For myself, I upgraded from a 1982 Yamaha Seca 650 to a 2007 Suzuki V-Strom 650.
25 years of motorcycle evolution added to my main ride is quite a difference in itself. I now had fuel-injection, radial tires, mono shock suspension, much better brakes, 2 spark plugs per head and even both oil and liquid cooling!
The 07 could do eveything better than the 82' and not only at faster speeds but also safer. That's straight across CC's, although the hp was a little different (Inline-4 vs. V-twin) but simular, just the V-Twin had more lower pull and lower RPM's.
Technology such as tires, suspension and fuel injection was the most impressive thing, the power remained basicly the same.
I've also had 2 400cc's parallel-twin bikes, 1 500cc V4, 1 550cc Inline-4 and they are all fun, unique and different in each way.
Light is fun. Pushing a small engine is fun. Shifting like mad is fun. Torque is fun. Nimble is fun.
I think it's a trade-off, short hual = lower cc engines (usually) because the buzz gets to you, the shifting gets to you and the lack of comfort (frame size) can get to you. But, lower cc engines = lots more fun around the city or day rides. Bigger cc engines = more of everything (power, weight, comfort, smoothness) but they are generally not as fun within the city.
So, you can get an all-round bike, something around 500-800cc that is generally good at both, but it's a compromise right? So you can get a standard (my favorite), but again, it's good at everything, but not the best.
I miss the 1982 Honda CB400T (400cc) the most of all my bikes. Versus today's bike it wasn't great on the highways, it was slow on hills, it had a small gas tank, poor suspension and handling and you had to shift it like mad and give her hell to pass at highways speeds. But it always kept your attention, was light and fun, and most importantly, uniquely loveable. I wouldn't have a 400cc (or under 400cc) as my only bike anymore, but as a second, heck ya.
But that's motorcycles, they are fun, each different and unique and why you really never keep the same bike(s) forever as the experience of riding is the most fun of all.
Mike
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