who here also owns and rides literbikes? anyone?

[tykho]

R1s are purrrty.

[Unsane]

I think leading up to my GS500F replacement, you guys are gonna see a lot of posts from me about litrebikes...

Had the pleasure of riding one of these on the M4 Motorway this afternoon - gave it a big hit in 3rd and 4th



Ohmygod the torque of this bike is phenomenal!

[madjak30]

Nice looking bike...but I think the riding position is too tight for me...

but nice bike!!

Later.

[bill14224]

I have a 250, a 500, and a 750.  The next step in that logical progression would be 1000, but I don't need that much bike.  I don't want people telling me what I should ride so I don't tell others what they should ride, but liter+bikes are overkill as far as I'm concerned, especially those of the sport bike bent.  600cc's is all a sane person would want in a sport street bike, but that's just my opinion because I understand how dangerous the roads are.  Sure, our bikes are dangerous in and of themselves, regardless of engine power, but the road is even more dangerous, so it's smart to keep your speed down, which eliminates the need for a bike that will do 160.

[mister]

I have a 250, a 500, and a 750.  The next step in that logical progression would be 1000, but I don't need that much bike.  I don't want people telling me what I should ride so I don't tell others what they should ride, but liter+bikes are overkill as far as I'm concerned, especially those of the sport bike bent.  600cc's is all a sane person would want in a sport street bike, but that's just my opinion because I understand how dangerous the roads are.  Sure, our bikes are dangerous in and of themselves, regardless of engine power, but the road is even more dangerous, so it's smart to keep your speed down, which eliminates the need for a bike that will do 160.

Don't like being told what to ride, but then tell us all collectively what we should ride - if we were sane. Implication, ride something bigger and you're insane. But it's alright. You're not telling us what to ride, just opinion.

That old timer on the FJR 1300 touring the country with his missus on the back and luggage filled to the brim is an absolute nutter. Fancy wanting such a large bike. A 600cc should do him fine. And that 260 pound bloke over there with the big gut, even though his gut won't allow him on any other bike bar a cruiser, he should go get himself a 650 VStar so he can enjoy his cross country jaunt. He won't have any troubles passing cars if he needs to. Sounds like You need to petition the bike makers to only make 600cc motorbikes so we can all be saved - and forced into sanity.

Next time you say you don't like people telling you what to ride, shut up after that point cause whether you call it Opinion or not you are then telling people what to ride - being hypocritical. And putting in small hints about anything other than what You say means the person is Insane or not Smart. So by your standards, riding a Honda 919 makes me a Dumb Insane person. Hmmm.

Understand, people have a varying array of Needs when it comes to the motorcycle they ride. Straight-line Speed is just One Small Factor among many - comfort, seating capacity, range, looks, torque, seat-to-tank clearance, seat height, wind deflection, handling, luggage capacity, etc.

Michael

[madjak30]

I have a 250, a 500, and a 750.  The next step in that logical progression would be 1000, but I don't need that much bike.  I don't want people telling me what I should ride so I don't tell others what they should ride, but liter+bikes are overkill as far as I'm concerned, especially those of the sport bike bent.  600cc's is all a sane person would want in a sport street bike, but that's just my opinion because I understand how dangerous the roads are.  Sure, our bikes are dangerous in and of themselves, regardless of engine power, but the road is even more dangerous, so it's smart to keep your speed down, which eliminates the need for a bike that will do 160.

Don't like being told what to ride, but then tell us all collectively what we should ride - if we were sane. Implication, ride something bigger and you're insane. But it's alright. You're not telling us what to ride, just opinion.

That old timer on the FJR 1300 touring the country with his missus on the back and luggage filled to the brim is an absolute nutter. Fancy wanting such a large bike. A 600cc should do him fine. And that 260 pound bloke over there with the big gut, even though his gut won't allow him on any other bike bar a cruiser, he should go get himself a 650 VStar so he can enjoy his cross country jaunt. He won't have any troubles passing cars if he needs to. Sounds like You need to petition the bike makers to only make 600cc motorbikes so we can all be saved - and forced into sanity.

Next time you say you don't like people telling you what to ride, shut up after that point cause whether you call it Opinion or not you are then telling people what to ride - being hypocritical. And putting in small hints about anything other than what You say means the person is Insane or not Smart. So by your standards, riding a Honda 919 makes me a Dumb Insane person. Hmmm.

Understand, people have a varying array of Needs when it comes to the motorcycle they ride. Straight-line Speed is just One Small Factor among many - comfort, seating capacity, range, looks, torque, seat-to-tank clearance, seat height, wind deflection, handling, luggage capacity, etc.

