Moving up to a big bike

[Tisch99]

Today was the first time I sat on a 'bigger bike', it was a gs500. I have been riding a CBR125R for the last 6 months now and have no trouble with the weight but moving up to a bigger bike feels intimidating.

I'm short (5"6) so reaching the ground is a little annoying, for some reason I find it hard to stop at traffic lights with 1 foot down because my left leg feels weak (usually put both of them down at lights and stops on my cbr)

Is there any advice besides just keep practicing? The sheer weight/size of big bikes scares me!

[-Matt-]

You can get lowering kits for a lot of bikes but i'm not sure how it impacts them, never needed myself luckily.

I rarely ever put two feet down, unless you're wanting to take pillions on the back its not all that essential i'd say. The weight difference is only really noticable when you're rolling it around, getting on it and if you accidently lean it too far over when waiting in traffic - but even a 125 tipped beyond a certain point will tip a lot of people to the floor.

I'm 5''9-10 so a little taller than you, but i'm very slim, and my ZX6 now is absolutely huge in comparison to me, but it never really feels a handful having got used to it, its all just about practice and getting comfortable with the bike really.

[Pigeon]

I've never owned any vehicle that was quick. Had a 75bhp fiesta, that was it. Other than that, 6 years on 125's + 1yr on 50. So not exactly used to power.

Jumped on a CBF600 for a day, thought it was very easy to ride which surprised me. Spoke to a blade owner afterwards who said that Honda's in general are pretty user friendly and don't intimidate. He owned a Fireblade and reckoned he could roll a fag going round a roundabout on it. Where as he always knew his Ducati 996 was plotting to kill him.

[-Matt-]

I kind of agree with that, i felt a lot more confident going from my 125 to the 636 [restricted at first however], the weight once moving actually was less noticable than the 125s weight particularly in corners as it seemed to carry itself better, and generally the bigger size of the bike felt a bit more commandable than bumbling along on a 125, but at the same time i wouldn't say any of the 600s i've been on are user friendly, it depends if you're friendly with the throttle really Otherwise its like an angry horse

[Tisch99]

[-Matt-]

I'd pick on which you like - you'll get used to either given a bit of time as long as you're sensible - the CBR is obviously going to be a bit more lively, but then if you aren't a lunatic on the throttle its perfectly controllable.

The main thing particularly at the beginning [even restricted - theyre not as slow as people make out] don't make the mistake of thinking youre still on the 125

To put in perspective though, i've never got the front wheel up on my ZX6 accidently since i've owned it [now unrestricted also]. So the horror stories about people back flipping and suddenly wheeliing from the lights are bollucks to be honest so long as you treat the throttle gently, its definately controllable.

Never actually ridden one but from the looks of CBR125s theyre 'sports' style positioning so you shouldnt be taken too much by suprise particulary on the CBF as some people are moving onto sports bikes. I had a YZF 125 before my ZX6 so was already used to the achey wrists and knees

[bikertomm]

I too was a bit nervous of the jump from a 125 to a 600..

I'd never even sat on a bigger bike on my own really and went to look at a hornet, test rode it and that was the first time

I was amazed how comfortable I felt on it, mainly was worried about the weight when stopped and slow moving ect but was absolutely fine
____________________
07' Honda Hornet now full powaah! My guide on performing an oil change!

[Pigeon]

[bikertomm]

Just to contrast that..

I don't miss my 125 a single bit

The hornet is better by a long way at every single discipline and for what I use it for.. I feel my bike 'skillz' have improved tenfold since riding a big bike, everything is just so much better IMO!
____________________
07' Honda Hornet now full powaah! My guide on performing an oil change!

[Rogerborg]

I found the GS500 to have a fat seat (like the Bandit) which means that it's got a longer stretch to the ground than the other 500 twins, even though the seat height is very similar.

However, you will get used to it very quickly. It sounds like you only need to use it to get through your tests, then you can look at getting yourself a bike that suits better, and lower it if necessary.
____________________
Biking is 1/20th as dangerous as horse riding.
GONE: HN125-8, LF-250B, GPz 305, GPZ 500S, Burgman 400 // RIDING: F650GS (800 twin), Royal Enfield Bullet Electra 500 AVL, Ninja 250R because racebike

[Confusion]

[yaigi]

So you got to sit on it, did you actually get to ride it? I bet if you had got to ride it you would be making an entirely different post - something along the lines of "Oh my god, how did I not get a bigger bike sooner, they're awesome! They're so much more stable and stop quicker and handle better and why did nobody tell me?!"

Speaking from experience
____________________
What would you do in life, if you knew you could not fail?
Currently own - Fazer 600, 2000, Red. (But no riding as baby on board atm)

[Rogerborg]

[Tisch99]

[callum94]

I'm saving up for about 1 and a 1/2 years (when my restriction ends), then I should have enough money to buy a decent condition second hand Ducati 999 S.
____________________
Current: CBR 125R 2012 (Black)
Restricted licence (33hp): 09/12/12

[Furrybiker]

Is your problem with pain in your kneecaps to do with tying to hold the bike on a slope? Thats what the brakes are for! Or are you leaning too far over, your weight should be on your bum, not your feet. Feet just act as stabilisers, although if its windy beware the gust!

Think of a really heavy bike, say a Honda Goldwing 930lbs or 420Kg, it would not be possible to hold it with the power of your legs on a hill or leant over.

[Seigi]

I rode the GS500 for the first time (and first time on a big bike) too on Thursday, I personally loved it. At first I was nervous (as first time being on a bigger bike) but after I got past the nerves and used to the throttle I fell in love with it as opposed to my CBR125 (My CBR125 felt like a clown bike after being on a big bike for 2 hours, and I share your shock as to how big the tank was). I'm 6 foot 2, so being on a bigger bike was much better in that respect too.

He let me ride the Bandit 650 for an hour too but that was like a wild horse in comparison, I found it hard to control the throttle (I was jerking a lot)

[Rogerborg]

Bigger bikes tend to have longer gearing, so you'll want/have to slip the clutch more for slow speed larks. The extra torques[*] make it a pleasure though.

[*] Latin for "groin-thrust"
____________________
Biking is 1/20th as dangerous as horse riding.
GONE: HN125-8, LF-250B, GPz 305, GPZ 500S, Burgman 400 // RIDING: F650GS (800 twin), Royal Enfield Bullet Electra 500 AVL, Ninja 250R because racebike

[Tisch99]

I too share the sentiment, after riding a 500 125's feel like bicycles! My next 2 hour practices are this Monday, I can't wait to really try hard and set the mod1 up for this/next week. I wonder if they'll let me ride the ER-6. Beautiful bike!

The instructor told me about slipping the clutch more Rogerborg, he said it's easier to stay in second/third slipping the clutch around corners and slow speeds. This is new to me since I have never slipped it on my 125, I just bang it straight out after changing gear

[itswoody]

Had my first lesson on a 650cc this morning (Kwak ER6N), sod a wild horse, it was more like a rhino! Felt completely different to my YBR 125 in good and bad ways. Good in that it rode lovely on the open road bits, but bad in that my slow ride skills in town are now non-existent! I don't understand because on my 125 and the 500 I rode in the last lesson I had no problem with clutch control but on this thing it all went to pot. U turn was a shambles this morning. One thing I will say though is that the ER6N actually made my YBR feel comfy, I'm 6 foot 1 and felt really awkward on it, my throttle palm cained after 2 hours on the bike.

[sidewinder]