Do You Remember When You "Outgrew" Your Bike?

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Buy more than one bike...change it up whenever you feel you're getting 'bored' of one.

Of course, I change mine up with my car, just to keep me amused.

Works well.
 
My path has been: CBR125R -- > NINJA 650 -- > CBR600RR -- > Hayabusa

The 125, I rode it for 6 months, and got what I wanted out of it, it wasn't cutting it for longer/highway riding. I never intended to have it long, did it's job.

Ninja 650, I wasn't done with that bike, but it's inability to survive impact forced the issue.

CBR600RR, I'd gotten quite fast on it, and the only way I was enjoying the bike was to ride the hell out of it, was uncomfortable for long rides. So I decided to quite while I was a ahead, and get something I can use for sport touring.

The Hayabusa really works for me, I can ride it all day, enjoy it fast or slow, I don't see any changes in the near future.
 
I'm beginning to get this feeling now, too, knowledge.

I'm in my 4th year of riding, and before this season started, I was DYING to get on my bike. I can still remember the un-seasonal warm-up we had a few weeks ago, and the revisit to riding was absolutely wonderful - so I know I'm not ready to give it up just yet.

I was living in Barrie last year, and I had a few chances to do some riding north of Barrie, and the roads/areas/scenery up that way re-invigorated my desire to ride that I never thought possible. The lack of traffic, fresh air and amazing roads all make it worth the hassle of riding.

There are other areas of riding that I can't wait to explore, such as track, dirt and touring, but there are entry costs associated with those activities that put me off. And I have some experience tracking cars, and downhill mountain biking so I KNOW involving motorcycles will quickly get addictive. Even just purchasing a track day with a rented bike; having to pay $1000 for a set of leathers and boots would wreak havoc on my wallet. I'd also like to get rid of my SV650; and not because the power band isn't enough, but the questionable suspension has me at a point where I'm afraid to push the limits any further than I already do.

I'd actually love to do more local tours and day-trips, but since I don't have many 'core-friends' that ride, the only way I can see this being reasonable is to have a GPS mounted to my bike - which again will cost another ~$500 for a solution worth investing in. I did a few day-trips on my own by printing the directions and taping them to my tank, but this was cumbersome and I missed a few turns when I was actually enjoying the ride, and not worrying about where to turn.

Money has always been the limiting factor for me in terms of motorcycling, so much so that I don't think I've done a good enough job at wearing protective gear, so at this point if I can dedicate any more funds to riding, it'll probably be put into more gear - jeans, jackets, rain gear, boots, helmets, before I can get a chance to renew my interest in the sport by getting another bike, or taking up another aspect of riding.
 
This is interesting.

I've been racing for 30 years, and I've never outgrown a bike yet.

you guys should all go racing if you're outgrowing and mastering equipment this quickly.

You'll make some pretty good money.
 
Yeah, I think the change of environment is more what is needed as opposed to change of equipment.
 
x86ect said:
Yeah, I think the change of environment is more what is needed as opposed to change of equipment.
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sounds like marriage counseling.
 
mikbusa said:

Ninja 650, I wasn't done with that bike, but it's inability to survive impact forced the issue.
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This is the same reason why I'm skeptical about upgrading to an sv650 or ninja 650. At the end of the day, they're still budget bikes with marginally better suspension for a marginally better bike than what I already have. My 250 dives like no tomorrow, and since the ramps and local twisties have only gotten worse over the years...I can't exactly push it as hard as I used to.

Kri$han said:
I
Money has always been the limiting factor for me in terms of motorcycling, so much so that I don't think I've done a good enough job at wearing protective gear, so at this point if I can dedicate any more funds to riding, it'll probably be put into more gear - jeans, jackets, rain gear, boots, helmets, before I can get a chance to renew my interest in the sport by getting another bike, or taking up another aspect of riding.
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Keep your eye on aurora action sports...they're clearing out their gear and I bought a new textile, mesh, and leather jacket for like 300. I also remember you saying in another post that you're a skinnier dude, so shift would fit you alright (one of the few north american brands that fit slim people pretty well, imo). There were still some smalls left when I went and they told me that they still have more small stock left that they haven't brought out yet. I ended up spending like $600 that day and I got 3 garbage bags full of stuff (they had a jacket that was 200 going for 50!)