Michael

I think someone got up on the wrong side of the bed this morning...he's right, they are overkill and not needed...but if everyone beleived that, Ferrari wouldn't sell a single vehicle...same goes with Porsche, Lamborghini...even the "sensible" brands sell overkill vehicles...Corvette, Camaro, Mustang, Challenger, M3, S4, R8...etc...his thinking isn't wrong, it's just not for everyone...and yes, how he said it did come across a little hypocritical, but I don't think it was meant that way...

No sense in getting our panties in a bunch...

Later.

[Unsane]

Well, on the flip-side of all this hilarious sarcasm, hypocrisy and point making, I can quite happily admit that I am not entirely sane and I definitely do need this much power... possibly more.

Every day I continually reminded how dangerous the road can, how dangerous motorcycle riding can be and after belting around on an R1 and the TLR, I understand that they are animals that need to be treated with respect - a lot more respect than the humble GS anyway!

Further to this, at 6"5 & 120kg, many of the sports bikes are more comfortable for me (seat height, handlebar reach, etc) and the power-to-weight loss is not so noticeable when you have 180hp on tap.

If a litre-bike is excessive to you then I respect your POV and thats cool with me! Thats one less potential buyer I have to compete with when I get my full license!

[mister]

I have a 250, a 500, and a 750.  The next step in that logical progression would be 1000, but I don't need that much bike.  I don't want people telling me what I should ride so I don't tell others what they should ride, but liter+bikes are overkill as far as I'm concerned, especially those of the sport bike bent.  600cc's is all a sane person would want in a sport street bike, but that's just my opinion because I understand how dangerous the roads are.  Sure, our bikes are dangerous in and of themselves, regardless of engine power, but the road is even more dangerous, so it's smart to keep your speed down, which eliminates the need for a bike that will do 160.

Don't like being told what to ride, but then tell us all collectively what we should ride - if we were sane. Implication, ride something bigger and you're insane. But it's alright. You're not telling us what to ride, just opinion.

That old timer on the FJR 1300 touring the country with his missus on the back and luggage filled to the brim is an absolute nutter. Fancy wanting such a large bike. A 600cc should do him fine. And that 260 pound bloke over there with the big gut, even though his gut won't allow him on any other bike bar a cruiser, he should go get himself a 650 VStar so he can enjoy his cross country jaunt. He won't have any troubles passing cars if he needs to. Sounds like You need to petition the bike makers to only make 600cc motorbikes so we can all be saved - and forced into sanity.

Next time you say you don't like people telling you what to ride, shut up after that point cause whether you call it Opinion or not you are then telling people what to ride - being hypocritical. And putting in small hints about anything other than what You say means the person is Insane or not Smart. So by your standards, riding a Honda 919 makes me a Dumb Insane person. Hmmm.

Understand, people have a varying array of Needs when it comes to the motorcycle they ride. Straight-line Speed is just One Small Factor among many - comfort, seating capacity, range, looks, torque, seat-to-tank clearance, seat height, wind deflection, handling, luggage capacity, etc.

Michael

I think someone got up on the wrong side of the bed this morning...he's right, they are overkill and not needed...but if everyone beleived that, Ferrari wouldn't sell a single vehicle...same goes with Porsche, Lamborghini...even the "sensible" brands sell overkill vehicles...Corvette, Camaro, Mustang, Challenger, M3, S4, R8...etc...his thinking isn't wrong, it's just not for everyone...and yes, how he said it did come across a little hypocritical, but I don't think it was meant that way...

No sense in getting our panties in a bunch...

Later.

Funny, I had an sarcasm tag there when I posted but it's now gone. Oh well. 

I can fully accept that a liter bike is not for everyone. I can fully accept some people think anything over 600cc is overkill. And if someone says such, then fine. However, I am finely attuned to manipulative word usage - it stands out to me like a sore thumb. And when I see it I call it out. Expose it. I similarly spot hypocrisy a mile off. And I'll call it out. There's no wrong side of the bed or knicker knotting going on. Merely calling out such manipulative language and hypocrisy is all. 

Michael

[Miraz]

I've been tootling around on a CBR1100XX recently, it's a bit of a mind bender compared to the GS.....it's no sports bike, but it is insanely quick once it lifts it's skirts and starts to hustle.

[tykho]

Wasn't the CBR1100XX the fastest production bike prior to the introduction of the Hayabusa?

[Jared]

Wasn't the CBR1100XX the fastest production bike prior to the introduction of the Hayabusa?

By about 1 mph for a year or so -Most of the decade before that belonged to the ZX11.

[Miraz]

Was in the lead for a bit longer than that....... Suzuki named the Hayabusa after a falcon that preys on Blackbirds...

