Anyone here ride a motorbike?

[UnoMOTO]

I may be biased, but I don't really see what the big deal is with a 250cc or any less-than-600cc bike. I can understand being too tall/fat to ride one comfortably, and I can understand wanting more power, but that doesn't mean you need more power, especially if you're new to riding.

My guess is that it comes down to money more times then not. 250's are more affordable then 600's. If money were not an object, would you still stick with the 250 ninja? Buy the most bike you can and it will last you the longest. Even if you will have to grow into the machine as it may be. Squids will by a 600 only because its FAST Which isn't smart. Like it or not even they will grow up sometime and at that point the bike will fit their lifestyle more appropriately.

 

[Wolfe]

Not sure if your directing that at me or anything but i will just voice my opinion anyway

No, it wasn't really directed at anyone in particular, but I'd still like to hear your opinion.

Im no ricky carmichael but i belive i have some sort of bike control. Controlling my bike feels just like having another arm or leg. Im apart of the bike and im one with the bike. Ive only been driving on the road for 1 year so maybe my traffic knowledge and estimation isnt as good as it could be, but again ive already avoided quite a few accidents due to being able to effectivly read and predict the traffic and take evasive action...

...Either way i belive that im skilled enough to be able to ride a 600cc bike and that anything under that is just a step backwards from the CRF.

I believe you, and I have a feeling you'd be just fine on pretty much any bike, be it a 600cc supersport or 1400cc hypersport. You have experience and the common sense to not exceed your own limits.

In a case like yours, riding skill has nothing to do with my point, which is still that speed and power are overrated (in my opinion). I don't mean to insinuate that you're jaded, so take these only as questions for the sake of discussion -- are small-displacement bikes really no fun at all for you? Would you be inexorably frustrated if you had no choice but to ride a 250cc until you completed your license? Would you rather walk?

Maybe it's because I just started last July, but I would enjoy riding just about anything at all. UnoMOTO pretty much summed up how I feel in this post, and you can get those same experiences from anything with two wheels and a motor. Being able to reach 60mph in 3.5 seconds and ride on to 150mph is exciting, yes, but I'd rather ride something that fails to even meet my own limits than something that exceeds them by a large margin. I doubt this'll change even as I gain more experience.

I ride bikes to go fast and have fun. I wont be using my bikes as a day to day thing to get from point A to point B, thats what the car is for. I want to ride as far away from traffic as possible.

I guess that's where our differences lie. My bike is just as much of a fun way to save money commuting (through far superior gas mileage and cheaper/free parking at the two campuses I go to for school) as it is a speedy tool used to carve through country backroads (within my limits, of course) and break free from city traffic.

bottom line, i just dont see why i should have to get a 250cc bike, when a 600 is more fitting.

I just don't see why everyone thinks a sub-600cc bike can't be fitting.

Let me clarify -- I don't have any problem with someone who decides that a sub-600cc bike isn't right for them. If I did have a problem, I'd be psychotic. It's those who steadfastly believe that a sub-600cc bike can't be right for them (or anyone else) that annoy me.

You clearly fall under the former category, so there's no worries.

My guess is that it comes down to money more times then not. 250's are more affordable then 600's. If money were not an object, would you still stick with the 250 ninja? Buy the most bike you can and it will last you the longest. Even if you will have to grow into the machine as it may be. Squids will by a 600 only because its FAST Which isn't smart. Like it or not even they will grow up sometime and at that point the bike will fit their lifestyle more appropriately.

If money were not an object, I would still stick with my 250 Ninja, yes, although it'd have a new paintjob and fairing. I probably wouldn't even buy anything else yet.

If neither riding skill nor money were an object, I would probably own an older 600 Ninja (modern bike styling FTL) and still keep the 250. Even if I had the skill to handle the 500hp turbo Hayabusa in that video floating around the internet, I'd stick with something like the 600 because of the weight/handling benefit, and I'd still have the 250 Ninja because of its weight/handling benefit, among the other things I like about it (see my first post in this thread).

If I had to have only one bike in the above situation, yes, I'd probably take the 600 Ninja for the sake of versatility, but I'd still be a fan of the 250. I certainly wouldn't belittle or even question anyone riding one.

 

[Small_Fryz]

No, it wasn't really directed at anyone in particular, but I'd still like to hear your opinion.


