Is this a sign to give up road riding?

[cowboyz]

ok. being a fairly serious now....

I have done fuck knows how many ks on the road. I guess most round here would consider me a fast rider but I dont actually ride as quick as people think I do. I clocked up a few demerit points on and off and been playing around the 60-90 points for a few years now.

So the last little while I have tried being vary caucious on the bike. To the point where I spend more time looking at the speedo than the road. I find a moments lack of concentration and I am back cruising at 120-130. A few corners linked together and 150-160 is no out of order.

So now demerits have finally caught up with me and its looking like a summer of walking. (which kinda sucks)

So I am thinking that I just dont have the self control required to ride a sportsbike on public roads. And keeping in mind, my bike is 11 years old. It still has some serious go in it but put it next to a late model R1 or ZX10 and it looks very old.

So time to give it away as a bad idea? Rethink how I ride and what I want to be riding.

Oh.. and in over 20 years of riding I have had 2 accidents.. neither a single bike accident and both deemed to be others fault by insurance companies so its not about a "Im riding too fast and worried about killing myself thread"

My other train of thought.. is this is the first time I have lost my licence. Is this normal thoughts for losing ones licence and will pass after 3 months?

thoughts?

[Thani-B]

So now demerits have finally caught up with me and its looking like a summer of walking. (which kinda sucks)


That does suck. I would hold on to the bike and see how you feel at the end of the 3 months. And then decide.

[Danae]

I reckon you should get a smaller capacity bike. Going fast on a slow bike is more fun than going slow on a fast bike. It'll be harder to start cruising at 120-130 range (you'll notice you are going faster). However get a bike that can still make it up to the faster speeds.

[_STAIN_]

ah you just need a change of bike for a while, I got a dirty ol XT600 here to keep me knobbled at times. It old tied and sick, good day, tail wind 119kph.

[FJRider]

Pretty normal actually. A different type of bike ... as suggested ... a smaller capacity bike may be. OR a classic machine that is simply difficut to get to licence losing speeds.

Or spending time and dosh on the current bike, and see how you feel after 3 months walking... or being driven.

Decide then.

[Dafe]

You need to buy the latest & greatest sport bike you can find.

On my old SV thou, I used to push it because stupidly enough, I felt I had something to prove.
On a GSX-R thou, I actually cruise and let the cars go past me. I just sit 110 on the motorway, I don't feel there's anything to prove on that sort of bike, so I actually enjoy going at my pace.

[Shadows]

Time to buy a Harley

[cowboyz]

so general concenus is that its kawasakis fault for building such a fine piece of machinery! (hahaha)

I really think its a headspace thing. I need to find some way of taming the speeds.... Maybe a smaller bike would do it but would I want to do the 4 points or grand challenge on a smaller bike? Maybe a touring bike would be more suitable? comments on how easy the speed gets out of hand on a big tourer?

[cowboyz]

You need to buy the latest & greatest sport bike you can find.

On my old SV thou, I used to push it because stupidly enough, I felt I had something to prove.
On a GSX-R thou, I actually cruise and let the cars go past me. I just sit 110 on the motorway, I don't feel there's anything to prove on that sort of bike, so I actually enjoy going at my pace.

I hear what your saying... but the problem is "my pace" is about 20-30k faster than the "police pace"

I been doing this a really long time.. I dont feel like I got anything to prove. I ride with the yokels. Some days I let the big boys go. Some days I dont. I prefer to travel in a group cause I tend to stay out of trouble then. its when I on my own I have trouble. I went to rotorua a couple of weeks ago, on my own. Got pulled over twice in one night (and the second time I was REALLY trying not to speed!
It comes down to responisbility and I just dont think I am responisble enough to own a sportsbike.

[R6_kid]

I reckon you should get a smaller capacity bike. Going fast on a slow bike is more fun than going slow on a fast bike. It'll be harder to start cruising at 120-130 range (you'll notice you are going faster). However get a bike that can still make it up to the faster speeds.

Yep. Get an old school naked bike, or just a naked bike. The wind in your face is a natural barrier that'll make you want to go a bit slower.

[86GSXR]

You're just reacting to the shock. It's normal to have these reflective moments after a major bummer such as this. The answer is simple. Stick to the speed limit on the major roads and try not to tempt fate. There are plenty of brilliant quiet back country roads around to have fun on.

