Is it just me.

[Jinx3d]

Reasons to own a litre bike

1...pillion passengers
2...ultimate overtaking ability
3..and most important, its fucken cool *wank wank*

I fully think you should not own a litre bike until you are so old you dont care if its a litre or not.

I was winding mine up in a secret undisclosed location on that straight at the bottom the hunua valley a couple of weekends ago and at some point I just thought to myself, "actually- this isnt that much fun" Wind tearing your head off, eyes vibrating, crouched and cramped in behind a tiny peice of plastic.

I slowed back down and just enjoyed sweeping the corners. Speeding [excessively] is just a way of making a fun ride shorter.

Strikes me that the real rewards of motorcycling can be enjoyed on just about anything.

okay okay, within reason.

[DEATH_INC.]

I think it really depends on the application,for example the old turbo really only gets used for dragracing and the odd play when I wanna scare myself sensless,so lotsa power is great.
On the other hand my second bike (currently the gixx)is used for normal riding,round the coro,hway22,ect and playing,wheelies ect.The ZX12 was too fast and powerfull for this (and didn't handle well enough),peeled into many corners 50kph too fast,don't know how I got round a good number of them....
Then there's the running costs,rear tyre every 2000 k's front only 1-2000 more (you chew 'em up trying to stop in a hurry all the time) went through a set of brakepads in a bit over 10000k's.Usta suck 3/4 tank of gas up 16 1 way to wellsford (about 17-20 bucks) ect ect.We won't even mention the other law related expenses (DOH!)
There were pluses,hauling past your mates when they were tapped at 280kph with 330kph on the speedo,spinning her up like Rossi on the rcv211 outta corners,pulling it up into wheelies at 160kph in second...
I dunno what the gixx thou and blade ect are like,but I'm convinced you can have a bike that's too bloody fast,at least on the road anyway.I'm happier on the 750,it's a lot more fun and isn't that why we're out there?

[Big Dog]

Reasons to own a litre bike

1...pillion passengers
2...ultimate overtaking ability
3..and most important, its fucken cool *wank wank*.

4... cos I'm to fat to ride a 250cc
5... cos I'm to Phat to ride a 250cc
6... cos I'm paying for it so I'm getting what i want not what mr Swain and the ACC would like me to get.
7... cos post 2000 750cc's have enough grunt but I can't afford them.
8... cos I can afford a pre 94 750 but if it has enough grunt handling sucks.
9... do you really need a reason?

[Milky]

......at some point I just thought to myself, "actually- this isnt that much fun" Wind tearing your head off, eyes vibrating, crouched and cramped in behind a tiny peice of plastic.

I slowed back down and just enjoyed sweeping the corners. Speeding [excessively] is just a way of making a fun ride shorter.

Strikes me that the real rewards of motorcycling can be enjoyed on just about anything.

okay okay, within reason.

I 'gree muchly... Maybe I was brought up to be a little too old fashioned and risk aware but, for me, doing 160,180++ for a full ride isn't a huge amount of fun, worrying about cops being around the next corner or a logging truck going slow just around the next blind corner - I can see where people gain enjoyment by the accn. and proximity to the ground, maybe scaring themselves sh*tless on a few corners and making the adrenalin rush...

I guess this is why I havent got any speeding tickets (yet) or binned it (yet), but I believe that I have just as much fun as the guy on an R1/6 wringing the bike's neck out to double the speed limit. For me it is the smooth, flowing nature of motorcycling that makes it so fun... a true art form when you see it done by a real motorcyclist.

[Magua]

Not me, I'd do anything for more power, Gn125 just doesn't cut it.

[speedpro]

I sold my GPz500(twin) when I realized I was riding it at full throttle a lot. Years later I have a MB100 I ride at full throttle a lot, and if it's a good day it might do 105KmH. I love ZZR1100s and the way they haul arse but on the road my licence would maybe last a week - actually the first ticket would be it. If I get keen I'd get my turbo Z going again. Even at Puke it's hard to use full throttle, even in top. The bucket does it for me now, you can thrash it, ride the wheels off it, all while dicing with others only inches(2.5cm) away and it if it gets messy a new lever will see it back on the track usually. Speeds are lower but in close proximity to others offers plenty of excitement. Having it pitched in on the sweeper with a knee down and someone leaning on you and someone else looking for a line up the inside (yeah yeah I know I'm slow and holding everyone up) is a real buzz.

[DEATH_INC.]

If I get keen I'd get my turbo Z going again. Even at Puke it's hard to use full throttle, even in top.

What 'Z' do you have?

