blueskeyes

I agree with the '11 or newer S3. Most of the electrical and transmission gremlins were eliminated. You "could" also check out a used Tuono or new FZ9. If you want to try it, I can let you bop around on my Tuono when we meet in Troy on Sundays.

Flexible oil drain pan...Form-A-Funnel. http://www.aircraft-tool.com/shop/detail.aspx?PRODUCT_ID=18609 We use them everywhere on the planes. They are awesome and you all are welcome.

Welcome guy.

I am running a set on my Tuono. I have had them on for 4500 miles and love them. They have been on the Dragon twice, once in the wet and no traction problems. Still have plenty of wear. Get some.

Hmmm. I used the 12 cell Shorai. I know their website usually says that the 8 cell will work but I know in my experience it wears out just as fast as the standard lead acids. I do know that they don't like cold. If the temp is below 55F I just leave the lights on for a couple of minutes in the morning to warm the battery up with the current flow. If it is a heat issue, the header from my rear cylinder is about six inches away from the battery box. No problems yet. I mainly did it because I don't want to have to replace the sprag clutch due to a weak battery.

Do you have any pranksters around? My boss and I a couple years ago drove someone to their wits end. He rebuilt his forks and every other week we would put a couple of drops of fork oil on the forks and on the ground underneath them. He changed out his seals four times that summer. Evil...yes. Hilarious since half the office was aware...yes.

Aprilias are the same...high compression, v-twin eats batteries. I switched to a Shorai a year ago and haven't had a single issue. Several dudes in the Ape forums have had them for well over two years with no issues. With the higher cranking power they are a lot easier on the sprag clutch.

Yep...I wasn't knocking your bike, just poking fun. Everyone has their preferences.

Ok, I'll bite... Take off a couple more pieces of plastic and your Tomkat is basically an FZ6 with less power. Now that's a knife...to the gut.

Bought some S100 with the intent to wash it one of these days.

Bad batch of black chili?

But Yamaha has figured out something with the FZ9. I just wonder how much of that is due to the price point.

Japanese just do not know how to build an appealing naked for the US market. The Europeans have given us the Tuono, Speed Triple, Super Duke, S1000R, and the Monster and Streetfighter. They basically just took their top end SS, and gave it better ergos.

Which is exactly what he did...185MPH. http://www.wlwt.com/news/biker-clocked-at-speeds-approaching-185-mph/27425590

I understand it quite well and enjoyed the battle. My point is that the Ducati is pushed too hard to maintain the position up front and by the end of the race is lucky to place fifth. The bike has an issue in front end feel that is exacerbated by tire wear. There was no way in hell Dovi was going to maintain his position. He knew it, I knew it, and probably most of the people in the Ducati stands knew it.

I saw those things, too. It would have been more interesting if the middle marker Ducatis weren't messing it up for the teams who know what they are doing. Rossi and Lorenzo got screwed by Dovi and pushed wide several times.

The most impressive thing that I saw all weekend was the XDL guys using Yamaha Bolts for stunting.

We always have two or three bikes at work and plenty of cars. It is always a car and bike show. The Concours d'Elegance of Vandalia.

I will never doubt the ease of rear wheel/chain maintenance with a sssa.

I just don't get the point on the VFR of a putting a single-side swingarm on a bike then installing a dumb looking exhaust can to cover it up. Plus looking at the arrangement, you're going to have to disassemble half of the RH side of the bike to get the rear tire off. Exhaust, exhaust hanger, maybe fairing to get the bolts that hold the hangar on...

Stand in line behind Honda, Yamaha and maybe Ducati. They all are looking for their time to rip Suzuki a new one...on the track.

And they're both already in dealers. Saw both at Comp Acc a couple weeks ago and the VFR suffers from butter face.

Just a heads-up...a Yamaha dealer in Northern Ohio has a brand new 2013 FZ1 for $6990

And you weren't shy about it either. I don't think Crazy Harley Guy (CHG) cared though.

I was about to pull the trigger on one before I bought my ZRX. Great looking bike. I really loved the back end of it.