So, I saw an RC-51 the other day and it made me want to upgrade to one! Now, I don't really need a liter bike, and nor do I need to pay the in$urance rate$ on a liter-bike. What other sport bikes around are there that are as diminuitive as the GS500, BUT have at least 80-90hp? All the 600's I have seen look oaf'ish compared to the rc51/superhawk
You kidding? The RC-51 is a heffer! It's pretty portly and wide. Why don't you check out the Ducati Monster line? The old 750s and 800s and the new S2Rs should get you started.
There's an SV-650 with your name on it. 8)
Take a look at the MV Agusta Brutale. Thats what I want to get next year (the wife is complaining that I'm riding her bike to much). I just cant seem to justify speeding that much on a motorcycle.
I have a future eye on the YZF-600R. They are tamer than an R6, by how much I don't know, but the horsepower is in the range you listed. I've read good things about it.
Quote from: AlphaFire X5You kidding? The RC-51 is a heffer! It's pretty portly and wide. .
thats the truth! RC's are huge. The superhawk is a narrow bike though. maybe tarzanboy is getting them confused?
I'd love an RC. I'm with the TzB all the way on that one.
I wonder if they would be as tricky as an in-line 4 liter bike or if the power would be a bit more managable.
I have 3 candidates for my next bike.
1. Honda Interceptor
2. SV-650
3. Honda Magna 750
Sport bike wise, the interceptor is the only thing that I really like right now, and it's not even considered a full fledge sport bike.
I saw an sv650 in person and it definitely seemed a little taller and larger than my gs500.
The bike I saw that I *think* was an RC-51 definitely had a shorter front/headlight than my GS. I can't say for sure which bike it was... but it did have the RC-51 fairing that says RVT on it
Quote from: Sir SmaptyI have 3 candidates for my next bike.
1. Honda Interceptor
2. SV-650
3. Honda Magna 750
wow, those are 3
completely different bikes. What kind of riding do you usually do? If you stick solely to city streets, short distances, or twisties, the SV would probably be the way to go. If you are only doing highway/cruising, the other two will suit you well.
If you're going to mix it up--highway/touring/twisties/etc, than the VFR is probably your best bet out of those 3. I just bought a 2000 VFR last weekend, and so far, I love it. Sporty w/o having punishing ergos; plenty fast; plenty nimble. It isn't the best at any one thing, but the VFR is known for doing everything well...plus, it looks sh*t hot IMO.
but hell, I'm biased now.
Quote from: TarzanBoyI saw an sv650 in person and it definitely seemed a little taller and larger than my gs500.
The SV has a pretty similar seating position and seat height to the GS, and it's actually 20-30 lbs
lighter than the little G.
meet mr rc51:
(http://sportrider.com/bikes/2002/2002-hon-rc51-03-zoom.jpg)
(http://sportrider.com/bikes/2002/2002-hon-rc51-02-zoom.jpg)
this years color:
(http://www.mag-knight.com/images/Black%20RC51.jpg)
badass bike. manageable power except if you're hard on the throttle, it'll buck ya.
Quote from: Jake DI'd love an RC. I'm with the TzB all the way on that one.
I wonder if they would be as tricky as an in-line 4 liter bike or if the power would be a bit more managable.
Stop wishing and start buying!!
http://www.kcsbforums.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=10337
Keep an eye out for the new naked 600 suzuki is putting out same motor as GSXR 600 but slightly detuned for better low and mid range cant remember what they are calling it bbut pretty sure the letters GS are in there some where.
I've ridden the RC51, and I really like it. I was interested to see how it compared to my Ducati 998. It is ALOT wider and not as flickable, but if I wanted a v twin superbike, cheap, this would be it. There are ways to make them handle better, with some suspension mods.
I agree with some of the others though, an SV or a ducati monster is an awesome upgrade from the GS. Have you ever ridden a monster? If not then do it! I love mine. My friend who had a GS said that would be the bike he would upgrade too after his GS. It has about enough of everything. One downfall to them though is power, which some people on this board seemed to be really infatuated with. Its got plenty for me, and I've torn up a TON of Jap supersports on it in the twisties, but my 750 has got 60rwhp. Thats it, and alot less than a SV. Still all I need plus I think mine is prettier :) . I love the ducati line for its uniqueness, and that they are not as common, however, i guess if i want it to stay that way, i shouldn't go around recommending to everyone now should I?
