Superbikes. Superman?

[Biff]

The K5 Gixxer 1000cc kicks out about 165 bkp at the rear wheel. Not the crank. It will do over 170 (stock) mph and weighs in at 166Kg dry (according to an old bike mag).

Five years ago a modern day, stock Gixxer/R1/RR/ZX9.5 would have had a good chance, when ridden by the right rider, of claiming some serious Moto GP podium time. Possibly.

The difference between your MotoGP replica and the MotoGP bikes of 5 years ago is that you wouldn’t have been able to buy one of these Moto GP superbikes without having to shell out several hundy thou $$. Big gahoonas. Today however, you can pick one up cheaper than a Las Vegas hooker and a bowl full of Colombia’s finest..... And I ain’t talking that Nescafe shite here either.

There is another obvious difference. A difference most of todays litre sprots bike riders, and many riders of other bikes may have difficulty admitting. As good as you think you are - you’re not a Moto GP rider. (But just in case you are, I always root for you. You’re my hero. Any chance of some free tickets to watch you sometime? No – I’m not gay. ). So the chances are – you don’t get anywhere near being able to use your Moto GP relica pocket rocket to its full potential.

Today’s roads are full of them, you. Some of you are very gifted. Some of you are dangerous, and some have only bought a sports bike because it makes you feel good. Some of you sexually. But very, very few of you, if any, can really use your superbike to its full potential. Sorry. And if you can – you’re a rare breed.

Today’s litre-ish sports bike is a super-bike in every sense of the word (s). In my opinion it’s only been within the last few years, maybe as recent as the last two years, that we’ve seen real superbikes made easily available to your average member of the public. Quite simply the superbike of today is a working work of art. It’s marvel of modern technology. It’s a fucking weapon.

So - these superbikes are ridden by normal people. People like you ? But not me (a Blackbird hardly qualifies as a superbike with these modern upstarts snapping at its rear set).

I don’t know about you, but I’m not Superman.

Although I do admit to enjoy wearing my pants over my trousers on Thursdays.

[Big Dave]

Yeah - I've posted pretty much the same thoughts.
I find 100 horsepower and good torque is plenty on the road.

[Toast]

I find 130ish hp not enough on the straights, and nicely manageable in the dry through any corners...more power would be nice and amusing...but I will wait 'til I can push this one to the limit before moving up.

[Blackbuell]

Thats why i bought my bike,i can have just as much fun with 100 hp,but you can still get ya self in trouble!!!!!!!!

[gav]

I know what youre saying Biff, but I can recall these sentiments when the VF750F came out in 1983, how close it was to a GP bike, racer for the road, blah blah, or the Suzuki RG500 and Yamaha RZ500, or even the GPz900 and GPZ1000R, too much power, too fast.
Inexperienced riders would get themselves into trouble back then, whats changed?
The main difference now is "stunting" is seen as some sort of bullshit sport that wannabee "extreme" riders seem keen to partake in, and trying to see who can write off the most bikes on public roads. Also wanting to compare how much skin they can leave on the road and who has the biggest and "best" scars, whatever....
Stunting is cool and I for one are pretty impressed by the guys like Christian Pfieffer (sp) AJ Farias, and the rest. Sure the locals want to join in the action, but keep it on the track, not on the public streets, huh?

[onearmedbandit]

True words Biff, but half of what makes it exciting is knowing there is almost always a bit more you could wind it on....

[Nutter34]

What's your point?
The same can be said for cars too and many other things....
Technology moves on and these are the results....

I'll agree that most of these bikes are way out of most peoples' abilities but so is your average computer, just used for surfing the net and emails.....

That aside, it's argueable that some people buy the bigger bikes as much for performance, as they do for looks, or rideability. Two mates bought 1000's for looks and rideability, one a Blade and another an R1. Neither want to thrash/rev their bikes, as a modern 600 tends to be. Also, some people just don't like nakeds or cruisers......

Just my 1c......

[Big Dave]

What's your point?

so is your average computer, just used for surfing the net and emails.....



It won't kill you.

