Revelstoker

Negative Sport bikes really suck for 2up as they are not designed to do it. Passenger sits up really high and their isn't a whole lot of room to the pegs. Short distances are going to be ok but if you want to go longer, you are going to need a different bike. One with a passenger back rest and bags for her bags. All passengers, I loosen my belt and instruct the passenger to hold onto my belt. It is much easier for a person to grip the belt and hold on vs. around your waste. No choice other than to lean into your back on a sport bike. Tell her to lean with you, not against. If the GF is a keeper, you are most likely going to have to look for a different or a 2nd bike if you want to take longer rides.

Trailer is off to a new home.

Trailer is sold. Thanks for looking and all the questions.

This teaser is just mean. One sexy looking tank. http://blog.motorcycle.com/2013/06/21/motorcycle-news/lotus-c-01-motorcycle-announced/

My Qwest is really quiet on the Harley but loud on the KTM/Ducati. I assume this has to do with riding position and windshield. Qwest being a touring helment is designed for more upright position and that is the position I ride in on the Harley. Slightly forward/foward, no windshield on the KTM/Ducati and it will whistle in certain positions. I have been thinking of getting a new helmet but that seems quite silly. However, the integrated sun visor is tempting so I am interested in quiet "sporting" helmets. (I already wear earplugs)

Is that pic of you in the turn? The other hot jocks can chime in but if that is you and that is your current normal riding style, you have a lot more to extract out of the VFR in the turns by adopting better body position.

1-800-WHAH. Ever heard of COLA? Cost of Living Adjustment. Insurance is all about risk management. Some areas of the country, state, county, city have higher or lower risk of claims. Move to a more populated area or an area associated with loss, rates go up. I have moved all over the country and from large towns to small towns, all with State Farm. Rates just adjust and that is why you alway take a really hard look at the cost of living in one area to the next during salary negotiations. I have turned down several jobs that just didn't provide enough career advancement to outweigh the financial and lifestyle change costs. The increase you are talking about hurts but try going from $300 annually to over $1000 annually for liability motorcycle insurance. That is what happened when I moved from rural IL to Chicago.

Well, the desire for a little less weight and more punch is a common refrain from the VFR crowd. Too bad Honda did what they did with the VFR1200. Mostly, what you want doesn't exist - lightweight, nimble, quick accelerating, comfortable and can commute in a single bike. Prioritize those as you are going to have to make some tradeoffs. 1, consider a track bike to satisfy the need for speed 2, Sporttourers = K1200S/K1300S, ZX14, VFR1200 will all satisfy the need for speed and commute. Not quite as nimble as what you have. 3, Nakeds = Triumph Speed Triple, CBR1000R, SuperDuke, Tuono, Streetfighter will give you nimble, speed and some measure of comfort and commutability. Little to no wind protection. 4, Sporting bikes = FZ1, Ninja1k, Z1000, FZ9, FZ8, GSX1250A will be as close as you come to the VFR but offer a bit more zip and top line speed. 5, SBK = take your pick. Not a whole lot of difference. KTM RC8R has adjustable ergos that can help with the commute side. CBR gets praise from the rags as the best of bunch for all-around ridability. Kawi and Euros (BMW, Ducati, Aprillia, MV) are the only ones currently to offer all the techno gadgets. 6, no real need to go with the 1ks when the 600-848s are more than adequate to deliver speed and acceleration. 7, Ducati Hypermotard, KTM SMR/SMT, Aprillia Dosoduro are a few interesting options to the nakeds that would spice of the daily commute but won't be a whole lot faster than the VFR. One of the nakeds will probably give you the thrills you want and make the morning commute a bit more fun. But as others have said, get the one you want as it will be the only one to make you happy. FYI - Honda blew out left over '08 CBR1ks for around $6,800 in 2010. Ask the seller when he bought this one as you may have some room to come down on that price.

That is a lot better than this cluster F of a bad idea.

