Nighthawk 250

Message

VermilionX · Tue Jan 24, 2006 3:51 am

Kal wrote:
VermilionX wrote:i think you a need a bike like the hayabusa if you want a sportsbike that fits your size.
!!!!

that's why i said for him to get the katana since it's almost a big as the hayabusa

#12 Unread post by **Sev** » Tue Jan 24, 2006 6:51 am

Engine size != bike size. Just because it has a big engine doesn't mean it'll be more comfortable for him. I think a lot of people make this mistake.

Which is why I find it funny when someone says that they find a gsxr-600 to be roomier then a ninja500. Wait... you mean a supersport where you need to pack yourself into the bike has more room then a standard?

CNF2002 · #13 Unread post by **CNF2002** » Tue Jan 24, 2006 8:02 am

Doesnt the Vulcan come in a 250 also? Thats more cruiser style where you can stretch out isnt it? Might be more comfortable. Definately wouldnt get a sport bike...the riding position for a heavier person would just be torture I think (I hate the riding position myself though).

The nighthawk is a good looking bike though...it was on my top lists when I was looking for one, but couldnt find a good price on one used in good shape and ended up with the blast.

Tue Jan 24, 2006 8:12 am

CNF2002 wrote:Doesnt the Vulcan come in a 250 also? Thats more cruiser style where you can stretch out isnt it? Might be more comfortable. Definately wouldnt get a sport bike...the riding position for a heavier person would just be torture I think (I hate the riding position myself though).

haha we big guys can do it. Myself (270lbs) felt fine after a few minutes on a CBR929RR (just sitting, wasn't even on) that belongs to my friend who's 300 lbs and is 6' 3". He loves it. Even though he can't quite tuck all the way cause something gets in his way.

As for that nighthawk. When i rode it at the MSF i was impressed with how easily i could lean the thing over to the point the instructor told me to slow down. I too found that damn front drum break annoying. And it didn't help my rear break would lock up really easy. Also, the suspension on it didn't like my weight too much since it was shot to begin with. And my damn foot (size 14, had some fox tracker dirtbike boots on) wouldn't fit between left peg and gear shifter.

As for a comfortable sport bike, i felt better sitting on a 05 R6 than a ninja 500. they felt like they weighed the same amount too, though the R6 actually felt easier to balance.but i'm sure it's based on rider preferance, that or i'm just weird.

Shiv · #15 Unread post by **Shiv** » Tue Jan 24, 2006 10:47 am

I too found that damn front drum break annoying. And it didn't help my rear break would lock up really easy. Also, the suspension on it didn't like my weight too much since it was shot to begin with. And my damn foot (size 14, had some fox tracker dirtbike boots on) wouldn't fit between left peg and gear shifter.

Good to hear I'm not the only one who had those problems. I thought (hoped) it was just the bike and not user error.

Though I'm sure I'm to blame for some of the rear brake locking.

Kbenton · #16 Unread post by **Kbenton** » Tue Jan 24, 2006 2:04 pm

Wow I appreciate all the replies, The Katana 600 is my favorite fully faired bike. I am just hesitant about all that plastic and high center of gravity for a first. I am interested in the suzuki m50 as well but found a consumer site that just shredded it as useless, I guess they thought it should be more powerfull than it was. I'm a big street fighter fan and would really like a sv 650 but have chickened out of it I want there to be no controversy with my first purchase. MSF is this spring.

#17 Unread post by **Sev** » Tue Jan 24, 2006 2:42 pm

My friend has an M50 and it's a great bike. I wouldn't hold back from suggesting it to anyone, new or returning rider.

Shiv · #18 Unread post by **Shiv** » Tue Jan 24, 2006 2:51 pm

Is the m50 the Suzuki Boulevard?

If so I might have to jot that down on my list of bikes to look out for. Looks like a pretty sweet ride.

Have you ridden his m50? Did you like it? Does he like it?

#19 Unread post by **Sev** » Tue Jan 24, 2006 3:12 pm

Every Suzuki cruiser is now a boulevard. It's like Yamaha with their "Stars", and Honda with their "Shadows." They are attempting to do the brand thing. Literally pulling a page from Haley's marketing book. You don't ride a Honda anymore, Honda's are boring, you ride a Shadow, or a VTX. Yamaha? That sounds like speaker equipment, I own a STAR!

Anyways, no I haven't ridden his bike, and he hasn't ridden mine. While we're both competant (I like to think above average) riders. We have to completely different styles of bikes, and to be honest my ride does not interest him enough for him to even want to sit on it. And I don't feel the need to hop on his bike anytime. Besides I would feel AWFUL if something happened to his ride. I'm far to aware of the consequences.

As far as him liking it. He's had it two years now, and our riding season is about... 6 months. In that time he's slapped over 20 000km on the odometer. He's been thinking about selling it recently, wondering if he wants a bike with a little more power. So today we went to a couple of bike stores just to have a gander. He looked at the new Yamaha 1100 and 1700's the Honda Shadow 1300 and decided he really liked them both. And on the drive home he confided to me that he might just buy a new M50. He liked it that much, but he wouldn't mind the updated styling.

jmillheiser · Tue Jan 24, 2006 3:16 pm

the Katana isn't terribly top heavy. most supersports though lighter are more top heavy.

I found the Kat pretty easy to balance, even easier than my current bike which is nearly identical to the kat in weight.

I have yet to throw a leg over a GS500 but it looks like it would handle a bigger rider better than the ninja 500.

I have heard nothing but good things about the M50, and it looks pretty badass to boot.