[Jared]

Blackbird came out in 96/97  Hayabusa in 99 (end of 98).

So... a bit longer = a year (which = "or so"...to me anyway ).

Ride what you like - know your limits - be happy.

[Miraz]

Ride what you like - know your limits - be happy.

Gotta agree with that.....wasn't trying to get into a pissing contest about which was the fastest bike either...there are faster and more powerful bikes out there. The bird is an interesting thing to ride because of the way that power is delivered, it's not brutal like other liter class bikes that I've ridden....it is an absolute kitty cat cat at low rpm, almost to the point of being disappointing. The motor is turbine smooth, there is almost no vibration feedback through the seat or bars to let you know whether you are doing 2000 or 10000 rpm. Ran it upon the dyno over the weekend...145rwhp - if it wasn't for the banshee howl from the exhaust and dyno brake you wouldn't have known that the engine was working at all.
The long wheel base makes it immensely stable, it feels cumbersome in the twists at first but once you learn to trust the chassis it is surprisingly agile. The linked brakes mean that it squats, rather than dives under braking which is yet another quirk to get used to.

[bill14224]

I have a 250, a 500, and a 750.  The next step in that logical progression would be 1000, but I don't need that much bike.  I don't want people telling me what I should ride so I don't tell others what they should ride, but liter+bikes are overkill as far as I'm concerned, especially those of the sport bike bent.  600cc's is all a sane person would want in a sport street bike, but that's just my opinion because I understand how dangerous the roads are.  Sure, our bikes are dangerous in and of themselves, regardless of engine power, but the road is even more dangerous, so it's smart to keep your speed down, which eliminates the need for a bike that will do 160.

Don't like being told what to ride, but then tell us all collectively what we should ride - if we were sane. Implication, ride something bigger and you're insane. But it's alright. You're not telling us what to ride, just opinion.

That old timer on the FJR 1300 touring the country with his missus on the back and luggage filled to the brim is an absolute nutter. Fancy wanting such a large bike. A 600cc should do him fine. And that 260 pound bloke over there with the big gut, even though his gut won't allow him on any other bike bar a cruiser, he should go get himself a 650 VStar so he can enjoy his cross country jaunt. He won't have any troubles passing cars if he needs to. Sounds like You need to petition the bike makers to only make 600cc motorbikes so we can all be saved - and forced into sanity.

Next time you say you don't like people telling you what to ride, shut up after that point cause whether you call it Opinion or not you are then telling people what to ride - being hypocritical. And putting in small hints about anything other than what You say means the person is Insane or not Smart. So by your standards, riding a Honda 919 makes me a Dumb Insane person. Hmmm.

Understand, people have a varying array of Needs when it comes to the motorcycle they ride. Straight-line Speed is just One Small Factor among many - comfort, seating capacity, range, looks, torque, seat-to-tank clearance, seat height, wind deflection, handling, luggage capacity, etc.

Michael

I think someone got up on the wrong side of the bed this morning...he's right, they are overkill and not needed...but if everyone beleived that, Ferrari wouldn't sell a single vehicle...same goes with Porsche, Lamborghini...even the "sensible" brands sell overkill vehicles...Corvette, Camaro, Mustang, Challenger, M3, S4, R8...etc...his thinking isn't wrong, it's just not for everyone...and yes, how he said it did come across a little hypocritical, but I don't think it was meant that way...

No sense in getting our panties in a bunch...

Later.

Funny, I had an sarcasm tag there when I posted but it's now gone. Oh well.  

I can fully accept that a liter bike is not for everyone. I can fully accept some people think anything over 600cc is overkill. And if someone says such, then fine. However, I am finely attuned to manipulative word usage - it stands out to me like a sore thumb. And when I see it I call it out. Expose it. I similarly spot hypocrisy a mile off. And I'll call it out. There's no wrong side of the bed or knicker knotting going on. Merely calling out such manipulative language and hypocrisy is all.  

Michael

Didn't mean to convey that meaning.  Ride what you want, but the facts show that the more hp you ride the more you don't make it home, young or old, because people who want to go fast gravitate toward more powerful bikes and speed kills.  Sure, some are mature, experienced, and can resist temptation, but they are in the minority and those aren't those I was trying to address.  I wouldn't expect someone in that group to think I was addressing them and wouldn't expect a reply.  I wouldn't expect someone from the BMW K-1200 crowd cruising at 65 to think I was talking about them.  If you can always resist the temptation to "wring it out a little" whatever bike you ride, you're a better man than me.