And if you are going to ask about insane service intervals, and un reliability, DON'T, just myths. Never had a hiccup out of mine. I bet you would never have a hiccup out of a rc either.
Quote from: PatrickInNCI've ridden the RC51, and I really like it. I was interested to see how it compared to my Ducati 998. It is ALOT wider and not as flickable, but if I wanted a v twin superbike, cheap, this would be it. There are ways to make them handle better, with some suspension mods.
I agree with some of the others though, an SV or a ducati monster is an awesome upgrade from the GS. Have you ever ridden a monster? If not then do it! I love mine. My friend who had a GS said that would be the bike he would upgrade too after his GS. It has about enough of everything. One downfall to them though is power, which some people on this board seemed to be really infatuated with. Its got plenty for me, and I've torn up a TON of Jap supersports on it in the twisties, but my 750 has got 60rwhp. Thats it, and alot less than a SV. Still all I need plus I think mine is prettier :) . I love the ducati line for its uniqueness, and that they are not as common, however, i guess if i want it to stay that way, i shouldn't go around recommending to everyone now should I?
And if you are going to ask about insane service intervals, and un reliability, DON'T, just myths. Never had a hiccup out of mine. I bet you would never have a hiccup out of a rc either.
A very good friend of mine has an S2R.
the thing has a bent subframe from the factory. Duc offered him $1000 if he'll live with it. There's apparently two oil filters... one that screws inside the engine and is plastic, and the plastic cracked on it. It was in the shop for two weeks over that. The brake lever cracked on him as well. Here's the kicker... the oil cooler line cracked.. and there were no replacement parts available. He's been without it for a month now with no ETA in sight.
SO what does he do.. goes and buys a new 2004 999.. As he's riding it home from the dealer (I was behind him) and noticed his back tire was like wet... or something... we pull over and oil is leaking out from somewhere... not the airbox drain, not the drain plug, filter, or pressure sending unit.
He took THAT back (with 20 miles!!) and ended up getting an 05.
no problems with THAT one.... yet....
the oil stuff sounds like bad dealer prep to me. As for the hard parts cracking. Maybe this had to do with shipping? Who knows. Thats pretty bad. Everyone knows someone thats had a lemon from any mfg. though. I just heard about the first R1's in Englad and all their recalls. Honestly, I no of very few people with problems with ducati's.Especially the Monster line. Stinks about your friend though. What is the dealer saying about all this? oopsss.... sounds like we are thread jacking. It also sounds like your friend has some money for ducati's. Ask him to buy you one :)
yup. ducatis are bunch of pos. my friends yellow monster is just a big fat slow duck...
You mean your friends "RIDING" makes his Yellow monster a slow duc? Lets be real here. Thats like saying that I need a 168 rwhp GSXR 1000 so I can ride faster.
So what do you think? Is there a Vtwin in your future? Do you have any dealers to ride a RC/SV/Ducati? Go try them out. They are loads of fun.
-Patrick
i'm sorry...i just got wrapped up in duc bashing. no, really. ducatis are fine italian machine.
if you like nakid bikes, ducati monster is a fine upgrade. though you will have a find a good shop to take it to for maintenance. but you can find a used ones for pretty cheap.
I don't like the looks of Ducati's tube frames, they just aren't my thing. They do sound great, though. One of the profs in the agronomy department I used to work for had a 996, it sounded like sex on wheels. He did have some problems with the valvetrain maintenance, though.
I'll stick to jap bikes, and maybe Buells (that's a big maybe) for now - I don't have the cash or the time to throw at an exotic.
Quote from: JazzzzzI'll stick to jap bikes, and maybe Buells (that's a big maybe) for now - I don't have the cash or the time to throw at an exotic.
but you wouldn't mind throwing cash at junk (buell)?
