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TOTA motorcycle thread: Half the wheels and twice the stupid!
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| VERTiG0 |
Since we have a car thread, why the hell not a bike thread? There's gotta be a few others out there.
Given the current ty economic climate, I've decided to just keep my current car and get myself a bike. In the garage now is an '02 Yamaha Vstar 650, but it's a cruiser and as such is definitely not my style. I've taken it out a ton of times and it's comfortable, but ugh, the styling is brutal. However, it's this bike that made me catch the bug.
Since that fateful day 5 years ago, I've only ridden a handful of other bikes: An old Kawasaki KZ750, '05 Suzuki SV650S, and my cousin's utterly ridiculous '02 Honda CBR954RR. I've never been so terrified in my life as twisting the throttle on the 954RR, all it wants to do is stand up.
Winter is approaching, and anybody with half a brain knows that it's the best time (financially, but certainly not mentally, HURRY UP SPRING) to get a bike. Prices are low, and dealers/sellers are motivated to clear their stock.
The bike will be a daily driven machine, so I'm not gonna get some ridiculous race-bred bike like any of Honda's RRs. Having done a load of research, reading way too many reviews, and talking to owners on various forums and their recomendations, I've been looking at:
Honda CBR600F4i,
Suzuki SV650(S),
Buell XB9S Lightning,
and the Honda VFR800.
This will probably all change in a month or so, but whatever.
Pre-emptive disclaimer: I'm well aware of how ty the bike insurance situation here in Ontario is (especially for a guy in his 20s), but by the time the snow melts I'll be 25, so it'll be marginally uh, less ty.
Anyway, post your bike(s) and any cool stories you've got. How you started, what you've owned previously, how many times you've run from the cops on your Gixxer wearing flip-flops, shorts, and a t-shirt (you squid criminal), etc. |
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| zoogla |
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| cammaxwell |
I love bikes although I haven't ridden in 2 years. I actually used to sell bikes at McBride Cycle in there hay day before going bankrupt a couple years ago. I also used to race and do stunt diplays and the tracks.
Here's some pics from Mosport...
Anyway, as for the bikes your looking at there all great bikes (expect the Buell becasue of reliablity issues). The F4i is a great comfortable bike but IT IS a sport bike, although of all the 600's this is the most forgiving (the bike above is a 2000 F4). This a great bike for daily driving but it will be expensive for insurance.
The SV650 is also a greta bike and is not classified as sport so will be cheaper. It's a V-twin engine which has lots of torque and is a lot of fun to drive. Also very comfortable but can be sporty, some guys bring these to the track and there was even a special race class for these guys.
The VFR800 is agian, a comfortable sporty bike. These are great for long distance runs although can be a little boring for daily in town use (for my style anyway)
I would go for the SV650 for what you want it for, its cheap on insurance and comfy......but you can have a lot of fun with it too. There also a lot of fun accessories for these...
Have fun!!!! |
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| VERTiG0 |
| quote: | Originally posted by cammaxwell
Anyway, as for the bikes your looking at there all great bikes (expect the Buell becasue of reliablity issues).
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I was actually leaning toward the Buell because of its displacement and insurance cost (similar to that of the SV) and the fact that I prefer v-twins to 4-cyls (love that torque rush).
I'm read in many places that '05+ Buells are pretty good with reliability now, and they've pretty much perfected that belt-drive system of theirs, no more snapping. As for the engines, the 984cc v-twins are now supposedly bulletproof, but I can't speak for the Rotax-sourced twins in the 1125R and 1125CR (what gorgeous bikes, can't imagine what insurance is on them though).
Gotta take one of the XB9Ss out, I suppose. |
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| barbina |
ah <3
my secret obsession
One day.. |
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| cammaxwell |
| quote: | Originally posted by VERTiG0
I was actually leaning toward the Buell because of its displacement and insurance cost (similar to that of the SV) and the fact that I prefer v-twins to 4-cyls (love that torque rush).
I'm read in many places that '05+ Buells are pretty good with reliability now, and they've pretty much perfected that belt-drive system of theirs, no more snapping. As for the engines, the 984cc v-twins are now supposedly bulletproof, but I can't speak for the Rotax-sourced twins in the 1125R and 1125CR (what gorgeous bikes, can't imagine what insurance is on them though).
Gotta take one of the XB9Ss out, I suppose. |
That may well be the case, i haven't sold bikes since 04 so I'm not as up to date on the newer engines. Although, I know the Japanese have ALWAYS been bullet-proof so those are a safe bet (especially Honda's).
Definitely you should take a couple out and see how they feel. Some people just feel better on certain bikes.
Ok, now your making me want to start riding again!!!!! |
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| Adamo |
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| barbina |
| Turn the last one lime green and its sold. Hot. |
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| Soundwerks |
For your first bike, I'd stick with something smaller, and used. Mainly because you wanna learn (or re-learn) how to ride properly, throttle control, braking, turning and leaning etc on a smaller, lighter and less powerful bike. I'd say the SV650 is an EXCELLENT place to start. Besides...after a season or so, youre probably gonna wanna move up to something bigger and better, so you dont wanna lose out on the depreciation of a brand new bike. ;)
I started riding last year, and my first bike was a 1991 Bandit 400. Picked her up for $2500. I dunno...I just love the look of the Bandit..kinda looks like a baby Ducati Monster. It was a 4-cyl and the thing revved up to 14,000rpm, so it sounded like a true sportsbike and had the same type of power delivery. Plus it had decent hp, at around 59hp (by comparison, the SV650 has around 70).
Here are some pics..
This spring I found an AWESOME deal on a used 2006 Kawa ZZR-600. It was involved in a small crash, so it had some rash on its left side, but no mechanical damage whatsoever. Bought it for $3500! Even came with a full Hindle exhaust, K&N filter and DynoJet kit!
I put $150 into a new upper cowling and $50 into a new handlebar (ebay!) and it was perfectly fine! :D Over the season I've added new tires, frame sliders, rear rack and Givi case (for commuting/travelling) and put around 9000km on it since May. Getting a bit cold now, but I aint putting her into hibernation yet!
My first trackday:
Givi case added (yeah, dorky, I know):
My trip to Charlevoix on labour day weekend:
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| zoogla |
this thing has peaked my interest as of late:
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| zokissima |
Reliability issues aside, that Buell is just a gorgeous looking machine.
I used to ride, only for 6 months, and never had a bike of my own. My friend went on a business venture for 6 months and left me his:
Been trying to get a bike of my own ever since. The gf just won't go for it now. |
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| Playa24_7 |
| Just buy a Tomahawk Cale |
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