Hey Y'all, is it true what they say????

I want to REALLY understand the difference that 300 pounds of machine makes for a rider of my size besides my narrow ability to pick a bigger bike up if I drop it.

PS>>> anyone have any words of wisdom about carrying guitars on the bike???

xo
Betsy  

Betsy, a 250 isn't much machine for the highways and byways. When you get out there with the big boys you need something with some serious torque and some good brakes. If you have been cutting your teeth on that Virago for awhile then it's time to step up to something bigger. At 5'5" there are plenty of bikes out there that will fit the bill. Don't worry about being able to pick it up. Heck plenty of guys out there need help when they drop their bike. I say go for it. Just keep that boy in mind and ride safe.  

Thanks for the encouragement Cmoore.

Okay, so am I going for weight or power (or both)?

Here's why I'm confused...

I can get performance out of a smaller machine that physically bigger people can't, yet the bike and I are apparently not heavy enough to keep from getting blown around on the highway. I'm confused because there are machines out there that have superhero power but weigh only between one and two hundred pounds more than a 250. Then there are super heavy bikes that still have smaller enines (5-600cc)....

I just don't know how to go up. I'm not a speed demon or a show-off, and I don't have any friends who are riders to hold my hand. I surely don't want to let a dealer make my decisions for me either.

Thanks a bunch!  

Betsy, it sounds like you are looking for a bike with a fairing to help handle the wind. I'm 5'10" and weight 140 lbs. My bike is an '02 Kawasaki Concours. It weighs in at about 650 lbs. wet. Kind of a pig but you get used to it. It was unstable behind the big rigs in dirty air until I changed to straight rate springs up front.  Personally I would not hesitate to ride on the highways with many of the 600's that are available. They are darn fast and have good brakes. The bikes suspension and a fairing/windsheild  are what I would be paying attention to. Weight? I say the less weight the better.  Hopefully others will chime in here for you.  Good luck.  

well, here goes my thoughts, first off I play bass and I just strap it on my back and let the neck hang but I dont care about nicks and dings, you could put the body in a back pack and let the neck stick up, just dont get off the bike and try walkin in a doorway
next, you need weight for stability against wind from trucks and nature. Even if you are not a speed demon you need power to escape danger. I'mm 5' 10"/ 175lbs and I ride a suzuki katana 600 plenty of power for solo riding. Don't let anyone convince you to buy something you aren't sure you want. As far as picking it up, it isn't so much the weight as much as awkwardness, a bike with a high center of weight is going to be harder to pick up than one with a low center of weight.
Oooops, out of time, gotta go, hope this helps!