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

[le_sterls]

I would buy several parts off that 350 if you do get it and part it...

I haven't called about it yet.  I was pretty busy yesterday.  No promises, but if it's still for sale when I finally get around to checking it out, maybe I'll get it.  I normally don't part things out, but who knows....

Goddammit, this thread is making me half want one of these death-machines. I'm satisfied with the 550, but all that's going through my thick head right now is "MAINTENANCE FREE" and "RELIABLE" ughh. So many #$%*s ride these things though, I can't have people think I'm one of them, right?? 

I'm afraid that statement may be true.   
I was looking at Youtube clips of my new bike, and a car drove by as some guy was talking about what he's done to his bike.  He followed the car with his camera, and when the car went past, he said "weak."  I thought, 'what a douche bag.' 


But then again, most of the crotch kids at least wave back when I'm on the CB - which is more than I can say for some other bikers ("HuhBuh, HuhBuh, HuhBuhBuhBuhBuh" (the HD cough )).

On youtube, you can get more than enough laughs of idiots on crotch rockets. I'd love to have one, the handling aspect seems amazing, along with having that power upon exiting a corner. I'm just glad to hear you didn't get a GSX-R. I'd be willing to bet 75% do ride like #$%*s on a daily basis. Plus they never wave back Harley riders tend to be the same way, unless I'm with my buddy when he's on his HD. (He's rebuilding his CB350t.) If I was gonna get a sport bike it'd be a Ducati. Probably a Monster, I've heard these are big $$$ when they fail and you yourself can't fix it. I'd also consider a yamaha FZ-6. Neighbor down the street has had countless jap bikes (old and new) and said that its been one of his favorites, its usually on the cheap to considering people want R6's instead. Best of luck to you, and be safe!

[Frankenkit]

there are always "standard" bikes, though, like the suzuki 650... the black gladius looks hawt, too, and you'd have the benefit of knowing you're not on a fully fared death machine screaming "DOOOOOUUUUUuuuuuuccchhhheeee" at 180mph.

[kpier883]

I would buy several parts off that 350 if you do get it and part it...

I haven't called about it yet.  I was pretty busy yesterday.  No promises, but if it's still for sale when I finally get around to checking it out, maybe I'll get it.  I normally don't part things out, but who knows....

Goddammit, this thread is making me half want one of these death-machines. I'm satisfied with the 550, but all that's going through my thick head right now is "MAINTENANCE FREE" and "RELIABLE" ughh. So many #$%*s ride these things though, I can't have people think I'm one of them, right??  

I'm afraid that statement may be true.  
I was looking at Youtube clips of my new bike, and a car drove by as some guy was talking about what he's done to his bike.  He followed the car with his camera, and when the car went past, he said "weak."  I thought, 'what a douche bag.'  


But then again, most of the crotch kids at least wave back when I'm on the CB - which is more than I can say for some other bikers ("HuhBuh, HuhBuh, HuhBuhBuhBuhBuh" (the HD cough )).

On youtube, you can get more than enough laughs of idiots on crotch rockets. I'd love to have one, the handling aspect seems amazing, along with having that power upon exiting a corner. I'm just glad to hear you didn't get a GSX-R. I'd be willing to bet 75% do ride like #$%*s on a daily basis. Plus they never wave back Harley riders tend to be the same way, unless I'm with my buddy when he's on his HD. (He's rebuilding his CB350t.) If I was gonna get a sport bike it'd be a Ducati. Probably a Monster, I've heard these are big $$$ when they fail and you yourself can't fix it. I'd also consider a yamaha FZ-6. Neighbor down the street has had countless jap bikes (old and new) and said that its been one of his favorites, its usually on the cheap to considering people want R6's instead. Best of luck to you, and be safe!

I don't know if one can wave back on a crotch rocket.  They lean over so far that removing one hand from the bars might cause you to fall onto the top of the tank.  I am serious.

[mgbgt89]

If you can't let go of the bars on a crotch rocket your posture is horrible. I found out in what little time i've spent on a crotch rocket, you support yourself with your knees and legs, much easier on your arms that way.