However, that is sometimes easier said than done. Major roads give me the willies. When you get your license back just remember how inconvenient it was without it, that may work.

[ManDownUnder]

If you ever find yourself in this position a 2nd time ... then hell yes - ask the question.

[FJRider]

Comments on how easy the speed gets out of hand on a big tourer?

As a general rule, the tourers are a little higher geared .. so speed can get up there ...but not usually as quickly. How fast to get up to those speeds, depends on the bike you get.

[Ducky848]

Don't panic. Soon enough Mum and Dad Govt. will take away all your speeding worries:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Intelligent_speed_adaptation

[BMWST?]

suitable? comments on how easy the speed gets out of hand on a big tourer?

even easier to go fast

[cowboyz]

one thing I can say about the 9 (if I can brag a little for a bit - and 86gsxr has ridden it a few times so i am sure he will atest) is how quickly the damn thing punches out of corners. even in top going from 100-140 is err.. umm shall we say rapid. I actually thought about this about a year ago and geared it down but that didnt help me out.. all it did was turn it into a wheelie machine.

[DidJit]

That does suck. I would hold on to the bike and see how you feel at the end of the 3 months. And then decide.

Ditto. See how you feel in a few months.

[retired motoman]

You need to get it out the system , ride it at a track once in a while,
and paint it black before your allowed back on the road .

[86GSXR]

one thing I can say about the 9 (if I can brag a little for a bit - and 86gsxr has ridden it a few times so i am sure he will atest) is how quickly the damn thing punches out of corners. even in top going from 100-140 is err.. umm shall we say rapid. I actually thought about this about a year ago and geared it down but that didnt help me out.. all it did was turn it into a wheelie machine.

Yes, that thing is unnaturally fast. But it suits you. I can't see you on a tourer. I really think the answer lies in realising the days of tolerance and leniency on the roads are all but over, in this country anyway. You need to stay away from the main highways and when you need to be on them try and enjoy 100. As unpalatable as that may seem.

[Goblin]

You need to get it out the system , ride it at a track once in a while,
and paint it black before your allowed back on the road .Agreed! Sounds like a bit of track time might let you get it out of your system, whatever "it" is. ;)

[p.dath]

...
So now demerits have finally caught up with me and its looking like a summer of walking. (which kinda sucks)

So I am thinking that I just dont have the self control required to ride a sportsbike on public roads. And keeping in mind, my bike is 11 years old. It still has some serious go in it but put it next to a late model R1 or ZX10 and it looks very old.
...

Surprising as it may be to some, I also lost my licence once many years ago through too many demerit points because of many speeding tickets.

When I returned I was super cautious. You realise just how valuable your licence really is - once it is gone.

I can tell you that even though that was a really long time ago - I still don't speed. Its ingrained in me. I don't want that experience again. I can also tell you it doesn't affect my car/bike buying selection either.


But I do greatly enjoy going to things like ART days. I get any need for speed out of my system at those events.
Then I can go back to riding on the road, feeling satisfied and happy with the riding experience - without having to speed to get it.

[jafar]

one thing I can say about the 9 (if I can brag a little for a bit - and 86gsxr has ridden it a few times so i am sure he will atest) is how quickly the damn thing punches out of corners. even in top going from 100-140 is err.. umm shall we say rapid. I actually thought about this about a year ago and geared it down but that didnt help me out.. all it did was turn it into a wheelie machine.

Sell the bike & get a jet ski, you can piss about on that all day long & not get a single demerit point. Go fishing or take up something away from high powered bikes & just let it go for this summer.
If you still want a bike after a bit of a break then get a naked one, preferably a midsized like the FZ6 or the Honda hornet & play on that.
:whistle:

[The Stranger]

Buy a motard. Half the speed, twice the fun.

[dhunt]

ok. being a fairly serious now....

I have done fuck knows how many ks on the road. I guess most round here would consider me a fast rider but I dont actually ride as quick as people think I do. I clocked up a few demerit points on and off and been playing around the 60-90 points for a few years now.

So the last little while I have tried being vary caucious on the bike. To the point where I spend more time looking at the speedo than the road. I find a moments lack of concentration and I am back cruising at 120-130. A few corners linked together and 150-160 is no out of order.

