Intermediate bike advice?

[george formby]

I'm not getting a KTM for the same reason. No moola.
I guess you need to add resale value into your decision making, too.

[superjackal]

Hi all,

This is my first post, so take it easy on me.

I've been riding for roughly a year and have put about 7,000 km into my little VTR250, most of it during daily commute. I just took my restricted test, so it's going to be another 18 months before I can get a 'proper' bike (I'm now thinking an SV650). Anyway, I have started to look into possibly getting something in between for the meantime: most likely a Kawasaki ER500 or a Suzuki GS500. I know these bikes tend to get mixed reviews and are labelled boring and whatnot, but would they be a good step-up bike from a 250? I mean would they prepare me well for a bigger bike? Or should I just not bother and keep riding my VTR (which I do love, by the way) all the way to the 650? How are service costs for the 500 bikes? Anything else I should think about? Thanks!

I went through exactly the same scenario recently. I tried a lot of bikes including your VTR 250. I ended up coming down to a choice between an ER-5 and a GS500. An ER-5 came up for sale at the right price. I think people who say it's not a big step up are talking out their a$$ and forgetting what it's like to be a learner. Both the GS500 and ER-5 are great bikes and have more than enough power for me - and I like to go fast. The ER-5 will easily surge up to 170 and feels pretty good there (racetrack). I thought I'd interim it on the ER-5 and then go for my dream Striple this March, but to be honest the ER-5 is more than fast enough for my limited experience. It's heavier but in a good way. My only gripe is that the brakes could be better.

The GS500s felt a touch smoother than the ER-5s I test rode. But I'm glad I got the bike I did.

I don't find it boring at all, but some flash Harry with a 1000cc 200hp beast might.

Happy hunting!

(I've reviewed my experience upgrading from a 250 to a 500 in several old posts).

[george formby]

I went through exactly the same scenario recently. I tried a lot of bikes including your VTR 250. I ended up coming down to a choice between an ER-5 and a GS500. An ER-5 came up for sale at the right price. I think people who say it's not a big step up are talking out their a$$ and forgetting what it's like to be a learner. Both the GS500 and ER-5 are great bikes and have more than enough power for me - and I like to go fast. The ER-5 will easily surge up to 170 and feels pretty good there (racetrack). I thought I'd interim it on the ER-5 and then go for my dream Striple this March, but to be honest the ER-5 is more than fast enough for my limited experience. It's heavier but in a good way. My only gripe is that the brakes could be better.

The GS500s felt a touch smoother than the ER-5s I test rode. But I'm glad I got the bike I did.

I don't find it boring at all, but some flash Harry with a 1000cc 200hp beast might.

Happy hunting!

(I've reviewed my experience upgrading from a 250 to a 500 in several old posts).

Well said & very pertinent. My 8fiddly struggles to do 170 kmh but has no probs making that quick, planned, overtake when I'm stuck behind a slow vehicle. What more do you want on the road?
Oh, it's got crap brakes, too.
Horses for courses. Op, go ride some bikes.

[ivelramit]

I went through exactly the same scenario recently. I tried a lot of bikes including your VTR 250. I ended up coming down to a choice between an ER-5 and a GS500. An ER-5 came up for sale at the right price. I think people who say it's not a big step up are talking out their a$$ and forgetting what it's like to be a learner. Both the GS500 and ER-5 are great bikes and have more than enough power for me - and I like to go fast. The ER-5 will easily surge up to 170 and feels pretty good there (racetrack). I thought I'd interim it on the ER-5 and then go for my dream Striple this March, but to be honest the ER-5 is more than fast enough for my limited experience. It's heavier but in a good way. My only gripe is that the brakes could be better.

The GS500s felt a touch smoother than the ER-5s I test rode. But I'm glad I got the bike I did.

I don't find it boring at all, but some flash Harry with a 1000cc 200hp beast might.

Happy hunting!

(I've reviewed my experience upgrading from a 250 to a 500 in several old posts).

Awesome, very useful info! Cheers!

[mossy1200]

Only the bros 400 is lams approved.

The revere 600 and 650 is on the list which is a slightly touring version with lower pegs and higher bars. I woukld say it must be a little heavier to have made the list.

http://www.trademe.co.nz/motors/moto...-599521700.htm

I had one for a while and did it up then sold it a few months later. They are a good bike and easy to throw around. Good value bike. I think the trade me one is a little over priced. About 2800-3200 would be a better figure.

Look at this they still made them in 2001 and in full touring version.
http://www.trademe.co.nz/motors/moto...-391304635.htm

[Ender EnZed]

I went through exactly the same scenario recently. I tried a lot of bikes including your VTR 250. I ended up coming down to a choice between an ER-5 and a GS500. An ER-5 came up for sale at the right price. I think people who say it's not a big step up are talking out their a$$ and forgetting what it's like to be a learner. Both the GS500 and ER-5 are great bikes and have more than enough power for me - and I like to go fast. The ER-5 will easily surge up to 170 and feels pretty good there (racetrack). I thought I'd interim it on the ER-5 and then go for my dream Striple this March, but to be honest the ER-5 is more than fast enough for my limited experience. It's heavier but in a good way. My only gripe is that the brakes could be better.

The GS500s felt a touch smoother than the ER-5s I test rode. But I'm glad I got the bike I did.

I don't find it boring at all, but some flash Harry with a 1000cc 200hp beast might.

Happy hunting!

(I've reviewed my experience upgrading from a 250 to a 500 in several old posts).

It's very relevant to note that you upgraded from a GN250 though.

His VTR250 is already closer in performance to your ER5 than it is to a GN.

