A little perspective, please.
Discussion
As per title, guys. Particularly those with the faster superbikes.
Lately, I have been blatting about on a ZX-9R. What a hoot! It’s an early 2000s model, and to my mind, is bloody quick.
I live in a rural location, so it’s on those roads, mostly, that it gets ridden.
Now, 1st gear … can’t be too brutal, or you get the clocks in the teeth!
2nd gear, will lift the front wheel at top end of the rev range, and get you, quickly, to the ton.
3rd – under power, wheelies over a slight rise in the road, as will fourth, with a little provocation.
Clearly, licence-losing speeds are so easily attained every time a leg is thrown over (ooh, err). ** I do know that the throttle works both ways, before anyone starts. **
Every time I take the bike out, I find myself giggling like a schoolgirl at the lunacy of it.
And, finally, to the point.
I can, hand-on-heart, state here and now, that I would be unable to exploit, fully, the capabilities of this bike. What it must be like with another 40 to 60 brake to call on, I can’t even begin to guess.
So, to those that have 180+ bhp bikes, what restraint do you have to show, and is the greater power a hindrance in “normal” road use?
Ta. (from an old “teenager”).
Lately, I have been blatting about on a ZX-9R. What a hoot! It’s an early 2000s model, and to my mind, is bloody quick.
I live in a rural location, so it’s on those roads, mostly, that it gets ridden.
Now, 1st gear … can’t be too brutal, or you get the clocks in the teeth!
2nd gear, will lift the front wheel at top end of the rev range, and get you, quickly, to the ton.
3rd – under power, wheelies over a slight rise in the road, as will fourth, with a little provocation.
Clearly, licence-losing speeds are so easily attained every time a leg is thrown over (ooh, err). ** I do know that the throttle works both ways, before anyone starts. **
Every time I take the bike out, I find myself giggling like a schoolgirl at the lunacy of it.
And, finally, to the point.
I can, hand-on-heart, state here and now, that I would be unable to exploit, fully, the capabilities of this bike. What it must be like with another 40 to 60 brake to call on, I can’t even begin to guess.
So, to those that have 180+ bhp bikes, what restraint do you have to show, and is the greater power a hindrance in “normal” road use?
Ta. (from an old “teenager”).
Higgs boson said:
I can, hand-on-heart, state here and now, that I would be unable to exploit, fully, the capabilities of this bike. What it must be like with another 40 to 60 brake to call on, I can’t even begin to guess.
You are not a real man but, indeed, a bit of a whoopsy; never return to this forum where real men all ride 300bhp megabikes at full chat all the time, scrape their knees at the slightest curve and wheelie to work to save front tyre wear.
Part of the appeal is the ferocious acceleration up to the legal speed limit. Even on a commute, getting away cleanly at each set of lights without too much effort also induces a smile.
Fun can still be had through simply leaning the bike through a series of sweeping bends. The full capabilities of a bike can of course could and should be explored on a track.
Fun can still be had through simply leaning the bike through a series of sweeping bends. The full capabilities of a bike can of course could and should be explored on a track.
Oh fun and joy on a greasy and wet exit from a roundabout with a R1, could not get the power down and got out dragged by an ancient Escort van 
Thankfully there are quite a few unrestricted roads close to where I live where I could take the R1 to open her up fully. But some of the most enjoying rides I have had were on a GXR1100 along Loch Lomond side
Thankfully there are quite a few unrestricted roads close to where I live where I could take the R1 to open her up fully. But some of the most enjoying rides I have had were on a GXR1100 along Loch Lomond side
Only 186 bhp hear with my rsv4 factory. A modern litre bike is my boss, I find it impossible to not respect these things. My eye sight has deteriorated over the last 2 years but I am in denial as to needing glasses yet.
I find it hard to focus on full acceleration through the gears, its like a blurred tunnel vision
. I still cannot help myself though, I also find it helps to swear inside my helmet on every WOT up change f
king bks .
In contrast I can see perfectly well on full chat through the gears on my little 848 evo which if I am honest with myself is probably the ideal power for the road .
I find it hard to focus on full acceleration through the gears, its like a blurred tunnel vision
. I still cannot help myself though, I also find it helps to swear inside my helmet on every WOT up change fking bks . In contrast I can see perfectly well on full chat through the gears on my little 848 evo which if I am honest with myself is probably the ideal power for the road .
Higgs boson said:
As per title, guys. Particularly those with the faster superbikes.
Lately, I have been blatting about on a ZX-9R. What a hoot! It’s an early 2000s model, and to my mind, is bloody quick.
I live in a rural location, so it’s on those roads, mostly, that it gets ridden.
Now, 1st gear … can’t be too brutal, or you get the clocks in the teeth!
2nd gear, will lift the front wheel at top end of the rev range, and get you, quickly, to the ton.
