And yet there are loads of mediocre riders who have been at it for years, decades (twenty years of doing the same thing). So while I can't imagine for a second that moving to a SS in year two is wise, hua96's training and diligence will get him there eventually. The reddit articles he links are by two riders who 'upgraded': one had five years' experience and the other 32000kms. So hua96--hang on a bit. The CBR500R is probably a good bet. I am on the CB500X in my third year and for my riding 500cc is fine. The next bike is not an upgrade but an addition: CFR250L, DRZ400S, TW250R...you see where I want to go. Not faster, just much more difficult. For speed next year I will try Racer5, on their bikes, on the track. So, er, 125cc.