What is alluring about a sports bike? [Archive]

bugjuice

6th September 2005, 17:44

Do you find much time to speed? I'm trying to gauge the value of a sports bike when commuting looks like the most use it will get.
if you're commuting, sprotsbikes are ok for that, but if it's only commuting, then you might want to find something a little more suited to that. It's the weekends that make it worthwhile

as for me; speed, cornering/handling, bit-a-bling/sexy (have you seen my bike..??), and speed.

Riff Raff

6th September 2005, 17:45

They're sexy and fun to ride. Simple really!

Spaz

6th September 2005, 17:49

bugjuice

6th September 2005, 17:53

painful wrists? nah, you get used to it (and your back and neck). I used to commute on mine for a while, and you just get used to it. You harden up in the places you need to. Then the weekend comes, and it's just a whole new world. No traffic to contend/dodge with, the wind in your helmet, bugs on your visor.. tis wicked. I moved closer to work, so now the bike is pretty much just for the weekends or when I need it.

There are other bikes and cruisers that can carve up the best of corners, it's not just for sprotbikes. It's got to be what you find comfortable, and want to ride. It's more of a style choice, rather than a function. Most peeps with cruisers want cruisers, most who want sprotbikes want sprotbikes..

Blackbird

6th September 2005, 17:53

Gosh! Multiple posts and not one of the GSX-R boys have been on the site waving their willies about and saying that mine is bigger than yours :rofl:

I really wanted a Fireblade but Mrs Blackbird sat on the back of one in the shop and was moved to remark with watering eyes that if I got one, then I'd be travelling solo everywhere. You might think that this would be cause for celebration but a smart ripost could have lead to withdrawal of conjugal rights or possibly something sharp buried in me. Hence the purchase of a "semi-sports" bike with genuine two-up capability over decent distances and a not inconsequential performance. No regrets at all and harmony continues in the Blackbird household.

madboy

6th September 2005, 17:55

Do you find much time to speed? I'm trying to gauge the value of a sports bike when commuting looks like the most use it will get.My personal best on the way to work is a little over 260, and my personal best on the way home is a little under 260. Those speeds were achieved during rush hour. Does that answer your question?

The toughest choice with a sportsbike commuting is tyres. The bikes themselves have no problem with it, they're nimble enough, narrow enough and economical enough. But tyre choice is a major issue. Sticky tyres are good for the weekends, but you have trouble getting temperature into them for commuting, and they'll wear square really quickly and handle like shite. But if you get touring tyres then they're sacrilege on the weekend. Don't wanna turn this into a tyre debate by getting into specifics though!!

Motu

6th September 2005, 17:58

A sportsbike is too narrow focused for me - I ride everything from SH1 to single lane trails or on the beach....I come from the ''one bike does it all'' era,a bike has much more than one function for me - so dual purpose it is.

James Deuce

6th September 2005, 17:59

Seems that the answers arn't as broad as I first figured. Obviously a sports bike is the safest bike to travel at high speeds through corners on. but would you buy one if the only time you would do that was on the weekend? Is the allure of fast sweeping corners on the week end enough for you to put up with the painful wrists (edit) for the rest of the week?

Safety has nothing to do with the bike and everything to do with the grey matter inside the skull, inside the helmet. Cornering speed has everything to do with the same lump of porridge.

What painful wrists? Set your bike up correcty and you can remove wrist pain from the equation entirely. Sit properly and use the muscles designed for it, instead of leaning on your arms and shoulders and the issue goes away. I can do 400km+ days on the R6 with one stop for gas and food, until the knees scream enough though. Too many sporting and motorcycle accidents.

Why do I like sportsbikes? Because I do. I like standards, and cruisers, and trail bikes, and motards, and super motards, and Paris Dakar bikes, and classic bikes, and vintage bikes. Right now I want a sports bike. Is that OK(insert "Lou" smilie here)?

madboy

6th September 2005, 17:59

Is the allure of fast sweeping corners on the week end enough for you to put up with the painful wrists (edit) for the rest of the week?Only pain in my wrist was a result of coming off the bike, wasn't from being on it. As BJ said, you get used to it. It's like going from running to playing squash, an acquired fitness thing.