Quote from: JetSwingi'm sorry...i just got wrapped up in duc bashing. no, really. ducatis are fine italian machine.
its just a pity about most of the people that ride them not all of them just most of them. In Aust most of them are like harley riders arogant, unsocial and so up themselfs and the worst thing is spend $$$$$ and half of them can't ride for s**t give me Jap bikes and there riders anytime :thumb: :cheers:
The SV is a great step up, it handles and has good power that is managable at all rpm's. Liter bikes are fast in a straight line but stink at the corners, there just too big chassis wise.
Quote from: JetSwingyup. ducatis are bunch of pos. my friends yellow monster is just a big fat slow duck...
Well well, looks who's yapping... if it isn't our very own GS crash test rider Mr. Jetswing. :lol:
Ducati Monster rocks!!! I've owned two Ducati's thus far: 01' M750, and now a 01' M900Sie. I've done some considerable road testing on both Italian machines, and they have been extremely reliable. Yeah occasionally they do need a so called "fancy" valve adjustment every 6k and 12k, but it's a lot more simple, and affordable compared to most maintenace work needed on those Jap inline-4's.
The whole myth about Ducati's being a rich man's bike is wad load of crap if you ask me... that is unless you own a 999R... now that's bling! :thumb:
Besides, no other bike I've heard can compare to that deep, Italian V-Twin growl.
Quote from: dynamic213Quote from: JetSwingyup. ducatis are bunch of pos. my friends yellow monster is just a big fat slow duck...
Well well, looks who's yapping... if it isn't our very own GS crash test rider Mr. Jetswing. :lol:
Ducati Monster rocks!!! I've owned two Ducati's thus far: 01' M750, and now a 01' M900Sie. I've done some considerable road testing on both Italian machines, and they have been extremely reliable. Yeah occasionally they do need a so called "fancy" valve adjustment every 6k and 12k, but it's a lot more simple, and affordable compared to most maintenace work needed on those Jap inline-4's.
The whole myth about Ducati's being a rich man's bike is wad load of crap if you ask me... that is unless you own a 999R... now that's bling! :thumb:
Besides, no other bike I've heard can compare to that deep, Italian V-Twin growl.
ducati this ducati that...go back to where all the rich snobs hang out
what a noob... :P
Quote from: ducati this ducati that...go back to where all the rich snobs hang out
what a noob... :P[/quote
We ducati peeps roam wherever we please. :nana:
Quote from: dynamic213
Besides, no other bike I've heard can compare to that deep, Italian V-Twin growl.
Umm TLR1000, RC51, SV 650-1000, VTR1000, MTO1, Moto Guzzi's even some TRX850's all sound as good with aftermarket pipes just like the ducati's
Only thing they have going for them is they look good and do sound good otherwise the extra money spent is not worth it over a jap bike and at least I know with a jap bike if I dont ride it for 2-3 weeks it will start and not cost me 3 hours of charging or a new battery. (mind you I do have a soft spot for monsters but still wouldn't buy one) also check what a big end rebuild would cost, you will get a big :o and also a replacement computer for a 748 which are apparently a problem not sure if it was one model or all but my mates one took 5 weeks to source one it also stuffed out and he managed to get a modified one from some bloke that seem to fix it but after having to fork out 3grand on repairs for each thing that broke on his immaculate 748 with 11000 km on it that he owned for six months and got to ride it 5 times when it wasn't being worked on he decided to sell it.
:thumb: :cheers:
Quote from: Lukewarm WilsonQuote from: dynamic213
Besides, no other bike I've heard can compare to that deep, Italian V-Twin growl.
Umm TLR1000, RC51, SV 650-1000, VTR1000, MTO1, Moto Guzzi's even some TRX850's all sound as good with aftermarket pipes just like the ducati's
Only thing they have going for them is they look good and do sound good otherwise the extra money spent is not worth it over a jap bike...
that is a load of crap. The Tl1000 is probably the best sounding vtwin I've ever heard (when opened up with a/m pipes). Second is the RC51...theyre both beasts when opened up...the ducati's next. the sv650, with a yoshi full pipe sounds just like a monster, surprisingly.
having said that, there is nothing like an italian vtwin (so they say). the 749/999 definitely are better than the 'jap' bikes, as confirmed by loads of magazine tests. But, whether they are worth the extra cash is debatable, beyond the mystical qualities associated with ducati, also confirmed by same loads of magazine tests. Two recent ones come to mind actually, one testing a modded up rc51 compared to (a still more expensive) 999s. both did well. Another tested those two bikes, all stock, and included the Aprilia Mille R (not the Factory R). Same results, more money buys you better bike, but no one is convinced its necessarily worth it. Depends on whether you buy into the ducati mystique.
