Hayabusa

[xjrguy]

LOL, I work in Northridge.

Maybe the Honda rider was one of our new members, "Sami" on his CBR1100XX?

[Tetge]

[quote="xjrguy"]LOL, I work in Northridge.

Maybe the Honda rider was one of our new members, "Sami" on his CBR1100XX?
[/quote

Then you know where the ChiChi's in the Walnut Center is, I bet. Tampa and something. Us out of town folks don't know the streets too good way down to the SF Valley. I did not get a good look at the Honda but all them 4 cylinder sports bikes look the same to me. All I ever see are their tail lights.

[Brakelate]

I straightened the account of that story out elsewhere.

I did lose the heads-up race with the 14. It was modded out and won because I tried too hard and wheelied. Overall he ran 10.5's and 10.6's, while I was running two to three tenths quicker... stock.

[Tetge]

I straightened the account of that story out elsewhere.

Translation: I put my false spin on the truth elsewhere.

[Brakelate]

Your propoganda dosn't cut it here Mister!

[Tetge]

Your propoganda dosn't cut it here Mister!

I heard that they offered you a job in either Cuba or North Korea as minister of misinformation but you didn't want to leave your family and/or put your kids into new schools.

[Brakelate]

Perhaps a new Liter++ bike. This time with factory detachable / lockable saddle bags for sure. Possibly, a top box, if visually appealing and one that does not create too much top speed aero drag or induce a wobble, etc. Larger fuel tank would be nice. Might consider trading pure performance, such as another Hayabusa or ZX-14 with soft saddle and tank bags for a proper gutsy "Sport Tourer". Kawasaki C14 or maybe even a BMW? Though the "nannies" on C-14 that previously turned me off, are rumored to be have the capability to be fully toggled off on newer model years. BMW's scare me. Price, reliability, availability of a quality shop. If not, a good loaded up Adventure Toury model with proper crash bars, hard bags, driving lights and a few do-dads to tinker with while on the road (and help justify the cost - psychologically , if nothing else) might be nice. But wire wheels and a decent set of soft enduro type tires with large lugs and sturdy construction (true tubeless radials) would be preferable. And what it would give up in the few twisties around would more than be forgiven out here in the long distances, changes in extreme weather and outright comfort and farkles, that honestly, would be the smarter move and offer a greater return on a daily basis while still being capable of running "the Pace" , let along with providing access to a whole new culture, terrain and greatly broaden my riding geographical limitations and help eliminate any current perceived shortcomings, whether they be in my own ability to ride far, alone, or both.


Perhaps I am just seeking excuses to be limited by outside forces. There really is no is no reason a properly prepped and motivated rider could not accomplish all of that with which I already possess.

[xjrguy]

Perhaps a new Liter++ bike. This time with factory detachable / lockable saddle bags for sure. Possibly, a top box, if visually appealing and one that does not create too much top speed aero drag or induce a wobble, etc. Larger fuel tank would be nice. Might consider trading pure performance, such as another Hayabusa or ZX-14 with soft saddle and tank bags for a proper gutsy "Sport Tourer". Kawasaki C14 or maybe even a BMW? Though the "nannies" on C-14 that previously turned me off, are rumored to be have the capability to be fully toggled off on newer model years. BMW's scare me. Price, reliability, availability of a quality shop. If not, a good loaded up Adventure Toury model with proper crash bars, hard bags, driving lights and a few do-dads to tinker with while on the road (and help justify the cost - psychologically , if nothing else) might be nice. But wire wheels and a decent set of soft enduro type tires with large lugs and sturdy construction (true tubeless radials) would be preferable. And what it would give up in the few twisties around would more than be forgiven out here in the long distances, changes in extreme weather and outright comfort and farkles, that honestly, would be the smarter move and offer a greater return on a daily basis while still being capable of running "the Pace" , let along with providing access to a whole new culture, terrain and greatly broaden my riding geographical limitations and help eliminate any current perceived shortcomings, whether they be in my own ability to ride far, alone, or both.


Perhaps I am just seeking excuses to be limited by outside forces. There really is no is no reason a properly prepped and motivated rider could not accomplish all of that with which I already possess.

I had a 2005 FJR1300ABS and then got a 2010 Concours ABS with Traction Control.

Both are awesome bikes, but I like the C14 better.

The FJR is great, but the C14 has a modern shaft drive, more power and a very smooth six speed trans.

