Heya Guys...hope yer all doin just great...gettin some good early year rides in.

Listen..I've got a question or two here.I was admiring Dogo's bike...with the Ohlins and extra suspension goodies on there.I'm gonna just say it here..in all truth now...I honestly have no REAL idea what a sportbike is supposed to actually feel like,and perform like.The only bikes I've had were a Heritage Softail Harley....sweet bike.Big,but strong also.Not too "agile",but pretty darn solid.I also had an ElectraGlide...nice..but way too big and cumbersome for me.My first actual "sport" bike was a zzr 1200.A tourer yeah,but plenty fast.Kinda lumbering as well.The next one I had was a zx12R.Now that bike was a full on sportbike I'm assuming here.I've never ridden anything like a GXSR,no 1000's.

My 12 was faster than you know what.Plenty strong.Lots of torque,but truthfully,I never really knew what it was capable of doing...cause I've got no real "training" riding a sportbike.I may have been "lucky" on numerous occasions with that bike.It could be a handful sometimes,when ya least expected it.You know....hittin curves like....WAY TOO FAST(or was it?)...but she held.Now I've got my 14.I really love this bike.But again...I've honestly got no real idea of HOW this bike should be ridden.I know...everyone rides different.I think I'm riding it as it's supposed to be ridden,but it has so much "potential" in so many areas,it's really difficult to kinda KNOW what she's built to do.Ya...I've hauled azz...plenty.Took er to the top.Geared her different.Experimented with cruising.Blasting.Sweepers.But no real tight stuff.Since I've had this bike,I've gained a lot of "feel" for "certain" kinds of riding.I run pretty quick in big corners.Probably too much.I guess what I'm kinda thinking about is...does anyone KNOW what this bike should be ridden like to get the max enjoyment from it?I know that's a iffy question...so many different ways to ride.Dogo's bike there looks like it'll corner big time.But how do you KNOW when your at the edge?I think I've been there a few times with my 14 so far.But really,steering,leaning,radius,apex,all that stuff..it can be negotiated in so many different ways.I for some reason keep thinking in the back of my mind.."She'll roll MUCH more than I'm lettin her".But you know...speed limits,Police,Hazards...it all can make a ride go really wrong really fast.So I don't know.She hauls azz,seems to corner good,deep and fast,and transitions I think pretty good for a big bike.Maybe I should just go to the dealer and see if he'll let me ride a 1000 or something...you know...something to compare with.Cause I've really got NO idea what my bike can do.I just know I have a lot of great memories from owning this bad bird!It always seems to get "better" everytime I go out,in some way.Either taking a corner smoother than the last time.Or quicker,or deeper.I'd love to just open er up in the curves and just roll.I think I do...mostly.But there's always that thought..."what's coming around that curve...best watch yer azz"...I've done plenty of triple digit curves..way fast I would say...but I still can't seem to find a "sweet spot" that will work for a bunch of different conditions.Maybe I'm goin krazy...IDK.My riding seems pretty similar to most of you guys.Wish I had a few guys up here with 14's,that REALLY knew how to put em through their paces...then I could see just how close or far away I am from actually being a proficient sportbike rider.NOBODY takes their sportbikes out on the road around here.I'm about the ONLY one that's ever "out there" rollin through the canyons and stuff.Actually,I think I take a lot of foolish chances when I "think" "she'll do some more"...Whattayou guys think?

ALL my previous bikes were bought without ever RIDING them.I guess I taught myself how to ride really when I got my 12.THAT was a really great experience for me.I just knew the 14 would be even better...and she is.But actually,I'm STILL learning how to RIDE this bike.Everytime out...something new comes along.It's really very cool.

