What to upgrade to after the 250?

[ajcadoo]

Eventually, I want to upgrade to a 600. I don't have the money at the moment, but it would be a purchase sometime in the near future.

What are your recommendations? Should I stick to Kawasaki, or venture out a bit? Any other advice for the transition to a higher CC bike?

[rojoracing53]

Uh don't :duh:

[Jiggles]

Why do you want a 600?

[ajcadoo]

I want to be able to ride at 70MPH without buzzing, while still maintaining a decent amount of acceleration off the line.

[Live2ride]

Do you ride with people who ride 600cc+ bikes frequently, or ride by yourself?

[Jiggles]

Originally Posted by ajcadoo

I want to be able to ride at 70MPH without buzzing, while still maintaining a decent amount of acceleration off the line.

Thats the only reason?

[rojoracing53]

Then just get a 1000 and be done with it or better yet I hear Harley's cruise at low rmps.

[Dragone]

Would you be comfy with a larger ride?

I prefer my EX500 as my daily ride and also for some short 2000 mile weekend trips. I personally would not have used my lil 250 for such rides just because of the buzz and power questions. My 6RR is not a good street ride to me for example due to the transmission and power for that application. The lil 250 is better in that regards to me. Tough call and everyone will have pros, cons and comments.

I am a kawi fan mostly because of durability issues, but continue to scope out the other brands that may fit you better. Good luck

[iplante]

I want a 2007+ SV650S so bad...

[BFisher244]

ninja 300

[NathanUc]

If you're just looking for a commuter/cruising sports bike, your best bet is either the 300r, 650r, sv650, or maybe a cbr500 (never rode one).

If you're looking for a supersport for use on the streets, the 2013 is the best all around supersport for use on the street. The cbr600rr and 675 Daytona are also solid options. I did a quick video on this topic if you were at all interested:

Link to original page on YouTube.

[KawiKid860]

CBR600F4i. Cheap, reliable, comfy, just as quick as any other 600.

[menikmati]

dat acceleration yo.

Just skip the 600 and get a literbike. Saves the hassle of going through another bike.

On a side note, the 250 does fine "off the line" compared to a majority of cars. Well, if you know how to wring out the first couple of gears.

[psych0hans]

Originally Posted by ajcadoo

Eventually, I want to upgrade to a 600. I don't have the money at the moment, but it would be a purchase sometime in the near future.

What are your recommendations? Should I stick to Kawasaki, or venture out a bit? Any other advice for the transition to a higher CC bike?

You'll have to be way more specific about your requirements. Do you want a supersports bike? Or a touring bike? Or something else?

[CynicalC]

You'll find better advice on the subject at some other forums that aren't model specific. There's too many dipshits here who think the ninja 250 is the end all beat all bike for any kind of riding.

[Singh2jz]

Originally Posted by CynicalC

You'll find better advice on the subject at some other forums that aren't model specific. There's too many dipshits here who think the ninja 250 is the end all beat all bike for any kind of riding.

This.

[NathanUc]

Originally Posted by Singh2jz

This.

I feel like of all forums I've been to, this one seems to have the least amount of these kind of people. Yes, many are dead set the 250r is the best motorcycle in the world, but I rarely see any disrespect to owners of other models. There's a fairly big anti-supersport movement (for reasonable reasons), but at least it's RARELY disrespectful.

Just my 2cents

[c-dog]

I like the 10Rs personally. Lots of torque. Great mellow cruise at lower rpms. I had an 08' I never should have sold. Or maybe a used SV650 (heavily modded) or SV1000?

600s are ok, but it depends on which 600, so many out there. But I dislike R6s for street riding personally.

If I were you I'd keep the 250 and get a used liter bike or other assorted 600.

[Whiskey]

Originally Posted by ajcadoo

I want to be able to ride at 70MPH without buzzing, while still maintaining a decent amount of acceleration off the line.

If that's all you want out of a 600 have a look at the xj-6/ Diversion, hornet 600, bandit, they're reasonably sedate 600s

I've still to get my hands on a Triumph to see how they behave (but the noise out of a triple is unreal), options are speed triple & street triple (these may be better suited in the next category).

