Am I over it?

[750Y]

Well, after a recent ride I got to thinking about riding in general in particular riding a fast sportsbike on the road. I have had a few different sportsbikes now(all fast) and have gained enough confidence to feel comfortable at speeds which really are probably too fast for the road.(I’m not saying I’m a good rider or anything cos I’m not) but here’s the dilemma… I kinda feel like I am almost over the whole fast road riding thing now & am wondering what are my options from here. I don’t feel that there’s the same fun in it anymore as it just seems like an intense & exhausting rush when I go out instead of a recharging of batteries. Some obvious choices are… a cruiser that’s comfy & slow but that I can throw the Mrs on & go enjoy a sunny day, taking time to stop and talk, have a coffee whatever etc. or go dirtbiking? or find another hobby that the whole family can enjoy etc. ie a family boat for instance…
What to do what to do… anyone on here get to that stage & what did they do?

[Sniper]

Had my best mates dad go through this same predicament. The solution was that there will be days where there is a just a cruise you want to go on or suddenly feel that a fast exilarating rush of speed may be in order.

The best this for that is find a bike that suits for both of your wants. Malcom (My mates dad) got himself a GSX750F and he loves it to peices, its a good cruiser but also zips him along when he needs its.

Its up to you, but best of luck in finding what suits you 750Y

Sniper

[vifferman]

Yeah, been there too.

I did consider a cruiser at one stage (about 5 years ago), as I was worried about getting into trouble from too much hooning, and a mate had one and said it kept him out of trouble yet let him still enjoy riding. He'd had a GSXR750, FJ1200 and a few other bikes before that.

I have also nearly chucked it in a few times through worrying about the risks, and through getting worn down by most of my riding being commuting. Since I've started to share motorcycling with my wife, I've started to enjoy it more, and look forward to some trips touring about the place.

All your bikes are belong to me....

errr..... all your proposed options look good - you have to choose which one's best for you.

[inlinefour]

Well, after a recent ride I got to thinking about riding in general in particular riding a fast sportsbike on the road. I have had a few different sportsbikes now(all fast) and have gained enough confidence to feel comfortable at speeds which really are probably too fast for the road.(I’m not saying I’m a good rider or anything cos I’m not) but here’s the dilemma… I kinda feel like I am almost over the whole fast road riding thing now & am wondering what are my options from here. I don’t feel that there’s the same fun in it anymore as it just seems like an intense & exhausting rush when I go out instead of a recharging of batteries. Some obvious choices are… a cruiser that’s comfy & slow but that I can throw the Mrs on & go enjoy a sunny day, taking time to stop and talk, have a coffee whatever etc. or go dirtbiking? or find another hobby that the whole family can enjoy etc. ie a family boat for instance…
What to do what to do… anyone on here get to that stage & what did they do?

I'm Just working back too it from almost a decade away from riding. You could allways give one of em to me (suggestion). :devil2:

[crashe]

Go and test ride some cruiser's, but remember that they handle differently on corners to sport bikes.... and see if thats what you really want...
A cruiser is nice for your parter to sit on the back and enjoy the ride....

If you are still wanting some sort of speed, then why not try it out on the race tracks.... there are enough lads here who will help you out in that area...

Good luck in finding the type of bike that you want to go into....
but what is most important is that you still want to ride and that you will still get the pleasure of riding out there.

[2_SL0]

BOAT = Large money pit.
Dirtbike = Fun, hard work, limited useability.

I think maybe look at sportbikes that comfortably sit 2 up. (Honda Goldwing, hehehe then I can finally overtake you)
What about a FZ1 or something similar. Still quick but a little more less of the hardcore sportbike.

[MSTRS]

Stay with the biking. Having a boat is an expensive hassle. I sold mine as it was almost impossible to use when I wanted or could. And I'm 5 minutes from a boatramp.

[Devil]

Why dont you try one of them adventure/tourer type bikes. Go do some touring, at least with one you can head off the beaten track a bit.

[Eyetie]

I have gone back to front to your "another hobby that the whole family can enjoy etc. ie a family boat for instance…", I had the boat in fact plural a 20 Ft inboard then moved on to a jet boat, the down side is the $$ and it felt like I had a large hole I was filling with money on a regular basis. Its the old plus/minus scenario the boat dependant on what you spend is limited to how many people you can take, and the boats I owned, I had to have to a second person to launch and retrieve and it always took a bit of time to get everything organised when we went out ie Bait and the gear and then the drive to the ramp that did not have a large wait. At least the bike you can decide in minutes and be gone to wherever you feel like and the wife can tag along if she wants, the other good thing is the meeting so many people you would not usually meet on the rides, which you would no doubt miss, perhaps the cruiser thing would not be such a bad idea as you would probably not feel so much of an urge to ride in the way the sportsbikes do, and would be more comfortable for the Mrs.

[Paul in NZ]

I go through this regularly and sometimes the bike sits for a few weeks pining for the road or the caress of my spectacular spanner.

So what. Somedays are diamonds and some days are rock!

Look, riding fast is no more clever than being able to run fast or throw a ball a long way. You don't give up playing cricket with the kids because you got dropped from the Black Caps eh!

