Topic: Thinking about getting a crotch rocket, what are your thoughts?

[my78k]

Admittedly I didn't read the entire thread...once I saw that you were looking to buy the bike just to "educate" your father I lost interest. I'm not trying to be a dick honestly..

Having said that, if you want a bike that you can beat on a bit and not worry about a CBR 600 is just that. I have a 98 F3. I didn't blow the bank (less than 4 grand 2 or 3 years ago) and I have yet to come across a bike I can't hang with in real world riding. Sure on an open track they would kill me but considering I have wound it out to well over 190 KPH and was only in 4th gear with 2 gears left to go I would say it has more to offer than I do.

I will say that you would be nuts to buy new. I suspect given your reasoning that you will rather quickly fall out of love with it...either you will have lost your license or will have tired of going for rides no longer than 2 hours (unless you have a chiropractor on retainer!). To spend the ridiculous money that a new sportbike demands to me is insane. They have a fairly steep initial depreciation but level off fairly quickly. For instance I bet I could sell mine tomorrow for roughly what I paid for it and all I have put into it is gas and oil.

Dennis

[Caaveman82]

Having said that, if you want a bike that you can beat on a bit and not worry about a CBR 600 is just that.

Sure on an open track they would kill me but...

My buddy rides a CBR600 and does just fine on the track.

Start

[img width= height=]http://lh6.ggpht.com/_ZH-llD12shw/SkIl_FIL43I/AAAAAAAAADY/A8YV49F6oWU/s512/downloadfile-3.jpeg[/img]

Finish

[img width= height=]http://lh5.ggpht.com/_ZH-llD12shw/SkImOkMUuEI/AAAAAAAAADg/3etpzX439M8/s512/downloadfile-2.jpeg[/img]

Leading the pack at Brainard on Monday

[img width= height=]http://lh5.ggpht.com/_ZH-llD12shw/SkUAMz801KI/AAAAAAAAADk/TwAxFMWntrc/s512/petah.JPG[/img]

[sangyo soichiro]

If your getting a crotch rocket just to show up your dad that's not really a good reason to get one.

Admittedly I didn't read the entire thread...once I saw that you were looking to buy the bike just to "educate" your father I lost interest. I'm not trying to be a dick honestly..

Argh!  That is not the reason.  Admittedly, that is part of the reason, but for crissakes, I did give other reasons.  

[EDIT]:  Just to make it clear (before someone takes me to task) I do not want to 'show up my Dad.'  What I want is for him to experience for himself how fast these things really are.  He simply won't believe it until he experiences it for himself. In his mind, a 751cc is faster than a 750cc which is faster than a 749cc and that is just the way it is in his mind.  As one may expect, discussing this with my father with this belief of his can get frustrating.  Sure... I'm exaggerating a bit, but I hope the point is made.  It's not about beating him or his Harley.  And again, I want one for other reasons too.


But thanks to everyone for all the good input.  I think a used 600cc is what I'm leaning toward.

[mlinder]

Having said that, if you want a bike that you can beat on a bit and not worry about a CBR 600 is just that.

Sure on an open track they would kill me but...

My buddy rides a CBR600 and does just fine on the track.

Start

[img width= height=]http://lh6.ggpht.com/_ZH-llD12shw/SkIl_FIL43I/AAAAAAAAADY/A8YV49F6oWU/s512/downloadfile-3.jpeg[/img]

Finish

[img width= height=]http://lh5.ggpht.com/_ZH-llD12shw/SkImOkMUuEI/AAAAAAAAADg/3etpzX439M8/s512/downloadfile-2.jpeg[/img]

Leading the pack at Brainard on Monday

[img width= height=]http://lh5.ggpht.com/_ZH-llD12shw/SkUAMz801KI/AAAAAAAAADk/TwAxFMWntrc/s512/petah.JPG[/img]

His is a '98. Probably wouldn't fare too well against the '07 through '09 R6's, GSXR6's and ZX6's currently out on the track.

[my78k]

Agreed Mark...it is carbed and not FI etc

Also I was more referring to liter bikes rather than other middleweights.

Soichiro...sorry if I offended you that wasn't my intention..I meant it more like if you want him to experience it make HIM spend the dough.

They are a ton of fun to ride in short spurts though. I do enjoy mine and if I could afford several I would always have a sport bike in my stable but I looking to sell it mainly because I want something more comfortable for longer rides...

Dennis

[Caaveman82]

Mark my buddies is an 01.

[mlinder]

Mark my buddies is an 01.

That would put him in 'Senior' 600 superbike or supersport, depending on mods, out here in Portland.

[JBMorse]

What size were you thinking?

Not sure.  Got any advice on that too?

