As some have said, get a classic or monster, something hats a hoot but really anything over 90 is either impractical (monster) or risk of it falling to bits (any classic!)
Interesting topic this! I felt exactly the same so couple of years ago got myself a Yamaha xjr1300! Just For the occasional bimble about! Had it a few weeks and gently pottering back from seeing a few mates at Mallory,got to Worcester and a fireblade came flying past me! Can’t possibly have that so off I went!!! Literally sliding the lump up to every roundabout like it was a proper race ! Anyway I got the bugger and got to Hereford toot sweet! Absolutely silly and childish and very irresponsible and I sold it a few weeks later BUT I did the fireblade!
I was running my SD in (6000 rpm limit) and was giving a big bang R1 a run for it's money, if I hadn't have been running it in I suspect I could have buggered off, he just had me as the rev's increased and I was short shifting.
Must admit I had the same thought! I’m sure the XJR is a rapid machine but if you took off a blade all I can think of is that he wasn’t trying
It’s the age old thing: my non sports bike can do sports bikes! But it’s the rider not the bike, or the roads which restrict the upper speed. But there is huge grin factor in being on something underpowered and/or totally unsuitable and keeping up or pissing off from sports bikes Now I’ve bought a sports bike people will be leaving me behind
It's that 100% It triggered a memory from years ago when I had another KTM (on a Ducati forum too), It was a 950SM, big twin SM type bike, made a great sound (akra's) and had a whopping 95bhp, it would do 130mph flat out. Anyways, no idea where I'd been but I was heading home, I remember having some goretex on so properly looked the part, then came up on the stereo typical Rizzla Suzuki rider, had the Rizzla leathers, the paint job... he saw me coming and opened the taps, I gave chase and stayed with him for several miles. I remember pulling up at some lights by his side and nodding, he didn't look happy that a guy in goretex was sticking to his back wheel. I know it's off topic, but it is relevant, jump on another bike and see how you feel, it's great thrashing a smaller capacity bike getting itself tied up in knot's trying to do do what you could do on a sportsbike.
Exactly. Lots of fun can be had on big supermotos, good advs (I include the capable GS) and any flat bar bike..some of which are basically sport bikes anyway. Lost count of the number of sportsbikes that I have left behind on the GS. Get a straight road and they are gone, but twisties, a lot of them are just being flash. I got a real riding skill lesson 12-13 years back in Austria. A group of us on tour, around 10 motorcycles. One rider on a heavily revised 1150 GSA included (17” wheel conversion, uprated suspension..)Few could keep with the GS in the tight bits. He got murdered on straights, fast roads (once caught) and motorways...obviously. But he had miles of fun seeing off the other bikes at other times. Exception was a guy on a KTM 990 smr who was with us. He was an equally good rider on a sharper machine. Once the wick is turned up enough for sports bikes to come in to their own, it probably belongs on track anyway.
Road riding is too dangerous to health and license. Track riding, on the other hand, is a totally different game, especially racing. I cannot get enough of it and even weirdly, don't mind the crashing bit as I seem to be able to learn from my mistakes and improve my skills.
I paid £10 for that green o-ring on 1299 clutch cover. £10 for a 20p part. That is why I am fed up with ducati. Bikes over 20k are down to them over inflating their value due to their brand focus rather than their customers. Sportsbikes have become stupid. Ducati think they can charge what they like and fit panel screws that rattle loose no matter what you do. I swear I'm keeping some italian guy in a job replacing them every ride out. So I'll buy something else instead. Something that doesn't shed parts and something that doesn't make all its power at stupid revs. I'd buy a motard or a diavel if I wasn't sure it'd fall to bits around me and bleed money. I'll be listing some 1299 bits as soon as I remove them. Going to ride it for a month to get my fix and then its off. The new speed triple looks ace and I've always liked triumph since my t595, which a parked into the side of a van. Trips are equally nice as v-twins.
Well be warned. If you're losing the love of road riding, don't switch to field riding and expect to be safe! https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-engla...A4-7D92-11EB-8A99-244916F31EAE&at_campaign=64
I wasn't the multiple trips to A&E (and no, none my fault) that got me off the road, it was when I started doing TDs, riding on the road became a bore, used to go with a few mates which was ok, but I have zero interest in pub 'bike nights' and the like. Mind you, do feel like a riding demigod at this sort of gathering, as you're usually the only one with scuffed sliders...
I probably enjoy riding my 70bhp or so Thruxton 900 most on the road. Its the least capable bike I have and so it’s a bit old school and presents a different set of “challenges” you can crack the throttle open every where and not end up at warp speed 1299 too fast 749R too precious K1300S also a great road but in a different way to the Thruxton. I can’t really explain why. Dare I say comfort?
Took the MV for an MOT last week. Not brilliant weather, cold tyres, damp surface, slippery leaves on the racing line . The lack of riding since Valencia last October is clearly going to be a problem when the 999 goes to Estoril/Portimao in June .