I love my C14 and highly recommend it.

[Brakelate]

You ever encounter any of the fancy electronics? Funny, they either royally piss you off when things are going well, or will flat save your bacon should you make one little screw up.

I understand that very few, if any, will hit the pitch / traction control parameters unless they really need it and are on the verge of something really ugly, like accelerating out of a gas station / car wash combo lot through a wide gutter into a soapy wet hot slick street in front of a vehicle that you misjudged it's closing rate. Grab a fat abrupt handful of that big block Kawasaki's torque in the lower gears, and you could find your ass surfing on your back side in no time (don't forget that vehice bearing down on you at a high closing rate that is not paying attention)!

My "negative" experience was playing roll on and full throttle acceleration testing in full uniform on a fully loaded, labelled and VERY obvious C14 against a pair of our fleet's patrol squad on similarly fully equipped and uniformed Honda ST1300's. If you are going to test, why not test in a real world, yet isolated "semi-controlled" environment, right? Though the Honda has immense low end, immediate onset torque with a nice flat power band. In lower gears, under full throttle you can unintentionally loft the front wheel for a considerable distance. Knowing this, after much experience on the Honda, and having become familiar with the typical big bore Kawasakis (which even with the modern, refined, detuned C14 still has similar heritage flowing through it's blood) is a little "soft" down low, yet more than makes up for it while charging through it's healthy mid range punch while enroute to a classic, healthy cam howling top end. So, being the competitive guy that I am, wantingto crush the hearts and minds of the Honda riders right from the get-go,I raised the rev's , fanned the hydraulic clutch lever, which still offers just enough feedback to side step any real criticism, and let 'er rip. I ceased the advantage of the Honda's initial torque hit and began to loft the Connie's front wheel as both the RPM's , exhaust note and power to the rear wheels via the shaft drive seamlessly began to ramp up in a big hurry. I nosed out a lead, just at the time I reached a very comfortable rate of lift off. Just shy of reaching that magical and elusive "Balance Point" suddenly the whole party shut down without warning to me, as my eyes were glued to my track towards the rapidly approaching horizon, with both ST's still just falling from my extreme outer perimeter of vision on either side. WTF???? As the front end back down in an rather shocking, embarrassing and confusing thud, I glanced down to see several amber ST/ATC or some such shit lamps flickering on the dash board. Just as the Honda's both continued their charge of acceleration passing, me and then leaving me behind in one humiliated state of confusion. I thought I had turned all that fancy shit off at start up. Could it have defaulted to it's dummy proof state? Is it truly not fully capable of being defeated? I may never know. But, that and the thin, floppy factory winscreen and worse yet, the abrupt "kick back" on the rear brake pedal and subsequent iced over sensitivity of the rear brake when attempted to be activated independently at lower (parking lot) speeds REALLY soured me on what I had previously estimated would have been the hands down winner by far of the Sport Touring bikes currently available and on the market.

So, short question, have you not experienced that rear brake phenomenon, am I being overly critical of an otherwise incredible machine or what?

[Brakelate]

The Hayabusa and I had our moments. really may be what I need to get out and log some miles, square off some tires, collect some bugs on the face shied and clear my head whie enjoying the vast isolation of the Northern Plains, while trying to dodge bad weather and find places to bed down where loca high school kids looking for kicks or Hobos looking or travel money wont't find me or give me any hassles.

This was one of my more memorable rides from a few years ago with a theme, or sorts.

Maybe a big sporty bagger with a tank bag and back pack woud e just wat th docor ordered. If not physically, at least mentally.

I thought I had posted this before somewhere. if not, enjoy. I always thought it was a pretty decently written,documented and thoroughly enjoyed (though a bit lonely) all day ride. My but ebentually retured to its normal bubbly shape. Hmmmm, motivates me again to find that nice Sport Touring Bike or see if I can really haggle a deal on that local New Old Stock Honda VFR1200. Really no reason I can't up my endurance and start logging miles on my own out here,or hitting some of those Nor-Cal and Mid-State rides with the vintage crews with Patrick's brother and the Infamous BSA Frank Forester or Norton John when they can get away. At least that way there are some safety nets to stop over along the way,or serious veteran long distance riders to show me along the way when needed.


My fun Hayabusa "Herkey Jerkey" ride from back about 5 years ago;

http://pashnit.com/forum/showthread.php?t=22808