Oh, and before comments come it, there's more to the rush hour high speed story that what I've posted, I'm not completely insane.

Spaz

6th September 2005, 18:02

painful wrists? nah, you get used to it (and your back and neck). I used to commute on mine for a while, and you just get used to it. You harden up in the places you need to.

I noticed that when I had a ZXR, I had the same sort of reaction. Is the power delivery useful to you in the 600cc class? I found 250 sports could be taken to their peak power anywhere quite safely, does the same apply to the 600 class sports bikes?

TLDV8

6th September 2005, 18:04

I'm kind of old school but like the TLS..but if there had been something like a GSX1400 type styling with a TL engine i would have been up for a test ride for sure........ sometimes a sportbike is a pain in the butt to ride at the speed limit..the wind blast on a retro can keep you honest and you can still get through the twisties no worries.

James Deuce

6th September 2005, 18:04

I noticed that when I had a ZXR, I had the same sort of reaction. Is the power delivery useful to you in the 600cc class? I found 250 sports could be taken to their peak power anywhere quite safely, does the same apply to the 600 class sports bikes?

No. A 600 isn't a a 250. (insert "Lou" smilie here)

Spaz

6th September 2005, 18:08

James Deuce

6th September 2005, 18:11

Spaz

6th September 2005, 18:13

Great, so all I have to figure out is how important my weekends are to me.

I've got a bit of estimating to do.

Cheers guys

TLDV8

6th September 2005, 18:15

So what I gather is, the power a 600cc sports bike engine is designed to produce is out of reach for most of the week, the weekends rock (or if you're like madboy, everyday does (cops involved?)) and discomfort is not a factor.

Right?

It depends why you are asking ... Next bike maybe? ......... Consider a twin if you want low down stomp and still have some topend whatever the styling is. (in my somewhat biased opinion )

bugjuice

6th September 2005, 18:15

yeah, I second Jim. The power of a 600 (another can of worms here) is far beyond 250s, and then there's thous on top of that, and so forth. The power is so not meant for commuting, it's just not funny. 600cc sprotbikes are designed mainly for track use, and the weekend use is a byproduct of this. They really aren't thinking about commuting when they design these machines. Most are good at commuting, but that's not purpose design.

and to reach their premium power, you do need lots of room to enjoy it, and lane splitting to the lights just ain't the place. So save that for the weekend. You can have quick bursts, saying that tho.. You'll get used to the power too, given time

Spaz

6th September 2005, 18:20

It depends why you are asking ... Next bike maybe? ......... Consider a twin if you want low down stomp and still have some topend whatever the styling is. (in my somewhat biased opinion )
Yeah, I've been thinking about it like that. I wouldn't mind dropping a 650 twin into a sports frame, that would fix all my problems. I just like my weight over the front end, that's why I like the idea of a sports bike. But I also like the idea of a twin.

chickenfunkstar

6th September 2005, 18:24

It doesn't have to be one or the other. The SV is fine for commuting, but still sporty enough for a good blat at the weekends. You'll pay more in tires etc. than a 'commuting' bike, but still less than a dedicated sprots bike.
I've never come back from a weekend ride and thought 'gee that ride would have been so much better if I could turn / accelerate like a sprots bike'

Spaz

6th September 2005, 18:28

The power is so not meant for commuting, it's just not funny. 600cc sprotbikes are designed mainly for track use... They really aren't thinking about commuting when they design these machines. Most are good at commuting, but that's not purpose design.

and to reach their premium power, you do need lots of room to enjoy it, and lane splitting to the lights just ain't the place.
For me, sports bikes sound like a great bike waste of time, but I found they inspired more confidence in me.
I've been reading that Honda and Triumph have been trying to bring better mid range power to their 600's. Do you think that in about, say, half a year, they'll realease a vtwin in sportsbike guise? A down sized VTR SP?

rogson

6th September 2005, 18:29

I've been to the sportbike end of the spectrum and am now heading back. I started-out (way back) with standards that you turned into sporties by putting low/flat bars on. I jumped-on the sportbike wagon when they came along - finally ending-up with a ZX9R which was fantastic - but a pain in wrists/bum/back,etc. at times and was also lonely at times (wife said no!). So, I now have a UJM with upgraded suspension and low-rize bars, but I am salivating after a KTM950SM (or something similar) - so you can see which direction I'm headed.

