Time for a bigger bike....

[kylegod]

Triumph street triple. gorgeous

[tt_four]

I've grown pretty tired of people trying to convince everyone they should take their current bike to the track before they consider themselves able to know what kind of bike they should own. Obviously everyone here knows that a GS is enough motorcycle for anybody. I've had a 600 before, and I can say that I'm probably never going to be completely satisfied on the GS because of it. I'm sure I can lean it over just as far, and go just as fast on back roads, but not everyone want to spend all their time riding trying to see how far they can lean and toss their bike around on tight twisty roads. I also happen to enjoy twisting my throttle at 5k rpm and have a bike actually move no matter what gear I'm in. For a while I was pretty sure I wanted a 1000cc bike just so I could ride without always worrying about what gear I needed to be in and revving the engine super high to actually move. I've since settled in on wanting a gsxr750, or at least a zx636r. I completely understand that it takes no skill at all to twist a throttle when you're going in a straight line, but in no way does that mean it isn't still fun.

Let us know what you're looking to do on the bike, and we can give you some pretty good recommendations.

[Gary856]

I have an YZF-600R; it's clipons' height is still reasonable. I sat on an '00 R1 and an '05 R1 today, and, man, their clipons are ridiculously low for street riding. Sort of like the drop bars on road racing bicycles. As much as I covet the power and suspension of a liter sportbike, I just don't see myself riding one on the street with clipons that low.  

[mister]

As has been mentioned. Depends on the riding you do... and... what you are comfortable on.

I use the GS for commuting and weekend rides. It fits those tasks to a T. Some of the guys/girls I ride with love to go fast in the twisties. But most are quite happy to cruise through at a pace they feel ok with. Some have cruisers - such as big bellied fellows who cannot ride a sports oriented bike due to physical reasons, shorter ladies who need to reach the ground, etc. - while others have sports bikes, sport tourers, now and then a Goldwing comes for a ride. There is one lady who rides a Suzuki Intruder 250 and we think the darn thing is on steroids cause she really motors along. Then there is the older guy who has had the liter bikes and now rides on a 250 Virago and keeps up quite fine.

Granted. My approach is based on logic. Because, well, the need for speed doesn't flow in my veins. I don't lose sleep over my chicken strips. I have a bike that I am physically comfortable on even during Long rides and which serves all my purposes.

I've tried cruisers. My back kills after 15 minutes. My body isn't suited to them. Sports bikes have too aggressive of forward lean. Again, my body aches.

Guy at work was looking at getting a FJR 1300. Then he decided he didn't like Yamahas cause there was a Kawasaki version he had his eye on. Next thing you know, he's gone and bought himself an R6. But he uses it for commuting. While another guy does have a FJR 1300 and he uses it for touring with him and his wife and drives the cage to work. Another has a KTM 530 because he likes riding in the bush on the weekends.

It's all horses for courses.

Which one do YOU feel is more suited to the riding you do?
Which one do you like the look of?
Of those left, which one are you the most physically comfortable on?

Disregard your friends opinions about what a Real Man should ride. Buy the bike to please yourself, not to impress your mates.

Michael

[ohgood]

I have an YZF-600R; it's clipons' height is still reasonable. I sat on an '00 R1 and an '05 R1 today, and, man, their clipons are ridiculously low for street riding. Sort of like the drop bars on road racing bicycles. As much as I covet the power and suspension of a liter sportbike, I just don't see myself riding one on the street with clipons that low.  

ahhhhh yes, you need introducing to the FZ1 and it's little brother the FZ6. These are some very, very comfortable bikes, and they still have that fantastic lump to propel things.

[SkiMad]

As others have said, first think about what sort of riding you want to do with the bike. That will allow you to narrow down possible choices for a larger bike.

For me I was doing huge mileages on the GS500F - not racing but long distance touring around Europe.  After hassling several dealers for test rides, I eventually decided to trade in the GS for a 2007 Honda VFR 800vtec ABS with full luggage kit.  The arrival this Spring of the brand new 1200VFR models is seeing dealers offering huge discounts on the 800 models so if you are mainly looking for a bike which can handle some serious touring and is no slouch on track days then its definitely one to think about.  In hindsight I should have also kept the GS as it was incredibly cheap to run and a lot smaller and lighter so perfect for local commuting or nipping down to the shops.

[bill14224]

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

I agree if you have to ask, you're not ready.  Also, displacement is not a good indicator of a motorcycle's character.  There are some 250 cc bikes that can outrun some 1700 cc bikes, so it's more important to decide what TYPE of bike you'd like rather than its displacement.  Engine performance can vary from mild to wild pretty much no matter what size it is.