The fazer, zzr600 or CBR600F4i may be other options if you want something a bit more powerful but not a modern supersport, think more sports tourers.

if you want a supersport there's the big 4 Gixxer, R6, ZX-6 & CBR600RR, as well as the Triumph Daytona 675

[Singh2jz]

OP: Definitely try out the sv650!

Originally Posted by NathanUc

I feel like of all forums I've been to, this one seems to have the least amount of these kind of people. Yes, many are dead set the 250r is the best motorcycle in the world, but I rarely see any disrespect to owners of other models. There's a fairly big anti-supersport movement (for reasonable reasons), but at least it's RARELY disrespectful.

Just my 2cents

yea that's true too, but those guys are so convincing! lol..and I would never call those guys dipshits, cuz they're just stating their opinion..I just forgot to include that in my post.

[Reswob]

Originally Posted by ajcadoo

Eventually, I want to upgrade to a 600. I don't have the money at the moment, but it would be a purchase sometime in the near future.

What are your recommendations? Should I stick to Kawasaki, or venture out a bit? Any other advice for the transition to a higher CC bike?

Easy answer, which 600 do you like the look of best? In terms of noticable street performance, all of them are pretty much the same. In general, the R6 is the most agressive positioning and high strung engine, while the CBR600RR is the most upright and better midrange. Personally I'd pick the Daytona 675 for the I-3, and the Honda if you want to stick with the Big 4. But that's all personal preferance as I've never liked the way GSXRs or Kawi's look.

[Chuffmonkey]

I just swapped my 250 for a Street Triple R and I'm loving it. The power difference is massive, but not as insane as I'd expected. I went for the triple because of the more upright riding position instead of a supersport even though I was offered a screaming deal on an '06 636r.
In addition, the insurance on my Triple was less than on a Kawi 650, even though it has something like 30hp more.
And the noise....like ZOMFG

[CynicalC]

Originally Posted by NathanUc

I feel like of all forums I've been to, this one seems to have the least amount of these kind of people. Yes, many are dead set the 250r is the best motorcycle in the world, but I rarely see any disrespect to owners of other models. There's a fairly big anti-supersport movement (for reasonable reasons), but at least it's RARELY disrespectful.

Just my 2cents

Look up and see what I mean. Out of a dozen posts in this thread in reply to OP, yours and one other were the only helpful ones.

(At the time I made that post)

[Jono]

I'm thinking my next bike will be a 07 FZ6.




It can do everything pretty decently. And sound pretty damn good doing it.

[kawaninja09]

the 636

[Aggrotech]

i vote teh sexy cbr600 (08+) or 2013 636. soooooo fckn sexy mmmm

[CC Cowboy]

Time for a Harley

[subxero]

why do people always say "I upgraded to (insert larger cc bike here)" why can't you just simply get a new bike?

example, "I got a new bike, it is an R6"

[NathanUc]

Originally Posted by subxero

why do people always say "I upgraded to (insert larger cc bike here)" why can't you just simply get a new bike?

example, "I got a new bike, it is an R6"

Justify purchase. Feel as if they are progressing. Spend more = upgrade?. In terms of physical machine, it often is an upgrade. Sounds cooler. More clearly not their first bike.

[Jiggles]

When I was 18 I upgraded from a v6 maxima to a v8 Yukon Denali, then when I was 19 I upgraded from the Denali to a v6 maxima

[menikmati]

Originally Posted by subxero

why do people always say "I upgraded to (insert larger cc bike here)" why can't you just simply get a new bike?

example, "I got a new bike, it is an R6"

Because the 250 is trash.

Using the word "upgrade" is a nice way to trick yourself into justifying your purchases, sort of in the same vein as "modification," "custom," and other ****.

[CC Cowboy]

Originally Posted by Jiggles

When I was 18 I upgraded from a v6 maxima to a v8 Yukon Denali, then when I was 19 I upgraded from the Denali to a v6 maxima

Were those insurance upgrades (totalled the Maxima, then totalled the Denali)?

[Reswob]

Originally Posted by subxero

why do people always say "I upgraded to (insert larger cc bike here)" why can't you just simply get a new bike?

example, "I got a new bike, it is an R6"

Why do people on this forum always get defensive when people upgrade? Why can't they recognize that the vast majority of 250/300 buyers plan to keep the bike a few years before upgrading to a bigger bike?

[CynicalC]

Originally Posted by menikmati

Because the 250 is trash.

