Welcome to the Hardcore Husky Forums. Folks who are well-known in Cyberland and not that dumb.
I just now realized what your avatar is. I'm on the shitter right now working out some stomach issues after watching your avatar miraculously not die Sunday morning in Austria. Did you see it?
I was streaming live when both Tomizawa and Simoncelli were killed, and I thought for sure I was going to see it again (only more violently) as soon as that bike started ghostriding itself out of the crash and back toward the track.
How both bikes split Rossi and Vinales without crushing either into a fine mist was probably the most miraculous thing I've seen on a racetrack.
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I changed my avatar a few days ago when people were adopting SEC teams to follow. Since I don't give a flying fuck about football, I decided to support Rossi. I want him to get his 200th podium.
I think he'll retire after this season, especially after dodging that crash yesterday.
I've watched many replays of the Simoncelli crash. Just horrible all around...
Pedrosa still has regrets for not shaking his hand leading up to that race. He was pissed at Marco for causing a crash that broke Pedrosa's collar bone.
I'm absolutely certain Sunday's crash would have been another death if that bike hit either Yamaha rider.
In other news, still liking that SS?
I love the SS. I've gotten even more comfortable on it. I haven't been riding it as much as I thought, because I've actually been doing a like of bicycling in the past 3 months.
If I had the money, I'd be very tempted to get a Streetfighter V4. But then, what would _I_ do with 208 HP? The SS has 110 and that's a lot of fun. I just wish the tank capacity was a little more than 4.2 gallons.
It's still incredible to watch the videos.
I'm not sure if I'll be able to own anything other than a Ducati moving forward. I have a 2008 Ninja 650R, which I'll keep. But, I'm definitely addicted to the Ducati sound. Wouldn't mind test-riding a BMW though.
As for my ride, it's undergone a little transformation since last May. Cold tire crash in T3 after being held on the grid for too long to clean up a crash ruined my pretty baby:
Had to strip it completely down to begin the $3000 repair job:
The few odds and ends I had to throw away included the subframe, fairing stay/intake, clip-ons, front master cylinder, rearset parts, frame sliders, and 100% of the bodywork:
And as it sits now:
Actually, not technically true. As it sits now is in my shop gathering dust, as I haven't had it out this year thanks to the Vid (and me getting fat, again thanks to the Vid). Lacomoto bodywork comes gel-coated black, and I can't be bothered to paint it this time, so that'll do. It's a track bike. On the bright side, I used a misdiagnosed failed shift sensor as an excuse to upgrade to clutchless shifting in both directions, which is fucking magic.
/csb
Quick shifter is the way to go. The SuperSport has it and it's very easy to get used to. Kinda weird to jump on my Ninja after having ridden the Duc. It'a amazing how easily we get used to technology.
I'm a big fan of everything Woodcraft does. It's always no-nonsense, get the job done with the fewest frills, but strong, light, easy/cheap to swap. They're actually redesigning their clutch cover for the R1 after feedback from my crash (ground the cover down instead of the sacrificial pad).
That being said, I love love LOVE Pit Bull's trailer restraint system.
Anyway, I always wanted to try a crotch rocket, because I sort of like speed (duh), but at this point (late 40's) I feel like I would just look like a retard and kill myself. I've always enjoyed watching the racing though - side note: Isle of Man is probably the ballsiest shit I've ever seen and I have landed on aircraft carriers at night. Epic.
Also, though, I'll admit that I was one of those anti-Harley snobs after a very limited sample: My dad is now retired, but he and I used to work shift work at the same place. One day he rode in on his FLXHDQBS55LLT to relieve me for a night shift, so I told him to give me his helmet and jacket and rode the thing home and back the next morning. It badly fell into turns (top heavy and terrible geometry), numbed my hands and feet by the first stoplight, and I kept scraping the floorboards if I didn't slow to half speed through turns. Talked shit about them ever since.
