Upgrade considerations for a 250 rider?

[vivek67]

Chum Creek and Myers Creek are closer and good. Bit of a loop from Healesville. Reefton is OK if you stick within your limits but its a fair ride to get there. St Andrews-Kinglake Rd is the one to avoid until you're confident. There's a good run from Kinglake West up to Yea.
You're based in the north of melb?

Hi dilligaf! Yes I am in Reservoir. I agree, getting to reefton spur without a GPS is going to be tough for me

Normally if in a cage, I'd just GPS it, but on my bike I wouldnt know where to go past Doncaster

St Andrews - Kinglake Rd, now, I was actually considering going down this road, but you're saying its a tough path? I liked this road because it looks like it has a lot of nice corners as on Google Map

Thanks again!

Marty - when do you start riding again?

[Strika]

Vivek.....you're not listening mate. Here is some perspective and please don't think i am having a crack at you as i am not. I just would like you to take some consideration of my following comments.

If you can only manage 10-15kph above the corner speed advisory signs, then a bigger bike is not what you need. Kilometres and some rider training are what you need. As a reference point, my standard practice is double it +10. Ie: 60 posted is taken at 130. While i am not suggesting you attempt this just yet, i am suggesting that you have a large ability to improve your riding prior to considering a larger bike.

As for a bigger bike running away rapidly up the Reefton spur, i can count maybe half a dozen guys on this forum who would beat me up the Reefton, me on a ninja 250 and them on a ZX6 or ZX10 or whatever they fucking like. This is not meant to be an extoling of my riding virtues more an indication that a bike does not make a rider.

The way you write tells me you lack experience. Can i encourage you to gain some....then think about a bigger bike.

As for getting to the Reefton, mate it's at our back door. When i first started riding my little 1980 model Z250 in the late 1980's, i got a map, hopped on my bike and went and found it. I was inexperienced, alone, on an old bike. Grow some fucking balls and get out there. People are not going to come hold your hand, you are a big boy now.

The kinglake national park rd up to kinglake is a far more dangerous road for motorcycles than the Reefton is. It is tighter, narrower and carries far more unobservant mums in large 4WD's running down to pick the kids up or do the shopping.

So, while i am not trying to offend you, grow up, get out riding, do some advanced rider courses and then consider buying a bigger bike. Otherwise, all we will be doing is hearing of you crashing at a much higher speed.

Once again, i am not trying to be nasty to you, just speaking in realities not fantasies.

Good luck whatever path you decide to go down.

[Strika]

Vivek.....you're not listening mate. Here is some perspective and please don't think i am having a crack at you as i am not. I just would like you to take some consideration of my following comments.

If you can only manage 10-15kph above the corner speed advisory signs, then a bigger bike is not what you need. Kilometres and some rider training are what you need. As a reference point, my standard practice is double it +10. Ie: 60 posted is taken at 130. While i am not suggesting you attempt this just yet, i am suggesting that you have a large ability to improve your riding prior to considering a larger bike.

As for a bigger bike running away rapidly up the Reefton spur, i can count maybe half a dozen guys on this forum who would beat me up the Reefton, me on a ninja 250 and them on a ZX6 or ZX10 or whatever they fucking like. This is not meant to be an extoling of my riding virtues more an indication that a bike does not make a rider.

The way you write tells me you lack experience. Can i encourage you to gain some....then think about a bigger bike.

As for getting to the Reefton, mate it's at our back door. When i first started riding my little 1980 model Z250 in the late 1980's, i got a map, hopped on my bike and went and found it. I was inexperienced, alone, on an old bike. Grow some fucking balls and get out there. People are not going to come hold your hand, you are a big boy now.

The kinglake national park rd up to kinglake is a far more dangerous road for motorcycles than the Reefton is. It is tighter, narrower and carries far more unobservant mums in large 4WD's running down to pick the kids up or do the shopping.

So, while i am not trying to offend you, grow up, get out riding, do some advanced rider courses and then consider buying a bigger bike. Otherwise, all we will be doing is hearing of you crashing at a much higher speed.

