Went sportbike bike shopping today...

[gowen]

GSX-600

You know, Cycle World just gave the Suzuki GSX-600 the best overall rating in the mid-class.

It goes from 0-60mph in 2.5secs. The 'busa does that in 2.6secs. (and that is a 1300cc)

The R6 does 3.0, R1 does 2.8. I personally like the GSXs. If you don't belive me about the stats. Check out Cycle World. http://www.cycleworld.com

 

[Farmer John]

R-6's beginner friendly??????
You haven't been to any salvage yards lately, have you?
One small salvage here in the bay area: 2 R-1's, 1 929, 1 TL1000s, 2 TL1000r's, 6 F-4's, & 38 R-6's (12 d.o.a.'s)

 

[yarbonwick]

Chris426

I've been in communication with other RC51 owners and they all complain about heat. Especially in slow traffic. Apparently it has to do with the radiators facing the sides instead of the front as usual.

Rooster: 150 is slow compared to todays standards. :D

 

[Rooster]

That's a bad DOA count. Never see anything like that here in Iowa.

150 slow? Yeah, I know, but anything above that is pretty much beyond my comprehension. I got the R6 up to about that along side my buds Duc, and I was pretty much in fear for my life. Not that there were any handling problems, it just was one of those feelings a person gets when they know they are pusing it too hard. Maybe on a track, with some heavier leather and better protection it would be different.

Besides, with all this #3 crap, we should know that speed certainly does kill, and should be taken very seriously. There is a limit.

 

[Tennessee Thumper]

I still enjoy the "old" yzf 600.

 

[Jewell]

This must be the official street bike post!

I am in heaven. Steetbikes and dirtbikes in the same forum!
I like your list yarbonwick. My choice would be with the gsx-r 1000. I love my 97 750 gixxer but notice that more power is not a bad thing if you have the self control and if not, at least know where you can use it. Also fuel injection is a must if you ask me. I hate cold morning warm up session.
Out of the bikes you are more likely to get I would go with the 929. I
rode with a guy that had one and seemed to live up to all the hype in the mags.

For the record these bikes are extremely stable at high speeds. Even at 180 it just begs to go alittle farther (on wide open, long vision roads). Heck if the argument is agaisnt getting a bike that has less performance just because you will probably never use it then why aren't most of us riding little 125L ttr's? I like to live in the world of exess performance.

Anyone out there have anything close to a 1997 Gsx-R 750 that I could compare notes with?

My dad has a 98 VFR800. This is a superior sport tourer and I would reccomend this bike to anyone and everyone that didn't want 100% performace but more like 95% and super comfortable to boot. It is very verstitile.

Lets keep this post goin!

 

[mtngoat]

150, 180!! Zoiks!! The very few times I've pushed a bike to those speeds, exhilaration turns to fear and air becomes a solid matter. My most vivid recollection is that the slightest upward movement of my helmet subjected me to a wind force begging to blow me off the bike. The bike may have been "stable", but the body sure wasn't. Not on street anyway.

IMHO, the best enjoyment from a sport bike is sport riding; primarily cornering. Why buy anything with a straight line performance so high that it can only be enjoyed for a fraction of it's practical use. Although, I certainly understand the exhilaration of acceleration at lower speeds.

There was a post on "riding techniques" that hits on the best of sportbike riding; countersteering. I've always derived much more enjoyment and exhilaration from snapping turns than cracking a throttle. Focusing on the former can help save you, the latter can turn deadly pretty quick.

 

[Chris426]

I never realized the R6 was such a nasty bike! After having owned both an FZR600 and ZX-7r, I found the 600 much easier to handle primarily due to the lack of power compared to the 750, and the decreased weight. I naturally assumed the R6 would have similar characteristics.....I guess not! That 12, R6 DOA comment blew me away!
Nonetheless, my street riding days are long over, but I wish yarbonwick the best in finding a bike, and most importantly, please stay safe.

 

[Jewell]

Originally posted by mtngoat
There was a post on "riding techniques" that hits on the best of sportbike riding; countersteering. I've always derived much more enjoyment and exhilaration from snapping turns than cracking a throttle. Focusing on the former can help save you, the latter can turn deadly pretty quick.

I couldn't agree more! But I do enjoy the 6th gear pinned once every 10 or so rides (read: weekly) as long as the correct conditions arise. The wind ain't a problem as long as your tucked in behind the bubble.;)

Like you were saying, countersteering is a great thing. Most people I've talked to that don't really ride sportbikes say stuff like "I couldn't get the thing to turn unless I leaned my body" geez, those people a probably really dangerous. I once found this web site dedicated to street riding tecnique and saftey. I really wish I could find it again. It had a massive amout of first had experiece by professional riders. It got very technical in many parts about traction and what not.

 

[Jewell]

I found the site!
http://www.msgroup.org/DISCUSS.asp
The best riding info you will find on one site.

 

[mtngoat]

Jewell, great site. Thanks. My boys have been hinting at streetbikes lately, which has their Mom mortified. They're old enough to make their own decisions; I just want them be safe. That site has a lot of practical tips, especially in the "What they didn't teach me ...".

