Oh so true!

[Lara]

I stumbled across this today and couldn't resist adding my experience; perhaps it will help someone. You see, I am currently in the market for a used Ninja 250.....or two. Why? Well I could mention my daughter is about to take her MSF class and it's the 250 most comfortable for her. But. That's NOT the only reason, frankly. "Matching" bikes isn't either.

I own a red 2006 FZ6. It's a beautiful bike. I bought it new right after my MSF class because I found it comfortable to sit on and found quite a number of reviews and even at least one article where folks had touted it as an acceptable beginner's bike. I disagree. Perhaps someone who doesn't mind crashing as part of their learning......but not me. I learned very quickly that it has controls that require experience to keep from getting into trouble with. I still own the bike......and the only rides I've had on it in the last two years have been as a passenger since I loaned it to my brother. He has experience and it's been a huge help for him with gas mileage for work commuting. I have had countless people tell me it wouldn't take much for me to get used to it. I disagree. It IS too much bike for a beginner - ANY beginner - to learn on safely.

I'm sure any number of people can (and have) muddled through that learning curve. I'm equally certain they were not any safer than I would have been.

I still want to ride. I'm over feeling like I "should" be able to get going on that bike. I plan to retake the MSF course with my daughter. I do not HAVE to - I have my M class on my license. I just figure it's a heck of a lot safer idea than pretending I remember or that it'll all come back to me no matter what bike I'm on. Then I can have a good time riding the Ninja 250 commuting for work......and work my way up to getting that FZ6 back from my brother .

[MZ33]

Kudos, Lara!!

[GixxerKid]

Just for the sake of saying the 750 compared to the 600s. That 750 had Full exhaust, power commander, -2 in the front +1 in the back, had a extended swing arm and was lowered 2 inches with a whole bunch of other goodies. So its kinda of hard to compare a older stock 600 to a new decked out 750 that could murder a 1000. Just thought Id clear that up. Its obvious that every single person on this forum rides a 1980 250 (If not lower cc) and is to closed minded to even think that maybe just because they didnt get the chance to buy a higher cc bike when they were younger or have the self controll to ride a beast of a bike. That everyone who tries to buy something big you get mad because you dont or cant have it. You think just because im not 18 that makes me stupid and immature so everyone and their brother gangs up on me and writes post after post. You guys are pretty much like a bully but even sader because your doing it over the internet. (Must be awesome to be as much of a keyboard gangster as you guys are) All Im saying is its not the bike so much as it is on the rider, same as car. My first ride was a 1991 S-10 with a V8 an that motor came straight out of a racecar. It was fast enough to roast the tires going down the road at 60, so I couldnt even see its full potential. Just like how a 600 is for the road. Then my second ride was a 1997 Z71 with another 350 4x4 I never once got it stuck, therefore the truck never got to see its full potential. Just like a 600 would be. My 3rd ride was a full size van nothing really to say about that except that I had to relearn how to drive due to the increased size an lack of sight. So you people are going to have to use a different excuse and stop saying you cant even use it to its full potenial but thats how it is for Millions of cars and trucks out there. And my current baby yet again is a 1991 V8 s10 that will pull the tires off the ground each time it shifts (Its an automatic) Which takes tons of selfcontroll on the street. And even with all the power knowing I can beat just about everything in my town I still do 5 to 10 mph under the speed limit. Just because I know what it can do and there is no reason for me to be speeding everywhere and being wreckless. But every now an then I get on her just to have some fun, because which person hasnt ever broken the speed limit. So all Im saying is that its purely the rider an at what pace they are willing to learn, if they cut corners or go try and learn to fast thats when they get hurt. Not one bike in the world has ever murdered a rider the rider has always killed themselves. So go ahead an quote every sentence I said, say how dumb I am and how I have know idea. Make fun of me, say how Im wrong. Point out every single mispelled word. Because while you are on here using your time on here atleast I know that your kids/wife/family are not getting to spend time with you because all you do is point fingers at everyone else when really you are the ones who are wrong and missing out. So please be my guest and post a reply so you can waste away what ever is left in your already boring sad life.
Have A Wonder Day!

