Sportbike vs Standard naked bike: Questions

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My Tuono is more fun to ride than my Fast Company-motored GSX-R 1000. I just flat out enjoy myself on it more. It has less power, is less smooth, it's heavier and being a twin, it hates low speed, high-gear cruising. All those things also help make the riding more interesting.

Track days usually cost me about $450 for the big tracks and around $350 for the smaller tracks, all in including tire wear and fuel. Some tracks, like Calabogie, have lower tire wear but cost me more to get there and back... plus of course, the fees are higher.

The more you do it, the less costly it is per day............. until you crash. :)
 
油井緋色;1866666 said:
You'd never get past 3rd/4th on most sportbikes (at least I never left 3rd on the GSXR750 I test rode), and the only applicable situation to go balls out with the sportbike would be on the track. Most of my time would be spent commuting, around 300 km/week, and lots of highway riding.

I've always liked the look of naked bikes, despite that most North Americans seem to hate them, the ones I've been eyeing at were the FZ8, FZ1, CB1000, StreetFighter, StreetFighter S (if I somehow find one used or have a **** ton of $$$).
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LOL. You don't want a sportbike because they have too much power, so you list the most powerful naked bikes available as alternatives?? They will have the exact same problems as a sportbike. You'll be using 10% of the available power for normal riding.
 
omnivore said:
I rode sportbikes for 20 yrs. No more. I used to think I rode the wheels off my GSXR when I was in the mountains, dragging knees etc....Once I began racing an old 96 YZF 600, I realized that I was riding my ancient YZF way harder and way faster than I had ever ridden my 06 GSXR1000. A sportbike's talents are wasted on the street. Anyone who thinks they ride their sportbike hard on the street is seriously deluded about their own riding ability, and has no idea what they are talking about.....I've been there. Sportbikes suck at being street bikes, and that is coming from a guy who used to ride a GSXR with a trailer behind it, 4000 kms in a week for a sport tour around NY/PA/WV/KY etc.
I still want sportbike quality suspension and brakes and handling, but I want upright seating, nice wide handlear for tons of leverage, and I want more personalized style than a sportbike can offer. Let's be honest.....from 50 feet away, every sportbike looks the same.
I am currently riding a KTM 950 Supermoto.
Other bikes I lust after- Superduke
Duke
Street Triple
Speed Triple
Dorsoduro
Brutale
X-Country
NC700X
V7 Classic/Racer/Stone
Bonneville
Multistrada
Monster
.......none of which have fairings covering their motor, or handlebars below the triple clamps, and some of which make less than 1/3 of the horsepower that my 06 GSXR1000 did.
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^ This.
 
I have been riding SS bikes for a long time. Last week I had a change to ride a Triumph Speedtriple 1050 for a few days. Loved the bike and most likely my next bike will be a naked one. Add the Triumph Speedtriple to your list, great bike, lots of power at the bottom end and very comfortable
On the topic of SS, if I was using my bikes for "everyday travel", SS would not be on my list.
 
N3WMAN said:
LOL. You don't want a sportbike because they have too much power, so you list the most powerful naked bikes available as alternatives?? They will have the exact same problems as a sportbike. You'll be using 10% of the available power for normal riding.
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Are you sure?

Reviews of these bikes all specify that the gearing and large(r) displacement engines are tuned differently (my guess is by using different heads), in order to highlight the bikes' low-end torque, as opposed to the SS category machines which are tuned to make max hp at high RPMs.

By your logic; nothing larger than a 250 should be on the streets. Not that I completely disagree, but a large standard bike won't have that much in common with the SS's
 
Kri$han said:
By your logic; nothing larger than a 250 should be on the streets. Not that I completely disagree, but a large standard bike won't have that much in common with the SS's
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Where did I say you shouldn't ride large displacement bikes on the street??

OP said he didn't want an SS because they are too powerful and you never use any of it. He then listed naked bikes ranging from 100-150bhp expecting them to be tame. Sure they may have more upright seating and higher bars but they make just as much horsepower as your average SS. Especially the Streetfighter and CB1000.

I demo'd a CB1000R. I found it a really boring ride. Everything is too smooth. No power down low, warp drive up high.
 
Kri$han said:
Are you sure?

Reviews of these bikes all specify that the gearing and large(r) displacement engines are tuned differently (my guess is by using different heads), in order to highlight the bikes' low-end torque, as opposed to the SS category machines which are tuned to make max hp at high RPMs.

