Motorcycles BS Thread 2.0

We have two dedicated bike lots at work with parking for 30 bikes. 10-15 years ago you would see at least 5 or 6 bikes in each lot all the time. Now the lot is usually empty when I get here or leave.

 

2022 Honda CB500X. My first moto! Now to learn to ride it...

 

Have to see if I can find one locally to check out. Do you have a com unit installed?

 

FJR has decent electric output stock. Replaced my headlights with LED bulbs to conserve power I can send to my aux lights which are on a dimmer. Heated jacket liner and gloves are controlled by a thermostat so I can set that. GPS only draws 2 or 3 amps. I do have an auxiliary fuse block with most circuits set as ignition on and only my battery tender lead is always hot. With my lighting I can rarely go full power for any length of time due to other traffic.

 

No com unit, just wear wired earplugs plugged in to my phone stuck in an inside pocket of the jacket. I just use it for spotify.

It's not the best by far, but I have had 4 HJC and never had an issue. Thought about a Bell when I bought the I100 but Bell didnt vent as well and the fit was a little off. If you are moving, the HJC is cooler with the face shield down and the vents open than the face shield up. Sitting at a red light, faceshield down, its like having your head in an oven.

 

Hello to my Italian Brother! The sound of your V-4 Tuono is intoxicating as all get out!! I can only imagine the torque that thing has!

 

It is absolutely incredible!! Serious machine that does a little bit of everything really well - no regrets!

 

Why oh why can’t I be content with what I have? Love the monkey , like the Klx but would like it to have super moto wheels and tires but it’s really fine the way it is, just not sure about the FZ1. Lots of power but heavy and vibey, I really liked the way the R3 handled and was light and flickable but just didn’t have enough power. Just having crazy thoughts about selling the FZ1 already and getting a light fast great handling bike for back road fun and track days.
I change my mind constantly!!!! Why oh why can I be content with what I have!!!
Not even sure what I would replace it with! 600cc sport bike, zx4rr , R7 , gs8r ????

 

WELCOME DUDE! Ride safe, practice and enjoy two wheels! The CB500X is a great do it all bike for sure! Love that color.

Ahhhh the chase.


Best thing to do, sit down at ask yourself what you actually want from the different realms of moto. Monkey, KLX300, FZ1 are in drastically different realms.

Speaking as someone who had a 164cc grom, Street Legal WR450, XT225, and a Honda 919/Super Tenere. I have found peace with 3 bikes. Having an around town bike (xt225 with 60/40 street/dirt tires), the WR450 as a dedicated dirt bike that can hop on the street if need be to connect trails, and the big ole super tenere. Its a great trifecta to have those 3 mostly non overlapping bikes IMO.

Grom vs xt225... xt225 won hands down in everything other than cute factor...

WR450 with street plate, nothing has touched it in the dirt realm for versatility at my skill level.

919 vs super tenere, this is where you are at. The 919 was stupid fun but just not quite the comfort/space/range/flexibility so i drifted to the super tenere.

After almost 2 years on the Super ten, while there are times I miss the hooning of the 919 naked sport bike for a little bit, they are minimal and far between. I am faster in the canyons on the super ten, I have more space for a day out in the canyons/at the beach without a backpack, extra 60-70mi of fuel range, and overall more flexibility of motoing.

That stated, the desire for something like an MT09 is there, the naked sport bike will always hold a place in my soul... but as I get older (ugh 35 is coming soon this month) I realize that the hooning needs to be tamed a bit. (tho does it?)


TLDR: What do you want from the FZ1 that its not providing. Section off the realms of motos that you have so it doesnt get blurry between all the bikes.

 

the monkey and Klx will not go anywhere. I like each of these bikes for their intended purposes.
It’s the sport bike department that I am contemplating. Had the ZX10r but that was just way too stupid fast for me. Comfort wasn’t bad because my rides are 100 to 150 miles at a time. The R3 was super fun, comfortable handling was very good but was just kinda slow. If the R3 had about 80hp it would be a keeper. Could use a little more room.
The FZ1 is just big and heavy, handles ok but just kind of boring? For some reason my mind thinks I want a sport bike but not a 1000cc but something light , fast and handles well. After I did the chain and sprocket on the R3 for Amaris I took it out for a rip. If’s so light and so easy to flick into corners but definitely needs more power.
IDK what I want to do yet.

 

I vote give it a year or two and pick up a lightly used ninja zx4rr, throw in the european ecu and airbox (or whatever exactly is needed, I forget..) and uncork it to 75 hp. Tiny 4 cyclinder screamer goodness

 

Good advice!!! Although the zx6r is only 10lbs heavier and has 40 more hp !! Hmm I do need to give it some time.

 

Arai XD-4 for me. Huge open view and great ventilation helps my claustrophobia. Sooo comfortable and easily accommodates glasses.

If Arai sold a modular I'd likely be wearing it. Alas, they made one but tossed it because it didn't meet their safety standards. It passed the official ones, but Arai has higher standards than what is legally required. They are only interested in making the safest helmets.

 

I remember an episode of the Highside/Lowside podcast talking about it when it came out and it made some compelling arguments that I can't remember haha

But here is an article comparing the two: https://www.revzilla.com/common-tread/2024-kawasaki-ninja-zx-4rr-vs-ninja-zx-6r
They have the US corked at 45hp version, so take power level discussions with that in mind. Biggest thing that surprised me was the difference in ergonomics and riding position.

Here is the podcast episode if you have a couple audio hours to kill
https://www.revzilla.com/common-tread/highsidelowside-podcast-the-zx-4rr-and-other-fizzy-400s

 

Triumph just announced a new 660 Daytona. 100hp, triple, so lower end torque and higher end HP. That's what I'd be looking at

 

Bump these

 

Just ordered a Scorpion EXO-R1 Air. Got it on sale. So hopefully I like it if not it will go on the shelf next to all my old helmets. It's the quartararo replica

 

If you aren't ordering helmets from Revzilla or rockymountain (free exchanges) you should be. The latter is more dirt oriented though

 

That's exactly where I ordered it from revzilla.

 

That’s the exact one I got. Except, I didn’t get it on sale because I bought it RIGHT before he switched helmet manufacturers.