I have too much love into my CBs and am too afraid of dumping them.  I want a bike that I can play with.  Do wheelies and hone my riding skills.  I also want a fast bike.  Really fast. 

I want a super fast bike partly to show my father.  He's of the mindset that Harleys (he's a Harley guy, although he likes Hondas too) are on the same league as the sport bikes.  He thinks the aerodynamics and less weight and such make no difference (basically, he doesn't believe in the laws of physics  ).  Yep.  He imagines he could keep up with a crotch rocket with his saddle-bagged Heritage (although he concedes that his 750 Honda Shadow from years ago was "hotter").  He's hard headed.  I'm so sick of hearing about "so and so and his 'hot' bike."  All that work I put into my cafe racer, and all he's got to say is how "so and so's bike is 'hot'."  My Dad can't imagine why anyone would want a crotch rocket - they look uncomfortable, and he thinks they're no faster than any other bike.  I want to show my dad what a fast bike is.  I want to show my dad that physics works.   

Plus, like I said, I also want a bike I can 'get' on and not feel bad about it.  Something I can play with.


Anyway, got any suggestions on size?  I don't want too heavy a bike, but I want something that's guaranteed to be by far the fastest thing my Dad has ever ridden.  I never again want to hear about "so and so's 'hot' bike"!!!

Are you f%&^* serious?  Sounds to me like you're just gonna kill yourself trying to impress daddy!  Well if your log-headed father wants to believe that harleys are fast, let him.  You should be able to show him otherwise on your sohc4 anyway  I mean, my dad tried to outrun me on a sporty the other night (I have a CB500) and it just wasn't happening.  I could've gone right around him if I had a passing lane!

However, if you want a sportbike just to have a fun bike, go for it.  There's a kid who rides a ninja past my house to work everyday just flying by and he's having a great time!  Plenty of people are comfortable riding them all day.  If you're looking to spend 2000 you should be able to get a decent 90s sportbike.  Just try and make sure it's never been crashed!

[razor02097]

Just remember that the power and handling of a modern sport bike arn't propotinal to a novice rider... because the times you "get on it" the front wheel leaves the ground, and there is no handling... just hanging on     IMO when it comes to a bike there is such a thing as too much power... Hope you have learned throttle control and be careful...

Oh and the "kid" that speeds by doing a wheelie at 80mph is called a "squid".... don't do that 

[Frankenkit]

I actually really fell for the vtr250: http://www.motorcyclesurvey.com/reviews/honda/vtr250/

probably not for touring at all, but small and light and looks like fun.  I dunno.  With my 650 I'm already seriously cranking it out a lot faster than I *should* probably go in a lot of places... I think with a much bigger or faster bike, I'd be too tempted to be too reckless.  ...and I am weak when it comes to that kind of temptation.

[bucky katt]

Triumph, any of the triumphs you cant go wrong. theyre dead nuts reliable and not real expensive to work on.

[my78k]

Oh and tell hom to keep in mind that my 600 puts out in excess of 100 bhp....most Harleys need ALOT of work to get those ponies! 

Dennis

[razor02097]

Ducati streetfighter S 400lb bike with 155hp  



Or the Desmosedici RR 400lb bike with 200hp  

[DollarBill]

Aprilia is making some really nice bikes right now:

The Dorsoduro
http://www.aprilia.com/en-US/Model/13733/DORSODURO+750+ABS/Overview.aspx

The Shiver
http://www.aprilia.com/en-US/Model/27/SHIVER+750/Overview.aspx

I am REALLy leaning towards getting one of these!

[razor02097]

Aprilia is making some really nice bikes right now:

The Dorsoduro
http://www.aprilia.com/en-US/Model/13733/DORSODURO+750+ABS/Overview.aspx

The Shiver
http://www.aprilia.com/en-US/Model/27/SHIVER+750/Overview.aspx

I am REALLy leaning towards getting one of these!

Dorsoduro looks like the hypermotard

Shiver looks like the monster

Strange 

[techy5025]

Interesting tread. What it seems to indicate is that everyone rides a bike with different objectives in mind. My neighbors son...who had never ridden a bike before...bought a CBR1000 because a friend had one, rode it a week, and sold it before it killed him. Probably really smart knowing him!

I have been trying to get my former boss....a decked out hog owner...to ride my CBR600F4I. So far no luck. I think the thought of riding a 100 HP bike scares him too much. The temptation to ride the roads like you were on a track is really dangerous and hard to overcome. Maybe the hog is his adrenalin limiter.

I don't think buying a 600 CC class bike vs. a 1000 CC one will limit you doing anything that is legal and isn't apt to get you killed. Do you really need to go 180 vs. 150?

