+1 on what bluebird said.

 

For me it is not an issue of getting bored on a 250. The fact is you will start pushing it to the max to keep up with others ... and that is when mistakes happen.

I KNOW YOU DON'T USE 100% OF A BIKE, but if you are ridding with a group and everybody is using 50% of their 110HP bikes you will need 140% of your 35HP bike.

I would buy a used GS500 ... or a ninja 500. They are both nimble and (if you really want them) fast ... but not crazy fast. You will be able to keep up and learn without having to deal with the "high spirits" of a 600.

 

well said serge

 

anyone who thinks a 250 is to small has never been to the 250 class races. Sheeet just try to keep up on your 636.

Not picking on any 636 owners here, just using it as a reference.

Just ride your own ride, anyone who gives you any trash about it is a DICK!

 

[sm=smiley32.gif] exactly!

 

I've seen the 250cc races. CRAZZZY, but since most of us spend our days driving around with friends I say you are better of with a bike that will not force you to keep it at red line in order to catch-up.

In any case, I have to agree that anyone has to buy the bike they feel comfortable ridding and can afford. We are actually planning on swaping the SV650 for a Ninja 250. Wife wants a "sport" bike and I would love to "squeeze" the ponnies out of that bike.

Cheers.

 

It's a high-revving bike for sure but redlining to catch up? It can do 90 MPH on highway easily.

Just my humble opinion and not meant to raise hell or anything but...if you're riding with friends and you're a noob and you want to "catch up" wouldn't that be riding beyond your limit? Isn't the whole "this is my first bike" supposed to get you more experienced and hopefully older so you can graduate to a bigger bike? Hey man, if your friends leave you behind...well, they're not exactly your friends now are they? Just my humble opinion on the matter.

 

One other factor to toss in there. How much of a difference ,if any, is there between insuring a 500 or a 600? What does insurance usually go for in the Bay area(roughly)

 

well, with most insurance company it depends alot on your age, driving record, and motorcycle experiance..... generally the rates are pretty high here in california.... but i have an agent who's really good at keeping the rates real low.... Pm me if your interrested and i could give you his PHONE number.... i pay 140 for full coverage on my 05 636, and 2000 dodge P/U... which is really good, considering i highest quote i got was 600 a month for 8 months.... i was like, " you got to be sh!tting me".... so good luck...

 

it depends on if u want full coverage or not. <600cc isn't considered a sport bike so it would be cheaper. liability on my zx-7r is 26 a month. you will have fun on any bike, noone is debating that. i was a noob when i got my bike. it wasn't as uncontrolable or horrifing powerful as i had thought. hell my 7r really can't even power wheelie. its got the power,but is alot easier to street around thsn say a gsxr or 636. since ur going to sell it in 6 months, it probably doesn';t matter what u get esp just to learn on. oh about the $$$ i paid 4100 for my 01 zx-7r, but that was in jan here in pa. As far as for riding with friends or a group. I like to ride with others. My one brother inlaw had a 9r and the other has a yamaha v star. We go cruise here and there b/c were family and like to ride, but for "normal" sportbike riding, he can't keep up, which is fine b/c his bike wasn't ment to. As far as keeping up with friends and or having to reddline to do it. I know a 250 will do 90. thats not the issue, its how fast you can get there and or going 90 around a turn. a 130 rear tire can't handle cornering speed of a 180 or 190. this brings me back to what i said earler. if performance is key, you have to get a bigger bike. If its not a big deal than a 250 is the way to go. Esp if you wrech it, your not out that much money. As said by others, get good gear. Helmet fitness is the key to finding the correct one. A $600 shoei helmet doesn't protect any different than a $109 hcj hemlet. (as tested in the cycle mags) its all about how it feels. Granted a more expensive helmet usually is quiter, but the different brands fit different shapes of heads. I paid(before discount) 109 for my helmet, 450 for the motorhead icon jacket, I got free armored waterproof pants and i've got some icon boots ordered for $150. I've put zero mods on the bike b/c I don't have the $$$ for all the correct gear yet.

I'd much rather have a 250 race bike than my 7r.