Why does everyone go for a 600?

dmsplat · L Plate Warrior Joined: 23 Jun 2010 Karma :

Hi All

Quick question: I am interested in the opinions as to why most people seem to go from a 125 to a 600 (and whenever the daily "First big bike - what should I get?" 600s seem to be the default (with a few 500s thrown in here and there)

DISCLAIMER: I haven't actually got a bike as yet, but am interested in the general thinking behind the trend.

I want a bike simply for commuting about 15m each way, so a 125 will do me fine, for now at least. One route to work is on a motorway, so once I have my test I might want to use that route, but don't think a 125 will cut it. I see that a 250 might not do much better, but what about bikes in the 3 - 400 bracket?

Uppermost in my considerations, if and when I upgrade from a 125, will be economy (all aspects: Cost of bike, insurance, fuel, maintainance and repair).

I'm just curious...

Bendy · Mrs Sensible Joined: 10 Jun 2002 Karma :

Because there aren't many bikes in the 3-400 bracket.

Chalky. · World Chat Champion Joined: 30 Jun 2010 Karma :

I recently got one, cbr600f. Thought about getting a 400, but they're a lot of money for an old bike. Plenty of parts around for the 600 too.

I wanted a sporty bike

pinkyfloyd · Super Spammer Joined: 20 Jul 2010 Karma :

Mr_Cynical · Nitrous Nuisance Joined: 15 Apr 2010 Karma :

I've got a 750 waiting for me when I pass my mod 2. Alright, its 30 years old and wont be breaking any speed records, but it aint a 600!

I think most people go for 600s as it's a decent size bike to go hooning around on, without being too fast. At least that's the impression I get.

EDIT: See above!
____________________
Bikes: '05 Better BT125-20 => '79 Honda CB750KZ (Now a project bike) => '99 Suzuki Bandit 600 => '01 Triumph Tiger 955i
"What's my motto? I like ham."
"It's a good motto, sir."

FreshAL · Sir Crashalot Joined: 04 Jul 2005 Karma :

The Shaggy D.A. · Super Spammer Joined: 12 Sep 2008 Karma :

The selection really starts at 500. The easiest thrill to master is straight line speed (point it, twist throttle, hold on), so if that's where you get your kicks the 500s and below isn't going to cut it. On UK roads a 600 is the point where you are going to have longevity in the pushing yourself further stakes, i.e. the bike's capabilities will be greater than your own for a longer time.

But it really depends on what you want out of the bike. A Diversion 600 is a different beast to a ZZR600 which is a different beast to an R6 which is a different beast to an XT660 which is a different beast to an XVS650.

It's only once you've been cast loose of the shackles of learnerdom that you start finding out what really floats your boat when it comes to riding a bike, whether it be knee scraping scratching, long distance mile munching, lazy armchair cruising, wheelie popping stoppie goodness or plain simple bimbling. A modern 600 won't do all those well, but it will give you a wider taste of each in one package.

After playing with one for a while, you may fancy a nimbler 400, or a beefier 1000, or lust after the 100+ mpg you used to get with the 125.

You say you want a bike simply for commuting, so you'll be wanting something reliable, economical, comfortable and able to keep up with motorway traffic. A CB250RS fits that bill but finding good examples is getting harder, the newer CBF250 might be ideal for you, but it's expensive for what it is, seeing as you can get a CBF500 for a few hundred quid more. I get an average of 62mpg out of my 500, I'd hope the CBF250 would get 80+ to make it worthwhile. You could stick with the 125 - it's not impossible commuting on a motorway on one, just accept the limitations and stay with the artics.
____________________
Chances are quite high you are not in my Monkeysphere, and I don't care about you. Don't take it personally.
Currently : Royal Enfield 350 Meteor
Previously : CB100N > CB250RS > XJ900F > GT550 > GPZ750R/1000RX > AJS M16 > R100RT > Bullet 500 > CB500 > LS650P > Bullet Electra X & YBR125 > Bullet 350 "Superstar" & YBR125 Custom > Royal Enfield Classic 500 Despatch Limited Edition (28 of 200) & CB Two-Fifty Nighthawk > ER5

EUMP · Spanner Monkey Joined: 17 Dec 2007 Karma :

I like sports, wouldn't mind an old 400, but most are tiny things, that people 5"10 have some issues with.. 6"7 isn't going to work well Wink

____________________
C.B.T - Expired
MOD1 04/08/10
MOD2 10/08/10

angryjonny · World Chat Champion Joined: 01 Sep 2006 Karma :

EUMP · Spanner Monkey Joined: 17 Dec 2007 Karma :

Clanger · Stirrer Joined: 27 May 2004 Karma :

It didn't used to be like this years ago. Years back we had the 250cc Superdreams and the Goose 350cc. I guess it's due to the changes in the law. They made it law to pass DAS on 500cc or above, and then when you consider the 500cc option, they are a bit gutless in comparison with a 600/650.

That said, I went out and bought a 400cc after I passed my DAS. And people who say it's because they are tall they bought the 600, don't listen unless they tell you their inside leg measurement, because really thats where it all matters. Thumbs Up

____________________
Be who you are and say what you feel, because those who mind don't matter, and those who matter won't mind - Dr. Seuss

EUMP · Spanner Monkey Joined: 17 Dec 2007 Karma :

Bloke · Crazy Courier Joined: 06 Aug 2010 Karma :

im a fat bap of a man. Too many macdonalds and not enough running. Everything is a bit anaemic with 20st of weight on it.

That and most of the 400's I've seen were all imports. Seems no one really makes any for the UK market anymore Neutral

____________________
2008 VFR800 VTEC

Ingah · World Chat Champion Joined: 10 Apr 2009 Karma :

Others posters have pretty much covered it.

Ultimately, if you want anything in the 300-450 range it's likely to be:
A) Expensive and/or rare (overpriced).
B) An import (which are bad for insurance prices and the sourcing of parts, two things that newbies don't want to be fighting with).
C) Badly thrashed and hence you're more likely to pick up a lemon in need of those rare and expensive parts.
D) Old. Which again ups the risk of knackered parts / neglect. And also affects the styling, and i don't think older styles are as popular.
E) A possible ex-track day toy / otherwise sporty styling. Refer to C) again.

And the 250s are basically underpowered for general use (CB250), old and rare (CB250RS), or too new shiny and expensive (Ninja 250).

I believe the 500cc class is too often overlooked due to learners being afraid of "getting bored", and forgetting that these bikes hold their value near-perfectly (but then again i would say that, as my main bike is a CB500).

So what are you left with? 600cc+. And obviously the bigger you go, generally the more expensive they are to run. So 600cc it all so often is.

"Uppermost in my considerations, if and when I upgrade from a 125, will be economy (all aspects: Cost of bike, insurance, fuel, maintainance and repair). "
You should consider the commuter class bikes. It depends as to how much (or rather, how little), power you're prepared to put up with, as to how big. It literally goes up with cc (125s probably being the exception as they're more expensive than they should be due to the "learner premium" everyone is prepared to pay that buys them).
____________________
-- Ingah