Thinking of upgrading...thoughts and suggestions anyone?

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mimico_polak

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Hey all,
Well I've survived my first (short) season and am happy as a pig in s%#t! I didn't go for a big bike as I was too concerned about learning and trying to see if this is for me...I went with a 2008 Honda CBR125 which I found was a super bike for 90% of my riding! However when I take it on the highway it's def lacking at times which I fully understand and can appreciate it for what it is. As a commuter...awesome bike and I'm very happy with it.
As it stands, the bike's away and I'm tossing around the idea of moving up to a bigger bike, I know there's plenty of suggestions on here and I'm all over the map with what to go with...I'm most interested in commuting to/from work with the occassional highway jaunt. I've had an indicated 120 on it but that's quite rare, and most times I can barely clear 100-110 on it...speed isn't a huge concern for me as the times I do want to go fast, it's only because I want to speed up for fun and no other reason.

I'm considering the following:

1. CBR250
2. Hornet 599
3. SV650
4. GS500

From reading this site I note that these are all strong and capable motorcycles and would really appreciate some thoughts from the experienced riders here. I'm also debating keeping the bike I have ($$$ wise) but any input is highly appreciated!

Wojtek
 
Definitely don't go to a 250 as you will outgrow that quickly as well. Skip to at least a 500, you won't have any trouble i'm sure. It's really not that much of an adjustment going up a few sizes. It's when people go to supersports or huge 1100cc cruisers that you need to be sure you have the skills. But bikes under 750 are not that hard to ride. I think from your list the GS500 sounds like the best fit for you if you want to go up a level, then maybe you will want to trade that in the following year and go up again.. They are pretty nice looking bikes and seem to have good reviews, i think it would be a good bike for commuting.

Are you going to the bike show this weekend? If so you should sit on one of each and see what you think feels the best. They will probably have all those bikes there.
 
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Not the 250 or the GS the other 2 either would be fine, I am biased and would get the SV as I already have 2 and like them.
 
I love my GS. It's obviously not the fastest bike around, but it's no slouch either. It's reliable too, just a grump in the cold. It is a simple bike though - carbed, air-cooled, no fuel light... keep that in mind
 
hey guys,
Thanks for the quick responses I really appreciate it! Personally I was leaning towards the gs500 and the hornet 599. Cost is obviously the biggest factor and I was told if no issues my insurance will drop nicely next year. Are the gs500s and 599's reliable bikes? I want to use this as a commuter primarily to save on my pig on gas car, so need something that will start up and go most of the time!
Is this weekend's show a good place for gear as well or is the January show preferred?
W
 
IMO, the SV or Hornet would be the two I'd be looking at. I'm partial to V twins for their sound and power delievery. Second choice would be an in-line four. Both bikes are more of a standard, naked style that I prefer too. And both bikes can keep intermediate and seasoned riders happy for a very long time. Good balance for commuting and weekend assaults on secondary roads.

I have a Ninji 500 and it's a fun bike with plenty of power to cruise the highway and has excellent fuel range. It's effortless to ride. But, the sound and power delievery of a parallel twin lacks some soul and can be a bit like stretching a rubber band when twisting the throttle. The GS looks better but, I'd rather liquid cooled. Keep in mind, 99% of the time, I'm riding an air cool Sportster V twin and haven't riden a GS or Hornet. I've had a poke on an SV and wouldn't mind having one as a secondary bike. Just don't tell my Harley buddies. lol
 
You should consider the SV and the Ninja 650 as your first options. You will have abundant power but with way more comfort than a SS.
SV is a hugely popular bike for a reason.
CBR 250 is slower than the Ninja 250 so you won't feel THAT much of a difference.
GS500 is a good bike, Ninja 500 would be a slightly better choice IMO, it may look more outdated because of the fairings but is actually a more advanced bike technologically, also more HP.
The Hornet has a detuned CBR600RR engine and is more in the class of the FZ8/Z750 than the SV.
 
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mimico_polak said:
hey guys,
Thanks for the quick responses I really appreciate it! Personally I was leaning towards the gs500 and the hornet 599. Cost is obviously the biggest factor and I was told if no issues my insurance will drop nicely next year. Are the gs500s and 599's reliable bikes? I want to use this as a commuter primarily to save on my pig on gas car, so need something that will start up and go most of the time!
Is this weekend's show a good place for gear as well or is the January show preferred?
W
Click to expand...
GS is pretty slow but reliable old outdated chasis and suspension (probably the worst on your list). The full fairing version also looks like it was bulit in someones basement with parts that were lying around.
 
