Motorcycles?

[Ron Earp]

I like motorcycles. Some of you guys like motorcycles. I like you guys too. What about the idea of having a Motorcycle Forum down here in the Miscellaneous area? Anyone interested in that?

Ron

[Gregg]

Ron, its your forum, do as you please, but don't be surprised if someone asks for a boat forum, plane forum etc. after that. It may dilute the GT40 forum. My two cents.

[David Morton]

So long as Ducati's rule......

[Eric Johnson]

Ron,

I'll participate.I have three bikes:



Motoguzzi 1100 sport
Bmw k100 rt
kawasaki kh 500 2 stroke

Eric

[Ron Earp]

Well, sure, people can ask.....

The Miscellaneous forum I suppose could have more than just the Paddock. But maybe that is all it needs...maybe less is more here....

Always looking for ways to improve and add to what we've got.

Ron

[SpyderMike]

Triumph Bonnie - my wife's...I am somewhat ooking for a suitable addition. Love the Triumph!

[Fred/Belgium]

Endurance Pilot 24H racing during 10 years back in the seventies...so yes !
Actual bike: MV Agusta F4

Fred

[Ron Earp]

Looks like I uh, sold a motorcycle last month and hmm, just bought one. My wife doesn't know yet. Not sure how this is going to work. My old motorcycle was cool, but I realize I don't have the time to fiddle with a kick start only bike that needs attention. So, I got a fuel injected bike that starts when you push the button.

Peter Egan was 100% correct when he wrote that in order for a motorcycle to get used and for the owner to enjoy using it there must not be any impediments to doing so. When I was 20 I didn't mind if I had to remove a spark plug from a fouled cylinder, after I futzed the starting procedure, dry it off and re-install before I could motor away. Now that procedure pisses me off and sort of destroys the ease of use and all that which comes with a motorcycle.

Ron

[Big-Foot]

I'm in... I ride a Victory..

[Pete]

I run a Hayabusa.


Pete

[Eric Johnson]

Ron,

I know what you mean by futzing.Case in point -the Kawasaki h-1 that I have has a tray under the seat that holds 3 spare spark plugs.Enough said!

Eric

[John W]

Randy, a Victory eh. My mate has a yellow Victory trike

Ron, a bike area might be cool for a bit of off-topic bike banter. I guess you'll soon see how popular it is by the number of posts. SAo what have you brought ??

I have - err - one - two - three - - - 6 bikes at present (a mans gotta have toys - and an understanding wife ! )

I'm with David - Ducatis rule
So do old Triumphs, but they leak oil as well

(is that too many smilies for one posting ? )

[Ron Earp]

Well, it came down to a Ducati 900CR which I like, and a Buell XB12s which I know some of you guys won't like. The Duck is a Duck, enough said. Carbs, valve adjustments, etc., love it. The Buell had some cool features and engineering as well as being fuel injected.

The Buell won, price was fantastic, and as far as ease of use, no futzing with it at all. FI is a good thing. And, an antiquated push rod V Twin is a fairly simple device that should just plain work. Pick the Buell up tomorrow when we drop the TR8 at the new cage man in Asheville NC. TR8 is getting a hard top installed and the old cage has to be almost completely removed to accomidate it.

Ron

[ChrisL]

LOve the idea of a bike area except for one thing. I recently sold my Triumph Daytona and its hurting. This will just make it hurt even more

Originally Posted by Ron Earp

TR8 is getting a hard top installed ... Ron

Ron, don't do it! there are lots of TR7 bodies out there that you could swap into. Good TR8's are too rare. Sorry for the side track.

[Ron Earp]

Well, this old TR8 has been racing for three years now so no loss. Besides, TR8 convertibles are fairly common in the US, it is the TR8 coupes that are rare as rocking horse poop.

Ron

[Mesa]

I built a 914V8 at 19 ...... then raced motorcycles for 20 years ... now I'm back to cars, hell bent on building something without the limitations of the wallet that I experienced at 19. My poor 918 was a good looking thing, just didnt have it in the brakes and tranny department. Sure was a cool hot rod though for a kid.

I have been collecting Ducati 748 throttle bodies for my Ferrari project (hows that for a segway?!)

Racebike collection includes - 1987 #2 AMA Yamaha Superbike, Yamaha OW01 Superbike, Yamaha R1/R7 hybrid, 02 GSXR 1000, 05 GSXR 1000.

Ive always liked Buells, something an American sportrider can be proud of. Now if they could just get the four cam engine in those things we'd be progressing.

[Ron Earp]

Originally Posted by Mesa

Racebike collection includes - 1987 #2 AMA Yamaha Superbike, Yamaha OW01 Superbike, Yamaha R1/R7 hybrid, 02 GSXR 1000, 05 GSXR 1000.

Ive always liked Buells, something an American sportrider can be proud of. Now if they could just get the four cam engine in those things we'd be progressing.

You've had a heck of a collection of some serious track machines. It is simply amazing the technology in the newest off-the-shelf sportbikes, especially in the 600cc class nowI just got a Cycle World rag and a stock 2007 Honda CBR600 can knock down a 10.5s quarter and puts over 105 hp to the ground! And weighs 400lbs with great suspension and brakes. I've had older liter bikes that could barely manage 100 rwhp and had crap suspension and brakes while weighing 500lbs.

Not sure how much "American" is in the Buell other than design and motor. Saw something couple years back about where all the parts come from, and like anything else, the parts come from all over the world. You know they can't put that 4 cam motor in there - that thing is like the red-headed step child in the Harley lineup!

[Simon]

Bit of a biker here too.
Thought I'd compile I list of all the bikes I can remember I've owned to test my failing memory...

gilera 50cc moped
honda CD175
Suzuki GT250
Suzuki GT750
Honda Goldwing (early 1000cc unfaired)
Yamaha XZ550
Suzuki VS750
Suzuki VS1400
ST1100
ST1100
BMW K1200LT
ST1100
BMW K1200LT
BMW 1150RT
ST1300 (bought it as a non runner after an accident....still didn't go when I sold it)
ST1100
BMW 1100RT
BMW 1150GS
Triumph Rocket 3
Now onto an ST1300

These are spread over the course of thirty odd years. I'm sure there are some I've missed out!

Simon

[Mesa]

[quote=Ron Earp]You've had a heck of a collection of some serious track machines. ................. I've had older liter bikes that could barely manage 100 rwhp and had crap suspension and brakes while weighing 500lbs.

Not sure how much "American" is in the Buell other than design and motor. QUOTE]

Still have all the bikes listed, the OW01 took me to my best pro finish in AMA Superbike. I chased Doug Chandler the whole race that day but could never show him a wheel, two laps from the end he pulled off. I always thought it was he couldnt take the fact some privateer was hounding him. Just last year we were both instructing at a race school and I finally got to ask him what happened.

His response - "Oh that thing probably shit itself again".
He was riding the Factory Harley that year......

About current bike technology - My 05 GSXR is the sweetest, fastest, best handling, easiest to ride fast, off the shelf bike I've ever experienced. It's stunning to me that a bike can be so good for so little money. I ran mine (see avitar) with the stock engine in unlimited class for two years. Bikes have come a long, long way.

[Fran Hall RCR]

I went to look at the new 1098 Duc last night.......there were twoF4 MV 's there also.....
Then there is the Brutale......wheelies and tickets here we come...."again"

The Smart rep. was cool too though as was the all black retro sport......OH crap.

Three of the guys in the RCR shop have sport bikes...TL1000, 916 and a ZX9R...so I am feeling the pressure..
I sold my last sportbike three years ago ...but hung onto my Guzzi 1100 sport until last year.....
Looks like its that time again......