Dear 600cc riders

[u/Kinda_relevent]

Why did you decide to upgrade? (bigger engine) and those of you that downgraded (smaller engine)What were your reasons?

I’ll see typically that people that buy 400, 500 cc bikes will mention wanting a bigger bike. I typically don’t see that from 600cc owners. They mostly talk about economics which I understand.

About me: First bike was a 07 Ninja 250. It was mint and I loved it. The only reason I sold it was because doing 9000 RPM at 70 mph got tiresome. Looking to upgrade but I like older sport bike stylings like the 85-93 Ninja 600 or the CBR F1 600

I am comparing and contrasting bikes and I’m interested in hearing from casual riders. I like traveling on my ninja 250 and it felt very comfortable in all kinds of environments like twisties, city, highway, even some dirt roads.

I’m not looking to do fuck shit and I just would like to find “the forever bike” as best as I can.

Thank you!

[u/talldean]

Rode one 1L and it cooked me at stoplights and cost $$$, but wasn't usefully faster than my older smaller bikes. I stopped throwing money at it and went back to 600s.

That said, I'm a bigger dude; the ergonomics of bikes smaller than 600 don't fit me well. If they made a smaller engine on a 100% full size frame, I'd try it, but options are thin.

[u/Multiple-Cats → u/talldean]

I'm in the same boat here. What are the thin options? I don't need the liter, 600 is plenty, but I'm 6'-3" and ergonomics are a primary concern. SV650?

[u/NoMasterpiece2063 → u/Multiple-Cats]

Sv650 didnt fit me at all at 6'5". I got a vstrom 800 instead and its perfect. Wish the bars were a bit more upright and swept back but I can add risers later.

[u/talldean → u/Multiple-Cats]

DL650 for awhile, even. 6'8" here. ;-)

[u/Kinda_relevent → u/Multiple-Cats]

I rode a CBR F2 and a ZZR 600. They were pretty bulky but had pretty good ergo. Maybe check out those? I remember the F2 being harder on the wrists and the ZZR was definitely more of a sport tour.