Topic: Motorcycle Riders

[KDXSR5]

Self assembling GSXR!  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Zlax5L8BVGc&feature=player_embedded

That was badass

[NoPower]

Nice, I'd like to ride one some day, but I'd probably have a lot more fun on the bigger ones!

Yeah the ducati is great but to small for me... We just got some clip-ons, some new sets, and the termignoni carbon fiber exhaust (sounds great) installed and she is VERY happy with it...

[kneedownnate]

Those exhausts usually sound great on a duc!  Got to watch the video at stocker's house, as well as made him and the mrs watch some video of bikes riding thunderhill raceway   

[FFC's Cousin]

my dirtbike news work

[-Jake-]

My first street legal bike


My Honda 450 that I sold to buy my GSXR


Then I got out of the Army and left the GSXR in Alaska and bought this when I got back to Missouri.  02 R1


Sold the R1 I couldn't ride it but about 50 miles before I started cramping and bought this sorry no picture only a video.  turn your speakers down
<a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z3ZZuKr71KE" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" class="bbc_link bbc_flash_disabled new_win">http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z3ZZuKr71KE</a>
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z3ZZuKr71KE

Then I decided it was too slow so I wanted a fast and comfy bike so I ended up with an 04 FZ1 which I still own.  This is by far been my favoritest bike ever!


I wear jeans and a t-shirt when I ride but I do have an Arai helmet.  I have a shift jacket but I never wear it even though I know I should.

[kneedownnate]

Nice Jake!  If memory serves, the fz1 has the r1 engine, just re-tuned to have a little more user friendly low and mid range power.  For the same reasons as you, I want a honda 919.  It uses what was considered to be the best cbr900 engine, just re-tuned for better low end and mid range power delivery.  They're lacking a little in the suspenders if you start to push them, but that can be overcome    And I long ago learned, never underestimate an old fart on a sporty standard 

my dirtbike news work

I have no clue what you just said 

[-Jake-]

Nice Jake!  If memory serves, the fz1 has the r1 engine, just re-tuned to have a little more user friendly low and mid range power.  For the same reasons as you, I want a honda 919.  It uses what was considered to be the best cbr900 engine, just re-tuned for better low end and mid range power delivery.  They're lacking a little in the suspenders if you start to push them, but that can be overcome    And I long ago learned, never underestimate an old fart on a sporty standard 

I have no clue what you just said 

You'd be correct, R1 engine with different cams, although they seem to have a lean off idle condition which makes them a little sluggish off the start they really like the revs.  They make jet kits to rid it of that problem, however overall I have no complaints and the 140 hp is very easy to manage compared to the R1 that was like trying to tame a bull.

[-Jake-]

theres a picture of my broken collar bone from crashing a 660 raptor at top speed notice the "hardware" in my humerus as well.  The collar bone also received a pin.  When I get old I am going to know it thats for sure 

[kneedownnate]

Strange, they usually reserve the off-idle lean spot for the california models. 

  My collarbone should be broken like that but I think it's reinforced.  I had a 40 hp outboard motor dropped right on it and didn't even chip it.  Highsided the bike in an ill-fated power slide, landed on my shoulder and dislodged some crap in my sternum but didn't break the collarbone 

[NorCalToy]

Just got back from the dunes. Holy it was awesome. Iv never had a motorcycle on the dunes before but it was super easy to learn to ride. got the new piston in the bike last week (finally) then left for a 3 day weekend in Winchester Bay, OR. tons of fun. Had no brakes all weekend (my fault-ish), the exhaust fell off once when bolts rattled loose, but otherwise everything worked prettty damn well considering it was the first real ride Iv had the bike on.

[kneedownnate]

That's great blake!  I've yet to ride the dunes but look forward to doing so one day.  What was the deal with your brakes?

I'm really close to getting the street bike back on the road.  I still have to epoxy a couple tabs back on my headlight, finish putting on the bodywork and give it a good once over, but I did finally switch out my front wheel, paint the sides, tail and front plastic and adjust my chain.  I'm bummed that with all the work I put into smoothing out my sides there were still major glitches, but since I don't have my compressor I'm not going to worry about getting it too good, plus the krylon spray paint I used sucked major balls    Don't know how they stay in business with such horrible paint.

