GSX-R 1000 vs Cafe Racer?
Discussion
Hi all, long time lurker here, first post in BB. This may contain confessions...be gentle.
I've got a GSX-R 1000 K1 which I've had for a few years but barely ridden recently - a combination of no-one I know riding anymore, lack of time and, in all honesty, some frustration with the bike.
The problem I have with it is that I find it too focused in terms of performance* and riding position. Performance wise I came up through the ranks on 600 class bikes so used to be able to wring their necks but obviously you can't do that on the road with a 1000 (and I'm not good enough to do that on the track either). With the riding position, the stretch to the bars is tiring unless I'm going some, which comes back to performance on the road. This has got to the point where I like the idea of having the bike and tinkering with it more than actually riding it**.
I'm obsessing about Cafe Racer styled bikes at the minute as I figure having a bit less power could be more fun and if it's custom there are options around the riding position. Dynamically though, to be of any interest at all a replacement bike would need to be on a par with the GSX-R in the chassis department, not something with a hinge where the frame's supposed to be.
Has anyone else found themselves in a similar position? What did you do? What should I do? Man-up? Fit some higher bars and take cod liver oil tablets? Never darken BB again?
Cheers, Steve
'* I fear this statement will cost me
'** But not as much as that one
I've got a GSX-R 1000 K1 which I've had for a few years but barely ridden recently - a combination of no-one I know riding anymore, lack of time and, in all honesty, some frustration with the bike.
The problem I have with it is that I find it too focused in terms of performance* and riding position. Performance wise I came up through the ranks on 600 class bikes so used to be able to wring their necks but obviously you can't do that on the road with a 1000 (and I'm not good enough to do that on the track either). With the riding position, the stretch to the bars is tiring unless I'm going some, which comes back to performance on the road. This has got to the point where I like the idea of having the bike and tinkering with it more than actually riding it**.
I'm obsessing about Cafe Racer styled bikes at the minute as I figure having a bit less power could be more fun and if it's custom there are options around the riding position. Dynamically though, to be of any interest at all a replacement bike would need to be on a par with the GSX-R in the chassis department, not something with a hinge where the frame's supposed to be.
Has anyone else found themselves in a similar position? What did you do? What should I do? Man-up? Fit some higher bars and take cod liver oil tablets? Never darken BB again?
Cheers, Steve
'* I fear this statement will cost me
'** But not as much as that one
This is funny - pretty much once you've had the power of a 1000 you'll never really want to give it up!
VinceFox, I can't run more than one bike. I've neither the space nor the funds to do that. As much as I've love to build something myself I'd have to start with at least a rolling chassis and go from there. One day...
unclepockets, the GSX-R frame is all wrong for what I'm picturing. This is the sort of thing I'm imagining - http://inazumacafe.blogspot.co.uk/2012/03/robber-s...
graham22, the supernakeds a certainly up there re chassis dynamics and the Superduke is probably the best of them from what I hear. You're spot-on with the prison sentence bit. THAT is the biggest issue!
VinceFox, I can't run more than one bike. I've neither the space nor the funds to do that. As much as I've love to build something myself I'd have to start with at least a rolling chassis and go from there. One day...
unclepockets, the GSX-R frame is all wrong for what I'm picturing. This is the sort of thing I'm imagining - http://inazumacafe.blogspot.co.uk/2012/03/robber-s...
graham22, the supernakeds a certainly up there re chassis dynamics and the Superduke is probably the best of them from what I hear. You're spot-on with the prison sentence bit. THAT is the biggest issue!
srob said:
Is it actually a cafe racer that you want?
Cafe racers have the most extreme riding position available - they were the inventors of the clip-ons and rear-sets.
Erm, I *think* I want a cafe racer, yeah, but I've never ridden one. When done well they look fantastic, not too much power and maybe with a set of variobars one might not be crippling. You can probably tell I'm not sure what I want at all!Cafe racers have the most extreme riding position available - they were the inventors of the clip-ons and rear-sets.
upsidedownmark said:
Caveat: I'm still on a beginner 600, know nothing of the bikes you're talking about.
However: If you've not done one, do a track day. Don't think you need to be a god, or as you said "good enough to wring it's neck on track".
First, 90% of the folks on track aren't capable of truly wringing the bike's neck - it's just a place to go and have the sort of fun that you can't have on the road, ride as fast or as hard as you want to. Hang out in the novice group, whatever.
Second, It's usually pretty damn social, pretty easy to get chatting to folks with interesting bikes, might find some riding mates.
Just a thought..
Alternatively, you run it / tinker, and I'll ride it
That's probably a good shout. I've done a couple of track days, well, CSS level 1 & 2 at Silverstone which I think counts.However: If you've not done one, do a track day. Don't think you need to be a god, or as you said "good enough to wring it's neck on track".
First, 90% of the folks on track aren't capable of truly wringing the bike's neck - it's just a place to go and have the sort of fun that you can't have on the road, ride as fast or as hard as you want to. Hang out in the novice group, whatever.
Second, It's usually pretty damn social, pretty easy to get chatting to folks with interesting bikes, might find some riding mates.
Just a thought..
Alternatively, you run it / tinker, and I'll ride it
Sorry buddy, no-one gets to ride Betsy other than me. And there's nothing wrong with giving your bike a name...is there?
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