Either way, there hasnt been a liter vtwin at the track thats been able to keep up with my 600cc inline 4. :dunno:
Quote from: pantablo[
that is a load of crap.
Which bit? :thumb: :cheers:
V-twins sound great on the street, just burbling along. When it comes to the track, though, the brawwwwrrrrrrr... at WOT just can't compare to the F1-like sound of an I-4 - Freeeeeeeeeeeeyyywwwwwwwww!!!!!
All IMO. :)
Get a Moto Guzzi Breva. Much easier to DIY the maintenance than a Duc.
Quote from: Lukewarm WilsonQuote from: dynamic213
Besides, no other bike I've heard can compare to that deep, Italian V-Twin growl.
Umm TLR1000, RC51, SV 650-1000, VTR1000, MTO1, Moto Guzzi's even some TRX850's all sound as good with aftermarket pipes just like the ducati's
Only thing they have going for them is they look good and do sound good otherwise the extra money spent is not worth it over a jap bike and at least I know with a jap bike if I dont ride it for 2-3 weeks it will start and not cost me 3 hours of charging or a new battery. (mind you I do have a soft spot for monsters but still wouldn't buy one) also check what a big end rebuild would cost, you will get a big :o and also a replacement computer for a 748 which are apparently a problem not sure if it was one model or all but my mates one took 5 weeks to source one it also stuffed out and he managed to get a modified one from some bloke that seem to fix it but after having to fork out 3grand on repairs for each thing that broke on his immaculate 748 with 11000 km on it that he owned for six months and got to ride it 5 times when it wasn't being worked on he decided to sell it.
:thumb: :cheers:
Wow, sounds like someone has a case of Duc hate'n here. :guns: But then again this is a Jap rice site after all.
Every bike sounds different with different exhaust. It all boils down to personal prefference at the end, and for me, the answer is pretty obvious :P
In terms of battery life, I've left my Ducati un-ridden for well over a month when I was over seas. Came back, hit the ignition and she fired up right up. (Here's a tip mate, try a battery tenderizer... if you ever leave your bike unridden for a while, it's always a good idea to hook that puppy up. Batteries are meant to discharge electricity. Yes, that happens even when the bike is off... can you believe it?!? :o So, I wouldn't blame it on "ducati's" for a natural event like that. That's like saying "I sneezed today and it was all God's fault").
Fortunately, I've never had to experience an engine rebuilt, nor do I see that happening anytime in the near future. But I am certain that it is an expensive job no matter what kind of bike you own since they all require the same amount of time and labor. Let that be Jap, Korean, Chinese, Italian, German, British, Moon, Mars, Venus... well you get the point. :)
I don't know where your buddy's been getting his repairs done on the 748, but it sure didn't sound like a place I'd be dumb enough to keep throwing gold coins at every other week. There are tones of independent shops that can work on exotic bike who are just as qualified as the certified dealers who are much cheaper. I have never taken my Ducati to an actual "Ducati dealer" for any kind of repair or maintenance. It's common sense to realize that the sole purpose of those "dealers" are to rip you off and tear you a new one every time you step your foot in the door.
It sounds like you've had a few isolated events that have unfortunately scared you for life. I'm sure there are many Jap motorcycle owners who have encountered just as much problem as you and your friend have. After all, it's just a piece of machine, and they are meant to break down sooner or later.
I'm not saying I'm a rice hater, I love Jap bikes, but I was never able to afford one that I'd actually liked. Plus there are just wayyyy too many of them on the street. :lol:
Quote from: RoadstergalWhen it comes to the track, though, the brawwwwrrrrrrr... at WOT just can't compare to the F1-like sound of an I-4 - Freeeeeeeeeeeeyyywwwwwwwww!!!!!
