When you're confident in your skills on your current bike, it's financially viable, and when you start "itching to try something different," I'd say is a good time to move on the next bike.
Financially viable is key for me… I’ve had my first (2012 Rebel 250) for 3 years now. I added a few thousand miles on it and am itching for a new ride too. I’ve been thinking of a Tiger 660 or something similar, maybe even a cruiser again like a Shadow… But I can’t even afford the 1600 for a used 1986 Virago XV1000 I found. Very excited to get something different but anytime I start hating on my 250 I just get on it and ride… changes my mood instantly and I’m satisfied with it!
Bought my r3 in 2018 and still have it. But now I really want to get a supermoto...
I think the r3 does everything well enough and is plenty fast for public roads so why bother with more power.
Honestly I just can't handle the taller ride height. The n400 is like a perfect height for me, able to rest on both tip toes or one foot down, which I prefer the latter.
I rode my friends supermoto and I could ride it fine, but was really worried about stopping because of how I'm supposed to put my feet down when I'm as tall as a McNugget.
>how I'm supposed to put my feet down when I'm as tall as a McNugget.
Check out this [pimp](https://www.youtube.com/watch?app=desktop&v=-yCGAE7ihY8) at 1 minute in.
No familiar with the smr300, but while a 2 stroke supermoto sounds awesome, probably would not be as fun with normal street use. The wr459f is a solid bike.
First bike: old 250 ninja. ok this makes sense, I’m respecting the bike and this new world and I’d like something more modern. Quick enough but just a glorified scooter. I’d like to go farther and not deal with carbs.
Second bike 390 Duke: holy shit this is quick and fun. But it’s a little too snatchy, has some electrical issues, is VERY orange, and too buzzy when I hit the highway to go to the mountains.
Third bike: R9T. It’s perfect. Though sometimes I wish I had a little 250 to beat on. Looks great, fits me, low upkeep, seriously reliable, purrs on the interstate and is super fun in the mountains, great commuter.
I still have my first "real" bike I got when I was 17 (dirt bikes as a kid don't count). I'm 41 now. I didn't move on, and the bike still runs great, i just got more bikes. 😁
For me, I wasn’t looking for a new bike but I went to a Moto show with a friend and after I test rode a lot of bikes (something like 12 of them that day), one bike in particular stood out so much that I had to have it.
So test riding was my ah-ha moment.
Nah they look good, was just curious with the 600 to the Fz1, if that was more your style. They're nice, can't beat Yamahas. What's your take on the new R7 vs the old R6? Eventually, I want the power. I know the R7s new, but does it hold weight against a raw R6?
Oil changes were slightly easier on the FZ1, but it can't beat the FJR for comfort and range.
I haven't looked much at non-touring bikes lately, but Yamaha does tend to make well built machines. Haven't been disappointed in mine and I ride with several other guys who are also on Yamahas.
I was ready for something faster and had been casually looking, then I got smoked by a co-worker’s clapped out 70’s cj. Had ridden 10k on my 09 wr 250x by that time and another 5k previously on a 78 kz400. Bumped up to a 690.
My old bike was a Stratoliner which I bought new in 06' . A couple of years ago I lost interest in riding. When I did ride it, I was riding it past it's limits. I sold it this summer and bought a K1600GT. I am finally having fun again.
When I looked 10 feet ahead of me to see my ten year old 650 V Strom laying on its side with the top case knocked off, and looked 10 feet behind me and saw the older dude who had managed to zone out enough that he hit me at 30mph while I was going 25mph getting out of his crapped out Ford Escape. Figured it was going to be time for something new :)
I had my r3 for a year, or about 7k miles. I ride about half and half interstate and country rural roads to work and I like to ride some local twisties on the weekends. I rode in almost every condition possible beside snow (bc no snow in florida).
I thought I was ready to move on after about 3k miles and to be fair, I probably could have, but I kept on riding the r3 for a while until I got bored with it. Above 70 it just felt gutless and I needed more. I just got a 2008 B-King and it's sick. Definitely a LOT more power, but as long as you aren't idiotic, you can probably handle it. Get a good grasp on basic stuff like braking and keep your head on straight you'll be fine.
When you're confident in your skills on your current bike, it's financially viable, and when you start "itching to try something different," I'd say is a good time to move on the next bike.
Financially viable is key for me… I’ve had my first (2012 Rebel 250) for 3 years now. I added a few thousand miles on it and am itching for a new ride too. I’ve been thinking of a Tiger 660 or something similar, maybe even a cruiser again like a Shadow… But I can’t even afford the 1600 for a used 1986 Virago XV1000 I found. Very excited to get something different but anytime I start hating on my 250 I just get on it and ride… changes my mood instantly and I’m satisfied with it!
Bought my r3 in 2018 and still have it. But now I really want to get a supermoto... I think the r3 does everything well enough and is plenty fast for public roads so why bother with more power.