I believe you, and I have a feeling you'd be just fine on pretty much any bike, be it a 600cc supersport or 1400cc hypersport. You have experience and the common sense to not exceed your own limits.

In a case like yours, riding skill has nothing to do with my point, which is still that speed and power are overrated (in my opinion). I don't mean to insinuate that you're jaded, so take these only as questions for the sake of discussion -- are small-displacement bikes really no fun at all for you? Would you be inexorably frustrated if you had no choice but to ride a 250cc until you completed your license? Would you rather walk?

Ive riden a few bikes somewhat decently SL100, DS80, CR80, YZ85, YZ125, CR250 YZ250's YZF400's, CRF450's and a CR500 most of those Ive either owned or my family has. Each bike has its pro's and con's. Im only 5'6 so my biggest weakness is tight slow stuff (stop and go just about) as i stuggle to really throw the bike around in such slow speeds since not really going fast enough to balane properly and its more about strenght to hold the bike up. in cases like this the 85 is the best bike. however you would be suprised that in only about 5% of riding conditions a 125 will out match a 450 in the hands of an equal rider (i own both). 450 is only a bit heaver but pretty much the same size. I can throw it around just as well yet have twice the power on tap. If i ever come round a corner and need to power over something the 450 can do it so easy. Why then would i ride a 125 when a 450 is just as easy to turn and is as manouvarble, but has twice the power on tap? As long as you can make use of that extra power and have the skill to use it then why limit yourself? When i 1st got the 125 i thought it was the best bike ever. It was very fast and had heaps of power. I could still wheelie through the gears and bring it up in 3rd gear onto the balance point. It wasnt until a year or so later when dad got a 450 that i realised how slow it is. Now by the time i got the 450 i was able to really ride that 125 hard and was now somewhat limited by it rather than myself. Dad was just too fast, i couldnt catch the old bugger Once i rode the 450 i realised why.. Awesome braking, engine braking, and immense power plus the fact it handled and weighed as much as the 125.... At this stage i would say i cant quite ride the 450 to its potential because its just that much better than the 125. In time im sure i can get close.

Back to your orginal questions. If i never rode a bike faster than a 250 then i would be happy with it im sure. Ive never known anything better. But i just cant find a practical reason to have a 250 over a 600. Im not sure if its similar to a 125cc vs 450cc in my dirtbike comparisment but if it is then if i really had no choice then i would ride the 250. Its better than no bike. But i would much rather choose the 600. Now if the 600 is that much better than a 250, why dont i just jump to a 900 or 1000cc? Well thats just stupid for me to do atm. That would be too far ahead of me and at this stage it would be dangerous. While im sure i could ride one, i doubt id be able to use it effectivley and would be better suited to a 600 until im used to that then get a 1000cc. If i had never riden a bike before then i would buy a 250cc and learn on that. I think its more important you get a bike that suits yourself. You have a 250cc which sounds like you really love. Im definetly not baggin you or baggin the 250cc. In your situation i would have done the same. Im sure once youve been riding a few years you will no longer have a 250 and will have upgraded to a 600. just like i have in my 12years riding have gone from a 1975 100cc farm bike that would struggle to hit 50mph downhill with a tailwind to a 2006 CRF450 race bike that can hit 50mph in a blink. So i dont look at it like the 250cc isnt fun and its useless. I just think that a person needs to buy a bike that best suits them and their needs.

Maybe it's because I just started last July, but I would enjoy riding just about anything at all. UnoMOTO pretty much summed up how I feel in this post, and you can get those same experiences from anything with two wheels and a motor. Being able to reach 60mph in 3.5 seconds and ride on to 150mph is exciting, yes, but I'd rather ride something that fails to even meet my own limits than something that exceeds them by a large margin. I doubt this'll change even as I gain more experience.

I agree, but you will find that their will come a point when your limits will exceed that 250 and you will find yourself wanting more. Maybe a mate will lend you a go of his 600 or something and you will realise that its time to upgrade. Or maybe you will be content with your 250 and happy to ride that for the rest of your life. It all comes down to the person.

