I was seriously bored of road riding, then I got this and its the most enjoyment i've had from a motorcycle in years. Classics are the future!
The 5 ages of motorcycling Single young man = “I’m immortal and a complete lunatic” Slightly older man having commitments and a relationship = “Still fast on the road but with a slight nagging feeling of consequences and no longer a maniac” Man with a family, a mortgage and some experience of aforementioned consequences = “Still wants to go fast but knows (from experience) that he could lose life, licence and possibly liberty if attempting to emulate ‘Single young man’ - doesn’t have much time for riding anyway due to school runs etc. Family grows up = man gets time back and more money but now feels mortality so comes to the conclusion that he can have bikes for different occasions and a dedicated track bike will fulfil the inner ‘need for speed’ Road riding is all about keeping licence and staying out of trouble. Getting older and bones don’t heal so well = Still love bikes, possibly have a few by now. Trackdays not out of the question but for fun and getting together with mates rather than winning inters! Hankers after getting dream bike from when he was younger and couldn’t afford it. Progressive and experienced road rider that knows it’s about the journey and not how fast you get there. Still smiling!
When my kids came along the itch for and time to go road riding (k6 gsxr 1000 - loved that bike) went pretty much straight away. Messing about on green lanes was and is a great way to spend a day out and carried on doing that, albeit less. in 2018 bought a multistrada for touring - objective of getting out with the lads on some Europe and the odd Uk rides. Bloody brilliant bike and great trips. May go back to road riding when kids are older but a sports bike just doesn’t hold the same appeal anymore. something like restore an old a monster that I could tinker with and potter about locally. just realised I’ve turned into an old fart. Bugger.
Lockdown has prevented so many 2-wheeled miles getting done that the feelings being expressed on this thread are totally understandable - the less you ride the more you focus on its perils. For many it does not boil down to a choice between road or track. For many it is road or nowt. I have done a bit of track, but due to the escalating costs of focusing on that, I decided to use the time and money I'd allocate to those outings to head for Europe where roads are less crowded, generally in better condition, less infested with road raging goons frothing at the mouth because you filtered past them in traffic jams, and where the weather is generally kinder. The worst part of those trips is, without question, getting down to the ports along UK roads!
It's funny how this thread's cropped up. Because after several years off the road (on bikes) I'm thinking of getting a road bike again.... Not totally decided yet though. And it definitely won't be on my V4S!
Felt like that for a while now. Not the risk, life is full of risks and I ride appropriately, I just lost my mojo a few years ago. TBH I suspect thats because my circle of riding pals is very small since I left hants, and I enjoy messing about and riding with others rather than myself.
Years ago I was racing, crashing, racing, crashing.... and road riding week in week out, doing lots of fast miles wherever I was. Over the years racing stopped and now it's a single Euro TD a year and 1000-2000 road miles, obviously in the last 12 months it's been less than ever. I've always ridden sportsbikes and have always had a Ducati since 2000, from my 996 to my current 1299S. However, I'm still not a fan of the V4, I've ridden one (around Brno circuit) and I literally phoned JHP when I got back to the pits to order one, but then changed my mind. To that end in the later half of last year I bought a new KTM Superduke 1290R for the road (still have my 1299S, which may get turned into an out and out trackbike - TBC). The Katoom is a riot, there's nothing else to say, it's made me a hooligan again on the road and you can certainly take liberties with it, and it's given me the much needed desire to ride more miles again, it's blisteringly quick for the road, but without the quirks of a sportsbike. I've been saying I'd love to take it on track, just for a hoon around, sure it'll get outdragged on long straight by more focused bikes, but with 140nm of torque on tap, the grunt is intoxicating! I think you need to find a bike that will ignite your riding again, if the KTM is on your list I'd certainly recommend taking one for a demo, you'll be grinning ear to ear.
My best rides last year were on my Thruxton R, casual style boots, armored jeans and a comfortable fit leather jacket, even just that set the tone for being able to just go out and relax, not going out like I was walking out to do battle in tight fitted leathers etc. Some just go out in jeans and loose jackets on sportsbikes I guess but I think it's a bit of a silly look for sportsbikes. I agree though, even the V2 needs to be ridden pretty hard on the road to get the buzz, the Thruxton I was rattling around on tighter B roads at good speeds still but roads that my fillings would rattle out on the Panigale.
If one ignores all of the "green" and 200 bhp crap and looks for enjoyment on less busy roads, with a bit of tinkering, I'm swaying between a KTM Duke 890 and a classic. Not a Brit one though for me. Maybe a Guzzi! But then again... maybe not! Decisive me!
Gang of moaning old wrinklies lol, I wouldn't have anything other than a sports bike on the road for a whole multitude of reasons, mostly cos they're an absolute scream. Makes me feel alive more than anything though. Don't have kids (thankfully) though so I do get the potential the aggravation a lengthy stay in hozzie could cause.
Great post. And you couldn't have picked a better circuit than Brno for a hoon on a V4. Loads of power sections where it really excels. And the Superduke 1290R will be my weapon of choice should I go for it. I've even had some insurance quotes for one and not bad at all. 260 odd quid was the cheapest. A bit more palatable than the 8.5k I was quoted for the V4S when I first got it Needless to say it's been used as a track toy ever since
I can assure you that aggravation from your kids is a very insignificant problem compared with learning to walk again and the unbelievable pain from fecked up leg and hip.
And the 1290R ain't a bad track weapon. I've had a few laps with Jeremy McWilliams on his beast. And yeah, outdragged him on the straights but he'd be straight back under me at the next turn.... He's slightly better than me at going fast on a motorcycle
I almost never ride on the road now. I've had too many near misses and the last one really shit me up 1, because it would would have certainly ended up in hospital and 2, the rage that came over me nearly made me do something I'd seriously regret. I'll do it once in a blue moon now if in a group, but never alone. I don't have kids, but I still value my life and feel the roads are just crazy now. From poor drivers to potholes, mud spread all over the road, resurfacing works all over the place etc. On top of that there is an average speed camera every 10 meters so end up sat in 3rd gear pottering around having my nuts cooked. I enjoy track riding much more and sure, the danger is still there, but I know I'm not gonna have a truck come head on at me or hit a giant pothole (except that bloody bump at Donny ).
Yeh I did kind of mean the agro it would cause the whole family not the kids specifically and sorry to hear about your leg.
I hope you are on about the straight and not exit of foggy esses!!! - Highside city if I hit that bump by mistake with it pinned haha!
