Today's point on the learning curve

I've sold the sports bike and ride BMW K's through choice.

Mind you the challenge is much greater on the K and there's much more
skill in planning the overtake because (I think) it's more about the
position on the torque curve than downright power. The K doesn't as
much accelerate as gather momentum.

Still manage to do the same number of sharp intakes of breath though. I
tend to get my jollies from filtering and overtaking lines of traffic
rather than cornering these days. Although there's a certain amount of
pleasure gained dragging my pegs; especially at the entrance roundabout
to my office campus but I have to balance this bit with being a
responsible member of staff...

It's even better on an old bike. Of course the fuckers come back at you
and fly past at 120+ given the first clear, straight bit. Makes it even
*nicer* if you can catch them in traffic again.

I'm convinced I get as much pleasure out of riding an old bike close to
its limits as a new bike well within its limits. I was also thinking
today that my corner entry speed isn't *that* much slower on the K100
and came to the conclusion that my limiting factor in corners was
visibility (and ability...)

 

When ridden properly, the 400/4[1] that darsy's bringing to Chimay is
an absolute _hoot_ to ride with bigger bikes. You just have to keep
the throttle nailed all the way through the bends and it's amazing
what you'll catch and overtake. Best on left-handers unless you want
to grind the exhaust.

It's great fun, I grant you, but ultimataley it doesn't come close to
the feeling of riding a proper bike.


[1] DILLIGAF?
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..'_/_|_\_'. Ace (brucedotrogers a.t rochedotcom)
\`\ | /`/ GSX-R1000K3
`\\ | //' BOTAFOT#3, SbS#2, UKRMMA#13, DFV#8, SKA#2
`\|/`
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Rings a bell. Somewhere in darkest Gloucestershire I think. There
were a couple of ZX12s there as well. Think I had the SV at the time
so it would have been 2001.

 

well, the fact I was on the TRX pins it to either 2000, or 2001, so
you're probably right.

 

Well, I've done both and I know which I prefer. The problem for me was
that straight line speed was eventually going to get me into serious
trouble with a large-bore sports bike; i.e. a little time at 'her
majesty's pleasure'. I had a real problem *not* trying to exceed 150
where ever possible and temptation's not something I deal with easily.

At least the worst that's going to happen with the Beemer is they'll
take my license and not my liberty and livelyhood.

 

I fail to see the problem.

You've been suckered in by scaremongering, you have. JP has stated several
times that simply doing these speeds cannot get you banged up. Dangerous
driving is just as easily done on less powerful bikes, you know.

--
_______
..'_/_|_\_'. Ace (brucedotrogers a.t rochedotcom)
\`\ | /`/ GSX-R1000K3
`\\ | //' BOTAFOT#3, SbS#2, UKRMMA#13, DFV#8, SKA#2
`\|/`
`