My lunchtime Ride from 1200CC to 250CC - Terror!!

[Bloody Mad Woman (BMW)]

I think I've stopped shaking now. At lunchtime today I took my bike out to TSS to have a new back tyre put on, and they will check chain and sprocket. I had booked a loaner bike - then this morning I had this horrible thought - god what if they gave me a GN 250. Yes I do talk to myself and answer as well. Shirl be grateful, remember those 4 months without a bike!!!

Never been to TSS before - nice outfit. NICE BIKES - I asked whether I could take my pick for a loaner bike - yeah right - ok no harm in asking - he said no I have a GN 250 here for you. (Thank you God!!)

I'm used to riding a 1200CC bike. I take my hat off to anyone that can ride a 250CC - feel safe, and happy riding it. I was terrified, I'm too tall for it, no fairings whatsoever, no power. I'm on the motorway and I felt so vulnerable - it is very light and getting buffeted around by the wind. I thought fark if I had to get out of situation quickly - I'm stuffed. I'm too used to having the instant power and solidness of my bike. Probably great for around town - on a long trip - forget it - but it did cross my mind - I would never ever get caught for speeding on a 250!!! and yes it did slow me down!! lol.

I am very grateful I have my full licence! I parked the bike up and had to go and have a coffee and recuperate!

[Guitana]

Should've asked him if you could demo one of the hyosung 250's theyre not too bad!!! When I took my bike in they were trying to sell me one!!

[Korea]

Yep, that’s why after you get by your learners and restricted on a 250cc – you’re ready for anything a 1000cc R1 can throw at you.

[mstriumph]

ROFL - glad you survived your ordeal BMW!!

Gotta say, the loaners i've been given have mostly been "blasts from the past" and quite nostalgic to ride .........

[Trudes]

I like to have the power too.

[Dooly]

I feel ridiculous on my SRX250 that I brought for the stepson.
Mind you its light, and I did get it up to 140!
Kudos to all who brave the motorways on small bikes.

[bungbung]

Recently I've been pottering around on 145cc of goodness. Different to the VTR but hardly frightening.

[vifferman]

I kn ow what you mean.
I traded in a VTR1000 on the VFR800, and three days after I got it, I took the VFR back for some work. The gave me a Volty to ride, and until I found it was good for jumping speedhumps, I absolutely hated it. I also found it rather insulting, but completely in line with the way they treated me overall.

[-df-]

I know what you mean, when I took my misses old RGV150 for a blat to clear her out I just couldn't handle it...I'd lean into a courner...and almost fall flat as there is no weight to them as well!!

Oh...and when trucks drive past...man do you move around alot!!

Had to buy her a CBR250R the other day, at least it wont get knocked around on the road so much!!

[Pwalo]

Nah, 250 singles are great fun. You can ride the beggars like a super motard. No good on the m/way of course but so much fun any where else.

Mind you when the SV was in for it's service Pete lent me a GSR600 which really is a big motard. Now that really was fun!

[SlashWylde]

...Probably great for around town - on a long trip - forget it....

Can't speak for the venerable GN250, but I clocked up several thousand kilometers on my Virago XV250 touring around Coromandel and the East Cape over the course of a single week a few summers ago (includng a pack full of gear). I had a great time, was one of the best trips of my life, and the 250 just loved it.

It's definitely not true to say one can't do long trips on a 250, provided of course, one isn't too large for the bike.

[Bloody Mad Woman (BMW)]

Can't speak for the venerable GN250, but I clocked up several thousand kilometers on my Virago XV250 touring around Coromandel and the East Cape over the course of a single week a few summers ago (includng a pack full of gear). I had a great time, was one of the best trips of my life, and the 250 just loved it.

It's definitely not true to say one can't do long trips on a 250, provided of course, one isn't too large for the bike.

Yes it can be done - but I couldn't and wouldn't - I'd be bored shitless. I did the above trip at xmas on the bandit - lovely corners.

One thing I am learning about my riding style is I can do the limit and look at scenery for only so long - the rest of the time I am honing my skills, practising cornering pushing myself to the limits (out in the wop wops, not in built up traffic) - its slowly dawning on me really that's what one should be doing on a track. But then I am not comfortable riding in groups.

[Forest]

Can't speak for the venerable GN250, but I clocked up several thousand kilometers on my Virago XV250 touring around Coromandel and the East Cape over the course of a single week a few summers ago (includng a pack full of gear). I had a great time, was one of the best trips of my life, and the 250 just loved it.

It's definitely not true to say one can't do long trips on a 250, provided of course, one isn't too large for the bike.

I did my first Grand Challenge on a borrowed TU250 (Volty). That was a 2,500+km weekend and I had a great time.

[Max3]

I love my virago and do an 160km return trip to work and home again on one of Brisbanes busiest mototways (M1) without a hiccup! I am also a Ulysses member and dont have any trouble keeping up on club rides.
Having said that tho - am looking at upgrading to the 2007 vstar custom 650 - mainly cos I want to go a bit further afield and dont want to wring the neck of the virago!! (she is waay tp pretty for that)



A pic of my baby!

[Wasp]

BWAHAHAHAAHAAAHAHA - my bike was booked in for this morn but cancelled cos it wasnt neccessary

we went through so much hassle of sorting out a bike for me cos all the loan bikes would probably be out - had decided i would get to test ride a hyosung or the newer model than mine bandit with VVT for sale

(i've only ever had to take the gn once)