What is the appeal of modern sports bikes?

[27cows]

I'm obviously missing some kind of gene that makes the average motorcyclist either ride what can loosely be termed a 'sports bike' or else to lust after one and hope to eventually get their sweaty mitts on one.

So many of these bikes look (to me) pretty similar. The obligatory acres of plastic, (usually aftermarket) can pointing skywards, huge and very expensive tyres, upside downers, physical size of a 250 of a few years ago, usually sub 3 sec 0-60 and a top whack of at least 150. Virtually everyone who rides one seems to conform to a standard uniform appearance - coloured leathers, those boots (you know, the ones without steel toe caps ), lid costing more than I've paid for most of the bikes I've owned and a seeming inability to ride at anything like a sensible pace

I like naked bikes. Preferably air cooled. 'Interesting' handling. Something that, if you teleported a rider from the 50s to the modern day, they'd immediately recognise as being a motorcycle, rather than some mad space age vehicle (like a 1098R or Hayabusa). I don't like wearing leathers. I have a fondness for old tanks like the ETZ251, CZ250, Jawa 638 and GT500, for tiddlers like the RXS100, Fizzy, Puch Grand Prix and Simson S50, and for rapid off roaders, particularly old PE Suzukis and newish 2T Huskies. Normally when I buy a four stroke, particularly a large one, it's because of the low price and because I know I can sell it on for a modest profit...and I also like to experience a range of different bikes (I've owned around 200 since 1983).

Am I a freak? Am I beyond help? Is there any chance of me discovering the appeal of sports bikes and maybe even buying one? What exactly attracts people to things like the ZX12R, R1 and GSXR1000? What exactly is the point of going at warp factor speeds effortlessly? Surely the point of biking is to - if not ride on the edge - at least feel the edge isn't too far away

[T0MMY]

I prefer smaller engined bikes but I guess the appeal of busas and such like is just the exhilaration of that kind of power. For me, the appeal of motorcycles is mostly going round corners fast and sportsbikes are the best at doing that They have the best suspension, the best brakes, the best chassis and the best engines so their appeal is that they are...good. If what you want is practicality, economy, comfort or some particular image then there are other choices but if you just like the performance then they're an obvious choice.
____________________
ZX6R + CBR600RR

[Seb]

[Harold_Shand]

27cows, have you owned a sports bike?
____________________
BCF's 6th favourite poster 2009-2010

Harold_Shand's theory might be the best explanation.

[Wilson123]

Some people enjoy knowing that they have the acceleration of the fastest car on the planet under them, some people like to go stupid speeds, some people ride bikes to look good, some people can afford all that expensive shit you listed, is it that hard to believe?
____________________
Doug97 wrote: Fuck you, what they did was awesome. You just wish you had the balls to be like them, instead of being constantly afraid that there's a rule somewhere out there you might be breaking.

[st3v3]

[27cows]

[T0MMY]

To be honest you may just have to accept the fact that whilst you don't like them a lot of other people do and stop trying to make a point about it on here, especially when you make it with sweeping generalisations about our behaviour. It comes across as being a bit arrogant when you are clearly suggesting that your way is the right way.
____________________
ZX6R + CBR600RR

[yuri2085]

Also, I know lots of sports bike riders who don't wear power ranger leathers. I don't lust after one, but wouldn't say no to owning one because it is something I would like to try and think I would enjoy. Although I also don't think I will ever stop liking naked bikes and offroad bikes.

You do have a rather irrational hate for people who like sportsbikes though, from some of your posts it seems that way anyway.

[Flip]

People just have different tastes and needs as well as different/certain expectations from a bike.

[27cows]

[mistergixer]

Fairly pointless thread really - it may be difficult for you to comprehend, but different people like different things.
This fact might perhaps explain why bike manufacturers make lots of different sorts of bikes.
Not everyone wants to wobble around on a ropey old air-cooled shitter with 'interesting' handling and a hinge in the middle of the frame.
Personally, i can't see why anyone would want anything other than a sportsbike. No doubt there'll be a 'Well i ride an *insert old shitter here* and i'm always overtaking sportsbikes' comment along shortly - well, that's just great, well done you.
____________________
Space Monkey #7
Don Eladio is dead. His capos are dead. You have no one left to fight for. Fill your pockets and leave in peace. Or fight me and die!
Mistergixer's videos on YouTube

[tvr321]

I observe and lurk rather than post, but I couldn't keep myself from chipping in here.

27cows, you are becoming very boring with this topic. Your like and broken record and nobody really cares any more. It is obvious you have lots of knowledge to share, but please do it without adding a stupid little comment about sports bikes at the end. You just seem to live in your own little world. Everyone has opinions, and everyone's is different. Each to their own.

Just STFU.

Done.

[27cows]

[Flip]

[mistergixer]

Here's an idea: why don't you simply fuck off and spare us all the tedious drivel?
The appeal of sportsbikes - they go fast. Going fast is fun.
End of.


____________________
Space Monkey #7
Don Eladio is dead. His capos are dead. You have no one left to fight for. Fill your pockets and leave in peace. Or fight me and die!
Mistergixer's videos on YouTube

[T0MMY]

Who was the other halfwit out of interest?

I suppose if you want to know why the "flagship" models are sporty then think about it like this:-

A motorbike must be able to move, stop and go round corners. A sports bike is what we call a bike that is designed to maximise moving, stopping and cornering.

I've nearly always had either sports cars or Gti type cars. Lately I've been borrowing a Mondeo to get to work and even though I just potter along when I'm commuting I just find the engine, the brakes and the handling so depressingly awful that it annoys me even though I'm not going fast enough to need these attributes. Sporty vehicles are just very good to drive/ride.
____________________
ZX6R + CBR600RR

[The Original Muzza]

[Flip]

[strag]

I think this is a fair question and very valid. It is a question about bikes, on a bike forum, whats wrong with that?

If it was a 'different' member posting it, they would get a ton of positive replies instead of the wagon, the, band, on and jumping (re arrange to make a well known saying).

I have had the GSXR 100's etc yet I come from an era, 70's, when this type of bike was not yet around. I got one because it was new and shiny and the latest toy, I make no apologies for that. I loved my sports bikes and would have another like a shot. I currently ride an 08 Tuono so I have not really strayed far, and have an RGV 250 'in progress'. That said I am getting to old and am far to aware of my mortality to pin the throttle everywhere.

I would happily have an old Z1000 or GT750 but I am crap at fettling and just want to get on and ride!

Each to their own I guess.
____________________
carbon bling

[27cows]

[T0MMY]

[Dr. DaveJPS]

all that follows is my opinion;

Us brit's have always favoured sportsbikes this is possibly due to our history. back in the 1930-60's we were the big motorcycle production nation (eg you couldn't win shit at the manx unless you were on a Manx Norton or Velocette Thruxton) and come to think of it we had a lot of the racetracks too. the guys who were riding then had to adapt their streetbikes to look like the racers.

This ethos has filtered down our motorcycling culture which is why guy's want sports bikes, even you admit that;

[mistergixer]

[27cows]