When to slow down

[askmrjesus]

It's a bit of a quandary. I get bored riding on the street, unless I can go fast. If I wanted to go slow, I'd take the bus. I've heard people talk about "scenery", but I've never seen any.

Problem is, now I'm fucking old, and having had the benefit of racing on the track, I find myself thinking about things like runoff, proximity of the nearest hospital, and how many times I can break my legs before they say, "fuck you, asshole" and leave me for a stamp collector.

About 20 years ago, a friend introduced me to dual-sports. I was hesitant, (there's all kinds of rocks and shit in the way, what a fucking stupid idea) but I warmed up to it when I realized I got the same rush dodging rocks and trees at 35mph, as I did dodging Buicks at 120mph.

There's another problem though... The KTM will do 80 on the gravel no problem at all, and since I'm an idiot, I will do 80 on the gravel along with it. Now I'll be the first to tell you, that doing 80 on gravel is stupid fast, stupid dangerous, and, well, just plain stupid.

It would seem that no matter what I ride, I still want to go fast, even though I know better.

BMW, sportbike, dirtbike, vintage bike, pocket bike, I don't care. I only have one question: How fast can I go without crashing the fucker?

JC

[shmike]

Originally Posted by askmrjesus

It's a bit of a quandary. I get bored riding on the street, unless I can go fast. If I wanted to go slow, I'd take the bus. I've heard people talk about "scenery", but I've never seen any.

Problem is, now I'm fucking old, and having had the benefit of racing on the track, I find myself thinking about things like runoff, proximity of the nearest hospital, and how many times I can break my legs before they say, "fuck you, asshole" and leave me for a stamp collector.

About 20 years ago, a friend introduced me to dual-sports. I was hesitant, (there's all kinds of rocks and shit in the way, what a fucking stupid idea) but I warmed up to it when I realized I got the same rush dodging rocks and trees at 35mph, as I did dodging Buicks at 120mph.

There's another problem though... The KTM will do 80 on the gravel no problem at all, and since I'm an idiot, I will do 80 on the gravel along with it. Now I'll be the first to tell you, that doing 80 on gravel is stupid fast, stupid dangerous, and, well, just plain stupid.

It would seem that no matter what I ride, I still want to go fast, even though I know better.

BMW, sportbike, dirtbike, vintage bike, pocket bike, I don't care. I only have one question: How fast can I go without crashing the fucker?

JC

Amen.

Unfortunately, I usually find out the answer to the question in red about 2mph too late.

[askmrjesus]

Originally Posted by shmike

Amen.

Unfortunately, I usually find out the answer to the question in red about 2mph too late.

That's usually how it works.

Over the years though, I've learned to listen to that voice in the back of my head that says, "dude, you need to slow the fuck down a little".

Key words being, "a little".

JC

[Rsv1000R]

Originally Posted by askmrjesus

I only have one question: How fast can I go without crashing the fucker?

JC

How do you know how fast you can go unless you crash?

[Rider]

Originally Posted by Rsv1000R

How do you know how fast you can go unless you crash?

You can't go any faster than WOT.

[askmrjesus]

Originally Posted by Rsv1000R

How do you know how fast you can go unless you crash?

Any idiot can crash. The secret is to almost crash, and then back off a bit.

JC

[Amber Lamps]

The time to slow down is when YOU decide. It's just that simple. The only thing to look out for is I've seen people take the step you're contemplating and make the mistake of trying to ride the replacement bike like an ss. Anyway, the key is for you to be happy. Who gives a fuck what other people think? Do whatever makes you happy right now, there's no law that says you can't ever come back to sportbikes later.

[the chi]

Originally Posted by TIGGER

The time to slow down is when YOU decide. It's just that simple. The only thing to look out for is I've seen people take the step you're contemplating and make the mistake of trying to ride the replacement bike like an ss. Anyway, the key is for you to be happy. Who gives a fuck what other people think? Do whatever makes you happy right now, there's no law that says you can't ever come back to sportbikes later.

Who is this and where's Tigger?



Too close to reason and rationality there buddy...

[Mr Lefty]

Originally Posted by NONE_too_SOFT

already had this convo w/ u at the rally, u know my opinion.

I never ride hard enough to put a knee down on the street anymore, and i use the bike mostly for travel. Granted its not the most comfortable thing in the world, but its still fun for me. I think i'd like to get something more rugged though. Ive been going out riding a lot of adventures and stuff lately and they are very apealing. Mixxing camping and touring just sounds swell.

I'm sold on the F800GS... now just to sell my truck so I can buy one...

[Gas Man]

This is going to get long... but I think with my history, knowledge and wrenching time in the garage that makes my 2 cents better than most.

Originally Posted by marko138

You got it. I've got a call into my dealer to demo one. My buddy is thinking about giving up his GSXR for the HD Rocker, as well.

Sounds like a built in riding group

Originally Posted by KSGregman

Agreed.

