Enjoying motorcycle season?

Whitese · « **Reply #20 on:** 24 Jun 2007, 02:54 am »

only pocket rocket I am allowed..no crotch rocket yet..

Bob in St. Louis · « **Reply #21 on:** 24 Jun 2007, 06:12 pm »

Eric, nice helmet, even nicer bike!!
You are hereby welcome at my house anytime. Just promise to bring your friends. aa

Bob

Ryan45872 · « **Reply #22 on:** 24 Jun 2007, 08:24 pm »

Quote from: Whitese on 24 Jun 2007, 02:54 am

only pocket rocket I am allowed..no crotch rocket yet..

nice!

doug s. · « **Reply #23 on:** 25 Jun 2007, 01:17 pm »

my non-cage rides:

doug s.

mcgsxr · « **Reply #24 on:** 25 Jun 2007, 01:24 pm »

Great link, ought to be shown in every rider course given. Honestly.

Old fart? Not that old yet, turning 37 next week. But have spent enough time on sportbikes to know that full everything is still not enough when the rubber side goes up...

Spent 2 years on the tracks in Taiwan (the oldest, whitest, slowest fat guy on an RS125 you ever saw!) and came to have much respect for leathers, and armour etc. I still have the old school Kenny Roberts replica Shoei (as in SNR, not JR) helmet in the basement, and the leathers hung up too.

18+ bikes in 12 years, spent many hours building up 7/11 Suzuki's (that would be the 1100cc motor in the 750 frame, for all y'all noob Suzi builders!) and loved creating my own version of what eventually became the Bandit.

My best friend had a bad accident around 7 years ago, and had the last of the surgeries recently. He head on ran into a minivan on a local twisty sideroad. Being 6'8, he totalled the van, and broke many things - femur, pelvis, wrist, shin etc. Thankfully, was in his brand new (as in put on for the first time ever that day) leathers, and helmet etc, and with much rehab, and several rounds of cosmetic surgery for scar tissue, is very very well today.

Kind of broke my heart for street riding, though I still get out on occasion on my brother's BMW K100RS. Tried dirt riding, but the lack of traction, and odd dynamics were too much for me.

IF I could get back into it, there is no question, I would be out on a Supermotard, I think they are wonderful examples of performance bikes, that focus on what I loved best - acceleration, cornering and braking, vs outright speed.

Be safe out there kids, wonderful toys, and tons of fun, just make sure your brain is still attached to your right hand, when having all that fun. Folks in those big metal boxes don't have a clue what your ride is capable of, and are mostly unaware of your existence period!

mcgsxr · « **Reply #25 on:** 25 Jun 2007, 01:26 pm »

Basically spent hours and some $$, turning bikes like these.

Into bikes like these.

Daygloworange · « **Reply #26 on:** 25 Jun 2007, 05:01 pm »

I also can't stress enough the importance of wearing gear. I've been a motocrosser since I was a kid. Always wore gear. Boots, pants, helmet, gloves, chest protector. As such, have had fewer injuries(spills are inevitable).

As luck (bad luck that is) would have it. 2 years ago a buddy of mine came across a sweet deal on a Honda CR 250. It was in pristine condition, as it had been mostly in storage. He got it and started taking it apart and cleaning it all up. The bike wouldn't start, so I took the carb off and brought it back to my shop and took it apart and cleaned all the varnished gas out of all the passages and brought it back. Bike started fine. A couple of days later he called to say the bike would start but didn't want to idle for long, and would be a bear to start again.

So I went over to check it out. I started the bike and decided the best thing was to ride it for a while and then change to a fresh plug and see what happens. So I got on the thing and started zipping up and down the parking lot where our shops are located. We have a straight strip of pavement about an 1/8 of a mile long that I was zipping up and down. I was pretty much just taking it easy as the bike was warming up, as 2 strokes tend to sputter and miss when they are cold. Then as the bike warmed up it really started to come on strong.
On my last run at full song I went to jump on the binders, and found out the hard way, that the back brake was improperly bled. I was headed for the concrete curb which had a wooden fence after it in 3 rd gear at full pipe. I locked the front wheel a couple of times trying to get the bike slowed down till I finally had no choice but to lay it over.
I went into a vicious barrel roll and ended up with a badly lacerated knee, skinned hands and elbows and a badly bruised foot. My knee was the worst. I didn't think I would ever walk normal again. I was lucky as I recovered completely.

The worst part of all this was that I wasn't even wearing a helmet, as I was just riding around to tune on the bike. At the speed I was travelling, if I would have hit my head on the pavement, I wouldn't be here today.

I consider myself very,very lucky. It was the one time that I rode without gear, and had one of the worst mishaps ever.

Be careful guys, s**t happens in an instant, and could cost you dearly.

Cheers

warnerwh · « **Reply #27 on:** 25 Jun 2007, 07:52 pm »

I don't know about you guys but I think there should be a rider test on 600cc plus race bikes that proves the person is capable of handling it. Apparently all the 600s these days do the quarter in the 10 sec range. That's very fast. I can't imagine one of the 1100s. Being honest I'd say I would be very afraid of it. This is coming from a guy who has significant track time at a road coarse and has owned Corvettes, Mustang GTs, Z28s.