[bobthebiker]

I have to absolutely agree with these guys.     look at your next bike according to what sort of riding you're into doing.     a harley doesnt make a great trackbike, just like a CBR600 doesnt make a great tourer.   

that said, if you like the riding stance of a standard,  look into the GSX650F or an SV650,  maybe the ninja 650R or similar bikes.   they do offer comfort for longer rides, and sporty riding capabilities with a good rider.

[purplepeopleeater]

Load of crapper, don't liisten to salesman and suggestions on the forum, make your own decision and ride safe.

[commuterdude]

The new Kawa z1000 is pretty sweet.

[Bluehaze]

Disregard all the advice.. get yourself into a triumph 675 daytona and you will never look back.. though you will still miss the GS now and then...but never look back. If you start to think about the GS again..just twist that throttle. It makes it all go away.

[NF11624]

I faced this question late last year - and I wound up with a 07 GSXR 600.  I've used it on several 200+ mile journeys with absolutely no discomfort from riding.  It just fits me - some people will find it is incredibly uncomfortable and prefer a CBR or R6 or whatever.  Find the bike that can do what you want and 'fits'.  If you want to go around the world on an R1 - well its been done.  All I can say is that the GSXR is stupid fast compared to a GS, I can't even imagine riding a literbike at this point.  (For example, 3rd gear will get you to 120 mph indicated or ~108 actual - bone stock).

Just don't be stupid - these bikes can and will do whatever you tell them without regard for if its the right thing to do or if the physics will let you do what you want.  And when you make a mistake with 100+ HP it goes south in a hurry.

[oramac]

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

Cool.
Buddha.

+1!  ...that was my upgrade too.  And what an upgrade it was...

[mister]

Walking out of the shopping center this evening, a guy riding this pulled up right near me...



"Dude", I said, "What kind of bike is That?"

"DN-01", he says. "Unusual isn't it? Honda brought them out last year, maybe 18 months ago"

A sportbike looking front, with cruiser riding position. Notice no clutch lever? Yep... it's automatic, like a scooter. A 680cc scooter with 61hp.

I'd get heaps of looks at my motorcycle club if I rocked up on one. We have some Harley riders, some XVS and VStar riders, six/seven C50 boulevard riders. Two GS500 riders - me and an F rider. And some other bikes. But this would get all the looks, at first at least anyway.

The guy looked about 60 and was waiting for his equally 60-looking wife to come out with some shopping - and she came out carrying her helmet. 

So if autos are your thing... or check out the semi-auto Aprilia Mana with 850cc



Michael

[galahs]

Mate the GS provides you with the basic skills so really you are ready for what ever bike you thank you can handle.

If you go SuperSports, just remember they will bite you if you don't respect it. Take it easy to start with and work your way into them. You'll be fine.

[tt_four]

Surprisingly, that bike looks much better with someone on it. I've always seen pictures of them and it just hurt my brain trying to figure out why they would do that to a bike, but the styling doesn't stick out as bad with someone on it, I think mostly because it looks much smaller when someone is on it.

07 gsxr only takes you to 108?? My friends old SRAD600 would do close to that in 2nd. I think my Triumph would do an indicated 115-120 in 3rd, and that bike was geared really low, since it hit the redline in 6th about 20mph lower than a gsxr.

Back to the original topic. Are you trying to stick with a naked bike or don't really care? I don't see a ton of them around, but if I liked taking trips, I think I'd look into a honda 599, or an FZ6. I have no problem with literbikes, but I think jumping from a gs to a 1000cc that's definitely more of a jump than you're going to want. A 600cc bike is going to double your HP, and you're definitely going to think you're about to fall off the back of the bike the first time you twist the throttle in 1st.

[NF11624]

Well... 120 was plenty for me and I wasn't in the red - I think I was at about 13k.  1st goes up to 90 indicated at about the redline so who knows.  The point I was trying to make was that 600cc will completely blow your mind for speed if all you're used to is the GS - and it will blow it quickly.

[skudman]

alright after much research many test rides, i think i have decided on a superhawk. now i just have to wait for the right one to come around 

[tt_four]

ooh, good choice, I do like those bikes. I think my favorite bike of that category is the TLS, but that's all just personal taste. At least the superhawk doesn't have "the widow maker" as a nickname, so that should make you feel good.

[bill14224]

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.

Amen to that.  There are bikes in all those displacement groups whose performance ranges from mild to wild.  For example there are bikes in the 600-650 range that are no faster than our GS.  Others will go 150 MPH.


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