Heya Guys...hope yer all doin just great...gettin some good early year rides in.
Listen..I've got a question or two here.I was admiring Dogo's bike...with the Ohlins and extra suspension goodies on there.I'm gonna just say it here..in all truth now...I honestly have no REAL idea what a sportbike is supposed to actually feel like,and perform like.The only bikes I've had were a Heritage Softail Harley....sweet bike.Big,but strong also.Not too "agile",but pretty darn solid.I also had an ElectraGlide...nice..but way too big and cumbersome for me.My first actual "sport" bike was a zzr 1200.A tourer yeah,but plenty fast.Kinda lumbering as well.The next one I had was a zx12R.Now that bike was a full on sportbike I'm assuming here.I've never ridden anything like a GXSR,no 1000's.
My 12 was faster than you know what.Plenty strong.Lots of torque,but truthfully,I never really knew what it was capable of doing...cause I've got no real "training" riding a sportbike.I may have been "lucky" on numerous occasions with that bike.It could be a handful sometimes,when ya least expected it.You know....hittin curves like....WAY TOO FAST(or was it?)...but she held.Now I've got my 14.I really love this bike.But again...I've honestly got no real idea of HOW this bike should be ridden.I know...everyone rides different.I think I'm riding it as it's supposed to be ridden,but it has so much "potential" in so many areas,it's really difficult to kinda KNOW what she's built to do.Ya...I've hauled azz...plenty.Took er to the top.Geared her different.Experimented with cruising.Blasting.Sweepers.But no real tight stuff.Since I've had this bike,I've gained a lot of "feel" for "certain" kinds of riding.I run pretty quick in big corners.Probably too much.I guess what I'm kinda thinking about is...does anyone KNOW what this bike should be ridden like to get the max enjoyment from it?I know that's a iffy question...so many different ways to ride.Dogo's bike there looks like it'll corner big time.But how do you KNOW when your at the edge?I think I've been there a few times with my 14 so far.But really,steering,leaning,radius,apex,all that stuff..it can be negotiated in so many different ways.I for some reason keep thinking in the back of my mind.."She'll roll MUCH more than I'm lettin her".But you know...speed limits,Police,Hazards...it all can make a ride go really wrong really fast.So I don't know.She hauls azz,seems to corner good,deep and fast,and transitions I think pretty good for a big bike.Maybe I should just go to the dealer and see if he'll let me ride a 1000 or something...you know...something to compare with.Cause I've really got NO idea what my bike can do.I just know I have a lot of great memories from owning this bad bird!It always seems to get "better" everytime I go out,in some way.Either taking a corner smoother than the last time.Or quicker,or deeper.I'd love to just open er up in the curves and just roll.I think I do...mostly.But there's always that thought..."what's coming around that curve...best watch yer azz"...I've done plenty of triple digit curves..way fast I would say...but I still can't seem to find a "sweet spot" that will work for a bunch of different conditions.Maybe I'm goin krazy...IDK.My riding seems pretty similar to most of you guys.Wish I had a few guys up here with 14's,that REALLY knew how to put em through their paces...then I could see just how close or far away I am from actually being a proficient sportbike rider.NOBODY takes their sportbikes out on the road around here.I'm about the ONLY one that's ever "out there" rollin through the canyons and stuff.Actually,I think I take a lot of foolish chances when I "think" "she'll do some more"...Whattayou guys think?
ALL my previous bikes were bought without ever RIDING them.I guess I taught myself how to ride really when I got my 12.THAT was a really great experience for me.I just knew the 14 would be even better...and she is.But actually,I'm STILL learning how to RIDE this bike.Everytime out...something new comes along.It's really very cool.
* Last updated by: blue07 on 4/8/2011 @ 12:14 AM *