vehicular

iTrader: (3)

???

turbofan

iTrader: (1)

Long story short: I was nearly killed on my street bike Halloween night 2011 (not my fault). After seeing what it put my wife through, she and I decided that I need to stay off motorcycles except in a controlled environment. A wacky turbo Miata is the next closest thing, but I am currently without a Miata and will likely be without one for a few more years. So even though I enjoy my V8 pig, I has a sad because no Miata.

/threadjack

Landrew

iTrader: (2)

That's my issue as well to and extent. I loved the time I had on an R1 one summer but it was so easy to go so fast so quickly. To many people to watch out for. I decided that instead of a street bike put that money into building a faster Miata.

I still dirt bike and love it. Out there on the trails/tracks generally you are the one to cause an accident, 99% of the time you are not worried about other drivers and traffic. You can wheelie, jump, hoon all you want and there are no laws to say other wise.

turbofan

iTrader: (1)

Yeah, the speed if impressive. Unfortunately mine happened while stopped at a stoplight. Old guy didn't even see me. It was after a really aggressive canyon ride. Go figure, right?

Yeah, I still ride trials (not trail) bikes when I can. But it's hard for me because I don't get many days off work. It's difficult to take an entire day just to go find a place to ride. Street bikes were awesome because the fuel savings made half the bike payment (or more) and I got to enjoy it every day.

I miss the dirt bikes too though. Shattered my ankle on one back in '05 and haven't been allowed on them since

Fireindc

iTrader: (13)

So you've had this bike how long? Was that the first time you went WOT with it? Dude, I mean zero offense when I say this, but I think that bike is a little too much for you right now. And I'm not just saying that because of the above quote, that's only part of it. You'd probably be 10x better off getting a nice lightweight sv650,xb9 or something and REALLY riding it. The sv650 you could wot and row it through the gears more, toss it into corners harder (sub 400lb weight), you get a choice of nekked or fully faired, you get tons of upgrade options if you so choose, etc.

Once you experience a nice lightweight bike, you will never go back to a pig. Think of it as a miata vs 350z or something.


I became a good rider on my ninja 500, then was able to become a better rider when I upgraded to the Buell. If I would have started out on the Buell, I can pretty much guarantee I would have hurt myself. And the xb12 at this altitude is certainly going to be slower than your bike at or near sea level.

Any 1000cc superbike is too fast for the street. Even most 600 supersports are too fast to really enjoy on the streets, unless you are talking all open highways and whatnot.

What's funny is that I street and canyon carve my bike all the time, and I feel dirt is the dangerous thing for me. I mean with a modern dirtbike you can ride some crazy ****. I surely would be tempted to send myself on a dirtbike, which scares me. I know if i get one (which i do plan on) I just have to tell myself to hold back a bit and chill out. Even as a kid on my dirtbike i was crazy.

turbofan

iTrader: (1)

That's why I loved the Buells. They were fast, but they weren't totally insane fast. they were fun at legal speeds because torque.

Perfect beginner bike for someone who isn't a ham: SV650. Perfect beginner bike for someone who isn't a ham, wants something unique, and is willing to hunt for parts: XB9/12. It was my first street bike and it was perfect for me.

NastyNate

iTrader: (1)

My Z1000 isn't ludicrous fast, well maybe a bit, but it's extremely streetable. This is from a guy that said I would never own a liter bike. The z1000 is actually my 3rd bike over 7 years. Now my buddies R1, on the other hand, I won't touch. You look at the throttle and that thing revs to the moon.

Erat

iTrader: (5)

I've had it for the summer.

But you have to remember that when i went for the ride, it was about 40F out. Even with my efforts to warm up the tires, they it still spun. I'll admit i haven't gone wide open in first yet, but normally second will never spin the tires. FWIW, i think i've maybe only went wot once or twice in the miata in first...

Meeners

iTrader: (1)

Been riding and doing track days a number of years.

Fireindc

iTrader: (13)

I see. Just seems like you would have more fun on something that you could row it through the gears a bit more. I rode by buddies geared gsxr, thing did almost 90 in first gear. wtf, it was terrible for the street.

Fireindc

iTrader: (13)

Agreed, although even an xb9 is going to **** on the sv power wise. Xb9's make around ~80whp.

I'm a fairly experienced street rider at this point, and at least where I live. I don't want anything faster than my xb12. I have plans to go higher compression and big bore kits on it down the road, but not until i wear out the top end a bit more. It's still sub 10k miles.

I can flog it through 1-4 and only be going a little north of ~100 mph. It kicks through the gears fast though, so lots of shifting. Power wheelies in 1st/2nd, but only if you want it to. In most of the canyons you can just keep it in 5th and have plenty of power to pull out of turns due to dat torque. Light, flickable, low CG etc. Plenty of low end to take the GF on it as well. When time comes to rebuild, its dirt cheap. I can get the high compression 1250cc bolt on kit, which includes forged high comp pistons, jugs matched to the cylinders, and all the hardware/gaskets I need to reassemble. If your crazy there are monster 1450cc kits for em, and you can make 120+whp pretty easily.

Erat

iTrader: (5)

I want a supermoto but they're so expensive and i can't be bothered to do all the proper modifications to make them streetable. One of those is more practical to me as i don't much ride on the highway, but can if needed. They're smaller and more fun i'm assuming.

Fireindc

iTrader: (13)

DRz400's are neat, although a little underpowered. Still a blast though, and that's really what matters.

