Motorcycles.

[Cookie Monster]

FZ09 is a lot uglier than the STR. I'd go for the XSR900, but that costs about the same as an STR and still doesn't have as good suspension or brakes.

Looks are subjective so I get that. Revzilla said the XSR has upgraded and more adjustable suspension than the FZ but I don't know how good it is compared to the STR. They didn't complain about it though.

The XSR looks too funky for me. The only thing I'd want is the black exhaust.

FWIW MSRP on thr XSR is still $1k less than the STR. For the $1k over the FZ you do get a lot of good stuff like ABS and 3 way traction control.

[MX793]

2x former Superbike champ hauling ass on an 80 year old BMW at Goodwood.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gMdRyU7c9tU

Takes some real stones to push a machine that old, with drums front and rear, that hard.

[Cookie Monster]

So I rode a two stroke for the first time ever yesterday. It was like the craziest turbo lag ever. Every time it'd get on the pipe the bike would take off like crazy, but if the revs dropped even a little bit, it'd fall flat on its ass. I took off in first gear, just puttering along. Gave it a bit of gas and after a little pause the bike got on the pipe and the front wheel popped up.

The scariest part is this was all on a KX85. That bike takes off like crazy. Much faster than my WR.

[CaminoRacer]

I had to go to the shop to pick up a can of chain lube and they had a 250 KTM 2-stroke sitting right next to the door. I was tempted to sit on it but I knew I'd want it even more so I tried my best to avert my eyes.

[shp4man]

Two stroke=Power stroke with every revolution of the crank.

[Cookie Monster]

My friend just told me that the 250's aren't nearly as bad as the smaller bikes since they have a little bit of torque down low, so the difference between lower revs and higher revs isn't as extreme.

[MX793]

So I rode a two stroke for the first time ever yesterday. It was like the craziest turbo lag ever. Every time it'd get on the pipe the bike would take off like crazy, but if the revs dropped even a little bit, it'd fall flat on its ass. I took off in first gear, just puttering along. Gave it a bit of gas and after a little pause the bike got on the pipe and the front wheel popped up.

The scariest part is this was all on a KX85. That bike takes off like crazy. Much faster than my WR.

The little 2-strokes (~80cc range) have a pretty violent contrast between on and off the pipe.  All hi-po 2-strokes do it, to some degree, but the 80s have probably the most pronounced step in power output.  As you go bigger, the jump in power between on and off the pipe gets a bit mellower.  My last 250 wasn't much worse than some high output 4-strokes I've encountered.  Sort of like a VTEC Honda.  500s don't really have it at all, that I can remember, but nobody's made one of those in like 20 years (and, to date, a CR500 was probably the most intimidating thing I've ever ridden).

The other spooky thing about 80s is that they have a really short wheelbase and are really light.  Makes them really twitchy for an adult-sized person because it's harder to get your weight up over the bars.  I only spent maybe 2 years on an 80 (one of those was on an 80cc enduro with a really mellow power band).  I jumped up to a 125 as soon as I was tall enough to touch the ground on a full-size bike.  I might have been 13.  Jumped up to a 250 when I was 15 and that's what I rode up until I gave it up my Sr year of college.  I tried riding my little brother's 80 after moving up to a full-size bike and couldn't stand how unstable and twitchy it felt on large rollers.

[Cookie Monster]

The little 2-strokes (~80cc range) have a pretty violent contrast between on and off the pipe.  All hi-po 2-strokes do it, to some degree, but the 80s have probably the most pronounced step in power output.  As you go bigger, the jump in power between on and off the pipe gets a bit mellower.  My last 250 wasn't much worse than some high output 4-strokes I've encountered.  Sort of like a VTEC Honda.  500s don't really have it at all, that I can remember, but nobody's made one of those in like 20 years (and, to date, a CR500 was probably the most intimidating thing I've ever ridden).

The other spooky thing about 80s is that they have a really short wheelbase and are really light.  Makes them really twitchy for an adult-sized person because it's harder to get your weight up over the bars.  I only spent maybe 2 years on an 80 (one of those was on an 80cc enduro with a really mellow power band).  I jumped up to a 125 as soon as I was tall enough to touch the ground on a full-size bike.  I might have been 13.  Jumped up to a 250 when I was 15 and that's what I rode up until I gave it up my Sr year of college.  I tried riding my little brother's 80 after moving up to a full-size bike and couldn't stand how unstable and twitchy it felt on large rollers.

