meadeam

I think it makes perfect sense, and most of the time I feel the same way. I suppose that is why the Scrambler is a tough call for me. A more sensible choice would be a GS, Tiger, or even a VStrom. They would all work perfectly for my purposes, but wouldn't be nearly as self-indulgent.

I'm kind of irritated that Triumph seems to have me cornered with the new Scrambler 1200. Scramblers are mostly a styling exercise, but this one has actual chops, and I happen to love classic bikes. It is not a sensible choice at all, which makes me want it even more.

Quick shift and auto-blip on a street bike is probably pretty good fun, but on a track bike it would be absolutely amazing. I'm going to avoid it on my first track bike just so I can be even more stoked when I do get it.

Not out of the question, and certainly how I dealt with similar situations before marriage. It will be tough to find her though. I have the curse of the introvert; I would like to meet people but am unwilling to tolerate being around people to do it.

I've owned a handful of motorcycles over the years, all of them enjoyable, but they all came to be by some happenstance. I've never owned a bike that I specifically set out to buy, and every bike I've owned has been a compromise. I'm recently divorced (woe is me). Sound familiar to anyone? What did you/would you do?

Here's what I'm doing today. It took awhile to get this far. When I got the bike the carb had painted black, and was totally clogged up with varnish and peeling paint. I think I have cleaned it up sufficiently and acquired the parts to rebuild it. I've never worked on a carb before. I fully expect to have to take it off again and troubleshoot it once it comes time to fire the engine.

I got the DT360 project a little more orderly and started getting enthused about working on it over the winter. I've had this bike for too long and need to get it done and in the dirt!

Cool, I was going to ask if RST is good quality. It looks decent, and the prices are great.

I'll be Needing leathers, boots, gloves, plus whatever else you recommend to a track noob that you may wish you'd known about when you started. Bandolier? Feather boa? Sword and scabbard? I want to look the part. My street gear is from Rev'it and Icon, both of which I like just fine but am not partial to. I'd like to spend less than $1000 on leathers.

This is very cool. I will definitely jump on it!

That is most definitely the plan. I am almost certain I will love it though.

ultralight makes sense. I as a bit confused as to how the 300cc bikes were lumped in with the SVs. I'll have to edify myself on the racing classes. I've always wanted to race as well, and I should do it while I am still (relatively) young. Is WERA the org I should start with to learn about racing, how to get started, etc?

I bet. I'm going to keep checking them out.

Anybody have experience with the R3? Seems the journos prefer the Ninja 400 based solely on speed, with the R3 having a bit more refined suspension. I'm not sure how much difference it will make for my purposes.

Useful information to have...

I'm totally feeling a RC390 or R3 now. Learn to ride the sh%$! out of it, then move up to a 600.

Interesting, I thought the SV was in kind of a special place, not quite a middleweight, but not a lightweight either. I'd rather learn to carry speed into a corner than rely on pure HP to compensate for lack of skill. Something for me to think about... so much about a lightweight appeals to me, including keeping it streetable for fun times.

I'm a fan of lightweight bikes in general, though I don't currently own one. I'm fairly lightweight myself at around 150lbs. Anybody around here ride a lightweight on the track who can speak to the merits and downsides vs. a middleweight or 650 twin? Are they common or rare at track events?

I redeemed myself by not showering on the weekends.

I was a year-round bicycle commuter years ago when I lived in Minneapolis. I didn't even own a car. Couldn't feel my feet and hands when I got to work at the bike parts distributor I worked for. I'd stand in the hot shower until I felt somewhat human again, work all day, then ride home and get straight into the shower again. I'm not that tough anymore!

These are all good ideas, and about what I had in mind. I've never really like riding when it is too cold out, even if it is possible. Now the question is when to give it up for the year. I might do some work on my bike over the winter, but nothing in the engine. I'll be warming up my shop periodically to work, but it will be outside air temp whenever I'm not in it.

I was away from motorcycles for several years, so this is my first winter to consider how to put away my bike in a while. I'm wondering if I should put my bike up for the winter as if I'm not going to ride again until spring, or if I should plan on taking it out when we get an odd warm day. I lived in Seattle when I last rode. Out there you pretty much ride year round because winters are more wet than cold (as long as you stay out of the mountains) and they don't put any chemicals on the road.

haha... yeah, I am looking forward to meeting some people. With not having ridden for 10 years or so, and my last stint on bikes was out in Seattle, I don't know anybody around here who rides yet. I've meant to get on the track before and never got around to it. I ain't getting any younger as they say. And If I'm going to ride a super-sport bike again, I better do it while I'm still supple enough to fold myself onto one.

I may just do this. It's got brand new rubber on it. I have it setup with a touring windscreen now, but I could put the stock screen back, or get a racing screen. And I plan on a set of FZ1 bars, which don't have any rise as compared to the stock bars. I've put Racetech springs and Gold Valve emulators in it, probably still needs heavier oil for the track though. It is a quick bike that handles pretty well. I am currently the limiting factor on what it can do.

Excellent, I didn't now about N2. I will check it out! At a glance, I didn't see any Ohio or Kentucky tracks listed. The SV650 is probably the logical choice, if less glamorous. With things being as expensive as they are, I probably will gravitate toward that option. I guess I'd rather save the money for more time on the track.