So now demerits have finally caught up with me and its looking like a summer of walking. (which kinda sucks)

So I am thinking that I just dont have the self control required to ride a sportsbike on public roads. And keeping in mind, my bike is 11 years old. It still has some serious go in it but put it next to a late model R1 or ZX10 and it looks very old.

So time to give it away as a bad idea? Rethink how I ride and what I want to be riding.

Oh.. and in over 20 years of riding I have had 2 accidents.. neither a single bike accident and both deemed to be others fault by insurance companies so its not about a "Im riding too fast and worried about killing myself thread"

My other train of thought.. is this is the first time I have lost my licence. Is this normal thoughts for losing ones licence and will pass after 3 months?

thoughts?
Sell your road bike Lance. And buy a track bike or motoX bike. In my experience both are much more fun than than riding on the road.

[sinfull]

Sell your road bike Lance. And buy a track bike or motoX bike. In my experience both are much more fun than than riding on the road.
+1 with the track bike comment but no reason you cant use the 9 as a track bike IF you lose ya licence for summer ! But then there is nothing to say that you will lose it for summer, if your carefull and don't roll into a check point or get caught doing over the limit again !! (if you have paid the fine which will add the dreaded points)

Tip for ya !
If ya haven't paid the fine for the ticket that takes you over the demerit limit ? Don't !!!
If your not over the 100 points till you pay this fine (which is when the points are added), then pay it (and any court costs which it will incur) after summer !

When you pay the fine, the points are back dated till the date of the offence (so waiting till old points drop off dont work) and then your licence is tagged for removal ! I repeat "WHEN" you pay the fine ! You can almost choose when to go 3 months without !
But 3 months over winter is easier to cope with than summer dont ya think !


If you are already over the points limit and your licence is already tagged, pay any speeding fines as quick as pos so the points are added before you have ya licence taken (or you could find you get it back with points gone already)

[TOTO]

If you dump the plastics, or get a naked bike you will get a totally different sence of speed, and you will find how much more satisfying 120 is compared to 160.

The roads one chooses to ride also play a part in ones speeding sence I recon. Let me go nuts on the twisties rather than the sweepers and I got no issue with loosing my licence.

[Gremlin]

First you have to ask yourself what you want out of riding and why you ride.

Is it the speed? Is it the social aspect? Long distance riding? Feeling of getting close to the limits of the bike for the given situation etc.

Some factors, regardless of bike, cannot be changed. If you're in for the speed and adrenaline that comes with it... nothing much is going to change. If you simply struggle to stick at 100kph, and you really want to, then yes, a bike change could be in order.

I had an 04 ZX10, lost the license for 3 months for collecting too many of those cute point thingies (had a limited license for 10 of the 12 weeks anyway), but realised I would be right back in the same shit unless something changed. I really needed my license, don't drive cars and simply love riding.

Driven mad without wheels, I read up on bikes, drew a short list, and when the govt thought it was safe to let me back on the road, I test rode bikes. Nakeds will give you a better sensation of speed, for sure, and depending on the power delivery of the bike, will be easier to stick to a set speed. Your motivation for staying at a set limit will also be increased (just think of not having the license).

In the end, I traded the zx10 on a KTM 990 SM. Same capacity, but vtwin and vastly different. Yes, it was like coming off an addiction trying to change my evil speeding ways (well, thats what the courts thought of me) and took several months, but its been well worth it. My perception of "speeding" is much more normal (140kph instead of 200kph) and *touch wood* I haven't collected any of those damn points in 1.5 years. Still not a quick easy mental change to stop speeding tho.

Advantage of the larger capacity is that it still tackles the likes of the GC (2nd this year for me) fine, just more exposed than a tourer.

So, what type of fun do you get out of riding?

[jonbuoy]

Go naked/semi naked, I made a deal to myself that I wouldn't ride like a twat on my new bike and so far so good. I've stopped thinking what other people think about chicken strips, peg scraping and being "quick". Sometimes just gotta bite your lip and let other riders go. I still enjoy riding, maybe even more so.

[cowboyz]

Sell your road bike Lance. And buy a track bike or motoX bike. In my experience both are much more fun than than riding on the road.

Dont think my knees could handle another MX bike. I did my time for 10 years or so. and yep.. Its fun but I fall off alot! As for the trackbike. I am seriously considering it but with the cost of trackdays, let alone racing I am unsure if I will ever get to ride it.


