Life after the 250.....

[skelstar]

I realise you've got a barrow to push, and that the Hornet has been on the market for a while, but new riders come here for help, and that should be the priority.

Dude, I didn't "push my barrow" when I first saw the thread...nor did I say that it wasn't going to bite him or that he should buy it...all I said is that I didn't have any moments going to that particular bike.

I've been quite careful about that.

Sure the bike has been for sale for a week and a half and I'd love to sell it, but there was a comment about the suitability of that model of bike and I had some experience in that respect. So Marc, I don't want you to buy my bike

Now can we get back to the discussion?

[skelstar]

Regardless, even Skelstar has managed two unintentional wheelies on his.

I was flooring it from the lights, and about 20,000kms after I had bought it. You can manage unintentional wheelies from most 500+cc bikes I would imagine.

[imdying]

I apologise, that was badly quoted, that comment was more directed at Mrs Kendog.

[marc34]

Find a bike shop and take one for a test ride, if nothing else they're disgustingly cheap brand new Not many bikes are evil unmanageable beasts, but some people have better throttle control (and self restraint!) than others. After a few laps around a route you know, you'll be able to answer that question for yourself

Thanks for your advice, im pretty much on the conservative side of life so i tend to show good restraint on throttles etc

[imdying]

You mention you're a big guy... Big Dave is a big guy, he recently cited the CB900 Hornet in a list of bikes suitable for big guys, might be worth a look

[Devil]

I HIGHLY recommend a Suzuki DL650 Vstrom. Same engine as the SV650 (650cc V-twin) but in an even better state of tune.

Do not get put off by the looks, because it's the ride that does the talking. It'll do everything, commute well (great fun sitting up high lording it over all ye who dare cross your path!), uses bugger all gas (errm I recall getting 400km out of a tank). Has plenty of poke, TONS of room for rider and pillion/luggage. It isn't too heavy. Here's the kicker. It does corners. It'll keep with the sportsbikes on a tight bit of road. Oh did I mention it'll do gravel and dirt roads too?

[MSTRS:Me]

Thanks for your advice, im pretty much on the conservative side of life so i tend to show good restraint on throttles etc

WARNING: - HP is addictive. When you've got some, you will want more.
The trick is to take manageable bites...

[avgas]

600cc single. DR650/BMW650/GB500/SRX6.....
big thumper 400cc or bigger.
will have the hp/torque you need, not exactly slow, but difficult to loose your license tiwnce in one year, but wont get ya killed either.

[Trudes]

Well from personal experience, my opinion is that a 900Hornet is a 100 times less scary to ride than a GSXR750, marc you said that you're a fairly reserved rider, so I don't think you'd have any trouble progressing to the hornet, don't let the sound of 900cc (919 if you want to be specific) scare you too much, treat it with respect, as you should any bike, at least until you get used to the power difference, and it's no more dangerous than jumping onto a 600cc sportsbike. JMO. But do try some different types, makes and models out for size and fit. Good luck!

[limbimtimwim]

Hopefully some of you have some recommendations/suggestions on what bikes to look out for from your vast experience.

Go down to TSS on Cuba St in Petone and ride them all. I suggest TSS because they are close to and they are happy to let you ride most things. I have no affiliation with them whatsoever.

Ride a 600cc sports bike, ride a cruiser, ride a bigger trail bike, ride a bike in the middle type thing, ride the 'step up' bikes like the SV650, ride a dirt/road crossover type thing.

Ride them all, even things you think may not be what you'd want to own just looking at them, your eyes will open when you do ride one. Ie. You may hate the look of a cruiser but find yourself giggling like a child riding one.

Stay off the 1000cc (4 and 2 cylinder) sports bikes for the moment, you'll ride a 600cc sports bike and realise they are mind-bendingly fast compared to your KDX.

[marc34]

cool, thanks for all your help everyone

[swbarnett]

There's nothing more annoying than waiting weeks on end for a $50 part to arrive from Japan.

Case in point - my wife had to wait a total of nine weeks for new brake disks for her CB600 Hornet. First it tool Honda Japan four weeks to tell us that they could not supply the part as it was a European model. It took Blue Wing Honda a further five weeks to source them from Europe.

[jim.cox]

600cc single. DR650/BMW650/GB500/SRX6.....
big thumper 400cc or bigger.
will have the hp/torque you need, not exactly slow, but difficult to loose your license tiwnce in one year, but wont get ya killed either.

That would be my choice too.

Big enough for the open road, easy around town and capable of handling gravel 'n all the shitty sorts of roads we get here.

[Kendog]

Unless you know the guy and how he rides and what his experience it is, I don't see how suggesting a 900cc sports bike is in his best interests.

You mention you're a big guy... Big Dave is a big guy, he recently cited the CB900 Hornet in a list of bikes suitable for big guys, might be worth a look

Small contradiction there in your posting.

My opinion, the Hornet is a great bike to be a first bigger bike.
Some context for that opinion:
I have ridden 18 different road bikes over my 5 years of riding, owning 5 bikes in that time, one of which was the 900 Hornet. That does not make me an expert by any means. But I can say from my experience, my wifes experience and Skelstars experience moving to the Hornet caused no problems at all. This is a great all round bike, value for money and a pleasure to ride. As far as the power goes, it is a pussy cat. Sure you can go fast on it once your confidence is up, but at no point did I feel 'wow shit' on this bike. Yes it will seem way way quicker than your current bike, but that will happen with most other larger bikes you try.
In comparison the 600cc and 750cc sport bikes are way way faster and may not be a good next bike. But there are other 600 type bikes like the bandits that fit the bill, but I think after a short period of time on these you will be wanting more.

Ultimately you are the best person to know what you need and can live with. The best way to know that is to ride different bikes and find the one that is right for you.

Good luck.

[0arbreaka]

Mate, If your intending on moving to a bigger bike from the d-tracker why dont you have a look at 400's most of the sports 400's will have double if not more hp than your current ride, they arent bad on the speed front, in fact theyr a fuck load of fun in most aspects, you might not be able to keep up with some of the big bikes on the straights, but if youve got sum balls you might be able to keep up with them in the twisties. If you commute on one, then I'd suggest you take it out on the weekends and thrash it, most sports 400's were designed to be able to handle a decent thrashing(cos they were designed as race bikes initially), I find my zxr goes better after a decent thrashing.

In the end its your decision as to what you do, test ride a few bikes and see what you like before you whip out your cheque book.