[NorCalToy]

That's great blake!  I've yet to ride the dunes but look forward to doing so one day.  What was the deal with your brakes?

The rear brakes need adjusting badly and then the bolt that makes the foot lever a lever, rattled loose and got lost. So no rears. I think the front also need adjusting and maybe new pads but in sand fronts are near worthless anyways because it just cause the tire to dig and wash out.

I think Im goin back to the dunes in August for my 18th bday so hopefully Ill be a little better prepared or have a 450...

[kneedownnate]

Probably not a bad idea to bleed out all the old brake bluid too, but make sure you get the proper fluid for it, probably dot 4 or 5.  I usually use bel-ray, maxima, torco, something good.  They use so little that's it's easy to justify the cost.

At least you have an idea what to expect when you go back  

I've been thinking more and more about getting a dirt bike and as much as I'd like a 450, something in the 250f range makes more sense to me.  A friend's old roommate has a 2005ish yzf250 that doesn't run and hasn't for a few years.  I was thinking of seeing how much he wanted for it and thought the value might be in the $2000 range, but looking on craigslist I see other 250s for about $2200 in running condition, so I may just wait till I sell off some more stuff and buy something I won't have to fix, especially if it'll end up costing me more.

This seems to be about the best deal on craigslist right now:  http://redding.craigslist.org/mcy/1632202139.html

[KDXSR5]

Probably not a bad idea to bleed out all the old brake bluid too, but make sure you get the proper fluid for it, probably dot 4 or 5.  I usually use bel-ray, maxima, torco, something good.  They use so little that's it's easy to justify the cost.

At least you have an idea what to expect when you go back 

I've been thinking more and more about getting a dirt bike and as much as I'd like a 450, something in the 250f range makes more sense to me.  A friend's old roommate has a 2005ish yzf250 that doesn't run and hasn't for a few years.  I was thinking of seeing how much he wanted for it and thought the value might be in the $2000 range, but looking on craigslist I see other 250s for about $2200 in running condition, so I may just wait till I sell off some more stuff and buy something I won't have to fix, especially if it'll end up costing me more.

This seems to be about the best deal on craigslist right now:  http://redding.craigslist.org/mcy/1632202139.html

Four stroke dirtbikes are much MUCH more costly to rebuild engine-wise compared to two strokes. In racing, if a bike doesn't have a ton of money dumped into it, they are not worth rebuilding the engine to race condition again, hence why there are so many cheap, few year old four stroke dirtbikes for sale. Just be aware how much it will cost to fix that engine.

[KDXSR5]

Just got back from the dunes. Holy it was awesome. Iv never had a motorcycle on the dunes before but it was super easy to learn to ride. got the new piston in the bike last week (finally) then left for a 3 day weekend in Winchester Bay, OR. tons of fun. Had no brakes all weekend (my fault-ish), the exhaust fell off once when bolts rattled loose, but otherwise everything worked prettty damn well considering it was the first real ride Iv had the bike on.

Dunes are fun, but I wouldn't take a bike to the dunes to break in a piston, but that is just me. Too much high rpm, full throttle to break in a piston.

[kneedownnate]

Good point, but I'm pretty sure it's an electrical problem like no spark.  I guess it just quit running on him one day or he shut it off and it wouldn't restart, and he's just let it sit for a few years rather than looking into it.

[KDXSR5]

Good point, but I'm pretty sure it's an electrical problem like no spark.  I guess it just quit running on him one day or he shut it off and it wouldn't restart, and he's just let it sit for a few years rather than looking into it.

Oh wow, haha, I would buy that sucker up and fix it then. Even if you don't use it much, you could probably resell it for $$ once fixed.

[yjay]

How I roll.
1964 (six fo) Honda Touring Dream 305. Getting a little love as we speak for the riding season. Still has the sticker on the back fender from Sunnyslope Honda in Phoenix where it was purchased new.

[NorCalToy]

Dunes are fun, but I wouldn't take a bike to the dunes to break in a piston, but that is just me. Too much high rpm, full throttle to break in a piston.

