should i swap my zx9 ?

[cLaTTeReD]

i got the ZX9r start of summer for 2up riding and abit of a change really

i dont need to take the pillion much longer as she is doing her test
tbh im abit bored of the ninja and quite fancy sticking it on ebay and buying an RS250 cause they are supposed to be real fun.

i dont do any touring just sunday morning blasts and bit in the week when i get time. So just want something sporty and good for getting my knee down - planning on some track days next year also.

so for anyone who has an RS250 or an opinion is this gonna be a wise desicion ?

[Mr.Everready]

G should be along soon.
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the undemocratically unelected mod of the Scottish section

[cLaTTeReD]

why is G a fan of either bike ?

[Clanger]

if you're thinking of it...then sounds like its best to do it!
Only one person can make the decision for you.....
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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

[cLaTTeReD]

i know just wondering what the general opinion was

ideally i want a new zx6 but im buying a house and can only swap the bike for on of equal or lower value

[Snake Eyes]

I took my missus ZX9 out at the weekend, its all bored out and flat slides etc on it, OMG that thing is rapid, lovely bike but I think I would loose my license in about ooooohh 3 hours if I was lucky. but getting back on my ickle CBR 600 mine felt so nimble obviously slower but somehow a bit more fun ? if that makes sense.

I did want a bigger bike but I think I may stick with a 6 but get something a little less forgiving ?
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**************Honda CBR 600 FR***********
Just another day in paradise - Enjoy it while it lasts
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[paulthewitt]

[mistergixer]

[Andy C]

yea you have to make a RS really work to get the power out and is great fun but sometimes if your not on a ride out or just want to take it easy then is really annoying. esp in the rain when you just want to get there because you soaked. saying this ive only been on RS125 but RS is meant to be simular just twice the BHP.
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99 RS125 --> 02 SV650s --> 03 Speed Four --> 92 RXS100 --> 93 CB400sf --> 01 CB600f Hornet

[cLaTTeReD]

[MarJay]

In case you didn't know, G has an RS250 and a ZX9R.


____________________
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.

[cLaTTeReD]

LOL no i didnt know - i would be very keen to hear his opinions on this then

[Snake Eyes]

[G]

Probably mentioned me because I used to ride a zx9, then got a rs250.



To explain some history:

Had ZX6, wanted more power. Bought an ex-race zx9, 143hp on the dyno, quite downgeared, ohlins suspension, etc..

Got busted - they recoreded me at 119 while undertaking, and chased me for over ten miles without me realising. Book never got thrown at me, despite expecting it to, one of the ones with a special metal cover at that.

Went through a few bikes and got a Dr600 - bloke also had a RS250 for sale for £900, bit of damage that was repaired, but generally good.

Bought it to sell on later.



Was involved in a rather nasty car accident with bikes on trailer, wrote off the RS.



I then bought another RS250, as I decided that I rather liked the road riding I had done on it.



The ZX9 you had to be going ridiculously fast to feel like you were making decent progress, even then I never got a major 'wow' from it - though I do seem to have become a bit desensitised to power.

While the RS250 doesn't give that sort of rush, it does really like to be worked and is rewarding when you get it right. Keep in the power band and the it feels like you're achieving much more than on a bigger bike where 100% concentration doesn't result in much more speed than 80% on the road.

I've been trying to concentrate on using the vanishing point and other road reading on recent rides and the RS does give a sense of achievement and a bit more of a challenge to ride well.


While it doesn't accelerate as fast as bigger bikes, the few ride outs I've been on with others I've never had a problem - though that doesn't have to say much about the bike.

On track I found the RS250 a bit frustrating. I entered into the intermediate group at Cadwell as I wanted some people to 'play' with - while I could match the corner speed of the average fast group rider, I wouldn't be able to keep up on the straights.

In the morning I found I was getting held up by bigger bikes on the corners that I couldn't get past again because they got away on the straights. By the afternoon I managed to get past and stay past a few litre class bikes (r1s etc) as I increased my corner speed and reduced my braking.



Now I am fairly competitive on track (to the point I started racing), so may not be the same for everybody - plenty of people like having some open track to play with.

If you're just starting doing trackdays it's not really a problem being on a lower powered bike as there's such a range of abilities to ride against.

[cLaTTeReD]

nice post G

Very helpful and informative, thank you

I think i am going to have to try an RS250 even just to satisfy my curiosity - if i keep it for a year i can always chop it in if im not happy.

At least the insurance will be cheap

i will let you know what happens

Thanks for the replies