A 600 would take me a while to adjust to the power band. Hitting corners I suspect would be a blast quickly though. I am glad to see you guys are very concerned about safety.

weirdo · « **Reply #28 on:** 25 Jun 2007, 08:02 pm »

I'm not enjoying a damn thing about this motorcycle season. Bunch of god forsaken noise generators. Sundays used to be relatively quiet around our house. Now its an endless parade of loud-ass harleys driven by overweight dentists. I would be repeatedly ticketed if my car was as loud as 75% of the bikes out there. I don't have a problem with the quantity of bikes, just the noise. Are people de-tuning these things after purchasing them? Sounding like my dad more and more every day, but give me a break with the noise already.

eric the red · « **Reply #29 on:** 25 Jun 2007, 08:15 pm »

Quote from: warnerwh on 25 Jun 2007, 07:52 pm

I don't know about you guys but I think there should be a rider test on 600cc plus race bikes that proves the person is capable of handling it. Apparently all the 600s these days do the quarter in the 10 sec range. That's very fast. I can't imagine one of the 1100s. Being honest I'd say I would be very afraid of it. This is coming from a guy who has significant track time at a road coarse and has owned Corvettes, Mustang GTs, Z28s.

A 600 would take me a while to adjust to the power band. Hitting corners I suspect would be a blast quickly though. I am glad to see you guys are very concerned about safety.

The '06 R6 hit's 60 mph in @ 3.4 seconds. Most liter bikes like the big GSXR 1000 redline at about 100 mph in FIRST gear. A lot of the new 600s have a power band consistent with their 16,500 rpm motors. The specs on current bikes would have been up there with race bikes ten years ago I'm guessing. Modern 600s are more than a handful for many new riders as evidenced in the Cycle Trader ads for them 'Complete with all riding gear'.
http://www.sportrider.com/bikes/146_performance_numbers/index10.html

Whitese · « **Reply #30 on:** 25 Jun 2007, 08:20 pm »

We have a billion Harley drivers come thru Douglas...I guess on their way to FL.....I appreciate the bikes, but I have to agree with the noise...whats enjoyable about a swarm of bikes that sound like gassy elephants...after 10' its a pest.

James Romeyn · « **Reply #31 on:** 26 Jun 2007, 03:46 am »

Sure enjoyed seeing the AMA Superbike Race yesterday in Toole UT at Miller Motorsports Park 1/2 hour west of SLC. Spies is the smoothest I've seen on an almost 400 lb 220 hp two-wheeler. At each exit of the L hander at the track's E corner you could literally see how much smoother he was going from full lean to full tuck, & how much earlier on the track his throttle was wicked vs. the other riders... I don't think he varies his braking point more than about 3" at 120mph approaching that turn. He's the real deal...maybe/hopefully Suzuki's best hope for another Grand Prix (now MotoGP) championship. I want him either at Suzuki or Ducati. Nothing personal against Honda, maker of some of the best bikes, but I won't shed a tear if they never win another race.

Will probably wait for either the KTM 690 Adventure or BMW F800GS for my next bike, neither of which have yet materialized...

chgolatin2 · « **Reply #32 on:** 27 Jun 2007, 11:07 pm »

I have my harley and I hardlly ride it due to all the freaking issues she has. Tired of it, tired! Oh well I never had an issue with Japanese bikes but thats what I get for getting me the "American" bike. I wish they were more reliable but then again I purchase a used one..

Now I am trying to sell it to get me into something different.

James Romeyn · « **Reply #33 on:** 27 Jun 2007, 11:17 pm »

It's not an "AMF" vintage is it? What year? My buddy who worked for HD has nothing but horror stories.

Thebiker · « **Reply #34 on:** 29 Jun 2007, 12:36 pm »

I'm on my second Harley Electroglide (FLHT in Harley-speak) and both have been great although the second one is only a few months old. Couldn't resist the 96 cu.in. engine with the six-speed tranny on the 2007.

My '04 as well as the '07 are both fuel injected and both start and run without any issues. And frankly, nothing else handles as easily as these bad boys and I have owned a lot of bikes, from Brits to Japs to Beemers in the 35 years I've been riding.

Back in the bad old AMF days, it was quantity at the expense of quality

(sounds familiar), but what do you expect from a company whose product line includes bowling lanes, pins and balls?

Anyone who climbs onto a motorcycle in shorts and sandals or flip-flops is asking to get hurt. I'd say it's common sense, but sense just isn't common

.

eric the red · « **Reply #35 on:** 1 Jul 2007, 05:43 am »

I just sold my Superhawk and bought a 2000 Kawasaki KLR 650 today

http://www.motorcycledaily.com/15december02kawasakiklr650.html
I plan on doing a lot of back road touring here in Oregon as I usually have a week off in between road trips for my job. Have to fly to Fresno to pick it up then ride it home.