I guess that's where our differences lie. My bike is just as much of a fun way to save money commuting (through far superior gas mileage and cheaper/free parking at the two campuses I go to for school) as it is a speedy tool used to carve through country backroads (within my limits, of course) and break free from city traffic.

this comes from our background. A dirtbike fits nothing of what you just stated, so my reasons for riding a bike is a lot different simply because a dirtbike is all about fun and enjoying yourself. Which as time goes on, means going faster and faster and trying harder and harder things to keep it interesting. Everytime i go riding i have to pack up all the bikes, gear fuel and drive 30 - 60mins then unpack, go riding then after hours of riding pack it all up again, drive home and then clean everything... So i like to get the most reward out of the excersize because i have to do a lot of boring crap to make it happen.

I just don't see why everyone thinks a sub-600cc bike can't be fitting.

Let me clarify -- I don't have any problem with someone who decides that a sub-600cc bike isn't right for them. If I did have a problem, I'd be psychotic. It's those who steadfastly believe that a sub-600cc bike can't be right for them (or anyone else) that annoy me.

You clearly fall under the former category, so there's no worries.

If money were not an object, I would still stick with my 250 Ninja, yes, although it'd have a new paintjob and fairing. I probably wouldn't even buy anything else yet.

If neither riding skill nor money were an object, I would probably own an older 600 Ninja (modern bike styling FTL) and still keep the 250. Even if I had the skill to handle the 500hp turbo Hayabusa in that video floating around the internet, I'd stick with something like the 600 because of the weight/handling benefit, and I'd still have the 250 Ninja because of its weight/handling benefit, among the other things I like about it (see my first post in this thread).

If I had to have only one bike in the above situation, yes, I'd probably take the 600 Ninja for the sake of versatility, but I'd still be a fan of the 250. I certainly wouldn't belittle or even question anyone riding one.

I have a funny story that comes from your last sentace. Back when i had that 2001 CR80 and even the YZ125 i was riding in jeans and some long sleeve crappy shirt i got from St vinnies. I couldnt afford proper named brand gear. I had boots/helmet/gloves/armour (to protect my chest) and googles but thats it. Plus the fact i was short and skinny on a puny CR80. I had some mates who owned CR250's and XR400's etc etc yet i would totally flog them. It was so funny. They would talk down to me because i was much smaller than them on a "smaller , less powerful" bike and didnt look very serious at all. yet when it came to riding they were hopless and just got left behind after 3 corners. They had picked those bikes because they wanted to be cool and wanted to brag about how big and fast their bike was, when in reality they could barely ride, let alone use any of the power and potential the bike had to offer. I know from experience never to make fun of people because of what bikes they ride. At the end of the day having a bike is better than not having a bike and as long as that person is having fun then whom am I to critize or make fun of?

 

[Wolfe]

Thanks for taking the time to compose that thoughtful response, Small_Fryz. I like the way you see things. +Rep to you. 👍

You have a 250cc which sounds like you really love. Im definetly not baggin you or baggin the 250cc. In your situation i would have done the same. Im sure once youve been riding a few years you will no longer have a 250 and will have upgraded to a 600...

...I agree, but you will find that their will come a point when your limits will exceed that 250 and you will find yourself wanting more. Maybe a mate will lend you a go of his 600 or something and you will realise that its time to upgrade. Or maybe you will be content with your 250 and happy to ride that for the rest of your life. It all comes down to the person.

It does come down to the person. You seem to be very performance-focused, whereas performance is mostly just a plus for me.

I know from experience never to make fun of people because of what bikes they ride. At the end of the day having a bike is better than not having a bike and as long as that person is having fun then whom am I to critize or make fun of?

👍

 

[UnoMOTO]

If money were not an object, I would still stick with my 250 Ninja, yes, although it'd have a new paintjob and fairing. I probably wouldn't even buy anything else yet.

If neither riding skill nor money were an object, I would probably own an older 600 Ninja (modern bike styling FTL) and still keep the 250. Even if I had the skill to handle the 500hp turbo Hayabusa in that video floating around the internet, I'd stick with something like the 600 because of the weight/handling benefit, and I'd still have the 250 Ninja because of its weight/handling benefit, among the other things I like about it (see my first post in this thread).

If I had to have only one bike in the above situation, yes, I'd probably take the 600 Ninja for the sake of versatility, but I'd still be a fan of the 250. I certainly wouldn't belittle or even question anyone riding one.

Here is the way I look at it. No matter what the engine size it all still comes down to what your wrist wants to do. The bike is just a static object until I tell it what to do. It will never go faster then I tell it to. Even at the ripe old age of 33 I still love the feeling of twisting it wide open while getting on the highway. I do see a problem with younger types and pressure from friends to do things that their skill level just isn't ready for. Small miscalculations could end up in death. None of us in the motorcycle community need that. Seems like I read that the most recent fatality rates say that men between 35 and 50 rank the highest. I guess that is old men with money buying slow curser type Harleys. That has to be attributed to their skill level more then their engine size.