By your logic; nothing larger than a 250 should be on the streets. Not that I completely disagree, but a large standard bike won't have that much in common with the SS's
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Gearing for the 848 SF is the same as the 848 Evo. as far as I know. Not to mention its a wheelie machine, which really just hammers home the point. If he doesn't want a SS because he can't use "use the power", he won't be using the power in the high end nakeds either.
 
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N3WMAN said:
LOL. You don't want a sportbike because they have too much power, so you list the most powerful naked bikes available as alternatives?? They will have the exact same problems as a sportbike. You'll be using 10% of the available power for normal riding.
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I was waiting for someone to point this out.

I don't really understand the question of "practicality" either. Nakeds are usually more comfortable, is that what he means? Otherwise they're equally as impractical.

And of course maintenance costs are similar enough that it doesn't make a difference, and track days will cost the same too. Insurance is likely to be cheaper though.

If you like the style, go for it. That's the main difference between SS and nekkids.
 
fastar1 said:
I was waiting for someone to point this out.

I don't really understand the question of "practicality" either. Nakeds are usually more comfortable, is that what he means? Otherwise they're equally as impractical.

And of course maintenance costs are similar enough that it doesn't make a difference, and track days will cost the same too. Insurance is likely to be cheaper though.

If you like the style, go for it. That's the main difference between SS and nekkids.
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Haven't ridden any nakeds yet, I just read some numbers (0-200, 1/4, top speed) and the "powerful nakeds" all have lower #s than their SS counterparts.
 
油井緋色;1866666 said:
Please read before posting, this may help out n00bs in the future.

I had originally planned to upgrade to a sportbike next year but then my gf, whom I got into riding this June, asked me was it even pratical? She brought up a good point. You'd never get past 3rd/4th on most sportbikes (at least I never left 3rd on the GSXR750 I test rode), and the only applicable situation to go balls out with the sportbike would be on the track. Most of my time would be spent commuting, around 300 km/week, and lots of highway riding. I had intended to begin tracking next year but looked at my wallet and realized it would be wiser to invest in my career but still plan to do it as some point. Then further research suggested that to track I'd have to tape lights, take off mirrors every time to meet regulations. So here are a list of questions for sportbikes:


  1. Posers aside, how are sportbikes practical for everyday travel?
  2. How much does it cost you, on average, for a track session?
  3. Are maintenance costs higher on sportbikes than standard/naked bikes?

I've always liked the look of naked bikes, despite that most North Americans seem to hate them, the ones I've been eyeing at were the FZ8, FZ1, CB1000, StreetFighter, StreetFighter S (if I somehow find one used or have a **** ton of $$$). I've heard wind protection is horrible on naked bikes. So my only question for the naked bikes is:


  • Does the wind bother you at all if you own a naked bike? Referring to speeds around 120-180 (lets say this isn't on the highway!)

Thank you ahead of time =)
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I have a first gen FZ1, mainly for the cheap insurance. Mine is stripped down and converted to a true naked with a sv650 headlight, lower bars and rearsets. It's basically a sport touring bike turned into a hooligan bike. I commute 300-500 kms a week on it, the wind isn't that bad unless you really wick it up. I've done all the basic breathing mods and at the pro6 dyno day it made 10 less hp than an R1 (which I think was stock). With the suspension properly sorted these bikes can be a lot of fun. It certainly surprises a lot of the 600 cc poser crowd.

That said, if I wasn't so cheap and didn't mind paying more insurance, i'd be on an R1.

Hope that helps
 
WebControl said:
My question is very similar to OP's, so I'll voice it here:
taking in consideration "KAHUNA OUT THE DOOR OFFER - Kawasaki ZX6 2011"
http://www.gtamotorcycle.com/vbforu...Kawasaki-ZX6-2011-for-just-9188-including-tax
how reasonable would be to change a 2007 Z1000 for a 2011 ZX6?
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Just came from a test ride of a ZX6R.
My 2 cents, as a owner of a Z1000:
Pros:
Nice sound (when revved)
Good power (when revved)
Feels lighter (is lighter)
Cons:
Wrist pain (only a 15 min ride test)
Back pain (only a 15 min ride test)
Difficult to maneuver at low speed, in parking lots
Lack of torque in low range
Double the insurance cost

My decision is clear - keep Z1000, and look for a deal for last gen of Z
 
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