[Smifffy]

Don't want to spend a whole lot of money on a bike I'm planning to keep for only a year or so!

Keep the VTR...

[ivelramit]

Ok, so I have taken two bikes for a test ride.

Ninja 300 (the store didn't have anything bigger & LAMS approved and talked me into trying it, s I said why not): not much different to the 250. In fact, I probably prefer my VTR to the EX300...
Kawi ER500: after reading the reviews, I had fairly low expectations and was actually pleasantly surprised. It did feel like a step up and definitely had quite a bit more power than the VTR. So my impression was that it could perhaps be a good intermediate step between the 250 and something bigger...

[george formby]

Ok, so I have taken two bikes for a test ride.

Ninja 300 (the store didn't have anything bigger & LAMS approved and talked me into trying it, s I said why not): not much different to the 250. In fact, I probably prefer my VTR to the EX300...
Kawi ER500: after reading the reviews, I had fairly low expectations and was actually pleasantly surprised. It did feel like a step up and definitely had quite a bit more power than the VTR. So my impression was that it could perhaps be a good intermediate step between the 250 and something bigger...

Keep on test riding. For about a year or so. Or as long as you can get away with it.

In the grand scheme of things do you need or want another bike for the next year or 18 months? I'm guessing your selling the VTR for funds, what will you get for it's replacement down the road if you want to step up again so soon? What kind of riding lies ahead? Etcetera.

It's a heart v head decision. Figure out where your at in life & make decisions from there.

Lots of appropriate bikes available but do they tick your boxes? Really, really?

[ivelramit]

Keep on test riding. For about a year or so. Or as long as you can get away with it.

In the grand scheme of things do you need or want another bike for the next year or 18 months? I'm guessing your selling the VTR for funds, what will you get for it's replacement down the road if you want to step up again so soon? What kind of riding lies ahead? Etcetera.

It's a heart v head decision. Figure out where your at in life & make decisions from there.

Lots of appropriate bikes available but do they tick your boxes? Really, really?

Do I need another bike? Of course not. Need is a pretty strong word. (Do any of us really need a bike?)

So I think the question is whether I want one. And that, in my mind, comes down to my original question... If the experience I can acquire on a 500cc bike makes me a safer rider down the road (i.e. better prepared for the next upgrade, say to a 650) then yes, I'd like to entertain the idea.

Anyway, thanks again everyone for posing questions and giving your opinion - gives me stuff to think about!

[mossy1200]

I think I have only ever had 2 bikes for longer than 18months even when buying new ones.

Your choice. Once bikes get below 4k they don't devalue very quickly if looked after so if you buy carefully getting a bike for 18months shouldn't be a problem. 18months equals 2 summers.

[superjackal]

It's very relevant to note that you upgraded from a GN250 though.

His VTR250 is already closer in performance to your ER5 than it is to a GN.

True, but the ER-5 has nearly 20 ponies more (that's a GN + a VTR250) and much more torque and flexibility. Especially at highway speeds. 250s are town bikes IMHO.

I think he should upgrade as fast as he can. Upgrading calmed all my "I want, I want, I wants...." We all think we're better riders than we are, but I've taken a pretty cold hard look at where my skills are. Just last night I came home, tooted the horn for my daughter, rode onto the grass, braked and, whoops, the front tyre lost all grip and the bike ended up on it's side. Luckily on grass so absolutely no damage. But another wake-up call....

He right on the money IMO with the GS500 and ER-5. If I had more money I'd look at the new Honda 500. Nice bike that. But after the grass episode yesterday I'm not spending $10K on something I will very p-r-o-b-a-b-l-y drop....

[Smifffy]

True, but the ER-5 has nearly 20 ponies more (that's a GN + a VTR250) and much more torque and flexibility. Especially at highway speeds. 250s are town bikes IMHO.

I think he should upgrade as fast as he can. Upgrading calmed all my "I want, I want, I wants...." We all think we're better riders than we are, but I've taken a pretty cold hard look at where my skills are. Just last night I came home, tooted the horn for my daughter, rode onto the grass, braked and, whoops, the front tyre lost all grip and the bike ended up on it's side. Luckily on grass so absolutely no damage. But another wake-up call....

He right on the money IMO with the GS500 and ER-5. If I had more money I'd look at the new Honda 500. Nice bike that. But after the grass episode yesterday I'm not spending $10K on something I will very p-r-o-b-a-b-l-y drop....

Sticking with a 250 allows one to really get skills bedded in and learn these kinds of lessons so that when one is eventually properly ready for a bigger bike, they aren't in the mindset that they will probably drop it.

Perfect example of why I suggest he hangs on the VTR for now.

[BuzzardNZ]

Sticking with a 250 allows one to really get skills bedded in and learn these kinds of lessons so that when one is eventually properly ready for a bigger bike, they aren't in the mindset that they will probably drop it.

Perfect example of why I suggest he hangs on the VTR for now.

+1 I couldn't agree more.

[superjackal]

Sticking with a 250 allows one to really get skills bedded in and learn these kinds of lessons so that when one is eventually properly ready for a bigger bike, they aren't in the mindset that they will probably drop it.

Perfect example of why I suggest he hangs on the VTR for now.

Anyone can drop their bike at any skill level. Just take a look at Turners Auctions under damaged bikes.

He's done a year on a 250, which was more than enough for me. He's getting frustrated with it which means it's time for another step. A rider with 12 months and 7000kms experience should be able to handle a GS/ER. You're right - nothing wrong with the VTR - except he doesn't want it anymore. He wants a bigger bike and a ER-5 or GS500 is great, fun next step - hence his post.