Opinions please... stepping up from a ZXR250 to what?

[crash harry]

Go 600. Especially if you're going later than 2000 model. I really wanted a ZX7R cos they're beautiful, but the 9R came up instead...

Now I wish I had a 600. The 9R has so much grunt that I can't make use of it very often. A newer 600 has not much less, but delivered in a different way which makes them more fun IMHO. It was a bit of a shock to the system after riding a CBR250 for a year. I had done some riding on a 400, but it went nowhere towards preparing me.

Yes I know the 9R is hardly a power monster compared to what else is out there, and it's a heavy old slug, but for your first >250cc bike I'd go 600.

Regardless of what you choose, it only goes as fast as your right hand makes it. Big ones just get there a bit quicker. Take it easy out there.

[MrMelon]

Yeah I'd go for a mid to late 90's zx6r or cbr6. The seating position is pretty laid back so it's comfy for long trips but they can still boogie when you need them to. The zx6r's been reliable as a reliable thing for me too. You should be able to pick a nice one up for $4-6k.

[Lazy7]

BUY KNEE_SCRAPERS ZX7R - its a crazy good deal.

trust me you will love it.

[N4CR]

Yes I know the 9R is hardly a power monster compared to what else is out there, and it's a heavy old slug, but for your first >250cc bike I'd go 600.

I'm waiting for WINJA to see this... he has matched modern thous up to 200~kmh on a 9r...

[WINJA]

I'm waiting for WINJA to see this... he has matched modern thous up to 200~kmh on a 9r...

YUP AND I OWNED BOTH AT THE SAME TIME SO NO BIAS , I HAD A 98 ZX9 C1 WITH FULL AKROPOVIC AND 158 MAIN JETS AND IT WOULD BE SIDE BY SIDE WITH MY GSXR1000K2 UP TO 200KMH , THE GSXR ONLY HAD A AFTER MARKET CAN ON IT .
BUT I DID A MINOR MOD TO THE GIXXER INFACT ITS THE MOD I SENT TO ONEARMBANDIT AND THAT CHANGED THINGS THEN.
I ALSO USED TO TAKE OUT MY ZX9 AND GIVE PEOPLE A RIDING LESSON WHEN THEIR ON THEIR GIXXER1000S,BLADES,R1S WHATEVER

GET A GSXR1000 AS YOUR NEXT BIKE , JUST MAKE SURE ITS UP RIGHT AND HAS AT LEAST 2000 METERS OF CLEAR ROAD IN FRONT OF YOU B4 YOU OPEN IT UP

[Gremlin]

like any time you change bike (and others have mentioned this), you need to decided what you will be doing, and how much.

If a pillion is going to be the odd time, then a sportsbike is good, but if regularly, and perhaps longer trips as well, then a sportsbike is not the bike for it.

I've pillioned on the 7 now, and nicksta at 45kg made sweet f all difference to it, hardly knew she was on the back. Rayza at 65 did make a diff, the bike was more sluggish, more revs needed for pulling away etc.

The 7 could still fly with a pillion, just that you couldn't ride it at 3k revs with a pillion on board.

Depending on the weight of your pillions, I would say a 600 would not be enough, depending on how "spirited" your riding would be.

edit: if pillions are going to be a factor in your buying, you ideally should take the main one out with you when test riding. The width of the bike, seat height and seat slant (flat or not) can really make a big diff to the pillion, and you do want to make sure they feel safe.