From 125 to 600. But which 600? experience or advice needed.

[Blunet600]

Currently on the nsr125, but i have started looking at bigger bikes, my plan was to go an R6 04 model after the nsr, but i have seen other bikes such as the hornet which i like. So i am open to any bike and suggestion on bikes, if you ride or rode a 600, what bike was it and would you recommend.
Thankyou

[ColdInsomnia]

I did exactly the same as you, I went from a 125 to a 600. Personally, I went from a TZR125 to a Diversion 600. The Diversion was a great bike to learn how to handle bigger things on, I found the steering very heavy for about 20 seconds, then my brain switched over to "heavy thing" mode.

As for you... well you mentioned getting an R6 04 model. Which would mean that something like a Diversion would probably have little interest to you. You haven't said how old you are or what license you have... If you are required by law to have your bike restricted then I'd strongly suggest that you get the bike restricted to 33bhp for a good few months at the very least, to give you a bit more of a steady curve to learn at.

Though, on an R6, that curve is going to be pretty steep.

How old are you? How long have you been riding? Have you checked how much your insurance will be on an R6?
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Yamaha YB100 | Yamaha TZR125 | Yamaha XJ600S | Suzuki GSF600
"Our society is run by insane people for insane objectives. I think we're being run by maniacs for maniacal ends and I think I'm liable to be put away as insane for expressing that. That's what's insane about it."
John Lennon

[Louise]

I went fomr a 125 to 600 Bandit 98. Its a fun bike, Not too power full like an R6 lol but powerfull enough. Well it was for me.
I still have it now and enjoy it.
I personally wouldnt trust myself from a 125 to a sports 600 R6 right away.

[repiV]

Depends what you're looking for in a bike...
Personally I can't stand Bandits (sorry Louise ), find them incredibly boring. Great urban commuter though.
The R6 is a fantastic piece of kit, very light, powerful, handles beautifully. Not cripplingly uncomfortable like some of the sportsbikes around.
The SV650S is a very nice bike too, lots of torque, very even power delivery, extremely easy to ride - and it's only insurance group 9 (or 10?) - though after about 105mph it runs out of steam...
The old-style Fazers are excellent too, very powerful and comfortable, great handling - you can ride them like a sportsbike or a tourer, but they aren't built for high speed. You will suffer from the effects of windblast far far more on a Fazer than you would on an SV, R6 or any other bike with a sporty setup.

[Misc]

Went from a moped to a full power R6 at 19. Not as bad as people make them out to be, was actually surprised at how easy they are to control at slow speeds, something i thought they couldn't do well, as it ''wants to kill you''.
They're not the best first bikes as there's much more cheaper bikes like the Hornet which isn't exactly slow.

[Evo]

Exactly my intentions aswell, my only fear is the weight of the bike difference.
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Bikes owned
1989 VFR 400 RR NC30

[repiV]

[repiV]

[Misc]

I don't think the power was that scary for me as i knew i was in control, the only way it's going to hit that red line is if you make it. Just pootling around town at slow speeds lets you know how much control you're in, it's when you start getting used to the bike things start to get scary.
Apart from the weight, i found it much easier to ride then my test CG-125 as it's more smooth, you don't need alot of revs & the overall handling, grip & brakes.

[repiV]

[dodger]

I've just made done the jump from my RS125 to Gixxer 600 about 2 weeks ago.

Weight isn't really a problem for me and I haven't noticed that much of a difference especially when traveling at speed.

The major difference is the acceleration. I've gone for a few overtaking maneuvers and when I look down at the speedo it comes as a surprise just how fast you can get up to speed.

It's also so easy to ride. With the RS you had to be in virtually the right gear for every turn, with the Gixxer is doesn't really matter what gear you are in, as the engine just keeps on pulling, so it is very forgiving either on a weekend blast or commuting through town.
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My Bikes: Piaggio NRG| Aprilia RS 125| Suzuki GSX-R 600|Yamaha Fazer Ducati 848
Europe 2008

[Fahd]

[mark83]

I probably say this too often but:

go out and test-ride them and see which one you like!
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Kawasaki ER6n -> Honda CBR600RR -> Honda VTR 1000 -> Moto Guzzi Norge 1200
Buy my Mercedes 350 Sport AMG Evo

[slj23]

not really ridden any small bikes,first bike is a bandit not amazingly powerfull,but loads of fun to be had and cheap to buy and run,i recommend them anyway,even if it's just untill you get comfortable enough to get something more powerfull,have fun.
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'isn't it enough to see that a garden is beautiful without having to beleif that there are fairies at the bottom of it too?'

[Blunet600]

im 19.With full motorcycle License, Did my A2 test. I wont need to restrict it. and im open to all bikes suggested, will be looking them all up.lol

[acwman]

Two very different bikes....!!

What traits are you after in your choice of bike?? Sport, comfort, commuting....

..is this going to be your only mode of transport, and are you going to be using it everyday for commuting? etc
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BMW R1200GS & Honda Fireblade 929RR
Bikes owned -Yamaha R1+akrapovic, Ducati 749S, Power Commander + Termi's,Buell XB12R - with race kit, GSXR600-K4 Titanium Scorpion end Can, ZXR400, RS125, Cagiva Mito, RS50, RG125, ER50, FS1E. https://www.bikepics.com/members/acwman/

[ColdInsomnia]

[Villers]

I stepped up from a RS125 to a CBR600F. Weight etc didnt seem too much of a problem once I'd got used to it.

I wouldnt discount the hornet just yet, its a good all rounder and looking back I would have liked one of them for my first bigger bike (if I wasnt obsessed with plastics!).

Before you plump for the R6 look at the whole range of 6's in your price range and try and get a go on a few, the guarantee is that whatever 600 you get on will feel like a rocket ship!

As always take it easy for the first few miles and go progressive
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RS125 > CBR6 > SV650S > ZX636R > GSX1300RZ Hayabusa > 06 RSVR Mille > SV1000S > Street Triple 765 RS

[Blunet600]

No i wont, I passed my test 2 years ago. Isnt it once you pass your test, after 2 years of holding it you do not need to restrict the bike to 33bhp.

[ColdInsomnia]

[Blunet600]

the 125 has been enough for me over the last two years, didnt want to get a bigger bike, i thought i might as well use the 125 until my license is no longer restricted to 33bhp. Hence now why im looking for a 600.

[Runaway987]

I hopped from a CG125 to a 95 CBR600F.

Pulls very well and a perfect step up bike imo, having tested a modern CBR600RR the other day I do believe that had I gotten on that after my 125 I would have probably crashed it, it does exactly what you tell it to, to the letter. So if, like me you will give your bike some gobbledy gook on occasion for the first 8 odd weeks or so then it might get you into trouble.


Of course you have 2 years experience on what is a lot quicker than a CG125 so your mileage will vary naturally.

Phone up some dealers and ask them for a test ride.

[Evo]

Dude you checked insurance quotes on the bikes you want ?

Just done it with me and looks like plans will have to change considering insurance is over twice the cost of the bike(£9000)
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Bikes owned
1989 VFR 400 RR NC30

[stevo as b4]

I was riding a CG for 9months before i got my ZX6R, and i did'nt really have any problems with it at all. The hardest thing to get used of is the riding position which feels all wrong at first when you have been sat bolt upright for ages. Ride along a dual carriageway at 80mph, and you soon see the benefits of the sporty riding position and fairing though!

I also agree that big bikes are easy to ride, with the exception of the poor turning circle of sportsbikes, and the less nimble feeling in traffic etc. And yes they only start to get scary once you have got used to them!

[TomR6]