Would the jump be too big?

[EJT]

Thanks for all the advice on engine size. Now what about suitability (is that even a word). The rides I take might end up getting longer, such as a tour of the south island at some stage, will a bike like the hornet let me do it without having to have a spinal reajustment at the end of the trip, and what about lugage etc. I have thought about something like a vstrom or transalp but my legs are to short.

You will adjust to the bike. I did over 1500ks last weekend on the 6R and felt good at the end. When I first started riding it I was suffering after 50ks.

Either the 600 or the 900 will be fine.

[nico]

hey dude my.2c would be try a 400 or a 600 mabie a vfr or cbr something on those lines hondas are great but imho a 250 to a 900 power and weight may be a bit much not saying your ant got exprenence but i comuit every day from hut to welly as well and am daily having to watch out,

so my my advice would be to get a step up bike inbetween i could be wrong
end of the day it up to you.

[gijoe1313]

As long as you got restraint on your right wrist, a Big Ol'Hornet will suit you fine, they are nice bikes with good response and great for your everyday riding, long touring and the squirt through some nice twisties.

I love mine and its all good, treat it right and you will be riding it for a long, long, long time! The power is all linear with no nasty surprises, agile enough for all your purposes and there is plenty of aftermarket blingness for it

If you can, snap up a brand new Big Ol'Hornet, they ain't making anymore of them! It will keep running long after more flashier ones are feeling their age

[Duke girl]

It really doesnt matter whether you go from a 250 to a 600 or a 250 to 1200 as it all comes down to whether or not you can handle that many cc's. Only you know what your capability is on a bike so the decision is purely yours. All you need to do is give yourself some time to get use to the bigger power ratio and getting use to knowing what your bike is capable off doing while riding it. Like most of us that ride Im sure you wont be going out there doing anythink stupid as you will be hoping to ride for many years to come. Goodluck with what ever decision you make and happy riding.

[Drew]

Do you plan on going faster than 230kph? I only ask because most modern 600s are good for 230-250kph so if you don't need to go any faster than that a 6 hundy will do you just fine. My bike tops out at about 195kph and that suits me.

Flat out in top cog the 900 hornet is only good for about 240kph.

I think the step to a hornet 9 is less dangerous than on to a modern 600 sports bike.

[Hawkeye]

It also depends on what you want to do re: commute. I have a 500 which is great for commuting, has enough power for playing and is very good on fuel.

The only time I have felt underpowered is when I did a track day.

I would suggest that the 600 is a good compromise to cover the needs.
I don't know your financial situation but the other option of course is to hang onto the 250 for commuting and get whatever you like for playing.

[AlBundy]

I think the step to a hornet 9 is less dangerous than on to a modern 600 sports bike.

About sums it up really...

[klyong82]

Do it.....a Hornet 900 is ok ....if you jumping to a Cbr1000RR then you will be missing out all the fun from a 600RR

[Winston001]

The issue which isn't really addressed here is the big increase in weight over a 250. It can be deceptive. Plenty of power so you don't notice the weight on a big bike - until you get into trouble. Suddenly the damn thing is going some place you didn't intend and very quickly. A 250 can be flicked in any direction, try it with a quarter tonne 900 and you'll need new undies .

Inertia. Chisel that in your mind.

This won't only happen at speed - it can catch you in a carpark. Very very easily. In fact the slower you are going the more chance your balance will be compromised.

So my advice is, yes, a 900 Hornet would suit you provided you are as sensible as you sound. Practise riding it in a supermarket carpark with cans or something to ride between. Once you gain confidence and get a feel for the bike at low speed, you'll be a better rider and a safer rider.

My 2 cents.

[aahsv]

Some good advice given so far - also bikes are like women, some are more compatible than others, test ride a variety and see what suits

[Toaster]

The Hornet is relatively tame for a 900, or at least that's the way it seemed to me when Buckbuck gave me a turn on his.

No worries stepping up I reckon.

Agreed! A tame bike like a hornet ridden with care would be fine.

[Toaster]

I dont think the jump is too big dude. I went from riding 250's, to no road riding for 6 years, to a VTR1000.

I did similar.... from a GSX250 to a VTR1000F - nice second bike that VTR and the more relaxed v-twin power was at a level within a band I could cope with until I was ready for the in-line fours.

[Toaster]

Some good advice given so far - also bikes are like women, some are more compatible than others, test ride a variety and see what suits

Ride them hard and change them often???

[nallac]

Ride them hard and change them often???

now theres a bloody good/expensive idea.

[Drew]

My 2 cents.

Good job you added this at the end, or I'd have felt compelled to say your post was new age hippy crap, and call you a twat. I would hope anyone looking to get off a 250, is well past setting up obstacle courses in a carpark to "get a feel" for a new bike.

My 2 cents

Some good advice given so far - also bikes are like women, some are more compatible than others, test ride a variety and see what suits

Ride them hard and change them often???

That's more like it lads, bring on da ho's!