New Play Toys

[007]

I said a temporary farewell to my beloved K12S yesterday. It will undergo a serious (as opposed to the usual goofing off) renewal at Carolina BMW over the next 4 weeks or so. Ohlins, new steering damper, 54K service, new rear tire, new final drive rubber boot, new front brake pads (maybe, since I hardly use em they may wait until next time), and a Rick Mayer seat are on the list of new play toys. I expect to be back in action upon my return from FL on 1/30/14. Until then, I'm hoping to ride vicariously through you guys with well documented and photographed outings. Then again, I'm more than willing to ride a donor bike. I eat chicken strips and provide fuel injector cleaning services for free.


I really "need" that second bike. Cmon 2014 VFR800 or FZ9 with Ohlins.

[Bob]

So I guess you're not gonna be trading this one anytime soon.

The '14 VFR sounds interesting....then you'd have a K12 track bike.


Edit: I like the looks of the 2013 VFR better, with the underseat exhausts....

[007]

The new VFR is looking to be a parts bin bike to maximize costs, and it might not even come to the US until they sell all the 1200 Veefalos two or three years from now. The 800 is the bike that should have been made here, not a K12S competitor. They took the 6th gen VFR, put in a 5th gen looking headlight with LEDs and then used an CBR1000RR exhaust. They didn't even bother to disguise the tail plastic where the exhaust used to be be. It probably wouldn't stop me from buying one if the price is right, but still not what most guys wanted over on VFRD. I will probably wait for the new V4 race bike that Honda is pushing into service to eventually take over for the CBR and convert it for sport touring duty. Or whatever Yamaha makes with the new R1. If it is crossplane, I am interested. Until then, no harm in making the K12S as new as it can be.

[Bob]

The '14's exhaust looks like a total afterthought. Cobbled together. Honda's brilliance once again eclipsed by it's stupidity.

[LeeDavis]

If today's 10 day extended weather forecast is an indication of what we'll get in January you aren't going to miss anything.

Sounds like the BMW is going to be like a new bike with all you're doing to it.

I think the FZ9 with good suspension would be a lot of fun. Sort of iffy taking on a relatively unknown platform but I bet it'll work.

[Brick]

Like I said before after I took the demo ride on the FZ-09... it's a HOOT!
If I had Y'all's money I'd have one.


Brick

[007]

Where did you do the FZ9 demo ride, Brick? The Yamaha dealer in Winston denied me that opportunity and I would love to take one out for a spin.

[Broz]

Steve I wouldn't want to see the shop bill for all that work, but I know you will enjoy the change.

In the mean time you can borrow this next time we ride. Doubt you will be able to keep up but you can ride.

[007]

LOL Broz - that looks like a 50cc machine. I would at least need a 150cc Honda PCX to keep up with you in the twisties. They are wicked fast below 50mph and thought about buying one a while back for efficient commuting duties.

[Broz]

Please don't insult me.....50cc? This baby is a wolf in sheeps clothing it's a 150 cc's. It can haul my fat ass up to 60 mph on a long straight away.
It's a 2001 Vespa ET4. My brother-in-law had it sitting I his garage for over 10 years w only 542 miles and he was the second owner. I gave him $800 and had to put a new starter I it. I have about 4500 miles on it now. It's great for my 2.5 mile commute to my office and it's a blast to ride.

[Brick]

Steve,
I did the demo while I was at the AIMEXPO in Orlando last October.

Where did you do the FZ9 demo ride, Brick? The Yamaha dealer in Winston denied me that opportunity and I would love to take one out for a spin.

[Brick]

Broz,
Cool scooter! I'll bet it is fun!

[007]

Please don't insult me.....50cc? This baby is a wolf in sheeps clothing it's a 150 cc's. It can haul my fat ass up to 60 mph on a long straight away.
It's a 2001 Vespa ET4. My brother-in-law had it sitting I his garage for over 10 years w only 542 miles and he was the second owner. I gave him $800 and had to put a new starter I it. I have about 4500 miles on it now. It's great for my 2.5 mile commute to my office and it's a blast to ride.

Do you think it can pull 70mph with me on it? I might have to take you up on this one. I'm seriously considering a Ninja 300, too. My only concern is passing people on something that is underpowered. I suppose I could always stuff them up the inside of the corner on the brakes.

[Bob]

Before you run out and throw down the $$ for a new 300CC Ninja, borrow somebody's 250 Ninja for a day first. Yeah, I know its cheap cornering fun but I think the lack of HP will wear out its welcome pretty quickly. A guy I used to ride with was playing with the 250 Ninja crowd for a while, but a little later I noticed he moved to a 650cc Ninja. Why not look at some of the motards?

[Broz]

Steve the only passing I normally do on it is filtering to the front at stop lights. Its fast enough from a dead stop that I can leave the city car traffic behind and not hold anyone up behind me as long as the speed limit is not more than 55mph. It has the get up and go at WOT but it doesn't have any extra thrust to pass at normal speeds.

[007]

I had a 2006 Ninja 250, back before it was fuel injected and modern. Really, it was just a newer version of the same bike they began making in the 80s. I am told the 300 is two steps above the old 250, and one step above the 2nd gen 250. With just an exhaust and air filter, it is pretty easy to push it past 40hp, which isn't bad for a bike that could be around 370lbs with a few modifications and gets 70mpg. For days that I don't feel like passing people and just want to work on technique, I think it would be fantastic. It would also serve as a scooter on steroids. Plus, I can say "come back with your shield, or on it" before our rides.

