Upgrade time soon

[beyond]

I rode one for a while and really enjoyed it, same engine as the SV and super-comfy to ride. Give it a try. I also recommend the Bandits, great all round bikes, excellent tourers and comfy around town, got loads of power when you want it too. Only criticism of them is they could use another gear.

That's why you get a 1400. You get six gears, fuel injection and truckloads of loverly torque? You can ride all day and do it again without getting a sore arse and yep, they actually do handle. (Bandits do too, of course)

[Lou Girardin]

Hornet, GSX 1400, CB1300, XJR1300, and far from least - Bandit. My personal favourite.

[MD]

Hornet, GSX 1400, CB1300, XJR1300, and far from least - Bandit. My personal favourite.

Strewth, I hope Lou and beyond are pulling your leg. The last thing you want to do is go from a 250 to a 1400cc!
Try the middle weights for size first. You can always move up a size later when you feel ready, but it's not so easy to move down a size after that first big moment on your first big bike kills you.
The Er6 thingy is good value and the likes of the SV650 Suzuki.

[myvice]

Sounds like you are after what I was looking for...
Go into every bike shop you can find and ride everything.

[Burger]

ER6 n or f

I'll ave mine soon... (Black, Faired)

I did a hell of a lot of reading on middleweight bikes, and it was either the ER6 or the SV-650.

Both are very good from everything I've read.

[myvice]

Hey Burger, whats the DNA like?

[Burger]

Lots of fun....

...for riding around town.

And unfortunately thats about it. Forget about riding it on the motorway, which is what I use it for the most (to get to work 20k's away). You really have to wind it out to stay around the 100kph mark. If there is oncoming wind you have to hug the false tank, and if it's strong then it's more like 80kph. But for zipping around town it's awesome, no gears, no clutch.

So I'll be upgrading to the ER6F/Ninja 650R in a short while (damn licence waiting times). I've done the research and the Kawasaki won me over.

[TerminalAddict]

what are peoples thoughts about a Yamaha FZ6N ? for what I'm after

[Edbear]

I'm after a normal bike.

?????????? Wot's that? Do you realise you're asking KBers? Normal..!!!??? You're definitely in the wrong place for NORMAL!!!

[Motig]

Iremember this fun when the bank manager said "Yes, we'll buy a bike for you" I decided I wanted the more upright riding position for less weight on the wrists (old age). Decided what I liked was Hornet,Kawa ZR750,Bandit and the new GSR Suzuki. Finally brought none of them as another bike came up and the price was too good but otherwise if the GSR checked out I'd have gone for it cause its a bit different followed by the Hornet. So I guess I'm saying Get what you like and take everybodies completely unbiased advice with a pinch of salt. Good Hunting!

[Lou Girardin]

Strewth, I hope Lou and beyond are pulling your leg. The last thing you want to do is go from a 250 to a 1400cc!
Try the middle weights for size first. You can always move up a size later when you feel ready, but it's not so easy to move down a size after that first big moment on your first big bike kills you.
The Er6 thingy is good value and the likes of the SV650 Suzuki.

Nah, they're just big fluffy pussy cats. And when you need serious grunt, it's there.

[skelstar]

Reckon theyre a good bike. They get good reviews etc. I sat on one (couldnt test ride at the time) and thought there was too much chrome etc. Just the asthetics mostly. They werent cheaper either (about $14k). Could have bought a new 04' R6 for that at the time..

[TerminalAddict]

so far (without riding) the picks are
Hornet 919
FZ6N-S (with the wee fairing)

[WickedOne]

ok guys I want some comments.

I've got my eyes on a 06 919 hornet .. looks like a normal bike, that I can push (when I get the balls) to have a bit of fun on. Has a 25 degree rake (not to freakish .. altho' a big change from my 35 degree rake on the V ) and I read BD's article in KR last night .. and he raves about it (taken with a grain of salt .. .coz it is a mag after all .. and he's not going to call it a complete piece of crap is he )

I haven't ridden anything yet ... maybe next weekend

The Hornet's are certainly enjoyable bikes. Shop around and ride some other bikes as well, you will know the right bike when you get on it.

[kiwifruit]

hornet would be good, grunty tho after a 250!
what about a gs500? cheap enuf new