All IMO. :)
mmmm, hell yeah.
yeah all the above is true and true ducati fans will always point out that the electrical parts are jap so its not italys fault :lol:
and yes it probably is isolated instances but isolated to all the ducati's ive known personally but admittly thats only 4 duc's but 4 out of 4 is not a great average.
I do like the look and sound of ducati's they are a work of art and i respect there linage and history so don't get me wrong I don't HATE them just very weary of them. No my biggest issue with them is there riders (see prevoius post) yourself excluded of course :thumb: over here most are just so arrogant and care nothing for other riders or bikes as I was able to find out from the Victorian Ducati Owners group what a BOAH now I know not all Duc riders are cahns but 99% of the hundred or so were in this group this was even confirmed to me by a member of the NSW chapter who I work with.
No I don't hate ducati's just harleys :lol: :thumb: :cheers:
Pantablo I read that article too - I can't remember which mag it was in - I subscribe to about 6 of the damn things! I wanted an Aprilia RSVR for the longest time - I still do, but you can't get any of them. The boyfriend wants a 999, and I've sat on an RC-51 - very sexy, but very hot. I gave up, I'm just going to get a new R1 :)
I've read that the RC51 sucks in terms of performance compared to all of its I4 competitors (1000RR, GSX-R1000, R1 etc, ZX-xR)
Quote from: rtcpenguinI've read that the RC51 sucks in terms of performance compared to all of its I4 competitors (1000RR, GSX-R1000, R1 etc, ZX-xR)
It's a twin. The "performance" you're probably looking at is peak horsepower. What you're probably not looking at is the torque and power curve. The torque is much more useable on a twin than an I4, and they arrive sooner so that you don't have to rev it to the stratosphere. Twins are much more street ridable with more USEABLE power.
Quote from: Maduro MistressI gave up, I'm just going to get a new R1 :)
same here. I'd get the R1 over any of the vtwins, including the 999. that R1 is the sexiest bike on the earth. :mrgreen:
Quote from: rtcpenguinI've read that the RC51 sucks in terms of performance compared to all of its I4 competitors (1000RR, GSX-R1000, R1 etc, ZX-xR)
you'll see that at the track too. more useable power perhaps but heavier to turn and down on outright power. the I4's rule at the trackdays, but it has a great deal to do with the rider. There are guys running sv650's kicking ass over literbikes.
Quote from: pantablo
Either way, there hasnt been a liter vtwin at the track thats been able to keep up with my 600cc inline 4. :dunno:
:bs:
Here, lemme post as an arrogant Ducati rider ( ;) ) and say...
near stock 749's have been running 26's at Willow since last season...25's this year, and 999 (and my friend Jack Pfeifer on an Aprilia Factory) have run 23's and better.
mylaps.com can verify this
Your inline 600cc inline 4 hasn't gone quite that fast, has it? :dunno:
:mrgreen: sorry, hafta keep the truth out there, you local socal guys should know better
Riding twins is great fun.
:thumb:
Can I suggest a new Honda 600RR.... I love it... it was a great transition from the baby gs....
Quote from: wsmc27Quote from: pantablo
Either way, there hasnt been a liter vtwin at the track thats been able to keep up with my 600cc inline 4. :dunno:
:bs:
Here, lemme post as an arrogant Ducati rider ( ;) ) and say...
near stock 749's have been running 26's at Willow since last season...25's this year, and 999 (and my friend Jack Pfeifer on an Aprilia Factory) have run 23's and better.
mylaps.com can verify this
Your inline 600cc inline 4 hasn't gone quite that fast, has it? :dunno:
:mrgreen: sorry, hafta keep the truth out there, you local socal guys should know better
Riding twins is great fun.
:thumb:
:roll: I guess you missed the part where I say
Quotebut it has a great deal to do with the rider.
, huh.
mylaps.com doesnt give type of bike, only names and times so its impossible to show whether only the vtwins are running those times or the racers are running those times, regardless of the type or engine configuration on the bike.
