Upgrading from a 400cc

**been_there** · 1st July 2009, 08:27

Originally Posted by grim26

Ive been riding a NC24 Honda VFR 400 for about a year now and for the last few months Its been a lil gutless for me so I want to upgrade. Ive been looking at a few 750cc's and Im wondering whether I'll get sick of it too quick and I if should go straight for a 900cc+ ???

Had not problem jumping into the 955 from the cage....
Definitely a thrill factor everytime I go for a ride

**coffeejunkie** · 1st July 2009, 10:01

Originally Posted by jrandom

Pfft.

Just learn to ride it properly.

http://www.motott.co.nz/

He does ride it properly, Well everytime he's out with us he does.....Balzy said get a TL you know you want too.....

I say Man Up and get a 675 then i can ride it too

**ManDownUnder** · 1st July 2009, 10:06

the size of the next step is largely irrelevant in my opinion - you're going from something that can throw you down the road and hurt you real bad... to something that could easily kill you.

It's also opening up the possibility of doing exactly what you want without power being a limiting factor... so it raises the question... what do you want to do?

Long distance riding etc - a big motor will happily pour out the power k after k. Racing would suggest you go for something smaller first till you get your skills up then progress through the various classes... etc
Answer the "what do I want to do" question and get the best bike for the job (within budget of course)

**HenryDorsetCase** · 1st July 2009, 10:07

Originally Posted by hayd3n

i cruise at 120kms 5000 revs

lawbreaker!

criminal!

get an SV650, or a Street Triple or Daytona 675. Learn to ride it proper like.

**dipshit** · 1st July 2009, 10:12

Originally Posted by UNSTABLE

The most interesting thing I find is that if I ride a big grunty monster, I tend to ride slower, which is better for the license.It's just nice knowing all that power is there. Little 600 buzz bombs might be just about as fast around a windy road, but they don't have the instant low-end and midrange response of a big bugger.

I have just gone from a SV1000 to a GSX-R600. I actually find the 600 easier to ride closer to the speed limit. On the SV it was so easy to pass traffic with just a twist of the throttle. You only needed small gaps and you could be very quickly doing 160. I found myself constantly passing traffic.

On the 600 it isn't as easy and requires a bit more thought and planning. So now i find myself cruising along at 110 ish more while on the main state highways.

Also cruising at 100-110Km/H at 6-7000 rpm is just freakin annoying!!!

Just don't fit a noisy exhaust system then!

Apart from that its mostly psychological. Sure the needle may be reading 6000 rpm... but it's got a hell of a long way to go before it reaches the 16000 redline.

**dipshit** · 1st July 2009, 10:14

Originally Posted by davebullet

For me, the SV650 is plenty fun enough in a straight line, light enough for the twisties, but has shitty suspension. I'd rather spend my money on suspension upgrades... or get a better quality bike with better stock suspension (but I don't need the extra power or weight).

And this is largely why i traded in my SV1000 on a GSX-R600.

**javawocky** · 1st July 2009, 11:57

I chose the SV1k over the GSXR600 because of the torque without the crazy power of the GSXR1000. Plus it sounds sweeet

Get your leg over some bikes to try them out. I so wanted a GSXR600 but was disappointed by the power deliver (read little lower down power) when I road it - and felt cramped up - but man, it handled so well.

If I ever upgrade I will probably try the GSXR750 or the Daytona 675, but for now I am very happy with the SV
*Edit: don't forget the extra price you pay on insurance + license + tyres on the 1L bikes

**one fast tl1ooo** · 1st July 2009, 12:09

just buy what you want, and ride it, more power the better, so you can beat your friends

**chanceyy** · 1st July 2009, 22:53

Hey Dude

hear where your at .. Test riding is truely your friend .. I liked the look of the bandit so was half sold .. then test road a 600 & was instantly comfy however took the advice of the guys I ride with & my mentor to test ride the 1200 (never considered it before)

so did and yup my mentor was spot on the money .. it would take approx a yr to get really comfy with the roll on power, weight etc however I will never outgrow it .. the 600 would have become to vanilla to quickly .. and I

my 1200 (as you prob know)

control is all in the twist of the wrist .. regardless of size of motor etc, if you do not think you can control the speed (but seeing you ride & quite happy to pottle along I doubt that will be a issue) you may want to reconsider size

however again test riding is definitely your friend

and dunna worry about a 675 Red will understand .... true ..

**Insanity_rules** · 1st July 2009, 23:15

On my way back up to a big boy bike I went from a 400 to a 900 (Both Ducati's) and found out a few home truths. I ride a bit of distance and find the 900 a god send on the motorway but round town the 400 was so much more chuckable and city friendly. The 900 goes from stop to sshhheeerrttt very quickly so have to have a very deft touch on Mr throttle crawling through town (did I mention some evil basket modified the nuts off my current ride before I bought it?). I wanted an animal so I bought an animal.

Test ride is the way to go, only you know what you'll like. Having a ballsy bike is huge fun but living with it can be a different story, there are trade offs. Oh and big V twins are the freakin business if you want power everywhere.

**slydesigns** · 2nd July 2009, 10:45

I went from a CBR400RR to a D675 and am loving it! When I move to OZ next year I'm either going for an 09 D675 or a CBR1000RR

**coffeejunkie** · 2nd July 2009, 11:08

Right thats it grim.....After our chat last night it's time to do some serious test riding.....

Balzy is going to welling motorcycles saturday morning so maybe we should tag along

**slydesigns** · 2nd July 2009, 17:31

Oh I forgot to add... my mental brazilian girl has been riding all of 6 months on a CBF250 and has tried the 675 and found it easy to ride and a whole lot of fun! So if shes comfortable on it and shes a total bike newbie, then you'll love the triple!

They are a ton of fun, easy to ride, forgiving in every situation, bar headshake from landing off centre after wheelies, and they look and sound great!

Since they were released in 06 to 08 they are mechanically identical, so the only issue would be Kms and condition. 09's has minor but useful changes if you ride fast, otherwise go an 06/07 model.

Some as cheap as $7K on Trademe recently.

One drawback is the cost of tyres and parts. It eats high quality tyres and brake pads. Put shite ones on and its a nightmare to ride unless you like rolling burnouts and grabby brakes. Put the good stuff on and its a weapon.