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What Shorts said. There's a lot of sportbikes that aren't race replicas like GSX-R's, that will still be much sportier than the small V-Star. You're going from one end of the performance spectrum to the complete opposite end in one giant step - why not stop in the middle instead?

to be honest I just really liked the looks of the GSX, I really don't know anything about sportbikes though. I have sat on a Ninja 650, but never ridden it. I'm just trying to find out what might be close to the V-Star. I'm ready to upgrade, but I don't want anything that is rediculously more than the V-star. I really have no desire to go flying down the freeway. I just like the look and feel(from what i could tell) of the sportbikes. how much hp do the Ninja 650's have? Thanks

how about an SV650S and buy the lower fairings for it.

it's got a Vºtwin engine. very similar to your bike.

it's got about 72bhp.

here, take a look and see if you like the design w/ full fairings.

TXClassic wrote:to be honest I just really liked the looks of the GSX, I really don't know anything about sportbikes though. I have sat on a Ninja 650, but never ridden it. I'm just trying to find out what might be close to the V-Star. I'm ready to upgrade, but I don't want anything that is rediculously more than the V-star. I really have no desire to go flying down the freeway. I just like the look and feel(from what i could tell) of the sportbikes. how much hp do the Ninja 650's have? Thanks

I believe its around about 70. It'll be a lot more tame than the GSX-R you were looking at, but have *plenty* of get up and go for you. I'd say that would be a good step in the sportbike direction.

VermilionX wrote:how about an SV650S and buy the lower fairings for it.

it's got a Vºtwin engine. very similar to your bike.

it's got about 72bhp.

+1. I was about to buy this as a firstie (I just made up that term, let's spread it....), but decided the ergo's didn't fit me well enough for a firstie. (see it has a nice ring to it....)

Since this will be you second bike it would be a perfect in-between.

Just a newbie's .02

go sit on all the bikes, test ride them if you can, and then come back and ask more questions. What something looks like on paper is rarely what it is in person. You might have fun humping the gixxer gas tank or you might love it. But its a completely different animal than what you are riding now.

How about a Suzuki GSX 600 Katana? Still a lot more tame, still the full fairing look.



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Hey TX, any bike that is not a cruiser is going to act pretty radical compared to your Vstar 650. DHs feels a huge difference when he jumps from his Vulcan to my VTR250. He thinks my bike is fun and peppy to play on compared to his bike. And all it is is a change of style. Kinda like drinking top shelf liquor vs beer. Both are good and have the desired affect, but the method of delivery is different.

Anyway, no harm in changing things up, but know the differences will be great.

Thanks for all the info guys, talking to some other people too, I've heard the Katana 600 mentioned the most. I think I'm gonna go down a ride one this afternoon.

Also - think about the kind of riding you like to do. Sportbikes are great for short runs, running the twisties and/or, if you're into stunting but if you just like to cruise or you ride for long periods of time; the posturing on a sportbike might not suit your riding style