Uprgrading CCs before licence allows?

[Shadows]

Originally I couldn't bring myself to ride a 250 after taking a few of my mates 250s for spins. Too small and light. I started riding on a 400 single, then got my learner licence, they weren't too happy with me on a 400 at the riding skills course, especially when the first impression of me was when I did a power slide into the place on the wet.
After I got sick of the 400 I got a 900 four. I didn't need wet roads to do power slides any more. That was cool.
With the MOT and then the Police for a while it used to be the case that if you were caught outside the conditions of your licence they'd just add 6 months to licence period. That was it. Big deal. It got to the point I'd get pulled over and I could say to the cop "bugger ya I can only sit my test 3 years ago now!" Actually I forget how many years it got up to but you get my drift. They never even used to make my pillion walk home.
Then the fines and demerits started. Had to buy a 250 to sit my licence so that I could get back on something a bit more suitable without breaking the bank all the time.
Bottom line is I wouldn't do it now, you get too much grief. Ratshit really.

[Shadows]

I too have done about 20000kms in 6 months (all L-licence).

At about 10000kms I thought I had it all pretty sussed. There were def faster riders around on a 250 but I thought I had learned it all. Nutting down the Takas behind an SV1000S riding the best I ever had, I got a gust of wind that put me in a situation I hadnt experienced in 10000kms. I reacted like a learner and ended up binning (a little). Who knows, on a bigger bike I with better brakes I may have been going a lot faster? Probably.

On a bigger bike the wind probably wouldn't have been a problem. That's one of the major problems with 250s, they are sooooo light.
I think the 250 rule is fucked up. At most it should be an HP restriction like they have in Aussie. And the 70k limit???? How fuckign stupid is that????
How could they make it easier to have riders forced off the road like those poor bastards on bicycles, or simply run over!? No wonder the ACC levies are so high with cars running up the back of bikes all the time.

[skelstar]

So the rules say that while you are on a learners licence you should 'avoid the motorway'. Sat my restricted two days ago and the instructor asks 'so how far have you ridden [young man]?'....ummm...'20000kms..'. Instructor utters expletive. Very ammusing. Theres no way anyone would believe I did ANY of that at 70km/h.

[Jonty]

So the rules say that while you are on a learners licence you should 'avoid the motorway'. Sat my restricted two days ago and the instructor asks 'so how far have you ridden [young man]?'....ummm...'20000kms..'. Instructor utters expletive. Very ammusing. Theres no way anyone would believe I did ANY of that at 70km/h.

I think your competing with a courier driver for kms in a calender year

[kiwifruit]

i bought a cbr400rr when i was on my restricted licence
bugger all difference compared to a 250, power wise
it was cheaper by enough to make me risk it
paid 2500 for the bike
and 800 in tickets (400 a time for riding over 250cc) in 6 months
this was a few years ago now, there were less cops on the road
i wouldnt recommend you do this.
i think the 250 rule is a little silly
but, its better than nothing... in the states for instance, n00bs on litre bikes first up! Bugger that!! Imagine the acc levy then!!
prehaps a hp restiction would be better?
sorry, im rambling on now........

short answer, dont do it
Cheers, Allan.

[skelstar]

Its pretty hard for a young guy sitting here getting advice from the more experienced riders that have ridden big bikes outside their licence allowances, but have the luxury of retrospect. Esp the guys that have to wait a millenium for a full due to their age. Im lucky in that respect and remind myself all the time.

Sure, riding on a big bike on a restricted licence is tempting fate in respect to a $400 fine, but you cant (the ones saying 'dont do it') tell me that you dont filter/lane split/pass a car doing over 100km/h. All those acts tempt fate also...and whos discouraging these acts?

Of course if you run your bike into the side of the finest german or italian motorcar then you are royally screwed.

[slimyxylofone]

Thanks to all of those who added their opinions and experiences (even those who seemed pissed off that I asked in the first place).

I guese I'll upgrade to a faster 250cc if I can afford it in late 2006.

To those who have ridden a few 250s, how do GSF Bandits compare to VTR and CBRs? I've already had some feedback that they're pretty equal in power and acceleration. Not really interested in buying 2-smokers.