250s are relatively inexpensive to track if you just want to go for fun. The tires last forever! You won't be going through a set a track day (you'll still have all the other associated costs though :P)
 
reciprocity said:
This is interesting.

I've been racing for 30 years, and I've never outgrown a bike yet.

you guys should all go racing if you're outgrowing and mastering equipment this quickly.

You'll make some pretty good money.
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You make a lot more money with bike racing than you do with your looks! Soyou're saying i should roadrace? I say i can't because i would have to upgrade my bike witha supercharger due to my lack of power with my gsxr1000. If i did this there wouldn't be a class for me to race in anyways. If there was a class that would allow it i wouldn't race in it because thwre would be people like me out there with supercharged gsxr1000's. Goes to show you that you're trying to get me killed!
 
reciprocity said:
This is interesting.

I've been racing for 30 years, and I've never outgrown a bike yet.

you guys should all go racing if you're outgrowing and mastering equipment this quickly.

You'll make some pretty good money.
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You may be misinterpreting the term 'outgrow', where some of us are concerned. For example over the years since 1995 I've outgrown Litre bikes, and am now on a 650 twin.
 
Start going to the track, then you will will see who can really ride. If you think you are riding it to the max that will change when someone comes wizzing by you on a race 250. I believe the track is safer than the street, for all rider levels. The risks are fewer and more calculated. Street riding will never be as fun once you do, but it sounds like your already at that point. Just remember if you do, there are no winners or heroes at a track day, ride within your limit.
 
I had a run of liter bikes as well. Three R1's and a 1098. I sold the 1098 recently and am down to one 650 single cylinder. I honestly enjoy this bike more than the SS's because it has low end thumping power that I can enjoy without losing my license. It's more "fun" even though it has absolutely no top end.

Just because I could ring out the liter bikes being stupid on the HWY didn't really mean I outgrew them. I think a lot of people think that outgrowing is the same as getting over the fear of going fast or leaning it over all the way in a corner. As many have said that isn't outgrowing a bike. It's just getting to a comfort level. To truly outgrow a bike you have to take it to a track and throw down lap times where you can honestly say it's the bike that won't go any faster and not me.

I think I only got to that level once in racing a long time ago when I said I really would be faster on a 250 than I am now on a 125 (motocross).

Regardless, maybe the "outgrew" means the same as got bored with and in that case there are so many other types of bikes out there to change to in order to keep it fresh. I'm probably going to pick up a 990 Adventure bike next season for something that has long distance legs just to be different.

I have been riding for 30 years (since I was big enough to throw a leg over an RM80) and haven't found a bike that I can honestly say I have maxed out completely and it is the reason I can't go faster. Granted I have never owned a Ninja 250 or other similar beginner bike but even then, could I throw out record lap times at Bogie on one?

Probably not.
 
+ 1 I don't think "outgrow" is really the right term, at least not the way I'm interpreting it. It's becoming comfortable with the abilities and performance of your current bike, and feeling the need to try something new. I'm sure there are also plenty of riders who find their "perfect" bike and don't desire the change-up.

knowledge - if you're selling your 250 any time this season lemme know. I may be downgrading (chime is posters who will claim this is an upgrade) from the HOG to something smaller and cheaper, and for some reason I've always wanted to own a Ninjette.
 
D23 said:
I think a lot of people think that outgrowing is the same as getting over the fear of going fast or leaning it over all the way in a corner. As many have said that isn't outgrowing a bike. It's just getting to a comfort level. To truly outgrow a bike you have to take it to a track and throw down lap times where you can honestly say it's the bike that won't go any faster and not me.

