[mtroidprncss]

Right now, I have a 150cc scooter, which I’ve put about 2500 miles on. I’m ready to move up to a real bike, because it’s much more fun and rewarding. There are three downsides I see though: lower gas mileage, less storage room, and less comfort if I want to take a passenger. These second two downsides will be minimized if I get a bit of a bigger bike. I’ve been looking at 600cc bikes and am interested in a lot of them. However, after coming to this site there are advisories everywhere not to get a 600cc bike if you’re a beginner. I have ridden my boyfriend’s Ninja 250 multiple times and feel completely comfortable and safe on it. Given my still relatively low amount of experience, do you think it would be stupid of me to buy a 600cc bike rather than going for a Ninja 250?

[eternal05]

What KIND of bike are you considering? A 600cc sportbike and a 650cc cruiser are two totally different beasts.

[mtroidprncss]

I’m looking at the Suzuki SV650/Gladius right now. Riding around on the Ninja 250 I actually have a pretty good feel for the clutch and feel quite comfortable shifting. The only issue I’ve ever had is accidentally being in second gear at a stop.

[briderdt]

…I can say that it’s probably not going to be a real problem for you.

Mine is an ’05, and I just turned over 10K miles on the bike last month. 6K of those are mine, all in the last year.

If you’re already comfy with a clutch on the Ninja, you’ll be good with the SV. Don’t be fooled — there will be issues to get used to, like a huge amount of engine braking, and more power at low rpms. Second gear starts aren’t a big deal IF you’re on the clutch. Don’t do what I did and assume you’re in first, lean into a turn, and kill the engine because you didn’t modulate the clutch right. Yup, I couldn’t hold the bike up, so had a no-speed set-down. Fortunately no damage to me or the bike (let it down nice and easy).

I don’t rail mine, and I like to cruise (on backroads, not highway) at 3500 rpm. And I get almost 60 mpg average. YMMV.

[mtroidprncss]

Thanks for the info! I should note that the ER-6n also caught my eye in the Kawasaki dealer yesterday.

[WeaponZero]

I own a 2000 Suzuki SV650, and many reviews I’ve read of the Gladius say that it isn’t as good as older SV650s, with a lot of cost-cutting and a lot of cheap plastics. I’ve read some shootouts (one in my issue of Motorcyclist) between he Gladius and ER-6n saying that the ER-6n is better in pretty much every way aside from the fact that its powerband is more like that of a supersport. It all comes down to personal preference, but just some things to consider…

Me, I love my SV650, and I won’t get rid of it until my finances will allow for me to upgrade to something brand new in the literbike category, like a Kawasaki Z1000 or a Triumph Speed Triple. I’d also get a supermotard bike like the KTM Duke. I really have no desire whatsoever to own a pure track-bred supersport though…

Is your name a reference to metroid?

[stu]

I wouldnt put much stock in the comparison of the er6n / gladius, its really splitting hairs the bikes are that close.

I love my gladius, the biggest thing for you would be moving up so much in weight.

[planket02]

Recently I learn how to ride a bicycle. I made up my decision to buy my own one. This discussion will help me. But I need to know more.

[Author]

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