How easy is it to ride a powerful bike carefully?

[Tungtvann]

I've been riding over a year now on my FZ6. Great bike, quick when I want it to be but very manageable. Doesn't really take off until 8k rpm which is hard to do by accident. All in all, a great first bike and a very forgiving machine to learn on.

Now, I'm looking at getting a sports bike with maybe a bit more power. Initially, I thought a GSXR 750 would be a good choice, light, fast but with more low down torque than my very revvy FZ6. I mentioned the fact about wanting a different bike to someone I know and a friend of his is selling an absolute mint, low mileage K8 GSXR 1000.

Without having ridden a full on sports bike, not even an R6 or GSXR 600, would progressing to a 1000 be a ridiculous concept for me? I'm no way riding my FZ6 at its full potential through the corners, but who can do it on our roads? I just would like a bike that gets up and goes at lower RPM and can give a lazier ride instead of having to work the gears a lot more (this can be fun though).

My brother in law, a very experienced and good rider in convinced a 600 sports would be more than enough for me, saying how he leaves black trails when accelerating out of corners on his R1 and that I'm not ready for that. I'm not looking to do that though, but would like something that I can still ride as fast (or slow) as I want, but has the potential to go balls out if I see fit.

tl;dr: is a 1000cc bike a ridiculous idea for a 2nd bike for someone with a year's experience?

[chickenstrip]

I don't hink it's a crazy idea to go to a large, powerful bike from your FZ6, but wonder if a litre sports bike is right for you? After all, you say you haven't used the full potential of your Fazer in a full year of ownership.

Perhaps it would be better to consider something with a little less focus, that still might have the low down grunt you're seeking?

[jeddy11]

Would be easy for the cops to nab you for no restrictors if indeed you had taken them out
____________________
Fuelly My Z1000SX
cbt 06/08/11 mod1 (second go) 01/08/12 mod2 21/09/12
Varadero Viking YBR125>Varadero125>ER6F>Z1000SX !!!

[P.addy]

Don't really see why not, I found the R1 docile and lazy. Got into far more trouble on my 600RR

[Irn-Bru]

Try it, if you can't handle it you might die or just scare yourself then end up selling it. Or you might love it and live happily ever after. Some times it's just better to make a decision on your own and see where it takes you.
____________________
KTM 990 SMT & Suzuki DR-Z 400 SM

[woo]

its simple to do so long as you allow your brain to control your right hand with the throttle as sports 1000's are not as forgiving as sports 600's

the GSXR 1000 will do what you want very easily and you may never get the bike past 7krpm in town.

the 1000's sports bikes have immense torque lower down especially the twin's like honda sp 1&2, aprillia rsv, suzuki tlr

i was once just like you and got fed up of working the gears i wanted lazy power lower down

my only advice would be to take it easy and get used to the difference in power as there is a huge difference

try it you only live once
____________________
Elen sila lummen omentielvo!

[Nick 50]

I done what you contemplated but after 6 months.

I started off on a CBR600f which was a great bike. Had to sell, but got a Tuono a few months later.
In many ways it was more forgiving. It had far more torque low down, so even if I had chose a wrong gear, it didn't mind.
Also the acceleration was much more linear so I knew what I was getting pretty much all of the time.

Like others have said, right hand controls it, you control the hand.

I much preferred the Tuono, apart from having to tow a fuel tanker around.
____________________
Current Bikes: ZX7r 97 (Black Beauty), VFR400 NC24 (The banana)
Previous Bikes: Aprilia Tuono 03 (The Beast), CBR600f (97)
First bike: A GZ125 Lemon.......

[1cyl]

[Rigga]

My blackbird is my first bike, just treat it with respect and take your time to get used to the power and you'll be fine. As above, how well do you trust yourself?
____________________
Current bike: Honda CBR 1100xx

[Wonko The Sane]

I've only ever really ridden two bikes, 125 varadero and zzr600

Just ridden the ZZR 600 20 miles in snowy and slushy conditions without too much issue, 2nd gear and soft on the clutch and brakes and was fine.

just remember, the accelerator isn't an on/off switch
____________________
Looking to pass your CBT / Bike tests in Bury Lancashire? try www.focusridertraining.co.uk Would recommend.
They're also on Facebook https://www.facebook.com/pages/Focus-Rider-Training/196832923734251

[Rogerborg]

I don't know, I'll just go by whatever Teflon-Mike says, from his vast experience.
____________________
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

[G]

[mentalboy]

[Mario_Kempes]

My big problem ('cause it's clearly my problem )with people jumping onto big powered sportsbikes too early is that it would hinder their learning curve.