Once again, i am not trying to be nasty to you, just speaking in realities not fantasies.

Good luck whatever path you decide to go down.

[vivek67]

understand I know i am only being silly when I am talking about a bigger bike.

Considering it'll be the first time up there, at what point is the recommended turn around point? Or should I head up all the way to reefton?

[Strika]

Do the lot mate, it's only abou 40klms up and back. Or you can make a loop around Marysville-Warburton.

[dilligaf]

Healesviile is a good place to stop and decide what to do. beechworth bakery has easy bike parking.

[vivek67]

Thanks guys. Ill try and take photos from the iPhone

[vivek67]

Just looking up the map guys.

The google suggested route is to take maroondah highway upto lilydale then take warbutron highway, continuing on the same route until warburton and then continue on woods point road all the way to reefton.

Is this the recommended route?

[dilligaf]

probably the fastest but its a bit tedious. from your way try diamond creek, kangaroo ground, yarra glen, healesville, woori yallock or launching place then to warburton etc. from healesville after the spurs can reverse it to get home

[slaps999]

PS - I have a full license. I bought a 250 because I thought its a good place to start and I can upgrade later. So the decision was a choice rather than the compulsion most learners have.

Hey Vivek, Don't beat yourself up about having only a 250. I had one for years when I first started riding in 1972. I went everywhere on it (including Bathurst) with my mates on the "big" CB750's, Z900's, Guzzi's and Commandos.
The big bikes leave you behind on straights, but I was hanging off their back wheels in the bends. I think the big bikes handle a tad better these days, so it might not be that easy anymore.
For me part of riding is the state of mind, it doesn't matter what you're riding, just enjoy it, it's about being on two wheels. You can have probably just a much fun in the twisties as a big bore. Just ride within your limits, but slowly push harder as your confidence grows.
The unfortunate part of living in Reservoir is that to get to any decent twisties, you have to travel a bit, unlike out east where a few of us live. It's almost our back yard. I'm caught up for the next few weeks otherwise I would be happy to take you on a tour of our good roads out in the east. Maybe another time.

Try the Gembrook Launching Place Road. It's a good road for a quick blast and wide enough for the fast bikes to get around you.

[vivek67]

....The unfortunate part of living in Reservoir is that to get to any decent twisties, you have to travel a bit, unlike out east where a few of us live.

Agree my location is a pain but that's fine I think. I'm going to have to build stamina over time. Right now, bum starts to hurt after about 45 mins of riding. But as I continue to practice, I think that will increase over time.

I make it a point to ride everyday, even in rain and i love it

[dilligaf]

should add the traditional meeting place has been maccas in diamond creek. if you ever want someone to join you post a time that you'll be there.

[dilligaf]

....The unfortunate part of living in Reservoir is that to get to any decent twisties, you have to travel a bit, unlike out east where a few of us live.

Agree my location is a pain but that's fine I think. I'm going to have to build stamina over time. Right now, bum starts to hurt after about 45 mins of riding. But as I continue to practice, I think that will increase over time.

I make it a point to ride everyday, even in rain and i love it

I did the kinglake west to whittlesea rd today and its a good ride (fast sweepers if you like that sort of thing ) and close to you. opens up some good roads once you get to kinglake.

[vivek67]

Hi mate,

wow what a coincidence.
I did a similar run too. Myself and 2 mates(one with a 250 and one with a zx10r) went to Kinglake through st andrews and finished at kinglake west. Turned around at kinglake west at the end of the road and went back down hill back to Reservoir Here are pictures!

I think I enjoyed the run from Diamond creek all the way to kinglake. I now understand my 250 is capable of doing most things I want to do. On the way up I was super cautious with my cornering with Marty's advice ringing in my head

Doing advanced riding training this saturday and going to HART on April 12th

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[Strika]

That's the spirit Vivek. Great to see you out doing kilometres and learning from the experience. This is some of the best rider training you can get. Mate, so dissapoitning to see how many great roads you went within kilomtetres of and didn't do. You've so much gotta try n get a day pass to do the loop a few suggested. It's nice.