I'm not talking about racers. I'm talking the rest of us, sport riders. I'm no racer but I can pull low 30's at willow.
At a trackday, my experience has been that the I4 guys are faster than the v2 guys, and that the 600cc bikes can run as fast as the liter bikes. This is my experience in the dozen or so trackdays I've recently done and has no bearing or relationship to racing. it does include racers at the trackday though.
Ultimately, all the bikes are fast, or are capable of being ridden fast. Hell, one guy out at Willow is running mid-high 20's on an sv650...its all about the rider.
Quote from: Altruism111Can I suggest a new Honda 600RR.... I love it... it was a great transition from the baby gs....
:thumb:
I dont think anyone in their right mind should go from a 500cc to a liter bike. I can run 0-60mph on my 600rr in about 3 seconds. That is plenty fast enough for me.
There is a guy in my sportbike club who bought an R1 as his first bike. Every single officer in the club was shocked and amazed he would be so stupid. The VP was pissed off at him for being so dumb, because he knows this guy is gonna crash and give our club a bad name. Many people went off on him for being retarded. He thinks he's a hardcore badass.
R1 as a first bike... what a moron.
You mean like the guy that works at my dentists' office? R1 as a first bike, layed it down (whattashocker) and doesn't ride anymore. This was all in a months time... I kinda wish morons like this would buy liter-bikes and skid lids... see where I'm goin?
As for the club, kick the moron out.
He has yet to ride with us, but if he does and he is unsafe in any way they will kick him out.
Quote from: dionysusAs for the club, kick the moron out.
:lol: Kick the guy out for buying an R1 as his first bike? :lol: That is a little extreme, I'd say... I mean yeah, it isn't the best choice for a first bike OBVIOUSLY, but his bike choice should not automatically make him an idiot. How he rides it determines that.
Just as with every other aspect of motorcycle riding - like pantablo pointed out - it has more to do with the RIDER than the BIKE. :thumb:
Quote from: pantabloQuote from: wsmc27Quote from: pantablo
Either way, there hasnt been a liter vtwin at the track thats been able to keep up with my 600cc inline 4. :dunno:
:bs:
:roll: I guess you missed the part where I say Quotebut it has a great deal to do with the rider.
, huh.
mylaps.com doesnt give type of bike, only names and times so its impossible to show whether only the vtwins are running those times or the racers are running those times, regardless of the type or engine configuration on the bike.
I'm not talking about racers. I'm talking the rest of us, sport riders. I'm no racer but I can pull low 30's at willow.
At a trackday, my experience has been that the I4 guys are faster than the v2 guys, and that the 600cc bikes can run as fast as the liter bikes. This is my experience in the dozen or so trackdays I've recently done and has no bearing or relationship to racing. it does include racers at the trackday though.
Ultimately, all the bikes are fast, or are capable of being ridden fast. Hell, one guy out at Willow is running mid-high 20's on an sv650...its all about the rider.
:) Yes, you're correct. I only responded to the one post and comment about twins that can't keep up...
I've run an R6 faster laps at Willow then most I4 liter bikes/riders will ever go there, so you are correct in that as well ("600cc bikes can run as fast as the liter bikes"). Just depends on who shows up at the track day you're at, and I don't think a blanket statement suggesting that twins can't run as fast or faster then an I4 are accurate. My opinion is backed up by facts in the electronic t&s at wsmc.
fwiw, as you're new to the track, most of the more experienced people seem to refer differently to times...in that:
No SV goes mid/high 20's, in that a mid 20 is like a 1:20.5 and a high 20 is like a 1:20.9
Yes, a few SV racers have gone 28's and 29's and i think the fastest of the fast on highly modded SV's have gone 26's and 27's
30's will refer to times in the 1:30.0 to 1:30.999 area, 31's are, well you get it...
HTH, have fun in your riding.
:thumb:
And since the thread was about twins/RC51 my experience on a stock magazine test bike (ridden at 'the Streets of Willow" a few years ago) was favorable, it's a lot cheaper to purchase then a Ducati and a ton of fun to ride. Heavy compared to any I4 600 but a totally different style of power delivery.
