After spending about 4k miles on my 250...is a SS out of the question?

jmass03 · 04-01-2008, 02:37 PM

Would the more tenured riders say that after racking up a seasons worth of miles on my Ninja 250...would moving to a 600cc SS be out of the question?

Some of you have read my posts, so I would assume I seem like a somewhat mature 23 y.o. Having taken the MSF course a few years back, and getting back on the bike and having the skills come back to me within the first ride, I'd say I'm getting pretty comfortable with it, but still need to get my skills down through the turns. Going straight is easy...put yourself in a panic situation and thats what I need to build confidence in. After its all said and done, acquiring those skills, would a 600 cc SS be something that I should take more time to move to?

Or is that pretty much an individualistic response that you feel in your gut...you're either ready, or you're not?

smakawhat · 04-01-2008, 02:41 PM

well IMO only you would know, it also depends on what kind of riding you did with those miles. Did you push your abilities? Did you do long distances? Did you discover all the bike could give you? If the answer is no and you want to, then punch some more miles on it before moving up, hit some more curves.

mbodell · 04-01-2008, 02:54 PM

+1 It's really up to how well you know the bike. Why not take the 250 on the track and see how well you do on it and gauge it from there. You will get your answer and have a lot of fun in the process.

jetblack · 04-01-2008, 03:07 PM

Because of some mechanical problems, and winter, I only have about 3k on mine and I definitely do not feel that I am ready for a 600SS yet, even if I wanted to get one right now.

ajd187 · 04-01-2008, 03:29 PM

Really depends on you, but you will probably be fine.

I had a friend who did about that much mileage on his Baby Ninja - in three months! He then got a brand new GSXR600 (2007). He's still alive and quite a good rider on it.

metalrat · 04-01-2008, 03:30 PM

After 2k miles I was thinking FZ1.

After 4k miles I was thinking pilot powers and new springs on the FZ6

Now I just want summer to get here faster.

Edit: I did go to the Kawi shop and try to look at Ninja 250/500. The salesman trashed the idea... tried selling me a Z1000.

I told him "Jimmy Carter was the president when I had my last bike"
The shop did not even stock the lil ninja.

If they had sold me a 500/250 like I wanted back then... I'd most likely get a Concours 14 NOW!

Instead... I was off to the Yamaha shop.

F&D · 04-01-2008, 06:09 PM

My wife had less than 4000 miles on her Vulcan 500 (Ninja 500 motor in a cruiser frame) when she moved on to a YZF600R. One year after that, she was on an FZ6 and an FJR1300 (the FZ6 is no longer with us).

YMMV.

theMadWelder · 04-01-2008, 07:39 PM

My g/f went from a kd80 to a honda xr200, then to a katana 600, now she has

bush · 04-01-2008, 08:27 PM

It's YOUR decision, but realize that you're still in the high risk period for new riders, which statistically will last until the end of your 3rd season.

You need to make the decision yourself at this point, and look at the type of riding you've done, as well as the type of emergency situations have presented themselves. How you handle yourself in a bad situation is the determining factor in how skillful you are as a rider, at least in my opinion.

If that's 4,000 miles on the same two-lane blacktop to and from work, that's not a lot. If it's 4,000 miles of a good mix of twisty riding, heavy traffic, cruising, and interstate, it's certainly not out of the question. But it requires an honest self-assessment on your part.

emericanchaos · 04-01-2008, 08:43 PM

if you have to ask then you're probably not ready to find out.

jmass03 · 04-01-2008, 09:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by emericanchaos

if you have to ask then you're probably not ready to find out.

already buddy. i don't really think you have any reason to post in this thread. i could've sworn you bid us all farewell in the other post. good luck with your R6. It's a sick bike, and I'm sure after a bit more seat time on my bike, I'll be keeping that bike in mind. stay safe.

emericanchaos · 04-01-2008, 10:40 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jmass03

already buddy. i don't really think you have any reason to post in this thread. i could've sworn you bid us all farewell in the other post. good luck with your R6. It's a sick bike, and I'm sure after a bit more seat time on my bike, I'll be keeping that bike in mind. stay safe.

throw it away if you want but i'm on an SS and i'm saying if you have to ask then you shouldn't do it.

jetblack · 04-01-2008, 11:06 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by emericanchaos

throw it away if you want but i'm on an SS and i'm saying if you have to ask then you shouldn't do it.

And yet you asked, were strongly advised not to, did it anyway, and then posted up about how scary it was before saying you were going to keep it. Genius I tell ya, genius

emericanchaos · 04-01-2008, 11:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jetblack

And yet you asked, were strongly advised not to, did it anyway, and then posted up about how scary it was before saying you were going to keep it. Genius I tell ya, genius

yeah the first time on it was quite a bit scarey. it's not bad now though. just have to watch how high i let the revs go.

TJ213 · 04-01-2008, 11:22 PM

I'm moving to a 600 after a season with the ex500, but its definitely not a modern supersport. Personally I think its something everyone has to decide for themselves. Have you ever considered an older 600, I think its a good step between the Ninja and an all out race bike (IMO thats what a modern 600ss is), and personally I prefer it over a current 600ss.