What after thhe 250????

**Stevo** · 14th November 2004, 21:54

Interested in size and type of bike all you riders went to after getting off your 250 restriction?? For those who never went thru the system 'What were your first coupla bikes?

I want to go from 250 to at least 600. Mrs thinks I'm bonkers. Been riding since 10 years old and now 30 but only been on the road for 11 months and 16000kms

I am more interested in finding the Best Bike at the Best Price. However The Mrs brings power etc into the equation (doesn't think I should even look at anything bigger than 600). I say that power is basically irrelevant but more maturity in riding...... blah blah blah. I never ride to prove anything so I think I should just buy one bike that I am going to be happy with for a number of years.......................... :spudwhat:

What is your opinion?

**Slim** · 14th November 2004, 22:11

You've also got to think about weight, physical size, difference in handling, stopping & stuff like that. I wouldn't look at anything bigger than a 600 if I were you, but there'll be some along later to argue the difference in power output characteristics between a V and IL4 configuration motors and why you should buy a 1000cc bike.

Personally, I went from a single 4-stroke 250cc to an IL4 400cc bike for a couple of years, and then on to the 600cc IL4 that I've now had for 6 years. I personally think that 600cc is more than enough for my needs and am steadfastly refusing The Mans insistence that a 1000 V-twin VTR or SV would be perfect for me.

But then there's the difference between my 7yo CBR600 and a new R6. You've got a lot to consider, and possibly the best way to tell is to take some bikes for test rides & find out what you like & be honest with yourself about what might be too much for you.

Good luck.

**Motu** · 14th November 2004, 22:36

If you've been riding off road for 20yrs maybe a dual sport would be a good option - the seating postion and general feel of the bike will be 'at home' for you,all those off road skills you've honed over 20yrs will be easily applied to the road.You can stay in the 600cc region with a single,maybe even going motard,with a bigger bike you can get into twins or even a triple if you want a Tiger.Don't ever let anyone tell you a dual sport is not good in the twisties....show them...you've always got an excuse if you're slow,they haven't!

**Stevo** · 14th November 2004, 22:48

I think I disagree on the riding position. I quite like the sport riding position, but that is a personal preference thing.

Here is a funny story though. A number of times in the first few hundred road kms I ever did (on the road bike) I had to remind myself not to want to put the foot down while cornering.

The FiZzeR is an IL4. I love the sound of the Big Twins though.

**aff-man** · 14th November 2004, 23:20

hahahaha my 400 is for sale.

But believe me the 400's have enough up and go but after a while (for me at least) i want a bit more power. I think the 600 range would be perfect for me but i don't know yet i may even go back to the 400 cause they are pretty potent compared to the 250's (except if it's a honda

) cause my zxr250 has 45hp stock and the 400 is 20hp on top of that.

**ching_ching** · 15th November 2004, 05:18

Hi Stevo,

IMO 600 sports for the road are a great compromise between weight, handling and speed / power. They will definitely keep up, surpass and outhandle most things on the road (as long as you don't hit any slick / gravel patches

). It's not surprising that Supersports have been the biggest sellers in Europe.
After I got my full, went straight to my current ride. All up now I've only been riding 2 years now... and have enjoyed every minute of it so far. When I got my 600, I just took it easy at first just to get acquainted with the bike, you know the usual story. I can still remember the first time like it was yesterday. The difference in power was and is significant as you can imagine. Like you, at this stage in my life I tend more towards a "lean forward and cane it" type of riding position. But lately I've been having fantasies of riding naked... I mean nakeds. Good luck with your decision.

ching

**Bonez** · 15th November 2004, 05:42

Depends on the type of riding you do. With so many bloody market segments these days the choice is amazing. 600/750 class should see you right for a number of years (I personnally have never needed anything over 750cc in 20 + years of road riding) and for value for money you can't go past the Bandits for road bikes. Do as many test rides as you can and all the best on your choice of bike.

**Paul in NZ** · 15th November 2004, 06:51

Look hard at an SV650 then. Enough poke to be fun, enough handling to amuse and cheap as chips to buy.

Hell of a lot easier to ride than a 600 / 4.

Paul N

**Shade** · 15th November 2004, 07:00

I just went to a 250 from a 600 - and im loving it.

The 600 feels slightly more heavier than the 250, with loads more grunt. As soon as i got it i did 600 k's on it in 3 days, eheh. Awesome machines.

**Two Smoker** · 15th November 2004, 07:22

I found the jump from onto a 600 quite big (mainly due to my riding style) but it is manageable......

You will never need more than a 600 on the road..... with a 1000 IL4, you can only use 25% of the throttle 85% of the time... But a V2 1000 is far more versitile with only a little more power than a 600 IL4

I reakon it feels like this,
250-400 = double the acceleration, top speed increases by about 40-50kmh

400-600 = double the acceleration again top speed increases 30 kmh (on 400)

1000+ = INSANE, have ridden a CBR1100XX, AND IT WAS INSANE doesnt take much at all to get over 240kmh, front wheel lifts up in the first 3 gears (and can do in mid corner

) It would take me quite a long time to get used to it...

I reakon a 400 has plenty of poke for the road..... I only wish for more power on the 400 at speeds over 180kmh.... The jump from a 250-600 is manageable (especially if your the man like Shade and have heaps of riding talent

....) But i wouldnt go over a 600....

**MOTOXXX** · 15th November 2004, 07:45

600 should be sweet az i would imagine. Im not sure how they go with two people on them but for an upgrade i think it would be ideal.

I guess people used to look down on 600's but there nothing to be sneezed at these days. I hear that Jimbos is a rocket.
Gota learn to crawl before you can walk i guess and i think a 600 would keep ya happy for a while.
Maybe do a couple test rides and see what feels comfortable

**bear** · 15th November 2004, 08:54

Reently moved up from a ZZR250 to a Bandit 600. Found the move really good, as the bandit has good low end torque that doesn't make you want to use max power like some of the other more rev-y bikes, that might get you into trouble. In saying that though, has masses of power over the 250 and if you want to go then the bandit will oblige.

**Sniper** · 15th November 2004, 08:59

Ive ridden 600's but Im still on my 250. Wouldnt mind the move up to a 600 though. Not too bad.

**Hitcher** · 15th November 2004, 10:34

I went from a Yamaha FZX250 Zeal to a Kawasaki ZRX1200R. Not a problem really. Bikes with tonnes of stonking go need to be treated with respect. Full stop.