ok so I have a ?

[nismo_2005]

ok so people say start out on a 250/500 some say 650 some don't.

but when it comes time to get rid of the 250 for thous that start on one. is it safe to go to a 600? can a 250 teach you enough to be a good rider on a 600ss or should you step up to a 500/650 first then 600? cause the jump from 250 to 600ss just seems huge and to me like a big risk.

[Anthonyd5189]

Yes you can jump to a 600. That is the point of a 250/500. They teach you the skills nessecary for the 600.

[CBRBADBOY]

A 600 would be ok.You start on a 250 to learn to ride and learn throttle control,Build confidence.You wouldnt want to panic in traffic on a powerful bike without knowing how to ride.Any bike can get you into trouble,but a 250 dont have as much power as the bigger bikes.For instance,you on a 250 and messup and grab a handfull of throttle.Would you rather have 40hp or 100+ hp under you?People think we are being assholes when we say start small! But we are just trying to save you from hurting yourself or someone else.Most people that started on big bikes were pre90's when bikes had alot less hp.

[allkingz]

Yes, but I think you realistically need a few thousand miles on a 250/500 before moving up to a 600.

It's not like you can go through the MSF on a 250 and be ready for 600+ bikes.

[Fargin_Bastige]

You need more than a few thousand miles on a 250.

You can rip off a few thousand in a few months and 2 months is not enough to jump to a bike that's designed for racing.

[RayOSV]

Among other things, it's important to have enough experience in a wide variety of riding situations to develp good reactions and reflexes to the numerous situations that can come up. City streets, major through roads, highways, freeways, back roads, and twisties all have unique challenges to present to a new rider. Learn how to deal with all of it on a bike that you aren't constantly struggling to keep under control first.

[GoIllini]

Originally Posted by Fargin_Bastige

You need more than a few thousand miles on a 250.

You can rip off a few thousand in a few months and 2 months is not enough to jump to a bike that's designed for racing.

So is the learning curve on motorcycles totally different from, say swimming?

The Red Cross had me, as a swimming instructor, teach kids how to do sitting dives first, then kneeling dives, then standing dives, then dives off the 1 meter board, then dives with approaches, then approaches off the 3 meter board.

Were I to have a student practice sitting dives for two summers long and then say, "OK, time to do an approach off the 3 meter board; you're going to do it just like the Olympic athletes", I'd probably have a spinal injury and/or death on my hands and the Red Cross would pull my teaching license.

I recognize that in this case, the comparison isn't totally accurate, but I'm still interested about intermediate steps:

Are they helpful? Say, should I go from a Ninja 250 to a 500 after a year, and then an SV 650 after two years? Is there a point where I'd prepare myself better for a sports bike on a 500 than on a 250?

[650r]

to me a 650 would be a logical step. 70ish hp and not a lot of torque. the SV has more than my Ninja, but not much. the 650s are quick enough to still have fun, but not too powerful.

[Fargin_Bastige]

Originally Posted by GoIllini

So is the learning curve on motorcycles totally different from, say swimming?

The Red Cross had me, as a swimming instructor, teach kids how to do sitting dives first, then kneeling dives, then standing dives, then dives off the 1 meter board, then dives with approaches, then approaches off the 3 meter board.

Were I to have a student practice sitting dives for two summers long and then say, "OK, time to do an approach off the 3 meter board; you're going to do it just like the Olympic athletes", I'd probably have a spinal injury and/or death on my hands and the Red Cross would pull my teaching license.

I recognize that in this case, the comparison isn't totally accurate, but I'm still interested about intermediate steps:

Are they helpful? Say, should I go from a Ninja 250 to a 500 after a year, and then an SV 650 after two years? Is there a point where I'd prepare myself better for a sports bike on a 500 than on a 250?

Personally, I think, and this is my OPINION (they are doing a study on it to be released soon) that learning on a motorcycle is a process that needs to logically progress.

If you look at the best riders in the world, be it dirt, street or whatever discipline, they start small and hone on that level before they progress. You'll see people start on a 250 and jump to a 600 in two months. Logic will dictate that you aren't outriding your 250 in a 2 month span. You have very little skill and minimal exposure to survival situations.

Now, the MAIDS study says you are not in your safest period until after the 36th month of riding. In many cases the 12-36 month period is one of the riskiest. This may be because of incorrect personal assessment of skills, although this can't be empirically proven.

So, that being said, the 250 for two solid seasons with lots of exposure, practice and learning (course learning, not just some guy on the street assessing you) should make you ready to go to a bigger bike. I think it should be a 500 or V-Twin 650 (if you absolutely have to have the 600 number)

At that point are your skills at the level of a 600SS? I would say no, but the gap is considerably smaller that if you were to just jump on a 600 right away.

The funny thing is, that people are in such a hurry to go up to a bigger displacement, but if you ask the more experienced riders, most of them WANT a smaller bike now. I am personally looking for a 400 myself. Why? My motivation is simple, in order for me to truly master riding a motorcycle to its limit, I need to focus on form over speed. Anyone can open the throttle on a bike, but to hit that perfect apex, with perfect form and rely on the chassis and not the motor is true riding nirvana.

I want to look at a lap time on track and know that it was pure skill. As for on the street, the smaller bikes are just more flickable, easier on the rider and are a load of fun. I've seen 400 riders drive guys on liter bikes nuts. That is truly impressive.

[nismo_2005]

I'm kinda getting the feeling that people think i am wanting to get a 250 then jump to 600. but what i am saying is from my point of view you should take steps. and work your way up. what I was saying is you should got from 250 to 500 or maybe 650 then up to a 600 or such. cause it just makes sense. but this is comming from a newby.

[Freshgrease]

Some of the more experienced riders I know rode 250's (specifically the ninja250) for atleast 3 seasons putting on 10,000+ miles before they moved up. and still didn't go liter biking. Dad says get a liter bike when I graduate in two years from college....eh...I think I (personally) will feel more comfortable on a GXR600/Kawi650R then a R1 like he suggests I get.

Think about it this way. Start slow; end slow. In the case of motorcycling this means starting small and smoothly progressing/practicing your skills so that you can live a long and happy motorcycling life. Throw the squid through that equation and tell me that I'm not right.

[Anthonyd5189]

Originally Posted by GoIllini

Say, should I go from a Ninja 250 to a 500 after a year, and then an SV 650 after two years? Is there a point where I'd prepare myself better for a sports bike on a 500 than on a 250?

The only difference between a 250 and a 500 would be a little more power...not a significant enough difference that would make it a logical next step after a 250.

just my .02

[nismo_2005]

well then what about a 650?

[nig]

I think 250--->650 is the way to go for sure.

[nismo_2005]

thank you nig. that is what i was thinking. but since i have only rode a 250 i wasnt sure. while i was given the chance to take a 06 gsxr600 for a spin i had to decline from fear of killing myself and the bike.