3rd – under power, wheelies over a slight rise in the road, as will fourth, with a little provocation.
Clearly, licence-losing speeds are so easily attained every time a leg is thrown over (ooh, err). ** I do know that the throttle works both ways, before anyone starts. **
Every time I take the bike out, I find myself giggling like a schoolgirl at the lunacy of it.
And, finally, to the point.
I can, hand-on-heart, state here and now, that I would be unable to exploit, fully, the capabilities of this bike. What it must be like with another 40 to 60 brake to call on, I can’t even begin to guess.
So, to those that have 180+ bhp bikes, what restraint do you have to show, and is the greater power a hindrance in “normal” road use?
Ta. (from an old “teenager”).
Why dont you pop along to your nearest BMW dealer , make the right noises and ask them to demo a S1000R for an hour or so? BMW are great at handing over demo bikes.Lately, I have been blatting about on a ZX-9R. What a hoot! It’s an early 2000s model, and to my mind, is bloody quick.
I live in a rural location, so it’s on those roads, mostly, that it gets ridden.
Now, 1st gear … can’t be too brutal, or you get the clocks in the teeth!
2nd gear, will lift the front wheel at top end of the rev range, and get you, quickly, to the ton.
3rd – under power, wheelies over a slight rise in the road, as will fourth, with a little provocation.
Clearly, licence-losing speeds are so easily attained every time a leg is thrown over (ooh, err). ** I do know that the throttle works both ways, before anyone starts. **
Every time I take the bike out, I find myself giggling like a schoolgirl at the lunacy of it.
And, finally, to the point.
I can, hand-on-heart, state here and now, that I would be unable to exploit, fully, the capabilities of this bike. What it must be like with another 40 to 60 brake to call on, I can’t even begin to guess.
So, to those that have 180+ bhp bikes, what restraint do you have to show, and is the greater power a hindrance in “normal” road use?
Ta. (from an old “teenager”).
That will answer your question fully but from my experience and having owned a 2001 9, your bike will of course feel a lot slower everywhere but the first thing you will notice is how much easier and nicer they are to ride, from walking speed upwards...and modern brakes are phenomenal..the wheelies wont be so good until you turn the electronics off thou..
130bhp with a Triumph Daytona here. It still feels wild under WOT, even the pickup in higher gears feels great. Fast enough for me, surely
I still remember in the dying days of last summer, flying away from an F Type on one wheel whilst on the way to work in the early morning. Empty road, F Type farting and grumbling like an arthirtic dinosaur in lane two. Off I went, barely keeping the front wheel down. Childish amusement. I couldn't wheelie off the clutch though.
The ZX9R is a bike I've always wanted to try. I nearly bought one as a bloke I work with kept trying to get me to buy his. I didn't, and he ended up keeping it but I still like them. Maybe one day...
I still remember in the dying days of last summer, flying away from an F Type on one wheel whilst on the way to work in the early morning. Empty road, F Type farting and grumbling like an arthirtic dinosaur in lane two. Off I went, barely keeping the front wheel down. Childish amusement. I couldn't wheelie off the clutch though.
The ZX9R is a bike I've always wanted to try. I nearly bought one as a bloke I work with kept trying to get me to buy his. I didn't, and he ended up keeping it but I still like them. Maybe one day...
''You can never have enough power"
12hp on my DT125 IN 1983 was more than I could really handle. Jumping up to 30 or so on an 250LC was scary.
Fast forward 30 years and now I have 200bhp and it's just about right, at the moment. My previous bike had 160bhp and when I got that I couldn't see the point in ever changing it. But I did.
The throttle goes both ways. And as I get older i'm liking torque all the time, and outright bhp every now and again.
12hp on my DT125 IN 1983 was more than I could really handle. Jumping up to 30 or so on an 250LC was scary.
Fast forward 30 years and now I have 200bhp and it's just about right, at the moment. My previous bike had 160bhp and when I got that I couldn't see the point in ever changing it. But I did.
The throttle goes both ways. And as I get older i'm liking torque all the time, and outright bhp every now and again.
Djtemeka said:
My bike is so heavy in front that it's only power wheelied in 2nd once and that's with 200bhp.
You do get bored of these bikes as you can't rag it in most places
Surely thats the riding environment you are bored of, not the bike? You do get bored of these bikes as you can't rag it in most places
i.e you get bored of the quick squirt of acceleration before licence preservation kicks in, so buy something else with another 40bhp, it feels quicker for those moments you can deploy the power, then back to cruising about at normal speeds again, just like any other style of bike ........I guess thats why the trackday industry has boomed over the last 10-20 years, and sports bikes sales are a small proportion of bike sales. The majority of riders are riding comfy practical bikes of all styles, that still have 100-180bhp for occasional use whilst the hardcore sportsbike riders spend their weekends at the track
Just because you have the power on a big power sports bike does not mean you need to use it all the time. there is a time and place for everything. be that on a airfield, trackday or Autoban
I know the power out of my bike is daft, but i also know you can get another 30-50BHP with little mods. Does the bike need it no. But still fun to have
I know the power out of my bike is daft, but i also know you can get another 30-50BHP with little mods. Does the bike need it no. But still fun to have
mak said:
Only 186 bhp hear with my rsv4 factory. A modern litre bike is my boss, I find it impossible to not respect these things. My eye sight has deteriorated over the last 2 years but I am in denial as to needing glasses yet.
