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#1 (permalink) |
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NO---I ain't dead--yet
BTK Intermediate
Join Date: May 2004
Posts: 266
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Back in 1980 –when I first started riding---the KZ1000 was the s**t-------they were massive bikes with 100 or so horses----this was about the time when the inline 4cyl bike was really catching on-----a noob had no business being on this bike. A guy at work bought one of these—brand new----he was a smaller guy----when riding that bike he looked like a fly trying to wrestle a buffalo----that’s just how big and heavy that bike was. Most people at the time were used to Harley performance----and these KZ’s were off the scale---literally. Remember the old CHiP’s shows----that’s why they ruled the road----nothing else came close to that kind of speed and acceleration.
Then in the late 80’s------early 90’s---they really started upgrading the bikes and sportbikes were really coming into their own. The 600 of today will smoke those old KZ’s----same 100 horses---but 150lbs less weight and an engine that red lines at 14,000rpm’s instead of like 8,500 or so. A 600 is faster and quicker than ANY street legal car on the road----do you really understand just how fast that is?? My first bigger bike was a 82 Yamaha 650 Maxim---bought new in 84----it had like 65 horses and weighed around 500lbs-----and this would still eat up ANY car on the road. That was considered a good in-between bike then---too much for the noob-----boring for the expert. Those considering the 1000cc bike of today----185 horses and 375lbs-----Do you even have a clue what this bike is capable of?? This bike will nail you into the pavement---when it comes on top of you---from throttle only. The 600 of today is NO noobs bike----as its more bike than those old KZ’s---and that was an expert’s bike. The 1000 bike of today is an expert’s bike---as in YEARS of experience---and even then it’s questionable if someone should get on one----a noob has no idea what one of these is like----hell if you’ve never ridden before----a 600 will make you crap you pants. If you’ve never been on a bike before---you just have no idea what these are all about----get a 250 or 500 and learn to ride first-----before you even think about mounting one of these space launch vehicles.
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2004 ZZR600---traded for an 05 Suzuki Bandit 1200 (4-11-06) |
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#2 (permalink) |
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Way Too Much Free Time
BTK Expert
Join Date: Jun 2004
Location: LA, So Cal
Posts: 1,385
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Omaha,
The reason you and I and many riders from the 80's are still here is not because of just luck. We have learned to minimize our risk and understood that a motorcycle must be respected. Todays generation is about how many horsepower, is it the biggest and baddest bike there is and have forgotten about pure riding skills regardless of ride. It seems that there are many noobs that are embarrassed to ride a 250 to start with or its not cool enough to ride a 500r. Those riders do not have the maturity to think beyond the next bike night out and what OTHERS will think. Quite frankly an older (85-89 or so) Ninja 600r or Gpz550 was a great bike to take steps on compared to going straight for infinity with a new 600 or liter bike of 2004. These are also the same people that ride in shorts and t-shirts as safety gear. It ****es me off when we scrape another kid off the pavement and it happens daily in LA with as many riders as there are. The usual result being severe injury if they are lucky and the unfortunate ones - death. When I was 18, I couldn't die either. Big S on my chest that said invinceble. Only kryptonyte could put me down. After seeing one of my good friends die, that was the wake up call and I yielded and slowed down. It's kept me alive this long. Hopefully someone reads this and is meaningful to them. Omaha - we are just trying to keep our youth alive, but if they are not listening - there is no more we can do.
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www.gpz900r.org AMA member/VJMC member 1985 ZX900A2 Ninja 900 1992 EX250F6 2002 Ducati 998 Kawasaki....Let the Good times Roll! |
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#3 (permalink) | |
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Can't find time to ride
BTK Expert
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Quote:
I realize you were talking about in general and I understand where you are coming from but just know that it doesn't apply to all ![]()
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1982 Yamaha Virago (XV750) Custom Rebuilt & Restored AMA # 220196 |
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#4 (permalink) |
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Still On The Kickstand
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That's a very good point. Some poeple have never ridden a bike. I have, but only in a parkinf lot and under like 15 mph. Even so, the power was enormas, but still respectable. It is my personal beleive that the average n00b dies like this:
STAGES: 1.N00b buys bike and fears it, keeping him in line for a while. 2.Gets over fear and now respects bike 3.Becomes confident in his ablities, sometimes to the point that he isn't very good, but thinks he is. 4.1 of 3 things happen. 1. noob realizes his skill level, and ridea accordingly. 2. noob rides past his skill level, has close call, and comes to a more reasonable riding level. 3. Rides past his skill, looses it and either dies, or becomes seriously injuried. I feel I will go throught all stages, except at stage 3, I will be the guy riding his bike responsibly. Now 20 years from now, a 600cc will prolly be twice as fast as today's 1000's, And I won't reccomend getting one, but poeple will anyway. Which is fine, they could be responsible, or they can loose it and get hurt. I think that If you really respect YOURSELF, and OTHERS ont he road, you will be ok. Please, i feel this is the truth, If you have anything to add, please do so.
