Wanting a fast bike, like riding fast, but self preservation

[Samsbike]

Sorry could not summarise the title enough, so I will never be a copywriter, or whatever they are called.

I quite enjoy riding quickly and something trashing the bike. However, while I enjoy it, a part of me is concerned about self preservation and therefore am less inclined to do it.

I do fancy a bigger bike, for taking the children pillion and weekend rides (a street triple is/ was considered - and its quick) and it will be more of a garage queen, but I cant help feel it will be far too tempting.

Anyone else feel the same (yes I know its probably an age thing!)

[Holdawayt]

I'm 25.

I don't hang about at all, and I normally go into a little zone when I'm on a fast run where I don't really think about anything other than getting the bike round the next corner. It's only afterwards when I feel I might've been pushing it a bit.
The bike is only going to go as quickly as your right hand directs it to. You could easily bumble along on a GSXR1000 the same as you would a 250.

My advice would be to go for it, get the bike out on track and then push your limits. Far safer to do it there than on the road. Then slowly build your confidence that way. Certainly don't be put off buying a bigger bike because you don't trust yourself.

[Conzar]

Fireblade /thread
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Current ride: ZX6R 636 ------- Previous:KTM EXC 450 Supermoto --- ZX6R B1H --Hornet 600--CBR 600--SV650
11:05:35 Rob Fzs: i just wanna own an rd350 valve before they send us to war with durkadurkastan

[skatefreak]

I'm exactly in your shoes...
Had a cbr600 f3 and last year tried a track day. Done. Hooked.
So at the end of the year I bought a shiney 99 R1 for the road and retired the F3 for the track.

Surprisingly I'm no worse on the R1, certainly don't hang about but I don't take as many risk's as 'pushing it' on the roads as its a lot less comfortable than being on the track (must admit though, I do still love playing in traffic but its not about the speed but navigating the constantly changing environment (zippy zig zagging?).

Long story short, try a track day. You can focus 100% on what you're doing and push yourself knowing your in a safe environment and this has helped me differentiate my 'commuting mindset' on vs my 'need for speed' which I can accept and indulge in the appropriate place.

I'm 31 and I'm thinking like an old fart
Gives me an excuse for £££ on track days though

[MarJay]

It's possible to be smooth and safe and still be fast, but the important thing is to know what is a safe risk, and what is a dangerous risk. The problem with this is that you have to practice, learn, reflect on your riding and strive for perfection.

My attitiude with riding is the same as it is for martial arts and work and everything else. Perfection is effectively impossible, so the only thing you can do is strive to improve all the time.

A Street Triple (in my opinion) Is about right for a quick bike that you can still just about manage to thrash on the road. Anything much more than that and you're held back by license and danger worries. Even on the track I prefer medium power bikes (like a 600-675) than massive power. I never really got on with the Fireblade I had, and the best bikes I've had have all been as lightweight as possible whatever power level they have. This means you can dominate the bike rather than allow it to control you.

The most fun bikes I've ridden have all been in the 40-110bhp range, mostly towards the bottom end of that range if I'm honest.
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British beauty: Triumph Street Triple R; Loony stroker: KR1S; Track fun: GSXR750 L1; Commuter Missile: GSX-S1000F; Cheap project: CBR900RR FireBlade
Remember kids, bikes aren't like lego. You can't easily take a part from one bike and then fit it to another.

[Samsbike]

Cheers. I did try a W800, thinking it would give me the thrill of riding a bigger bike and a bit of fun. However, as good looking as it is, I found it very flat to ride and really did not enjoy it that.

It was fun to potter, but the show really had no go.

[notbike]

That 'self preservation' you speak of is your perceived limit. If you ride above this or too close to this often enough or all the time, then it's inevitable that one day you'll be caught out by something you never anticipated. I.e. a car pulling out that you're going too fast to brake for.

To mitigate this type of outcome in most situations, slow your pace down to a point where you know you can brake in time for stuff or just be prepared in general for stuff happening. If you have trouble doing even that, you're riding above your limit and need a slower bike to keep your pace down, which brings me to the second point.

The type of bike you own influences your pace A LOT (if you're anything like me)

Example, on Ninja 300 I would find it hard to overtake on NSL and wouldn't do risky overtakes because fuck it, probably won't make it. Or on a dual carriageway I knew I didn't have enough power to shoot through gaps and lane hop.

Total opposite now I have the R6, can downshift and be gone in the blink of an eye, so tend to take far more risks on this bike than I did on the slower bike. Will happily lane hop just cause I can speed through gaps quickly and the brakes are insane compared to what I had before.

I also ride at a faster general cruising speed on the R6 just because the gears are so long and it feels so effortless. That means I'm always speeding, but it doesn't feel like speeding because I'm comfortable with my brakes and know what's going on around me at all times, if I feel sketchy at all I slow down. I rarely speed when there's too much of either traffic, junctions, pedestrians, or cant see stuff properly (too many parked cars). The whole slowing down thing, and knowing where you can pace it comes with practice or knowing the area. If you can't be sure an oncoming bus won't fly around the corner causing you to lock up your R125's rear wheel and skid to a stop between some parked cars then you shouldn't be speeding there (learning curve for me when I first started riding )

If you don't want to be tempted, get a bike that will limit your ability to take risks, and learn where you shouldn't be speeding. Get a slower bike if you can't keep your pace down, and when you have enough experience (lol I've only been riding a few years) you'll get a better understanding of where & when it's safer to hoon it, and when you should tone it down.

Or just get a Fireblade and do fuckloads of trackdays.

[redeem ouzzer]

+16 for doing track days.

More upside, less risk.
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Be a REAL MAN!

[Mawsley]