So I'm at work last night, (10:30 pm to 6:30 am) and the topic of motorcycles comes up.  The conversation began while I was reading an article in Army Times, about new bikes that are coming out or have just recently come out.  The four bikes that were showcased were the new honda CBR 1000RR, Aprilla Shiver 750, KTM Super Duke 990R, and the Suzuki B King (1,340cc naked version of the Hayabusa).  I've been in the Army for almost four years now, and as much as I love being a soldier, some of the acts of stupidity that I've witnessed almost defy imagination.

I couldn't wrap my mind around why the Army Times would showcase such hugh end bikes.  The Hayabusa and CBR can exceed 190 mph and 170 mph respectively.  The Aprilla was the only bike that I would even consider owning.  When I stated that these bikes had too much power, and unless you were on a track, wouldn't be able to get half of the horsepower or torque (legally) out of the bike, my coworker told me I wasn't a real biker. 

He owns a GSXR 1000, and even though he emphatically stated that he's afraid to take it over 100 mph (not that you need to on the street), still insisted that all of the extra horsepower was a must.  I showed him the 696 that I plan on purchasing when I get back stateside.  He wasn't impressed, but at least he could respect other brands than just crotch rockets. 

He then attempts to show me what his bike looks like...  He goes to HONDA'S website, and then says, "I can't find the GSXR."     After I steered him to SUZUKI'S website, I then had to listen to him rant and rave about how great his bike is for the next half hour.

I may be prejudiced when it comes to motorcycles, but I respect all brands, because there really is a motorcycle out there for everyone.  But it irks the crap out of me to be lectured by a self-proclaimed subject matter expert, who can't even remember which company manufactures the motorcycle they own.

Tools...

I'm with you Adam.  I can't figure out why 900CC isn't still the top size bike.  The old ZX-9R was killer fast.  Everything since then is just stupid.

B king a naked hayabusa?


i suppose in the same way a monster s4 is a naked 916.

Quote from: Adamm3406 on July 05, 2008, 03:29:00 PM

I couldn't wrap my mind around why the Army Times would showcase such hugh end bikes. 

How bout because its not affiliated with the army, it's a commercial product, just another publication catering to their target market....which is the same market those bikes are trying for BTW....  The 18-26 YO male.

Congratulations on breaking the code with your buddy there on post that squids don't know anything but they read rags that tell them their bike is the best thing since sliced bread and that they MUST have the highest displacement superbike thats produced in order to feel like a "real" biker"

Of course they most likely have never been on a track, think that less chicken strip means your faster, ....squids through and through,

I don't know man. Just a while ago my 15 year old daughter and I were killing time at the local bike shop (she's hot for a 250 ninja) and I sat on a zx10r for a few minutes. Felt sorta like I did the first time I strapped on a stainless Beretta and walked around in the woods - sorta cool. I'd kinda like to have one.

Of course YRMV.

LA

Quote from: LA on July 05, 2008, 05:27:06 PM
...and I sat on a zx10r for a few minutes. Felt sorta like I did the first time I strapped on a stainless Beretta and walked around in the woods - sorta cool. I'd kinda like to have one.

Of course YRMV.

LA

Pffft.... Shoulda sat on the ZX14! That's the shiznit!

if your at work... instead of sitting around talking about bikes you should be working.  Get back to work Beeattch!

100 mph...on a gsxr1000.   

Quote from: Adamm3406 on July 05, 2008, 03:29:00 PM
I couldn't wrap my mind around why the Army Times would showcase such hugh end bikes.  The Hayabusa and CBR can exceed 190 mph and 170 mph respectively.  The Aprilla was the only bike that I would even consider owning.  When I stated that these bikes had too much power, and unless you were on a track, wouldn't be able to get half of the horsepower or torque (legally) out of the bike, my coworker told me I wasn't a real biker. 

Just wanted to cut + paste this post I made from another thread about naked 1098's, it sorta follows what you're saying:

True, but you know us; (humans)  more, More, MORE!!! 

Motorcyles sorta stop making sense when the power starts getting out of control. 1/2 the people who own literbikes probably don't even belong on them, and don't realize just how much brutal power there is sitting between their legs. But guess what? They look good on 'em!!! 

