If the bike is for all weather commuting, best get something with ABS. No ABS is fine when we are doing 10/10 riding.

When commuting, we often go into autopilot mode. Sudden traffic condition changes may catch us off guard.

Perhaps look into a z650 or ninja 650 (if you want a fully faired "sport bike"). The later models have ABS and the ninja has a fairly comfortable riding position for commuting. Both can be had for about 20-24k used for a fairly recent bike. Yes, it's not as hardcore nor exciting as the pure supersport 636 but, for the budget, comfort, reliability and power, tough to do better.

The torque from the 650 will be a noticable upgrade to your 250. It's a naked dressed up as a sports bike.the engine is tuned for mid range power so it works well for commuting.

On top of that the z/ninja has a fairly low seat height, and low centre of gravity, which would work well for your stature. Plus, it has plenty of accesories in the market if you choose to make a sports touring bike out of it.

The ninja was one of my considered bike, before I decided to get a new NK800. .....those that know my toubles with the NK, would probably agree I would have been served better by the ninja

This post has been edited by jaycee1: Feb 18 2024, 07:47 AM

No engine benefits from back pressure. Even 2 strokes. But I get where you are coming from. The expansion chamber is a tuned pipe to channel exhaust pulses to the combustion charge from flowing out too easily, the opposite of scavenging for a 4 stroke.

But its easy to make the mistake putting on a too free flowing exhaust and sacrificing exhaust velocity. Which is why the S/U midpipes are there for, the longer running length exhaust promotes or maintains exhaust velocity.

Symptoms of a reduction in exhaust velocity is poorer scavenging leading to less efficient burn and a possible noticeable drop in engine response and torque.

Just know that exhaust systems diameter, design and lenghts are "tuned" by the manufacturer to give a particular powerband. Changing such will also change the powerband and may run afoul of the stock tuning.

Yes. That.


Euro 5 and 6 to blame. Which is also why the NK's stock exhaust sound is so good. They probably DGAF on EU noise regulations.