Why go above 250cc?

[The Disapproving Brit]

OK, I've had my license for about 5 months now, and it's getting time to consider my first big bike. I want to be able to comfortably handle motorway traffic, and overtake slow people safely on NSL roads, but other than that my demands are modest. I'm not looking to go faster than 80ish on motorways, but I don't want to struggle to get there either.

With that in mind, is there really a reason to go higher than a 250/400? Will the extra grunt a 600 offers come into its own when I need to overtake Mr and Mrs OAP out for a sunday drive at 45 on a NSL, or is it just extra petrol money that'll never be used?
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Current Bikes: 1983 Honda VF400FD / 2003 Honda VT750 Shadow
Bike Test Passed 18/03/09, Car Test Passed 14/05/13

[Whosthedaddy]

Ride a big bike and ask the same question.

Why limited yourself to a bike of a certain cc rather than a bike that will see you through and make you happy in 1 month, 6 month and even this time next year.

Small bikes aren't always cheaper in the long run either.
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Current : MSX 125 Past : CBR 900RR Monkeybike : c50 LAC : ZXR750 H2 : FZR600 : ZX7R P3 : YW100 : TRX850: Trophy 900 T309 : GSXR 600 L0: Monkeybike : XJ6S Whosthedaddy

[Wafer_Thin_Ham]

Because we can.
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[AndyGB]

I asked a similar question as I was considering a 250cc after I passed my test because, like you I wanted to use motorways safely.

The consensus of opinion was that a 250cc would be working much harder at motorway speeds and therefore use more fuel than a less stressed 650.

[iooi]

[Bendy]

It makes people think your winkie is bigger than it really is.

- 1050cc rider

[Whosthedaddy]

[Bendy]

[Handsome]

Had an NSR 125 to learn on, shiteish on petrol...Good bike while it lasted...Sold that and bought a...

Kawasaki Zephyr 550*, cracking tool did everything I asked of it, but struggled with me and the Missus plus rally gear on the back...not bad on petrol...Sold that and bought a...

Suzuki SV 1000 S, top bike, good on fuel, good two up, plus two up and rally gear, good on motorways, light, nimble, great weekend hoon tool, bit cack round town though, shit mirrors...

So, in conclusion...Buy a bigger bike...

*Was offered it back by the bloke who bought it off me the other day at less than I sold it him for, nothing wrong with it mind, considered it but couldn't see the point owning two bikes tbh when I've got one that does what I need it to, he sold it the same day...
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Previous Bikes...Honda NSR 125 RR...Kawasaki Zephyr 550...Suzuki SV 1000 S...Yamaha FZ8...Current Bike...Suzuki GSX-R 750...

[yvaiwhy]

just ride a decent 600 or a 750 and u'll answer yourself....thing is that a litre bike is too big for my country so i won't speak of it
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Don't break the speed limit, Just multiply it by 10 times and you will be fine

[The Disapproving Brit]

Thanks all...

I think NSR said it the best. My 125 copes pretty well with just me, but I will want to take pillions, and I will want to load up with kit and bugger off to the middle of nowhere for the odd weekend. My 125 never had to cope with that, so I daresay a bit more grunt would be needed for pulling gear.

I also kinda answered myself yesterday when I took it for the first ride along A roads in a few months. Ended up stuck behind a lorry because it was doing 45 and I couldn't get enough speed up, fast enough, to safely pass.

So now I'm shopping for a cheapish 600ish
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Current Bikes: 1983 Honda VF400FD / 2003 Honda VT750 Shadow
Bike Test Passed 18/03/09, Car Test Passed 14/05/13

[yvaiwhy]

not gonna be bad investment at all
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Don't break the speed limit, Just multiply it by 10 times and you will be fine

[tsmith]

get a 500 then. best of both worlds - cheap to run and quick too. Unless you want to go above 120mph that is....

[metalangel]

Because a 250cc will be sluggish two up, or going up steep hills.

You might as well ask why buy a 2.0 engined car when a 1.0 econobox will do.
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Previous: 2002 Honda CB500 (sold), 2007 Suzuki SV650SK6 (crashed), 2005 Yamaha FZ6 Fazer (sold). Currently bikeless
"A faired bike will get you 10x more clunge than a unfaired one." -Marlboro Matt

[Noxious89123]

[Ingah]

[Howling TerrorOutOfOffice]

Try taking a pillion on a 4/ 250.

Pat
Its the only time i've scraped my pegs.
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