If not, I am addressing you, because your skill will fail at sooner than I'd like and you will get injured or killed.   I knew several great guys who are no longer with us because they thought they could wring it out and make it home and they were wrong.  Should I think you're better?  Maybe, but probably not.  Most people want more bike than they think they want/need, because of marketing, and that's what I'm talking about.  Most are younger.  We are set in our ways, it's the rest I'm trying to talk to.  The lust for big bikes overshadows the goodness of middle size bikes.  It's been that way since I swung a leg over these things long ago and it bothers me to no end.  I admit that.  And no, a 600cc is not right for two-up touring.  Never meant to convey that either.  I have a 750 triple for that and that thing will carry your fat ass no matter how big you are at any reasonable speed, as long as your idea of reasonable speed is under 110.

And I live in a place where people are constantly trying to push me into bigger bikes.  Keep that in mind.  I didn't mention that here, sorry.  If it seems like I'm pushing back, that's why.  And I thought I conveyed that I would never advocate any legislation limiting what people can ride.  If you think I'm being a bully on this, take a look at what your local government has cooked-up.  There are always dozens of anti-motorcycling bills on the docket.  I'm trying to fight against it!

But you know what?  After re-reading what I wrote three times I don't take any of it back.  You should pay closer attention.  If you still take offense, you are probably the high-risk rider I'm talking about.

[yamahonkawazuki]

Wasn't the CBR1100XX the fastest production bike prior to the introduction of the Hayabusa?

By about 1 mph for a year or so -Most of the decade before that belonged to the ZX11.

agreed. if you can handle a litrebike. go for it. just ride responsibly. btw not many had mentioned the zx14? wonder why?

[mister]

I have a 250, a 500, and a 750.  The next step in that logical progression would be 1000, but I don't need that much bike.  I don't want people telling me what I should ride so I don't tell others what they should ride, but liter+bikes are overkill as far as I'm concerned, especially those of the sport bike bent.  600cc's is all a sane person would want in a sport street bike, but that's just my opinion because I understand how dangerous the roads are.  Sure, our bikes are dangerous in and of themselves, regardless of engine power, but the road is even more dangerous, so it's smart to keep your speed down, which eliminates the need for a bike that will do 160.

Don't like being told what to ride, but then tell us all collectively what we should ride - if we were sane. Implication, ride something bigger and you're insane. But it's alright. You're not telling us what to ride, just opinion.

That old timer on the FJR 1300 touring the country with his missus on the back and luggage filled to the brim is an absolute nutter. Fancy wanting such a large bike. A 600cc should do him fine. And that 260 pound bloke over there with the big gut, even though his gut won't allow him on any other bike bar a cruiser, he should go get himself a 650 VStar so he can enjoy his cross country jaunt. He won't have any troubles passing cars if he needs to. Sounds like You need to petition the bike makers to only make 600cc motorbikes so we can all be saved - and forced into sanity.

Next time you say you don't like people telling you what to ride, shut up after that point cause whether you call it Opinion or not you are then telling people what to ride - being hypocritical. And putting in small hints about anything other than what You say means the person is Insane or not Smart. So by your standards, riding a Honda 919 makes me a Dumb Insane person. Hmmm.

Understand, people have a varying array of Needs when it comes to the motorcycle they ride. Straight-line Speed is just One Small Factor among many - comfort, seating capacity, range, looks, torque, seat-to-tank clearance, seat height, wind deflection, handling, luggage capacity, etc.

Michael

I think someone got up on the wrong side of the bed this morning...he's right, they are overkill and not needed...but if everyone beleived that, Ferrari wouldn't sell a single vehicle...same goes with Porsche, Lamborghini...even the "sensible" brands sell overkill vehicles...Corvette, Camaro, Mustang, Challenger, M3, S4, R8...etc...his thinking isn't wrong, it's just not for everyone...and yes, how he said it did come across a little hypocritical, but I don't think it was meant that way...

No sense in getting our panties in a bunch...

Later.

Funny, I had an sarcasm tag there when I posted but it's now gone. Oh well.  

I can fully accept that a liter bike is not for everyone. I can fully accept some people think anything over 600cc is overkill. And if someone says such, then fine. However, I am finely attuned to manipulative word usage - it stands out to me like a sore thumb. And when I see it I call it out. Expose it. I similarly spot hypocrisy a mile off. And I'll call it out. There's no wrong side of the bed or knicker knotting going on. Merely calling out such manipulative language and hypocrisy is all.  

