Bike to get after getting a full licence: Top powered or upgrade gradually?

[caspernz]

Doesn't really matter what anyone else thinks as to type of bike... Biggest variable is your own discipline, can you deal with having tons of grunt without feeling the need to use it every 9 seconds?

I started on a 250. Have had 400/550/600/750/900/1100 but not in that order, and my current toy is 1340 (Busa). Not in a position to comment on the folly of going from LAMS bike to a full noise one, can work out for you or could kill you. And yep have seen both outcomes.

If you're talking of changing bikes every 6 months, well you'll find what suits you in short order.

[Berries]

It all comes down to your personal ability to control your right wrist.

This.

Too often I did not get the bike I really really wanted because I thought I couldn't handle it but now I realise that was a mistake. Possibly. As long as you are really aware of what can happen when you twist the throttle hard on a decent bike you should be ok. The problem is that that awareness only comes from experience and if you get that experience on certain bikes they can bite you really hard.

You can argue it both ways. If I had gone straight from my KMX125 in the 80's on to an FZR1000 I am pretty sure I would have wrapped it around a tree like a couple of mates did. Part bike, part inexperience, big part youthful exuberance. In the end it probably comes down to how mature you are - it sounds like you are getting on a bit so all you have to deal with is your riding inexperience - don't underestimate that. If you can afford to change your bike every six months then just keep doing that you lucky bastard. It took me nearly 30 years to finally get my original dream bike, the one I thought I would kill myself on. After a fortnight with it I am still here.

The licence is looking pretty fucked mind.

[Big Dog]

Jokes aside, if you are considering to replace bikes every 6 months then I guess graduating in terms of cc and riding style would be much more fun.

Honestly tho, if you have tried a 50hp bike then you don't have to be so scared of 100+ ponies bikes. Most of the horsepower don't come alive until over half of the rpm range anyways. Back in the days when learners/ restricted were limited to 250 we were dealing with going from 20hp to 100hp bikes!

Try a nimble vacuum cleaner sound Triumph Street Triple, then something like a high revving Japanese engineered Yamaha R6, then a torquey twin like a sexy Italian Ducati 848 or a power-house Yamaha MT-09... oh what a joy! Too bad I don't have the luxury of replacing bikes so often, so have to stick to just S1000RR.

So hard done by.

I'll do you a straight swap for "Gordon" then you will have all the excuse in the world to look for a new bike... lol.

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[Erelyes]

- What was your first full powered bike?
- Which bike have you learnt on?
- Have you upgraded gradually?
- Have you ever sold your big-engine bike and returned back to less powered 600-ish? Why?
- Have you tried different types of bikes (sport, tourers, supermotos etc) or you initially got stuck to one type/model?
- Have you found your dream bike already?

I like that you commute, and plan to change bikes annually or thereabouts. That plan may eventually change when you find something you really gel with.

I went, Scorpio > Ninja250 > SV650 > ZX6R, which is as gradual as you'd want. Had each for around 6 months, except the Ninja 250 which was for a year. I plan on keeping the 6R for a while longer mind. Have thought about a thou, but don't think it would give me much extra grin factor (if any) over my current steed. Which is what it's all about really.

That said, my dream bike would probably be a repsol blade of some sort (I just love the look, I'm a sucker for orange).

https://rideapart.com/articles/sportbike-progression is worth a read.

My opinion tho, do it in steps, you will learn more from riding more / different bikes, learn more about bikes overall, and get an idea of what you really like.

[ural]

Thanks guys, appreciate your input.

A couple of comments: I'm 32 and I hope I can control my right wrist. For racing experience I'm planning to do some track-learning-days, but a bit later. I just like the feeling of the power the bike gives you.

I used to own a MT-07 for more than a year, it's a brilliant bike. But sadly had to sell it, now I'm on a ER-4N, which is not that bad actually. The only thing I didn't like in MT-07 was its front suspension - a bit plush, and I'm afraid MT-09 would have the same issue. Can anyone refute that?

About changing a bike every 6-12 months - why would you think one needs a lot of money to do that? On the contrary, I myself find it more expensive to keep a bike for more than one year, as just commuting puts 12000 ks a year on the clock, putting aside joy rides and touring. I do maintain them of course, it's just about the market price, which looks dependent on mileage hugely. Maybe I'm wrong. However, for some tourers/adventure bikes that won't make a lot of difference... You just invest in a bike once and then you sell it and buy another one for around the same price... I'm not talking about brand new bikes here of course, where you loose around two grands by just riding out of the shop.. That's why I'm afraid of finding my dream bike very soon :-)

So, I'll just try different things and will see how it goes..

