time for another motorcycle

[the]

Originally Posted by nostatic

Well, I survived the test ride. Went and rode the F800S. It is the first time I've been on a motorcycle since the crash. Have to admit it was an interesting experience and a little bit of psychological terror. But after a few minutes I remembered why I love being on a bike. Not sure about the BMW though. A little tight leg position and after having a Duc 1000cc v-twin, the 800cc parallel twin was a little buzzy. And the turn signals...silly design.

Have to ride some other bikes though and maybe that one again. Being the first time back up hard to think objectively. I did get into "hyperfocus mode" pretty quickly though. That is one thing I do like about riding in traffic. No cell phone, no stereo, no distractions. Completely in the moment.

I think this one is the next test ride:



I know this has a more relaxed leg position. And the two-tone paint is amazing in person. Tube tires though...not sure about that.

Yes, I agree, what you have pictured above should be your next (and final) test ride.

[MMARSH]

Originally Posted by nostatic

Well, I survived the test ride. Went and rode the F800S. It is the first time I've been on a motorcycle since the crash. Have to admit it was an interesting experience and a little bit of psychological terror. But after a few minutes I remembered why I love being on a bike. Not sure about the BMW though. A little tight leg position and after having a Duc 1000cc v-twin, the 800cc parallel twin was a little buzzy. And the turn signals...silly design.

Have to ride some other bikes though and maybe that one again. Being the first time back up hard to think objectively. I did get into "hyperfocus mode" pretty quickly though. That is one thing I do like about riding in traffic. No cell phone, no stereo, no distractions. Completely in the moment.

I think this one is the next test ride:



I know this has a more relaxed leg position. And the two-tone paint is amazing in person. Tube tires though...not sure about that.

Cool. Glad you test rode one. After 105K on a bimmer, im used to the turn signals now and kind of like them, hated them at first.

Some people have an issue with the tube tires on Sport classics. Personally I don't know why. I have never had a flat on any of my personal bikes. Yea, I do carry a tire repair kit on the FJR and the work bike, but I've never had to use it for the FJR. I have lost count of how many flats I've had on the work bike, But thats do to riding alot on the shoulder of the roadway and picking up pieces of debris. A change in the type of tires that come standard on the SC's makes a big improvement in how the bike falls into turns and helps the tracking on the freeway.

Just FYI, I should be free next weekend for a ride. regardless, I'll think of you tomorrow on my morning ride on the hwy 33.

[nostatic]

I'm in for next weekend. I have my son this weekend. Who knows, if I get a wild itch maybe I won't need to borrow one of your bikes

Tubes per se don't bother me...I'm used to them on my bicycle. There have been some complaints about the quality of the spoke wheels on the SCs with rust but they also were in wet climates.

I'm interested to ride it. Part of me is not drawn to the bike because it looks like it would be a slow handling dog and lack of any wind protection is a bummer. But people who have ridden it seem to rave that it is spot-on. Plus the relaxed pegs would make my knees happy. And I do love a 1000 v-twin.

We'll see. Lots of options...

[Steve Carlton]

What about the Sport Biposto? A couple of years ago you could put the ST3 bar risers on it to bring up the grips. Or a Street Triple or Tiger? Lotsa choices...

[nostatic]

Yeah, lot's of choices. Used R1100S is a consideration. The new Street Triple is sweet but totally sold out of the production run. My local shop has a white one that was purchased but the guy gave it up. Probably going for over sticker. I'm not going to go there. I like Thruxtons as well, and they can be had for reasonable prices.

The F800S is viable, I just have to check it out again. There are very low mile used ones, and new 07's that they want to sell.

[pwd72s]

Go ahead...kill yourself. I do wish to go on record as one who will miss you here.

[nostatic]

I appreciate the sentiment Paul...I'll try to stick around to remain a pita

Here's a new entry into the fray. Not sure about availability though. It's pretty Transformer, but it is Italian

[Chocaholic]

Or, if you want to take it up a notch on the "cool" scale:




MVAgusta - you'll be the envy of S. Cal. . .

[nostatic]

i don't fit on a Brutale...too small a bike. And too expensive...

[Steve Carlton]

So, how much money are we working with here?

[nostatic]

ideally under $10K

[MMARSH]

There are lots of options out there for 10K. What are your plans with this bike. commuting, light touring, the occasional track day, all of the above.

FYI, had a great ride today. did about 250 miles. Getting up early in the morning, meeting some friends for a run up ACH and I'll be home in time to take the kids to the first matinee.

Hey todd, Would you be interested in doing a day at the Suberbike school? Might be a good way to knock off the rust and they can provide the bike and all your gear for about 650 bucks.

