Rode on the back of a CBR 900RR to 130 mph!

[Fox Body]

Okay, a friend of mine who has a bike (not the CBR) took me for a ride on the back of his friend's (who frequently lets him borrow his bike for a day). I have NEVER in my life b4 felt such power (relative to the weight of the bike)!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Man, it's hard to describe. We hit 130 as fast as he dared without popping the front wheel. CRAP! Now this bike is good for 9's so figure in the weight of 2 guys and try to imagine. I figure at about 110 (b/c at this point, I couldn't see the speedo as I had to tuck in my head so the glasses wouldn't fall off) my helmet and safety glasses started trying to come off so we slowed down to a stop and I took off the glasses and tightened the helmet and then we did 119 mph-- this time I was able to see the speedo.

I'm not gonna waste time trying to describe the feeling...sorry. It was too much.

Okay, now I understand this wasn't the safest thing to do, but....... well.. let's just leave it at that.....

...I think I want a bike now....

[The Deuce]

Bikes are great. I'll take mine out and ride it hard, because all the other crap I have to deal with seems to fall off around 100.

Seriously though, it's a whole lot of fun, but pretty dangerous. Go get yourself one, and take a saftey course. Lots of people here ride. Guess nobody can get enough speed, eh?

[StoplightWarrior]

Cool!

I want a bike!!

[Hethj7]

I can't imagine the power a 929 or other liter bike would make. My 600 feels like it is going to pull out from underneath me everytime I get on the throttle!

[Mustangbelle306]

Hehehe welcome to the MADNESS Fox!

Yeah, so it wasn't safe...I clung to Matt up to ~120mph, and I too understand that feeling of exhilaration! I usually blab about safety this, safety that, but I'd much prefer to ride next to someone who wears a helmet, gear, and does the occasional silly move rather than some t shirt wearing squid who is careless 24/7. Just use your head and respect the power. Take it from another beginner!

Theres nothing like being on the back of a bike..Myself I like Harleys.. we had one when we lived in Hawaii, and man it was great....I'm going on a ride when I go back to Indiana with a group there all Harleys I'll be in heaven...But there is a lot of saftey that must be taken. I'm never worried about who I am on the bike with its the car drivers that but a scare in me. Odie

[joe4speed]

Motorcycles are awesome!!!

http://www.joe4speed.com/160mph.mpg

[Mach 1]

If I sell my car and the "need for speed" still exists (which Im sure it will) i was considering a bike to provide that fix for me. Cheaper than a car, cheaper insurance, faster....less space in the garage, why not? Yeah, they are dangerous, but that just provides more excitement.

[929PhoenixSquid]

It's the experience that sticks in your mind forever. Nothing compares to the acceleration of a liter bike. I've NEVER been in a car that even came close. Additionally, you are out in the open, which changes your perception of speed, acceleration, etc.... A windshield compared to a faceshield makes all the difference in the world. You're out there, exposed to the world.....

[Mach 1]

what kind of bike would you recommend for a begining rider? Brand, model, and engine size? i dont know a lot about bikes, but am really growing tired of the car scene and am seriously considering one in the future.

[929PhoenixSquid]

Originally posted by Mach 1
what kind of bike would you recommend for a begining rider? Brand, model, and engine size? i dont know a lot about bikes, but am really growing tired of the car scene and am seriously considering one in the future.

That all depends on several factors:

1) Do you want new or used? (If used, what year range?)
2) Are you extremely tall or extremely short?
3) What style of riding do you plan on doing?

[Mach 1]

Used: I think that would be a better value and I dont have a lot of money. Can you find used bikes in good condition that havent been beat to crap?

Year range: well, something old enough to be a good deal price wise, but new enough to be in good shape and reliable. I dont know, I usually buy my cars around 4 years old for those reasons. Is it similiar in the bike world?

Im 6' tall, so im not extreme in eithier direction.

