Thanks, Josh.
your letter puts a pretty stark perspective on todays's sportbikes.
On the one hand, I have no intention of becoming a street racer. On the other
hand, I know I need to put-in considerable seat-time, just to get my reactions
back to where they need to be. And I seem to remember a little phenomenon
that occurrs just about the time you start feeling fairly coordinated with the
bike: suddenly you feel impervious, like a high-speed King Kong! Wouldn't be
good to get that feeling on a bike with so much potential for destruction.
Maybe I've outgrown the feeling? Hope so. Anyway, it is obvious that I need
to remain very unemotional and analytical about what I'm doing with this idea.
So far I think I am. We'll see if I maintain that after my test ride.
I won't start with a "big, bad 'busa", but I do feel some pressure to start
with something that's probably a bit of a "stretch" of my present capability
as a rider. I'm not getting any younger, and I think I'll want to go really
fast before I'm through. Don't have time for the most sensible (gradual)
learning curve.
Your point about testing on a bike that is as potent as what I will buy is
well taken. I think I'm going to make that a rule for myself, starting right
now.
Sorry about your friends. I won't try to be philosophical-- that kind of loss
just sucks. Thanks for your concern that I don't have the same experience. I
assure you, I do not want it, either.
I just want an affordable hi-tech machine that I can take through the
Bonneville traps at respectable speeds, with reasonable expectation of
survival. Maybe the sportbike is not the answer. I'm trying to find out with
as much maturity and good sense as I can muster.
Best Regards,
Russ Mack
QuikslvrJ@aol.com wrote:
> Up until approx. 12 months ago I worked as a service writer at a prominent
motorcycle dealership in Northern Nevada. I've had the opportunity to ride
just about everything over the few years that I worked with, and I can tell
you this: the difference between an ultra-modern bike (for example new
GSXR-1000) vs. something of a decade ago (1990ish GSXR-750) is absolutely
incomprehensible for most. The newer 'big' bikes are hands-down rockets. Think
about an 'out-of-the-box' bike ('Busa) that will run 9's literally off the
showroom floor. 0 - 60mph in 3 seconds. 0 - 100mph in under 8 seconds. I was
raised on such bikes, and as much as I love them, I believe that we are coming
to a point where they almost have gone too far! For example, I don't think the
GSXR-1000 should even be on the street. After riding it, I KNOW most of the
buyers of this machine do not have the experience or self-control to operate
it in even a semi-safe fashion. The reason I left the motorcycle industry wa!
> s I lost 12 friends in 10 months o
> n such bikes. But now I'm just rambling. Anyway, you're right to try to get
a test-ride before you buy. Just make sure whatever you ride is similar to
what you plan on buying. The tech changes are stupid fast.
>
> Josh
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