Sport Bike - Am I crazy?

**Vettester** · 07-22-2012, 07:29 PM

Maybe it's just the cycle of life, but am I crazy with wanting to get a high end sports bike at 45yo? I used to ride a lot when I was younger, but it was the modest 650cc & 750cc street bikes, which are nothing compared to the GXR's, CBR's, and bikes of that caliber. My Corvette is sitting at 620hp, but I still want a little more spice. My thoughts are to get one for a year or two, then I'll get a Harley like some of my buddies.

If I'm not totally off my rocker, maybe someone has some good ideas for me to think about. Again, I used to ride quite a bit, but it's been 20 years or so since I really rode on a steady basis. I'm really infatuated with the Hayabusa, but again, maybe I'm biting off more than I can chew. Whatever I get, I don't plan on pushing it anywhere near its threshold, but like my car, it's nice to know you have that HP there, whether you need a little or you need a lot. Any thoughts?

Sport Bike - Am I crazy?-2009-suzuki-hayabusagsx1300rc.jpg

**gixxerboy1** · 07-22-2012, 07:44 PM

A busa is an easier bike to ride then a gixxer 750 or 1000.

**Ares101** · 07-22-2012, 08:06 PM

I loved my gsxr 1000 with my 8 inch extension... Oh how I miss that thing!

**Ares101** · 07-22-2012, 08:08 PM

Just a heads up, everyone says I won't push my bike but give it a few rides and you'll be dying to push it! No such better feeling then hauling ass at about 210 down the expressway.

**Coolhand5599** · 07-22-2012, 08:17 PM

Yes, your crazy. Buy my supercharged 2011 corvette instead, it's faster in a quarter mile. To many people texting while driving. I would never ride a bike today.

**FONZY007** · 07-22-2012, 08:29 PM

Originally Posted by Coolhand5599

Yes, your crazy. Buy my supercharged 2011 corvette instead, it's faster in a quarter mile. To many people texting while driving. I would never ride a bike today.

What about texting while riding?

**Vettester** · 07-22-2012, 08:58 PM

Originally Posted by Ares101

Just a heads up, everyone says I won't push my bike but give it a few rides and you'll be dying to push it! No such better feeling then hauling ass at about 210 down the expressway.

That's the thing, if I had one of these bikes when I was 20, I could see the red line happening. At 45, I don't have the desire to go ape shvt with it.

Originally Posted by Coolhand5599

Yes, your crazy. Buy my supercharged 2011 corvette instead, it's faster in a quarter mile. To many people texting while driving. I would never ride a bike today.

My 08 Vette is also supercharged, so I'm GTG, but I might look at getting a black on black Z06 when I get another one. I hear you with the texting stuff ... That also scares the hell out of me. I know that defensive driving is mandatory is a must.

**Vettester** · 07-22-2012, 09:01 PM

Originally Posted by gixxerboy1

A busa is an easier bike to ride then a gixxer 750 or 1000.

That's great to know. They are wicked looking bikes that have my attention for sure!

**dep30** · 07-22-2012, 09:42 PM

my avatar is me on my gsxr 600. its a few years ago I like to think Im a little older and wiser now since I have a family who depends on me but I had loads of fun on mine in my day!

**lstbred** · 07-22-2012, 09:50 PM

I bought a cruiser insteaed of a Busa, dont regret it (Im 43 now) I still have my T/A and a C6Z is the next purchase. Most ppl are stupid drivers, they dontrealize it but those of us on bikes do, get something you can have fun with. Get a track bike.

**Times Roman** · 07-22-2012, 11:10 PM

Get a harley mate. leave the wrist rocket crap to the kids

my motto?

slow down and enjoy life!

**Vettester** · 07-22-2012, 11:22 PM

Originally Posted by dep30

my avatar is me on my gsxr 600. its a few years ago I like to think Im a little older and wiser now since I have a family who depends on me but I had loads of fun on mine in my day!