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I like Deal's Gap and I cannot lie You other riders can't deny When a curve's in ya face and ya late on the breaks You get SCARED! Cause your tires are startin' to slide And you know you're gonna run it wide |
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#5 (permalink) | ||
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Way Too Much Free Time
BTK Expert
Join Date: Jun 2004
Location: LA, So Cal
Posts: 1,385
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Quote:
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www.gpz900r.org AMA member/VJMC member 1985 ZX900A2 Ninja 900 1992 EX250F6 2002 Ducati 998 Kawasaki....Let the Good times Roll! |
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#6 (permalink) | |
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Turtle Wax Taster
BTK Intermediate
Join Date: Jun 2004
Posts: 158
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Quote:
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2004 ZX-10R 1989 Yamaha FZR400 Race Bike |
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#7 (permalink) | |
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2007 RED HOT Ninja 650R!
Forum Supporter
![]() Join Date: Apr 2004
Location: Arizona
Posts: 3,122
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Quote:
All very well said....and I support you 100%. I am proud to be riding a 500 as my first bike. I cant stress enough to new riders/exsisting riders....take the MSF class, don't EVER, EVER let the bike control you, get whats comfortable to you not what looks cool!! I ride 5 miles o/w to work and still on have full gear no matter how hot it is here in Arizona, its not about how far I am going but how safe I can get there. My goal is to build up my riding skills on my 500 ride until I am ready to move up to that Ninja 636, until then I love what I have and respect it. |
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#8 (permalink) | |
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Third Gear And Gaining
BTK Intermediate
Join Date: Apr 2004
Location: Central Kentucky
Posts: 134
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Quote:
My morning ride to work is 12 miles. Somehow, it's closer to 25 miles going home. Riding makes a work day so much nicer! We'll have T-Storms this afternoon though, so it was "drive the stupid car" day... Back to the topic, do you think you will get to a point riding when you feel that the Ninja 500 isn't enough bike? I haven't ridden one, but I gather it is very fast and fun to ride.
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Enjoy, T.L. Wisner AMA SCRC COG VOL '94 Kawasaki ZG1000 Concours '05 Suzuki Boulevard C50 '02 Suzuki GZ 250 "If That Phone Was Up Your Butt, Maybe You Could Drive A Little Better..." |
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#9 (permalink) |
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Finally Got Into First Gear
BTK Beginner
Join Date: Mar 2004
Posts: 57
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Good thread.
The 500r will soon be mine as a starter bike, after I take the MSF course and get the parents approval. Following that, I suspect I will grab me a CBR600. Relax guys, I didn't say the H word. |
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#10 (permalink) | ||
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2007 RED HOT Ninja 650R!
Forum Supporter
![]() Join Date: Apr 2004
Location: Arizona
Posts: 3,122
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Quote:
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#11 (permalink) |
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NO---I ain't dead--yet
BTK Intermediate
Join Date: May 2004
Posts: 266
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In the bike world---your 500 might not be the biggest and baddest------but in the big picture----I suspect a new Ninja 500 is faster than my old Yamaha 650-----which is to say----faster than any car on the road.
Something to ponder.
__________________
2004 ZZR600---traded for an 05 Suzuki Bandit 1200 (4-11-06) |
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#12 (permalink) |
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Foil Inspector
BTK Beginner
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I think the big downside to the EX500 (I have a '98...) is the lack of a full fairing. It's certainly not acceleration. It may not lift the front wheel on demand, but up through 3rd gear, it DOES accelerate faster than any supercar. The fairing thing is just a matter of preference, and around town, it makes no difference.
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#13 (permalink) | |
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The Absentee
Forum Supporter
![]() Join Date: Nov 2003
Location: Texas
Posts: 7,098
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Quote:
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#14 (permalink) |
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Newbie
Join Date: Jun 2004
Posts: 19
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I totally agree with you, OmahaRider. many people dont understand that.
and its not just a question on displacement. cause i know many people who have never had a bike, who dig for 600 R´ss, i guess what they want is a fast bike, so they choose a racing bike. What they dont notice is that a regular 600 (bandit, hornet, fzs fazer or even a ninja 500 R) is fast as hell. |
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#15 (permalink) |
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Can't find time to ride
BTK Expert
Join Date: Sep 2003
Posts: 689
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i think this post is totally wrong. i think its been established that a 600cc bike is just a smidgen too much for the average person. but for a smart, bigger person who has common sense, a 600cc bike is perfect. it all depends on the rider.
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#16 (permalink) | |
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The Absentee
Forum Supporter
![]() Join Date: Nov 2003
Location: Texas
Posts: 7,098
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Quote:
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#20 (permalink) | |
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Can't find time to ride
BTK Expert
Join Date: Sep 2003
Posts: 689
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Quote:
Sincerely, your lord and master, Brodie A.K.A. STFU |
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