Motorcycles anybody?

[jordan]

I just spent the last two weeks getting my daily driver ready for the season.  My bike is a 08 kawasaki concours 1400.  Sport touring model.   Its got 32k mi on it now.  It will carve the back roads, but still drive me 500 miles in a day without much discomfort.  I think it is supposed to run high 10's and I have had it over 150 mph with the bags on it.   It is putting out 145 hp to the wheel and weighs about 620 lbs with fluids.  I have already put on EBC front rotors and pads and added a different windshield.  I just pulled it apart and did a valve adjustment, added a fuel injection programmer (dynojet powercomander 5), new front tire, heated handgrips (need those in Wisconsin), and installed an Ohlins rear shock.  Ohlins front forks wont be here until early May.  Waiting for springs from Sweden is the story.  Now all I need is a good downpour to wash the salt and sand from the roads.  Let it rain!

[RzeroB]

Love motorcycles! When I got out of the Mopar hobby years ago I stayed with the bikes as they are a lot less expensive alternative for high performance fun! I've had everything from a Honda XL175 to a Suzuki Haybusa (which should be illegal because of it's frightening performance!). But now that I'm older my "crotch-rocket" days are over as they are just not comfortable for me anymore. So like with cars, I'm a bit of a throwback in that I now like the "muscle bikes" of the '80's - Kawasaki GPZ1100's, Yamaha FJ1200's and Suzuki GS1100/1150's.



My current bike is an '83 Suzuki GS1100E that has been "hot-rodded" with a 1166cc Wiseco piston kit, Cam Motion G3 cams, Mikuni RS36 radial flat-slide carbs with K&N filters, Dyna Super Pro 4000 ignition and a Kerker 4 into 1 exhaust. It's scary fast and power-wheelies at will if I whack the throttle open and hold it til redline. At the same time the upright riding position and wide seat are comfortable making it so I can ride it all day long and still manage around 33-35 mpg if I stay out of the throttle - which is hard t do!

[torredcuda]

Love motorcycles! When I got out of the Mopar hobby years ago I stayed with the bikes as they are a lot less expensive alternative for high performance fun! I've had everything from a Honda XL175 to a Suzuki Haybusa (which should be illegal because of it's frightening performance!). But now that I'm older my "crotch-rocket" days are over as they are just not comfortable for me anymore. So like with cars, I'm a bit of a throwback in that I now like the "muscle bikes" of the '80's - Kawasaki GPZ1100's, Yamaha FJ1200's and Suzuki GS1100/1150's.



My current bike is an '83 Suzuki GS1100E that has been "hot-rodded" with a 1166cc Wiseco piston kit, Cam Motion G3 cams, Mikuni RS36 radial flat-slide carbs with K&N filters, Dyna Super Pro 4000 ignition and a Kerker 4 into 1 exhaust. It's scary fast and power-wheelies at will if I whack the throttle open in 1st gear and hold it til redline. At the same time the upright riding position and wide seat are comfortable making it so I can ride it all day long and still manage around 33-35 mpg if I stay out of the throttle - which is hard t do!

Sweet ride! The only bike I have right now is a `72 Yamaha DT250 on/off road but it`s a rolling project right now and needs finishing.I`m also old school and my last street bike was a `78 KZ1000-sold it a few years back and kicking myself for it now. 

[RzeroB]

Bikes are fun but some people take it to the extreme. This video is downright scary (especially if you are a driver in one of those cars!) - the rider is skilled but he's also reckless. Watch and see as this guy approaches speeds close to 299kph (180mph)

http://youtu.be/SIUTXIsJz3o

[jordan]

I dig the GS!  I rode a GS1150e when I was in college in the late 80's.  The local shop guy wanted me to ride his KZ1000 drag bike because I was only 120lbs.  Well, I blew it up on the way to the "secret test track".  So he let me ride the suzuki.  It has a 1225 big bore, smooth bore carb, and an electric shift.  I was afraid it would wheelie over backwards since I was used to driving a GPz 550.  I raced his buddy on a turbo KZ1000 (built drag bike), but he broke his crank shifting into 3rd with the air shifter.  They had an expensive day, and I never made it to the track.  I ended up roadracing when I got out of college for a few years.  Did pretty good my last year finishing in the top 10 in all my classes and even had a pre grid for Daytona at the end of the year.  Didnt make it because I wadded my bike and my shoulder.  Bikes are still my first passion.  I dont find too many cars that can keep up in a straight line much less in the twisties.  Im hoping my cuda turns out good enough to appease my appetite.

[MOPAR FANATIC]

Bikes are fun but some people take it to the extreme. This video is downright scary (especially if you are a driver in one of those cars!) - the rider is skilled but he's also reckless. Watch and see as this guy approaches speeds close to 299kph (180mph)

http://youtu.be/SIUTXIsJz3o

that dude must have a death wish,what a nut case,no idea how he didn't get killed driving like that. 

[brads70]

Bikes are fun but some people take it to the extreme. This video is downright scary (especially if you are a driver in one of those cars!) - the rider is skilled but he's also reckless. Watch and see as this guy approaches speeds close to 299kph (180mph)

http://youtu.be/SIUTXIsJz3o

What an A$$ !   Take it to a race track already!

