I have a couple of retired racing friends who now race with the AMRA and they are seriously fast. It seems safe but even grown men break their collarbones from time to time on these "kids" bikes (as one found out this year)

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HighSides Trips and Pics
http://totalmotorcycle.com/BBS/viewtopic.php?f=32&t=16003

Just as a heads up Im picking up a 1998 GSX-R 600 tomarrow. It was laid down on a gravel road at 35. Cracked some fairings, and broke the shifter lever. It is mechanically fine, it actually cold started last night when it was 30 degrees out side! It has a clear title and Im getting it for $300 cant beat it. And my truck ran a 11.13 at 128.73 with a 2.16 60" Spinning all the way threw second (3 Speed TH-350). But back to the bike, the only reasons I am getting it is because the price for one. Another reson is so I can gain a better understanding of bikes since I will be mildly rebuilding this one and last but not least is the size. This bike in my opion is much larger than the 600s of today. And since Im not excatly small I would like to be comfortable while Im riding. While I was over there I practiced letting out the clutch while I was walking the bike and got to the point where I was turning with out putting my feet out. I honestly believe that a 600 will suit me just fine and wont be to much for me. Although the motor has internal work aswell as external work and the owner before me said that he has had the needle burried with virtually no effort it still behaves calm under normal driving. Say what you want, type what you wanna type. I have 2 part time jobs working 40 hours a week and Im still in high school. Ive done everything Ive set my mind to.

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Horse Power Is How Fast You Hit The Wall
Tourqe Is How Far You Take The Wall With You

Good price on the bike, but...
"Don't have to put your feet down" ... That's a little scary.
Do you ever watch Superbikes? Jason rides a 600.
Well, you're young and if you survive you should heal quickly.

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Life is an Incredible Journey with a Questionable Destination. Enjoy the Journey Cuz the Destination Might Suck!

"Left us peacefully in his sleep"...PHOOEY!
I'm goin in sliding on my butt with my front wheel tucked under, screaming for one more chance to do it again!

$300, eh?

I think you might be in for more of a headache than you realize.

/shrug

Grats on the bike, I guess. Broken bike is better than no bike, for sure.

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"Man cannot remake himself without suffering, for he is both the marble and the sculptor." Alexis Carrel

Tell me about it. I got the 360 because it was cheap and it ran. Now that i'm into it for almost $1000 I kinda wish i had picked something else. Learned a lot about working on it along the way though.

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1976 Honda CBR360R/T
1998 Honda VTR1000 SuperHawk 996

Fargo, ND supports global warming

First of all thanks for this thread (hilarious in parts esp. the bit where the high school kid is going to buy a 1litre bike as his first bike. I know I had some foolish tendencies at that age but I don't recall them going that far)

Anyway, I have been riding for a while (rode in my 20s for 5-6years and have recently taken it up again and been riding a Suzuki c50/Volusia for the past year). I feel pretty comfortable on a bike and I am reasonably responsible. I am not stupid enough to think I am a great rider but consider myself to be ok.

As such I am not considering buying a sportsbike of any kind. I think they look great but in my opinion are just too dangerous unless you're on the motogp circuit.

However I am thinking of buying something like the Ducati Monster 695 or 1100. I am 6'4" and around 100kg. My main reason I want to sell the C50 is (besides always wanting a Ducati) is to have something that handles/corners a bit better. This is one of the most enjoyable parts of riding a bike for me. I do not need huuuuuuge amounts of speed but would like some there for the occasional open straight and wouldn't like to be restricted for the occasional....but what I am concerned about is the acceleration of these compared to sportsbikes. Anyone got any advice for me?

I know most of you are thinking 'go and try it out' and yes I will but I'd like to hear from you....do they perform like or similarly to sportsbikes? or are they a little slower to accelerate? any experiences ? thanks

If I am not mistaken, and I often am, the duc monsters would fall under the pure sport bike category. Have you considered either the Triumph Sprint ST's or older RS models or the Honda VFR's? They are Sport Touring machines that lean more towards the Sport side of the ST world.

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Always ask why.

My wife rides an '05 S2R800 Monster and it is a comfortable sportbike with decent, although not mind-blowing power. The acceleration is quite a bit better than your current bike although not ballistic like a 120+hp bike is on the straights. The key with the Monsters is that they are momentum bikes. They handle quite well and have a much wider powerband than a lot of sportbikes and are therefore easier to ride smoothly. It is surprising how easily a well ridden Monster can keep up with or even leave behind a much higher powered bike on a twisty road.

So I say go for it. The new 696 and 1100 are significantly better bikes than the older ones like our S2R. To top it off the 696 is cheap to buy and seems to hold it's value very well.

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HighSides Trips and Pics
http://totalmotorcycle.com/BBS/viewtopic.php?f=32&t=16003

I'm the same height as you, 6'4" tall and I don't fit at all on the Ducati's, just too small... but it could also be my 34" inseam too (what is your inseam?). If you are looking for a Ducati, try their Hypermotard or Multistrada line, it will be much more comfortable for you. http://www.totalmotorcycle.com/photos/2011models/2011models-Ducati.htm



The L-Twin (like a V-Twin but 90°) of the Ducati motor will give you lower down torque than an inline-4 of a sportbike, but you won't get the high-end rush of an Inline-4. (not bad, just different)

If you are looking to go out and try a bike, I'd suggest the Suzuki V-Strom 650 or a bike with room on it like the Triumph Bonneville or H-D Dyna/Fat Bob or even a Bandit 1200/1250. Any "standard" type of bike will work well for you too.

Mike

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