[Edbear]

It won't kill you.
You both make good points. My 80hp is plenty for me and so's the handling thus far. My first "car" was 1950 Bradford with cable brakes and a 2-cyl 8hp engine. it did about 40mph, was made of wood and tinfoil and couldn't stop in a hurry no matter how many feet pushed the pedal through the floorbords! but I loved it! Now our Nissan Pulsar auto easily tops the old "ton", has 4-wheel ABS disc brakes with decent tyres, airbag anad so forth. Power has risen unbelievably in the past few years for bikes especially, but so has the handling and braking ability. Could anyone do a "stoppie" on a T500? I think the brakes went away completely on the first 100mph emergency stop! However, I think the most danger comes from the incredible acceleration from today's bikes and people find themselves arriving at a corner way faster than they thought and it's too late to realise then that you needed to be 20-30k's slower at that point! I was tapped out in third on my "F" one day out Riverhead, passing a couple cars, thinking I was going pretty quick when an R1 blasted past like I was in reverse! Kept him in sight for about 4 seconds! Yep, he could ride, all right and had 70hp over me, but I did think that it would be curtains for him if a tractor pulled across the road... They are rather unforigving at 'ton-up' speeds and no matter how powerful your brakes are, you're a certain gonner then! GP riders are freaks of nature! I can remember being in awe of old Kenny Roberts spinning up the rear while elevating the front out of a corner many years ago! Now Valentino! I just shake my head at some of the stuff he does on a bike! Seems to defy the laws of physics!

[Lou Girardin]

Too true Biff. You can almost sense the willies shrinking as some people read that.

[Pwalo]

I still love sportsbikes though. Unfortunately even a modern 600 is probably overkill on NZ roads. (I'd love one of the new GSXR 600s).

Mind you I guess that you could always drive the K5 1000 like an auto car. Never need to get out of first on the commute.

[skelstar]

I think Im struggling to see your point (not saying there isnt one).

I think what you say is right but are you saying thats its too much? Theres plenty of examples of technology exceeding the physical capabilities of Human Beings. Who needs to go 300km/h? :)

[Finn]

This is the reason why I live my life in a pure oxygen bubble with my pet gerbil. I am immune to the dangers of living.

[imdying]

This topic needs a little perspective... they said all these things about the Fireblade when it first came out. It's a widowmaker, you can't possibly use all that power, it keeps smacking you in the face with the triple clamps in first and second, you need to be a race god to get the best from it, it's too powerful for the road. Now it's a big (somewhat evil) pussy cat. 10 years from now the GSXR1000K6s of the world will still be awesome (as the early blades still are), but big evil pussy cats still.

But can we really sustain the levels of performance incease? Who wants a 250bhp 130kg GSXR1000M3? 1:1 power to weight is one thing, but in 10 years time they could double that. Superbikes have the potential to become more scary than fun.. what then? They concentrate on 190bhp 120kg 600s? That's still freakishlly powerful. Can one really enjoy such a road bike? Are our toys destined to be either outlawed, restricted, or relegated to history?

[bugjuice]

that's why I'm happy with my 636. It'll poop over older 750s and thous of yesteryear that were considered the best on the road of their time.. And the bike would still out-perform me, any day of the week. The 636 is geared for 107 in first, which breaks every speed limit in NZ, and there's 5 more gears to go. The thous are geared for 140+ in first..

I do wonder how much further power-wise, bikes will get. There's only so much that can be put thru a small single contact patch of rubber..

either way, I'm more than happy with my bike, any more power and I think I'd start to worry about pushing it, instead of enjoying pushing it

[skelstar]

I just happy to have a bike thats gonna sh1t on a boi racer on Thursday nights (or poos in his generic suby).

[bugjuice]

hell, I bet my old CBR250 could have done that!!

[dawnrazor]

not sure what your point is here, apart from an example of economics and marketing, I'm sure thats not it.

Thing is the blackbird was hailed as a hyper sportsbike until recently, but now is a sports tourer, so in a couple of years it'll be a learner bike and the GSXR1000 will be a solid do everything commuter.

The fantastic thing about the GSXR in particular is that it is so easy to ride at ANY speed. I reckon all bikes should have the quality of components and build specs.

[roogazza]

Admittedly there are lots of people out there who shouldn't really be on the latest and greatest . but in 1972 I had a kawasaki Mach IV , it didn't have Traxion kits in the front or Ohlins on the rear but hell i loved that bike ! Look at the reputation they had. Nowdays these modern things are like a gift from heaven , they brake , handle and do everything effortlessly. I guess I'm one of those blokes that rides around any perceived faults , but most of the time the faults are with the rider. G ..

[sAsLEX]

my 400 is enough, but will need a new bike soon(63k and rising fast) and do they still make the best bike in the world the NC30? nope, so will have to go bigger to get the type of ride I want. Either a supersports 600 or something like a Duke i reckon.

[SlowHand]

Superman? I dont know about a man being super, but isnt there a bitch on here called Doverman or summin?

