A serious question for the more experienced riders amongst you.

**MaxB** · 11th February 2009, 15:42

This thread comes up a fair bit. The search function should get you some more answers.

Why not have a test ride on a few of your choices? You may find your favourite Italian scoot is too hard edged for what you want.

**Mom** · 11th February 2009, 15:44

Go ride some bikes is my advice, you may be surprised at what you end up with.

**Sky-hi** · 11th February 2009, 15:46

Originally Posted by madbikeboy

When shit happens, it really happens on a thou. Imagine this scenario, riding through a corner I ride every day, a patch of diesel - leaned over, rolling into the throttle, back wheel starts to let go - what do you do? Do you have the experience to go against your natural instinct? Do you have the time in the saddle to feel the warning signs - you have about .2 of second to correct it on the gas on a thou. - So, what do you do?

exactly what I wanted to hear. thanks for your input.

**Big Dave** · 11th February 2009, 15:46

Originally Posted by Sky-hi

Another excellent comment. as for "knowing" rather than asking. All I was after was opinion. Ultimately I will be making up my own mind. But having not ridden a thou yet, I thought it might be pertinent to get some experienced advice rather than rely on my own thoughts on the matter.

Indeed - I meant it from the 'driven to do it' angle.

**cowboyz** · 11th February 2009, 15:47

Originally Posted by Sky-hi

Another excellent comment. as for "knowing" rather than asking. All I was after was opinion. Ultimately I will be making up my own mind. But having not ridden a thou yet, I thought it might be pertinent to get some experienced advice rather than rely on my own thoughts on the matter.

Originally Posted by Mom

Go ride some bikes is my advice, you may be surprised at what you end up with.

yep. Take a shop thou out for a run. Then if you break it at least it wasnt yours. The excess on most demos are under what real insurance usually is and it doesnt technically fuck up your personal insurance record for the future.

Win win situation.

**Sky-hi** · 11th February 2009, 15:47

Originally Posted by MaxB

This thread comes up a fair bit. The search function should get you some more answers.

I did try... I searched "upgrade from" "up from 250". things like that, to no avail.

**Filter_nz** · 11th February 2009, 15:48

I was in that situation only a year ago.
26, Married, nothing to prove. I just wanted to skip the middle-bike step.

I went from a Hyosung GT250r to a Honda VTR 1000.
I just took it easy until I was used to it. Loved it!!

That said, if you want to commute on it I personally think a 1k bike is a waste of time. 200km to a tank and you'll never use 5th or 6th.
V-twin 1000cc bikes seem to be more predictable in the way they deliver power and so a more friendly step up than say a 4cly bike like a GSXR.

**slofox** · 11th February 2009, 15:50

I'd go for the less savage option....in fact I did just that when returning to riding after a 20 year gap...still have yet to completely master 650cc....V Twin at that. And yes, v twins are OK to communt on...
Oh and 60 - 65mpg as well....

**cowboyz** · 11th February 2009, 15:53

Originally Posted by Filter_nz

That said, if you want to commute on it I personally think a 1k bike is a waste of time. 200km to a tank and you'll never use 5th or 6th.
.

5th or 6th? I have trouble getting out of 1st or 2nd in town. I really dislike riding my bike round town. It is just annoying.

In saying that it is my daily commuter which is 14km open road riding, 600m in town riding.

**Sully60** · 11th February 2009, 15:57

Originally Posted by Sky-hi

Is a V-Twin with it's torque "easier" to ride in traffic than a 4 cylinder do you think?

I would say no, most modern four cylinder bikes of bigger capacity will happily bumble along at low revs and usually have a wider spread of usable power than a twin of equal capacity.
A twin will have more torque yes but at low revs/speed this can hard to apply without being snatchy (the bangs get pretty far apart and you feel it) and you'll end up riding the clutch more often , where as a four might not pull so hard but will run smoother for longer (lots of little bangs in close succession) and your left hand will generally have an easier time of it.

So as others have said go test ride, only you know what's going to right for you.
Just make sure you try to include as much as style the riding you'll be doing in your test ride.

**sinfull** · 11th February 2009, 16:01

Do what ya want, ya will anyway lol but ya keep talking commuter ?
Is your 2 fity a bit slow, are you a carver wanna be ?

**Sky-hi** · 11th February 2009, 16:04

Originally Posted by sinfull

Do what ya want, ya will anyway lol but ya keep talking commuter ?
Is your 2 fity a bit slow, are you a carver wanna be ?

yes, I commute every single day to and from work through auckland traffic so it's commutability is an issue.

Definately not a wannabe anything, just a bigger guy that wants some speed in sensible situations, something larger for roadtrips without ringing the shit out of the bike and something for the occasional trackday.

**nodrog:Me** · 11th February 2009, 16:06

after riding a 250 for 8 months, then a 7 year period of not even owning a motorcycle, i brought a 996, i didnt die much.

**jrandom** · 11th February 2009, 16:07

I had a real 'waaaay hey hey!' moment on my Trek 1500 (alloy frame, Ultegra all round, rolling on Mavic Aksiums and Continental GP Attack/Forces) in the rain yesterday. Honking down a hill in Glenfield toward a sharp left-hand bend, the rear tyre flatted without me realising it (I was crankin' the MP3s at the time, Fun Lovin' Criminals for the muthafuckin win y'all). I turned into the bend and waaaaay hey hey, the back end came straight around! Just about highsided my arse into the middle of the road.

But I stayed on the gas, looked where I wanted to go and rode it out.

And I gotta say, it's all the experience I have riding 600s and other bikes of similar moderate power that enabled me to do that. Gotta build up to it, y'know? If I'd gotten straight onto the pushbike without that practice, who knows what coulda happened.

Motorcycles only do what you tell them to, and that's all there is to it.

**madbikeboy** · 11th February 2009, 16:09

Originally Posted by Sky-hi

Another excellent comment. as for "knowing" rather than asking. All I was after was opinion. Ultimately I will be making up my own mind. But having not ridden a thou yet, I thought it might be pertinent to get some experienced advice rather than rely on my own thoughts on the matter.

Well, shit, it gets easy in that case. Go ride the RSV, that'll help you reach a decision very quickly.

RSV's are excellent fun, and very easy to ride with all that torque. And so forgiving... And cheap to service, and great to commute on.