Your avi is how I would have been many years ago. At 45, I have no intentions with getting any of the tires off the ground. Like you, I have other priorities that tomorrow is depending on. As we get older we get wiser to some of this. As in the case of my car, it is capable of low 11's, and a top end of 195mph. However, most of the time, I'm usually in the right lane on the freeway going about the speed limit. I think I drive my SUV harder and faster than my Vette. As briefed on in a earlier post, my fear isn't about what I might do to screw it up, it's directed at everyone else on the road that is doing everything but driving.

**lovbyts** · 07-22-2012, 11:22 PM

I got a tip from an old boss of mine who rode all the time. Always carry a few good size ball bearings in your jacket pocket; They can come in very handy.

**Vettester** · 07-22-2012, 11:34 PM

Originally Posted by Times Roman

Get a harley mate. leave the wrist rocket crap to the kids

my motto?

slow down and enjoy life!

I hear you TR. Maybe it's last gasp of youth in me that's still hanging on to the past.

Either way, my fortune cookie tells me that there's a Harley in my forecast ... How far into the future? Not sure at this point. The angel on my shoulder says, "Skip the rocket and just go get the Harley", the devil says, "Fvck it, get a busa, then get a Harley." I can tell you my wife didn't get too thrilled with the pic of the busa ... Damn TRT for doing this to me, damn it!! LOL

**Vettester** · 07-22-2012, 11:40 PM

Originally Posted by lovbyts

I got a tip from an old boss of mine who rode all the time. Always carry a few good size ball bearings in your jacket pocket; They can come in very handy.

That and my gun, lol.

**Vettester** · 07-22-2012, 11:45 PM

I've got some traveling to do over the next few weeks, so I'll do some thinking on it before I make a move. I'm sure there's no right or wrong way to go, just as long we're all here to talk about it down the road.

**lovbyts** · 07-22-2012, 11:47 PM

Originally Posted by Vettester

That and my gun, lol.

Gun as a last resort of course and the ball bearings are much easier to reach into your pocket and distribute them across someones windshield if need be.

**DSM4Life** · 07-23-2012, 04:26 AM

Originally Posted by lovbyts

I got a tip from an old boss of mine who rode all the time. Always carry a few good size ball bearings in your jacket pocket; They can come in very handy.

Nope. You use change so it doesn't look suspect.

**lovbyts** · 07-23-2012, 05:58 AM

Originally Posted by DSM4Life

Nope. You use change so it doesn't look suspect.

Will change take out a windshield so they cant follow you?

**SEOINAGE** · 07-23-2012, 06:41 AM

I sold my bike because I couldn't help but go ape shit.

And because of other horrid drivers, and because rough roads out here, and big game.

**gixxerboy1** · 07-23-2012, 08:35 AM

Originally Posted by lovbyts

Gun as a last resort of course and the ball bearings are much easier to reach into your pocket and distribute them across someones windshield if need be.

Originally Posted by DSM4Life

Nope. You use change so it doesn't look suspect.

hahaha i used to do that

**capetown** · 07-23-2012, 09:00 AM

Stick with ur vet man. I know the desire you have right now but you already know what power feels like and you will start pushing it. Its human nature. It you do get one, the boys are right. Busa is 100 percent more controllable that the others. They are all track bikes with signal lights on them. The other one looks big and mean and is fast as xxxx but it rides like a street bike. Im not against bikes but i dont want to see a mid life crises( joking) end up wrapping you around a pole.

**gixxerboy1** · 07-23-2012, 09:05 AM

Originally Posted by Vettester;6084***

I hear you TR. Maybe it's last gasp of youth in me that's still hanging on to the past.

Either way, my fortune cookie tells me that there's a Harley in my forecast ... How far into the future? Not sure at this point. The angel on my shoulder says, "Skip the rocket and just go get the Harley", the devil says, "Fvck it, get a busa, then get a Harley." I can tell you my wife didn't get too thrilled with the pic of the busa ... Damn TRT for doing this to me, damn it!! LOL

no matter what your on the risk of other drivers is the same. I feel atleast on a sport bike im safer. They are more nimble, more power and better braking. Thats gives me better chances of avoiding something

**DeadlyD** · 07-23-2012, 09:49 AM

Originally Posted by Times Roman

Get a harley mate. leave the wrist rocket crap to the kids

my motto?

slow down and enjoy life!

