is there a big difference between 500 and 600 or 750

[flying_hun]

thanks all for the information.
I an not a speed nut, I just thought a bigger bike like a 650 would be more comfortable to ride, I know when I had my 250 I was getting blow around on the hwy, so on my Ninja 500r I was more stable because of the weight and the ride was better also the power of going 70-80mph without the motor screaming.
I think I will stick to my 500r for a while until my skills pick up, since I am only a Sunday morning rider. Ya no need to get over my head with a 750 and crash. Thanks all and hope to meet you guys on groups rides later on.

Good conclusion. BTW, getting blown around on the freeway has a great deal to do with technique, and less to do with the weight of the moto than most folks assume. Search BARF for threads about riding in the wind.

 

[Pking]

Listen to the advice given here.

1.3k miles in ONE YEAR, evenly distributed thats a little over 3 1/2 miles a day. Personally, I'd stick with the 500 and get much more saddle time.

...Or not, and buy the bike you want and be one of the cool kids.

Here is some food for though. post #21 is of interesting note, to say the least.
http://bayarearidersforum.com/forums/showthread.php?t=188730

^^Damn straight
I kept my GS500 3 years before moving up to 650 then to 1250 for touring. If I had the extra cash I'd get another 500 for sho.

Keeping a small bike for a few years before moving up makes you appreciate the simplicity and fun of riding. Faster bikes will make you more attractive to cops. Friggin bike cop was cruising right passed me one time while I was doing 75mph (70 in actual speeds) with the 500 on the freeway. I was like Sweet! You rarely hear people w/2fiddys & 500's getting pulled over by cops unless they're doing some seriously stupid stuff. IMO

 

[woot]

I spent a year on my EX500 with about 11k miles during that year. Then bought an SV650. Been on that ever since. I'm 5 years into riding now, I still haven't found the need to fully open the throttle on the street.

Now on the track...

 

[slower than...]

Looking at engine displacement alone is misleading. My old SV650 had maybe 65 HP, whereas a typical I-4 600 puts out around 105 HP. Power delivery is also much different, with usable power for the V-2 at around 2500 RPM, whereas an I-4 won't feel it until maybe 7000 RPM. Which would you think is better for the street?

If I were using the bike for the track, for sure I'd consider an I-4, because they are truly race bikes right off the shelf. But for the same reason, power delivery, stiff suspension, aggressive ergos, twitchy geometry, etc., I would never get one to ride around town.

For sure, after a few more miles under your belt, move up if you have that itch for a bigger bike. But pick a bike that best suits your intended use.

 

[p4i1]

Power delivery is also much different, with usable power for the V-2 at around 2500 RPM, whereas an I-4 won't feel it until maybe 7000 RPM.

Actually, I still do not understand all these talks about "some problem" when running at high RPMs. You are not "pedaling" it, right? Maybe, I never had a bike that I can use at low RPMs to compare. On my 250 I usually rode at 6-7K in city and at redline (9-10K) in canyons, same on 600cc: 6-7K in the city and >9K in canyons. I honestly don't understand the issue people are talking about.

 

[slower than...]

Actually, I still do not understand all these talks about "some problem" when running at high RPMs. You are not "pedaling" it, right? Maybe, I never had a bike that I can use at low RPMs to compare. On my 250 I usually rode at 6-7K in city and at redline (9-10K) in canyons, same on 600cc: 6-7K in the city and >9K in canyons. I honestly don't understand the issue people are talking about.

No, not a problem, just different. Whatever works for you. Whatever you prefer. I just can't imagine driving a car like that in the street, needing to keep the revs up all the time.

 

[Buloong]

Actually, I still do not understand all these talks about "some problem" when running at high RPMs. You are not "pedaling" it, right? Maybe, I never had a bike that I can use at low RPMs to compare. On my 250 I usually rode at 6-7K in city and at redline (9-10K) in canyons, same on 600cc: 6-7K in the city and >9K in canyons. I honestly don't understand the issue people are talking about.

You usually redline in canyons? Holy fucking shit!! What canyons do you ride?

 

[p4i1]

You usually redline in canyons? Holy fucking shit!! What canyons do you ride?

Mostly Santa Cruz mountains - Page Mill, 9, 236, 84, Pescadero, Alpine, Stage...
Did you ever ride 250cc?
It's pretty much at redline all the time in twisties

 

[n8]

Not exactly to 600. But the problem is that if you want a "track" machine, with sport riding position there is no other choice on US market other than going to 600. All other bikes are more street oriented with standard riding position. If there were 450RR I would rather take it

250s look so fun on the tracks though!!

i wish i had kept mine

gonna keep my eyes out for another 250r