I really bought the CBR as a daily rider. It's light, has "higher" bars, has fuel injection for good economy, and probably has twice as much horsepower as I will ever use. In April, I put over 2000 miles on it on a trip to Tenn. and back. I don't find the riding position to be that uncomfortable.....but most people do. A good used one can be had for 3-4 thousand...less if you don't want perfect plastic.

The suggestion to try before you buy is a good one. Most dealers will let you try out used bikes. BMW will let you try new ones.

All said from the perspective of a 65 year old of course....

Jim

[sangyo soichiro]

Some really good advice here.  I like reading about other's experiences.  Thanks.

I guess I didn't really pay much attention to these bikes before.  I never really realized what you can do with them, as far as modifications and aftermarket stuff.  Man... I'm really diggin those 'undertails' you can get for these, and the things you can do with the exhaust.  I'm gettin' excited!

I have a J&P Cycles catalog for sportbikes.  It's about the thickness of a magazine - not like the telephone-book-thick ones they have for the cruisers and Harleys.  Anyway, on the cover is a yellow Yamaha that's been modified with their stuff.  I always thought that bike looked sweet, but the more I look at it, the more in love I'm getting (shhh... don't tell my cafe racer...).  Anyone else seen that J&P Yamaha?  I'm on dial-up at the moment (yes, DIAL-UP), so me finding a picture for ya is out of the question.

[HavocTurbo]

http://www.jpcycles.com/catalog/2008SportbikeCatalog/

Some serious modifications have been done to that bike. And by serious I mean seriously expensive.


Not counting the cost of the bike there's probably another 8k in that bike easy.

The wheels alone are around $2600!!!

[sangyo soichiro]

http://www.jpcycles.com/catalog/2008SportbikeCatalog/

Some serious modifications have been done to that bike. And by serious I mean seriously expensive.


Not counting the cost of the bike there's probably another 8k in that bike easy.

The wheels alone are around $2600!!!

So they probably won't want to sell it to me for $2000 will they?   

Yeah... I can't really spot all the modifications on crotch rockets yet, but I did notice the wheels and the rear wheel A-arm.  Looks like a V&H exhaust, and the fairing looks modified.  Also one of those undertails I like so much.  I love that bike. 

[HondaMan]

I never really liked them before, but they're growing on me. 

For those that have one, or had one in the past, got any advice?

Build your own.
I can help! 
I'm almost done with Hondaman Special #1, and #2 will likely be a cafe'.

...a quick cafe'...

[andy750]

I never really liked them before, but they're growing on me. 

For those that have one, or had one in the past, got any advice?

Build your own.
I can help! 
I'm almost done with Hondaman Special #1, and #2 will likely be a cafe'.

...a quick cafe'...

Any photos of #1  ??

[HondaMan]

I never really liked them before, but they're growing on me. 

For those that have one, or had one in the past, got any advice?

Build your own.
I can help! 
I'm almost done with Hondaman Special #1, and #2 will likely be a cafe'.

...a quick cafe'...

Any photos of #1  ??

Pretty soon, Andy: I just wrestled the engine back in tonite (ow, my back!). This particular bike is starring in the upcoming book, and has been the source of lots of my posting pix over the last 3 months while I put it together (and if someone asked a question here that I could show with the pieces). It's a K3, in Candy Gold, soon to be swapped to blue-green (different tank & covers, when finished, customer's request). I have to lower the chassis in the end, as the new owner has a short inseam.

So to that end, it will get the Avon Roadrunner tires, some 12.5" shocks, and probably a scuplted or stepped seat. The head is ported, bores honed and re-ringed, a K3 fitted with K6 cylinders and head (for less oil leakage), valves deshrouded and polished, rockers modified for less friction and better oiling. A young cam is installed at stock timing, carbs will be smoothed in the bores and jetting modified for better atomization and adjusted for this (6000') altitude. The wiring will be simplified to a K2 level to avoid the "DOT Safety Switch" systems that cause so much trouble. It's a pretty bike, nicer than mine!

[andy750]

Thanks Mark. Sounds very very nice and I cant wait to see the finished product. Good luck getting it completed.

cheers
Andy

[Inigo Montoya]

Not going to read all 9 pages so maybe this got mentioned already. On some bikes you can get raised handle bars that keep you more upright. So you still got the rocket without the hunchback look. I know yamaha does this. Saw them at a local dealer.

[HavocTurbo]

Not going to read all 9 pages so maybe this got mentioned already. On some bikes you can get raised handle bars that keep you more upright. So you still got the rocket without the hunchback look. I know yamaha does this. Saw them at a local dealer.

Ooh forgot about that.

Most aftermarket suppliers make a kit or offer the parts to raise your hand position from clip-ons to a more conventional set-up. Most streetfighter websites offer this conversion also.

With a little sly - it can be done to any bike regardless of parts offering.