Then he bought one of the new Milwaukee Eight FLXJQBBC45s, and my mind was changed. They make a proper motorcycle now, as it doesn't rattle your teeth, actually corners in a neutral manner, etc. I was impressed. Still don't want one. I've also radically softened on my Harley Hatorade, too, as I realize I'm the one being the deuche°, to each their own, etc. etc.
That being said, the South Park Harley episode is still my favorite of all time...
As for crotch rockets, you've catapulted off an aircraft carrier, so I just doubt you'd have the same reaction as I did the first time I whacked the throttle on a liter bike. Hell, you'd have to try out top fuel drag racing to come close to getting the same sensation (mad respeck, btw). You should still try one if you get the chance. It will make you realize that, although both definitely have their place, a cruiser and a modern sport bike should not even be considered the same kind of vehicle. Just an altogether different thing. You have to be in some kind of shape to even get onto one (any shape but round should do), but it sounds like you've done enough coke to be skinny for at least another decade or two. I spent the first week after I got my first sport bike begging everyone I know to get on the back, as I just wanted every one of them to experience the insane rush of 165 hp on full boil (weak by today's standards). Anyway, VIR is in your backyard. Doooo iiiiiit....
As for appreciation for the TT, did we just become best friends? My bucket list has like four things on it, and one is making it to the TT before enough people have died that it's shut down for good.
This thread should have been in the Shoppe. I am a tool.
And I agree with @1to392831weretaken, @Swaye... I started riding just two years ago at the ripe old age of 47. My friend Ron (former F-14 pilot) also got into riding at the same time and he's a couple of years older than me. It's all about getting the proper training and then riding your own ride. Knowing you, you'll go balls to the wall with this motorcycle thing because you never half-ass anything.
That's my plan as well once things get a little less busy for me. I'm looking at doing some track days next spring & summer.
I will agree their modern bikes are MUCH more reliable and enjoyable rides then anything pre- 2000.
A neighbor has a BMW cruiser which caught my eye. Neat looking bike and I am sure it's bulletproof. I'm also a big fan of that show Ride with Norman Reedus and I dig that Triumph he always rides. Adventure bike. Whatever you call it. Pretty sweet. Hell, I like the Diavel. It's pretty much a VROD taken to it's logical extreme and even more finely crafted.
Yeah, Isle of Man is next level shit. Those guys have balls you'd have to carry around in a wheelbarrow. Insane. I love it.
When my younger brother wanted to go to the track with me, he picked up a really sweet bike on craigslist. 2007 GSXR600 for $3200. Ohlins TTX36 shock on the rear, GP carts in the fork, so the suspension alone cost more than the asking price of the bike. I took it out one session just to check it out, and I absolutely loved it. GSXRs may be the squidliest bike on the market, but they're very rider friendly, more comfortable than their competition, sweet handling, and very cheap to both buy and repair due to all the squids constantly crashing them.
Long story short, if you're serious about going to the track, find a cheap 600 that's already prepped and do it right. Then PM me and I'll dial you in like @IrishDawg22. Probably even meet you there if it works with my schedule. I rolled solo my first track day because I didn't know anybody, and that's no way to go.
Unfortunately, there is really limited inventory of track bikes on craigslist right now, and most of the ones there are overpriced relative to previous seasons, I guess because COVID? I see an R1 that's priced to move, but old liter bikes without modern traction control are widowmakers. A 600 is a way better first track weapon, don't burn through tires at a phenomenal rate, and don't make so much power that traction control really matters. There's currently an overpriced R6 and a slightly less overpriced Ninja 6R locally (the latter a pretty sweet setup, though). Probably be worth waiting until February/March to see if things return to normal before next season.
I could REALLY ramble on about this, but I'll just leave it at PM me if you're really thinking about doing this, and I can help you through. I'll warn you that @Swaye's right: riding on the track is every bit the leap in addiction from street riding that street riding is from not riding at all. This could get very expensive for you. I buy a set of tires every four days, a set of knee pucks every day, entry fees, fuel for bike and generator, new leathers every time I get fatter.
Worth it.