Could you downgrade?

[Andy C]

Ive been thinking of downsizing the bike for a while as i just don't get time to use her and for the amount i pay to keep her on the road just doesn't seem justifiable now that i barely use it. I mainly use the bike for trips up to uni with the GF pillion so 125cc would be out as very steep hill. (10mins up a massive hill in Bath) which really doesnt need a very loud 600cc bike for.

Since insurance renewal is up at easter I'm toying with the idea of selling up and buying a CB250 or similar (suggestions welcome) but im just not sure i could face the downgrade. I mean, when im out of the S4 its like being one with the bike, great brakes, lovely sound and suspension and just all the things a crappy old bike wouldn't have.

Its all going to be based on how much i would have to fork out for insurance and how much i would save by just having TPO insurance on a CB.

So, my question, do you think you could go from a quite powerful bike where if you come up behind someone they move straight out our way to and dull commuting tool?
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99 RS125 --> 02 SV650s --> 03 Speed Four --> 92 RXS100 --> 93 CB400sf --> 01 CB600f Hornet

[lllN30lll]

thanks to thieves i've been downgraded from an 05 r1 to a 93 xj600.

twats.
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Turbo R1
CRF450R

[EllioTT_GiXXeR]

The only way is up mate
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www.gixerjunkies.net www.gixerjunkies.net www.gixerjunkies.net www.gixerjunkies.net

[MarJay]

I'm not sure about changing style of bike...

But I sold the Buell and bought the NC30. I had no issue with it having less power, and I am perfectly happy to ride the bike. My RGV250 is more fun than all my other bikes put together, in the right situation. But when the conditions are wrong its a complete nightmare.

That said, I think the NC30 is not my style of bike. I have always preferred twins and I'm tempted to buy a firestorm... I want something with huge torque and slightly higher bars. I also want something that isn't white!
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British beauty: Triumph Street Triple R; Loony stroker: KR1S; Track fun: GSXR750 L1; Commuter Missile: GSX-S1000F; Cheap project: CBR900RR FireBlade
Remember kids, bikes aren't like lego. You can't easily take a part from one bike and then fit it to another.

[TheShaggyDA]

I went from the GPZ to the AJS, but then again I enjoy bikes in their own right rather than comparing one with another.

I'd look at the CB500, as it still has more than enough oomph to dispense with cars, and shouldn't be that much more expensive than the 250.
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Current: CB500 Previous: CB100N, CB250RS, XJ900F, GT550, GPZ750R/1000RX, AJS M16, R100RT, Enfield Bullet

[i:6e3bfc7581]But still I fear and still I dare not laugh at the madman...[/i:6e3bfc7581]

[Polarbear]

Rode my wifes GS500E back to Milton Keynes from London. The bike was fine, fast enough but I hated it. It felt physically tiny and I felt really exposed on it so I wouldn't down size.
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Triumph Trophy Launch Edition

[ncrn]

I honestly feel anything less than a 2T 125 would just be way to underpowered for me, I mean my NSR is low power enough..

But I feel a 600 would be way to much power for me to justify, I'd love a CBR250.. Or maybe an SV650 but still they are fairly high powered. I could deal with the power but not so sure about the expense (I'm not trying to imply running my bike is cheap, it isn't.)
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Past: 55 Sym Jet, 91 ZZR250, 03 NSR125R. Present: 97 ER-5.
https://www.nsr125.co.uk - NSR Owners forum.

[Charlie]

For a smaller bike try the Honda Hornet 250, managed to get 95mph on the motorway two up, the bike is also restricted too.

Very fun bike would recommend it a lot!
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Past: Honda x8rs, Honda City fly, Honda Hornet 250, Honda VFR750, Yamaha xt600e.
Current: Honda CBR929RR & Yamaha XT660Z Tenere

[Noxious89123]

[craigs23]

The lowest I'd stoop is to a stroker 250, but only for fun.

How about a Superfour/CB1?

[mr.z]

Take a carefull look into running costs before chooseing, you might find a 250 not all that much cheaper, a bros400 is worth a look if you can find one, or a cb1.

I'm waiting to get back a cb125 to commute to uni on, its so rare the gf comes anywhere on the bike though so not going to be such an issue, tbh i can't wait, perfect for traffic and cheaper than a cheap thing to run..

if i could get hold of a decent 250 though i'd probably go with that, but then i'm never in much of a hurry.
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>RidingSkills<->Tech Tips<->MyBikes<

[ms51ves3]

I'm sure a CG 125 would be suited here. Cheap to run and bomb proof. I know you say you go up a hill for 10 minutes but if you are going up it for that long it can't be that steep.
I went pillion with my dad on his Vivacity 100cc up a largish hill and it pulled us up fine.

EDIT: https://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&rd=1&item=300173596062&ssPageName=STRK:MEWA:IT&ih=020

Mark

[Whosthedaddy]

[spnorm]

I'd consider downsizing as long as I don't have to buy anything smaller than a GSX-R750

I had a CB500 as a winter hack a few years ago and it was quite a nice little bike. They're cheap to buy and insure and aren't as gutless as the S4 at real road speeds i.e. below 10,000rpm (I had one as a courtesy bike )

[Andy C]

[McGee]

I reckon I could down size to a supermoto but apart from that most probably not.

I would also happily go to an older GSX-R
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Its pronounced Jixxer!

[G]

Yes, having had (and still have) various stupidly fast bikes, I choose a <40hp bike for fun and getting to work, etc.

If anything, I'm happier to have a bigger cc bike for commuting where I'm not trying to use it and happier to be 'lazy'.

[stinkwheel]

I'll ride any size bike as long as it has character.

If I was doing that commute I'd buy myself a C90 and piss about on it all the way.
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“Rule one: Always stick around for one more drink. That's when things happen. That's when you find out everything you want to know.”
I did the 2010 Round Britain Rally on my 350 Bullet. 89 landmarks, 3 months, 9,500 miles.

[theopj]

Used to live near bath, and I think you need something with a bit more poke than a CG125 for going up that hill if its gonna be two up on a regular basis, although I think there is another way up the hill that is less steep (longer though). I used to have a DT125 and that didn't exactly fly up it.

CB500 or GS500 might be a good bet although neither are exactly big bikes for 2up, can still be good fun and probably quite good for filtering etc in town.
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Suzuki Bandit SA 1250 & Honda CB750F2T

[mattish]

Im looking at replacing my old fzr600 which has been sold now, with a rd350lc so yes downgrade

[Kickstart]

Hi

With Stinkwheel on this. Something fun is far more important than absolute power.

I have downgraded in the past. Had a CB400N as a first big bike. Sold it and went back to a 125 2 stroke. Something like a CB250N or CB400N would be pretty much perfect for such 2 up journies, just don't expect them to be fun.

All the best

Keith
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[garth]

Small bikes are a right giggle.
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You ain't a has been if you never was

[JonB]

Just before I decided to complete get rid of bikes, I was just about to downgrade from a piss poor Bandit 600 to a Superfour. Loved the lines on the bike and personally myself I prefer trying to get every little last inch of power of the bike, than barely using it to half it's potential.
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[T1z3R]

ive done it before and i could do it again.
went from a 750 after passing my test to a 125 then up to a 500. i fancy going to a 250 next
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duck my sick!

[davylynne]

I needed something cheap and cheerful to get to my new job after selling my gixxer 6 a couple of years ago.

I thought I'd be really sensible and get a CB250. Then I saw it only made 22bhp (about the same as my old 125LC!) and immediately decided I couldn't possibly be that sensible!

So I bought the CB500S. Its not super fast but its still a bike you can thrash as it doesn't run out of puff at high RPM