Small displacement sport bikes

[motrhead]

IMHO...All of my bikes have a specific job to do. My restored Magna/Sabre/Nighthawk-S are all local/regional fun bikes.

My FJR is my long-range ST and all around twist-the-throttle "fun" bike  

Tools in a tool bag  

That is pretty much what I just posted in another thread. You can't really have too many bikes.  

[Sport-Touring]

[Jonesy]

 

[Jonesy]

That is pretty much what I just posted in another thread. You can't really have too many bikes.  

A few years ago, my wife asked me why I have so many bikes and why I am always looking for accessories /other bikes...I told her "why question my bikes/accessories/hobbies, when I don't ask about the 200 pair of shoes in her closet"  

That went over like a "fart in church"  

But, here we are after 27 years...She's still shopping for shoes and I'm still looking for the next bike  

[Jeremy Z]

Old peeps have seen small to big and back to small again  

That's me! I started with an SV650, worked up to an FJR, dabbled in scooters from 49cc to 582cc, and now I'm back on a 500cc motorcycle. (CBR500R ABS) I was torn between this and a 250/300 class bike, but I finally decided I need something properly expressway fast.

Why did I do it? Thinking of the good times I had on my FJR and also on my SV650 and Ninja 250, the FJR wasn't really any more fun, especially not at legal speeds. It wasn't really happy going under 50 or 60. The Ninja 250 was happy everywhere, looked the business, handled the twisties well, got 75 mpg*...

So when I got back into motorcycles, I started there. Test drove a CBR250R and a CBR500R. The 500 has that same character, but also has a pretty satisfying pull. You CAN get in trouble, but not TOO quickly.

The only problem is getting it up to proper sport-touring spec. The stubby little windshield puts the noisy wind right on my face, and my butt goes to sleep after about an hour. It's a small challenge though.

*Looking at the instantaneous fuel economy readout on my CBR500R ABS, if I cruise at 40, it gets 90 mpg, 50 = 80 mph, 60 = 70 mpg, 75 = 60 mpg. This despite not even having an overdrive gear.

[rajflyboy]

I truly believe smaller is better ... especially when only 1 rider will be using the bike

2 up I like some more torque/power

[motoguy128]

I just joined the small displacement sportbike camp with a CBR300R.  Mostly because its cheap, but also because it’s fun.

I use it mostly for commuting so I’m raising the countershaft sprocket from 14T to 15T for a 7% drop in RPM in 6th.  So about 600RPM if i did my math right. Eventually will get an aftermarket windscreen, maybe some softer grips, and eventually an aftermarket rear shock, possibly rebuild the front shock.  Still puts price tag pretty low overall.

What works really well:
Relatively low pegs and high coupons, similar to a VFR, but maybe shorter reach.
Really, really light, low seat high.
Very well balanced chassis, stable, smoother, responsive
Good brakes with great feel.  Good front end feel
Super smooth gearbox, very light clutch, light throttle spring... which is good since you’ll be shifting a lot and using the full range of throttle all the time.
Very smooth for a single.  Really no more vibration than most other bikes I’ve owned.
Heat management best of any bike I’ve owned.  A little near your shins, but hardly noticeable unless its cold out.
55-70mpg depending on riding.  If you drive it like a car you can get 80mpg.
Fun as heck ripping up through 1-5 to redline without breaking speed limits.

Negatives:
70-75mph cruising is about it unless your tucked.  But honestly, that’s as fast as I normally go anyway.
Wind protection like a sportbike.
No much room for a passenger.
Luggage options similar to a sportbike.  I use a bag pack for commuting.  COuld add a rack and top case.  Might be sidecase options but would kill the looks and aerodynamics, defeats the point I think.
Not as smooth as larger tourers.
Range limited to 150-180 before your on reserve.

[Jeremy Z]

Motoguy, I just finished the first full tank on my CBR500R; 75 mpg, with mixed riding, mostly outlying suburbs. I've heard that goes down quite a bit with a 600 four.

I get the feeling you're on the slab a lot, which means the bike is wide open a lot. I bet it would do a lot better than 75 mpg on back roads and rural highways... Should be able to get up near 100 mpg.

As for the mods, a better screen is a good idea. I put the Puig "racing screen" on mine and the wind to my helmet is a LOT quieter now. It doesn't fit as well as the factory screen. I'd probably try the Givi one, if I had it to do over again.

I just joined the small displacement sportbike camp with a CBR300R.  Mostly because its cheap, but also because it’s fun.

I use it mostly for commuting so I’m raising the countershaft sprocket from 14T to 15T for a 7% drop in RPM in 6th.  So about 600RPM if i did my math right. Eventually will get an aftermarket windscreen, maybe some softer grips, and eventually an aftermarket rear shock, possibly rebuild the front shock.  Still puts price tag pretty low overall.