Ten Reasons Why Harley Riders Don't Wave Back

10. Afraid it will invalidate warranty.
9. Leather and studs make it too hard to raise arm.
8. Refuses to wave to anyone whose bike is already paid for.
7. Afraid to let go of handlebars because they might vibrate
off.
6. Rushing wind would blow scabs off the new tattoos.
5. Angry because just took out second mortgage to pay luxury tax
on new Harley.
4. Just discovered the fine print in owner's manual and realized
H-D is partially owned by Honda.
3. Can't tell if other riders are waving or just reaching to
cover their ears like everyone else.
2. Remembers the last time a Harley rider waved back, he impaled
his hand on spiked helmet.
1. They're jealous that after spending $30,000, they still don't
own a Gold Wing.

Top Ten Reasons Why Gold Wing Riders Don't Wave Back

10. Wasn't sure whether other rider was waving or making an
obscene gesture.
9. Afraid might get frostbite if hand is removed from heated
grip.
8. Has arthritis and the past 400 miles have made it difficult
to raise arm.
7. Reflection from etched windshield momentarily blinded him.
6. The espresso machine just finished.
5. Was actually asleep when other rider waved.
4. Was in a three-way conference call with stockbroker and
accessories dealer.
3. Was distracted by odd shaped blip on radar screen.
2. Was simultaneously adjusting the air suspension, seat height,
programmable CD player, seat temperature and satellite navigation
system.
1. Couldn't find the "auto wave back" button on dashboard.

Top Ten Reasons Why Dual Sport Riders Don't Wave Back

10. Vibration of knobby tires prevented the rider from taking
his hand off the bars.
9. MX style safety gear was too bright to see you wave.
8. His front fender prevents you seeing him wave back.
7. Was too busy configuring his GPS/Enduro Roll/FishFinder.
6. His rain/wind/thorn/bug/bird proof thousand-dollar jacket
won't allow it.
5. Was too busy re-arranging his 500 pounds of soft-sided
luggage.
4. Doesn't recognize a wave in any language other than German.
3. Too busy splitting lanes/filtering through traffic.
2. One handed wheelies are not easy.
1. On single-track trails you stop, not wave.

Top Ten Reasons Why Sport Bike Riders Don't Wave Back

10. They have not been riding long enough to know they are
supposed to.
9. If they took one hand off the bars they would break their
teeth.
8. They look way too cool with both hands on the bars.
7. It's hard to put their hand in the air doing 175.
6. Their skin tight-kevlar-balistic-nylon-goose-leather suits
prevent any position other than fetal.
5. One handed stoppies are ill advised.
4. They are waving, but you can't see it behind the neon green
speed screen.
3. They were slipping their flip-flop back on.
2. Raising an arm allows bugs into the armholes of their tank
tops.
1. They don't know how.

Whitese · « **Reply #36 on:** 1 Jul 2007, 12:04 pm »

6. Their skin tight-kevlar-balistic-nylon-goose-leather suits
prevent any position other than fetal.
5. One handed stoppies are ill advised.
4. They are waving, but you can't see it behind the neon green
speed screen.
3. They were slipping their flip-flop back on.
2. Raising an arm allows bugs into the armholes of their tank
tops.
1. They don't know how.

LOL!

Nels Ferre · « **Reply #37 on:** 1 Jul 2007, 03:50 pm »

Quote from: chgolatin2 on 27 Jun 2007, 11:07 pm

I have my harley and I hardlly ride it due to all the freaking issues she has. Tired of it, tired! Oh well I never had an issue with Japanese bikes but thats what I get for getting me the "American" bike. I wish they were more reliable but then again I purchase a used one..

Now I am trying to sell it to get me into something different.

I feel your pain. I had a Triumph that I loved, but It loved going back to the dealer...all the time.

I have a Suzuki now, which, reliability wise, has been faultless. It handles better, has a lower center of gravity, etc etc....but I still miss the Triumph.

I can pretty much guarantee I'll never buy a Harley (the local dealer insulted me and pissed me off.) For American made, the Victorys look nice.

macrojack · « **Reply #38 on:** 1 Jul 2007, 06:21 pm »

I agree. Harley is all about noise and pretension. It's an inferior product with an undeserved reputation.
I don't like motorcycles either.

doug s. · « **Reply #39 on:** 1 Jul 2007, 06:33 pm »

if you don't like motorcycles, then you are not in a position to comment, imho. it's kinda like someone not into listening to reproduced music, commenting on audio equipment.

i am not particularly fond of harley's myself, but it has nothing to do w/quality. the present quality of hd product is up there w/the best. for me, it's yust that i do not really care for cruisers. but, if i wanted a cruiser to add to my collection, a hd road king would be at the top of my list. re: the noise issue, hd's are extremely quiet from the factory. what some owners do w/the exhaust is another story; i also don't like when the hd's are used w/straight pipes...

ymmv,

doug s.

Quote from: macrojack on 1 Jul 2007, 06:21 pm

I agree. Harley is all about noise and pretension. It's an inferior product with an undeserved reputation.
I don't like motorcycles either.