Cruiser rider wanting a sport bike questions

Hi all,

I took the class and got my license Aug of 2007. I've gotten over 20K miles total spread over a Rebel 250, Vstar 650, and Vstar 1300 (about 15K miles on the 1300). I've ridden just about everywhere I've driven my car and feel pretty good about the cruiser.

Last weekend, I sat on some CBRs -- those 1000s look sexy! At the same time, I consider myself relatively intelligent (i.e., smart enough to know I don't know diddly) so here I am.

I like the look of those sport bikes and fantasize about leaning far over and having that kind of maneuverability. Given how bad the economy is and that it's Winter, I'm kind of bike shopping for something cheap. I don't plan on getting rid of my cruiser just yet. It sure is comfortable and the Winter riding season has just begun and I don't think a sport bike will do me that well in the cold. But maybe I can get one (a sport bike) cheap from someone needing the cash and forced to sell in Winter. I don't mind storing it in my garage (or basement?)

Anyway, given I'm not a complete noob and this is not my first bike, what should I get? specifically, is a 600cc or 500cc ok for me? If it were not for the hassle of selling a bike and losing a little bit of money, I would like to just get a 250cc and learn to play and then maybe move up to a 500cc -- maybe not 600cc since I keep reading that 600cc is just too much and doesn't like to go slow. Maybe I can get a 600cc and really work on clutch/throttle control and then ride it like a cruiser and don't push the speed too much until I'm "ready"?

I don't want to injure or kill myself but don't want to outgrow the bike too quickly. I'm one of those freaks that gets into something and practices a ridiculous amount and gets good fast. I had my Rebel 250 for about 2 weeks and got bored real quick. I worked from my driveway to the neighborhood in 2 days and then the real streets end of the week and then highway the following week. I practiced a lot and really got the hang of it quickly but then got real bored. I think the experience was valuable but then I had to move up again and again. I don't think I'll outgrow the Vstar 1300 because it's such a useable bike. But I'm guessing the sport bike is just an entirely different animal.

For me, the attraction about the sport bike is it is something different and just a new challenge. I don't think I'll ever track it but would like to know how to handle it at least moderately well so I can enjoy it but also drive it safely.

I plan on getting a used one first so that if I hate it, I can dump the bike on someone else and not lose too much money and if I drop the bike, I won't feel so stressed.

Sorry to ramble, ..., so what do you'all experts, experienced folks think?

BTW, I checked insurance for 600cc and it's less than $400/year for an older dude like me.

And may Winter be short, warm, and dry.:D

Thanks,

Dennis

Sounds like to me you have a good handle on this. I would pick up a used 600 and see how you like it. A 600 is PLENTY fast enough to give you the performance you want to try. They have around to over 100 horsepower ( the newer ones from like 2003 and up) and handle far better than my 500.

Also the newer 600s (at least the gixxers) have a transmission control you can set for lower performance for street/rain riding in heavy traffic.. I used to ride a cruiser, bought an SV 650S, and never looked back. Sold my cruiser within 2 weeks of buying the sporty bike, now looking at a GSXR. The handling and so forth may seduce you to the dark side...

Thanks for the replies folks -- so 600cc or so is what I'll look into. I'm hoping these things (sport bikes) handle really well. Before I do any kind of real road riding, I want to be able to do the figure eights and other tight maneuvers (as on my cruiser) in my driveway. My Vstar 1300 is kind of big and heavy and I only just became able to do figure eights in my driveway maybe 3 months ago -- feels good to be able to practice in the privacy of a driveway. I intend to take it slow and methodical -- man I'm anal! :D The Vstar is known for good handling in a cruiser and I'm looking forward to *really* good handling on a sport bike.

It's good to know there's technology out there to tone the bikes down. I'll have to consider this when I'm looking around. I was thinking maybe a rev-limiter. But figuring that my disciplined (hopefully) brain could server as a good rev-limiter.

I still have to tell my wife about my new interest. I don't want to freak her out as sport bikers have a pretty bad reputation around some parts near here. I think I'm "mature" enough to not do "stupid" things -- too old for that stuff and don't really have the time to deal with injuries. I guess this sport bike thing is also a good exercise in self discipline.

I don't know if I'll get rid of my cruiser because I don't think a sport bike can serve all my needs -- e.g., touring. Who knows, ... maybe I'll look into sport touring bikes.

Thanks again,

Dennis

Yup, a 600 will be fine for you. I'd sit on all of them and see which one is the most comfortable for you, because they're all as fast, and handle as well as the next 600. You can't really go wrong with all of the big 4's sportbikes.

I have a older cb650c It has plenty of power for me.
I have only had it up to 80mph on the express way but it did just fine.
You just gotta get used to the wind blowing you around on the lighter bike.

The bike I had before I got the Ninja 500 (and the 750) was a Yamaha Virago 1100. I've had more fun on the Ninja than I ever had on my Virago. I'd rather tour on the 500 also. Even though it has less power (50 horsepower) it has much better perfromance (quicker and handles better). The only thing I miss is the torque the 1100 V twin put out.

Dennis:

With 20k miles of riding experience, Id say you are more than ready to get a sportbike. I'd suggest a 600cc inline 4. Dont go with the 500, you would likely outgrow it. I got an 07 Ninja 650r as my first bike and have put about 2k miles on it and can honestly say someone with your level of experience would tire of a Ninja 500 pretty quickly (More than likely anyway). Yeah, I'm sure riding a light weight sportbike will feel way different than your current bike, and there is certainly another learning curve on any new bike (More so when going from a cruiser to a sportbike), but based on all you say, you should handle it just fine.
Yes they are nimble
Yes they are fast
Yes they will out perform you
Yes they make the speed limit an extremely tiny place
Yes they are fun....

Get one. Keep the cruiser.
Just my .02

Just to add another comment, definitely don't get the 500 as you will outgrow it. The 600 is stupid fast, and actually easier to learn on than the 1000. The 600 is easier to ride in turns, incredibly flickable.

Again, if you go to the dark side.. you may not come back to cruisers....bwah hah hah hah hah.

Problem with used sportbikes: I looked at probably 20 count em 20 used sportbikes before buying one brand new. They tend to have been rashed up, which CAN mean a bent frame or blown engine. Just sayin'. They are dealing on new ones now, trying to move out the 08s.

Thanks for the comments folks. I'm still looking around. I'm trying to learn a little here and there in terms of:

- maintenance
- body position
- easy of shifting/braking (I have a heel/toe shifter)
- getting used to narrow handlebars
- thinking about rubbing my belly on the tank and not scratching it
- having an itty bitty windshield
- running on tires made for Summer (and not cold weather like now)
- passenger riding position (doesn't look too safe given no backrest and too many youtube vids of folks falling off the back)
- Will my cruiser riding attire be ok on the sportbike
- what kind of maintenance should I expect given 4 cylinders
- should I run 87 or 93 octane
- can I run a heated jacket/gloves on the bike (maybe who cares since it's only a Summer bike).

I've been poking around on the web and looked at the Yamaha thing where you can dial the different performance characteristics of the bike for traffic, performance, and all around riding -- I love tech.

Seems the sport bike crowd is a bit young in general.

And yea, I'm thinking I've got to keep the cruiser since I love that thing and there ain't nothing like cruisin' and relaxing.

Given the width of some of these handlebars on sportbikes is 28" and mine and 38" no the cruiser, maybe I can store it in the basement during the offseason (as I don't have garage space for another bike).

Also, maybe my next car will be a little Yaris -- advantage: you can fit a bike behind it.

Sorry to ramble, it's morning and I love waking up thinking about bikes. :)

Thanks again folks,

Dennis