View Full Version : Slow sports bikes
I want a sportsbike but I'm not a terribly fast road rider (out of caution more than anything), am I liable to wind you up ?
(I am very courteous and always get out of the way of faster peeps.)
Ooh shiny new poll. Get one if you want, Why would a slow rider on a SS be any worse than a slow rider on a hack? It's your money and you have the same right to be on the road on anything as anyone else. Just don't turn into a hooligan, ok ;)
I voted for the 3rd option.
Flamin_Squirrel
03-10-06, 02:44 PM
Sports bikes. Lots of power on tap, great brakes, razor sharp handling etc.
You don't have to be a fast rider to appreciate those things, so get one if you want one 8)
northwind
03-10-06, 02:47 PM
It's an expensive way to buy a slow bike, but that's your business. As long as you're happy with the ergonomics, there's a lot more to a sports bike than going fast- you can bimble brilliantly on the current R1- it's comfy enough and if you slow the right hand down it's a pretty relaxed ride. I wouldn't get a 675, new R6 or RR for that, mind.
Personally, I prefer to at least be able to kid myself that I can find the bike's limits :) But that's just personal taste.
Sports bikes. Lots of power on tap, great brakes, razor sharp handling etc.
You don't have to be a fast rider to appreciate those things, so get one if you want one 8)
I couldn't have said it better!
I completely agree with Flamin_Squirrel, if you have the money and desire to get a sportsbike, get one! I will as soon as I can afford it!
I do enjoy the SV for what it is but there is a constant draw to a sharp, sexy-looking SS600. I doubt very much whether I'd ever use to it to its full potential (more likely less than 50% :oops: ) but it would be nice to have a beautiful, razor-sharp, super-fast bike before I lose the ability / desire / confidence to have one.
Roll on 25 and 3 years no claims, then I might just be able to afford one!
instigator
03-10-06, 04:01 PM
I'd love an R1. Not for the 180mph top end. Just the roll on power. Something you dont have much of on a 600, well, not as much. :wink:
Sure couldn't ride one to the limits though and would have no intention of doing so.
kwak zzr
03-10-06, 04:21 PM
i sold my sport 600 and got the sv :wink: never looked back.
Luckypants
03-10-06, 04:24 PM
I'd love an R1. Not for the 180mph top end. Just the roll on power. Something you dont have much of on a 600, well, not as much. :wink:
Sure couldn't ride one to the limits though and would have no intention of doing so.Roll on power.......... SV1000! Stay faithful :wink:
Dangle_kt
03-10-06, 04:42 PM
i hate to buck the trend, but I'm the 1 who said keep ya SV!
Whilst I agree you can ride what you want, you will improve better by staying on a relitivly average bike, rather than jumping on a fire breathing sports 1000. You say you are a bit nervous for want of a better expression. 150bhp aint gonna help that is it! you will just be going faster, giving yoruself less time to think and learn, and getting into trouble a hell of a lot faster.
Better to keep ya sv in my opinion, and save ya money to buy the following:
some super sticky tyres for ya SV
Advanced rider training
Track day or two next summer
Superbike school on one of there bikes (supersport) at the end of summer.
That way you will improve rather than transpose the problem onto a faster bike.
At the end of the day its your cash, however if by supersport you meant an aprillia rs250, or an rvf400 then thats a different story!
CBR600F............fast enough, comfy enough, handles well enough, totally reliable and hassle-free and you'll have no trouble selling in on afterwards :thumbsup:
If you don't really want a SS but fancy the roll-power/grunt then I'd recommend a CBF1000S; loads of torque, handles really well....... and is as ugly as an SV, so you'll love it :wink:
I doubt very much whether I'd ever use to it to its full potential (more likely less than 50% :oops: )
Hmm, that's what I thought but fact is stranger than fiction :wink:
Hmmm interesting.......
Some super sticky tyres for ya SV
Just put some Avon Vipers on, not sure how they rate in the sticky stakes but a big improvement nevertheless.
Advanced rider training
Done a little bit, some more planned
Track day or two next summer
Definitely
Superbike school on one of there bikes (supersport) at the end of summer.
