[quote]Professor X wrote:
“Yuck, someone stuck this sportbike in front us and we hate it!”[/quote]
I wanted a moped, since you can legally ride one over here when you are 16, but my momma wont let me have one.
[quote]Professor X wrote:
PGJ wrote:
You are correct. I hate those “need for speed” movies with young dudes in super hyped-up cars zooming through traffic like it’s cool. Stupid, completely rediculous, and kids do try to emulate it. The whole “stare at the passenger and drive thing” in not only irresponsible, but childish. There is a culture around sport bikes… and it is speed, wheelies, endo’s, more speed, street racing, shorts and flip-flops, crash-and-burn. Cruiser culture is all about leather (stylish and protective), riding slow, chrome, and raising money for kids. EVERY charity ride I have ever been on was about 50-1 cruiser to sportbike. Never seen a charity sportbike ride. Very different cultures. Just my humble observations.
Well, some of those pics I posted were from a charity bikini bike wash. Now you can’t claim you never saw one. Beyond that, it shouldn’t be hard for someone who lifts weights and subjects themselves to pain for the rush of accomplishment to understand the rush from being on a sportbike. Even just going 60mph on a sportbike is like flying. I have also seen some people in cars act as if they are pissed simply because a bike can get around obstacles easier. I think much of any hatred you have is your own perception and not the result of the actions others. My riding jacket in the summer is mesh and matches my bike…just like most sportbike riders. You made it sound as if cruiser alone are about being “stylish and protective”. I think some older guys are just completely disconnected from anyone under the age of 35. It might help to open your eyes some. While I usually hype sportbikes, some cruisers are now gaining popularity because of shows like Orange County Choppers. Shaq owns a HUGE cruiser. I would get on a West Coast Chopper before I ever got on a Harley though. It is about style and Harley’s have been pretty much taken over by the middle aged crowd who think they are too good to even wave at a sportbike on a freeway.
[/quote]
I have to agree with the waving thing - what is up with that? As someone said earlier, it’s two wheels against the cages. That being said, I have noticed that more frequently the sportbike riders won’t wave either. I ride British, so I guess that’s the worst of both worlds?
[quote]Dark Cloud wrote:
As far as the argument about sport bikes not having a community that a bunch of BS. I have stopped along the side of the rode to make a phone call & a fellow rider (sport bike) pulled up along side me to make sure every thing was OK. I didn’t even know the guy. [/quote]
Well said. Having a bike around here is like “instant family” assuming you aren’t a jackass.
[quote]deanec wrote:
I have to agree with the waving thing - what is up with that? As someone said earlier, it’s two wheels against the cages. That being said, I have noticed that more frequently the sportbike riders won’t wave either. I ride British, so I guess that’s the worst of both worlds?[/quote]
Around here, everyone waves from choppers to sportbikes…EXCEPT the Harleys. In almost every case, if I am passing a Harley on the street, they will not wave. It is like some kind of snobbish motorcycle mentality that you don’t really see much. Some guys might be changing gears so they can’t wave, or are passing someone. but overall, most people will wave. That is probably why I have such a strong opinion against them. They think they are better simply because of the bike they ride.
[quote]deanec wrote:
That Norton up the page is sweet, but I think they want almost 20 grand for one…[/quote]
The first 100 went for $15,000 but the production models are priced at $11-13 grand. Still a bit hefty when you compare to honda or triumph, but not outrageous. As for the debate over sport vs. cruiser, this is something I’ve never understood. They are different machines for different purposes, but both provide the same excitement and thrill. As long as its got two wheels it’s cool with me. Unless it’s a moped of course.
I think I’m a bit late to the party…yet I thought I’d post mine anyway.
I’m riding a R1200GS now and the bike is awesome for everything from touring to ripping around mountain passes.
In fact, I’m taking it out today and riding it back to Toronto – it’s been in hibernation all winter.
And, as far as the bike debate going on right now, here’s my 2 cents.
I’ve ridden sport bikes and Harleys (in fact, I’ve toured the southwest US on a Fat Boy) and all different types of bikes have different pros and cons.
That’s why you have to make like my buddy Tom and buy 5 - one for each riding condition you’re interested in experiencing.
Want to cruise - pick up your rumbling cruiser.
Want to tour - pick up a s/t bike.
Want to handle corners - pick up a sport bike.
And, as my buddy Tom says, the key to a good bike collection is thinking that whatever bike you’re riding at the time is your absolute favorite bike and that if you had to sell your other bikes, THIS is the one you’d keep.
everyone waves or nods where im at
have to agree with some of the posts above - having a bike is like instant family and you get that sense anytime you pass or see another bike and get a wave or nod - regardless of what they’re riding. using a brand or style of bike as a reason for divisiveness just seems so petty, and i would hope the idea of unity among motorcyclist would be more potent.
i’m one of those people who thinks all bikes are pretty cool, and having owned a dirt bike, a cruiser, and now a sport/touring bike, i’m still enthusiastic to ride every different type i can to get a feel of handling, power and other characteristics - it’s all good.
Sweet bike JB!
I’m old school. 1940 Indian Sport Scout (among others). Can’t beat a magneto ignition system. I like a bike I can work on; with a real carburator and no computer electronics. And with that said, I’m going to go home now and ride it.
Jawa 350 sports. I bought this evil bitch even after my dad warned me about her.
Just dropping my $0.02 in… I ride. I currently have a crotch-rocket-type bike. It’s the only type of bike I’ve ridden. However, I have to admit that as I get older, I find myself wanting a custom or a chopper more and more.
I am considering getting rid of my current bike to help finance that project. But I just can’t seem to bring myself to it.
