Why the obsession with speed?

[Phaedrus]

Just a question - and I am sure someone will flame me for it  :nana:

But seriously, what is the obsession with speed? I know a ton of motorcycle riders and not ONE has even been to the track to race. And street racing is one of the less intelligent things people can do. So if not for racing, then what is this need for speed for? Just about any bike is gfaster than most cars. Why need a bike that is faster than most bikes?

Why have a bike that can go 180mph? "Because I can.." is a mediocre answer. Yes you can, but why would you want to? Give this some real thought. Of course if you race at the track, then that is a given. But for commuters, weekend riders, etc, where does this speed obsession come from?

Hmm.  :dunno:

[stefman722]

You know what? Your dumb.





lol JK

your right. I agree with your 100%. After reading what you wrote, its so true. Most of the guys up here race in a straight line, They have actually no real skill. I would never race on a street. Espeacially on a bike.  

[crash]

some people just enjoy speed.  maybe it's the adrenaline rush, maybe it's something else.

it's the same reason people skydive ;p

[stefman722]

Skydiving is amazing might i add. I do it in the military. Its free atleast eh?

[crash]

one of the best feelings i've ever experienced... unfortunately not for free  

[coll0412]

I loke power, could really care less If I can go 180 or not, I like to be able to feel the acceleration, nothing out there can beat that, well maybe skydiving, I mean accelerating at 32 feet/s^2 is pretty damn fast...

[scratch]

It's not so much the top end speed, that's what the manufacturer's tote to sell units, but it's the available horsepower that draws some of the older, more experienced people. I know I'd like a little more available power, I just don't need the (top end) speed.

Other than that, we're getting into the psychology of why some people like to go fast. Such as: that going fast gives you the feeling of being first in line, the fastest, the best; also, going fast gives you the feeling of being in control (or, out of control, for you adrenaline-deprived denziens),and the feeling of flying (and the security of being able to outrun predators).

[jordanearl]

i remember when vetura was still gov.  He said it perfectly about his fancy new sports car, its not that i can go 200 mph, its how fast i can get up to 55 that thrills me

[Daniely]

In cali getting up to the speed limit quickly is exhibition of speed, a FAT ticket .

[robo]

sometimes i wake up late.....i mean i hate being late.....soooo moving faster = getting there quicker..... imo of course.....


do you own a moped?

[Dragonfly]

I have been to the track and an an aspiring racer.
"speed" is not what gets my heart beating.. its leaning over, going knee down, and powering out of the corner, then setting up for the next one.
For the type of riding I like to do it is VERY easy to justify a 100+hp bike.
Corner to corner, I am almost always WFO. I want the power to feed in, and would like the ability to spin up the rear tire on exit.

There are plenty of pansies out there that all they do/care about is "speed". they dont impress me.
150mph is no good if you cant even do a minimum distance stop, without pissing yourself.

[Blingmasta]

yeah, I could care less about the top speed, I live and die by 0-60 times.

[Jared]

Having done both (well likely 175ish..indicated higher..) 180 mph and skydived...

Both were exciting... tho the skydiving was a better thrill for me. I felt like Superman (even wore a blue jumpsuit!).

Why did I do 175..... I paid all that money for my bike (ZX11) ...I just had to know.

Not the brightest thing I've done. But I've only done it a few times and got it out of my system. The last time I did it was in maybe 1996-97...

Obsessed with speed- nope. If I was I'd have a turbo on my bike by now...

Ride what you like.

[William M]

>But seriously, what is the obsession with speed?

When I was about 19 I raced a Porche across Oregon. Every time we passed 100MPH the guy would put his finger up through the sun roof.

It was without a doubt the most stupid thing I have ever done on 2 wheels. And that was 105 tops. I'm simply floored anyone would take a bike to 175 anywhere outside of a track.

I'm going to take this a step further. I owned a KZ650 for many years (I was on it racing that Porche).  I can't imagine a situation where 2/3 of that bikes power wasn't more than enough. Hey, call me a pansy, but I could hit 70 in the first third of the freeway onramp.

A moped is the opposite extreem: too little power to get out of the way in a pinch. Your gonna have a hard time, though, selling me on the justifiable need for a road bike that goes 180mph, or 0-60 in < 3 seconds.

Handling? Great... there's no such thing as too good handling. Braking? Same. Power??? Beyond a point its just useless IMHO.

['04gs500f]

personally i only go to work/school on my gs and see no need for high end speed on a street bike. What i do like is being able to maneuver quickly through traffic and rip up to at least 70 for interstate on ramps, thats all i want/need.

[Dom]

I thought you had to be at least 75 years old and live in Florida to drive slow.   :dunno:

['04gs500f]

dom, you say something about sun city?


oh god stay the hell away from sun city!!!!

youd be driving so slow there youd have to walk your bike!

[furball]

I saw a show on the Discovery channel...and they were discussing the need for speed in humans....they were discussing how even as a kid we love things that go fast....There were examples of little kids not being scared on rollercoaters becasue of the speed and g-forces...It was actually quite interesting and they did kind of prove the point that humans (at least most of them) love SPEED!!!!

As for me....I love the exhilaration of the acceleration, I am not into street racing at all...but being able to pull away from anyone or anything is something I love...I have raced my bike a the track (drags only) and it is the biggest rush in the world....I have dragged both bikes and cars...and the feeling of running the 1/4 mile in a motorcylce nearly doubles that of running in a car....I have no explanation....but you yourself would probably enjoy more speed....you may not need it, but I bet you would love it...

You don't need to pull wheelies off the line, but everyone gets on it for some spirited driving every once in a while...Hell I've gotten into my wifes 250 Ninja pretty hard a few times...and it is just FUN to go a little fast...but you just need to use your head and know when it is the right time to go quickly and when it is not....

So my answer is evryone would want to go faster, whether they no it or not....

[Phaedrus]

Good responses guys  :mrgreen:

The fastest I've been on my GS was about 115. It was a perfect straight away and I was wondering "what would it feel like..". So I did it. That was enough. It was interesting, but not my cup of tea. I felt like the wind pressure was going to pull me right off the back of the bike if I didn't hang on for all I had in me..haha. Screw that!

A friend of mine that I ride with has a ZX6r and she won't go over 60mph. I don't generally go over 65 unless I am on the highway since I am allergic to tickets. But anyway, it boggled my mind someone like here would go buy such a bike like that and then ride slower than my on my little GS500F. Just makes me scratch my head!

[Phaedrus]

sometimes i wake up late.....i mean i hate being late.....soooo moving faster = getting there quicker..... imo of course.....


do you own a moped?

Well, it is a scooter, not a moped. The Zuma is a little yamaha 50cc scooter. It is excellent around town. It goes from 0-30 faster than some cars. Fully automatic. It keeps up and out manueavers city traffic, under 40mph where it tops out. It is very fun to ride, gets 90+mpg, and can park virtually anywhere. Economical and reliable.

Fun factor: +1
Cool factor: -1
Economical factor: +1

haha.