I got the new piston broken in with a couple days of riding before the dune trip. Definitely didnt want to try breakin at the dunes.

[NorCalToy]

Probably not a bad idea to bleed out all the old brake bluid too, but make sure you get the proper fluid for it, probably dot 4 or 5.  I usually use bel-ray, maxima, torco, something good.  They use so little that's it's easy to justify the cost.

At least you have an idea what to expect when you go back 

I've been thinking more and more about getting a dirt bike and as much as I'd like a 450, something in the 250f range makes more sense to me.  A friend's old roommate has a 2005ish yzf250 that doesn't run and hasn't for a few years.  I was thinking of seeing how much he wanted for it and thought the value might be in the $2000 range, but looking on craigslist I see other 250s for about $2200 in running condition, so I may just wait till I sell off some more stuff and buy something I won't have to fix, especially if it'll end up costing me more.

This seems to be about the best deal on craigslist right now:  http://redding.craigslist.org/mcy/1632202139.html

I really wish I had $2300 right now, I know a guy selling an 03 honda 450 with some work done (exhaust, mild engine. new platics, graphics, etc) He didnt ever "race" it but I know he did ride hard on it.

[Stocker]

Hope this isn't a repost
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oBTGgT_V5F8&feature=player_embedded

[kneedownnate]

Even if it is, it's still entertaining to watch!  Guy totally panicked when he saw mr chp and grabbed the front brake, he wasn't even going that fast.  I like how the leo was already rolling toward him before the guy was even done sliding.  People talk smack about them, sometimes deservedly so, but he did his job and blocked the guy from oncoming traffic.  Check some of the other links, it seems tons of people crash there.

[kneedownnate]

Went for a ride last week another this week, so between that and riding to work I might have around 600 miles on the new tires.  I rode alone both times and kept the pace reasonable but did have fun anyway, and it seems I've worn off 99.9% of the shiny on the front tire for the first time in at least a few years. 

I took a chance on some different tires and am not hugely impressed but they are ok.  They warm up quick enough and seem to be wearing fairly well, but the rear kicks out when hitting small rocks and gravel in the corners.  Could be partially due air pressure, but I'm running nearly the same pressure as I have before.  Metzeler is coming out with a new sportec, so unless I get a smokin deal on the current sportecs, I'll be running the new ones when these wear out.

Here are a few pics I took next to the trinity river on my way back.

[kneedownnate]

Last few pics

[NorCalToy]

hows your bike for comfort and riding a bit longer distances? still do ok or whats your opinion on it?

[kneedownnate]

HORRIBLE    Pretty sure Honda engineers were phoning it in when they designed the seat.  It's hard and wide with thin padding.  My hips get a bit cramped since I'm running racing rearsets, which move the footpeg position up and back about 1.5" each.  My right wrist and hand get badly cramped and fall asleep, but that'll likely happen to me on any bike set up with clip ons instead of handlebars.

[NorCalToy]

HORRIBLE    Pretty sure Honda engineers were phoning it in when they designed the seat.  It's hard and wide with thin padding.  My hips get a bit cramped since I'm running racing rearsets, which move the footpeg position up and back about 1.5" each.  My right wrist and hand get badly cramped and fall asleep, but that'll likely happen to me on any bike set up with clip ons instead of handlebars.

So why not get something more comfortable...?

[Gixxer Jon]

Last few pics

Look at those chicken strips... JK Nate

[kneedownnate]

Does this make you feel any better?    This is back from when I actually rode harder on the street and wore out tires more regularly.

[kneedownnate]

So why not get something more comfortable...?

Good question!  I've considered getting a more comfortable bike, probably something in the sv/vfr flavor, but there's no way I could sell mine for enough money to justify it.  Seat-wise, there are or have been 2 aftermarket seats which are supposed to be very comfortable, but they're formed to position the rider toward the rear of the seat, something that obviously won't work for me.  I've considered giving one of my spare seats to my friend's dad to rework, since he's been doing upholstery for many years, but I just don't know if we could make anything useable on the stock pan.