[pritch]

Save your shekels and get one of these next year.

[Sable]

I went from a 2 stroke 250 to a GB400 to an FZR1000, then a series of 4 cylinder sportbikes. Ended up with a KTM 950, way more fun to ride but still adequate power. Numbers aren't everything.

[rambaldi]

A lot of the posts in this thread (and the one from in 2008, helpfully linked) seem to talk about solo riding on a sports orientated bike. What about the jump up for two up touring with luggage? Is a 600 region bike enough for that? I am an in a little different boat to the OP, I would intend to keep the bike for a few years at least rather than switching in and out all the time.

[pritch]

A lot of the posts in this thread (and the one from in 2008, helpfully linked) seem to talk about solo riding on a sports orientated bike. What about the jump up for two up touring with luggage? Is a 600 region bike enough for that? I am an in a little different boat to the OP, I would intend to keep the bike for a few years at least rather than switching in and out all the time.

You can tour anything, but the further you get from a bike designed to tour the less comfortable you will be. Guys tour 600 sport bikes, I was on a South Island tour with a guy on the older KTM Duke. And he wasn't particularly tall either. Then again he wasn't two up.

A few more cc might offer a better choice, around 650 to 750cc you should be able to find some capable tourers. You're getting into VFR territory there. Just keep an eye on tank range especially if you plan on touring the South Island

[neels]

A lot of the posts in this thread (and the one from in 2008, helpfully linked) seem to talk about solo riding on a sports orientated bike. What about the jump up for two up touring with luggage? Is a 600 region bike enough for that? I am an in a little different boat to the OP, I would intend to keep the bike for a few years at least rather than switching in and out all the time.

I used an old 600 for 2 up touring with luggage for a few years, comfortable enough for me and mrs and sufficient grunt except when riding with people who were solo on litre bikes who opened the tap going from a 50k to 100k zone, no real dramas it just meant they ended up waiting for me at the other end.

[Icemaestro]

I completely agree re changing bikes yearly..I've gone cbx250rs, cbr250rr, spada 250, ninja 250, vfr400, bros 650, cbr600f2, cbr600f3, er6f, bmw f650, vfr400, bros 400, vfr400, srx600, vfr400 :-p. The last three are there still. If the wife would let me I'd still own a cbr600f2/3/4/4i, an er6f, and if finances allowed a Ducati or Guzi with a single swingarm. Oh and a ninja 636. And maybe a buell firebolt. And a gb500.

The cbr600f and the ninja 650 was just fine for touring 2 up, though wife found the cbr600f the most comfy of every bike I've owned. I found it just fine on power - 100hp was plenty




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[Swoop]

Save your shekels and get one of these next year.

I'd hate to think about the sheer quantity of shekels required.

[Gremlin]

A lot of the posts in this thread (and the one from in 2008, helpfully linked) seem to talk about solo riding on a sports orientated bike. What about the jump up for two up touring with luggage? Is a 600 region bike enough for that? I am an in a little different boat to the OP, I would intend to keep the bike for a few years at least rather than switching in and out all the time.

If you thought big bikes chew tyres, wait till you load them up with luggage and another person... You can just about see the tread disappear every day

I'd also suggest gaining experience in big bikes and pillions separately.

[Banditbandit]

Ride what you are comfortable with - I have seen people go straight to a fire breathing monster - and then they are scared of it and never learn to ride it properly ....

So physical comfort is important - so is mental comfort - you wont enjoy a bike that scares the shit out of you ..

(I love my big bandit but it can still scare the shit out of me occassionally - and I've been riding for more than 40 years)

[Rych]

I went from a first bike ZXR250 (zx2r) which is already 45hp, not the same as your modern 250's, to an 06 Yamaha R6 and that was pretty frightening, but I never had any problems, was still easy enough to just cruise around on seen as the power band was so high in the rpm.

I then went 08 CBR600RR now on a 10 Street Triple R, I've taken my time but I will eventually get a thou, I really like the new CBR1000RR's so will probably go down that road in a year or two.

I personally think 250 > 600 > 1000 is an easier way to get used to the extra hp that is going to come.