Do you think you'd get better on a supersport or a superbike?

What's the point in constantly having to reign it in? Or, even worse, being scared of it?

I don't think you're going to go out and kill yourself but I wonder if you'll get as much out of it as you would a 600 supersport (for example) which would be the more obvious progression.

[-Matt-]

Coming off an fz6 I really wouldn't be concerned at all. I would ask though as a few others have mentioned, do you NEED the likes of litre sport.

I went from a 125 to a 636 sport, which was restricted initally. Post restriction though I was actually quite suprised how little different it was, it felt exactly the same UNTIL turning the throttle more - it does at that point obviously kick in powerwise, and the same will apply for a litre - turn it that bit more and the power is going to really kick in.

Realistically though, and with general road riding, this is why I personally wouldn't get much use of a litre bike - i barely use most of my 600s power as it is.

End of the day though unless you're some derp-captain who can't comprehend what will happen when you twist the throttle all the way, you should be comfortably in control of it all the time. For me more power=more fun, its just I rarely use it, so a lot of the time its essentially a waste of MPG

[G]

Actually, on some of the above, I should note that if you don't use the full power your bike currently has, you'll likely lose it more, because you get a fair bit more from a gentle twist.

If you're used to taking to slipping the clutch for a good start, then taking it to the redline through the gears, there's less difference, as it's more a case of being easier to get the same thing and getting it for longer.

[Tungtvann]

[G]

A K8 GSXR1000 is a good step up from a 4XV R1 it's self.

And there's certainly something to having a bit of a progression - I certainly enjoyed it and would have missed not having it, I think.

[AlanC]

[Dave70]

When I recently enquired/showed an interest about an R1 my local dealer had in at a good price (more out of curiosity than anything), he nearly choked on his coffee, as he knew I had only ridden a 125 previously.

I can't speak from experience but, I'd have thought you should be fine, if you're sensible, as you have some experience on a big bike already. Even though it's not as big as a litre bike. But, don't listen to me, the other guys who've posted know what they're talking about much more than I do.

[P.addy]

[covent.gardens]

I've been looking at K1 - K5 GSXR's and wondering the same as you.

I'm coming up to two years served on the CB500. Before that I rode a CG125. Neither are generally known as exciting bikes, but I didn't get bored of them. The CB500 never fails to excite me, 0-60 in 5 seconds is well in to sports car performance and I've never ridden or driven anything quicker.

The idea of a 1000 excites and scares me. If a CB500 still brings a smile to my face, what would this bike do?

I need a pride and joy though, and the CB500 isn't it.

I'm in love with the idea of low down grunt and huge power should I choose to utilise it (I hardly ever would...). Plus the looks; ohh the looks.

Famous last words, but I think I could buy one of these mental machines and handle it.

[Shaft]

I think if you get a chance to try something similar, it would give you a better idea if a super sports is for you.

I'm not a sports bike man, but I've had a go on a few (most recently a pal's 2004 R1) and yes, you can ride them slowly and they do pick up well from low revs, but I think you can tell fairly easily that's not what they're designed for and they never seem entirely happy being bimbled around.

They also have a much more radical riding position than you're used to, which might not be to your taste, it certainly isn't to mine.

It's not a ridiculous idea, but it would be worth your while to do as much research as you can, before taking the plunge.
____________________
Things get better with age; I'm close to being magnificent........
20 RE Interceptor, 83 Z1100A3, 83 GS650 Katana
WooHoo, I'm a Man Point Millionaire! https://www.bikechatforums.com/viewtopic.php?t=234035

[bikersupermot...]

on holiday a friend of mine showed his 70 year old grandma how to ride his R1 and she pootled around the campsite on it in 1st gear like she was driving her usual Honda Civic!.

made no difference that the bike is able to go very fast - its only goes as fast as you turn the gas control. and she controlled it very well and everyone loved watch this 70 yr old gran ride the R1!.

probably helps that she used to ride a little auto scooter a few years ago so steering / balance came quickly to her.
____________________
tinybikes

[-Matt-]