New bike ponderings...

[TMadlem84]

I've been researching a new(er) bike... I plan to keep my FJ as the "comfy daily driver" but I would like something to drive that is faster & doesn't need to be as comfy as the FJ.

My question lies in what you guys think is better for a pure-performance sport bike: 1) lower weight & lower HP, but a higher power-to-weight ration... or 2) higher weight & higher HP, but a lower power-to-weight ratio.

To be more specific... something like a 1) Honda CBR 1000 Fireblade (lightweight, lower HP, higher power-to-weight) versus a Hayabusa (heavier, higher HP, but lower power-to-weight ratio)

I know everyone talks about the speed of the Busa's... but the fact that the power-to-weight ratio is worse than that of something like a Fireblade makes me wonder (& I understand power-to-weight isn't EVERYTHING when it comes to bikes).

Just curious which type of bike you guys would consider a better "pure performance" bike?  I want something that is fast, but something that would still work on a road course... I'm thinking that something like a Fireblade would be better; it has a higher power-to-weight ratio & is lighter weight, which would help it perform better on a road coarse.  I don't plan on racing it... but it'd be fun to take it to the local road course for some laps.

[Ratchet_72]

Kinda sounds like you already decided on the Fireblade.  I myself would go with the Blackbird...Oh wait I did.
On account its awesome and everyone has a Busa.

Oh and its black.

Other than that you should give the NEW Triumphs a look see.  The 09 Speed Triple left me speechless and you can get em for way cheaper than new right now.  That motor is unbelievable and the front forks are pretty darn good too.

All I know is I tend to go right when everyone else goes left so I research the not so common bikes.

Check out the Suzuki TL1000R, Ducati ST4, and if you wanna get into real trouble the Kawi ZRX1200R

Take your time and do your own research Beyond forums.  DO NOT WRITE A BIKE OFF BASED ON WHAT INTERNET GROUPS THINK, as we can be an opinionated group of assholes (well I can be.) Test ride test ride test ride.

[pdxfj]

If you like the 'busa but it doesn't have enough HP for ya.. just contact these people.. they will be happy to help..

http://www.mc-xpress.com/default.htm

I've ridden a 'busa with one of their kits.. Uhh.. anything else seems slow...

[TMadlem84]

I agree with the "everyone has a Busa" thing... which is one reason I want to avoid it... I like unique(er) things... I have an RX7... a 66 Lincoln Continental... & an 86 FJ...

But what style of back is the better "pure performance"... a heavy high HP, or something lighter with less HP?  Is HP or power-to-weight ratio more important?

[Ratchet_72]

Sure power to weight is important, but not always just the most important. I mean there's a reason the Vega or Nova were chosen for drag racing, and I stress racing.  With motorcycles I find a solid fork setup and brakes to be the most important, which is why I got the CBR, new tech.
Its not all about weight and hp because if its no fun to ride who gives a shit? If you have to throw all of your weight on the right bar while going into a sweeper suddenly weight/hp means not a lot on the fun meter. in other words things like geometry and suspension are just as if not more important, and you gotta ride em to find out.

But what the hell do I know, a buddy with a full bagger HD passed me low once and has never let me forget it.

[Fred]

I suppose, it depends where and how you ride. The more of a curve junkie you are the lighter the bike should be, might want to even check out some 600's. If you're all about the power, well that makes it pretty simple.

[threejagsteve]

Don't know what kind of riding you like best, but years ago we used to run the "Back Side" from Griffith Observatory down into the south end of the SF Valley... the pavement was lumpy dogsh*t, the turns were tight, and the straights were short. Guys on their shiny new literbikes and 750s would show up with dreams of glory, but when the rubber met the road, they'd get blown away by a guy on an old RD350. Why? That old RD had beem modded to be just about the perfect bike for that particular course (and the rider was pretty damned good, too).

They closed the Back Side about 12 years ago, reclassifying it as a "fire road" so they wouldn't have to repave it, but the moral of the story is that you should look at the kind of riding you like best, then look for what does that the best. Unfortunately they don't make all-arounders anymore, so you wind up forced into one niche or another... but have fun looking!

[higbonzo]

Pure performance

180hp 115nm torque 400lbs dry and runs 180 mph.

[higbonzo]

The strange thing is these bikes are only 3-6 tens faster in a 1/4 mile than the FJ and have about the same NM of torque.  Where they take off is with the six gear which allows a higher top speed.  And of course the newer bikes are way more technologically advanced.

I would be happy with this as performance bike.  But I only weigh 150lbs.

[MyFirstNameIsPaul]

I've got an 03 ZX-6R that I bought brand new.  It is faster than the FJ at all things, most especially braking and turning.  The engine revs like there's no tomorrow and I've had it up to 170 indicated, which is about 155 actual.

Frankly, I can't understand why people feel they need a bigger bike, especially for the street.  Even here in the SF Bay Area I come across very few people who can ride a 600 anywhere near its limits, and if you're riding a 600 at or near its limits, you won't be for long.

Now, buying a bike because you like how it looks is something else all together.  Same goes for something multi-functional, like the FJ.

[Dan Filetti]

Pure performance

180hp 115nm torque 400lbs dry and runs 180 mph.

I have read good things about this bike/ motor.  But "good" is, as always, relative. I have read three ride reviews and all think that this bike would be about the perfect bike for the track.  The handling is sharp and light, brilliant feedback etc.  The motor apparently needs a bit of help with the fueling, and was not as strong down low as anticipated for a V4.  But both those of those criticisms are fairly common for a new bike, and also one that has to deal with US and Euro emissions regs.

Cost of $16K-$20K estimated, seems a bit steep but you pay for the novel.  Plus, for so long the only generally available V4 out there was that pig of a VFR.  This is due apparently to the difficulty and cost of design and production.  So you pay for such things -plus the fact that it's Italian which seems to add $3K - $6K at least to the price tag I guess.

My take on 'perfect for the track', is +/- unforgiving, uncomfortable, for the road.  I'm looking forward to the time when Aprilia puts this motor in a Touno style bike, or makes themselves a sport-tourer, VFR killer.

We'll see.

Dan

[Dan Filetti]

From what I've read, the bikes that I want to at least test ride as my possible next bike, are as follows:

KTM 990 Super Duke or possibly the 950 -budget dependent...
Triumph Speed Triple
And my UJM pick: Honda 919

Sure I'd love to try and ride an RSV4, RC8, 1198, MV 312, R1, Zx-10, Gixxer tho' but my gut is I'm not going to like or at least not have too much in-common with such machines, given my skill level [not to mention limited motorcycle budget]. 

Dan

[higbonzo]

Sure I'd love to try and ride an RSV4, RC8, 1198, MV 312, R1, Zx-10, Gixxer tho' but my gut is I'm not going to like or at least not have too much in-common with such machines, given my skill level [not to mention limited motorcycle budget]. 

Dan

Yes, but it is always fun to window shop.   

later......