Dealership Results

On 10/1/07 5:13 PM, "Vaughn" wrote:

> A friend of mine rides the 07 litre gixxer and it really is a fine
> machine, especially in the darker color schemes. The handlebar switch
> for more/less power delivery and FI mapping is brilliant. He has an
> M4 shorty exhaust on his, and for I4 it actually sounds good, too.
>
Yeah, I liked how smooth and linear (and seemingly endless) the power
delivery on the 2006 GSX-R1000 was. The same year Honda felt similar in that
respect, but noticeably more restrained. The GSX-R felt more nimble than the
Honda, too. Maybe just a little lighter? Maybe better ergonomics for my
size/height?

The 2006 R1, by comparison, felt too herky-jerky at lower RPMs. It felt
really high strung, like it wouldn't be happy unless you were wringing its
neck. It didn't strike me right off as anything I'd want to ride on city
streets. Unlike my 2002 R1, in that respect. Aside from feeling
comparatively bulky (wide at the tank, a little heavier), my 2002 was a much
nicer bike to ride around town and out on the local highways than was the
2006 R1. The 2006 also lacked some low-end grunt that my 2002 had, and that
the 2006 GSX-R definitely also had. At least that's how it felt to me riding
away from stop lights.

> Surprisingly, he tours on his, too. He's on five day blitz to
> Beartooth pass from Madison right now. Kind of a nut, though.... I
> hope he didn't hit much snow in the passes!
>
Beartooth Pass is beautiful. For sheer riding pleasure, I prefer Lolo Pass
between Idaho and Montana. Touring on a sportbike is lots of fun for me as
well. It's not for everyone, because you have to accept fewer comforts and
conveniences than you would on a standard or sport-touring machine. But if
you can get past that, and if the bike fits you good so that you're not
actually causing yourself injury with long-term riding, it's a hoot.

I'm convinced that traveling light is the way to go, no matter what kind of
traveling you're doing. Everything's easier when you're hauling around less
of what you don't really need.

> Though if I had a bike that powerful as a streetbike, I'd be afraid of
> going even faster and even more often....
>
It's been known to happen.

--
Jamin
"Freedom costs a buck-oh-five"




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On Oct 2, 6:26 pm, Jamin wrote:

> > Surprisingly, he tours on his, too. He's on five day blitz to
> > Beartooth pass from Madison right now. Kind of a nut, though.... I
> > hope he didn't hit much snow in the passes!
>
> Beartooth Pass is beautiful. For sheer riding pleasure, I prefer Lolo Pass
> between Idaho and Montana. Touring on a sportbike is lots of fun for me as
> well. It's not for everyone, because you have to accept fewer comforts and
> conveniences than you would on a standard or sport-touring machine. But if
> you can get past that, and if the bike fits you good so that you're not
> actually causing yourself injury with long-term riding, it's a hoot.
>
> I'm convinced that traveling light is the way to go, no matter what kind of
> traveling you're doing. Everything's easier when you're hauling around less
> of what you don't really need.
>

If a traveller is planning to stay in hotels or visit friends, I agree
the sportbike tour idea is very appealling. And there is greater
clarity with less materials along. With a bigger adv touring bike
with hardbags, when travelling solo it is really easy to just bring
along all kind of stuff that gets all cluttered eventually, which in
turn messes with the zen clarity of being out on the highway.

I tried a mini-tour to So. MO and back for the first time on a
sportbike (my Triumph 675) this season. It worked out alright, and I
sure enjoyed having the nimble bike once I got to the great riding
areas in the Ozarks.

Slabbing on a sportbike was less desireable, however. Mostly, my
wrists and back took the beating. And the lack of protection kind of
sucked when the cold rain hit, and I needed to keep going to get home
on time. For covering miles I really wished for a more comfortable
bike.

I'm hoping to add heli bars by next season, and eventually a better
rear shock set for my (lighter) weight. I think those two changes
will make it much more doable.
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On 10/2/07 5:17 PM, "Vaughn" wrote:

> If a traveller is planning to stay in hotels or visit friends, I agree
> the sportbike tour idea is very appealling. And there is greater
> clarity with less materials along. With a bigger adv touring bike
> with hardbags, when travelling solo it is really easy to just bring
> along all kind of stuff that gets all cluttered eventually, which in
> turn messes with the zen clarity of being out on the highway.
>
Yes it does. And then you get to where you're going and realize you didn't
need to bring it all anyway. Of course people differ in their opinions of
what's necessary. I advocate placing more priority on being prepared for
roadside fixes (e.g. flat tire) and less priority on having luxury items.

> I tried a mini-tour to So. MO and back for the first time on a
> sportbike (my Triumph 675) this season. It worked out alright, and I
> sure enjoyed having the nimble bike once I got to the great riding
> areas in the Ozarks.
>
Yep. And that kind of riding is usually most of the reason I go on road
trips in the first place. If I just wanted to arrive at a destination there
are much more efficient ways to travel.

> Slabbing on a sportbike was less desireable, however. Mostly, my
> wrists and back took the beating. And the lack of protection kind of
> sucked when the cold rain hit, and I needed to keep going to get home
> on time. For covering miles I really wished for a more comfortable
> bike.
>
I avoid interstates whenever possible. State and county highways are the way
to go. It also greatly helps to have open ended itineraries, so you don't
HAVE to be somewhere at a given time. Bad weather? Have a 4 hour lunch at a
roadside diner.

> I'm hoping to add heli bars by next season, and eventually a better
> rear shock set for my (lighter) weight. I think those two changes
> will make it much more doable.
>
Should definitely have positive effects overall. I know I really noticed a
big difference when I upgraded my rear suspension years ago.

--
Jamin
"Freedom costs a buck-oh-five"




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