How do you feel about your bike?

NSR125-Kid-UK · Attention Whore Joined: 03 May 2003 Karma :

I don't know about you people, but here is some backstory by way of introduction.

When i first got my NSR from mike, I thought of it as mike's bike. Something that while i owned it, wasn't mine. I sat on it and felt uncomfortable, almost as if the machine wanted to shrug me off as a neighbor's dog would resist your petting it. Eventually though as time went on, I came to accept the bike, and like a good companion as it got used to me, it complained less and we grew together. One night after work i took it out (this must have been from about 1 till 3 am) and had a good ride with her.

On the way back from the ride, i felt like the NSR and I had truly got to know each other, come to accept each other. The NSR had pushed me, scared and exhilirated me, and i had pushed the NSR, pushing her through harder and harder tests. No matter how much I pushed, she never slapped my wrists, never struck back in anger, simply let me know that I had reached the limit. On that ride, i reached surprisingly few limits. At the end of the ride, I felt like the NSR had accepted me as her new partner, and I had accepted the NSR as my new bike.

I never ever got angry with my bike. Even when she broke down, I only felt angry at myself. After all, most machine malfunctions are caused by user/rider error. Even as i sweated and gritted my teeth to push her two miles up hill, not once did i resent or dislike her. Looking at her in the garage, unable to start, with a smashed panel, i felt like i had failed to take care of my bike, and as an owner I was letting my machine down.

Eventually though, when i fixed her, i felt like i had nursed her back to health. It seemed all my sins were forgiven.

When i took the NSR on a 65 mile round trip to Donny and back, I knew exactly what she expected of me, when she wanted me to change gear, and she knew how i liked to be treated. she gave me a smooth ride with plenty of go. Any problem in our riding was met with a feeling of "easy girl, it's nothing we can't get through".

Nowadays, even when i'm in the middle of nowhere on my bike, I never feel alone. I feel that I've brought a loved one to a place that means something to me. I feel i've not so much rode my bike to that place, as gently moved their with a companion. I feel the partnership between man and machine is embodied perfectly in the relationship between rider and motorcycle. Perhaps not. Perhaps in this case the relationship between very close friends is a more accurate metaphor.

I love my bike, I hope I always do. The thought of getting rid of her and getting another bike is like the thought of divorcing a beloved wife and getting another one in the hopes that you can love her as much.

All said and done, for her flaws, which bother me surprisingly little, the NSR is my bike. I've come to accept her and i've come to love her. You only ever have one first bike, and even if i get a CBR600RR, I will always remember the NSR. It is my hope that i remain her friend for a good while longer.

I would like to know if anyone feels the same way about their bike...
All opinions appreciated...
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https://www.bikepics.com/members/nsrandy/96rs250/ My Bike!

"I'm either going to teach andy to get his knee down, or I'm going to get him killed. One of the two" - Teaman

Laura · Playboy Bunny Joined: 28 Jul 2003 Karma :

I love my cbr at first it was hard geting used to and a couple of times I wonderd weather i had done the right thing making such a big jump but yesterday I went on a ride with a very experienced rider who taught me to do advanced corner lines etc and I feel like I belong.

Can I point something out.

G1_ · World Chat Champion Joined: 27 May 2002 Karma :

Laura · Playboy Bunny Joined: 28 Jul 2003 Karma :

There is nothing wrong with that but last weekend he was going on about getting rid of the nsr straight away and buying one as he was bored of the nsr.
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Good girls ride motorcycles bad girls thrash them.

kev · I Hump Things Joined: 07 Oct 2002 Karma :

Its just a lump of metal.
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20:02:36 Jammy-R6: any holes a goal
20:02:48 kev: even if its a hairy mans arse
20:02:56 Jammy-R6: hell yes

Doddmaster · World Chat Champion Joined: 02 Feb 2002 Karma :

I know what you mean man. When I'm riding the Storm everything just feels perfect and I don't have a care in the world. It is easily the best stress relief around! Whenever I have been annoyed by someone or something I just go for a good thrash and everything is good again Smile

I especially notice how much I love the bike when I have been driving to work all week and then go for a ride at the weekend. Driving is absolute crap compared to riding a bike, I can guarantee that when I going to work on the bike, I am probably the only person around who wishes I worked further away and could ride the bike for longer!
You always remember the first though. I didn't really love my scooter, but my Husky meant so much to me. I can't explain how gutted I was when I had got up off the floor and checked the bike out. I knew there and then it was a write-off and it felt like I had lost a good mate! Sounds sad I know, but biking is a major part of my life, and always will be

Gti · Bendy Groupie Joined: 07 May 2003 Karma :

Look mate, it's a bike. Yeah you get attatched to it, much in the same way you get attatched to the money in your wallet that you don't want to get nicked.
But don't w*nk over it.

No offence intended.

divuk83 · World Chat Champion Joined: 27 Nov 2003 Karma :

https://www.divuk83.com/images/pic05436.jpg

It could be you.......

Shaun · Likes 'em bent Joined: 17 May 2003 Karma :

It really is andy!

Dusty · King of the Rim Joined: 25 Mar 2003 Karma :

I don't have a bike. Crying or Very sad

Just been out on G's RS250, that's quite a lot of fun, except when you run out of petrol and have to push it back. Confused

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Gallery

John · World Chat Champion Joined: 27 Apr 2003 Karma :

Shaun · Likes 'em bent Joined: 17 May 2003 Karma :

I like my bike but haven't had chance to ride it properly yet because of the fork seal and insurance thing, it will be all sorted at the end of the month though! Very Happy

If you love your bike that much Andy make sure you have all the security you can, use the same security system I use. All you have to do is completely remove the front end of the bike, doesn't take all that long and will get quicker as you do it more! Very Happy

Dusty · King of the Rim Joined: 25 Mar 2003 Karma :

Demonic69 · The Pink Rhino Joined: 31 May 2002 Karma :

I luv my brick erm.. bike Very Happy

I wouldn't go as far as you Andy, bike humping's not my thing Razz

My NSR was ok but I never really loved it, the RF was GREAT, just a little slow. The Gixxer was an arse and we never got on.
Now I have the Blade and it's perfect for me. Nice and fast, handles well and is a comfy ride. Sorted Very Happy

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Back on a Blade. Just feels so right.

craigT19 · Jolly Green Giant Joined: 09 Feb 2002 Karma :

Me and my bike have had ups and downs.

start of last year i absolutely loved it, in my eyes there was nouthing better.......... but watching a loved one crash and ultimatly die on his bike tends to put things in perspective,

al of a sudden i found my self compleatly unable to justify it....... the speed the power, just didnt make sense to me anymore....and for atleast 6 months, i can honestly say i was on the edge of my seat every time i was on it, i really didnt like it anymore.

because of this i started to loose interest....i stoped cleaning it, tarting it up, and basically didnt look after it.

that has now started to change....going on that bcf trackday with you guys at cadwell was the first time it was all clear to me.....i really had the time of my life, and the bike started having an effect on me that if haddnt had since i first bought it, and it just went from there.

now im starting to rebuild it....replacing corroded bits etc etc......and im fiding my self looking forward to thrashing it about this summer.......havnt felt like that in a while Wink

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Bikes owned :- 2001 nsr125, 1999 zx6r, 2006 yzf-r1, 2009 xmax 250, 2012 yzf-r1, 2015 MT-07
Current bike : - 2016 MT-10
Crying or Very sad

BCF member pops. sadly missed Crying or Very sad

1945-2003

Sparks! · Sir Tart-a-lot Joined: 30 Aug 2003 Karma :

I hate my ZXR, I hate kawasaki's

They are a pain.

MY bike has had problem after problem, fix one thing, something else breaks, I hear this a lot with Krapasaki's, don't hear too much hassle with newer Yamaha's.

I'll be glad to sell this ZXR.
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Current Toys: 06 Yamaha WR250F | Nissan 350Z GT | Tech 4 Homes

craigT19 · Jolly Green Giant Joined: 09 Feb 2002 Karma :

u must just have a bad apple mate....in 17 thousand miles the only thing to break on my zx6 is the clutch cable
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Bikes owned :- 2001 nsr125, 1999 zx6r, 2006 yzf-r1, 2009 xmax 250, 2012 yzf-r1, 2015 MT-07
Current bike : - 2016 MT-10
Crying or Very sad

BCF member pops. sadly missed Crying or Very sad

1945-2003

JimboJ · Manc Pikey Joined: 23 Aug 2002 Karma :

Until my bike has R1/GSXR/ZX or the like on the side of it I will not be happy. (and actually be one of them not just a sticker Razz

)

I need a new bike.

James
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[00:42] <NSR-Andy> which one's the missionary position
[00:42] <NSR-Andy> i've heard it's good
[9:42pm] <Shaun> you came first mike | <Shaun> yes gav, because I really want to fuck you

Stew · Posted: 16:46 - 14 Feb 2004 Post subject:

I have loved riding and caring for every one of my bikes I have ever owned, however I wouldn't go as far as wanting to hump any of 'em. Laughing

I love Andy's 'psychology of the motorcycle' up there^^ Laughing

I took M's VFR for its MOT the other day and loved it although it obviously felt a little underpowered compared to my YZF.

/me awaits Robby's reply to this thread. (probably something like, 'my current bike ia ace, all the others are crap Razz

)
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"Unlike public school you don't need to have your arse up and your head down to go a long way...."

Sparks! · Sir Tart-a-lot Joined: 30 Aug 2003 Karma :

Craig, newer bikes maybe ok, I think I made a mistake in buying the bike I did as it was a bit tatty, I fixed it all up then dropped it, so changed the fairings for even tattier ones just because they were relatively useable.

Then the MOT run out and the problems started, so I took it off the road.

Now its got nice red/black/silver fairings on and really really looks nice, but it's just been one problem after another with the electrics etc.

With help of a mate, I've fixed all the electric problems with side stand switch and neutral light etc, and it's ready for it's MOT which is on Saturday next week. But it's still got this fueling problem which even my mate can't work out and he's an "expert" on 400cc bikes, especially the ZXR.

I really don't know what's wrong with it, it basically feels restricted but I've taken the kit out! And it's only restricted via the washers anyway. After I took restrictors out, I got it up to 115mph, not much but I wasn't trying, only in 5th gear and it was still pulling fine, so it DID work fine to start with.

Then I only used the bike to and from work, so nothing about 60 really, then when I jumped on the motorway I noticed the running problems!

No idea what it is, but I don't really feel like fixing it. I'm getting it MOT'd on Saturday and will take it from there.

I'm still saving for the R6, I have enough cash to buy one as long as I sell my ZXR for around £1800 but I'm not sure if that's going to happen or not so I'll have to keep saving etc.

And for One1985, and others that knew about that, for the record mate, the bike was fine when I was selling to you, 100% fine other than needing setting up to suit the race can, which isn't a problem now as I've put the road legal back on. So for those that thought I was "ripping him off", it's not true, the problems started after that. Crying or Very sad

Anyway, roll on Yamaha R6. Things will be better Smile

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Current Toys: 06 Yamaha WR250F | Nissan 350Z GT | Tech 4 Homes

NSR125-Kid-UK · Attention Whore Joined: 03 May 2003 Karma :

That's not me humping my bike, i don't hump my bike Confused

.
It's probably worth pointing out that the first and last time the NSR ever gave me a scare was the first night I was insured and the first night i took it above 50.

As for the "grow up", I'm angered by the strong choice of words and respond thus: It's my life, my decision. If my lack of experience kills me then so be it.
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https://www.bikepics.com/members/nsrandy/96rs250/ My Bike!

"I'm either going to teach andy to get his knee down, or I'm going to get him killed. One of the two" - Teaman

Sparks! · Sir Tart-a-lot Joined: 30 Aug 2003 Karma :

You spent months and months saving for the NSR, how can you suddenly afford £6k for a CBR600RR?
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Current Toys: 06 Yamaha WR250F | Nissan 350Z GT | Tech 4 Homes

NSR125-Kid-UK · Attention Whore Joined: 03 May 2003 Karma :

By the time i can afford to pay cash, i'll be good enough to ride one Laughing

. I saw a rather nice RVF in tow, £3250, good condition. I'll decide what bike i go for when i get close to being able to afford one.

In any case, finance is my friend Wink

.
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https://www.bikepics.com/members/nsrandy/96rs250/ My Bike!

"I'm either going to teach andy to get his knee down, or I'm going to get him killed. One of the two" - Teaman

Will · Spanner Monkey Joined: 22 Dec 2002 Karma :

Sparks! · Sir Tart-a-lot Joined: 30 Aug 2003 Karma :

Mate ride the NSR for a few months then get a 400 for a year, then get a big bike and you'll be able to ride it properly.

I'm glad I bought a 400.

I've been riding it since May, altho it's been off the road most of it so only have about 5/6 or so months of actual riding time, so only done 8,000 miles on it, but they teach you a lot.
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Current Toys: 06 Yamaha WR250F | Nissan 350Z GT | Tech 4 Homes