I must be crazy

[LimaXray]

So for the past several weeks there was this bike for sale down the street from me.  I drove by it all the time, and finally decided to stop and look at it last weekend.  It was a '95 GSXR 750 that had a few dings here and there and didn't run but was in overall good condition for its age.  The guy wanted $2400, which from my research would have been about right if it ran.  Of course, a little thing like not running doesn't mean a whole lot to me, but I didn't feel like spending that much cash on another bike.  Oh well, maybe next year I thought.

Yesterday, on my way home from work, as I passed it I decided to stop again.  So yeah, long story short, I bought the damn thing for $1800.  Wooo I'm now a proud owner of a GSXR750! I must be nuts! 

I pushed it home, it was only about a 1/4 of a mile so it wasn't that bad.  I drained some fuel out of the float bowls and it was this horrible brown color.  I got rid most of the old gas, drained the rest of the fuel out of the float bowls, then put some fresh gas and carb cleaner in the tank.  After 30 sec of cranking she fired right up and ran perfectly.  This all took me about 20 minutes to do, and boy was I happy.

After I got it running, of course I had to take it for a ride around the block.  Let me first say this is my first time riding a super sport bike.  Just riding around at 25 MPH you can tell this thing has a lot more power than my little GS.  I can also see what everyone means by the GS is so flickable, because the 750 definately is not.  It caught me as a big surprise when I realized how much more input you have to put into the bars to get this thing to do what you want.  Compared to the GS, I have to really muscle this thing to get it to turn.  The bars actually push back on you in a turn making the need to counter steer 1000x more obvious.   

Overall, from my short ride I found the 750 way more difficult to ride than the GS.  Also, seeing as the 750 makes about 120hp, I figure it's about comprable to modern 600s.  With that in mind, anyone who says a 600cc SS makes a great first bike, is either crazy or a moron.  If I started on a bike like this, I don't think I would be nearly as comfortable with riding as I am now.   I'm sure after a day of riding it, I would be right at home, but I don't think I would have enjoyed learning on a bike that requires so much input.

Anyway, I don't think I'm going to register this bike anytime soon, and instead use it strictly as a track bike for now.  (yes, I'm now addicted to the track)  I'm also not going to get rid of the GS anytime soon, I still like it way too much to give it up.  Oh well, what's wrong with having a bike collection?

[rangerbrown]

it doesnt make 120 more like 100hp

check the tire pressere to as that will cause the feed back on the steering.

good damn buy if you aske me.
i got my cbr i had for 500$ and it was runing. sold it for 1800$

[3imo]

WOW!! Good buy.    Very nice bike. what color is yours?

[LimaXray]

Yup, that's the bike.  Mine's blue and white.  Unfortunately, mine didn't come with the girl in the bikini; is that a standard option, or is it an aftermarket add-on? 

[3imo]

Definitely an aftermarket add-on.  Quite pricey actually, but you can get a good discount model locally.  Beware, the cheaper the heavier.
and heavy chics make your bike slow.

[Turd Ferguson]

Congrats dude!  Buying non-running bikes in good condish, fixing them and selling them off is something that I hope to do as a hobby when I buy a house in a year or so.

That bike would be incredible for the track!  You seriously scored.

-Turd.

[MrDan]

I can also see what everyone means by the GS is so flickable, because the 750 definately is not.  It caught me as a big surprise when I realized how much more input you have to put into the bars to get this thing to do what you want.  Compared to the GS, I have to really muscle this thing to get it to turn.  The bars actually push back on you in a turn making the need to counter steer 1000x more obvious.

Mini hijack question.  It seems like most people put steering dampers on sport bikes.  I probably don't understand the rationale, but I thought that was to make the steering require more input so you can't just flick the bike at speed.

If that's accurate, it seems like anyone who learns on a bike like the GS and is used to the flickability (woohoo new word), would be able to get away without dampers on a sport bike.

Or am I just crazy?
[/hijack]

Oh yeah - and sweet bike   I saw one around here that was running ... for something like $4000 ... insane

[3imo]

you don't flick the bike by turning the handle bars.

you drop the bike into the turn.

[MrDan]

you don't flick the bike by turning the handle bars.

you drop the bike into the turn.

Ok - I over used flick cause it's a fun word.  Substitute what you said ... am I still way off?

[3imo]

A sprint damper is hydraulic-piston device that can be mounted on motorcycles to prevent it from wobbling while cornering.

[MrDan]

A sprint damper is hydraulic-piston device that can be mounted on motorcycles to prevent it from wobbling while cornering.

So I was way off 

Cool - thanks for the explanation - always wondered about that 

[pandy]

Congrats on the new-to-you bike!!! 

And if you can't ride with a heavy chick on the back, then you just don't know how to ride. Wasn't it pablo who said, it's not the ride, it's the rider! Even my Baby G never complained about a heavy chick on his back! 

[3imo]

Pandy, I ve seen a half pic or two of you,   your not heavy.  Definitely not heavy enough to slow a bike.

Plus you don't count.  Your not a groupie aftermarket add-on, your a biker.  Biker woman are UBERSEXY.

[pandy]

At my sickest over the past couple of years, I weighed almost 300 lbs, and the Baby G pulled my big boo-tay around just fine. If I couldn't ride, I'd absolutely be a groupie after-market add-on. Whatever it takes to ride! 

[94suzuki500]

good job on the price.  I bought a 1995 kawasaki zx6r for 1700 a couple weeks back, didnt run well, but had brand new paint job and clean title with 20000 miles.  I ran some carbon cleaner through the engine after I cleaned the carbs and it runs awesome.  Bikes worth 3200 or somthing I think.  Good deals, got to look for them. 

[annguyen1981]

Nice!  And the bike looks good too.

[3imo]

Thank you, I tanned all week for that pic.

[coyotee]

this was my brother first bike to a T... he cought all kinds of crap for the pink 

[jackiei26]

congrats on the second bike - have fun on the track with it 

[blue05twin]

   Grats on your new bike , great geal.