Am I the only one?

**Sanx** · 18th November 2007, 00:18

It was a beautiful day in Auckland today, so I called up a couple of mates and we arranged to go for a quick pootle. The Kaiaua loop was the plan, but only ten minutes or so into it, I realised I simply wasn't enjoying the ride. It wasn't the conditions (no worse than usual, by which I mean the road surface was an utter disgrace) or the company; it was that I realised that I was holding licence-losing speeds round corners without actually trying that hard and it was simply no more fun than riding down the motorway to work in the mornings. Sure, I could probably go a little faster if I'd wanted ... it might have made the run a little more enjoyable, but with the bike bouncing over the corrugations in the road, I'd have run the risk of a pretty serious off.

Almost every time I go on the track, I have a great day. I don't have to worry about uneven surfaces (Jennian at Puke being the one exception), traffic, cops, gravel, diesel, pot-holes or any of the other variables you find on the roads. But riding a litre bike round the roads now seems just pointless. Quite frankly, I just don't enjoy it any more.

So I'm at a bit of a loss as to what to do. The Blade may end up being sold; keeping a six month old superbike just to commute on seems a bit daft. Maybe I'll give racing a go. Maybe just buy a run-around hack or something that might give me a bit of excitement back. A motard maybe...

But am I the only one finding that sports bikes on the road simply aren't fun any more? Or am I just a homo?

**James Deuce** · 18th November 2007, 00:38

Originally Posted by Sanx

But am I the only one finding that sports bikes on the road simply aren't fun any more? Or am I just a homo?

Hit the same wall with the R6 a couple of years ago. Doing the same, if not quicker on the Zed now.

That Katana on the other hand, waaaah, waaaaah, waaaahh, gentle weave - Speedo says 100. Not 210.

Sweet.

Just as much fun as 200 on the R6.

Don't care if I'm considered a "homo" or not. I'm having Fun(tm).

**jrandom** · 18th November 2007, 00:39

Originally Posted by Sanx

... am I the only one finding that sports bikes on the road simply aren't fun any more? Or am I just a homo?

Yes, you're a homo.

Time to start racing and realise how slow you actually are.

**jrandom** · 18th November 2007, 00:40

Originally Posted by Jim2

Don't care if I'm considered a "homo" or not. I'm having Fun(tm).

That's why I'm getting a different bike.

Soon.

Probably.

Unless I change my mind.

**James Deuce** · 18th November 2007, 00:46

Gaaah. Kids today.

**jrandom** · 18th November 2007, 00:53

Originally Posted by Jim2

Gaaah. Kids today.

Well, you know. I had some good GSXR moments this afternoon. Every time I ride less than 150km I can't imagine giving up the gixxer, and every time I ride more than 300km I curse it and spit on it.

Given that my weekends tend to alternate between quick blasts close to home and long missions up and down the North Island, I may occasionally present as a little fickle on the subject...

**justsomeguy** · 18th November 2007, 00:55

Ya you are a homo, you ride a Honda after all.....

Jokes aside, I feel the same way. The longer I've been riding the more my dislike for road riding goes. Planned to do around 2 track days a month to get my fix, but shit happens...

You could go racing, if you feel like it. Trackdays will give you more tracktime and if you feel like measuring your skills you could do the odd race to keep yourself sharp - or do both actively if you have the money.

Oh and Jennian isn't that bad, just stick to the inside line (right side) and you will be fine, you should be able to easily enter it at or over 200 without it upsetting the bike. Legends like Loosebruce used to tip in at the 250 mark. The weight of the trucks and cars on the outside line has messed the surface up.

**justsomeguy** · 18th November 2007, 01:10

Found a thread with racing costs - http://www.kiwibiker.co.nz/forums/sh...ad.php?t=60896

**Tony.OK** · 18th November 2007, 07:03

Originally Posted by Sanx

Almost every time I go on the track, I have a great day. I don't have to worry about uneven surfaces (Jennian at Puke being the one exception), traffic, cops, gravel, diesel, pot-holes or any of the other variables you find on the roads. But riding a litre bike round the roads now seems just pointless. Quite frankly, I just don't enjoy it any more.

I'm at exactly the same point with my riding,am selling up and gonna buy a race/track bike.Did think about a Hornet or something but I think I'd get sick of it and only spend money on it to make it handle better = go faster.

**boomer** · 18th November 2007, 07:18

You should have done the Coro GP; You'd have enjoyed the tight stuff where you're not going too much over the speed limit yet the front still slides and slips.

homo.

**Grahameeboy** · 18th November 2007, 07:26

Originally Posted by boomer

You should have done the Coro GP; You'd have enjoyed the tight stuff where you're not going too much over the speed limit yet the front still slides and slips.

homo.

Boys are so fickle......I love roads and knowing if I want to go for a ride at a moments whim I can

**Taz** · 18th November 2007, 07:27

I was at that stage a few years ago. I was having to ride faster and faster just to get my kicks. Then spent more time looking for cops than enjoying the ride. Also got sick of riding the same boring roads over and over. So I sold the sports bike and bought an adventure bike (XT600) and discovered all these other roads and tracks where road bikes are scared to go. Was able to have a ball at legal speeds and see great scenery. Then because the XT had some limitations on the longer road (mixed gravel and seal) trips, I have bought a BMW GS to compliment it. The GS will go 90% of where I would take the XT and also be comfortable and relaxing on the longer sealed "transport" sections. Going to the south Island in feb to do the molesworth and other tracks and have no qualms about taking the GS for this ride. Just something to consider if you're over the whole sportsbike thing and the limitations that come with these race replica's.
Andy.