[Brick]

Hmmm.. "Come back with your shield, or on it"??????????

I have no idea what that is supposed to mean!!!


Brick

[007]

It is what the Spartan women used to tell their men before battle, essentially meaning they need to win or die trying. The Ninja 300 being a loose reference to the movie "300" which was about the Spartans fighting the Persians at Thermopylae. That, and we usually look like we are dressed for war when we go ride.

[Brick]

Whoa... that makes sense since you explained it but it's a bit deeep!

It is what the Spartan women used to tell their men before battle, essentially meaning they need to win or die trying. The Ninja 300 being a loose reference to the movie "300" which was about the Spartans fighting the Persians at Thermopylae. That, and we usually look like we are dressed for war when we go ride.

[Bob]

It is what the Spartan women used to tell their men before battle, essentially meaning they need to win or die trying. The Ninja 300 being a loose reference to the movie "300" which was about the Spartans fighting the Persians at Thermopylae. That, and we usually look like we are dressed for war when we go ride.

I knew that.

[Broz]

It is what the Spartan women used to tell their men before battle, essentially meaning they need to win or die trying. The Ninja 300 being a loose reference to the movie "300" which was about the Spartans fighting the Persians at Thermopylae. That, and we usually look like we are dressed for war when we go ride.

What do expect from a doc that gives check-ups from the neck-up.

[Brick]

Me on the FZ-09 in Orlando AIMEXPO Yamaha demo rides.



Brick

[007]

^^^Drool.

The decision to send my bike in for service last week is looking pretty good right about now. With a low of 4 degrees tonight, I might have to call off work tomorrow, lol.

[Brick]

What too cold to listen? 8-)



Brick

[007]

I am doing home visits on Tuesdays, so I am outside for a while. It wasn't bad once the sun came out. Still better than Ohio (same temp, but the sun doesn't come out there in the winter).

[Bob]

I am doing home visits on Tuesdays, so I am outside for a while. It wasn't bad once the sun came out. Still better than Ohio (same temp, but the sun doesn't come out there in the winter).

House calls? Wow.

[Brick]

When people ask why we left Ohio... one of the BIG reasons is that there were sooooo many gray days in Ohio. It really sucked and is so depressing!

I am doing home visits on Tuesdays, so I am outside for a while. It wasn't bad once the sun came out. Still better than Ohio (same temp, but the sun doesn't come out there in the winter).

[007]

2014 VFR800 is looking like a top consideration at this point. Maybe run the Ohlins until they need a refresh, which will come about the same time as the valve check service in around 16K miles, and trade it in..... So Spring/Summer 2015=new bike .

[Brick]

Oh... new bike fever!


Brick

[Ed]

When people ask why we left Ohio... one of the BIG reasons is that there were sooooo many gray days in Ohio. It really sucked and is so depressing!

PRECISELY the main reason I moved away from Connecticut... that long, drab "winter" stretched from mid-October to late March at BEST, and that gray weather just sucks the life outta me.

[007]

I cured the new bike fever. The K12S is now telepathic with Ohlins suspension. Holy crap. I look and it goes precisely where I want. It is a lot harder to spin up the rear now, too. The bill was about what a new bike would cost, but totally worth it. Too bad I am working the next 6 days or I might orchestrate a ride.

[Bob]

I cured the new bike fever. The K12S is now telepathic with Ohlins suspension. Holy crap. I look and it goes precisely where I want.

Told ya so!

[LeeDavis]

Steve, Yeah, Ohlins suspension is a problem. It makes it so if you get a replacement bike it also has to have Ohlins suspension to be as good as what you already had. Solution: Get a new, DIFFERENT kind of bike - DS, off road or something. You can have your new bike AND it's fully justified, totally reasonable! Of course, if after a couple years you upgrade that to Ohlins then you're back screwed again...

[007]

The old plan of buying a 2014 VFR in 2015 may not fly, unless Ohlins makes suspension front and rear for the new VFR (which I don't think they will do). A good friend and well seasoned rider just bought a Honda NC700X and he is raving about it (for half the price of the new VFR). I sorta like the idea of storage for a full face helmet in the tank and 64mpg on a bike that is semi-adventure styling and looks like it can take a beating.
The interesting thing about the Ohlins is carry more corner speed and give the engine a bit of a break in a higher gear. Like riding on magic. I think my front wheel is a hair out of balance now that I have more feel.
The bad news is I will have to lean it further to scrape hard parts.

[Bob]

So tell us whether you like it or not dammit!

[Broz]

Broz

[007]

A sneak peak of the gold goodness.

[Bob]

A good friend and well seasoned rider just bought a Honda NC700X and he is raving about it (for half the price of the new VFR). I sorta like the idea of storage for a full face helmet in the tank and 64mpg on a bike that is semi-adventure styling and looks like it can take a beating.

I could see an NC700X as a nice inexpensive (relatively) for daily commuting. What in particular does your friend "rave" about re. the bike, and what else does he/has he ridden?

[Broz]

Well thanks to Bobs help here is my new toy! He offered the use of his vehicle and trailer, we had to go to Clemmons NC to retrieve my 2006 DRZ-400s. It's is in great shape and had 2882 miles on it before I got my hands on it.

imazzge.jpg (214.91 KiB) Viewed 84689 times

[Brick]

Broz,
You are gonna love that bike... super fun! However, they don't have seats... they have a covered 2 X 4!! It will fit right between the cheeks of your ass! However... you may love that I don't know. Bring it up here and let's ride some of the gravel roads here... you can leave us with the big adventure bikes in your dust!