Stlye of riding? Im not sure exactly what you mean, but I basically would like to cruise around town and on the back roads with enough power to get a decent thrill if I let er rip once in awhile. Im not interested in long distance riding over the interstate or anything like that.

[929PhoenixSquid]

Unfortunately, there is really no way to tell whether a bike has been dogged or not. Many people will tell you to inspect the bike for road rash, but you might pass up a mechanically incredible bike in for a perfect "looking" bike that's never had the oil changed or been tuned up for years.

I would highly recommend a 600cc sportbike from 1999-2001. 600's lose their value quicker than 750's or liter bikes. As far as models are concerned, look into the following:
Honda CBR600F4
Kawaksai ZX-6R
Yamaha R6
Suzuki GSXR-600

Try to find a bike completely stock with 2,000-7,000 miles on her. Aftermarket exhausts can cause the valves to burn out prematurely if the bike was not setup properly. They come out of the factory lean, so adding a less restricive exhaust makes them ever MORE lean. They would have to install a jet kit and have the carbs professionally synced in order to pull that off without damaging the longevity of the bike. Besides, the more mods that have been done, the more potential problems you may have to deal with.

[Mach 1]

Thanks, thats great info.

[Hethj7]

I would say all the same. You may also want to check this site out. Search the history there as many posts have been made about what is the best beginner bike.

sportbikeworld

[Fox Body]

Yeah, I'm seeing bikes waaaaay more differently than I use to (more in a positive way). My friend has an older bike. If his friend sells him the 900, I may buy his bike for ~$800. I think his bike is a 600cc. It'll be my beginner bike. He is gonna start letting me ride it and teach me some safety and basics. The purchase of the bike is not Definite, b/c the STANG project comes FIRST, but we'll see how it goes. If I do enter into the bike world, it'll probably be at the end of the year..

[The Deuce]

I agree with what Matt(929PhoenixSquid) said about looking for a bike. The only difference is I would recomend the 750cc bikes. I prefer my VFR because the v4 seems to be more flexible. Also the bigger bikes are more expensive new, which leads to usually older people getting them(though not always the case).

If you are going to start riding go to msf.com and look for a rider saftey course in your area. There are some physics issues with bikes that are counter intuitive, so it pays to have someone teach you this.

Its getting to the point here that we could have a bike day for all the people on the board. Keep the shiney side up, and have a good time.

[FivepointOH]

I've wanted a bike bad for a while but keep hearing positive and negative things. Since I live in a big city(houston or san marcos which is close to san antonio and austin) and can't control the actions of the cars around me I'm scared i'd get killed riding one. Any of you guys with bikes had pretty major accidents and survived? Anyone know the numbers on fatalities with bike accidents? Just trying to weigh in all the factors.

[The Deuce]

I went high side on my last bike, and totalled it. This was on the West side of Los Angeles. I guess that could be considered "pretty major". Bikes are pretty dangerous, but then so is driving a smaller car like a mustang around all these darn SUV's. I think its cool that speed is now my ally

[polara7777]

I have to disagree on the first bike choice. I think 250 Ninja or a 500 suzuki or ninja make the best first choices. Very cheap insurance and while still quick not oh my god fast. I can do 115 on my little 250 ninjette. Also the bikes them selves are cheap. I paid 2500 for my 2001 ninja and even with 4 speeding tickets on my record and only being 22 I'm only paying 850 a year insurance. My state of mind on bikes is that you start out way small then move up when you are TOTALLY comfortable with the small stuff. After this bike I will be moving up to a 600 or a Suzuki SV650. Then I'll move to 750 then up to the liter bikes. Just the teachings my dad (a previous motorcycle racer). I think it makes complete sense and although going out and buying the big GSXR 750 or 1000 is soooo damn tempting I refuse. I've ridden everything up to 1000cc's and yes they do haul and yes I prolly would kill myself. Teach yourself your limits on something less likely to bury you. Just my 2 cents.