[cowpoos]

hell, I bet my old CBR250 could have done that!!

how much you wanna bet sonny???? my suby....u on a cbr250rr....its on!!!



oh....and I got no idea what the hell this thread is about..its pretty pointless pointing obvious shit..most people on this site [and in NZ] ride like freakin nanas on there bikes no matter what the hell its is...thou,600hundy or what ever....same goes for cars....most of the people with flash/fast cars drive em like nana's to or pose on them....just like heaps of bikers do on sports bikes

its all about image and how people percive themselves....thats all.
its all about the cool factor...dosn't matter one sticky little bit if they can ride or drive it to its potential...it makes them feel good owning the latest and greatest...and it probally is a nicer bike than last weeks one....

so whats ya point Biff????

[Marmoot]

The K5 Gixxer 1000cc kicks out about 165 bkp at the rear wheel. Not the crank. It will do over 170 (stock) mph and weighs in at 166Kg dry (according to an old bike mag).

These kinds of write ups make my puny little Hayabusa feels like an old scooter....... :scratch:



only 152bhp on rear wheel (I think), around similar 170mph (limited, but not that I care anyway) top speed, weighs in much heavier at around 215kg dry.



.....But a hell lot more comfortable, though.
I might be a superman but my behind is certainly not a superbutt.... :blah:

[Toast]

I do wonder how much further power-wise, bikes will get. There's only so much that can be put thru a small single contact patch of rubber..



Those small contact patches of rubber are forever evolving as well...some GP riders of the '70's and '80's have said that the current crop of road/sport tyres (Pilot Power, etc) are better than what they used to race on...

[bugjuice]

yeah, it's like toothbrushes - just when you think they can't do anything else with them, the next best thing comes out..

[skelstar]

Ive always thought that TB's would be the hardest product in the world to market in advertising...that and toilet paper, toothpaste, and soap.

[MSTRS]

Fuck, I'm still coming to terms with bread in plastic bags and comes out ready sliced.......

[Toast]

yeah, it's like toothbrushes - just when you think they can't do anything else with them, the next best thing comes out..

Yeah, same analogy I had in my head...can't wait for the new Pilot Power '3-D' range to come out...God only knows how it will do the job better, but it should look cooler and have spikes coming off in all directions.

[bugjuice]

it's the same tyre, but with 3 tread patterns in one, getting to those 'hard-to-grip' areas, other tyres just won't touch.. Install 4 AA batteries (not included) and the vibrations grip that bit extra..

The new Pirelli Viper Corsas, out now at your nearest stockist

[Stopper Dan]

The K5 Gixxer 1000cc kicks out about 165 bkp at the rear wheel. Not the crank. It will do over 170 (stock) mph and weighs in at 166Kg dry (according to an old bike mag).


It seems untill not so long ago the greatest improvements in race bikes were the luberacation and the rubber, bikes have come so far very quickly. If an over enthusiastic new "full" licenced rider, who only ever rode a sub 250 (even if it was an NSR) got hold hold of a new litre bike death would be iminent. They are weapons.

Maybe thats what makes them sooo sweet.
my 2c

[slowpoke]

Come on people get with the program!!!
We'd all be a lot safer riding Rossi's 240hp M1 with a Dolphin torch strapped to the front rather than an old H2 Kwaka on crossplies. The throttle works both directions and doesn't twist itself.
I'd trust Mr or Ms Citizen from Anywhere Street on something with 1:1 power/weight, with radial brakes, mass centralisation, fuel injection, multi-adjustable suspension on a set of Pilot Powers long before I'd let 'em lose on something from the days of old. The bikes aren't just getting quicker, they are lighter, handle better, stop faster, are more economical and more user friendly etc etc.
Bring it on, I say.

[**R1**]

my middle name is Clark....

I think Batman is way cooler even tho his bike looks gay.

[cowpoos]

Come on people get with the program!!!
We'd all be a lot safer riding Rossi's 240hp M1 with a Dolphin torch strapped to the front rather than an old H2 Kwaka on crossplies. The throttle works both directions and doesn't twist itself.
I'd trust Mr or Ms Citizen from Anywhere Street on something with 1:1 power/weight, with radial brakes, mass centralisation, fuel injection, multi-adjustable suspension on a set of Pilot Powers long before I'd let 'em lose on something from the days of old. The bikes aren't just getting quicker, they are lighter, handle better, stop faster, are more economical and more user friendly etc etc.
Bring it on, I say.

thats a far to intelligent repliy from a person that states they are from the wairarapa......I say your an imposter :spudgrr:

who are you really :Police:

[loosebruce]

thats a far to intelligent repliy from a person that states they are from the wairarapa......I say your an imposter :spudgrr:

who are you really :Police:


Yea good call poo's, the man has a point indeed.