Did the RH Race Academy this summer, planning on doing California Superbike School early next Summer, although that's 'kin expensive at £349 for the course + £199 for the bike hire.
:D
CBR600F............fast enough, comfy enough, handles well enough, totally reliable and hassle-free and you'll have no trouble selling in on afterwards :thumbsup:
That's what I got after my SV. Agree with all of the above (although haven't tested the selling on bit yet).
CBR600F............fast enough, comfy enough, handles well enough, totally reliable and hassle-free and you'll have no trouble selling in on afterwards :thumbsup:
That's what I got after my SV. Agree with all of the above (although haven't tested the selling on bit yet).
My friend Jimbo has one, great bike, does everything really well and is a smart looking bike.
However its not super sexy, like, erm, lets see....... an '06 Fireblade in black. :wink:
andyaikido
03-10-06, 06:23 PM
If you want one, get one. Even if you can't push the bike to it's limit (and fewer and fewer people can as the bikes are so good) you'll still enjoy riding it and it's nice knowing the bike can do 175mph and bank over 50 degress even if you've got no intention of doing so... yet. :wink:
That said, I do think my riding is better having worked my way up the capacities.
kwak zzr
03-10-06, 06:24 PM
this was reverse to what i did cbr600f to sv :D
the question is does anyone who own's a 170mph bike ever use its power and top speed? ive only every done 140 and to be quite honest that was more than quick enuf, i think most people that own powerfull sports bikes do it because they can :wink:
Jelster
03-10-06, 06:34 PM
Hey, I'm as slow as anything on my 'Blade (especially as I haven't ridden in weeks - again) but I love sports bikes. I keep thinking of getting a decent naked, but even though they look "nice", I just prefer the full on sportsbike appeal.
I think I've been faster on my Gixer 600 than I ever have on the 'Blade, but it's the accelleration I love, 117 is 2nd is such a great buzz :lol:
Just find one you can feel comfortable on.
.
My main reason for wanting one is handling.
I rode the 600RR at the Ron Haslam race school and absolutely loved the handling, really confidence inspiring, a real joy to ride.
The other is style, I think the 998cc 'Blade is a really gorgeous looking bike especially in all black.
kwak zzr
03-10-06, 06:59 PM
if i ever go back to a il4 it would have to be the gixer thou or a blade, as far as v twins go i do love the tuono and the ducati 999 is growing on me. i'd buy these bikes for looks mainly because i wouldnt use the power much :wink:
valleyboy
03-10-06, 07:10 PM
this was reverse to what i did cbr600f to sv :D
the question is does anyone who own's a 170mph bike ever use its power and top speed? ive only every done 140 and to be quite honest that was more than quick enuf, i think most people that own powerfull sports bikes do it because they can :wink:
lalalala.. not answering that one incase of incrimination :twisted:
but I can say for a fact that the ZX-6R B1H with aftermarket can does at least get to an indicated 171mph down a hill.. and about 167 indicated on the flat... all from a book I read officer :wink:
mind you, having that power on tap has its uses... especialy when car drivers have decided they want to be where you are without looking.... heavy braking is not an option... dont fancy doing a stoppy ta!
I did it "wrong" way around also.Started with zxr750>firestorm>TL1000R>gsxr then my bikes get slower!Aprillia rs250>ccm supermoto>sv's now an xjr 1300sp :oops: The moral is get what you want and treat it with a bit of respect :wink: There is nowt worse than seeing someone on the same bike you wish YOU had bought :lol:
Flamin_Squirrel
03-10-06, 07:35 PM
i'd buy these bikes for looks mainly because i wouldnt use the bike much :wink:
Fixed!
[quote=Jabba]CBR600F............fast enough, comfy enough, handles well enough, totally reliable and hassle-free and you'll have no trouble selling in on afterwards :thumbsup:
That's what I got after my SV. Agree with all of the above (although haven't tested the selling on bit yet).