Using the word "upgrade" is a nice way to trick yourself into justifying your purchases, sort of in the same vein as "modification," "custom," and other ****.

It has nothing do with justification. Going from 250 to 600 is upgrading in the most literal sense of the word. Same goes for modifying or customizing a bike... That's exactly what it is, an action, not a reasoning.

[adouglas]

I'll put in my $0.02 for the GSXR750 as being a better street bike than any 600.

The dyno tells the tale. While anything bigger will be way more powerful than a 250, look at the power and torque for a 600... and in particular take note of where the bike actually wakes up.

A more modest bike like the SV650 actually makes MORE horsepower and MORE torque below 7-8k rpm than a 600 supersport. Since the OP mentioned "buzzing" this is worth bringing up.

The 750 makes nice power and torque at the low RPM that is typical of real-world street riding AND has oodles of both if you open it up. Best of both worlds.... That's why I bought one.

Despite CynicalC's - er- cynicism I think you'll find that most people around here do love the 250 (myself included) but do not actually say it's hands-down superior. It is what it is and does what it does very well. What it does not do is lope along at low RPM when traveling at highway speeds, or accelerate faster than a Ferrari, or carry a big load like a touring bike.

[ninja250r81]

ive ridden a gsxr750 on the track nice bike

z800 nice torque, comfort and cheap for the accessories offered

keep the 250 do some performance mods have a ball and ride it everyday. have the bigger bike for the occasional log trip.

[Chuffmonkey]

Originally Posted by adouglas

It is what it is and does what it does very well. What it does not do is lope along at low RPM when traveling at highway speeds, or accelerate faster than a Ferrari, or carry a big load like a touring bike.

Agree 100% - these are the most important considerations when buying, well, anything. Make a checklist of all the things you want it to do and figure out what best meets those needs.
For many of us on here the 250 checks the 'best beginner bike' box, but not necessarily the long term daily ride, or fantastic tourer boxes.

Many of the decisions are very subjective and you can see that you've received suggestions all over the map - cruisers - standards - supersports and so on. Each one might be the perfect bike for you, depending on what you want to do with it - define the boxes for us. You did mention not buzzing at 70, and decent acceleration - I would suggest that a 600 supersport is not the right bike to check those boxes, as it would likely over deliver for your needs.

Lol, IDK why most people on this forum are so against upgrading. I think it is a natural occurrence. For the most part, motorcycle riders like to change up bikes pretty often. I think it is natural to want to move up from the 250 after a couple years. I say wait until you can afford something larger, around 4-5k and you can get a sweet bike. Any of the big 4 supersport bikes are awesome. I have gsxr 750 and I love it. However, I have really started to enjoy naked bikes, the street/speed triples are so cool, along with the ducati monsters and kawasaki z series (along with all of the famous sportbike options sv's/ninja series). If I could change my decision from when I first got my gixxer, I would have gotten a naked bike. They have a much more usable powerband with more mid and low end torque while still having a crazy amount of power. Along with that powerband, a slightly more upright position with more comfy handlebars that don't put you into that motogp race position. While I still love my gsxr, I sometimes long for a naked bike (Like the aprilia tuono v4r ) MMMMMMMMMMMMMM

While the 250 is a very reliable, bulletproof, bike with low insurance, great mpg's and a fantastic starter bike, I do not see how many people could justify not upgrading from it when they become more of a skilled rider.

[csmith12]

Buy the bike you want to have sex with.

lol

[Alex]

I think there's a little exaggerated outrage here. I don't think there are many experienced riders here who truly believe that the ninjette is the best bike for every single use case for every single rider. Nor do people expect a rider to buy one bike and decide to ride it and only it for the rest of their days. All bikes are fun. Most motorcyclists own a variety of bikes over time.

The mocking and sarcasm seems to start when brand-new or otherwise inexperienced riders list out shortcomings of the 250/300 as what is holding them back as a rider, and if they only had something faster/heavier/sportier/tourier their problems would be magically fixed. It *definitely* gets triggered if the same rider says things like needing to upgrade because they don't feel safe. One of the things that the tiny ninja is fantastic at is as a great starter bike, allowing someone to grow their skills faster, safer, and less expensively than is possible on most other popular motorcycles for a variety of reasons.