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is there a big difference between 500 and 600 or 750

A

andy75

New member
Joined
Aug 12, 2011
Location
Hollister
Moto(s)
1999 Ninja 500r
Hi, I been riding for a almost a year now, I move up from a Ninja 250 to a Ninja 500 now. I am thinking about a bigger bike like a 600 or 750.
My question is there a big different going from a 500 to a 600 or 750.
Also do you thin after riding one year is it a good idea to get a faster more powerful bike than my 500, I have 1300 miles of total riding time, mostly around the neighborhood, and ride from tracy to livermore and modesto.
Thanks
 
the biggest difference is how the power is delivered. the 500 will have a similar power delivery because its a parallel twin. The 600 and 750 (i'm assuming there are typical I4's) will have a more rev happy power band geared toward high RPM output.

Typical V-Twins have a slightly higher displacement (usually starting at 650) but still offer a more similar power delivery to a parallel twin (more in between a P-Twin and I4). Perhaps a SV650 or equivalent might be the best of both worlds for you.

If not a Ninja 650 is a parallel twin. Should be a peppier version of what you already have.
 
I switched from 250 to 600 after 9 month/4.5K miles, but I was mostly riding canyons/twisties after work and on weekends.
Before I bought mine 600, I rode friend's liter bikes like Yamahas FZ1 and R1, so I kind of knew what to expect.
The difference between 250 and 600 is huge. To say simply it's all about power and weight, but for me switch was no problem. With care I rode straight to twisties on new to me bike.
 
andy75 said:
Hi, I been riding for a almost a year now, I move up from a Ninja 250 to a Ninja 500 now. I am thinking about a bigger bike like a 600 or 750.
My question is there a big different going from a 500 to a 600 or 750.
Also do you thin after riding one year is it a good idea to get a faster more powerful bike than my 500, I have 1300 miles of total riding time, mostly around the neighborhood, and ride from tracy to livermore and modesto.
Thanks
Click to expand...

Yes.
I do NOT thin so.
 
There are differences of course....but... the trick is to choose what is most friendly, for your use.

I'd just recommend you go to the 650 Ninja or SV650..for your use. Avoid the smaller (like 600 inline four's) like the plague...they weren't born for your use.
 
I think you're itching for an excuse to go out and get that GSXR-ZX-R6-RR you've had your eye on since you got into bikes, and you're looking to get it from a forum. People do this all the time.

Whether it's a good idea or not depends on you. What kills people who ride those bikes is not the power of the engine, but the brakes. Do you practice your brake skills regularly? Do you drill panic stops? Do you do it NOW, on your current, "slow" bike? If no, you're probably better served holding off.

But hey, do what you like, it's your money/life.

That having been said, I think you can move up to a 650 twin like a Ninja 650R or an SV650. They're fast enough that they make 95% of cars out there look like Power Wheels, but they don't have the crazy top end power of the supersports that can put you into orbit if you're not careful.
 
andy75 said:
My question is there a big different going from a 500 to a 600 or 750.
Click to expand...

Yes.

andy75 said:
Also do you thin after riding one year is it a good idea to get a faster more powerful bike than my 500, I have 1300 miles of total riding time, mostly around the neighborhood, and ride from tracy to livermore and modesto.
Click to expand...

No.
















D00de. 1300 miles is nothing! You basically have no skillset as of yet. Shoot for a minimum of 12,000 miles before you start jonesing for a race replica.

I know, I know. I'm being the Classic Asshole BARFer. :laughing
 
the suzuki gsxr 750 has 3 power modes so you can choose to restrict how much power you have on tap, in effect making it a 600cc bike. it's a nice feature and if you are a new rider, or even just new to the bike, it makes the learning curve a little more forgiving.

You should consider other variables like the weight of the bike and riding position (comfort), and how long you plan to ride (per trip), you know if you want to go up to Tahoe on your bike, or down to L.A. then riding position becomes even important.
 
it is a pretty big difference going from a 500 to a 600. I'll probably get flamed for this but if you have enough self control and common sense it shouldn't be a problem going to a 600. My first bike was kawi 636 I picked up in 04. I think of the biggest things is how fast you can get your self in over your head with the power of a 600 or higher CC bike if your not careful.
 
I put on 1300 miles in my first month.

No. You're not ready. Spend some more time actually riding before you concern yourself with another bike. If all you're doing is copping around town and side streets, a larger bike would be a waste regardless of your lack of skill to ride it.
 
Yes, there is a huge difference. On the 500, when you twist the throttle fully, not much happens. On the 600, a lot happens. On the 750, it spins up the rear tire, spits you off, and you lie in the street hoping no one runs over you.
 
The move from a 500 to a 650 would be a better one. An SV650 or EX650 would be a more modern bike with FI and more aftermarket parts availability, but without the abrupt power and track-oriented ergos and suspension of a 600/750 SS.

Once you've, you know, ridden the 500 a bit.
 
afm199 said:
Yes, there is a huge difference. On the 500, when you twist the throttle fully, not much happens. On the 600, a lot happens. On the 750, it spins up the rear tire, spits you off, and you lie in the street hoping no one runs over you.
Click to expand...

Crankly old guys and middle age porky guys unite!!

I agree with the cranky one, you can guess which one I am.
 
Make sure you test ride both a large twin and a inline 4 so you can tell the difference. I jumped straight to an Inline-4 and I prefer a P-twin for my style of riding.
 
Listen to the advice given here.

1.3k miles in ONE YEAR, evenly distributed thats a little over 3 1/2 miles a day. Personally, I'd stick with the 500 and get much more saddle time.

...Or not, and buy the bike you want and be one of the cool kids.

Here is some food for though. post #21 is of interesting note, to say the least.
http://bayarearidersforum.com/forums/showthread.php?t=188730
 
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It was our highly evolved and disciplined crankyness ... that held back the Turbo Busa, recommendation...Ya Know :laughing
 
Op,

I concur with the 650 twin suggestions.

Not sure if you've noticed this yet, but it's really the rider that's fast... not the bike. If you like motorcycling and wish to continue riding, you might spend a little time figuring out just how much effort you are willing to devote to it.

If it's just "kinda fun" and the "chicks dig it", then you should REALLY stick with a lower powered bike and be sure to ride well within your skill set

If it's more like; "omg that was awesome" and "I wanna do that again, NOW", then you should probably get the 650 twin and pursue the skill with some determination and in an orderly fashion. I say skill, because soon enough, the bike is no longer the hobby, it has been replaced by pursuit of the skill.
 
Also, 500's have will have base suspension setups, and the 600/750's will have better sport bike suspensions.

You have to check though.
 
Are you Asian?

If you are, the cool thing is that you can get whatever you want; you're parents will disapprove anyways! :teeth
 
Backing up the thoughts of Planegray...If you have to ask you are not ready. And again, 1300 miles just means you know how to operate the controls which is NOT the same as knowing how to ride. You don't know how to ride yet. No one does after 1300 miles. Even 13,000 miles really.
If you feel that being a motorcyclist is something that you connect with in a sense of "wow this is fantastic I want to do this the rest of my life!!" than you'll be wise to take the time to work your way up through the ranks. If it's more a "what bike would make me seem really cool" then you're maybe gonna hurt yourself.
 
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