Why sports bikes

Addmitedly, it might be a function of age, but I just don't see the appeal of sports bikes. They look nothing like my vision of a motorcycle and those garrish outfits the riders typically wear are just bizzare to me. To me, a motorcycly should look like a mid 60's vintage Harley DuoGlide. You wear jeans and if the state requires it a helmet, but you look fairly normal. At my age speed is not a big thrill...comfort is very important. So, tell me what the appeal is?

 

None to you

 

Because you cant do things like this on a cruiser or UJM. Different bikes are designed for different purposes. Dirt bikes suck at long distance riding. Cruisers make rotten off road bikes... on and on.

BTW.. if you are just wearing jeans and no helmet when you ride you are setting your self up for a world of hurt. You seem to be worried about what you look like riding the bike. Thats fashion. You should be worried about what you look like after you get into a wreck. Thats smart. Wearing a full face helmet and the proper riding gear is MUCH more comfortable and better looking than what you feel/look like after crashing with out them. Put me in your will to get the salvage rights for your bike once you crash and are no longer around ok?
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That's why there are so many different styles of bikes. I tried the Harley route 18 years ago...a 1991 HD Fatboy. It was OK...but it was antiquated...heavy, handled poorly, slow, vibrated and I grew tired of it quick. I have since went back to a dirt bike and a sports cruiser. And at 52 years old, I couldn't be happier that I am when riding in the woods on my KTM or in the mountains on my Hatabusa. FYI, I am intelligent enough to always wear a full coverage helmet, boots, eye protection and body armor whether I am in the dirt or on the street regardless of some government enacted law telling me to do so.

 

Maybe, I am becoming a 1 percenter in my old age...

 

It is all about your personal taste. It is like asking why someone would want a hot rod over a Ferrari, or vise versa. I am new to riding, and while I appreciate them, I can't actually picture myself on a Harley.
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Fish.....Why Ferrari's? They are expensive, noisy, require maintenance, don't like snow, etc. A Buick is cheaper and way more comfortable, costs less to maintain...after all the speed of getting there is not that big a thrill.

 

So what you're saying is you've killed someone and are involved in criminal activity?

 

I ride in jeans quite often, but would wear a helmet whether the state required it or not. Far too easy to be killed in even a simple crash without one.

But it probably is just a function of your age. You have been "imprinted" with what a bike is to look like. Probably lots of people like you that buy cruisers. I am not as old, although certainly over the median motorcyclist age now (37). I'm "imprinted" to the popular sporty bikes of the late 80's/early 90's. These are mostly sport bikes such as a Ducati 888 or Honda CBR900RR or UJM (the Universal Japanese Motorcycle) like a Yamaha FJ1200 or Kawasaki GPZ1100.

People assume that a sport bike is uncomfortable. Generally speaking they are reasonably comfortable for people of normal measurements. Riders get used to feeling in control by having their weight over the front end, a laid-back crusier just feels strange and has no front-end feel at all. Having your feet out on floorboards also adds to this feeling you are simply along for the ride, having the balls of your feet under you on pegs increases the feeling of control.

Bascially it is what you grew up on, IMO. Sporty bikes accelerate, brake, and handle far better than a cruiser. I would rather have that performance available (especially braking and turning), rather than have a bit more comfort but lose the feelings of control.

 

Sticks and stones may break my bones, but t.o.a.d.s. will really hurt me.

 

Choptop: is that an FZR400 in the first pic? I just sold mine but still love the bikes.

 

Wheelies

 

indeed it is.

GREAT bikes to learn racing on. ZERO power below a 11k rpm. Keep it spun up or go home. No need being ham fisted either, it aint going to get you anywhere. I should have kept it longer and raced it another year. Alas it was just painful for me to ride. I'm a tall guy, 6'7", and it was pretty cramped onboard.

It ran like a top, was a ball to go fast on.

 

Well, I guess its just a matter of what floats yer boat...I like the look of the mid 60s Harleys...would rather putt-put around town than scream through the mountains...damn, not only am I old, I am boring too!!!

 

Not yet

 

Bear in mind...
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I bought my first new bike in 1968,a H-D 900 Sportster,before that i had a 175 Bridgestone,a Honda 305 Superhawk.After the Sporty,i had a Honda 750-4,BSA 650 Lightning,Kawasaki GPZ 750 Turbo,Ducati 900SS,Suzuki 750,Kawasaki 900 Z-1,H-D Sturgis (Dyna glide),Buell X-1 Lightning,and now a Softail Springer. I have to say, i loved them all as they were great bikes at that point in my life. Now,at mid 50's i like comfort and style and the Springer does it for me.At my age i could not imagine me trying to contort myself on to that 900ss,sure its a riding position for great cornering,but your arms and back pay the price.I love and appreciate all motorcycles,each have their own unique style and intended use,but for me in this stage of my life,i'll take my Hog! Ride Free.
Bill

 

Have you ridden a modern high performance bike? My 2008 Hayabusa is much more comfortable than my former HD Fatboy...

 

I ride a sportbike and have found that roughly 50% of the riders I run into are just posers. I find it amusing they like to make fun of Harley riders for the same antics, i.e., no gear, hanging out at Starbucks, can't corner.

Yet they think the equipment you choose to ride seems to make all the difference.

I prefer sportbikes because I enjoy the sport. I like the track, and I love canyon runs etc. Life for me on a sportbike begins in corners, and you just can't get that feeling on a Harley.

Different strokes for different folks I guess.

 

if I want to enjoy the scenery I ride a bike that is comfy and I go slow - cruiser
if I want to ride long distances in comfort - touring bike
if I want to enjoy the twisty road and go a long way - sport touring
it I want to enjoy the track and go FAST - sportbike
if I want to ride across the scenery to a far off destination on fire roads - adventure touring bike
if I want to rip around on the road and dive down a fire road every so often - dual sport
if I want to go fast on dirt and roost my way between the double jumps and the woops - dirt bike


on and on...

a bike for just about every situation.

if I want to scare the ****e out of myself with awful brakes, hideous handling, sub-agricultural standards in performance and smoothness of engagement, fluid retention equal to a sieve... I ride my Vintage Harley

 

I couldn't decide between a sportbike and a crusier that's why I ended up with both
;different bikes for different moods
here they are http://www.flickr.com/photos/martin_miura/3812564300/

 

Different people have different tastes. Personally, I prefer to have my legs under me as on a bicycle, rather than sticking out front. My brother let me ride his V-Rod a bit, and it's a very nice motor and a decent bike, but to me, the riding position was much less comfortable than on my Triumph Sprint. Yet the Triumph is a "sport tourer" and looks more like a sport bike. Go figure...

 

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lol at the motivational poster.

 

That motivational poster is hilarious!!!


I love my RSV! This is my primary mode of transportation, and believe it or not my answer to the "why sport bike" question is utility. I like the ethos of minimalist motoring, and this satisfies that condition. I am aware of the risk of daily riding, and learn to live with it. Being in Arizona and California, I could get away with riding all the time, but now that I am stationed in Mississippi, I need to get a car. Arrgh...