My friend Jimbo has one, great bike, does everything really well and is a smart looking bike
are u talkin about me?? 8)
just swopped my sv for a cbr6fy ,big change ,but i think its the right bike ,the quotes above are spot on ,and anyway i love it ,i may not find its limits but its nice to know that the bikes far btr than me .so many things are a step up the ladder ,so in short ,get one if u want one :wink:
seedy100
05-10-06, 07:57 PM
Go for it!
If you want to do it
and
You can afford to do it
and
You dont do it
You can add it to the list of things that you will regret for the rest of your life.
(On that note I guess i will be buying one as soon as i feel confident enough)!
May be one more year on the SV for me.
kwak zzr
05-10-06, 08:06 PM
i'd buy these bikes for looks mainly because i wouldnt use the bike much :wink:
Fixed!
3-4k per year and thats my lot :D
I'd say providing your cautious and not simply scared of the quick bike go for it.
ArtyLady
05-10-06, 08:39 PM
Whaddya mean - keep yer SV til you can ride properly ? :evil: why does everybody treat the SV like a beginners/girls bike? I had an IL4 before and tbh it was easier/smoother to ride than the SV, (I just nearly dropped it everytime I stopped cos of that stoopid great lump in it :? :lol: ) I dont think the SV is a beginners bike -anymore than my Guzzi was a beginners bike - if you can ride that you can ride anything!! :wink: :lol:
Sid Squid
05-10-06, 08:42 PM
I've got sports 600 and I'm slow, I don't give a stuff what anyone else thinks.
That said, I genuinely feel that there's a link between how much of a bikes potential that you actually use, and how much enjoyment you get from it. Which is why so many big bike owners are such miserable sods.
kwak zzr
05-10-06, 09:50 PM
Whaddya mean - keep yer SV til you can ride properly ? :evil: why does everybody treat the SV like a beginners/girls bike? I had an IL4 before and tbh it was easier/smoother to ride than the SV, (I just nearly dropped it everytime I stopped cos of that stoopid great lump in it :? :lol: ) I dont think the SV is a beginners bike -anymore than my Guzzi was a beginners bike - if you can ride that you can ride anything!! :wink: :lol:
well said that woman! :winner: =D> =D> =D> =D> =D> =D> =D>
everyone who see's me on my sv thinks i'm a beginner or cant afford anything else! how wrong could they be :D
again well said! :winner: =D> =D> =D> =D> =D> =D> =D>
stuartyboy
05-10-06, 10:13 PM
Whaddya mean - keep yer SV til you can ride properly ? :evil: why does everybody treat the SV like a beginners/girls bike? I had an IL4 before and tbh it was easier/smoother to ride than the SV, (I just nearly dropped it everytime I stopped cos of that stoopid great lump in it :? :lol: ) I dont think the SV is a beginners bike -anymore than my Guzzi was a beginners bike - if you can ride that you can ride anything!! :wink: :lol:
I wondered about that part as well! Till I learn to ride properly?
I had the luxury of a k6 gsxr600 for an afternoon and thought it was much easier to ride than the sv.
Until such times as I can afford a new gixxer i have just purloined a sexy 2nd hand cbr600f
ArtyLady
05-10-06, 10:27 PM
Whaddya mean - keep yer SV til you can ride properly ? :evil: why does everybody treat the SV like a beginners/girls bike? I had an IL4 before and tbh it was easier/smoother to ride than the SV, (I just nearly dropped it everytime I stopped cos of that stoopid great lump in it :? :lol: ) I dont think the SV is a beginners bike -anymore than my Guzzi was a beginners bike - if you can ride that you can ride anything!! :wink: :lol:
well said that woman! :winner: =D> =D> =D> =D> =D> =D> =D>
everyone who see's me on my sv thinks i'm a beginner or cant afford anything else! how wrong could they be :D
again well said! :winner: =D> =D> =D> =D> =D> =D> =D>
Why thank you kind sir :oops: - it does get on my tits though - I chose this bike because I happen to like it not because its easier to ride (ok maybe cos its lighter :roll: ) but because imo its a HORNY little beast :wink: :lol:
I genuinely feel that there's a link between how much of a bikes potential that you actually use, and how much enjoyment you get from it. Which is why so many big bike owners are such miserable sods.
