Four wheels good, two wheels better?
Discussion
Not yet, but getting one soon. I've found the same as you re. people's opinions. If you want an opinion on the basis of experience, talk to some real bikers. I did this and it was really useful. The main thing is good training and a healthy dose of self preservation from what I can tell.
As it goes I'm about to go for something charismatic and allegedly unreliable (like a Tiv), a Ducati Monster
. Remember, free advice is worth exactly what you paid for it.
Cheers,
Steve.
As it goes I'm about to go for something charismatic and allegedly unreliable (like a Tiv), a Ducati Monster
. Remember, free advice is worth exactly what you paid for it. Cheers,
Steve.
)I used to have a ZZR600, then a Blackbird (both for commuting) along with my S1 and a modded Harley 1200 Sportster (for pleasure!). I still have the Sportster (which is for sale incidently to finance the money already spent rebuilding my current V8S!) Although I loved all the bikes, there's something about a V configured engine and it's not the smooth power delivery!
Cajun,
Go for a bigger bike then a 500, as you will want to change it after a few months. I started biking with a GPZ500, but quickly switched to a 600 sports, and found the difference a revalation (handling and power).
You obviously like torque over power (you have a Chimaera 450 (and so do I!)) and the difference bewteen a 600 and 900 is masses of extra torque. I finished up with a ZX-9R - this was just the most growley, gut wrenchingly quick bike in any gear.
To start with I would go for a 600 supersports for a year or so and then move up to a bigger beast.
Go for a bigger bike then a 500, as you will want to change it after a few months. I started biking with a GPZ500, but quickly switched to a 600 sports, and found the difference a revalation (handling and power).
You obviously like torque over power (you have a Chimaera 450 (and so do I!)) and the difference bewteen a 600 and 900 is masses of extra torque. I finished up with a ZX-9R - this was just the most growley, gut wrenchingly quick bike in any gear.
To start with I would go for a 600 supersports for a year or so and then move up to a bigger beast.
Well as an ageing ex-biker.... ;-)
Last thing I rode regularly (9 years ago?!) was a Suzi Katana. Woohoo!
When I bought my first TVR it was going to be a bike instead, but 'er indoors at the time gave me the evil eye (despite the fact that I was insured to the skies - silly bitch!) so the TVR won.
I bought a CB100 (should I admit that?) to ride to work a couple of years back, which of course was the wettest year ever, so I only used it for a week; and after the fourth attempt by the local idiots to pinch it I gave in, sold it to a mate and haven't ridden a bike since. Doh.
Now of course I've lost all my NCD on a bike and it would cost me more to insure a put-put than it does the silver scream machine (390SE).
Ian
Last thing I rode regularly (9 years ago?!) was a Suzi Katana. Woohoo!
When I bought my first TVR it was going to be a bike instead, but 'er indoors at the time gave me the evil eye (despite the fact that I was insured to the skies - silly bitch!) so the TVR won.
I bought a CB100 (should I admit that?) to ride to work a couple of years back, which of course was the wettest year ever, so I only used it for a week; and after the fourth attempt by the local idiots to pinch it I gave in, sold it to a mate and haven't ridden a bike since. Doh.
Now of course I've lost all my NCD on a bike and it would cost me more to insure a put-put than it does the silver scream machine (390SE).
Ian
rahlea said: Cajun,
Go for a bigger bike then a 500, as you will want to change it after a few months. I started biking with a GPZ500, but quickly switched to a 600 sports, and found the difference a revalation (handling and power).
You obviously like torque over power (you have a Chimaera 450 (and so do I!)) and the difference bewteen a 600 and 900 is masses of extra torque. I finished up with a ZX-9R - this was just the most growley, gut wrenchingly quick bike in any gear.
To start with I would go for a 600 supersports for a year or so and then move up to a bigger beast.
You are putting me back into serious temptation! I had my eye on a thundercat. If I thought I could handle it I would go straight for that one. One biker I talked to said whatever happens you are going to drop your first bike a few times, so I thought maybe don't go for the dream machine too early.
Thanks for all the feedback and let me know if you know any good bike boards not entirely populated by teenage bumpkins...
Cajun
Go for it, some experience on a bike will improve your car driving.
Nothing like the raw naked vulnerability of bike riding to hammer home your mortality - trust me, this improves your hazard perception no end. Or not ... but the alternative is too painful to contemplate.
Mmm, this is meant to be encouragement
!
Nothing like the raw naked vulnerability of bike riding to hammer home your mortality - trust me, this improves your hazard perception no end. Or not ... but the alternative is too painful to contemplate.
Mmm, this is meant to be encouragement
!Cars:
5.0 Chimaera (modified)
Audi TT Bright yellow bumble bee (other alfs)
Ford Falcon XR6 ute(fun work horse)
Bikes
Kawasaki ZX7R
Suzuki TL1000R
Kawasaki KDX 200sr
Have tried to remove bikes and replace with fast cars many times, but look what I ended up with! there's no substitute for the lunacy of dragging your knee along the ground at 120mph (on track) or going off road, getting muddy and falling off! on the other hand if it's really hot I can't stand biking as you don't get any sun, so out comes the Tyv etc. I think bikers displat a want to be free and individual type attitude much the same as alot of Tyv owners, although some of the NEW bikers of late are a different cup of tea.
Nik
Cajun,
How bizarre - we have very similar tastes.
The 600 I had was also a Thundercat (in blue and Silver). It was such a good bike compared to the 500 (smile factor of 9 versus 5).
I was worried about dropping the first bike too. In the 5 years I had the 3 bikes, I dropped one three times (all at a standstill - beware wet moss covered paving stones, gravel and trying to do silly manouvers in the garage). Neither was with the first bike, and 2 were with the last bike. I guess the points I'm making are:
- Dropping a bike normally happens at 0-2 mph and so the damage isn't serious and,
- It happens even when you've been riding for years (you get complacent (until a near miss wakes you up again and makes you realise you're not immortal)
Its all about confidence, and it does take a while to build up, but with a good 600 you get better handling and grip, and can take it easy if you don't rev it too high. I wouldn't recommend a 900 to start with as they are overpowered and the extra low down torque could get you into trouble in the bends.
Let me know what you choose to do and enjoy !!
How bizarre - we have very similar tastes.
The 600 I had was also a Thundercat (in blue and Silver). It was such a good bike compared to the 500 (smile factor of 9 versus 5).
I was worried about dropping the first bike too. In the 5 years I had the 3 bikes, I dropped one three times (all at a standstill - beware wet moss covered paving stones, gravel and trying to do silly manouvers in the garage). Neither was with the first bike, and 2 were with the last bike. I guess the points I'm making are:
- Dropping a bike normally happens at 0-2 mph and so the damage isn't serious and,
- It happens even when you've been riding for years (you get complacent (until a near miss wakes you up again and makes you realise you're not immortal)
Its all about confidence, and it does take a while to build up, but with a good 600 you get better handling and grip, and can take it easy if you don't rev it too high. I wouldn't recommend a 900 to start with as they are overpowered and the extra low down torque could get you into trouble in the bends.
Let me know what you choose to do and enjoy !!
Cerbera & GPz1100. Take it easy at first. In the long term though [if you don't wipe yourself out] it'll make you a better driver. Make a wee mistake in the car and there's a repair bill. Make a mistake on the bike, it can hurt. Doesn't stop me riding the bike, and I wouldn't try to put anyone else off. Just be aware of the greater dangers and ride accordingly. WB
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