+1 with the track bike comment but no reason you cant use the 9 as a track bike IF you lose ya licence for summer ! But then there is nothing to say that you will lose it for summer, if your carefull and don't roll into a check point or get caught doing over the limit again !! (if you have paid the fine which will add the dreaded points)

Tip for ya !
If ya haven't paid the fine for the ticket that takes you over the demerit limit ? Don't !!!
If your not over the 100 points till you pay this fine (which is when the points are added), then pay it (and any court costs which it will incur) after summer !

When you pay the fine, the points are back dated till the date of the offence (so waiting till old points drop off dont work) and then your licence is tagged for removal ! I repeat "WHEN" you pay the fine ! You can almost choose when to go 3 months without !
But 3 months over winter is easier to cope with than summer dont ya think !


If you are already over the points limit and your licence is already tagged, pay any speeding fines as quick as pos so the points are added before you have ya licence taken (or you could find you get it back with points gone already)
I got booked yesterday, so picking I can stretch this out another couple of months. Need to stretch it out 10 months to avoid losing my licence. So thinking its gonna hit me around Jan. sucky suck suck.


First you have to ask yourself what you want out of riding and why you ride.

So, what type of fun do you get out of riding?

I ride because I love the freedom it brings. I love the scenery and the feeling of the bike being on its side. Every now and then I got nato on the twisties for the rush, but never been booked doing so. Its always when I going slow that police show up. Man I got some bad luck me thinks!

[Elysium]

I have not recieved one speeding ticket in my life and don't know much at all about this "demeirt" system....am I lame?

[YellowDog]

It's not until the gun is pointing at your head that you have to think about the consequenses.

Is there a website to allow you to look up how many demerits you have and when they expire?

[Fatt Max]

That's bad lucj with summer on the way.

Not being a speed person myself (weight displacement + bike = very slow up hills etc) I coulkd only suggest you drop it down a notch and see how it goes. I'm still on my 250cc but funds dictates that.

Anyhow, whatever you do mate, hope it works out

Take care

[SMOKEU]

If you don't want to lose your licence again then don't stop if the cops try to do a 3T.

[DMNTD]

As mentioned a naked bike helps to curb the higher speeds....better still a naked V Twin!
I sold my 'old' ZX10 and bought a Superduke for exactly the same reasons that you are going through right now.
TBH...I had more fun at lower speeds

[CookMySock]

Get a noisy mid-sized vtwin with bumpy suspension.

Steve

[insomnia01]

So now demerits have finally caught up with me and its looking like a summer of walking. (which kinda sucks)



Does this mean no Grand Challenge next month for you then??

One thing I like about the BB is you CAN play with the sporties to a point OR you can chill, sit upright cruise on 110km AND do the odd endurance or tour buzzzzzzzzzz !!!!

Theres a real beauty for sale on KB for $8-9k that has all the fruit & has been well maintained :2thumbsup:2thumbsup

[BiK3RChiK]

If you pay that sucker now, and hand in your license pronto, won't you get it back around the end of December? That doesn't seem 'too bad'....

.... but yeah, that sucks, dood!

[sinfull]

I got booked yesterday, so picking I can stretch this out another couple of months. Need to stretch it out 10 months to avoid losing my licence. So thinking its gonna hit me around Jan. sucky suck suck.



!
Mate there is no avoiding losing ya licence, if you had 60 demerits yesterday and the ticket ya got is 40 then there is no avoiding it, ya will be doing a 3 month walk ! But the system aint very fast so if you don't volentarily pay that fine and let it take it's course, it could drag out till may or june before your licence is tagged !
Periodic checks of your demerit points through ltsa will let ya know when the fine has been through court and then ya know the next time ya stop for a cop its a walk home !
But going by my experience last year id say you will be hurrying things along come winter, or it might drag into next summer that it gets taken !
Mate, i had 180 demerits by the time they caught up to me in june ! Cop was in the car checking my licence, i was packing my shit and lockin mine up lol went and stood at his door waiting for my seat belt ticket !

[wbks]

"***give the zx9 to wbks he will take good care of it and you will survive motorcycling***" -God

[The Pastor]

ive lost my licence loads, im on a 250...

[ynot slow]

Cowboyz on a tourer? Yeah friggin right.
If you class mine as a tourer type,it is no help to you,the torque means it can hit 130km and you think it's 100 or so,easy to hit 150 passing.