Ahh, but this is one of those half full/half empty situations.
I can honestly say that I probably use about 25% of the 'Blade's capabilities - though I might have been pushing 35% when I went round the Nurburgring...
... but for me that means I've 65% of the fun still to come as the bike teaches and I learn.
Flamin_Squirrel
06-10-06, 06:52 AM
Whaddya mean - keep yer SV til you can ride properly ? :evil: why does everybody treat the SV like a beginners/girls bike? I had an IL4 before and tbh it was easier/smoother to ride than the SV...
But was it's a sports 600?
Sports 600s arent beginners bikes because not because they're particularly hard to ride (indeed, good suspension and brakes will lead you into thinking you're going slower than you are or that it's safe to go faster than you should), infact they're pussycats when bimbling.
The difficulty is being on a machine that can reach 100mph+ in the blink of an eye. If you don't have the experience you're more likely find yourself going too fast and getting yourself hurt.
Peter Henry
06-10-06, 09:14 AM
Ah you got to love the sportsbikes. Ok lots of plastic but such form and beauty and so often just so well sorted right out of the crate.
If you are a little nervous Tricky, adopt my tried and tested method which has and continues to serve me well......
On the straight bits wind that throttle round to the stop.
When approaching a bend , down the box squeeze the brakes to a complete stop.
Dismount bike and push bike through bend a la 1960's bike race start.
Once you feel you have cleared the apex, jump back on, start her up and off yer go. :wink: HTH.
Whaddya mean - keep yer SV til you can ride properly ? :evil: why does everybody treat the SV like a beginners/girls bike? I had an IL4 before and tbh it was easier/smoother to ride than the SV, (I just nearly dropped it everytime I stopped cos of that stoopid great lump in it :? :lol: ) I dont think the SV is a beginners bike -anymore than my Guzzi was a beginners bike - if you can ride that you can ride anything!! :wink: :lol:
well said that woman! :winner: =D> =D> =D> =D> =D> =D> =D>
everyone who see's me on my sv thinks i'm a beginner or cant afford anything else! how wrong could they be :D
again well said! :winner: =D> =D> =D> =D> =D> =D> =D>
Why thank you kind sir :oops: - it does get on my t*ts though - I chose this bike because I happen to like it not because its easier to ride (ok maybe cos its lighter :roll: ) but because imo its a HORNY little beast :wink: :lol:
need2ride, You misunderstand me, I don't consider the SV to be a beginners bike or a girls bike. I love my SV and will hopefully keep it if and when said sportsbike is purchased.
The point I was trying to make was that although the SV shouldn't be labelled a beginner bike, it is a damn good tool to learn your craft on.
My thinking is, that perhaps after another year riding my SV I will be a safer/faster
rider than if that year was spent on a Supersport.
That way when I do go to a sportsbike I will have the confidence and skills to really enjoy it and get the most out of it.
Damn, that took a long time to write :wink: :D
On the straight bits wind that throttle round to the stop.
When approaching a bend , down the box squeeze the brakes to a complete stop.
Dismount bike and push bike through bend a la 1960's bike race start.
Once you feel you have cleared the apex, jump back on, start her up and off yer go. :wink: HTH.
I have now progressed to remaining on the bike and paddling up to the apex with my feet :wink: :P
21QUEST
06-10-06, 09:55 AM
But was it's a sports 600?
Sports 600s arent beginners bikes because not because they're particularly hard to ride (indeed, good suspension and brakes will lead you into thinking you're going slower than you are or that it's safe to go faster than you should), infact they're pussycats when bimbling.
The difficulty is being on a machine that can reach 100mph+ in the blink of an eye. If you don't have the experience you're more likely find yourself going too fast and getting yourself hurt.
Nicely put.
Tricky get one if really you fancy one or the Sv is not doing it for you anymore :? :lol: .
My main reason for wanting one is handling.
I rode the 600RR at the Ron Haslam race school and absolutely loved the handling, really confidence inspiring, a real joy to ride.