Spaz

6th September 2005, 18:30

not to dig myself a hole, but are you guys spelling sports "sprots" on purpose? :dodge:

Hitcher

6th September 2005, 18:32

I don't own a sprotsbike. I like them, in fact I think most are gorgeous. But they're not my "thing". When we go out for a ride, we go out for a ride -- generally at least 250km. I like a bit of comfort (arse, knees, wrists) and I like to be able to easily read all the dials and see all the idiot lights. I like a bike that's stable and easy to handle at low speed and not all vibe and aggression at highway speeds. I like something that can carry a pillion for a reasonable distance with a modicum of comfort for both pillion and rider. And the ability to carry enough luggage for several days on the road, again without compromising the handling of the bike or rider comfort.

Otherwise, sprotsbikes are magnificent!

Hitcher

6th September 2005, 18:33

not to dig myself a hole, but are you guys spelling sports "sprots" on purpose?
In case you weren't aware, sprotsbike and crusier are accepted spellings on this site. You prak them in a gargre...

bugjuice

6th September 2005, 18:40

For me, sports bikes sound like a great bike waste of time, but I found they inspired more confidence in me.
I've been reading that Honda and Triumph have been trying to bring better mid range power to their 600's. Do you think that in about, say, half a year, they'll realease a vtwin in sportsbike guise? A down sized VTR SP?
one word - nope. There's a few 600/650 Vs around. The SV650 is a popular good choice. There's a Yama FZ600 (?) too, amongst a few others. They are good for poppin round town, and do have fun at the weekends. They're a bit more of an upright position than most sprotbikes too, so it makes it easier on the bits.

The best thing (imho), would be for you to probably start savin (if you haven't already) and concentrate on getting your full, then go have a ride of a few different bikes and styles of bikes. The only person to know what's best is to ride it yourself and see. Once you look past the power increase, you'll start to 'feel' the bike, and see if it fits how you want. Try a few different bikes before you settle. And even then, you're never stuck with whatcha got.. you could always sell it 6 months down the track and try something else

Spaz

6th September 2005, 18:51

Amen to that,
At the price these are going for, http://www.loot.co.nz/Main/ListDisplayItem.aspx?onlineadvert_id=1367399 I'll be rather well equiped by the time I get my fool.
Cheers guys, have a good weekend.

SPman

6th September 2005, 19:54

I ride a sprots bike because, strangely enough, I feel most comfortable on one! Not physically - I'm old and bent these days, but mentally, its where my head has always been. I've tried all the other styles and, great as Z1000's, Falcos, etc are, I found myself gravitating back to sprots. Hence, the Gixxer!
The nearest I've come to a regular bike was the GT750 Ducati in 1973!

Fordy

6th September 2005, 21:20

then go have a ride of a few different bikes and styles of bikes. The only person to know what's best is to ride it yourself and see

Good advice. There's a heap of difference, even between sprotsbikes (sp: when in Rome ;)) My friends CBR600FS2 shared gargre space with my gixer for years. I rode it to keep the battery topped up. It's armchair comfy compared with the gixer, not that I'm complaining...as said you sit right and get used to it and I've done many 400km+ days. The geometry between seat, pegs and bars determines how you sit and this varies between different manufacturers and different types of bikes.