Michael

Didn't mean to convey that meaning.  Ride what you want, but the facts show that the more hp you ride the more you don't make it home, young or old, because people who want to go fast gravitate toward more powerful bikes and speed kills.  Sure, some are mature, experienced, and can resist temptation, but they are in the minority and those aren't those I was trying to address.  I wouldn't expect someone in that group to think I was addressing them and wouldn't expect a reply.  I wouldn't expect someone from the BMW K-1200 crowd cruising at 65 to think I was talking about them.  If you can always resist the temptation to "wring it out a little" whatever bike you ride, you're a better man than me.

If not, I am addressing you, because your skill will fail at sooner than I'd like and you will get injured or killed.   I knew several great guys who are no longer with us because they thought they could wring it out and make it home and they were wrong.  Should I think you're better?  Maybe, but probably not.  Most people want more bike than they think they want/need, because of marketing, and that's what I'm talking about.  Most are younger.  We are set in our ways, it's the rest I'm trying to talk to.  The lust for big bikes overshadows the goodness of middle size bikes.  It's been that way since I swung a leg over these things long ago and it bothers me to no end.  I admit that.  And no, a 600cc is not right for two-up touring.  Never meant to convey that either.  I have a 750 triple for that and that thing will carry your fat ass no matter how big you are at any reasonable speed, as long as your idea of reasonable speed is under 110.

And I live in a place where people are constantly trying to push me into bigger bikes.  Keep that in mind.  I didn't mention that here, sorry.  If it seems like I'm pushing back, that's why.  And I thought I conveyed that I would never advocate any legislation limiting what people can ride.  If you think I'm being a bully on this, take a look at what your local government has cooked-up.  There are always dozens of anti-motorcycling bills on the docket.  I'm trying to fight against it!

But you know what?  After re-reading what I wrote three times I don't take any of it back.  You should pay closer attention.  If you still take offense, you are probably the high-risk rider I'm talking about.

Thank you for clarifying. And I do agree.

I sometimes ride with a group who, you could say, are more into racing the bike than riding it. I'll just hang on back and wave bye bye as they disappear in the distance. I'll do my own thing and then pull up at the designated stop a few minutes behind and we can then socialize. Time to go, repeat, they disappear and I eventually turn up at the next stop. A few have even commented that they don't mind riding behind me cause I am Solid and know how to handle a bike without pushing it. Yet, if the group is zooming off, then those same people go too while I keep being Solid. I quite enjoy Pace Riding and feel no peer pressure to accelerate to corners, slam on the breaks to within moments of losing traction, taking the lean to the limits and then Zoom off to the next corner. Such riding does nothing for me. I think more skill is required to Pace Ride along a road.

The days of "You meet the nicest people on a Honda" are gone. Marketing, televised superbikes, etc.,  creates urges for Super Sport bikes where a basic Street Bike would more than suffice.

When I got my 919 someone asked why, because you cannot do 200kph on it without being blown around like buggery. Why would I want to do 200kph? I don't do track days and there is no speed limit that high anywhere. They didn't understand how I could happily not go that fast anywhere.

I like to think it's a Maturity of some description. But I don't know, some of these "racers" are middle age and you'd think they would be mature enough to know better. Then again, if they are Into that culture...

Michael

[madjak30]

That's my attitude as well...some of the guys I ride with are on the SS bikes (R1, CBR1000RR, ZX11) and if they want to go, they go...I also get the "why do you ride naked bikes?" questions with the implication if it being uncomfortable to ride at 200kph+...my answer is, why would I be going that fast for more than a few seconds?? (I have my immature moments  )  I tend to ride at the speed limit (+10%), so my only reason for getting a bigger bike (or it could just be me wanting a bigger bike) was that the GS had trouble keeping the pace when it was very windy or the hills are steep without having to ride in 4th gear all the time...I wanted the extra torque...the Hp didn't matter to me...(the extra leg room helped as well)

As for age being an indicator of maturity...some of the guys I ride with are in their early 20s and are quite mature...I know others (not pointing any fingers...Jay) that are in their mid-40s and still don't see anything wrong with how they ride (aggressive...high speed...SQUIDDY!!)...maybe Peter Pan syndrome??  or maybe they are invincible??  I'm not, so I try to ride with the thought of going home to see my kids... 

Later.

[yamahonkawazuki]

ive been accused of both riding, and driving like grandpa. ( with a few obvious exceptions  ) well grandpa being SL +10-15%. hteyre like, dude your slow. im like well, im still here, and my bike has never been wrecked. and i dont have any road rash either. i hope it stays that way. i had hte power IF i needed it. rode my gs to GA and back as well as my sportster. 416 miles each way. in one day

[ragecage23]

[...]so it's smart to keep your speed down, which eliminates the need for a bike that will do 160.

especially like the Busa, which will do 100 in first gear (or so I've heard)