That's good enough reason if you ask me. You have a 'further training' mindset anyways so from where I'm standing you'll be doing your best in making sure can get as much as feel you need to.
About the SV being a beginners/girly etc :lol: bike, I say so myself. I find it funny people get all sooo.........vexed by that. I only bought the SV because I wanted another V-twin(after the Honda Bros) and that was really the only option and price was right. It was always just a cheap tart :lol: to me.
Enjoyed enough that I sold my ZX7R as I was riding it much. SV was like opening up the shed and getting on a pedal bike. No hassle , no fuss sort of thing. I've since been through three of the bleeding things. Also got an SV1000(but that's another story) and the real reason I got it was becasue of intention do do some long distance. of course the 650 would tour but bigger engined bikes can be just that little bit more relaxing IMO.
It's a girly, good starter etc bike like but I love :wink:
Cheers
Ben
ArtyLady
06-10-06, 10:25 AM
ok then - if the SV is such a good beginners/girls bike then why dont they use it at training schools then :? :) ner ner na ner ner :wink: :lol:
lukemillar
06-10-06, 10:28 AM
The difficulty is being on a machine that can reach 100mph+ in the blink of an eye. If you don't have the experience you're more likely find yourself going too fast and getting yourself hurt.
I don't buy this. If you can't control a bike to maintain a given speed, then I don't think you really should be riding at all.
I think a motorcyle becomes overwhelming only when you start to ride it beyond you own skill and capabilities. Anyone remember getting onto CB500 for the first time on their DAS after the 125's? - I don't think anyone would here would find a CB500 overwheming now because their skill and experience has improved since that first day.I think it's the attitude towards riding that affects the way you ride, not the bike you are sitting on. After all, you can just as easily hurt yourself on a RS125 as you can on an R1.
So the bottom line is, if you can afford it then buy it, and ride it however you feel comfortable ,but don't subscribe to ideas like SV's are girls bikes, and SS600 are for fast riders only.
Filipe M.
06-10-06, 10:28 AM
ok then - if the SV is such a good beginners/girls bike then why dont they use it at training schools then :? :) ner ner na ner ner :wink: :lol:
'cos they want you to train on something that actually can go fast! :lol: :lol: :lol:
disclaimer: ONLY KIDDING!!!!!!!!!
21QUEST
06-10-06, 10:44 AM
ok then - if the SV is such a good beginners/girls bike then why dont they use it at training schools then :? :) ner ner na ner ner :wink: :lol:
They don't because the SV is just that little bit more fragile :) :wink: (...don't think the hole is big enough yet 8-[ )
Cheers
Ben
Flamin_Squirrel
06-10-06, 10:44 AM
The difficulty is being on a machine that can reach 100mph+ in the blink of an eye. If you don't have the experience you're more likely find yourself going too fast and getting yourself hurt.
I don't buy this. If you can't control a bike to maintain a given speed, then I don't think you really should be riding at all.
Anyone who can ride a 125 knows how to control a bikes speed, that wasn't my point.
It's nothing to do with control, it's about judgement. On a SS600 it's all too easy for someone without the necessary experience finding themselves heading towards a hazard faster than their ability will allow them to deal with.
lukemillar
06-10-06, 10:58 AM
The difficulty is being on a machine that can reach 100mph+ in the blink of an eye. If you don't have the experience you're more likely find yourself going too fast and getting yourself hurt.
I don't buy this. If you can't control a bike to maintain a given speed, then I don't think you really should be riding at all.
Anyone who can ride a 125 knows how to control a bikes speed, that wasn't my point.
It wasn't mine either. My point was illustratiing the difference from stepping off a 125cc and onto a 500cc for the first time.
It's nothing to do with control, it's about judgement. On a SS600 it's all too easy for someone without the necessary experience finding themselves heading towards a hazard faster than their ability will allow them to deal with.
If you are "heading towards a hazard faster than their ability will allow them to deal with" then would you not say that, that control over their right wrist was questionable?