I ride a sprotsbike because it's a toy and it gives me the biggest grin. It's not all out speed for me, it's the acceleration....warp speed, engage. And handling, setting yourself up for a series of bends and getting the lines perfect, great when it comes together. There's too many hazards to push it to the limit on the road, and my (lack of) skills limit how far I can push it on a track. Great fun though, and you can always slow down and enjoy the scenery :D

madmal64

6th September 2005, 22:08

Well I ride RF900 which is supposably a "Sports Tourer". Ive found it the best combo for me, and me alone (The wife wants me to get something more comfortable for her) I agree that you should try as any different styles/ types before you buy. This is excatly what I did when buying the RF. Now its starting to get to the stage where Im thinking of replacing it and Im struggling to find the same sort of new bike out there. I love the sports style and riding postion but the big fat arse of a seat on mine and the slightly larger body does make the touring a bit more comfortable... for me! Different strokes for different folks.

Sniper

6th September 2005, 22:26

Personal preference

stevedee

6th September 2005, 22:49

I ride a Zed, it's just a big arse motocross bike, no finesse like a sports bike. I like sports bikes, the speeds are nuts/great. With the Zed the wind keeps me in check and I don't get sucked into the 260Km/h thing. Though the 260Km/h+ thing looks real nice........on the track.

spd ;-)

Pixie

6th September 2005, 23:23

Posh Tourer :P

7th September 2005, 00:15

I like an upright bike for commuting - you can see more over the top of cars. As for worrying about mid-range grunt, forget about it. Most 600s since the early 90s have plenty of mid-range grunt for commuting, especially compared to the 250s you appear to be riding. Hell, even my R65 has enough mid-range grunt.

Comfort I find is a factor, but then I think I shouldnt have to get used to a bike, it ought to be comfy (enough) straight off. I'm in favour of mid-size nakeds or semi-nakeds, as plastics are expensive, and I'm not planning to do so much speed that I'd need a full fairing. The XJ600 Divvy is pretty good, if a little boring. I'm gonna have to try an SV650s, or maybe Z750.

You can have fun on the weekends on almost any bike, although I think that once you have gone to sprotsbikes, going back would be a disappointment. I had a ball of a time to Scotland on my XJ, through some stunning roads, and never found that anyone actually passed me/kept up with me for long, so I can't have been going slowly.

Ride what you can afford/what you like/what you feel comfortable on, and make it fun.

If you are worried about power, I dont stretch my XJ commuting in any way at all, and when I was pushing it on my Scotland trip I was doing illegal speeds anyway. So even the XJ could get you into serious trouble (ie the ton) without much complaining and that isnt a sports 600, or even modern...

Lou Girardin

7th September 2005, 08:12

I like the look of sprotbikes, the speed, OK to ride for 30 mins, but I wouldn't own one.Too uncomfortable, poor vis in traffic and tight twisty roads, too much plastic to replace when it goes down. And, since Sunday, I've found you can have even more fun on a nekid bike.

madboy

7th September 2005, 14:03

So what I gather is, the power a 600cc sports bike engine is designed to produce is out of reach for most of the week, the weekends rock (or if you're like madboy, everyday does (cops involved?)) and discomfort is not a factor.
Right?No cops involved, well in those particular examples anyway.

The way the traffic works down here is that you can sometimes get long clear patches of mway without any cars on them, even in rush hour - blame the traffic lights on the mway (good traffic planning). Hence I can crack 260 during rush hour without actually being anywhere near any cars.

On a more regular basis, though, I'm tootling at 80-120k in 6th between cars.

MSTRS

7th September 2005, 14:15

In case you weren't aware, sprotsbike and crusier are accepted spellings on this site. You prak them in a gargre...
....and can communte on them.

Coyote

7th September 2005, 14:30

one word - nope. There's a few 600/650 Vs around. The SV650 is a popular good choice. There's a Yama FZ600 (?) too, amongst a few others.

