Time for a new bike?

[Fox]

8 months and 2,500 miles ago I purchased my first motorcycle, a 05 620. I have been riding regularly and I am getting more confident and capable on my bike. I have been riding with two superbike school instructors lately and one recently said."I am one of the most conservative people around, but you have outgrown your bike. It's time to upgrade." I am not entirely sure I agree as I still have a good bit to learn in the corners and smoothing out my shifting. That being said I have been thinking about what to upgrade to when the time comes. I'm not much of a fan of the new monster, even though I thought I liked it at first. I rode a hypermotard the other weekend and I loved it, but it's ugly. I know, I know you can't see the bike while you are riding it but I really want to lust after the bike I ride and it does not do it for me. I really like the Sport Classic 1000 S, particularly in red. I am aware that it is uncomfortable, but it is amazing to look at. I would suffer with a sore back and sore wrists just to be able to call it mine and I'm not getting any younger. Any suggestions or comments on suggestions on what my next bike should be and at what point should I consider an upgrade.

[Munch]

Guess you have to ask yourself, what is it about your 620 you dislike?

Be honest, if it's nothing, then ride it another year.

Jumping to a larger bike for more power might be too soon, but only you can answer that...

[Popeye the Sailor]

Maybe he was calling you fat when he said you outgrew your bike 


That aside, 2,500 miles? I seriously doubt you are ready to upgrade. Even if you can ride the bike to its full capability, you have not yet spent enough time on the street to be prepared for all of the dumbmake the beast with two backsery that has yet to come your way. I would say you're still learning, and continuing to learn more, while on a faster bike, will not necessarily be conducive.


That also aside, it's more fun to ride a slow bike fast, than a fast bike slow. I'd stick with the 620 and keep your license 

[Fox]

Maybe he was calling you fat when he said you outgrew your bike 


That aside, 2,500 miles? I seriously doubt you are ready to upgrade. Even if you can ride the bike to its full capability, you have not yet spent enough time on the street to be prepared for all of the dumbmake the beast with two backsery that has yet to come your way. I would say you're still learning, and continuing to learn more, while on a faster bike, will not necessarily be conducive.


That also aside, it's more fun to ride a slow bike fast, than a fast bike slow. I'd stick with the 620 and keep your license 

Strong words coming from someone selling a S4R.

[Popeye the Sailor]

It means I'm standing behind my statement of saying it's more fun to ride a slow bike fast. I'm going to be on a 63 horsepower Honda once the duc is gone.

[erik822]

It's very simple: If you don't think you need a new bike, then you don't.

I think a lot of people believe that as you get more experienced, you need a bigger bike. What for? Do you need a bike that leans more in corners? Get rearset pegs and/or high pipes. Do you want a bike that accelerates quicker? Put a 14t sprocket on the front. Do you feel like it's a little soft in the corners? Get the suspension reworked. If you want a higher top speed (130ish isn't enough?) then, yes you need a bigger motor.

It's not about the size of the bike, it's the size of the grin that counts.

[mmakay]

I'd be curious to know what about your bike this guy thinks you've outgrown. 

[Fox]

I'd be curious to know what about your bike this guy thinks you've outgrown. 

I'm scraping the pedals and kick stand frequently when I ride (90% of my riding is in the twisties) and I have a tough time keeping up with them in the straights. He also thinks the suspension is too soft for the riding we do, but what the heck do I know.

[Popeye the Sailor]

I'm scraping the pedals and kick stand frequently when I ride (90% of my riding is in the twisties) and I have a tough time keeping up with them in the straights. He also thinks the suspension is too soft for the riding we do, but what the heck do I know.

Depends on what you're looking at for a bigger bike. Most ducs you would find would be too soft out of the box.


As far as scraping-are you hanging off the bike?

[DucofWestwood]

just wanted to let you know that you are not alone.  our experiences are almost identical.  i bought my first bike ~ 6 months ago - an '03 M620 - and haven't put as many miles on it as you, but have ridden to work in city traffic virtually every day.  i love my bike, but my issue is mainly one of acceleration ... i'd like to be able to out-run almost any car on the road (not for race purposes, just to accelerate away from traffic), and i'm sick of being dusted by triumph's off the line (bad for the ducati image). 

anyway, i was going to write a posting similar to yours but i figured i'd get a lot of similar responses a la "keep riding it for a while, you're not ready yet".  there's some merit to those i suppose.  i found erik822's response to be quite useful ... i'm gonna look into the sprocket upgrade.

anyway, like i said, just wanted to let you know you're not the only one in this situation!

[sbrguy]

i'm the same as you been wanting to upgrade the 620 for months but can't bc its such an "easy" bike to deal with, the maint is relatively easy, its a start up and go bike, no real worries with warmup or such, its great for commuting with saddlebags, great for everyday riding, good all aroud bike that is fun but not overly scary.

i would stay with it for a while longer, dont' worry the 90hp and above bikes will be there in a few months and years ahead they arent' going anywhere.

[Fox]

Depends on what you're looking at for a bigger bike. Most ducs you would find would be too soft out of the box.


As far as scraping-are you hanging off the bike?

I'm not hanging off the bike as much as I should, and that's something I need to work more on.

[El Matador]

I'm not hanging off the bike as much as I should, and that's something I need to work more on.

Go to a track school. You'll realize you're more than fine on the street with what you have. Maybe get some pipes and a 14t sprocket on it.

[Fox]

just wanted to let you know that you are not alone.  our experiences are almost identical.  i bought my first bike ~ 6 months ago - an '03 M620 - and haven't put as many miles on it as you, but have ridden to work in city traffic virtually every day.  i love my bike, but my issue is mainly one of acceleration ... i'd like to be able to out-run almost any car on the road (not for race purposes, just to accelerate away from traffic), and i'm sick of being dusted by triumph's off the line (bad for the ducati image). 

anyway, i was going to write a posting similar to yours but i figured i'd get a lot of similar responses a la "keep riding it for a while, you're not ready yet".  there's some merit to those i suppose.  i found erik822's response to be quite useful ... i'm gonna look into the sprocket upgrade.

anyway, like i said, just wanted to let you know you're not the only one in this situation!

Thanks, I appreciate the post.

I am also skeptical of lifting the pipes, putting new resets and rebuilding/replacing the suspension because at the end of the day it's a 620 and I'll never get the money out of it. It makes more sense financially to buy a better bike than dump money into a bike that will continue to have the same value regardless of the number of modifications.

I'l probably just stick with the 620 for a while until I feel it is significantly limiting my riding style.

[Fox]

Go to a track school. You'll realize you're more than fine on the street with what you have. Maybe get some pipes and a 14t sprocket on it.

Not a bad suggestion.