So let's talk motorcycles...

[shadow_stallion]

It's been a while since I professed my lust love of sport bikes and all the fun gear that go along with them. A recent conversation on Twitter brought it back to the forefront and actually has me once more pondering just exactly what bike I want to seriously consider. It's a given that it WILL be in the sport bike class, there really is no further

Comments

[ext_227120]

Ugh. Another pointless noisemaker. Glad you won't be in my neighborhood.

I rode a bike for many years, actually, but I think my values are probably perpendicular to yours. In my case, it was a substitute for a horse and one of the goals was to keep it so quiet that I could still hear birds. This is possible, but not with the kind of bike you're talking about. ;p

[shadow_stallion]

*snickers* No, I'm not kind when it comes to controlling noise pollution. Then again I am not as sensitive to it as you are either. I'm one of those types that is out with the weed eater making all sorts of noise on the weekends. :P

I have no desire for an overly noisy bike but that tends to come with the type I am looking at. Some are worse than others though, I don't know how the riders stand them. >.<

[ext_227120]

For some people, it does seem that the whole point of the motorcycle is to make as much loud and obnoxious noise as possible. It appears to be a tool of anti-social behavior, which does nothing to improve the image of cyclists in general, believe me.

As for the idiot you mentioned yesterday who was lane splitting with no helmet and probably speeding as well, yeah, that too. Probably not a potential organ donor either because it's difficult to salvage anything usable from someone who is smeared into a 300 foot streak on the pavement or down the side of a semi. Lane splitting makes about as much sense as riding your bike down the middle of an active railroad track does.

[shadow_stallion]

You're preaching to the choir. ^.~

Lane splitting is a hot and controversial topic in many circles. I have seen a ton or arguments for and against. I still land on the side of against since I don't see how anything but harm can come of it.

And no, the guy yesterday was not speeding. We were creeping along at maybe 10-15 MPH and he was going only slightly faster...still pisses me off though. It puts me in the same state of rage that happens when I see cyclists ignore stop signs or traffic signals.

[felder]

Well, not my kind of bike ;) not that I know how to ride a bike at the moment..

But, I always like Suzuki and the 600's a smart looking beast.

I'd prefer something more slow and throbby to ride though ;)

[shadow_stallion]

*laughs* That reminds me of a convo I was having with a local friend recently. While at his place I had seen some very cute sport bikes and pointed them out. I think he said something to the effect of wanting something meatier between his legs. :D

Probably comes as a bit of a shock to some of my friends that I would want a bike like this and not a cruiser. Chalk it up to being my middle age toy and something I have always wanted.

I like the look of the Suzuki too, I'm really curious to see someone chime in and tell me why they (or their riders) get bad mouthed.

[ext_227120]

In my experience, Suzuki produces some of the noisiest bikes, which in turn attracts riders who get a kick out of making loud noise. That alone is likely to get both the machines and their riders some bad publicity and reputations among some of us.

[shadow_stallion]

Maybe that is where the Gixxers get some of their bad rep from. Most all of the ads for used bikes includes something about how the exhaust is not standard. :P

[shadow_stallion]

The 'sport touring' bikes don't do a thing for me in terms of looks and I have never had a desire to own one. If my choice was between a sport touring type bike and a car then I would choose the car. :P

I don't have to have an upright position but I also don't want to feel like I'm laying down over the tank to ride either. I know it is a hard combination to find. That's why I'm taking my time and getting a lot of input before I shell out something on the order of 5-12k on one.

You have to realize, this all started with me picking a Ninja 250 and all my friends saying how unhappy I would be with it. A work in progress if you will on settling on just the right type for me. :D

[shadow_stallion]

Naked? Care to explain that one? I'm not sure I have heard that term before.

[schnee]

I can't say anything about the bikes themselves, but generally speaking, I'd advise against going by what others may or may not think of you when you ride a specific model.

Go by what you like - find a bike that looks good and feels good. :)

[shadow_stallion]

*chuckles* Good point and ultimately I will more or less do what I want anyway. Just because someone recommends something doesn't mean it is a perfect fit for me. I will go out to the dealer, give it a good going over and make sure it feels right before I buy it.

Mainly I'm trying to flush out some of the pros and cons of the different models.

[schnee]

*noddles* That's something I can't help you with, alas... I'm only familiar with bikes that use muscle power. :)

[shadow_stallion]

They're not bad looking bikes at all. :D Not sure it is exactly what I am looking for in the looks department though but certainly close.

I think at this point I am torn between the Ninja 650R and something along the lines of the Interceptor or VFR. There are some features of those that appeal to me even at the cost of an additional 100 pounds of bike. I would have to see one in person to be sure but it just sounds heavy or heavier than I at least think I want.

[bladehorse]

And here I am riding my 73 honda CB550:p its a nice upright bike, but it ya want(Like I do evey day on the way to work, is use the back pegs for the more sporty feel) I know this is frouned upon, but I cant afford a modern sport bike.
I'm sorta in the same quandry, in that I want a mid upright bike.Sports are fun, but I cant imagine riding them long distances without a back operation:p
I was really debating a buell for a while, but then they scrapped the line.And Im much happier with a smooth engine. I like to feel my hands when I get somewhere.
Ill probably go with a SV 650 myself tho I'm not sure if I want farings or not.
Anyways Ill return your jounrnal to you again:p

[shadow_stallion]

Wow, I had no idea you were riding that to and from work everyday. I knew you talked about it but wasn't sure if it had actually happened.

Some of the SV650's are not bad looking at all.

*chuckles* I know exactly what you mean about riding long distances. I have no idea how people could lay over the gas tank for 100s of miles.

*hugs* Good to hear from you. :D