[Hooks]

I guess I'm lucky (or stupid) Theere isn't a bike on the road I would not feel fine to throw a leg over. Control is in your use of the right wrist I guess.
That said when Baby Bikie came along I made an active decision to slow my riding down.I couldn't even imagine life without a bike so rather than go for a smaller bike I switched to a more sedate type of bike.I bought a Venture royal which was WAAY too far the other way. I changed to a GTR1000. which in its day was a fine sports tourer.
Because It doesn't really handle and has not so good brakes it has slowwed me down to its pace.
Ive got the road presence of a big bike but basicly with the power of a modern 600

I'm with XJ on this one ....the control is in the wrist ...and the top 4cm's !! I like the machine I have because it has enough power to have some fun with and is easy to handle on the open or in traffic....I am only 175cm and 95kgs but have no probs with physical size of the bike at all. I have had it for so long that it's like putting on a old glove....

[speedpro]

What 'Z' do you have?

McIntosh with a 1075cc '73 Z1 engine with ALL the ATP/JE/Barnett/Dyna/Haltech bits. Mk2 crank(welded), Z1000 head, Z1R-TC intake, turbo, and modified carb. Lots of homemade bits. With seriously bent exhaust valves it made 175hp at the rear wheel on the dyno at 12lbs. I run 15:27(15:35 stock) gearing and when everything is running good it will lift the front at 8000rpm with 15lbs boost in top gear. We ran it to 19lbs at Taupo once, it was wheelstanding going past the pits in top at 6000rpm but that was on 15:30 gearing. I've seen 9000rpm in top at Puke and my mate has seen 9300rpm but it had an 1166cc engine then.
It's a hell of a ride but can be a big pussycat if you want, just like any other big powerful bike I suppose.

[Angry Puppy]

Well, having gone from a 900 to a 400 I can honestly say I am a lot happier. It's not so much that I don't trust myself not to use the power, it's more to do with the fact that unless I get in to track days, there isn't anywhere I can use it safely.

I mean, I've seen a few 'busas or Blackbirds in NZ, but I really don't see the point. The roads over here just aren't suitable, even if you are out in the middle of nowhere (more so if you are in the middle of nowhere).

THe only reason I'd buy a bigger bike is if the missus and I want't to start going turing. Even then, I'd choose something that was build for comfort rather than speed. I'd probably go for a BMW R1150GS.

Fazer Bloke.

[DEATH_INC.]

McIntosh with a 1075cc '73 Z1 engine with ALL the ATP/JE/Barnett/Dyna/Haltech bits. Mk2 crank(welded), Z1000 head, Z1R-TC intake, turbo, and modified carb. Lots of homemade bits. With seriously bent exhaust valves it made 175hp at the rear wheel on the dyno at 12lbs. I run 15:27(15:35 stock) gearing and when everything is running good it will lift the front at 8000rpm with 15lbs boost in top gear. We ran it to 19lbs at Taupo once, it was wheelstanding going past the pits in top at 6000rpm but that was on 15:30 gearing. I've seen 9000rpm in top at Puke and my mate has seen 9300rpm but it had an 1166cc engine then.
It's a hell of a ride but can be a big pussycat if you want, just like any other big powerful bike I suppose.

Sounds awesome .I'll hafta line you up with the old 750 (176hp@15lbs)when you get her up and running.and when mines up and running again....
Love to come and have a look some time though.....

[DEATH_INC.]

I mean, I've seen a few 'busas or Blackbirds in NZ, but I really don't see the point. The roads over here just aren't suitable, even if you are out in the middle of nowhere (more so if you are in the middle of nowhere).

Fazer Bloke.

Na,there's still room to stretch their legs,and there's something to be said for watching the speedo climb over 300k's while it's still trying to pull your arms off.....

[PeteThePom]

I think engine size is something you grow into, every bike I've owned has seen an increase in engine size. I've found that after having a bike for around a couple of years I've either outgrown it, by which I mean that some aspect of the bike is limiting me, be it power, handling, brakes etc. Or a newer shinier mo'bike has become my object of lust.


My ZRX doesn't compare to R1's etc, it is tho, huge fun to ride and I get a huge kick out of heaving it into corners, having said that, having had a 6 month absence from riding I'm still getting back up to speed and I'm not close to reaching the limits of the bike, when I do, who knows maybe I'll stick with what I have or maybe a 'blade'? I do know this, I couldn't down size, 600's just dont have the same power delivery and low down grunt of an in-line litre+ 4 pot.

Having a big powerful bike is all about appropriate use of that power...such as toasting Subaru WRX's
Besides which having a big engine makes up for the size of my dick!!