^^^^ agree with TR here, if you eventually want a Harley, skip the whole sport bike thing and get a big cubic inch Harley, you will never look back, I've had every kind of bike, enduro, sport , touring, chopper, and cruiser, and i just turned 30, a lot of my buddies are still riding sport bikes and now a lot of them are wanting to change for a cruiser, I love my softtail !!

**Times Roman** · 07-23-2012, 10:52 AM

Originally Posted by lovbyts

I got a tip from an old boss of mine who rode all the time. Always carry a few good size ball bearings in your jacket pocket; They can come in very handy.

i did that for years. never used

Originally Posted by Vettester;6084***

I hear you TR. Maybe it's last gasp of youth in me that's still hanging on to the past.

Either way, my fortune cookie tells me that there's a Harley in my forecast ... How far into the future? Not sure at this point. The angel on my shoulder says, "Skip the rocket and just go get the Harley", the devil says, "Fvck it, get a busa, then get a Harley." I can tell you my wife didn't get too thrilled with the pic of the busa ... Damn TRT for doing this to me, damn it!! LOL

Wait until you get a few tickets, then you'll be thinking..."why the hell did i get this wrist rocket crap?"

Originally Posted by lovbyts

Will change take out a windshield so they cant follow you?

very doubtful........

**gixxerboy1** · 07-23-2012, 10:54 AM

Originally Posted by lovbyts

Will change take out a windshield so they cant follow you?

no it wont take out a windshield. But it will put chips in it. and im on a bike. They cant follow me if it dont want them to

**Times Roman** · 07-23-2012, 11:09 AM

Originally Posted by gixxerboy1

no it wont take out a windshield. But it will put chips in it. and im on a bike. They cant follow me if it dont want them to

agree. splitting lanes is the trick

**Vettester** · 07-23-2012, 11:38 AM

Originally Posted by DeadlyD

^^^^ agree with TR here, if you eventually want a Harley, skip the whole sport bike thing and get a big cubic inch Harley, you will never look back, I've had every kind of bike, enduro, sport , touring, chopper, and cruiser, and i just turned 30, a lot of my buddies are still riding sport bikes and now a lot of them are wanting to change for a cruiser, I love my softtail !!

See, that's the thing, I haven't had a sports bike. If a guy has the money, then why not just get what you want? I'll still get my Harley in a year or two. Hell, I could get both now, but then my wife will really know I'm off my rocker.

**DeadlyD** · 07-23-2012, 12:05 PM

Originally Posted by Vettester

See, that's the thing, I haven't had a sports bike. If a guy has the money, then why not just get what you want? I'll still get my Harley in a year or two. Hell, I could get both now, but then my wife will really know I'm off my rocker.

I hear ya, from my experience the sport bike fun was short lived and bugged my wrists and lower back being hunched over, also I said I wasnt going to abuse the power and speed! ...that lasted till my second ride!!! Lol I will say I loved the cornering and handling of my ninja, but I'm all about comfort and style now!! If you got the cash and time give'r and try a bunch of bikes to really find what you want !

