Bike Weight

[splunge]

Hi guys,
New to the forum, but I have read quite a few posts on here and it seems to have a lot f helpful replies from genuine people which will be a benefit I think.

This question may seem a little dumb but it has been on my mind for a while.
I have wanted a bike for ages but never got around to it, always worked locally so transport has never been an issue really. I recently started a new job which, although is walking/pushbike distance, wasn't how I wanted my day to end or start, so I got my CBT done.
I thought for a while about what to do, get my DAS out of the way and get a bigger bike or pass CBT and buy smaller bike, for now. I eventually went for the latter as I couldn't afford full test and bike, so CBT and baby Intruder won the vote.

Now, on to the question, took a while huh! After riding the VL125 for about 8months and loving it, I really want something with more grunt. The things that made me really want this is when I am going uphill and I'm not talking amazingly steep, the power just goes and it is painstakingly slow until I get to the top and it has a nice pull to it again.

See, I still haven't asked the question! Just trying to give as much info as I can. Well, I'm 6'4" but not a big person, at last guess I was about 13-14st. What sort of difference am I going to see riding a bigger bike than my Intruder? Now I know my DAS will done on a 500cc so I'll see straight away I suppose, but I really like the position on my VL and would like a larger version, but damn they look heavy!!! Last thing I want to do is drop the machine anywhere!

Like I said up there ^^^^ if anyone is still reading, I just want opinions from riders. What was your transition like? Did you go in steps or just plum for a big bike first off?

Cheers guys, thanks for reading.

[tonshar]

Hi and welcome

I ride a suzuki intruder C800 and its fantastic.
I practiced on a kymco cruiser 125 which was the similar position and also lacked power on the hills.
The weight of the intruder C800 is of course a lot heavier but I am only 5'4 and at last weigh in 12 and a half stone (not a slim female ), its very easy to ride and you soon get used to the extra weight.

Like any bike if you were to be unlucky and lean it over too far there is always a point of no return and you wont stop it falling whatever. So if you want that style of bike and you feel comfortable on it then go for it
____________________
CBT Passed, Theory Passed - Practical Passed 9/6/07
Suzuki Intruder C800 & Suzuki Bandit 650
I am a female biker

[Dazbo666]

Never even sat on a bike till the day of my CBT, did the DAS, 125cc lessons, 500cc lessons, and passed the DAS test 1st time.

Currently still enjoying riding my 1st bike, the GPZ500
____________________
1st bike (Sept'06 - May'10) : 1991 GPZ500S / Current bike (since Nov 2009) : 2003 Suzuki Bandit 600N
Word of the day : DILLIGAF

[map]

Generally a bigger bike is easier to handle than a smaller one. People who do direct access often comment the 500 (or whatever) they're given after a 125 was actually easier to ride.

Problem with heavy bikes is only an issue when parking or pushing the bike around. For that the technique is to make sure the bike is leaning into you as you push forward or back. Don't put both hands on the bars either, one on the tank helps steady the bike. Reading the ground helps too in avoiding any hassles.

The type of bike helps too. Cruisers, by their nature, carry the weight low down so are more stable. Something like a BMW GS has a higher centre of gravity and so feels a little easier to topple. A sports 600 or 1000 is a lightweight, I can lift these without hassle (no wonder they're easy to knick and lift inside vans).

Basically I shouldn't worry about it. The only bike I've ridden where I thought it might be an isue was a big tourer BMW. So tall I had to stand on the pegs to swing a leg over. However, once on the more it wasn't an issue. Even stopping at lights/junctions wasn't a problem.

You'll soon come used to your bike and what you have to do to handle it. As with most things in life, suck it and see. IMO too many people over analyse and accept defeat or see problems without really trying.

HTH
____________________
...and the whirlwind is in the thorn trees, it's hard for thee to kick against the pricks...
Gibbs, what did Duckie look like when he was younger?

[Kal]

Nearly two years on a CG125. into headwinds, uphill or attempting best speed through the twisties used to see me jumping up and down on the gearbox like it was going out of fashion.

Riding a 500 later on the same roads was interesting. I could be very lazy and commit to fewer gear changes. The same roads were a lot less challanging so I found new challanges.
____________________
Kal...
I Like To Hoon It Hoon It I Like To Hoon It Hoon It I Like To Hoon It Hoon It Ya Like To (HOON IT!).
1984 GB250 Clubman,1983 CB250N Superdream, 1999 GPZ500S

[TorontoBoy]

A 500cc bike is heavier, about 2 times the weight of a 125 and 4 times the bhp. The weight is really only an issue at slow speeds or stopped in the parking lot. You might want to practice slow speed turning in a parking lot, which should help you get used to the extra weight.

Before you stop anywhere ensure you are on even ground. Any incline of the ground might catch you by surprise, resulting in the bike leaning over more than you'd like. For example if the ground angles upward from left to right and you stop and put your foot down on the left side you might misjudge the distance to the ground. If the bike begins to lean to the left you could tip over.

Once you get going, there's so much more power than a 125 you'll be laughing inside your helmet. Gas mileage is terrible compared to a 125 though.

[repiV]

I did my DAS after riding a hire bike on L-plates for a couple of weeks...passed DAS first time in May.
Initially the weight of the big bikes did cause me problems. I nearly dropped the CB500 I did my DAS on twice when coming to a stop on an incline - leant over slightly, too heavy on the brakes, bike went down. Caught it before it hit the ground, though.

I did the same sort of thing with my Fazer a few times...and once fell off performing a U-turn on a narrow hilly gravel-littered street when I used a bit too much front brake on the way down. Was leaned over a bit too far and went down. If the same had happened on a 125, I could have caught it quite easily.

It's just experience though, I never have problems like that anymore. And considering you've been riding for some time already and I was notorious during my training for my late, harsh braking and poor anticipation which really was much of the crux of the issue, I really wouldn't worry about it.

[splunge]

Hi all,
Just wanted to say thanks for the input and taking the time to read and reply to my post.
I haven't even tried a heavier bike yet but realise that what map said is true, I think I'm over analyzing!

I still think it will be a weird change but as you have all said, it's a matter of time and experience and one I'm looking forward to taking.

Now to keep my fingers crossed for some drier weather when I book my test, went out yesterday and really envied the wipers on cars!

Thanks again guys, loving this forum already.