All show....not much go. The ULTIMATE posuer bikes.

Get a metric power cruiser....much better performance and reliability....for half the cost.

Better performence? Are you kidding me? My wife's old 883 whooped many metric cruisers including the great Hondas (Shadow 1100 and VTX 1300) with much less motor size.

Originally Posted by Tmall

This is Bs plain and simple. I've ridden a few Harleys and their Jap clones. I'd pick the Harley any day.

If you can't see how much better the Harley is built, then you're looking with your eyes closed.

As for performance, I was very surprised at how hard apocs bike pulled to 110mph. I was even more amazed at how little damage it received sliding down the road. One single scratch...

You can sit here all day and spew anti Harley propoganda. Those of us who notice the diddrence between rc cola and coke like to pay a bit more for better quality.

I agree with performence as said above and anybody that wants a show can go for a ride with me. Bring your rice cruiser and we'll see.

Originally Posted by Trip

I love harley fanboys. Harley isn't quality, it's a name brand that people want. The engineering and quality control of those machines are marginal at best. The engineering and quality control of the rice machines are well above anything harley has nowadays.

So how many rice and hd's do you wrench on? That's what I thought! I do and newer 2005+ hd's are top notch. Pretty much EFI fixed a great deal of the HD's problems. Do you have any idea how much time HD now puts into R&D? Its insane... take a hd factory tour. Then feel free to try the same with your rice...

Originally Posted by Tmall

Rice fanboy or Harley fanboy? What's the diff?


As for being a fanboy, I'm far from it. I was a closed minded Harley hater like the rest of you up until a few years back. Then I stopped listening to what others said and tried them. And after that, I stand 100% behind what I said.


Just because you and people like to do not like something doesn't mean its garbage and your opinion isn't the only one that counts.

You make it seem as though Harley riders are brainwashed sheep, yet the average sportbike rider just buys whatever has the best spec sheet in most cases.


and its not like the Harley rider can't afford the Jap clone. They just choose not to buy it..

I had much the same mindset when on my rockets. Why would I want a hd that can't hit 100mph in second gear? That's fuckin stupid. Then the changes happened by me and HD. I still didn't want a HD at first that's why I got the big dog. But then I got the wife's 2007 sporty... it changed my mind.

Originally Posted by Rider

I don't think buying a GSXR 750 would be considered an "image". It's a niche market for people who want middle weight handling with liter bike performance. What image would be portrayed by that other than a performance minded individual. HD riders (for the most part) are going for the "tough guy" image. No gear, big gut, over compensation for their tiny dick, more money than brains type individual.

Interesting... you never said this to me in person before...

Originally Posted by Trip

The difference is I am not a fanboy of either. I am in process of selling my reliable Honda for a reliable adv tourer that isn't a rice bike. I am getting a BMW (omg it's not a rice bike) because that's what they are known for in the field I am choosing to ride in, just like the Honda was reliable in sportbikes.

BTW, it's not people like us who say it. Harley's are known worldwide for their mechanical issues, just as they are as well known worldwide for their image which brings them the business in the face of their problems.

You are a fanboy, you refuse to look at overwhelming evidence widely available anywhere about reliability and quality control of the japs vs harleys. Sure any harley guy can buy a much cheaper jap bike, we all understand how money works, but thanks for pointing that out.... We also understand how marketing and image works, which you seem to be lacking in knowledge.



The ninja 500s are seriously lacking in braking and suspension for anyone who wants to track it. If you are putting around town is one thing, but if you are wanting to take it to the track, you would need to invest a lot more in performance parts than it would cost to get stock 600 which is already well setup for that use.

HD has been changing their public view with some great machines lately... open your mind. Same goes for the american cars. Today's Chevy/Ford is WAY WAY better than a 2001. Just is!

Originally Posted by shmike

Buying a Harley is buying an image.

Anyone who disputes that is unwilling to admit the truth.

Buying a modern Harley is buying a quality bike.

Anyone who disputes that is: still living in the AMF days or hasn't ridden a modern HD or is just reiterating what they have heard at the local Jap shop/hangout/sportbike night.

I deny that I bought my bike for an image, the chop, maybe, but not the hd. There isn't a rice bike out that can compete with my ultra besides maybe a goldwing and I don't like them. But Yam, Suz got nothing.

Exactly... I'm not defending yester year HD. Today's HD's are money!

Originally Posted by marko138

Not likely.



You clearly haven't seen a review of the XR. I have zero interest in a metric cruiser. ZERO. They all look like shit. Harley's look good and they sound better. And the XR can still handle business. I'm for it.

Exactly. Every other rice cruiser is trying to imitate an HD. Deny that and you don't know what you are talking about.





Oh... ok

But this thread is suppose to be about Trips BMW and his choice to step away from sportbikes. So who wants to debate my knowledge on the subject at hand? Before you say anything... check my garage lift thread. That's just a taste of my expierences.