Time for a bigger bike....

[skudman]

I feel i am growing out of the 500's, what would be the next logical step in bikes?? 600?    750?   1000?     1100?   

[Gary856]

600. It has a lot more than the 500.

[annguyen1981]

If you have to ask, you're not ready.
     

[annguyen1981]

Take it to the track.

Take the MSF ERC with the GS


Once you do either of these, you'll discover that you haven't mastered the GS yet.

[kml.krk]

out of curiosity: how many miles have you done on GS?

[Gary856]

You don't need to master eating hamburgers before trying a burrito. I never thought it made sense when people say you've got to be able to ride a 500 to it's limits before you should move on to a bigger bike. On a race track, maybe, but nobody rides to the limit of any bike on the streets. It's good to have varities, whether it's food or bike. Once you have the basic skills on a 500, the power of a 600 will be manageable; it's a lot more powerful if you really twist it, but hopefully you've already learned throttle/clutch control well on the 500 so you wouldn't make basic throttle mistakes. The ergonomics on a supersport w/ low clipons will be totally different and you need to learn how to ride it, especially cornering; a SS is much more body-position involved. Get used to that on a 600, then move up.  

[ineedanap]

I feel i am growing out of the 500's, what would be the next logical step in bikes?? 600?    750?   1000?     1100?   

08, 09, or 10 Hayabusa (1340cc)

[The Buddha]

1000 more specifically a SV1000, and to be exact, my sv1K.

Cool.
Buddha.

[BaltimoreGS]

I have always liked CBR600's.  If you want a similar feel to the the GS the later F4i's went back to the old banana style seat (older F4i's had a pillion seat).  They can be had fairly cheap now.  If you are into naked bikes and don't mind carburetors there are the old 599's and 919's, both great naked versions of the CBR600 and the CBR929 respectively.  If you want small yet powerful check out the GSXR750's.  There's a reason those bikes killed the 750 market, they were untouchable.  In fact, the GSXR750 was more powerful than the CBR900 of the same era.  Your best bet is to go sit on some bikes and see what feels good.

-Jessie

[O.C.D.]

As an owner of a GS500 I can say this.  They are excellent as a beginner bike and can be pushed hard and within reason.  But they do not have the power obviously.  As a rider of other bikes than just a gs500, do you need to "master" a 500 to "earn" entry into another bike?!  Nope.  You need a burrito, ,lol.  I say anything you want that is not to much for you.  Want a Busa, get one.  Personally unless you track a bike, the only need for a large bike is to make a statement and get into trouble or wrecks.  If it were me, I would easily get into a 600, maybe a 750.  I think anything with more power is great compared to the GS.  Hell, isn't that why there are 1000's of types of cars?  Free will is a great thing.  Never needed a Bug to get into 350Z did ya?!

(Did I even make a point in this rambling?!) lol

[BaltimoreGS]

There is this sweet 623cc twin:  http://autos.yahoo.com/articles/autos_content_landing_pages/1273/cheap-car-from-india-could-cost-8000-in-us/

-Jessie

[ohgood]

I feel i am growing out of the 500's, what would be the next logical step in bikes?? 600?    750?   1000?     1100?   

forget about cc's for a minute, and explain what type of riding you'd like to have on the NEXT bike. that should point you in the direction of a class of cc's... instead of the way this thread is going.

[annguyen1981]

I feel i am growing out of the 500's, what would be the next logical step in bikes?? 600?    750?   1000?     1100?   

forget about cc's for a minute, and explain what type of riding you'd like to have on the NEXT bike. that should point you in the direction of a class of cc's... instead of the way this thread is going.

EXACTLY.  I guess my first post didn't touch on this, which is the MAIN concern.

[DoD#i]

You're ready to move up, move up. Your Gold Wing awaits! Muhahahah! 

1800cc, 6 cylinders, about 500 cc more than the first Civics in the US, as I recall.

Now there is a BIKE. Or a car that lost two wheels, whichever. Then again, you might want a Cavalcade if you're a die-hard Suzuki brand loyalist.

[johnny ro]

ohgood beat me to the punch.

If you want sport riding, i.e. racer stuff on track and street, then sportbike. Take your budget, then go to CL and see whatsthere in what year and then find forum/review.

Touring.
Sport touring = larger overall than sport, more comfortable, but still faster than ever legal anywhere. Can go to California from Maine fast and smooth but you are mroe ready for twisties than basic tourer with their hugeness and luggage.

Adventure (touring but off road component) - think sport touring but half morphed into dirt bike

Basic casual riding- they call this standard.

I think manufacturers sites are organized this way.

[MikeNW]

I admit that I don't have a bike at the moment (monetary reasons + buying a house) but I have been looking at GSX650F. 
Probably couldn't ride a true Gixxer because of the bent-over posture required. 
Now I was originally looking at the 500 because of its simplicity and low cost.
But the 650F has 4 cylinders and F.I. for reasonable cost. 
Having ridden a Concours (with 4 carbs) I don't want to mess with carbs anymore.  But the 650F has 4 smooth Japanese cylinders.  Add some cases and you have a touring bike.
I don't know what your riding needs are though.
Ride safe whatever you choose!    

[Andy13186]

I just got a yzf600r today actually... hella fast comparitavly.  its a 1998 with 43k miles on it though.  It has some problems like leaking fork tube and well, clutch seems to slip in 3rd and 4th gear.  No clue whats up with that...

id suggest a comfortable bike if your going to ride alot like mabe r6s, ninja 650r, sv650 (not sv650s its not too comfortable)  super hawk , yzf600r although its carberated  it seems pretty awesome so far fz6 or z1000 fz1 honda 599 or honda 919 w/e you can get a deal wtih


sv1000s are badass as hellll , not sure how comfortable but w.e they are awesome

[Suzuki Stevo]

I admit that I don't have a bike at the moment (monetary reasons + buying a house) but I have been looking at GSX650F. 
Probably couldn't ride a true Gixxer because of the bent-over posture required. 
Now I was originally looking at the 500 because of its simplicity and low cost.
But the 650F has 4 cylinders and F.I. for reasonable cost. 
Having ridden a Concours (with 4 carbs) I don't want to mess with carbs anymore.  But the 650F has 4 smooth Japanese cylinders.  Add some cases and you have a touring bike.
I don't know what your riding needs are though.
Ride safe whatever you choose!    

I love mine, it'z like a GS500 on steroids! 

[skudman]

out of curiosity: how many miles have you done on GS?

I have clocked 15,000+ on just this GS plus 7,000 on my old Scooter. I have been upgrading as i "outgrow" (quotes because, as some have stated, you never really outgrow a bike, it is always capable of more than one thinks)

I am a combo rider, i take long trips, but also love to do tricks, get in the twisties, feel some g's.  I also like to just go for rides with friends, short fun trips. I was thinking late 90's style bikes, I kinda like the square headlight look. SV'S are deffinetly in the running, as well as ducatti (monster, but only 900+, they just sound so so much better), triumph (liking the daytona, sprint is ok..., and yamaha (die hard fan, been riding Yam's quads for ages, my scooter is also a Yamaha).

I like the throaty sounds, and big torque.... I don't really care about top speed i feel like i get the most joy out of riding in gears 1-3

[BaltimoreGS]

Keep in mind with the SV that much like the GS the stock suspension is crap.  I was thoroughly disappointed with mine.

-Jessie