Maybe ,and this sounds stupid,but hand license in asap,back to you in January.Allowing for the crappy weather usually in Oct,Nov and Dec may make it bearable.Keeping license till say Jan,means Feb,Mar,Apr is no bike time,and the weather is shit loads better that time of year.

One thing is it makes you learn walking isn't fun,6 months for me taught me a lesson.

[Gremlin]

I ride because I love the freedom it brings. I love the scenery and the feeling of the bike being on its side. Every now and then I got nato on the twisties for the rush, but never been booked doing so. Its always when I going slow that police show up. Man I got some bad luck me thinks!
Well.... there ya go. I don't think a trackbike is going to offer much scenery then? I found tracks too boring, with 10-15 corners, all simple (not like the roads out Wimbledon way etc). Doesn't mean you have to be permanently slow, I still go quicker in the twisties, but only the tight twisties. Rolling country where you could 150-160 ish I still keep at 110-120 ish.

v-twin nakeds are excellent like that :2thumbsup

[cowboyz]

Does this mean no Grand Challenge next month for you then??

One thing I like about the BB is you CAN play with the sporties to a point OR you can chill, sit upright cruise on 110km AND do the odd endurance or tour buzzzzzzzzzz !!!!

Theres a real beauty for sale on KB for $8-9k that has all the fruit & has been well maintained :2thumbsup:2thumbsup

I almost brought a blackbird but then realised it is a honda.............:girlfight:

(actually Yod has one and they are really nice bikes)

As for the grand challenge.. having not actually lost my licence yet I am not volenteering it and looking forward to the GC in a couple of weeks. then there is the coast to coast, capital k.. ummmm. never does seem a good time to surrender the licence tbh/


Well.... there ya go. I don't think a trackbike is going to offer much scenery then? I found tracks too boring, with 10-15 corners, all simple (not like the roads out Wimbledon way etc). Doesn't mean you have to be permanently slow, I still go quicker in the twisties, but only the tight twisties. Rolling country where you could 150-160 ish I still keep at 110-120 ish.

v-twin nakeds are excellent like that :2thumbsup
thats the thing with the trackbike.. its good to get the buzz but thats not the whole picture.

[MarkH]

I think it is time you invested in a Bel STI - not to enable speeding, just to remind you to check your speed - especially when the police are about with radar active.

[Stormer]

Get the best radar detector and laser jammer unit available, keep super alert and pick your roads if you`re going to open it up a bit.
It`s always a gamble out there anyway, so why not keep the odds in your favour.

Sportbikes Uber Alles!!:stoogie:

[NZsarge]

You're just reacting to the shock. It's normal to have these reflective moments after a major bummer such as this. The answer is simple. Stick to the speed limit on the major roads and try not to tempt fate. There are plenty of brilliant quiet back country roads around to have fun on.

However, that is sometimes easier said than done. Major roads give me the willies. When you get your license back just remember how inconvenient it was without it, that may work.

Sounds sensible to me...

[NZsarge]

paint it black before your allowed back on the road .
Awesome comment! Head of a nail.... Hitting it! :laugh:

As mentioned a naked bike helps to curb the higher speeds....better still a naked V Twin!
I sold my 'old' ZX10 and bought a Superduke for exactly the same reasons that you are going through right now.
TBH...I had more fun at lower speeds
I reckon there is a KTM Duke 690 with Cowboyz name on it in at AFC, great looking bike and it'd be insane fun on the Friday night rides... :2thumbsup

[nudedaytona]

+1 to the radar detector idea. Use the petrol you save in your three months to help pay for it

[kevfromcoro]

Well.. talking about demit points.. i think i just got a few
been doing long hours. so i went out for a bit r&r....
had a couple of those lolly water drinks and the police got me at a spot check.. was over the limit.... no liecence.... up for court friday.. and i just bought a DR 650 and cant ride it now.... silly things we do.................

[SPman]

I thought a ZX9R is a tourer..........

If you're used to an open road cruising speed around 120-130, you'll tend to do it, big naked or not. (I do.) Just means it's a site more uncomfortable at 160 +, so you don't go there as often!

maybe a Chinese 250?