 

[mtngoat]

WWR, is that the bike with oval pistons?

 

[Speedstyle]

One word........

Haya-Freakin-Busa.........but they cost lots of $$$$$$$, insurance is lots of $$$$$$$$$, and they are heavy. But the feeling of knowing you can beat ANY car or motorcycle around is great!!!

 

[SeanATK]

Haya-Freakin-Busa

knowing you can beat ANY bike or car IN A STRAIGHT LINE is nice, but motorcycles are about more than that. Hyabusas do not make good racebikes. They have a long wheelbase for stability at high speed, the high weight and long wheelbase conspire to hold the busa back on the track (and in the canyons) I would be more than happy to demonstrate this for you, ifyoucare to come out to the Streets of Willowsprings (I'll be riding my CR-500 Supermotard / Roadracer)

 

[Speedstyle]

totally agree with you.......

The hayabusa is not a curved road racer. It is meant for one thing.....high speed fun. Personally I would rather get a motarded XR650 or something like a gixxer 600 at the most. I would never get a sportbike above 600cc's because I couldnt handle it and it would be too heavy.

 

[yarbonwick]

Well after doing my research I settled for a 01' CBR 929RR. I pick it up in one hour!!!!:) :) :)

 

[buffmaster]

Sorry. A little O.T.

I really hate to put a dark cloud over this subject (I want a road sooooooo bad right now), but has anyone noticed a climb in motorcycle accidents/deaths? Within the last two weeks or so, I've two hog wreaks down the road from me (last one wrapped around a t-pole so bad that the tires were touching on the other side) and a friend from my wifes' past just died last night (he got spotted doing wheelies by the cops and either t-boned or headlong'd a car while he was running(crotch rocket, btw.)) Up until this, I've been so anxious to get my permit and then a bike, but now I'm not too sure. It probably wouldn't be so bad if I didn't have a wifey and an awesome little girl at home. Hell, the wifey wants to get a CBR600. Now, I think that I want to keep my 2-wheels on the dirt. Any one else have any thoughts on this?

BTW, congrats Yarbo, even with my conflicting conciousness, I'm envious.

 

[JasonJ]

If you like V twin VTR power and nice roomy ride all day egro, the VTR and 926RR are good fast roomy bikes. I love, own and will always own my VFR 750. Very comfy, usable V4 power and man what a sound with the 4 into 1 Yoshi on it. Makes me salivate just to here it run :) .
As far as recent deths and accidents with sport bikes,
I have a real problme with dealers selling young kids with 0 riding experiance top end sport bikes. These guys have Nooooooo idea what they are getting into untill they realize its a guard rail or tree. Thats where the deths are comming from. I want to knock those sales guys out when I see them explaining how to work the clutch and shifter to a kid sitting on a R1. And to even entertain them when they ask, uh,, well how fast is this one?
Its like taking a 16 year old kid into the bike shop who has never ridden a bike before and getting him a YZ250, sticking him in front of the tripples and saying, go pull a superman air.
It takes a very good rider with years of exp to handel what these bikes are capable of doing in stock trim. Now combine that with responsibility and control becuase the inline 4 sport bikes are like 2 strokes. They want to be ridden fast and will put you in over your head befroe you even know what is happening to you.
I will say I think that inexperienced riders are the most at risk on sport bikes. But I also feel that no bike is safer for an expericend rider. Nothing is lighter, quicker handeling or stops NEARLY as quick as a sport bike.

 

[Bill Hibbs]

Nice choice Yarbonwick. I've put quite a bit of seat time on the 929. I own a 00' GSX-R 750 myself. The peak HP between the two is almost identical but the Honda has a real smooth torque curve and more of it. It's a lot of fun to ride. You won't be sorry. Send us a pic when you pick it up. Wear your Gear!

 

[yarbonwick]

Here's the pic

Sorry I've been so bust lately. The next two days after I bought it rained like crazy around here. Hasn't rained in two years it seems then I buy a sportbike...down pour! Still breakin' her in, though that isn't taking long. I do know that shifting into fourth at high revs brings the front up though....at oh around 90mph!

 

[AJ Waggoner]

Yarbon-
Congrats dude! awesome bike !!
:)

I ride a VTR1000F Superhawk.
not hot natured on rider or bike like the RC 51
and a LOT better seating/comfort and still has that
V twin low growl.

Go to SBN? ( sportbike.net) and check out there SW forum?
they have "sportfests?" in your area coming up man.

 

[yarbonwick]

AJ: You have an exact link. I can't find what you referred to.

 

[yarbonwick]

Nevermind AJ. I found it....Duh!

 

[Tree Crippler]

Nice bike!

I like it. My friend stopped at my parents last week with his new ride. So I had to take the Ducati 9 something for a ride. I thought I was going about 40 or 50 but when I looked down it read 100mph. I don't need one yet. Good luck with yours.

 

[jeffd]

Super nice bike, Yarbo. When do I get to test it out? ;)

-jeffd