Hi Steven,



I think the consensus is going to be the same from any knowledgeable rider
out there. Due to technological advancements, these days there is so much
more choice in the market place amongst the sports bike class. I have
therefore found that this has provided the buyer with the ability to be able
to get a bike that suits all their needs without having the 'cc' component
as a major consideration in purchasing a new motorcycle. When I was younger
and less knowledgeable, I use to believe if I wanted a better motorcycle
with more response, power, performance etc etc. then the formula consisted
of adding more 'cc's' to the equation. To put simply, most 600's I have
ridden will exceed the national speed limit in first gear.



####A short life story in the hope that it may shed some light on your
dilemma and allow me to revisit my youth###



Even in my earlier riding (starting in 1991), I still believed in taming the
beast one level at a time and always gained experience in stages, buying
bikes with small 'cc' increments. I had the 250cc 1989 Honda Superhawk, then
the Honda CX500 Custom, then a new 1994 Yamaha YZF 600. At this stage I
completed three levels of Stay Upright instruction to improve my riding and
to develop my riding skills. These courses included; Cornering and Braking
School, Intermediate and then Advanced rider training. I seriously thought I
knew how to brake and corner before this course, I was very mistaken, I knew
nothing. My advice is to firstly develop your skills and riding ability to
get the most out of the bike you have before moving to the next level.



As my skill increased I started to go to the race track to develop my riding
and in 2001, I purchased a Ducati 748R and completed training in race school
techniques. So after 10 years of riding I still hadn't ventured into the
thousand territory. Well to cut a story a little short, since then I
purchased a 98 R1 and a 2003 R1 between 2002 and 2007. As recent as two
weeks ago I finally decided to go back to a 750cc motorcycle with the 2007,
GSXR. With today's advancements, this bike is really the same as my 2003 R1
in HP. I was seriously considering a 600, however, even though I don't need
the power and will probably never use its full potential, with approx 16
years riding experience I have the riding behind me and the knowledge to
handle it ( Although we can still come unstuck 'occasionally').



In all these years of riding I have never owned a 4 wheeled vehicle (well
until 2006) and have ridden my motorbike as transport to and from work (or
uni) every day and most weekends for 16 years. My advice would be to gain
the experience and seek some training to really enjoy your riding. There is
noting more satisfying than riding with Control Vs riding with Confidence. I
am still learning and developing my riding to this day and will continue to
do so.



####



As with all things in life, the choice is inevitably yours. Good luck.



Regards

Doug











_____

From: bikers_anon@... [mailto:bikers_anon@...]
On Behalf Of Steven Shaw
Sent: Monday, 2 April 2007 4:57 PM
To: bikers_anon@...
Subject: [bikers_anon] P's to an R1



Guys I am 26 and been on my P's for 5 months. In November I can
upgrade to anything and I was thinking well I could get a 2007 Yamaha
R1. I like to think I am over the stupid stage of my life but I am
going from a cheap 250cc to a 1000cc anyway plus it is an R1. I mean I
will go dame this is quick first up but that is going to happen anyway
because I am going from a 250. Is this just crazy or is this upgrade
realistic provided I take it easy for a while. Let me know your
thoughts.





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