE. Later, once you have ridden your FBB a bit and have gained some experience then you should buy your next big bike (NBB?). Now Im not made of cash so I would rather circumvent (sp) this step and get the bike I want. So heres the (obvious) question:

Knowing that I already ride conservatively, am I able to buy a 919 Hornet and ride it like a Nana, AND avoid doing something stupid because the bike is a bit 'quicker' than my 250?

Please appreciate that I dont want a product review (I've read many), nor make assumptions that it will 'go to my head' and that I will hurt myself as a result. I just want to ride a bike that is not having to be thrashed to have fun on it. Im pretty serious about this step and would love to hear about similar experiences from the collective.

Thanks in advance.

**Sniper** · 26th September 2005, 14:50

As long as you utilise common sense it should be OK. Thats my opinion. What ever you choose, good luck.

**mstriumph** · 26th September 2005, 15:06

i believe you can ride anything like a nanna ------ some bikes wouldn't like it though?

**kerryg** · 26th September 2005, 15:08

Originally Posted by skelstar

I
Knowing that I already ride conservatively, am I able to buy a 919 Hornet and ride it like a Nana, AND avoid doing something stupid because the bike is a bit 'quicker' than my 250?

Course you can. You can ride pretty much anything like a nana....I do....

The question is not whether you can ride a powerful bike conservatively, because anyone can, but whether you have the self-control not to let your throttle hand develop a mind of its own. I guess only you can judge that. Even geriatric old fools like me get a rush of blood to the throttle hand occasionally

**skelstar** · 26th September 2005, 15:20

Originally Posted by kerryg

Even geriatric old fools like me get a rush of blood to the throttle hand occasionally

Yeah, im not saying that I wont give a 'bit of welly' every once in a while, but its something that will be gradual at first until I get comfortable with it, then a bit more, then a bit more. The same process that I used with my current bike. I was just hoping that the bike would 'allow me' technically to ride it slowly thats all. Thanks.

**Hitcher** · 26th September 2005, 15:26

Good heavens! Ride whatever you want to. Just because it may go like a cut cat doesn't mean that it has to be ridden that way. My first bike after the Mighty FZX250 Zeal was a ZRX1200R. I found that the twist controller, conveniently fitted to the right handgrip, was an extremely effective way of adjusting engine speed. When used in thoughtful combination with the left hand lever and the left foot control the forward speed of the bike could be altered. Faster and slower. Surprisingly, not as much application of twist was required for the Zrex as the Zeal.

If you want to be stupid and kill yourself, then a 250 would probably be your most cost-effective option.

**skelstar** · 26th September 2005, 15:32

Originally Posted by Hitcher

If you want to be stupid and kill yourself, then a 250 would probably be your most cost-effective option.

Nice reply

, I guess I'm waiting for someone to say:

"You wont be able to ride very slow as the power delivery starts from about 4000rpm thats difficult to control for the novice."

I havent ridden anything other than my bike so Im a bit naive

.

**James Deuce** · 26th September 2005, 15:38

Did you get that quote from a bike mag??

What'd I say about bike mags? You're NOT a novice now. You've had enough experience to get an idea of motorcycle dynamics, and the only thing you'll need to get used to is acceleration and the ease with which go to jail speeds pop up.

I reckon a Hornet 900 would be just your thing, especially if you get et al to help with a cost concious "bling it up" session. I have a mate with a GS1200SS and 12K on the clock that I don't think has even hit 6500rpm.

**bungbung** · 26th September 2005, 15:43

Originally Posted by skelstar

Nice reply

, I guess I'm waiting for someone to say:

"You wont be able to ride very slow as the power delivery starts from about 4000rpm thats difficult to control for the novice."

I havent ridden anything other than my bike so Im a bit naive

.

So you don't use as much twist, big deal. When you get an unrestrained ride on a big bike, it's very tempting to give it a handful.

It's possible to enter corners faster than you expected, riding a bike which might be harder work to get through that corner.

Of course, this is optional, based on you.

I went from a ZXR250 to a VTR1000. Not as fast as a hornet, but thats academic. Take it easy, you'll be fine.

**Big Dave** · 26th September 2005, 15:43

It does depend on how much of a nanna - you can still carbon and coke them up without some revs now and again.

But it is a pretty tractable and good all round bike. Pretty potent if you do decide to wick it up too.

**skelstar** · 26th September 2005, 15:44

Originally Posted by Jim2

What'd I say about bike mags?

Didnt come from a mag. I made it up.
Although one day I DO want to quote from a bike mag. Perhaps change my signature to a quote from a mag, like something thatc Keith Code would write for Performance Bikes, something from the Aug 2005 edition maybe (pt).

Was good chatting yesterday BTW Jim. You riding next w-end?

**awd** · 26th September 2005, 16:29

You'll be fine, by virtue of you asking the question shows rationality. My first bike was a Elefant 900 (got my license in a country and decade where you didn't have restrictions on size or power) and I'm still in one piece. Even now my bike is very much ridden like a nana, most of the time.

Go for it, you'll love the Hornet.

**Damon** · 26th September 2005, 16:40

You'll be fine, i came from my cbr250r, had a break for about a year (not my idea) and then got a VTR1000, you'll be sweet, show it some respect to start with and you'll be a demon in no time, i'm still waiting for the demon bit to kick in after two months but i'm working on it.

**et al** · 26th September 2005, 20:37

Seriously though I have found the Hornet 900 is happy to be at 50k or 100k ie it feels comfortable at whatever speed you want to dial up. You can be lazy on it too - does not matter too much what gear you are in. An example is that last Saturday I was riding up Pakaek hill (from Porirua side) and after going through the twisties at what I though was a reasonable rate of knots I got to the first straight bit and thought I should hook top gear - then found I was already in top! You might find any other largish capacity inline four can do this too, but I have found this is one characteristic that I do like about the Hornet - certainly gives me a different riding experience than my other bike.

**James Deuce** · 26th September 2005, 20:41

Originally Posted by skelstar

Didnt come from a mag. I made it up.
Although one day I DO want to quote from a bike mag. Perhaps change my signature to a quote from a mag, like something thatc Keith Code would write for Performance Bikes, something from the Aug 2005 edition maybe (pt).

Was good chatting yesterday BTW Jim. You riding next w-end?

Sarcastic bugger. Good quote though, eh?

We've got the big ride on Sunday, so yup, I'll be out.