 

[Takumi Fujiwara]

Fryz, here's how I look at it. 250 bikes, being popular starters, have quite good resale value. If it were me, I'd just buy a 250, ride it for the first year or so, and then sell it when you're done with it, you should get back at least half, and possibly as much as three quarters, of what you paid for it, so you'll essentially have paid only a grand or so to ride the thing for a year, when all is said and done.

 

[Freedom Gundam]

I'm also trying to get my first bike (or car) by the end of this year. I was told that if I decide to get a bike, I shouldn't get something like a Suzuki TL1000 because it would be too powerful for me. Here's the thing, I do want that bike, or the Triumph Datona 955 or 675, Kawasaki ZX-6R, or a Suzuki GSX 600R. Do you guys think that if I pratice on a track and do well, will I be able to handle something like a Suzuki TL 1000?

 

[UnoMOTO]

A Suzuki TL 1000 is a big heavy bike. Please correct me if I am wrong but I don't think that model is still being made. At least for sale here in the US anyway. That kind of bike is probably the last one you should be looking at. None of the others are beginner bikes either. If you did buy a track bike and actually raced it with others...yeah you could eventually handle it out on a street. The problem with that line of thinking is that you can predict what the rider in front of you will do on a track with reasonable certainty. That will NEVER be the case on the street. Every car is a killing machine out to get you. Riding on a track by yourself isn't really preparing you for the real world. Get Professional Training from a MSF course.

 

[Freedom Gundam]

A Suzuki TL 1000 is a big heavy bike. Please correct me if I am wrong but I don't think that model is still being made. At least for sale here in the US anyway. That kind of bike is probably the last one you should be looking at. None of the others are beginner bikes either. If you did buy a track bike and actually raced it with others...yeah you could eventually handle it out on a street. The problem with that line of thinking is that you can predict what the rider in front of you will do on a track with reasonable certainty. That will NEVER be the case on the street. Every car is a killing machine out to get you. Riding on a track by yourself isn't really preparing you for the real world. Get Professional Training from a MSF course.

I am planning to get training from an MSF course. I saw an ad for it in a magazine I just purchased yesterday.

 

[Wolfe]

Yeah, I definitely recommend the MSF course to anyone who's interested in learning how to ride a motorcycle, or just getting their license (even if they have self- or friend-taught riding experience).

It isn't too expensive, you get to fool around in a parking lot on someone else's bike, and you get to take the skills part of the license test with the person who's been coaching and helping you, as opposed to some random grumpy DMV employee.

 

[Freedom Gundam]

Yeah, I definitely recommend the MSF course to anyone who's interested in learning how to ride a motorcycle, or just getting their license (even if they have self- or friend-taught riding experience).

It isn't too expensive, you get to fool around in a parking lot on someone else's bike, and you get to take the skills part of the license test with the person who's been coaching and helping you, as opposed to some random grumpy DMV employee.

Really? I wonder if in time (like in 8 months from now or more) will he or she be able to teach me to handle the big bikes? I know it's a longshot, but I had to ask.

 

[UnoMOTO]

Really? I wonder if in time (like in 8 months from now or more) will he or she be able to teach me to handle the big bikes? I know it's a longshot, but I had to ask.

They do have advanced courses that you get you use your own bike. I can't remember what the qualification for the advanced class is.

 

[Wolfe]

Yeah, at the end of my MSF course my instructor offered business cards for his own advanced course, like UnoMOTO mentioned.

Honestly, though, if you take the MSF course, get comfortable riding, and take things gradually, you'll probably be just fine on something like that Suzuki TL1000 you like, Freedom Gundam. It's just a matter of being smart and knowing your limits. Even big, fast bikes can be ridden sedately until you gain the experience and confidence to push harder...but not everyone has that patience.

Speaking of the MSF course, I'd recommend doing it this summer, even if you won't be getting a motorcycle until much later -- you never know, you might want to bail on the whole idea once you actually saddle up, or you might decide to get something smaller and cheaper than that Suzuki.

 

[Alex.]

Get an MV Augusta F4 tamburini


they're not even fast