Bikes getting too sick?

**ZorsT** · 2nd August 2005, 21:33

Originally Posted by oldfart

Sounds like Roger Freeth's RG500. Around 76-77 he worked out the aerodynamic design of Aerofoils required to produce more down force on the bike. THey were considered dangerous, (yet more feckin bureaucratic dip shittery). Next season, factory RG's that Sheene & co were riding appeared with aerofoils built into the fairing.

Thats him, i dunno about the bike though, but it had a big fat 1 on the front...

**Madmax** · 2nd August 2005, 21:53

I just love the instant power of the ZX10r, just going back to
The current loner bike a Humble old nt650 bros feels
like i have had something removed.
It just feels so much slower (witch it is)
but it is deceptive, its so much slower reving i wind up speeding more.
and the riding pos feels like crap.
even round town the ZX10 just feels more planted
i just feel more at home on it, sure it has power to spare
but you do not have to use it
(christ i will wear out third gear before any other)
when i ride to work i arrive with a big grin, and look forward to riding
home again knowing i can just walk out and jump on
one of the most fun,mental,exciting,deadly,exceptional, kick arse bikes
I have ever ridden
(ps if you want fun just get a motorway onramp to yourself and wack
the throttle open in first, its like everyone just beemed of the planet, just do not try this in the wet)

**oldfart** · 2nd August 2005, 21:56

Roger Freeth was around the top of the m/cycling seen late 70's, early 80's. Was a real bright guy, professor in maths & could apply this in real life. Had the nick name super frog when trialing yet another of his experiments, he tried to lower the centre of gravity by lowering the seat height. Trouble was, Freeth was 6' + so his legs stuck out. Died in a car crash co-driving/navigator with Possum Bourne

**Zapf** · 2nd August 2005, 23:59

Originally Posted by TonyB

Rode a GSXR1000K4 a while back. Even though I ride a good example of what was once the cutting edge 1000 sports bike, I was having to really work at it to keep the thing down to 120ish. There was just no sensation of speed.

I didn't ride it hard but I suspect that you can't actually 'use' the first two gears due to it's tendency to want to point the front wheel skywards (if you're a skinny runt like me). Once you hit third you can explore the upper end of the tacho, but by then you're at "gimme your license and walk home" speeds. I have always thought the more power the better, because you can ride quickly without stressing the engine, but I wonder if a level has been reached where there's not much point in going any further. My short ride on this bike had me thinking that perhaps a GSXR750 is a more useable option?

Having said that, I know that this subject has come up everytime a faster bike comes out, and it will continue to do so, and we will continue to demand more.

at the moment I am thinking if my GXSR750 is too much for me either..... its just so fast... and you don't feel the speed...

**Gremlin** · 3rd August 2005, 02:09

This post will most likely reflect on my age, but I do consider myself quite disciplined.

But when hitting a long straight, I simply can't help myself wanting to "open err up". Also coming out of corners. The biggest diff from a 250 would be the ability to howl up a hill whenever I like...

I can't wait to begin moving up, obviously it wouldn't be a round 1000 initially, probably 400-600. For me it is not a case of bragging or showing off, its all about enjoying myself. Sadly (license wise) I really enjoy going quicker and quicker (without being stupid tho)

Originally Posted by BJ

You can loose your lisence with a 250.. it's just not as fun.. My 636 will pull 107kph in first. I've got 5 more gears. The thous do even more! What's the point when you can get points on your lisence without changing gear?

I simply love this point... kinda scary tho, gears are no longer needed eh?

**Pathos** · 3rd August 2005, 16:37

I've been thinking about this. With my 150 I can rev it to the red and blast the pedestrians with the screams of the engine and not worry about cops because I shouldn't break the speed limit too much in 3rd gear (about 80kmph max). The bigger the bike the more docile you have to be. plus the 150 is never gonna loose traction from pure acceleration.

You can thrash the bike and do it in reasonable safely.

**TonyB** · 3rd August 2005, 16:57

Originally Posted by Pathos

You can thrash the bike and do it in reasonable safely.

Some of us enjoy that, and some of us get sick of it. I'm one of the latter group.

I rode a mates 89 EVO summat once- it put a smile on my face for the first few minutes because it just made such a performance of everything it did- bellowing when it accelerated, viabrating & bouncing along. It was a hoot... for about five minutes. Then I realised that despite giving it arseholes for three or four gears it was only doing 120k. It had no ground clearance and THE most appaling brakes I have ever had the misfortune to use. It viabrated so badly I couldn't keep my feet still on the foot boards, they floated around and every now and then one would float off the edge! It thought it was going real fast at 130k's.

I can see why some people love them so much- they make it feel like you're going fast when you're not. I personally would get sick of that real quick- I expect a bike to actually DO what it's 'telling' me it's doing.

**Big Dave** · 3rd August 2005, 18:01

Originally Posted by TonyB

I personally would get sick of that real quick- I expect a bike to actually DO what it's 'telling' me it's doing.

And just for argument's sake -
What about society telling you 'you should only DO 100kph'?
Where does a 300kph screamer fit into that telling mentality?

**Bonez** · 3rd August 2005, 19:43

Originally Posted by Paul in NZ

??

Well looks are subjective things eh! I reckon the W650 is a really nicely proportioned bike and has pure lines. The new Bonnie is cursed with a fugly engine and exhaust pipes but thats just my opinion.....

Oh well, ya pays ya money!

Pesonnaly I agree with your opinion. But we all know BD is a trumpy sock puppet who will try to push the party line at every opportunity

**Bonez** · 3rd August 2005, 19:53

You do certainly have a good point of topic in this thread Dave. It's one reason I've had the CB750FC2 for 19 years, same with the '76 CB550, '81 GSX750-which will wipe it's ass with the new Bonnies btw, certainly of similar build quality and it's 24 years old

Also one reason I bought my GB400-to quote an ANZA salesman-"Is all the m/c a rider needs" apperently he toured the South Island on his and now has a GB500 as in his stable with his so called Brit "classics"

PS-wished dad had never sold the 500 Ariel twin or C15 BSA single.