Dibs if this guy ^ bails.

Pretty cool but styling is ick. IMO, they should have resurrected the Radian name. Pricing is also telling. With Honda moving the bar down with the nc700x, Yamaha has responded as well. Can we be so lucky with $13-$25k bikes a thing of the past? It is interesting that the bike is over 100hp as these types of bike are usually targeted towards Europe and I thought Europe was moving towards a 100hp cap. It is going to be interesting to see what Yamaha does with this motor in the coming years. http://www.asphaltandrubber.com/news/european-commission-horsepower-limit-law/

oh bloody hell! No more laces for me.

Bike has a clutch for a reason, use it. Yes, you can do clutchless upshifts and it won't hurt the bike if done properly but I view this this is a racing thing. I see no reason to do it on the street or even on a track day. There are no trophies, awards or $$ to win. Just $$ to waste if you screw up and wad your tranny.

Sounds like a good trip. I am headed that way at the end of the month but sadly, the bike will be on a trailer.

Pledge works good and that is what I used to use. When I was in Chicago, I would go to the quarter wash and use the wand to get the bike wet. The wands always sprayed a little so I never had to use the high pressure. I would take a towel or two and then dry it off. Living on the 22nd floor and having the bike in a parking garage, under a cover, it still got dusty. If I had to use the high pressure, I just stood back and misted the bike to get it wet and a bit soapy to wash the grime off. Eventually, I just gave up and rented a storage locker that allowed me to wheel the bike in and out when I wanted to ride. It was a pain but I didn't have to worry about it getting stolen, abused by weather or damaged.

Slow guy in I and only ride 4-5 days a year. I ride Q2s and they will last me a couple years. I don;t think I have actually worn our a front yet and the rear I changed wasn't to the wear markers yet. I changed them out just for age and peace of mind.

Welcome

No shit. I have been riding for 30+ years. Many of those years without a helmet and pretty much all of them without plugs. Time is catching up and the hearing is slipping along with the eyes. It sucks, big time. I wonder back on how my ears would be now if I had taken better care of them while I was young. Same with the knees. I wear plugs now. Biggest issue is making sure to get them in correctly. If you are going to wear them, be sure to take some time and learn to properly insert them and try a few different types to see what works the best.

More to this story, I am sure.

Damn, sorry to read this. I never could ride at the speed many ride on the roads. Just too many uncertainties and responsibilities to deal with. Bold and old, I guess.

Despite common belief, dealers make little money selling new cars. They make all their money on parts, service and used cars. So, if you want to buy used and get a good deal, stay away from the stealerships. Ask around, word of mouth, for someone on a lease deal and it is about to expire. Many times, you can buy them out at the turn in price and get a good deal. Economy yes but also, cars with 100k miles are mid-life now. So, a car with 20-30k miles stil has 80-90% of retained value and that is another factor of why you use low mile used cars priced close to used. CARMAX used to offer decent values on used vehicles. I have been out of the market so long that I don't know if that is stil true. A suggestion would be to bite the bullet and buy new. Depending on what you buy and use, the car could easily last 10-20 years. My 2002 Subaru just dinged 100k miles and still runs/looks like new.

No. Time is money and you will be wasting a ton of it in the car. Not to mention wear and tear + gas. If you could find a place to shack up for the week and come home on the weekends, that would be ok.

Agree. I wish I had a clue about BSB. Well, WSBK and GP clue would be nice as well. Watch that little fer Pedrosa start crashing again. I had him all last season but he did finish well.

Friday and Sat (6/21, 6/22) > anyone going? I assume these 3:30-9:30 days are a normal track day and not a Twilight. I am seriously thinking of going but I have Barber booked the following weekend.

Wonder if this could just be a generic thread? I have a Whirpool double electric oven, black, that I need to get rid of. $150 and you pick it up as I don't really have a good way to deliver. Wife also wanted the stainless stuff.