[Clivoris]

Dude, I think you nailed it in the first post. If you don't have the self-control or the ability to maintain attention and concentration on your speed; then give bikes away or get used to paying fines and walking. Any bike that you will enjoy riding will easily do 140kmh and that's a walk home if caught so I doubt the answer lies in a different bike. Radar detectors seem to induce the belief in an immunity to tickets which encourages more fast riding, which can easily end up in bigger fines in these days of instant-on.
One very real solution is to spend some time and energy on learning how to control your speed by making the effort to pay attention to it. Let's face it, you have the capacity to learn because you're more than just a gland. It just has to be more important than getting the buzz from speeding. Once you have that sussed, you can then be more selective about when you speed. You will need to ride with that as the primary goal for a while until it becomes your new default position.
Good luck.

[dhunt]

Dont think my knees could handle another MX bike. I did my time for 10 years or so. and yep.. Its fun but I fall off alot! As for the trackbike. I am seriously considering it but with the cost of trackdays, let alone racing I am unsure if I will ever get to ride it.

Each ticket you get could have paid for 1-2 trackdays aye :) A Trail bike and do trail rides might suit you as well. Not going round in circles and not as hard on the knees as Mx. And then you could always get a road legal 4 the odd trip on the road.

The other alternative is just pulling a spark plug lead or 2. I'm sure that would slow you down a bit :)

[cowboyz]

I thought a ZX9R is a tourer..........

?

It is!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[banditrider]

Maybe a touring bike would be more suitable? comments on how easy the speed gets out of hand on a big tourer?

Well, you know what happened to me when I got a big fat tourer - 1st ticket in 17 years...:whistle:

Buy Flynn's 250 or show a little bit of self control (hard I know)...:crazy:

Oh, and you can go in front on the GC!

[varminter]

How's about one of them things wot goes bong, bong, bong, when you hit 110, that should do the trick...or drive you nuts.

[AllanB]

An interesting read.

The general consensus is get a naked bike.

Maybe.

Or a smaller bike like a 600.

Maybe

Naked - I purchased the Hornet as I found myself riding too fast on the 1200ss I had - tucked behind the bubble 150 felt about 'right' - I never received a ticket but figured it was only a matter of time, or worse a visit to hospital (if lucky).

Speed was indeed lowered on the Hornet - but it only takes a short while for your neck and shoulders to build up, until 140 or so is not a bother. That's instant loss of license land.

My lowered cruising speed these days (sub 120) has nothing to do with the bike - I've rediscovered the pleasure of The Ride again and I'm happy 'cruising' at 110.

Also a lot of people who buy 'naked' end up putting on a screen ...... so it's more comfortable when going faster .....:pinch:

Plus anyone who owns a Ducati Street Fighter, Speed Triple etc will disagree than they are 'slow' bikes .......

Smaller bike
The 600's are all quick bikes just as easy to build up demerit points.

My suggestion
Presuming that if you are on anything 'quick' you'll wick it up, I recommend a change of motorcycle character.
A cruiser, or if this does not stretch your trousers consider one of the triumph Bonnies - happy on the open road a legal speeds and a good rider can scare a lesser one on a hyper-bike through the tight stuff.
If it must be a Kawasaki there's the W650 or ER range.

Maybe one of those Adventure bikes, if you can stand the 'styling' - then you can get fast and loose on unsealed roads.

[Latch]

It comes down to responisbility and I just dont think I am responisble enough to own a sportsbike.
If you were irresponsible, people would be frightened, injured and dead in your wake, and you're saying that hasn't happened. Your 'problem' is that you're a bloke, and therefore like driving fast and testing your skill, control and courage. Look, check down the front of your pants and see if there's a sort of 'meat and two veg' arrangement down there. There is? There you go, then; that explains it. ;)

Thing is, you live in a country that thinks it's an America, but is actually a Portugal, and has the parochial attitudes to road building and driving to match. Head to parts of Germany where they merrily drive at three times our speed limit and try mentioning our national mantra "Speed Kills" to them. They'll laugh in your face and point out that of course, "Vot? Speed does not kill, you zilly Kivi! It iss hitting zings zat kills!"

Frightening, hurting and killing people, Cowboyz - those are irresponsible actions. Riding fast isn't irresponsible if you can still control your vehicle safely; it just happens to be illegal in this country. You need a global perspective.

My advice: sell the bike. You can't use it right now anyway. Spend the money on a trip to Germany and enjoy the Alps and the Autobahns, and a very, very different attitude to riding.