Hmm, I didn't notice any real twitchiness, but the KX I was riding was on 12" wheels with sumo slicks on it and I was on a kart track.

[MX793]

Hmm, I didn't notice any real twitchiness, but the KX I was riding was on 12" wheels with sumo slicks on it and I was on a kart track.

Less of an issue on pavement.  On a motocross track, with lots of holes and bumps and rollers, it's a different experience.

[giant_mtb]

Modern, bigger 2 strokes are apparently pretty smooth and surprisingly torquey.  Like the KTMs.  The 250s and 300s will tractor up stuff at low RPMs where you'd need to be clutching or have a Rekluse on a 4 stroke. That whole engine momentum power stroke every time thing.  Of course they still have a little boost on the pipe, but they're apparently really smooth otherwise.  Lots of the top hard enduro riders are all on 2 smokes now.

[CaminoRacer]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LduLoENTM84

[Gotta-Qik-C7]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LduLoENTM84

[SVT_Power]

I think we're at the always below 20C/70F point in the year now, textile jacket going into the closet until the spring. Hoping to keep riding until at least mid-October but the mornings are getting pretty chilly

[12,000 RPM]

My only challenge to year round riding is the damn darkness... transtions visor in my new helmet will fix that. 80MPH at anything less than 50 degrees definitely sucks though

[Speed_Racer]

I can probably ride through Oct, it's a bit cold in the AM and when the sun goes down. But October by day is crisp autumn weather, my favorite.

Rolled over to 30k miles today, and snapped a pic of my neighbor's SV.

[SVT_Power]

Right around that 70-80F is my personal favorite temp for riding. Cool enough to not sweat, warm enough not to have to bundle up.

[Eye of the Tiger]

I will be in the market for a motorcycle this fall, when the prices drop. I'll need something to turn a 20 minute highway commmute into a 12 minute highway commute. That extra 8 minutes of sleep would be so nice.

[CaminoRacer]

I can't get over how short and compact Buell XB12r's are. They've gotta be a riot to ride.

[Eye of the Tiger]

I can't get over how short and compact Buell XB12r's are. They've gotta be a riot to ride.

All dat tork. You gonna scrape ur backside up.

[SVT_Power]

I could use more torks

But then again, I find it fun winding my motor to 14k. Only problem is the whole hitting 60mph in first gear thing 

[Eye of the Tiger]

Tentative sub-$2000 motorbicle shopping list ...

Honda Magna 750 (1993+)
Buell Blast (lolwtf?)
Kawasaki EX/Ninja 500 (been there, done that, loved it)

[12,000 RPM]

I think you can get high mileage 650s for that much. I would probably sell mine for $2K

[Eye of the Tiger]

I'd look at a 650, but I actually like the 500. It has ... H&H.

[SVT_Power]

I think FZ6's can be had for less than $2k thanks to the lack of demand for them 

[CaminoRacer]

Nah anything built since 2000 with enough power to get out its own way will be closer to $3000. Only shot would be Fall fire sale from someone who doesn't wanna store it

[Eye of the Tiger]

Nah anything built since 2000 with enough power to get out its own way will be closer to $3000. Only shot would be Fall fire sale from someone who doesn't wanna store it

Is a sub 11 second 1/4  mile fast enough to get out of its own way?
http://columbia.craigslist.org/mcy/5809698310.html
http://charlotte.craigslist.org/mcy/5805525557.html

[CaminoRacer]

Wtf dibs

[MX793]

That R1 looks beat to shit.  Did the owner vinyl wrap the whole thing?  Even the rear seat looks like it was either wrapped or painted white.  Lack of title is a big red flag as well.

The old Gixxer looks like it's at least in decent shape.

You can probably find an old, air-cooled 600 or 1200 Bandit for that money.

[MrH]

No title for one of them.  Monster stick on the other.

Crack pipe for both!

[giant_mtb]

Supermoto a 2smoke and u can just do a top end and then wheelies for yards and yards.