I love bikes. Period. I, too, notice (and disagree with) the rift between crotch-rocket / road bike / chopper riders. Usually I try and wave at anyone I see on two wheels, but it gets to a point (after being snubbed so many times) that I usually wait to see a hand go up before I bother.
I have noticed an even more elite group around here that typically gives NO ONE the time of day. Not just squids / crotch-rocket riders, but specifically the ones that don’t wear helmets. And seemingly, that is the only difference from them and I (I wear a helmet). I guess not wanting bugs in my teeth or my contacts drying out (not to mention the safety aspect) just isn’t “cool.”
I have found that for the most part, tho, riders are riders. I have several neighbors with different types of bikes and we frequently do runs together. Pretty strange looking bunch, I’ll have to admit. But when you’re out there riding… it really doesn’t matter at all.
BTW, caladin, that chopper is SICK!
[quote]Professor X wrote:
Yeah, they just HATE sportbikes.[/quote]
Unfortunately this girl who is certainly not ugly does not have a clue which end goes first…
[quote]John M Berardi wrote:
And, as far as the bike debate going on right now, here’s my 2 cents.
I’ve ridden sport bikes and Harleys (in fact, I’ve toured the southwest US on a Fat Boy) and all different types of bikes have different pros and cons.
That’s why you have to make like my buddy Tom and buy 5 - one for each riding condition you’re interested in experiencing. ;-)[/quote]
Amen brother! As soon as I can afford another bike(s) I will get one!
LJ
Just thought I’d drop in too, since I ride. Currently on a '06 Harley Fatboy, which I really love, but the last two bikes I had were an Aprilia Mille(on which someone had replaced every last piece of bodywork with carbon fiber), and a Honda VTR1000. Guess I’m just more loyal to a V-twin than any particular brand. I honestly just went with the Harley to try something different, and 'cause it makes me feel like Arnold in Terminator 2. If I had the money to own two bikes at once, I’d definitely have a ducati here as well. Maybe one of the matrix edition 998’s. Gorgeous.
Currently, my dream bike is the Ecosse Heretic. Gooogle it, or look in this months playboy. About the most amazing bike I’ve ever seen.
I tend to wonder about the hostility between sportbikes/cruisers. I seem to get along just fine with either. No problems with women loving my bikes on either side either.
Gotta admit that the idiots riding in flip flops and a t-shirt are just insane. Darwin at work I suppose.
Gotta second the Icon superduties too. Great boots. Got a jacket from them too. It’s tough finding stuff that fits at 6’4 250lbs, but there stuff is pretty good. Plus I just refuse to be one of those people that seem to own nothing but gear with Harley all over it. Or “live to ride, ride to live”
The way I got round that was to find a wreck of a bike and get it roadworthy- you can actually pick up MZs and other rustpiles of dubious origin for about 300 pounds.
Pretty much all the bikers around here nod, except for a few pricks who ride 125cc trail bikes. It’s not that I have anything against little trail bikes, it’s just that they suck and they are generally ridden by arseholes.
Don’t forget the MV Agusta SPR! Most folks confuse that for the 998–but you probably don’t. =)
http://www.mvagusta.com/_vti_g2_ver.aspx?IdVer=10&rpstry=27_
LJ
[quote]PGJ wrote:
Sport bikes are for kids who want to go real fast, show off, and die young. Cruisers are for adults who are secure in their manhood/womanhood and understand that speed kills (although some spend a lot of $$$ trying to soop-up their 800lb cruisers). Sport bikes have no character. All that colorful plastic and the euro-trash riding suits are super cheesie. I bought my fist bike in 2000, a Yamaha V-Star Classic 650. My non-riding friend took one look at it and said it looked like a piece of art. Sport bikers give bikers in general a bad reputation. I would love to see accident statistics that separate sport bikes from cruisers. I bet the SB’s crash about 10X’s more frequently than cruisers. Youth + speed + inexperience = organ donor.
I ride a Yamaha V-Star 1100 Custom. Big, fat and slow. What’s the hurry? [/quote]
What kind of ignorant shit is this? Secure in your manhood, umm okay…you are sooo secure you’re taking the big, fat, and slow ride…thats secure in your manhood? Sounds more like mid-life crisis. Grow a freakin’ sack man.
Sportbikes have no character? Haha! Okay so what are you gonna do, go buy a Corvette or any sports car, and strip it down to the frame, engine, and seats because the colored plastic body has no character…what a joke. If anything has no character it’s your motorcycle, a prime example of the Corvette I just explained.
Sport bike riders give bikers a bad reputation…hmmm okay. 1.Where do you mostly see sport bikes? On the street, where do you mostly see bikers? Well you’ll find a whole mess of them at the local bars with their bikes parked right out front. So who’s giving who the bad rep? 2.Biker Gangs…Hells Angels? Need I say more?
As far as the statistics goes, I have no idea which is higher. But I do know the statistics are really high for alcohol related causes…hmm sounds familiar doesn’t it…see above.
I have nothing against road bikes, I love all motorcycles, until someone as ignorant as you comes along and just blasts sport bikes. I’d bet you’re just pissed you never got to ride a sport bike in the first place, now you’re too old, and no one likes you. Err wait your “manhood” caught up to you thats right.
Now that I got that off my chest here is my bike a 2004 Honda CBR 600RR. Nice bikes everyone, and Professor X I wouldn’t have even thought you rode for some reason, thats awesome.
And another…I love my 600RR, it is the fun-est thing I have ever owned in my entire life. This is my wife’s Red & Black, and my friend’s Black & Silver(mine of course in the middle).