Bike style and powerband questions between kawa 250 vs 500

[Guinness]

From what I have read the 500 has a linear power distribution. The 250, on the other hand, has minimal power in the lower band and derives its power from the higher rpm spectrum. Does anyone have experience riding both of these bikes that can explain the different feel.

My question relates more to higher cc bikes such as the 600 or 750. With the engine style of the 250, I have read that it is more aligned with the styling of the bigger bikes. And the 500 is different due to its linear power bandwidth. Is this true or a big difference?

Additionally, as I have never ridden before and plan to take the MSF class in the upcoming months, I wanted to get some opinions on my first bike decisions. I am still trying to figure out the best path of bike purchase (500 for a long time vs 250 for awhile and then moving up). I plan to either start with a 500 and keep it many years or start with a 250 and jump to a 600/750. Thus my original question.

Is a jump from a 250 to a 600/750 too big? I do not mean riding a 250 for 2 months...but for 1 year minimum until I feel confident and my skill level has increased dramatically. And is there that big of difference between the 600 and 750 in terms of cc increase or is the 600 more than enough?

Thanks for the help!

[Sev]

I'm pretty sure it doesn't matter either way.

If you've ridden a bike before how do you know that you want a 600 or 750 supersport in the long run?

[Guinness]

In a different post I had mentioned background information regarding my situation. A coworker of mine said he would sell me his 600. After going to his house, sitting on the bike, and discussing my inexperience, we decided that a 250 or 500 would be the best first bike to get. He also stated that he thought he should have gotten a 750 intead of a 600. This works into my previous question about the difference between the bikes.

I have read in another post, on this board or another, about the actually riding difference in terms of powerband between the 250/500 and wanted further input on the subject as well as advice about the 600/750 bikes. I feel that together this information will help me make a better decision on a first bike and second.

[Guinness]

If you've ridden a bike before how do you know that you want a 600 or 750 supersport in the long run?

Well, I do not aspire to ever have a 1000cc bike. Justs seems like more than you could ever legally need to ride around town. I will be doing most of my riding in the city, and on the local interstate where the speed limit is 55 but in my car I usually do 65. Therefore why would I need a bike that could go 150? Also, I dont plan on getting involved to the point where I rent track hours which I have read other posters talking about. Just want a really fun ride to enjoy and maybe save some gas during nice days.

[Sev]

All in all sounds like a 500 is the ideal bike for what you plan to do in the long run.

I feel sorry for all the guys I see hunched over their 600's around the city, just barely keeping their engine from bogging down. Personally I fail to see why anything that weighs less then 800 lbs needs more then 100 hp for city or normal speed highway driving.

Hell, my first bike had 33 hp and it handled highway just fine, ever 2 up.

[Pin_Cushion]

I am still trying to figure out the best path of bike purchase (500 for a long time vs 250 for awhile and then moving up).

My intended path is to upgrade my 250 after a while to something with a little more muscle. The Rebel I have is a decent bike, but I'd be more comfortable on the highway with just a tad more power. The biggest problem for me is lack of high-speed torque. Going from 0-50 mph isn't a problem, but going from 50-65 can be slower than I'd like. Cruising beyond 65 is possible, but the acceleration at that speed is terrible. I intend to upgrade to a 600cc or so later on, but I don't consider it an urgent issue. My Rebel does what I need it to which is run around town, and cruise the local highways at 65 or less. Oh, and the gas mileage is GREAT!

::Edited for clarity::

[jmillheiser]

A 500 will have zero problems going 75-80mph all day, and it will get there short order too.

And this is with only 50hp.

I ride a 500 and would recommend it to most people as a first bike. My 500 is fast but not scary fast like a 600 or 750.

[TechTMW]

http://www.maditalia.info/iso/comparison.html

Have fun ... All for you

[sapaul]

A 600 or 750 what? 600cc sportbikes are scary and wicked and will take every opporunity to throw you off. This is why the BMW 650's and the SV's are so popular, because they have enough power but are well behaved. It's not just about HP or cc but the handling characteristics of the bike as well. I had the chance to ride the BMW 1200ST and found it to be better behaved and easier to handle than some 500's I have ridden. I know guy's that have loved the look of a bike, bought it and within a short time have moaned about how much their wrists hurt or their back is sore. My personal opinion is if physical size is not an impediment, a well behaved 500 is a better bet than a quirky 250 sport and a repeat of a well known sig. "It's better to ride a slow bike fast than to ride a fast bike slow"
There is more truth in this than you know.

[Dragonhawk]

From what I have read the 500 has a linear power distribution. The 250, on the other hand, has minimal power in the lower band and derives its power from the higher rpm spectrum. Does anyone have experience riding both of these bikes that can explain the different feel.

My question relates more to higher cc bikes such as the 600 or 750. With the engine style of the 250, I have read that it is more aligned with the styling of the bigger bikes. And the 500 is different due to its linear power bandwidth. Is this true or a big difference?

Additionally, as I have never ridden before and plan to take the MSF class in the upcoming months, I wanted to get some opinions on my first bike decisions. I am still trying to figure out the best path of bike purchase (500 for a long time vs 250 for awhile and then moving up). I plan to either start with a 500 and keep it many years or start with a 250 and jump to a 600/750. Thus my original question.

Is a jump from a 250 to a 600/750 too big? I do not mean riding a 250 for 2 months...but for 1 year minimum until I feel confident and my skill level has increased dramatically. And is there that big of difference between the 600 and 750 in terms of cc increase or is the 600 more than enough?

Thanks for the help!

I have not ridden a 250 and a 500. However, I owned a Ninja 250 for 18 months and put 16,000 miles on it before I got my SV650.

The powerband of the 250 is very forgiving of a beginner. In fact, in first gear, it is impossible to accidentally wheelie the bike. You can slam the throttle on full from a redlight and it just slowly accelerates.

You're on the right track with your attitude of taking the MSF first and starting with a smaller machine. Here is a page that I made for beginners:
http://www.californiabikenights.com/learn.php

A lot of people will tell you an SV650 like mine is a good beginner bike too. I disagree. the sv650 has a LOT of low-end torque and it could get a beginner into trouble too easily. I think once you ride a Ninja 250 and see the amazing power it has, you won't be worried about going to a 500 as your first ride.

I had a difficult time choosing the Ninja 250 until I took the training course and saw how powerful a 125cc bike was. Suddenly, I realized that the 250 would be plenty of bike as I was starting.