[wannabridin]

If you can't let go of the bars on a crotch rocket your posture is horrible. I found out in what little time i've spent on a crotch rocket, you support yourself with your knees and legs, much easier on your arms that way.

x infinity billion

[aptech77]

Goddammit, this thread is making me half want one of these death-machines. I'm satisfied with the 550, but all that's going through my thick head right now is "MAINTENANCE FREE" and "RELIABLE" ughh. So many #$%*s ride these things though, I can't have people think I'm one of them, right?? 

[wannabridin]

i still want my triumph speed triple, and my rc51....  ONE of these days!!  with those two my "stable" would be practically complete...

[fastbroshi]

Goddammit, this thread is making me half want one of these death-machines. I'm satisfied with the 550, but all that's going through my thick head right now is "MAINTENANCE FREE" and "RELIABLE" ughh. So many #$%*s ride these things though, I can't have people think I'm one of them, right?? 

  The 550 is fun, but on a newer sport bike you can really turn up the wick.  Even moreso on the brand new ones.  I have so much fun on my VFR750 it's redonkulous.  It's a heavy bike, and the way it's geared it's not a wheelie machine, but it will do it.  Comfortable ergos, and room for the lady too.

[sangyo soichiro]

So I've joined a 600RR forum to see what that crowd is up to.  (Yes... I haven't even picked up my new bike yet, but I want to get an early start on the foruming.)

Anyway, just in case you're curious, here are some of the common themes there:

1. Theft.  Crotch rockets getting stolen seems to be a common theme.  I can't believe the number stories of their bikes being stolen.  Did a search on "stolen" and 8 pages came up (probably more, but 8 is the max shown).  I read some of the threads.  Crazy stuff.  One guy was selling his and the "buyer" came with his girlfriend.  The gf left to "get coffee" and the "buyer" stayed behind.  The "buyer" asked to sit on the bike (while it was running) and popped it in gear and rode off with it.  Ballsy.

2. Tickets.  Seems to be a common theme.

3. Cops.  Lots of guys claim that the cops follow them for long stretches just waiting for an excuse to pull them over.

4. Build threads.  "Building" a modern crotch rocket typically consists of bolting on carbon fiber bits and pieces.  Integrated tail lights too.  

5. Souping up.  Usually performance enhancements consist of a slip-on exhaust (or in some cases a full header), a Power Commander and "mapping," and maybe some other bolt-on or plug-n-play items.  Basically, souping up means tuning.  (Not that they need souping up.  But the tinkerer in me can't help it.)



All in all, they seem to be a pretty good crowd.  Younger of course.  But nice fellows nonetheless.

[fastbroshi]

3. Cops.  Lots of guys claim that the cops follow them for long stretches just waiting for an excuse to pull them over.

   This happened to me once out in east Texas.  I was riding out away from Dallas on the VFR, just enjoying the scenery, heading out of town to a good restaurant I knew of.   There was a car show going on down the street with NICE musclecars lining the road for a good quarter mile.  So I geared up after grub and went up and down the street a few times to ogle a bit.  

   I headed out and immediately noticed a cop pull out of a parking lot from a stationary position.  He followed me for a good 20 miles out of town.  My bike looks ricey because of the bright red paint and chrome rims.  And trust me, there was nothing out there.  I seriously doubt he was making a patrol.  

[greasy j]

I'm sure it's gone but I really like the tank off of that 350...

I want it.

[sangyo soichiro]

Yeah, I like it too.  I would have just slapped a coat of clear on and left it as is.  Kind of a rugged look.

The CL listing is gone though. 

[jbonham]

I had a 01 CBR600F4i last year. I wish I had kept it. The wife thinks I should have kept it too mostly because she hates hearing me b*tch about not having a bike to ride.

That was a fuel injected monster. I could crack the throttle and be to 90 in seconds flat. I followed the rules for the most part not wanting to anger people in bigger vehicles than mine. Too much fun, I highly recommend it for a rider if you have one you are working on.

[flybox1]

half-tempted myself.
BMW K1
VTR
i'd even do a SV1000

[mgbgt89]

i still want my triumph speed triple, and my rc51....  ONE of these days!!  with those two my "stable" would be practically complete...
[/quote

God i want an RC51 so bad..