[nostatic]

I'm still figuring out what my plans for the bike are. First and foremost, a weekend bike so I can have some "me time". Light touring is possible, more like one-night stays. I'm likely not going to log big miles, but packing a pannier and heading out of town for a night or two would be good. Track is possible but not a focus. btdt

I've heard good things about the sbk school. Are you talking about Keith Code's school? I think it would be money well spent to up the skill level and try and stack the odds further in my favor.

[stomachmonkey]

Hate this thread.

It's got me looking.

[Hugh R]

A little late but, yeah, you will jump up to the No. 1 organ donor pool in the United States. I won't ride a motorcycle or bicycle on the streets in Los Angeles County. I've almost been killed (literally) three times in my life from being on a "Bike" motorized or otherwise. The first time involved loss of a testicle when a cab cut me off while in college in Boston/Cambridge and jammed the down handle bar on my 10 speed into my groin, coming out around my navel, cost me a couple feet of intestine as well. I'm told that they took me to the nearest trauma hospital (Mt. Auburn in Cambridge, MA) where they apparently gave me the Last Rites. The second time was in front of the Santa Monica City Library when I pulled out and a lady in a car turned the wrong way on a one way street and hit me and I hit the pavement hard and watched a UPS truck smoke his tires an stop about a foot from my head. The third time, I was in Venice and I was stopped at a light and this chick didn't see me and hit my rear end and propelled me into oncoming traffic and a car hit the front end of my bike and knocked me about 20 feet. On that one, all I got was road rash.

Sure ride a bike in LA. Just make sure you've got lots of life insurance for your kid. To not have it would be irresponsible.

[MMARSH]

Originally Posted by Hugh R

A little late but, yeah, you will jump up to the No. 1 organ donor pool in the United States. I won't ride a motorcycle or bicycle on the streets in Los Angeles County. I've almost been killed (literally) three times in my life from being on a "Bike" motorized or otherwise. The first time involved loss of a testicle when a cab cut me off while in college in Boston/Cambridge and jammed the down handle bar on my 10 speed into my groin, coming out around my navel, cost me a couple feet of intestine as well. I'm told that they took me to the nearest trauma hospital (Mt. Auburn in Cambridge, MA) where they apparently gave me the Last Rites. The second time was in front of the Santa Monica City Library when I pulled out and a lady in a car turned the wrong way on a one way street and hit me and I hit the pavement hard and watched a UPS truck smoke his tires an stop about a foot from my head. The third time, I was in Venice and I was stopped at a light and this chick didn't see me and hit my rear end and propelled me into oncoming traffic and a car hit the front end of my bike and knocked me about 20 feet. On that one, all I got was road rash.

Sure ride a bike in LA. Just make sure you've got lots of life insurance for your kid. To not have it would be irresponsible.

Sounds like at the very least bad luck. I know a few people who have had several accidents while riding bikes. It's never been their fault, but for some reason they manage to still get in accidents. On the other hand, I know several people with thousands, actually hundreds of thousads of miles and have never had a accident. Everybody shouldn't be on a motorcyle, some just have to crash alot to figure that out.

Actually, to not have lots of life insurance for your family should anything happen to you would be irresponsible whether you ride a motorcyle or not.

[nostatic]

I'm well insured. Bought policies before I got a motorcycle or the 911.

I think I posted this one earlier, or on another thread. Kinda speaks to the issue:

Security is mostly a superstition. It does not exist in nature, nor do the children of men as a whole experience it. Avoiding danger is no safer in the long run than outright exposure. Life is either a daring adventure, or nothing.

- Helen Keller

[MMARSH]

Originally Posted by nostatic

I'm still figuring out what my plans for the bike are. First and foremost, a weekend bike so I can have some "me time". Light touring is possible, more like one-night stays. I'm likely not going to log big miles, but packing a pannier and heading out of town for a night or two would be good. Track is possible but not a focus. btdt

I've heard good things about the sbk school. Are you talking about Keith Code's school? I think it would be money well spent to up the skill level and try and stack the odds further in my favor.

Yes that's the School. I've done level 1, 2 and 3 and that they were great. (I actually lowsided a school bike on the last session of level 3) I still think about the various drills when I'm riding now. A few things I know made me faster on the track in my car. In level 3 they Videotape you while following you which I thought was very helpful. How you think your body position looks and what it really looks like isn't always the same. I've also heard really good things about the Freddie Spencer school and would like to attend that next. Like you said, just adding more tools to the toolbox.

[krichard]

Picked up my new bike yesterday. By far the largest bike I've ever owned, but I love it!!! Heavy but feels very good at highway speed.

[speeder]

That is one hell of a good-looking Harley, Kerry! I'd ride that in a heartbeat. HDs can be one of the most enjoyable MC riding experiences, IMO, they make awesome cruisers. If I had several bikes, I'd definitely have a HD, either a dresser or something like yours. Nice!