[GixxerSixxer]

If you're set on getting a sport bike then do not go over 600 cc's. You said you've got experience but that was 4 years ago. The 600's now-a-days are putting out almost as much HP as a 1000 used to.

The 600's will get you into plenty of trouble pretty easily.

How comfortable do you want to be? A sport bike wasn't made for the long haul. Especially a GSXR or R6. The GSXR has the most aggressive body position while the R6 or CBR600RR comes in second. If you don't have proper form you'll be sore.

If you want a bike that can get-up-and-go but is comfortable then a sport bike isn't the best choice. The Honda F4i is a tamer sport bike. It has a more upright body position as opposed the CBR600RR. The Yamaha FZR6 is another bike that can move but can also be used to tour a canyon road on a nice day. The SV650 is another option. Even the Suzuki Katana could be an option. It's kind of a pig but it will be in the price range and still gives 90% of cars a run for their money.

I'm more partial to recommend the SV650. I'm a Suzuki man so I'm biased. The pro's for the SV650 are:

Little amount of plastic, so if you drop it not much damage done.
V-twin engine so you don't have to spin it up as much to make power.
Insurance will be cheaper.
Parts have good volume on ebay.

 

[GixxerSixxer]

Originally posted by FatBob
I meant to mention, that I'm not a "little guy." I'm 6'2" ~230 lbs.

Should I maybe consider a bigger displacement engine? I know a 600cc can scoot me around just fine, but will I wish I got a bigger one soon? Will I just wish I got a 900cc - 1000cc?

No, the power to weight ration is plenty enough as it is. It beats almost all cars you will encounter on the road. Being a V-twin the SV-650 will have more torque in the low end too.

David Jeffries wasn't a little guy and he raced plenty of 600's.

Going with a bigger displacement won't mean you'll have more room on the bike to stretch your legs either, so don't get the SV-1000. If leg room is that much of an issue, then you can buy adjustable rear-sets.

You will get used to the acceleration in only one summer, a month if you ride it daily; however, that doesn't mean you'll really be able to ride the bike. My Grandma could sit on a bike and twist the throttle if you put an air shifter on the machine. Talk to any drag bike racer and they'd tell you they always want more too.

I'm pretty confident to say that 75% of riders couldn't ride a 250cc sportbike to it's full potential. 90% of riders couldn't ride a 600cc to it's full potential. This is in racing mind you, but the street is no where near as nice as the race track. A 250 will teach you how to maintain and carry momentum through a corner. Most guys skip learning that and just use brute force to power around corners fast.

The 2-stroke 500cc Moto GP bike is regared as the most vicious and brutal bike ever. If you can ride a GP 2-stroke you could ride anything.