Meeners

iTrader: (1)

DO IT... In my opinion of the 7 bikes I've owned, it is the most fun and practical for commuting. The only drawback is having a passenger for longer distances. It can be done... but it's not desirable. Sport bikes are great for track days, but in my opinion, they have no place on the street. They aren't fun unless you are railing them, which is dangerous.

You can do it cheap on the supermoto TIP though. Big Bore XR, and even rarer is the MZ 660. DRZ's are great too. I'm a bigger dude though (205lb) and torque is important to me. Plus there is nothing like the sound of a big single piston brappin' down the street.

Here's my Baghira. It's actually for sale now. BEST street bike I've owned in my LIFE. 660cc, 50hp/50ft-lb... Believe me. it's plenty. I've left plenty of sportbikes in my dust carving. VERY forgiving bikes man. It's priced under $3000, prob will sell for less, hopefully.


pulls up easier than most sport bikes...


Second most fun is an upright position Sport. Bikes that fall in this category are like Fz6's or Z1000's. Right now I ride an Aprilia Tuono. Vtwin's are most ideal IMO. These bikes are decently fun on the street and good for commuting, but still not as fun as an ENDURO or supermoto. They are straight HOOLIGAN bikes if you like that sort of stuff, but it can get you into trouble with the cops because they still look like and ride like sport bikes. They surely don't sound like them though...



Losing my FKNG tail piece leading a group ride :(


Now I rock the 250 KTM 2 stroke for mini track stuff when I want to get my fast out. Best money spent on two wheels. You can crash the **** out of it, and not have to worry about dying, hitting dogs, gravel, etc. It teaches you how to actually ride as well. I built this over the last two years or so. It is now street legal too.

Here's a vid of my friend following












Got to ride some Track Days for a minute, found out a 600rr is not for me... I'm too big on it.







Bought an old KTM300 and sumo converted it for the track back when I was interested in Supermoto. Best decision I ever made. I joined a local race league, but blew it up before I could ever do any real races... I did a TON of practice at the local kart track though. Again, have to reiterate. BEST MONEY SPENT on two wheels.


Had a Zx7r for a while... fav carbed bike, just elec sucked


Second bike was a yzf600r cause I still had the yamaha kick


First street bike ever was an fzr 600r I fixed up. Loved this piece of crap.

Fireindc

iTrader: (13)

^ that guy can ride. Dat lean angle. LOVE the SM, always wanted one - i just couldn't see dropping the XB for one.. and that is what I'd have to do. Think I'm going dirt for my next MC purchase.

I sure see how a SM would leave most 600's in the dust come a good canyon. That is how the buell it, it's hilarious. Sure, i get blown away in the straights after 100mph, but come corners its all rider skill and bike capabilities.

Fireindc

iTrader: (13)

On a side note, I got to do this:

This:

And this:

All in the same week. I really love cross over season. About to put the bike(s) up for the winter and focus on my riding (snowboarding). Yum.

Meeners

iTrader: (1)

OMG, that's nothing dude... I'm not nearly as good of a rider than some of my counterparts. Those guys are nuts on the track.

Buell!!!!! That firebolt is an awesome rig! I'm still in love with the non faired version... but have you seen the Ulysses? That might be right down your alley for a decent adventure. I was really in the market for one but found the Tuono for a song, I missed out on a few Mille's but I don't regret the Tuono one bit. It's a freekin bear though.

Fireindc

iTrader: (13)

You seem to have great form none the less, you look especially at home on your SM kicking out a leg. LOVE that aprillia though, what year is it? What's that thing weigh? Can't be too heavy, lol.

As for the Buells, my brother has the non faired one (lightning), I have a really long torso/arms being over 6" and on a super small wheelbase bike I need the clipons to fit right. The upright bars make me feel like i'm riding a sportster, lol.



Both bikes have changed quite a bit from the pics, I'll have to get some up to date ones. My brothers has some renthal low rise bars on it now, the ulysses style front fender, and handguards. Mine has a proper front fender on it, some sweet adjustable shorty levers, an actual front fender, bar end mirrors w/ fairing mirrors removed.

turbofan

iTrader: (1)

You're killing me. Those Buells are seriously the perfect street bike. Two up you'll waste any 600 because torque. Tight roads, same deal unless you're up against a pro.

Just awesome. So much character too. Just great, great bikes. And so damn cheap!

Meeners

iTrader: (1)

I hear you to the TEE! the Aprilia is such a great bike, but from the factory the base model sach shock sucks ***, damping too soft, and spring way too soft... So the solution is the ohlins. It is a 2004 Base non Race Model. So far it is a great bike. It's a pretty heavy italian though I like heavy bikes. All that light small bike sh*t is for the birds. Big Guy Big bike dammit! (Just jealous I look like smokey the bear riding a micromachine on them small sport bikes). The Tuono weighs 400# plus. It's a 1000 twin however... and if anyone think they can yam the throttle and the front not come up even with stock gearing they are NUTS. I'm on the same page though about having higher bars on it. It's a little too high and far away to get comfy. Supermoto is okay being high like that because they are a little closer and you sit more forward. Pushing down on the bars is more natural. If I push down on the bars with the Tuono it's a little too much effort and doesn't feel right. It is comfy though.

I'd love to ride a firebolt one of these days... I love how simple the xb series is. TORQUE!

Overall, I'm a twin and single lover. I can say I will probably never own another in-line bike on the street.


Especially now. I like that they have a good following. Nobody will ever let the Buell bikes die. I am actually a sucker for the S series, but I kind of have a problem with leaving my bike running on the kickstand and finding it rattling itself 100 ft away after I turn back around