[jordan]

I agree, the dumb ass in the video above makes motorcyclist look bad.  But, when you are cruising along in a car at the posted speed limit, say 60mph or so, and a bike comes up on you, and overtakes you at a similar but faster speed, within 10mph, and then accelerates away from you and you cannot see the bike within the next minute, what does it make you think?  Are you mad?  Do you wish death upon him?  Is it a non factor since the bike didn't pass you recklessly? Are you jealous?  Is it better or worse on a curvy road?  I am rarely passed on a rural back road by a sport bike.  And since I pass cars all the time, it doesn't bother me at all when I do get passed.  Most of the time I see slow poke Harley guys driving so slow that there is a line of cars behind them who have to listen to their loud exhaust and are trying to get the oil off of their windshield.       I am curious to hear what other car guys think of motorcyclist. 

[RzeroB]

When you are cruising along in a car at the posted speed limit, say 60mph or so, and a bike comes up on you, and overtakes you at a similar but faster speed, within 10mph, and then accelerates away from you and you cannot see the bike within the next minute, what does it make you think?  Are you mad?  Do you wish death upon him?  Is it a non factor since the bike didn't pass you recklessly? Are you jealous?  Is it better or worse on a curvy road?  I am rarely passed on a rural back road by a sport bike.  And since I pass cars all the time, it doesn't bother me at all when I do get passed.  Most of the time I see slow poke Harley guys driving so slow that there is a line of cars behind them who have to listen to their loud exhaust and are trying to get the oil off of their windshield.       I am curious to hear what other car guys think of motorcyclist.

Since I'm both, it doesn't bother me. However, If I was one of the motorist in the video I'd be pissed! Mostly because I'd be surprised and a little scared when some guy split my lane so close to me and flashed past at more than twice my speed. He was going so fast I doubt any of those motorist even saw him coming in the mirror and they probably didn't know he was there until he zoomed past. I'm sure the sudden appearance of a motorcycle that close and fast probably shocked and scared the poop out of them too!

I was cruising home from work late one night on a 5-lane wide stretch of highway. There wasn't much traffic and I was tooling along in my car in the center lane. In my mirror I saw these two bobbling headlights coming up behind me and they were moving fast. I thought it best that I get over to the slow lane on the right so I checked my mirror again and this time I only saw one headlight. I didn't know where the second guy was so I decided it was safest to just stay in the center lane. The one I could see flashed past me on the right and the one I couldn't see went by on my left. The reason I couldn't see the guy on my left anymore was because he was doing a sky-high wheelie with his headlight pointing skyward! Hooligans!

[jimynick]

That's a nice Suzi! Upstairs in the garage, lays my poor old Kaw H2 750. Not a patch on todays crotch rockets, but man, she was a rocket ship in her day! Good luck with the car, hope it makes you happy!

[72challenged]

My 86 GSX-R750 as purchased....



it's a little further along, got the 1200 motor installed and working on the bodywork, maybe next winter?



My 78' Ducati 900GTS sold to buy my Chally



My Daily rider thinks it's a dirtbike?



and my garage recluse....

[TinCuda]

Here is a picture of my 2000 Yamaha V-Max.  It is pretty stock.  This thing is fast as I need.  It is for around town only as it does it's best from street light to street light.  The seat looks comfortable but if I had to ride it for more than 30 minutes or so, it would get to be a pain.


.,

[torredcuda]

I agree, the dumb ass in the video above makes motorcyclist look bad.  But, when you are cruising along in a car at the posted speed limit, say 60mph or so, and a bike comes up on you, and overtakes you at a similar but faster speed, within 10mph, and then accelerates away from you and you cannot see the bike within the next minute, what does it make you think?  Are you mad?  Do you wish death upon him?  Is it a non factor since the bike didn't pass you recklessly? Are you jealous?  Is it better or worse on a curvy road?  I am rarely passed on a rural back road by a sport bike.  And since I pass cars all the time, it doesn't bother me at all when I do get passed.  Most of the time I see slow poke Harley guys driving so slow that there is a line of cars behind them who have to listen to their loud exhaust and are trying to get the oil off of their windshield.       I am curious to hear what other car guys think of motorcyclist.

Been riding dirt and street bikes most of my life and that guy is an A$$!Whether on a bike or in a vehicle that type of stuff is just plain stupid and will get someone hurt or killed.

[brads70]

Well just about a month ago my wife was involved in an accident that wrote off our family suburban (other party ran a red light)  a smaller car and I would have been making funeral arrangements. so maybe I'm a little sensitive?
Yes that goof on the bike makes me mad, not because my "ego" was bruised because he passed me but because of the selfishness of a really good possibility that he could have killed an innocent motorist(s).
I get it , wants to go fast... see what the bike will do etc... but there is a time and place for that. ( same thing with our cars) That time and place was not cool!   A bike travelling at that speed would split a car and person in two!
Use a road with no traffic or late at night etc....
Don't get me wrong I'm guilty of doing some pretty stupid stuff too when I was younger/dumber so my comments are somewhat hypocritical .
Tin Cuda.... love that V-Max especially the stainless air intake! 
72challenged, love your daily rider! 

[Super Blue 72]

Bikes are fun but some people take it to the extreme. This video is downright scary (especially if you are a driver in one of those cars!) - the rider is skilled but he's also reckless. Watch and see as this guy approaches speeds close to 299kph (180mph)

Cool at first but then he gets scary...