- This topic has 4 replies, 4 voices, and was last updated 14 years, 2 months ago by Rab.
Too Heavy for GSF500??
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March 5, 2010 at 3:08 pm #3738OilsoonerParticipant
I’m looking to get a new motorcycle this season. Last summer, I scoured this forum, took the MSF class, and bought a 250 Virago. I felt I was doing everything the right way. Unfortunately, the 250 was just too small for me. I am fairly short at 5’9″, but wieght 260. When riding the Virago, I felt like it was too underpowered to get me out of a situation in traffic if needed. I also felt it was too small to be seen by other drivers. Finally, I got rid of it and decided to wait until next season. Well, next season is here so I am looking for a new bike. I have it narrowed down to the 500r, the GSF500, the SV650, or the FZ6. On one hand, I would like to go with the 500’s since I know they would be the most forgiving. But, if I get another bike that I feel cant pull me around with some authority, or is too small to see, I will not ride it, and may get burned out on bikes all together.
So, my question is this:
Has anyone who weighs similar to me ridden the 500’s, and if so, were they able to get up and go? Same question regarding the SV650 and FZ6.
Thanks in advance for all replies.
March 5, 2010 at 3:54 pm #24788WeaponZeroParticipantAs a man who weighs more than you, I can tell you from personal experience that the engine performance, even on a 250, won’t really be affected by your weight. The areas where it might struggle are the suspension. I would not trust a 250 to carry my weight without suspension upgrades. A 500 I think would be suitable. My SV650 has no problems at all, but it has a GSXR rear shock upgrade.
Mostly any *budget* oriented bike with non-adjustable suspension MIGHT have issues with us heavier set guys but a simple rear shock upgrade will take care of that.
March 5, 2010 at 4:01 pm #24789OilsoonerParticipantWas the SV650 a starter bike for you? This is the direction I really want to go in. Would you rate is as okay for someone with some 250 experience, and a complete MSF course? I only have to take two lane backroads to work, and this is where I would be doing all initial riding. Also, I work at an airport, so there are large pavement areas to practice.
I know someone with the SV650 and the GSXR fron end upgrade with a ZX10 rear shock. Sounds like this would fit the bill as long as its not too much bike.
March 5, 2010 at 4:01 pm #24790CBBaronParticipantThe Ninja 500r and GS500F both feel and look quite a bit bigger, however they are still small bikes compared to touring bikes or big cruisers. The GS500 appears to have about 47hp and the 500r about 57hp. That should be more than twice the power of the Virago 250. Even with your weight (only a little larger than myself) I would expect these bikes to be capable of very spirited riding. However the peak power of a bike like the 500r will be at much higher revs than most cruisers are tuned for. So if you just roll on the throttle in top gear acceleration may feel kinda slow. However down shift a gear or two and it will pull much harder.
If you can take one for a test ride and see if they feel comfortable to you.The FZ6 and SV650 are even more powerful and a little larger. Still small and light compared to the “big” bikes but lacking little in acceleration. Remember all of these bikes have over twice the engine of the 250 but less than 100 additional pounds.
Craig
March 5, 2010 at 8:24 pm #24796RabParticipantMost people move-up from a 250 for the reasons you’ve stated, so don’t feel bad about that. It was a learning experience on a docile machine which you’ve now progressed beyond. You’re now ready to leave the beginner’s class.
The 250 Nighthawk I started on could haul my 180-200 lbs plus my (slim) Wife’s weight as a passenger almost as easily as it could carry me on my own (with the suspension pre-load adjusted appropriately) so I don’t think your 260 lbs is a *very* significant factor regarding engine size although it will of course have some effect.
So! My advice (like others have said) would be to go sit on some to check out the ergonomics and suspension sag (bearing in mind that it’s almost certainly pre-load adjustable); test ride if they’ll let you (most don’t).
Having completed an MSF course and having had some experience on the 250, you should be ready for a 650 (but not a supersport!!) or even something bigger with a less sporty engine (e.g. a cruiser or a Triumph Bonneville, etc). The only reason (with your experience) to go for the 500 would be initial cost and/or fuel economy because like I said, I think you can probably move on to a bigger engined motorcycle now.
At your weight, an inline 4 cylinder (I-4) engined bike like the FZ6 might not be the best for you as they usually make power higher up in the rev range at the expense of torque lower down. Unless you’re a boy racer type, the “more torque lower in the rev range” thing is more practical. Mid-sized I-4 exceptions to that would be the FZ6R and the Suzuki GSX650F which, although I-4s, have twin-cylinder like torque and predictable power bands (no arm-pulling surges when you hit a certain RPM).
Most (all?) twin cylinder bikes have good torque lower in the rev range and predictable power bands; especially V or L twins.
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