[Luke]

As always, my opinion.....

Most experienced riders would tell you that even if you don't want to start (or restart) on a 250, a 600 is a bad choice. Most if not all of the 600cc bikes are highly strung - some of them are race bikes with headlights. As a result, they are very unforgiving of the throttle and braking mistakes that new or rusty riders often make.

Bikes like the Suzuki SV650 or Kawasaki Ninja 650 would be a much better choice to start with. Even though these bikes are higher in CC count, they have milder powerbands with lots of low end torque. In addition, the more upright riding position makes the bike easier to control, not to mention a lot more comfortable.

I love my 250 - I may upgrade in a couple-three years, but I really like the weight and handling of this bike. Even if I "upgrade", I'll probably keep it - it's just too much fun, and the mileage is really nice (especially with gas prices sneaking up again).

In my personal opinion, the salesman in question is irresponsible or trying to make a sale or both - but at the end of the day it's your decision. If you choose the 600, I'd take it very easy for a long time.

Best wishes on the best bike for you!

 

[Luke]

Apologies, 250Tom - should have included the fz6 (it's now the fz8) in the list. Although it's a 600, it's a much different bike than the 600RRs - would you agree?

The Honda 599 is a similar bike... 600cc but not set up for the ragged edge.

 

[Luke]

As much as I lust after the sexy 600+ bikes...

They are sweet-looking, but to me it would be kind of like dating Paris Hilton - heck of a rush to begin with and buyer's remorse after the first temper tantrum.

I've been around boats all my life - for most of it, I had dreamed of owning a offshore racing style ("Cigarette") boat. Hit some money 20 years ago and bought a used one - a Scarab with twin 454 V-8s. It was amazing for blasting somewhere, but everything else got old real quick: had to stow the anchor in the cabin, acrobatics required to get up on the bow to anchor it, no visibility over the bow, constant maintenance problems - and believe it or not, the straight exhaust from two honking V-8s that was music to my ears in the beginning rapidly dissolved to just noise.

Sold the boat and took a beating, bought a smaller boat with outboards, bow access, all-weather capability. I didn't look as cool, but I sure had a lot more fun. Expensive lesson, but a lesson learned.

I don't ever see myself on a 600rr - the contorted riding position and the hair-trigger throttle / brakes just don't appeal to me. Maybe it's because I'm getting old. I do see another bike down the road if this economy ever turns around - the Triumph Street Triple (not the Speed!) and the BMW F800r both fit my CBR250-tuned desires for reasonable weight, great handling, and decent fuel economy (though nowhere near 75mpg!). I really don't see selling the CBR even if I do "upgrade" - the ride to work this morning was just another reinforcement of how much I like my thumper.

Everyone is different, which is why they sell so many different kinds of motorcycles. You should get what you want, but my "lesson" above taught me to think hard about my "wants" and to try and look past my nightclub debut with Paris to the morning after - and do the best I can to determine if that was really where I want to be for any length of time.

Good Luck!

Luke

 

[Luke]

Yeah, it's hell getting old and logical, isn't it?