Flamin_Squirrel
06-10-06, 11:21 AM
It's nothing to do with control, it's about judgement. On a SS600 it's all too easy for someone without the necessary experience finding themselves heading towards a hazard faster than their ability will allow them to deal with.
If you are "heading towards a hazard faster than their ability will allow them to deal with" then would you not say that, that control over their right wrist was questionable?
No. You make a judgement on what speed is appropriate. An inexperienced rider on a SS600 will be tricked into thinking they're going slower than they actually are by plush suspension and the effortlessness of speed.
If you are "heading towards a hazard faster than their ability will allow them to deal with" then would you not say that, that control over their right wrist was questionable?
Possibly, possibly not. I mean, how many people have come close to dropping thier SV (or actually have for that matter) because of an unexpected jerk of engine braking? Throttle control works both ways. :?
To be honest I only have one take on this, read it and weep or take it with a pinch of salt - your choice. :wink:
Whether it be a 125, a SS600, an SV or a full-on litre powerhouse...
... they're all just a machine. Very pretty metal, plastic and rubber. They just sit there, all being equal - until you add the rider.
It doesn't matter about the bike's capabilities or 'perceived genre', what matters are the rider's capabilities and actual mindset. Within this strange and wonderful man/machine hybrid we create each time we ride a bike it is the rider that should be dominant.
It doesn't matter what fraction of your bike's 'statistical power' you use, as long as you are using 100% of yourself. If you are, how can you do anything but enjoy yourself. :smt102
lukemillar
06-10-06, 01:23 PM
It doesn't matter about the bike's capabilities or 'perceived genre', what matters are the rider's capabilities and actual mindset.
My sentiments exactly!
fizzwheel
06-10-06, 01:37 PM
If you want one buy one. If you dont like it sell it. You wont know till you try...
Who gives a monkies what anybody else thinks
8)
As far as the getting to 100+ in teh blink of an eye goes... I've never been in a bike where it takes that long. Even my GPZ wasn't 'slow'. OK the SV is quicker, but when you are talking about lisence loosing territory 1/2 way down a motorway slip road what is the diff between an my SV and a SS600? Surely below 120mph (ish) the difference in a straight line isn't going to be that huge...
(Waiting to be flamed by people with knowledge :) )
kwak zzr
06-10-06, 01:59 PM
people try reading this months ride magazine, rocket ron haslam on a cbr125 and a bike road tester on a cbr600rr :wink: its not what you ride its how you ride it.
Jelster
06-10-06, 02:11 PM
people try reading this months ride magazine, rocket ron haslam on a cbr125 and a bike road tester on a cbr600rr :wink: its not what you ride its how you ride it.
People should be able to ride what bike they want, whether it be fast or slow, and ride it how they want. Just because somebody can rider a slower bike quicker than my 'Blade doesn't mean I should be riding a RS125 does it ??
Fact is, I rode my Gixer 6 harder & faster because that's the "attutude" that I adopted on the bike. I just enjoy the torque, comfort and acceleration of the 'Blade more, but I don't actually ride it as fast as the Suzuki.
Horses for courses, but after a couple of trackdays any novice will be much quicker (and confident) on any bike they bought.
I reckon you just found all that fairing and decent suspension difficult to keep clean, that's why you gave it up :lol:
.
Halonic
06-10-06, 02:13 PM
get one
the extra power combined with sports suspension makes them an entertaining ride at any speed
OR
follow the other route, get an over powered/spec'd naked ala the speed triple, tuono et al, all the sports benefits but with wind blast to keep your speed realistic yet still HIGHLY entertaining.
120 on the GSXR600 was fun but strangely abstract
120 on the speed triple is an arm wrenching nut job thing, providing "that" lunatic grin :twisted:
DanAbnormal
06-10-06, 02:44 PM
Buy what you like, it's your money. Plus it makes me feel fast if someone buys a SS and is slow. If it were me I woul dnot jump straight on a huge powerful bike, take it easy on smaller machines until a general confidence is gained and then take a gradual step up. But then of course I went from a Zehpyr 550 to a VFR 800, man that was a big step!
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