[storysunfolding]

There's no way a similar year 750 will murder a 1000. Furthermore, dropping a sportbike 2 inches and stretching it takes away it's cornering advantage. You lose ground clearance and upset the steering geometry. Not to mention the gearing you've suggested actually lowers top speed while going for better acceleration. Sounds like you've found yourself a drag bike. If you really want to only go straight, buy it and enjoy it. If you ever want to turn, find something else.

[storysunfolding]

i have no experience on either. educate me.

The 600 and 750 are very similar motorcycles in the way they behave. They both are moderately tame until a particular point in their rev range (typically around 7-9k) then they shoot off like a bandit. It's an idiosyncrasy of an inline four motor. The handling itself is nearly identical. The main difference is that the 750 is heavier, has slightly more low end torque (don't have to rev it as much) and has a bit more of a punch. However, it's not significant enough to scare someone who rides a 600cc sportbike regularly.

[HYPERR]

i have no experience on either. educate me.

The 600 and 750 are very similar motorcycles in the way they behave. They both are moderately tame until a particular point in their rev range (typically around 7-9k) then they shoot off like a bandit. It's an idiosyncrasy of an inline four motor. The handling itself is nearly identical. The main difference is that the 750 is heavier, has slightly more low end torque (don't have to rev it as much) and has a bit more of a punch. However, it's not significant enough to scare someone who rides a 600cc sportbike regularly.

I think you are cutting the 750 a little short. The GSXR750 only weights 5 pounds more than the GSXR600 yet has significant more power and torque. The 750 will totally run away from the 600 in a top gear roll on or anything above 60 mph. The GSXR750 is an unbelievable bike. I would say that it probably splits the difference between the 600 and the liter bike.

[Wrider]

Umm no GixxerKid...
First off I have nothing against sportbikes. I've ridden them. I enjoy them. And my next bike is either going to be a hypersport or sport touring machine about 1000 ccs or above. Look at Doc, who had a Valkyrie, an 1800cc cruiser that would throttle wheelie. Or perhaps Wrecks, who has a 600, a 1000, a supermotard that is designed to have fun, and a Ninja 250. Or even Brackstone, who started off on a 250 (2007 BTW) and is now on a Shiver 750. And the best example would probably be RhadamYgg, who started off on the exact same Ninja 250 as Brackstone, and is now on a Suzuki B-King, 1340 ccs of I4 power.

If you ask any one of them they'll all say they're glad they started off on a smaller bike to learn the self control, to learn the bike controls, to not be so full of themselves that they hurt themselves.

As far as powerful cars, yeah I've driven a few too... 2008 WRX STi, 2007 Cobalt SS with 300 WHP at 6100 ft altitude... a 2007 Ford Mustang Shelby GT500 with exhaust and larger blower pushing over 600 hp...
I know how to drive fast/powerful vehicles, and I also know it takes finesse and control to drive them well. And I know you can't learn that on more powerful vehicles.

Again, just my two cents...

[PacificShot327]

Wrider points out several good examples of people with 250s.

And as someone who had a 600cc I-4 for her first street bike, well, I think I actually have a bit of a clue, as well, when I say it's not a good idea.

[storysunfolding]

I think you are cutting the 750 a little short.

I'm not denying that it has more power. The 600 has 20% less torque, and 18% less hp. It just isn't that significant to scare someone used to riding a 600. The feel of the bike is very similar just a bit more gusto with the 750

[HYPERR]

I think you are cutting the 750 a little short.

I'm not denying that it has more power. The 600 has 20% less torque, and 18% less hp. It just isn't that significant to scare someone used to riding a 600. The feel of the bike is very similar just a bit more gusto with the 750

Yes I suppose that the 750 would not scare me per se.....after over 2 decades of riding.

That being said, the GSXR750 is quite a bit less tame than the 600. It will power wheelie in the lower 2 gears very easily whereas the 600 won't. I would say at near it's limits, it is on the verge of being controllable by a very skilled rider with tons of experience. It really isn't much different from what a liter bike was only a few years ago. I really like my 600. I think it is a perfect balance of power, control, fun factor, and confidence inspiring for me.