Isn't the FZ6 a inline 4? This pic would suggest it is:
http://www.yamaha-motor.com/assets/products/mcy/500/fz6_blue_3sized.jpg
Nice looking bike, the FZ1 is better though

The SV650S is also a very nice looking bike:
http://www.suzukicycles.com/images/ProductImages/logo/500/SV650SK5.jpg

bugjuice

7th September 2005, 14:32

Isn't the FZ6 a inline 4? This pic would suggest it is:
http://www.yamaha-motor.com/assets/products/mcy/500/fz6_blue_3sized.jpg
Nice looking bike, the FZ1 is better though

The SV650S is also a very nice looking bike:
http://www.suzukicycles.com/images/ProductImages/logo/500/SV650SK5.jpg
tis so.. my bad.. was thinking of the style of the bike compared with the SV, rather than the engine config.. at least someone's awake.. :zzzz:

vifferman

7th September 2005, 14:38

Why do/did you (presuming that you own or have owned a sports bike) own a sports bike?
The vifferbabe made me do it. :yes:

Oh - do you mean this sprotsbike, or sprotsbikes in general?

Hmmmm...
I'm allowed only one bike, otherwise I'd be divorced. I mean - otherwise I'd have all kindza bikes: a super-retard, mebbe a crusier, a brace of dirt bikes or four, a communter, a lithe and agile stuntworthy v-twin, a trackday bike, a classic, and maybe even one of those two-wheeled car thingos.

But I can't. So, I have the VifFerraRi, which is a communter, sprotsbike, touring bike, and hooligan machine, all rolled into one. :yes:

ManDownUnder

7th September 2005, 14:40

I just like 'em.

The styling of them, the performance, handling etc.

I'd love to offer some deep philosophical thought on the issue... but that's the best I have on offer...

R1madness

9th September 2005, 08:23

I regularly do 600k days 2 up on my R1 with my misses on the back. There is no need to buy a touring bike in NZ. There is nowhere to ride one. Wrist pain is something that goes away once you get used to the riding position. I also commute 40 mins a day (town riding) on the R1. It is a truely versitile machine. All big bore sports bike are like this from my experiance.
I also get a laugh out of scooters so i dont care what i ride as long as i get to ride.

XTC

9th September 2005, 09:59

I've owned scooters, Customs, Italians, Sportsbikes, Tourers, Classics, Off road bikes, and currently have a Dual Purpose bike and have loved them all. Don't be too narrow in your thinking guys.

Jackrat

10th September 2005, 16:09

Why do/did you (presuming that you own or have owned a sports bike) own a sports bike?

Pretty broad question I wanted to ask lately. I would also like to hear what has stopped some of you from buying a sports bike.

Cheers,
What stopped me from buying one.
Bloody easy mate,I can't stand the bloody things.
Bikes for Boyracers,the only thing missing is the fluffy dice.

FROSTY

10th September 2005, 16:54

the allure for me is going really really fast on a racetrack.Otherwise to be honest I can't be bothered.
As a road bike I prefer something a bit easier on the back/neck/butt and able to carry luggage asier.
I don't dislike sports bikes on the road and there are times I wish my usual tame choice in road bike would transform into some sexy r1/gixxer/zx10
But then baby bikie reminds me he wants a daddy around and Quite frankly I don't have the self control to ride a litrebike in a sane manner.

riffer

10th September 2005, 21:41

But then baby bikie reminds me he wants a daddy around and Quite frankly I don't have the self control to ride a litrebike in a sane manner.

Amen to that. The very reason I ride such a slow pig of a bike. ;)

Will

11th September 2005, 21:41

I agree with a lot of the reasons for having a sprotbike but you've forgotten to mention one thing.
Your body weight is very easy to transfer or lift. If you encounter some rough road, it is easy and quick to put your wieght on your feet and lift your arse off the seat.
Also cornering is easier to get your knee down.

Brains

11th September 2005, 22:03

Why do/did you (presuming that you own or have owned a sports bike) own a sports bike?

Pretty broad question I wanted to ask lately. I would also like to hear what has stopped some of you from buying a sports bike.

Cheers,

Hold on, just you wait a full minute...here's bikes available for purchase that don't come with the word 'sports' infront of them? Well I'll be...so why do people purchase those 'other' bikes?