-I'm convinced that they could come out with a 300hp naked and they'd sell like hotcakes. People, as a general rule of thumb IMO, LOVE excess. Probably the same reason why the jackass who stuffed a chevy 350 big-block V-8 into a motorcycle frame is laughing all the way to the bank... 

-But hey; I'd take a 1098 naked anyday!!      

Quote from: LA on July 05, 2008, 05:27:06 PM
I don't know man. Just a while ago my 15 year old daughter and I were killing time at the local bike shop (she's hot for a 250 ninja) and I sat on a zx10r for a few minutes. Felt sorta like I did the first time I strapped on a stainless Beretta and walked around in the woods - sorta cool. I'd kinda like to have one.

Of course YRMV.

LA

LA, after your sleek black S4Rs , I think you would be disappointed.Yes they are extremly fast,  and the insurance is alot more . I don't think they are a bike for the twisties like your S4Rs . I've set on one and it seemed like a lifless hunk of metal. No soul like a Ducati.

Quote from: RobJohn3 on July 05, 2008, 07:20:37 PM

100 mph...on a gsxr1000.   

It should do that in 2nd gear !

There's just no excuse for ignorance . That being said ,is it up to those in the know  ( us ) to set our misguided brethern straight or just let them live in their world of fallacy and folly ?
         
I have had discussions with the nerdewells and found that they aren't just ignorant , but insulent and unable to comprehend what a higher level of thinking it takes to separate their prejudiciouses and misconceptions from the real and the fantasy they have lived with for so long it has become part of their social fabric.                             

We are the lucky ones. We have discovered Ducatis. We know the joy that the rest of the motorcycle world may never know. So let's be ever thankful that we are not those that are the posers or the squids . We are the chosen ones to experience Ducati and all that it has to offer . So let's try to be alittle more tolerant of those that wil or may never know true motorcycle Nirvana

""  He owns a GSXR 1000, and even though he emphatically stated that he's afraid to take it over 100 mph (not that you need to on the street), still insisted that all of the extra horsepower was a must.  I showed him the 696 that I plan on purchasing when I get back stateside.  He wasn't impressed, but at least he could respect other brands than just crotch rockets. ""

He's full of shit ! ! ! ! ! ! ! !  , or he's one of the next Darwin candidates , Like most of the tools on liter bikes. It's been my experience that 95 percent of the owners can't ride them and don't have a clue about the RAW power that is under them when they are sitting on the bike.I think their reasoning is " If I have a bike this big" everyone will automatically think I'm a rider"........ Sadly enough if you put a half decent rider on a ninja 250 and let them ride with the "Big Boys" , they probably could not keep up with it, They would be too damn busy braking and riding the clutch  while attempting to turn the wheel around the corners.


""  He then attempts to show me what his bike looks like...  He goes to HONDA'S website, and then says, "I can't find the GSXR."   bang head  After I steered him to SUZUKI'S website, I then had to listen to him rant and rave about how great his bike is for the next half hour. ""

Again I wave the BS flag!!!! Who the hell owns a bike and doesn't know who the hell the manufacturer is? Nobody is that damn stupid. I'd bet good money that he does not own a bike, and I'm not a gambler.

Drunken Rant over......................

Quote from: muscle_cars_only on July 05, 2008, 09:35:33 PM
Nobody is that damn stupid.............
Drunken Rant over......................

Oh YES they are!!  My drunken rant over.........   

first off, let me thank you for what you do.  it is people like you past, present and future that make this country what it is. i am forever grateful for the people in uniform, who sacrafice so we here can enjoy the freedom that you protect. 
thanks
ron tartaglia

second, i always run into people who don't have bikes and spew all kinds of stuff about how they have bikes or had them and love to hear the stories that they tell. sometimes i like to ask them, simple questions that any one who rides would know. things like " whats the tranny shift like 1 up and 5 down?" unless they ride a moto gp transmission, they usually screw that one up and another one i ask is " oh does that model have self canceling blinkers?"

i get real joy in pointing out the dummies who insist that they ride.


the ron