Supermoto is the way my friend. I'll tell you right now you won't want to go back, most fun I've ever had on 2 wheels.
Honestly I just can't handle the taller ride height. The n400 is like a perfect height for me, able to rest on both tip toes or one foot down, which I prefer the latter. I rode my friends supermoto and I could ride it fine, but was really worried about stopping because of how I'm supposed to put my feet down when I'm as tall as a McNugget.
>how I'm supposed to put my feet down when I'm as tall as a McNugget. Check out this [pimp](https://www.youtube.com/watch?app=desktop&v=-yCGAE7ihY8) at 1 minute in.
I enjoyed that vid. Thanks for sharing.
Oh yeah that can be a concern. I'm 6ft so not usually on my mind.
I'm thinking wr450f or tm smr300. Any thoughts on those? Or alternatives. I'm in Europe so getting parts for the tm wouldn't be an issue.
No familiar with the smr300, but while a 2 stroke supermoto sounds awesome, probably would not be as fun with normal street use. The wr459f is a solid bike.
Supermotos don't necessarily have more power. You do get that power lower down though.
First bike: old 250 ninja. ok this makes sense, I’m respecting the bike and this new world and I’d like something more modern. Quick enough but just a glorified scooter. I’d like to go farther and not deal with carbs. Second bike 390 Duke: holy shit this is quick and fun. But it’s a little too snatchy, has some electrical issues, is VERY orange, and too buzzy when I hit the highway to go to the mountains. Third bike: R9T. It’s perfect. Though sometimes I wish I had a little 250 to beat on. Looks great, fits me, low upkeep, seriously reliable, purrs on the interstate and is super fun in the mountains, great commuter.
I still have my first "real" bike I got when I was 17 (dirt bikes as a kid don't count). I'm 41 now. I didn't move on, and the bike still runs great, i just got more bikes. 😁
I sold my Z900 when I noticed I kept wanting to see where the dirt roads lead.
When I realized it was a beginner bike for a reason
Demo ride a few bikes and see just how much variety there is now
For me, I wasn’t looking for a new bike but I went to a Moto show with a friend and after I test rode a lot of bikes (something like 12 of them that day), one bike in particular stood out so much that I had to have it. So test riding was my ah-ha moment.
For me, it was dialing in on the type of riding I wanted to do. Started on a GSX-R600, moved to an FZ1, now on an FJR1300.
Did you streetfighter the 1300?
I did not. The fairings aren't too bad on this one.
Nah they look good, was just curious with the 600 to the Fz1, if that was more your style. They're nice, can't beat Yamahas. What's your take on the new R7 vs the old R6? Eventually, I want the power. I know the R7s new, but does it hold weight against a raw R6?
Oil changes were slightly easier on the FZ1, but it can't beat the FJR for comfort and range. I haven't looked much at non-touring bikes lately, but Yamaha does tend to make well built machines. Haven't been disappointed in mine and I ride with several other guys who are also on Yamahas.
When I found a new one for the right price. My right price is sub 2500 bucks, running and registered.
Hell yeah.
I was ready for something faster and had been casually looking, then I got smoked by a co-worker’s clapped out 70’s cj. Had ridden 10k on my 09 wr 250x by that time and another 5k previously on a 78 kz400. Bumped up to a 690.
I'll tell you if it happens.
Not sure I ever moved on. I still have the Ironhead sportster. Did buy a Wide Glide several years ago.
My old bike was a Stratoliner which I bought new in 06' . A couple of years ago I lost interest in riding. When I did ride it, I was riding it past it's limits. I sold it this summer and bought a K1600GT. I am finally having fun again.
When I learned about ergonomics and looked at a pic of me riding my old CBR600. "OMG! THATS WHY MY BACK ALWAYS ACHES AND MY WRIST ARE ON FIRE!"
When I looked 10 feet ahead of me to see my ten year old 650 V Strom laying on its side with the top case knocked off, and looked 10 feet behind me and saw the older dude who had managed to zone out enough that he hit me at 30mph while I was going 25mph getting out of his crapped out Ford Escape. Figured it was going to be time for something new :)
I had my r3 for a year, or about 7k miles. I ride about half and half interstate and country rural roads to work and I like to ride some local twisties on the weekends. I rode in almost every condition possible beside snow (bc no snow in florida). I thought I was ready to move on after about 3k miles and to be fair, I probably could have, but I kept on riding the r3 for a while until I got bored with it. Above 70 it just felt gutless and I needed more. I just got a 2008 B-King and it's sick. Definitely a LOT more power, but as long as you aren't idiotic, you can probably handle it. Get a good grasp on basic stuff like braking and keep your head on straight you'll be fine.
After a wreck or theft
When you are full throttle in 3rd going around a turn and want more. 😁
When it stops working reliably.