One of my concerns (not being overly mechanically inclined) is starting a carburated bike in the colder months. I like the FI that the 125 offered as it's quite handy on cold mornings, but is a carburated bike that much of an issue in our weather? I've ridden until last week before storing the bike so I'm hoping to be able to ride from March - Nov next season as well.
Looking at pricing there's a fairly decent offering of the bikes mentioned in the 3-5k range, and i'm sure the prices will start skyrocketing in the spring.
And I actually prefer the standard riding position (non-fairing versions preferred), as I'm not interested in SS bikes. I was considering cruisers as well (Vulcan 500) but I'd like to stick with the standards for now.
 
If it's too cold for a carb bike to start, then it's too cold to ride.

Good job motorcycles have always been F.I ;)
 
Englishj said:
If it's too cold for a carb bike to start, then it's too cold to ride.
Click to expand...

That's probably a good rule, but I've been ignoring it lately :D

To answer your previous question, yep the GS is supposedly as reliable as an anvil.. I've never had a problem with mine. It doesn't like the cold too much. I have an unheated parking garage, so this is my December start up procedure. First, bump start because my battery is constantly dead in the cold. Then I let it have full choke while I get ready with my gear (30 seconds to a minute) and then ride off.. I use high gear/low rpm for the first 10 minutes or so before I start thrashing it.

But as the others have said, you have a list of nice bikes to choose from; I'd take Johnny's advice and check them all out either at the dealer or at the bike show this weekend. Good luck!
 
Thanks guys! I'll go to the show tomorrow to get a better feel for these things before I move any further! Hopefully pick up some gear as well as I need it! I'd go a bit further back to the classics (buddy's rebuilding a BSA now from the 50's) but I'm not mechanical enough to maintain it all the time.
 
I'm biased, but....
I recommend a Ninja 650r. The cost of a used bike is really good.
If its due to insurance cost, then yes, go for the 500. But if not, 650. Even the SV650 is a great all round bike too.
best of luck.
 
I started my carbed HD and it's -2 C. Never seem to have a problem with one or two pushes of the starter button. I don't know what FI is? lol.
 
too many ppl knocking down the little 250. coming from a 125, its gona be a step up for sure. its gona rev a little higher than bigger cc bikes. but nothing thats not managable. i say get a used ninja 250 if u find a good deal. their resale value is pretty good. so u can sell it for close to the same amount u buy it for.
i have ridden a friends ninja 500. no problems hitting the 150kmh and still had the revs to spare. revs less than the 250 on highways. but i liked the 250 over the 500.
 
hey guys,
thanks for all the great ideas and suggestions! there's so many choices I'll have to do more research on it! Seems like all the pricing for the bikes is fairly similar with the hornet at the top of the list topping out around 5k or so...as for all the other ones they're all around the same price so it'll be down to insurance, and comfort. I was at the bike show this weekend but didn't really see any of the bikes that were on my list so that didn't help out too much.
the primary function of the bike is for commuting purposes with some fun thrown in when I can! Like I've said if it wasn't for the 125 being so limited on the highway, I'd stick with that 100%!
Thanks again! I've seen 2 bikes on the road today...hell it's warm enough to take the bike out of storage for a few hours!
 
I might also be biased, but I recommend the Ninja 500R as a great all around bike. I have done a couple of long stretches riding 2up with saddle bags and have no issues even with passing on the highway.
 
tricky said:
That's probably a good rule, but I've been ignoring it lately :D

To answer your previous question, yep the GS is supposedly as reliable as an anvil.. I've never had a problem with mine. It doesn't like the cold too much. I have an unheated parking garage, so this is my December start up procedure. First, bump start because my battery is constantly dead in the cold. Then I let it have full choke while I get ready with my gear (30 seconds to a minute) and then ride off.. I use high gear/low rpm for the first 10 minutes or so before I start thrashing it.
Click to expand...

lmao I thought I was the only one doing this.

OP I love my GS500F even with doing the above crap to start it in the cold. Most people don't ride all the way to this weather though. It's more than enough for the high way and riding all day.
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