And anotgher point, if someone put a K6 1000 against a 5 year old motogp bike the k6 would get it's beans and then some, the NSR500 is a very trick weapon, christ the 4 strokes have almost been around that long, i'd be more inclined to say if you went back to say mid 90's superbikes then you'd be getting a bit closer (RC45, OWO2, 996's, er GSXR's and the likes) the last RC45 was still pumping out close on 180bhp, and you can bet the suspension was a heck of lot more advanced than what we are seeing on todays litre bikes.

But yes the litre bikes are a full on weapon on the road and track for that fact, i for one can't wait to see what the future has instore for bikes, mmmmmm GSXR1000K9 one can only imagine what is going to filter down form motogp onto road bikes.

Yes indeed bring it on.

[kiwifruit]

i agree with what you are saying Biff
all good points made by others too

I love my bike to bits!
No shit i can't use it to its full potential, prolly not even half of it....
id rather have a bike that i cant reach the limits on,
than one i can reach the (bikes) limits on

ive had bikes that i have reached the (bikes) limits on,
and riding a balls out "superbike" is far more enjoyable, 4 me.


just my 0.02c

:D

[slob]

Sportbikes may be getting more potent, but they're also getting more user-friendly, which cancels out the risk to some extent. Ultimately, it's up to the rider - no matter what they ride.

[bugjuice]

yamaha and their fly-by-wire already.. all you have to do is hook up a gyro to that, and you'd reduce the crash/flip/spin factors by something like 50%..

[Biff]

Point? You mean there has to be a point to everything posted on here ?

More of an observation me thinks.

Maybe even a topic for debate.

Who knows. Life's a missedtree.

[iwilde]

At the end of the day if you can afford it, buy it. Who cares if I ride around on a bike that I only use 60% of its potential? The new HSV's and FPV's are all capable of insane speed, but it dosen't mean that You have to drive like Peter Brock all the time. For the general bloke or lady thats saved their hard erned cash to buy a K6 is likely to look after their investment and ride to their own limits. In saying that, there's always exceptions to the rules

[Sutage]

harder to gap it from pigs on a 250

[slowpoke]

thats a far to intelligent repliy from a person that states they are from the wairarapa......I say your an imposter :spudgrr:

who are you really :Police:
Ooops....sprung!!!!!

Look for a very slow, very black R1 in a few weeks once our frikkin' container arrives. What's wrong with the 'rapa anyway? (not that I've ever lived there before) As far as I could tell there were far fewer reflective surfaces and consequently far fewer tossers than the more populated areas.

[RevHed]

I'm loving the 636 (other than the sore shoulder thing). I admit I'm a nanna on the road, but I love the fact that when I stuff up a corner on the road, all I have to do is lean harder the bike just goes around... over engineering performance rules!

You all need to take your GSXR-ZX-R1-CBR-ABC-DOC sportbikes to the track if you want to see where they are relevant.

I feel like Superman and Batman's illegitimate love child when I crank the bike over hard on the corner leading to the start finish straight, and hit insane speeds on the back straight :devil2:

It's great to look at your rear tyre at the end of the day and see the rubber is totally rooted all the way to the edge of the tyre, so you know you had that thing cranked over!

[iwilde]

[QUOTE=RevHed] I feel like Superman and Batman's illegitimate love child when I crank the bike over hard on the corner leading to the start finish straight, and hit insane speeds on the back straight :devil2:

How did they manage that? Maybe Superman and Wounder women?

[RevHed]

... they don't call him "Super"man for nothing... ;)

[Drunken Monkey]

Bruce is right, it may be equivalent to a mid-late 90's superbike, but a K5 thou would get seriously owned by a 5 year old MotoGP bike. Let alone a "5 year old Gixxer/R1/RR/ZX9.5" = those might have been lucky to keep up with an early 90's superbike.
The other big difference is track days are significantly more popular for casual riders than days gone by, so there are opportunities to wind them out and push them to their potential.

[cowpoos]

Ooops....sprung!!!!!

Look for a very slow, very black R1 in a few weeks once our frikkin' container arrives. What's wrong with the 'rapa anyway? (not that I've ever lived there before) As far as I could tell there were far fewer reflective surfaces and consequently far fewer tossers than the more populated areas.

I am unable to spell the word I want to use.... its got a "N" at the start a "I" in it and ends in a "E" also a "V' me thinks some where....
would fit this sentance.... You are so very ****** :whistle:

[slowpoke]

I am unable to spell the word I want to use.... its got a "N" at the start a "I" in it and ends in a "E" also a "V' me thinks some where....
would fit this sentance.... You are so very ****** :whistle:
I WAS stressed, what with relocating 'n all......now I'm just plain SCARED!! Ya mean the cafe crawlers are there too? It'd be a pretty short crawl...

My apologies for deviating (luv that word...I think I'll say it again) deviating from the topic.