I find it hard to focus on full acceleration through the gears, its like a blurred tunnel vision. I still cannot help myself though, I also find it helps to swear inside my helmet on every WOT up change fking bks .
In contrast I can see perfectly well on full chat through the gears on my little 848 evo which if I am honest with myself is probably the ideal power for the road .
Not sure if the first bit is serious .....I find it hard to focus on full acceleration through the gears, its like a blurred tunnel vision
. I still cannot help myself though, I also find it helps to swear inside my helmet on every WOT up change fking bks . In contrast I can see perfectly well on full chat through the gears on my little 848 evo which if I am honest with myself is probably the ideal power for the road .
You feel you may need corrected vision yet choose not to address it ?
Cool .
" should have gone to Specsavers " could well be a fitting epitaph , come the day ...
If it's a joke - sorry .
It if isn't - sort your head out and get tested .
bogie said:
Surely thats the riding environment you are bored of, not the bike? i.e you get bored of the quick squirt of acceleration before licence preservation kicks in, so buy something else with another 40bhp, it feels quicker for those moments you can deploy the power, then back to cruising about at normal speeds again, just like any other style of bike ....
....I guess thats why the trackday industry has boomed over the last 10-20 years, and sports bikes sales are a small proportion of bike sales. The majority of riders are riding comfy practical bikes of all styles, that still have 100-180bhp for occasional use whilst the hardcore sportsbike riders spend their weekends at the track
I use the bike on track but then I also own a vfr400, mt09tracer and 2 cb500's :P i.e you get bored of the quick squirt of acceleration before licence preservation kicks in, so buy something else with another 40bhp, it feels quicker for those moments you can deploy the power, then back to cruising about at normal speeds again, just like any other style of bike ........I guess thats why the trackday industry has boomed over the last 10-20 years, and sports bikes sales are a small proportion of bike sales. The majority of riders are riding comfy practical bikes of all styles, that still have 100-180bhp for occasional use whilst the hardcore sportsbike riders spend their weekends at the track
Djtemeka said:
bogie said:
Surely thats the riding environment you are bored of, not the bike? i.e you get bored of the quick squirt of acceleration before licence preservation kicks in, so buy something else with another 40bhp, it feels quicker for those moments you can deploy the power, then back to cruising about at normal speeds again, just like any other style of bike ....
....I guess thats why the trackday industry has boomed over the last 10-20 years, and sports bikes sales are a small proportion of bike sales. The majority of riders are riding comfy practical bikes of all styles, that still have 100-180bhp for occasional use whilst the hardcore sportsbike riders spend their weekends at the track
I use the bike on track but then I also own a vfr400, mt09tracer and 2 cb500's :P i.e you get bored of the quick squirt of acceleration before licence preservation kicks in, so buy something else with another 40bhp, it feels quicker for those moments you can deploy the power, then back to cruising about at normal speeds again, just like any other style of bike ........I guess thats why the trackday industry has boomed over the last 10-20 years, and sports bikes sales are a small proportion of bike sales. The majority of riders are riding comfy practical bikes of all styles, that still have 100-180bhp for occasional use whilst the hardcore sportsbike riders spend their weekends at the track
In recent years cut down to a 2 bike garage then joined a bike hire club to get access to a fleet of all the latest bikes. Usually 300 miles on a sportsbike at a weekend is enough to cripple me/put me out of my misery that Im not really fit enough for one anymore bogie said:
ahh...multi bike addiction...I know that one well In recent years cut down to a 2 bike garage then joined a bike hire club to get access to a fleet of all the latest bikes. Usually 300 miles on a sportsbike at a weekend is enough to cripple me/put me out of my misery that Im not really fit enough for one anymore
I don't know what happened to my multibike addiction,got a pic with my mille r,81 z1000st,1976 kh400 triple with race bodykit and a 1957 matchless g3ls,what happened?Where did my addiction go?I had everything covered,great smell,great speed,great nostalgia and eh?great old Kwacker lump. In recent years cut down to a 2 bike garage then joined a bike hire club to get access to a fleet of all the latest bikes. Usually 300 miles on a sportsbike at a weekend is enough to cripple me/put me out of my misery that Im not really fit enough for one anymore Must correct this.....
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