[Coldrider]

It is!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Dude, when the ZX9R C1 came out , it was a blade beater on steriods, but the R1 pipped it.
The induction noise on hard acceleration and the factory tuned in vibration make the ZX9 like no other, I have had one for 10 years now and I can't sell it, going to buy a blade in the next month, but get rid of the green machine with a heart & sole like no other jappa, no sorry can't do it.
Blame the Kawasaki factory.
But that doesn't help you in anyway, be ashame to have a ZX9-R tethered for a 3month strip though.

[Latch]

Spend the money on a trip to Germany and enjoy the Alps and the Autobahns, and a very, very different attitude to riding.

I should just qualify that comment slightly. Their attitude to riding is certainly very different, and one aspect of that is that if you drive irresponsibly in Germany, at ANY speed, they'll throw the book at you for your bad driving, of which speed may have been a factor.

So if you think it's ok to ride at 250kph in the fast lane of the A1 for example, where BMWs and Audi's regularly hoon past at over 300kph, they'll throw the book at you. Always supposing you survive the experiment in the first place, of course... :pinch:

[aff-man]

get a moooootard

600's are still ridiculous....(looks over shoulder)

Naked may be the way to go

The problem is the more you ride the higher your comfort levels are. But hey you basically are sitting on raw power and wondering why you go fast? cause its ssooooooo easy.

keep the bike and see how you feel in 3 months

[Batcerb]

Agree with AlanB about the naked bikes.

I found moving from sports type bikes to a naked bike did bring my speed down at first, but as I got used to it, I find myself pretty comfortable around 120/130 if im not checking speedo often. Brings down your top speed, but you still get spirited in the twistys or whatever.

I was a few points away from walking a while ago, so had to ride in a paranoid state to maintain the licence - At the end of the day, just being out there in my own personal space was the important thing.
Also only having a bike for transport, getting to and from work, unwinding ... 365 days of the year ect -

I asked a guy at work the otherday - when you going to ditch the MXer and get a roadbike? he said ... theres no point, you can only go 100km, if I want to blat around at 160, do some wheelies and jumps, cops arent going to do anything about it.
Suppose I was surprised at how much that made sense - especially after the fact I had known him in his younger does when he was a bit of a boy racer.

Anyway :) If being out on the road is important to you, then you just going to have to bite the bullet and work at adjusting how you do it. If its speed ect, maybe a trackbike?

[caseye]

If you don't want to lose your licence again then don't stop if the cops try to do a 3T.

Well, for a start don't listen to this chump!

Keep your Green Machine, go get an old thumper, my old girl burns coal ya know. 1981 XV 1000 ! But even she can lose me my licence if I turned up the wick.
Shes got panniers and a screen, behaves like a whale in a cross wind and slips on a blade of grass, but I'm not selling her anytime soon.
I ride at or about 110K's on the open road and enjoy seeing everything there is too see and the looks from other riders as they go past.

[retired motoman]

The problem is the more you ride the higher your comfort levels are. But hey you basically are sitting on raw power and wondering why you go fast? cause its ssooooooo easy.

keep the bike and see how you feel in 3 months

Thats it in a nut shell !!

[Maha]

Can I suggest one of theses Lance?
Maybe the Emu's can take turns at giving you a day out??....:2thumbsup

At least its green....:hug:

[howdamnhard]

Big tourers( like your ZX9R) are made to cruise at high speed so getting one won't help. Try a naked , but they are also easily capable of license losing speed. See how you feel after 3 months. Nice bikes them ZX9R must get myself one oneday.

[beyond]

If you like going fast and like giving the bike stick at times for the thrill and enjoyment, no decent sized bike, naked or otherwise is going to help mate.

Any bike these days over a certian cc rating goes like hell and very quickly into licence losing speeds. A lot of cops now sit around 30kmh areas so 70kmh and you're walking anyway.

A top line radar detector and picking your places for fun is the only answer.

I bought a naked to know what speed I'm going and to get that raw motorcyling experience and to stay out of trouble but have no problems going 200+ when the conditions are right.

[jrandom]

Just don't get nicked riding while suspended.

[mossy1200]

When you get that licence back buy yourself a new bonneville.At 105 mine feels like the zx12 did at 160+.
At 108 mine feels like the zx12 in the flying quarters at 270+

Im more afraid of a vortex in time than tickets.