[techy5025]

The bars on the CBR600F4i are higher than on the regular cbr600. Still, you do tend to put body weight on your hands. In my case, I trade off hand pain from leaning for no back pain that I get when sitting up straight on the 750's....and yes I know I'm in the minority here. They also make bar lifts which will raise them an inch or so.

I like the bike because it is light and has plenty of power...certainly enough to get into trouble! 

Jim

[hotwire]

took a test ride of a triumph daytona 675 today and it was everything i thought it was going to be and then some!! i've been wanting one for about 5 yrs that is until last yrs zx6-r now i want that kawi baaad. however i just crashed my 02 gsxr-600 three weeks ago, i wanted to bikes a cafe and a sport but the money i get from selling whats left of my gsxr is buying me a 550!!

  a bike is a bike and death is death. a cage will pull out in front of you no matter what you ride it always cracks me up when people heckle sportbikes and how dangerous they are. relax there just out doin the ton +60 here and there

[sangyo soichiro]

So the seller finally got the title, and I took the bike home last night (then took it out for another spin  ).

It is quite an experience!  Kind of scary, actually.

[sangyo soichiro]

And here it is.

[77cafe750]

i have a gsxr 1000 and an 88 gsxr 750 i love both bikes both are lowered and both sport extended swingarms and wide tires they dont corner but in a straight line i live them both i wish my cb750 made as much power as the 88 i would sell it in a heart beat i like the cb750 better for long trips though

[Frankenkit]

She's beautiful, (you dirty  traitor!) I love that orange!

[Terry in Australia]

That looks great mate, how's your back? Or haven't you been for a long ride yet, ha ha! Re: the "tuning" on a modern bike, yep, it's that easy, I installed a new Jardine exhaust, a Power Commander III USB and a K&N air filter on my 2007 Triumph Rocket III, took me around 2 hours all up, then rode it over to the Triumph dealer who put it on their Dyno for me, and those simple mods gave me another 21 BHP and 27 more foot pounds of torque! Incredibly, I also get better fuel mileage now too!

That certainly beats the arse out of stripping and rebuilding the engine on my CB750 with a big bore kit, ported and polished head, big cam, CR Carbs, blah blah blah on my CB750 to get maybe another 15 - 20 BHP! Have fun, and if the riding position gets too much for you, there's always scope for installing Ape Hangers!

[sangyo soichiro]

She's beautiful, (you dirty  traitor!) I love that orange!

Thanks Kit.   

Ha!  I still have all my other bikes, so I'm not a complete Benedict Arnold.  
I kind of dig the orange too.  

[sangyo soichiro]

That looks great mate, how's your back? Or haven't you been for a long ride yet, ha ha! Re: the "tuning" on a modern bike, yep, it's that easy, I installed a new Jardine exhaust, a Power Commander III USB and a K&N air filter on my 2007 Triumph Rocket III, took me around 2 hours all up, then rode it over to the Triumph dealer who put it on their Dyno for me, and those simple mods gave me another 21 BHP and 27 more foot pounds of torque! Incredibly, I also get better fuel mileage now too!

That certainly beats the arse out of stripping and rebuilding the engine on my CB750 with a big bore kit, ported and polished head, big cam, CR Carbs, blah blah blah on my CB750 to get maybe another 15 - 20 BHP! Have fun, and if the riding position gets too much for you, there's always scope for installing Ape Hangers!

Thanks. 

Yeah, one of the big motivations for getting this bike was to see first hand how the technology has progressed since the days of the CB 750.  I want to learn all this stuff!

Riding it is scary and intimidating.  I've only given it the gusto a couple times getting on the highway, end even then, not a full twist of the throttle.  But before I knew it I was at 85 mph in the blink of an eye.

The first night, when I took it home (Friday night), I had to ride it about 40 minutes on the highway.  Then I took it out for the better part of yesterday.  I haven't quite found my preferred riding position on it, so my lower back is a little sore.  My wrists and arms are fine.  My neck is a little sore too.  But I sleep on a couch (which is stupid (and I have two beds)), and some of that pain is from the couch (you'd think that living with a constant neck pain would make be switch to a bed...  ). 

Question Terry, did you install an already existing map for those mods, or did the dyno guys create a custom one for you?

[77cafe750]

very nice looking bike congrats