I think I only got to that level once in racing a long time ago when I said I really would be faster on a 250 than I am now on a 125 (motocross).
...
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^ This. Explains it to a tee (for me, anyway). I definitely haven't outgrown it, but it's lost its appeal of being "new".

knowledge said:

This is the same reason why I'm skeptical about upgrading to an sv650 or ninja 650. At the end of the day, they're still budget bikes with marginally better suspension for a marginally better bike than what I already have. My 250 dives like no tomorrow, and since the ramps and local twisties have only gotten worse over the years...I can't exactly push it as hard as I used to.


Keep your eye on aurora action sports...they're clearing out their gear and I bought a new textile, mesh, and leather jacket for like 300. I also remember you saying in another post that you're a skinnier dude, so shift would fit you alright (one of the few north american brands that fit slim people pretty well, imo). There were still some smalls left when I went and they told me that they still have more small stock left that they haven't brought out yet. I ended up spending like $600 that day and I got 3 garbage bags full of stuff (they had a jacket that was 200 going for 50!)

250s are relatively inexpensive to track if you just want to go for fun. The tires last forever! You won't be going through a set a track day (you'll still have all the other associated costs though :P)
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Thanks for the gear tips! I'm a skinny dude, but I'm relatively tall, so finding slim cut stuff is hard. Dainese and Joe Rocket fit well, never tried Shift... I've been working on a temp. contract here in Newmarket, so that's not too far from me at all.

As for the bike, I'm either gonna sell it and upgrade to something with a similar power band and much better suspension (probably cost $5k or so) or I'm gonna mod the suspension on the SV. '07 GSXR 600/750 front end with a rear-shock of some kind (maybe $2k and two months of work/finding parts, all-said and done). The best thing about those mods is that as time passes, the parts are getting cheaper :p

My girl has a 250, so I get to ride it a lot and I'm not sure what it is about that bike, but I can't take it seriously - I probably can't ride it anywhere near it's limits, but the handling, the body position, the throttle response, etc. of the thing just makes it feel like a little toy to me. I'd probably try to ride it too hard at a track, and seriously injure myself, that's why the 650 has been good to me; I have more respect for the machine.
 
short stop said:
knowledge - if you're selling your 250 any time this season lemme know. I may be downgrading (chime is posters who will claim this is an upgrade) from the HOG to something smaller and cheaper, and for some reason I've always wanted to own a Ninjette.
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Absolutely. Whoever gets this bike is gonna be pretty lucky (IF I sell it). Every time I drop it off at the mechanic's they're always surprised at how pristine the chain is at 22k & how clean the bike is. I've had it since it had 323 kms on it! The area p quiet core full system is just an added bonus :p

I think it's a great bike (for what it is) and it's definitely more fun downtown than a bigger bike (especially if you lane split)

I've got a lot of thinking to do. Thanks again for all the suggestions & input, guys
 
Demo days cause horrible bike lust. For me, anyway.

I say sell your bike and get a cheapish supersport. That should fix ya.....
 
i ride my triumph in the city and my bmw/lt for the hyway. i sold my beater bike kz650 to make room in the garage. after 20 years with the kz it was hard to sell, the best of both worlds, having more than one bike was great for varity. now the 79 cbx i bought new at the age of 22 is the greatest ride of all, you do warp 9, get it out of your system and behave on the triumph (push rod engine) t150/1974. the trick here is to have more than one bike.
 
I thought I was in the same situation as you with a 250 in its fourth season now and over 40k km...then I fell like such a noob and realized unless you're fully attentive regardless of your experience or comfort level the 250 will still put you on your ***...
 
I've had 28 bikes in 24 years of riding, most of those within about 5 years. This year I'm already on my 2nd bike for 2012, so i guess I'm in the trade 'em regularly camp. :-)
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