What makes you think my batteries aren't made out of rubber? See? Not storing them on concrete has made them last that much longer. Seriously, thanks for the links... but the temperature for storage still matters, so don't leave them in the garage if it's not insulated... bring them inside, store them on your bare concrete floor in the basement, with battery tenders on them.
Anyone shipped a bike cross country before? I'm moving from MA to TX and looking for a reliable company, my new job is paying for it so price isn't that big of a concern.
I shipped my Honda Shadow 1100 from MD to CA with the rest of my household goods with no problem. Well, no problem until they dropped it off the end of the ramp while unloading it. Just bent in the shifter an inch or so.
I am looking to getting a supersport bike. I have rode a 05 era 600cc, but never rode a 1000cc. I am hoping that a few of you have rode both and could tell me what you liked about both, and what you would pick. Thanks in advance.
Just know that SS bikes are NOT for novice riders. What's your size? 600cc is a serious machine with lots of speed, and they're fun to ride. Of course the 1000cc is even more serious, and usually a very torque-y ride. I had a 600, and was considering getting on a 1000 because my wife used to ride with me a lot. It never happened, as I ended up selling my bike.
I wouldn't get a 1000 unless you're an experienced track rider and plan on doing some trackdays with it. You'll never be able to use a 600 to its full potential on the street, let alone a 1000. In my opinion it's a waste of displacement if you're never going to use it. Plus 600's are easier to ride.
Since this thread is cloming up on death season, I'm curious what you guys think of a Ducati Monster. I've been salivating over a 620 since I sold my last one, and this might be my Christmas gift to myself. I've found a few in the realm of $3500, but I would consider alternatives that are superior in size, reliability (I know, I know) or general quality. I'm about 190, 6'1, so the Monster is a small-ish bike for me, but when I ride, it's either jaunts around town or stretches in the countryside, rarely do I ride for more than an hour.
I agree and disagree. I agree because yes, the 1000 is more powerful and easier to get out of your experience level. I disagree because the 600 can just as easily do that to an inexperienced rider. I've owned both a 600 and 1000. I personally found the 1000 easier to ride as the motor has much more torque and therefore easier to ride IMHO. If I was to equate it to cars, it'd be like saying "I don't trust my 16 y/o kid to learn with a Ferrari, so I'll just give them this turbo Porsche instead." Both will get you fucked up if you don't keep a level head. One friend of mine learned to drive in an old, beat up Chevy truck. Had a stock 350 and a 4 spd. Tried getting sideways around a turn, lost it and took out a hedge and a few tires. My younger brother learned to drive with a 500+ hp, heavily modded twin turbo 300ZX and didn't have one issue other than a speeding ticket. It's all in how YOU will treat it.
Wexton: Sort of not quite answering your question, but I like talking about bikes so here's my bit. Do you own a bike at the moment? My first bike was a YZF 600r Thundercat (sports touring), second bike is a Hayabusa (sports touring/drag). I test rode a couple of GSXR750s in between. I doubt that many of us will be able to ride to the "Full Potential" of our bikes, to me that's kind of a dick way of calling someone a shitty rider. None of us are Rossi, quite a few of you miserable bastards remind me of Stoner though... There is a good point though which is that these bikes don't really ride in a very satisfying way unless you're pushing quite hard. They need to be leaned hard to corner properly, the first generation of r1 was a dog under about 90mph. 600s will feel a little smaller, a little lighter, and have a shorter box and lower torque figures so you will need to change gears more. 1000s will feel a little larger, heavier and you can get away with being a little lazier with the gears. Both will turn in quite rapidly, and brake really well. Which is fine until something doesn't go your way then it's easy to overcorrect, that's when the sharp response from the bike is most likely to come up and bite you. If you're dead set on getting a superbike, go out a ride a load before you make your decision. I personally like GSXRs (especially the 2005-k5 ones, they were the pinnacle IMO), but the current batch don't have much race heritage. Honda are the boys is you want something you can point at winning the motogp and say "that's my bikes second cousin", but you'll pay for it. I have heard the 2011 and later zx10's are more rideable than pre 2011 (which have a reputation for being a bit stong in power delivery), I really like the 636 though. Yamaha R-series have been good since forever, and they're everywhere (in the UK at least) so there's always some spares if you need them. The crossplane version sounds like a sexy weird twin too. I wouldn't bother with a ducati unless it was a desmosedici and that's never going to happen. Keep an eye out for extras like ABS, Traction, and linked brakes (honda) they can take some getting used to. Excuse me getting preachy (and off topic) but I think the thundercat is a great first bike. Everyone always recommends their first bike as a first bike for other people but here's why: It's cheap, it handles predictably, it's capable of going really fast if you want it to, wheelies, burnouts, there's loads of crash protection available for them, parts are cheap, and it's reasonably simple to fix (unless the box goes, make sure you check second gear does hop out under load), and the riding position is not so sports (ass up face down) that you can't ride it all day.
I can understand all that. I currently don't have a bike, i sold mine 3 years ago with intentions of buying another one right away, but i ended up buying a house basically the same day i sold me bike, so that didn't happen. Didn't think i would find a house i wanted at the price wanted before i could sell the bike. I always wanted a SS bike. But when i went out got my previous bike, i wanted to learn out to ride first so i went out and bought and 07 XT225 brand new in 06. Absolutely loved the bike, i could almost drag my knees on the corners with the bike even with the 50street/50offroad tires on it. Rode a friends R6 and just feel in love with the bike. First time on it i was doing something like 155kph(90mph) in second gear and still had a little more rpm left on it. Handled great except at really really low speeds. On the started bike frond, most people say the SV650 is the best starter bike, but the one mentioned is probably exactly like that bike but yahama vs. suzuki.
Given your age and experience, you're probably fine on any supersport. For a reference point, all the current 600 sportbikes will outrun almost every production car ever made in the 1/4 mile, and all the 1000 sportbikes top out right around 100 mph - in 1st gear. You might also consider the Suzuki GSXR 750 for a compromise in between. I always recommend that inexperienced riders start on a 250, 500, or 650 twin rather than a supersport and mock them for the "I don't want to get bored" line they always use, but in your case I'm afraid you'd get bored with the SV650 if you loved the R6.
I know there tends to be a lot of Harley hate around here, but here's my latest purchase. I went form SV650 to a Harley Sporty 1200, and now a HD Dyna Superglide. Spoiler
I'm not a big fan of the people who can't just ride the bike, they have to have the entire wardrobe. A Harley shirt for every day of the week. 4/5 Harley hats. The belt buckles, stickers on their car, wallets, etc. If they're really rich, the Harley F150. We get it dude, you ride a Harley. I know a couple who, on their way home from vacation, stopped at no less than 6 Harley dealerships. Come on...
Here's a somewhat relevant conversation I had with my secretary the other day: Secretary: Do you know about motorcycles? Me: A little, sure. What's up? Secretary: My (deceased) husband's motorcycle has been sitting up in our shop for several years now, and I noticed that it is all of a sudden leaking oil. I just wondered why... Me: It must be a Harley. Secretary: How did you know?? EDIT: I don't hate Harleys, but I do hate their prices.
Harley's lately can be had for a pretty reasonable price. About 2-3 years ago the market was just so full of Harley's the price came way way down. Bikes that were in the high teens were barely about 10.
Fuck yea, going to buy(have the cheque all done out) 2012 gsx-r 750 in yellow/black. Pictures to follow, cant wait to get it tomorrow morning.