**Times Roman** · 07-23-2012, 12:24 PM

Originally Posted by Vettester

See, that's the thing, I haven't had a sports bike. If a guy has the money, then why not just get what you want? I'll still get my Harley in a year or two. Hell, I could get both now, but then my wife will really know I'm off my rocker.

had to laugh. earlier, told my wife she can pick out any car and buy it. so she was renting a camero for awhile to check it out, and loved it, but ended up buying an equinox. So now i"m home, and still have this old toyota carolla i drive. I began talking up buying a corvette, so she goes, well, I'll just go get that camero then that i liked!!! I told her you could have picked anything. You made your choice, and I'm not paying for a bunch of depreciation! (and NO, i didn't buy the corvette. still driving my little crap car)

**Vettester** · 07-23-2012, 12:32 PM

Originally Posted by Times Roman

had to laugh. earlier, told my wife she can pick out any car and buy it. so she was renting a camero for awhile to check it out, and loved it, but ended up buying an equinox. So now i"m home, and still have this old toyota carolla i drive. I began talking up buying a corvette, so she goes, well, I'll just go get that camero then that i liked!!! I told her you could have picked anything. You made your choice, and I'm not paying for a bunch of depreciation! (and NO, i didn't buy the corvette. still driving my little crap car)

LOL, you're like me and you know know how the social aspects play out on this stuff around the house. When I ordered my Corvette, I had to wait 3 months for it to arrive. Somehow during that waiting period there was a new Lexus that showed up on wife's side of the garage. I like your strategy, TR. I think we're better off if we let them get their "toys" first, then we get ours ...

**AdrenalineJunkie** · 07-23-2012, 12:49 PM

Go for it. You're never too old for a sport bike! Honda ftw!

**lstbred** · 07-23-2012, 01:56 PM

Coolhand and Vettster, did you get the ZR1 or throw a PS1 on there?

**Vettester** · 07-23-2012, 04:23 PM

Originally Posted by lstbred

Coolhand and Vettster, did you get the ZR1 or throw a PS1 on there?

On mine, I had a ProCharger P1SC intalled and dyno-tuned, running 6psi of boost with 60lb injectors. The ZR-1 came out the following year in 2009, and is an awesome car. Still think I'll get the Z06 on the next one though.

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**FONZY007** · 07-23-2012, 04:36 PM

Originally Posted by gixxerboy1

hahaha i used to do that

I was actually told to do that by the instructor lol..

**Gambolputty** · 07-23-2012, 07:06 PM

I don't know if I would ride a death bike again. Way too many seriously distracted drivers on the road. Several of my clients have been hit by texting / cell phoning drivers.

**Times Roman** · 07-23-2012, 07:30 PM

Originally Posted by Gambolputty

I don't know if I would ride a death bike again. Way too many seriously distracted drivers on the road. Several of my clients have been hit by texting / cell phoning drivers.

Ya know, I talk harley, but reality is I've put a crap load of miles on Jap bikes. Great bikes.

But, please don't blame "seriously distracted drivers texting on the road" if one gets in an accident. This is an excuse used by inexperienced, unattentive riders. Granted, there is MORE risk, and requires MORE skill, when riding.

This is another rant, so I'll stop for now...

**Brohim** · 07-23-2012, 09:36 PM

Originally Posted by Gambolputty

I don't know if I would ride a death bike again. Way too many seriously distracted drivers on the road. Several of my clients have been hit by texting / cell phoning drivers.

Werd. 4 wheels is betta

**Times Roman** · 07-23-2012, 09:46 PM

Originally Posted by Brohim

Werd. 4 wheels is betta

No problem mate! Got just what ya need =)

**Gambolputty** · 07-23-2012, 10:00 PM

Originally Posted by Times Roman

Ya know, I talk harley, but reality is I've put a crap load of miles on Jap bikes. Great bikes.

But, please don't blame "seriously distracted drivers texting on the road" if one gets in an accident. This is an excuse used by inexperienced, unattentive riders. Granted, there is MORE risk, and requires MORE skill, when riding.

This is another rant, so I'll stop for now...

I am generally in agreement with your statement. I rode year round (except when it was snowing) for several years. Lot's of hours and miles. You definitely need to be super aware and defensive.

However, one guy guy drilled from behind while stopped at a red light. No where to go but under the SUV (with soccer mom at wheel)

I see so much crazy s**t while I drive around Portland for 3 plus hours a day. Lots of people are complete asshats while behind the wheel.

(lots of people are just asshats in general now that I think of it)