What works really well:
Relatively low pegs and high coupons, similar to a VFR, but maybe shorter reach.
Really, really light, low seat high.
Very well balanced chassis, stable, smoother, responsive
Good brakes with great feel.  Good front end feel
Super smooth gearbox, very light clutch, light throttle spring... which is good since you’ll be shifting a lot and using the full range of throttle all the time.
Very smooth for a single.  Really no more vibration than most other bikes I’ve owned.
Heat management best of any bike I’ve owned.  A little near your shins, but hardly noticeable unless its cold out.
55-70mpg depending on riding.  If you drive it like a car you can get 80mpg.
Fun as heck ripping up through 1-5 to redline without breaking speed limits.

Negatives:
70-75mph cruising is about it unless your tucked.  But honestly, that’s as fast as I normally go anyway.
Wind protection like a sportbike.
No much room for a passenger.
Luggage options similar to a sportbike.  I use a bag pack for commuting.  COuld add a rack and top case.  Might be sidecase options but would kill the looks and aerodynamics, defeats the point I think.
Not as smooth as larger tourers.
Range limited to 150-180 before your on reserve.

[Jeremy Z]

.... You can't really have too many bikes. 

It's nice to say, but false, for most people.

Why?

A. Purchase prices
B. Insurance costs
C. Maintenance costs
D. Maintenance time
E. Finite garage space
F. Marital happiness

[Oilhed]

It's nice to say, but false, for most people.

Why?

A. Purchase prices
B. Insurance costs
C. Maintenance costs
D. Maintenance time
E. Finite garage space
F. Marital happiness

B. Insurance costs - My insurance goes up like $20/year when I add a bike
C. Maintenance costs - maintenance is mileage based, same total miles on several bikes doesn't cost more

[motrhead]

It's nice to say, but false, for most people.

Why?

A. Purchase prices
B. Insurance costs
C. Maintenance costs
D. Maintenance time
E. Finite garage space
F. Marital happiness

 A- don't ride new...
B-only insure a couple for the season
C-see B
D ditto
E-stack them better! Yeah, this can be a limiting factor, unless you have relatives or friends that don't mind a guest or two.
F-hopefully this isn't bike dependent! Pick one that rides, or upgrade    Just kidding!!! Happy wife, happy life, I know.

 I have been eyeing up another little 550 four again. No, I don't need another bike, I just like them! Thinking about it as a commuter. I'm riding 30 miles each way, and getting about 50 Canadian MPG on my Guzzi. Thinking I could save a wee bit of gas, slow down, and save wear and tear on my tourer. We'll see.

[Oilhed]

have been eyeing up another little 550 four again. No, I don't need another bike, I just like them! Thinking about it as a commuter. I'm riding 30 miles each way, and getting about 50 Canadian MPG on my Guzzi. Thinking I could save a wee bit of gas, slow down, and save wear and tear on my tourer. We'll see.

Remember when the big Asian bike makers all had 550cc & 650cc air-cooled in-line fours?

[HipGnosis]

Remember when the big Asian bike makers all had 550cc & 650cc air-cooled in-line fours?

The coolest thing my dad ever did (that I saw) was upgrade his Topper scooter to a 'full size' 650 BSA Lightening.
Sadly, he traded it in on 650 or 750 Yamaha with electric start before I was big enough to ride (drive) the BSA.

[jay547]

I had a CB 500Four back in '78 or so. I sold it to a friend who then moved to Houston. About a year or two later, I got a call from Houston PD saying, "We have your bike. Come and get it." The guy never changed over the title. It wasn't worth me driving down there for it so I told my brother that if he went and got it, he could have it. He did.

[motrhead]

 I just passed on the opportunity to pick up a CBX550 for a good price...nice bike, but I bleed Yamaha blue, and would rather add something with a tuning fork on the tank. I sold a rough Seca 550 last year, and kind of regret it. I think I am probably going to end up with either another Seca, or a Seca II 600. My CB350 Four is turning out to be a bit more of a project than I planned, so I would like to find a small bike that is rideable sooner. I wouldn't mind playing with a Vision 550 (and I know they can be a real pain, but that engine was pretty sweet), but the small bike I *really*hope to get my hands on is a Moto Morini 3-1/2. That or an FZ400. So many great bikes out there, so little spare cash, or riding time!

[Blue is Best]

You guys and so many bikes!         I have several friends that have five bikes or more. I say they have "issues". But I also say they are handling their issues better than others that drink too much or worse!!!!!!!!

I have eyed Motor's RZ350 for years.          

[Oilhed]

I have several friends that have five bikes or more. I say they have "issues".
But I also say they are handling their issues better than others that drink too much or worse!!!!!!!!

I have eyed Motor's RZ350 for years.          

I see one on the road every so often.  One of the best looking bikes, ever.

[Blue is Best]

I see one on the road every so often.  One of the best looking bikes, ever.

    I want one of them. Bad.



Brings back the good, old days.

[Oilhed]

Brings back the good, old days.

When it was still cool to ride a small, quick bike.

Now it's gotta be 100 C.I. v-twin or liter sportbike.

[rajflyboy]

RZ 350

A very Sexy bike

[Biking Sailor]

I see one on the road every so often.  One of the best looking bikes, ever.

I have always loved the KR yellow paint scheme on those little RZ's. They are just gorgeous sport standard motorbikes. The two stroke part for me is better in memory than reality I'm afraid.