Keep the bike and be happy. Some days you will want to go for a bimble and some days you will want to go fast (er) and as long as you can park the ego and accept that you won't be able to keep up with the latest and greatest and it's not crippling the family $$. Keep what you have!

Paul N

[Coldkiwi]

you're not the only one Dave. I'm investigating motards at the moment (lots of fun, heaps of torque but most have run out of puff over 150kmhr) for the same reasons (although I haven't worked out how to pillion on most of them yet!) but its still up in the air.

[Fryin Finn]

I've kinda been there done that 2. Buying the XJR 1300 was to me the ideal compromise between a sportsbike and a cruiser It will coast along at 70k in top or zip through the twisties with agility that belies it's girth all with comfort few bikes can match. Somehow the old standards weren't that far off the mark for general motorcycle use
My 450 WR challenges me to come up to scratch off road and that's what we need to maintain interest. After a good fast dirt ride I feel all mellow and at peace with the world. Unless I fall off and then I feel quite old.

[Lou Girardin]

For what it's worth, I went from an RF to the Bandit and I won't go back to even a semi-crouched riding position. You have to go fast all the time just to be comfortable. (That's for us old farts, you young supple types may disagree) Try a naked bike, you'll like it.

[Pwalo]

For what it's worth, I went from an RF to the Bandit and I won't go back to even a semi-crouched riding position. You have to go fast all the time just to be comfortable. (That's for us old farts, you young supple types may disagree) Try a naked bike, you'll like it.

I'm with Lou on this one. I like a 'sporty' feeling bike, but I'm not too fussed about speed or having to adopt the racer's crouch every time I ride. (Also I'm still a bit sore after my accident late last year).

The GS is pretty ideal. Light, good handling (with decent tyres), fast enough to keep away from the tin tops, and comfortable. Rather like a slim line Bandit.

Think it also depends on your height, weight etc. I'm only a small chap so the 500 is fine. You might require something a bit bigger. Bandit, Hornet or similar?? :unsure:

[**R1**]

Dirtbike dirtbike dirtbike dirtbike dirtbike

dirtbikes rock, i get what ya saying i went through that last year the road is good but there is so many coppers, cagers, etc, the track is fun but its not one of those things you can go do at the drop of a hat, so i went and bought a cheap dirtbike and have never looked back, i ride the R1 to wrk everyday so its not like i dont ride it but i fully look fwd to the weekends out blasting around on a dirtbike. i dont know how old your family is but i take my kids out with me now and then and they love it.....just got to buy the lil misus a quad now :doh: no new dirtbike for me.

[digsaw]

been there and tried most things but all ways returned to bikes,still have launch for the salt flavour,cbr400 for a bit of speed an fun,tt500 for adventure rides,xt200 for a bush bash,ty250 for playin in the mud,350 and 500 bsa prewar for classic racing and if i feel like a slow jaunt down the coast the 1948 350 royal enfield is sweet,then a good lawn mower for earning the brownie points so i can go play wiv my toys heheeeee :scooter: :baby:

[jrandom]

*This* is why my post-Zeal ride will not be a sprotbike.

[duckman]

I've been going through the same thought process for the last couple of years too.
One week I think I want another sport bike .....
The next a cruiser....
The next a dirtbike...

Then a boat .....

I cant really offer advise because I haven't sorted out my own delema. (sp)
I'm sure if we could all afford it. we would have 6 bikes in the Gargre to choose from .. alas financial constraints prevent this perfect world from forming.

How about a CruiserDirtBoat (tm) bike ??? :soon:

[750Y]

How about a CruiserDirtBoat (tm) bike ??? :soon:
LOL
all i could afford is maybe a bath tub with bmx wheels stuck on it & a wooden spoon for propulsion... but i'd fill it with ice & 4 dozen steinies & set sail, oh man now we're talking.

[MSTRS]

Oh good...another beer thread

[PSYCHO]

The problem with riding fast on the road is that sooner or later it'll catch up with you! :eek5: (either the cops or you'll end up hurtin).

[**R1**]

The problem with riding fast on the road is that sooner or later it'll catch up with you! :eek5: (either the cops or you'll end up hurtin).
or if you buy a faster bike the cops aint going to catch u and you will hit stuff that hard you'll go straight past hutin :thud: :thud: :thud:

[Mr Skid]

you're not the only one Dave. I'm investigating motards at the moment (lots of fun, heaps of torque but most have run out of puff over 150kmhr) for the same reasons (although I haven't worked out how to pillion on most of them yet!) but its still up in the air.

I think a motard might be an option for me also in a year or so.

They seem altogether more practical than most sports bikes - less extreme seating position, less top speed, and allow for holiganism at much lower speeds than a 600-1000 sports bike.

Brilliant bikes for commuting and weekend blats I think.

[Skunk]

My solution to the problem you're having was a naked sport/cruiser (XJR1300/ZRX1200 type) and a dirtbike (250 range)... Go test ride :sly:

[slob]

I think a motard might be an option for me also in a year or so.

I figured I wanted it all so I sold my TL1000S and replaced it with an FZR400R and an XR600R (soon to be motarded..). This way I figured I could have variety in riding styles. Only downside is paying double the rego and the work involved in converting the XR... Maybe sometime in future I'll get a KDX200 or something for offroad.. :yes: