I totally get it now

[Spamalittle]

So the OH and I popped into Saltire in Edinburgh this afternoon just to look for some new jeans for an upcoming biking trip. Unbeknownst to us they were having a test ride day and before we could even make our way to the clothing rails we were cajoled into going out for a run.

The bikes that were still available were a GSR750, GSXR750, GSXR1000 and a Burgman so the OH took the GSR and I had this shiny new GSXR750:

https://i.imgur.com/F2aKtv0l.jpg

There were about 10 of us all told led by a couple of IAM instructors.

Now I’ve never even considered that I might enjoy a sports bike: I’m not that excitable about speed and thought the low bars and crouched position would be unbearable after 5 mins of riding etc. etc. Well, judging by the lunatic grin still plastered to my face it’s safe to say that I’ve been thoroughly enlightened.

Whilst attempting to not sound like a bad amateur review, the gixxer was completely confidence inspiring - light, responsive, handled brilliantly and the brakes were like nothing else I’ve experienced. If I’m honest I’m quite ashamed of the brakes on my SV now (and utterly ashamed of the suspension).

So will I buy a sports bike at some point in the future? I don’t know. But the answer this morning would have been a resounding “not on your life, mate”. Now I’m most definitely not opposed and about half way to being converted.
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Story so far: RV125 VanVan > SV650 > Indian Scout > Triumph Thruxton, SV650 (again) & CG125

[Albigularis]

The great thing about having a sports bike is that it's designed for the track, so they usually have awesome brakes, handle well etc. Having those qualities maximised on the road is a good thing. You're so far away from the bikes capabilities in daily riding that there's tons of error room.

The riding position is generally fine over 50mph, as the wind keeps you up. I've done 5 hour rides on the ZX10R and no problems.
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Biking history so far-
Aprilia RS125 - Kawasaki ZXR400 - Triumph Street Triple R - Suzuki GSXR1000 L3 - BMW R1200GS - Kawasaki Z1000 - Kawasaki ZX10R C1H - Ducati Multistrada 1200 S Touring - Suzuki Hayabusa

[chickenstrip]

This thread makes me sad. I totally get them, I just can't physically ride them
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Chickenystripgeezer's Biking Life (Latest update 19/10/18) Belgium, France, Italy, Austria tour 2016 Picos de Europa, Pyrenees and French Alps tour 2017 Scotland Trip 1, now with BONUS FEATURE edit, 5/10/19, on page 2 Scotland Trip 2 Luxembourg, Black Forest, Switzerland, Vosges Trip 2017
THERE'S MILLIONS OF CHICKENSTRIPS OUT THERE!

[struan80]

I've seen these GSXR's at Saltire, they do look lovely in the flesh in the 2015 colours. This thread makes me want to add one GSXR750 to list of bikes I want

How was the GSXS?

[Fladdem]

[chickenstrip]