Twins are pretty good fun.
Quote from: wsmc27about twins/RC51 ...was favorable, it's a lot cheaper to purchase then a Ducati and a ton of fun to ride. Heavy compared to any I4 600 but a totally different style of power delivery.
Twins are pretty good fun.
yep, that was their conclusion too.
I'll try to remember the timing thing...so mid 30's is 1:30.5-ish. So I should say I run 32's or some such then...I see why that would be important.
check it out fellas... i rode a superhawk today (http://www.gstwins.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=21613&sid=8824de0c5f088615dd96e0e9e916754d)
thank you, its about time we got back on topic. I had no intentions of starting a V-twin vs. I-4/ducati vs. Jap war. And I think Mr. Tarzanboy would also appreciate that his thread be used for advice in buying his next streetbike instead of what bike is faster at a TRACK. I don't understand why people get into these conversations anyways. I don't personally know ANYONE who can fully explore the limits of modern sportbikes to their full potential, especially on the street, and by that I mean one with curves that require the user to do more than exercise his right hand. I hope I haven't offended anyone, but it just bothers me that people get into these , My bike is faster conversations when they will never be able to take the bike to its limit. Which is pretty much the reason I don't buy I4's. I4's just don't have any real usable power. especially for the street. Nowhere on the street can you (especially safely) ride an modern I4 bike where its meant to be ridden. Check out the August Motorcycist Magazine, where they compare a 636 vs a GSXR 1000. ONly a HIGHLY experienced rider was able to utilize the very good equipment the GSXR had to offer. When the other author switched it up, and rode the 1000, he was actually SLOWER on the 1000 than he was with the 636. Also the 636 was not far off the pace of the 1000. Thats how fast bikes are today. And this is on a closed course race track.
Now all that being said, Tarzanboy... Have you been turned on to the power of the TWIN?? Isn't that a great sound? did the superhawk have pipes. Even though I own ducati's, I envy the sound of the RC, TL, and superhawk. Maybe its just because I don't get to hear my bike when I'm not on it. Maybe I just have wrong pipes. But those things sound so good. They seem louder and deeper. Aprilia's do too. You got anywhere you can test ride a RC? or even a TL or monster? I try to encourage people to make sure to "ask for the test ride" as that is what really can hook you to a bike. Test ride all you can.
-Patrick
Tarzanboy you got your lincense right? I remember you posting that you did. Anyway the Atlanta Triumph Ducati, LLC on 1907-B Piedmont Road NE will let you test ride the different bikes if you have your license. You should check them out. I took the Brutale for a test ride :) I want one just cant justify buying a bike for 15K.
On my last ride with friends, I was on my TL1000S with full race Yoshimura system with titanium cans. Along for the ride was a 999 Tosland replica with 57mm race system, 748 Bayless replica, S4r with Arrow shotgun high mount, Rc-51 with Acropovic, ZX-10 R with 2Brothers, heavily modified Superhawk with M4's, and several other modded bikes. However, at every stop everone; riders and bystanders alike looked up when I started or revved my bike. I even had a guy on a heavily modified R1 with underseat system chase me through the twisties to tell me how good my bike sounded.
The only thing Ducs have it that clutch rattle. The are not reliable or practical in any sense. But, neither is riding a 400 pound 150 horsepower beast, so we are all a little irrational.
Quote from: Phaedrus:lol: Kick the guy out for buying an R1 as his first bike? :lol: That is a little extreme, I'd say... I mean yeah, it isn't the best choice for a first bike OBVIOUSLY, but his bike choice should not automatically make him an idiot. How he rides it determines that.
Just as with every other aspect of motorcycle riding - like pantablo pointed out - it has more to do with the RIDER than the BIKE. :thumb:
It was more from
Quote from: AlphaFire X5he knows this guy is gonna crash
than the bike. Seems like people that know this guy are fairly confidant he's an idiot. Why let him endanger everyone else's lives? If it was a "normal" m/c club then yeah, give him a shot. But it was specifically a sport rinding club, which is risky enough without extra idiots around you, let him ride for a few months before he joins.