* Last updated by: blue07 on 4/8/2011 @ 12:14 AM *

Most sport bikes owned by average Joe's like you and me are only limited by the rider's skill. A skilled rider will recognize the positive and negative traits of any one bike after getting 'a feel' and will ride accordingly and make it perform amazingly compared to a less skilled rider on a more advanced cycle. If I can use another example, I play electric guitar but only for fun once in awhile. I can't play anything well but once in awhile I will get into a groove and to me it sounds and feels good. I definitely do not get enough practice to sound good to anyone else(lol). At one time I thought jeez, maybe it's my guitar. Well I handed it to a friend who has butt-loads more experience and the guitar transformed into this magical instrument that sounded exactly like what I wanted to sound like. At this point I realized the guitar would always be better than me. lol And so it is for most people on sport bikes. Unless you are superhuman in respect to them or spend every waking moment focused on perfecting your riding skills and spend time racing I doubt you will ever max out the potential of your sport bike. Not to say you won't get proficient. Now on the other hand, you can improve the bike to make the bike easier to ride and a less harrowing experience by installing upgrades to suspension and such. That's the thing people on sport bikes need to understand especially when comparing yourself to other sport riders. Everyone is at a different level, and what is great for one person could be lacking for someone with more experience in handling a fine tuned machine. Sometimes I think it is actually a curse to know what good is because then everything else will never be fun again. My 79 CB550 was a POS by my standards now but man I had a ball on it when I knew no better. That's why I think it's a good thing to start small and work your way up, keeping the excitement level going. But now that I have this 14 I think I am ruined for life unfortunately.

A man has to know his limitations. (makes more and more sense as I get older)

BULLSHIT! Limitless is more like it. You hold yourself back. Did I think at this age I would not be using the rear brake 100% of the time? You, you = "Limiter"

Look out, blue... Here comes the smoke and it'snot coming out the back tire....

that's what I was afraid of Hub. lol

"Not gonna do it....wouldn't be prudent."

* Last updated by: DogoZX on 4/8/2011 @ 12:16 PM *

haha, Georgey!

ok I'm gonna start going way outa control here...

Some of you seriously need to take grammar again in elementary school.

I'm not talking about spelling, we all make spelling mistakes. I'm talking about run-on sentences with no punctuation and no sense of when to break for a new paragraph.

I know 8 year olds that can type better messages, like my grand-daughter.

who cares, this isn't English class

It is important. Of course it isn't English class, I doubt anyone mistook it for that.

If you don't get it, thats ok.

I get to "talking" sometimes,and to keep my train of thought,I kinda forget to use paragraphs.However,my spelling is EXCELLENT...
JEFFO1ss...how COULD you be so insolent!

* Last updated by: blue07 on 4/8/2011 @ 11:57 PM *

The 14 was my first sportbike. I know it has a lot more potential in every aspect of performance than I am willing to push it. I have a feeling that it is a really strong all around sportbike. If we had a liter bike, we might have a better idea of exactly what it was BEST at. The 14 holds its own quite well in the corners and it it is a mighty nice touring machine. Very good around town and commuting in traffic (except most of us cry about the heat). Great drag racer/LSR. IDK what else there is to do on a bike. OH--It looks really cool.

Yeah. Lots of great memories. Truly some of the best times of my life. Great time to be having them. Thought all the fun and excitement was over about 25 years ago.

No way...it aint over YET.Sun's out today...clear....gotta go to work here in a while...no ride today...but it's comin...soon it'll be like this EVERYDAY!

++1

Good question, "How To know". Sometimes we're out riding and things just click in our heads that day and we learn or get the brief glimpse of confidence of riding right at the edge successfully. Sometimes we learn from an unfortunate crash or something, and by analyzing what went wrong and what we could do better next time to prevent it. Some guys take the courses and racing schools too. I think you have to do what you feel comfortable with. We all learn in different ways.

In my heart I know the 14 is capable of way more than I'll probably ever throw at it, but its nice to know that, and it keeps my interest of "respect the machine" and the passion for always learning to be a better rider. I still push the limits at times, and challenge myself a bit with each ride, because I believe if you get on the thing scared to ride, you'll end up in a tree. But I myself ride within my means 96% of the time. I do respect the guys that really can push this monster all the way every day, but that's just not me. The best part about the 14, for me anyway, is that it is happy doing 45mph around town, and then it's got all you could ask for when you want to push the limits. Of the four bikes I have owned, the 14 is hands down the best in terms of Awesomeness, Braking, Power and Handling.

I've railed pretty good along the big sweepers here...you know....runnin on the tire edge thing....not intentionally mind you...it just happened to be like that.In all those times...well over a hundred,she's really NEVER felt like she was gonna slide out.Maybe I was "right there" and didn't know it.I don't want or intend to find out!.If she'll roll through some semi quick right and left handers at 140+ and hold the road...no tellin JUST how fast she could take "that" curve.I'm not out to get me or anyone else killed!.I think this year I'll be being more reserved with my stupidness....and focus more on "enjoying" instead of "roadracing" the canyons.A lot CAN go wrong in a heartbeat.

I haven't gotten there on the 14 yet, Would love too though. hech I think I just passed 465mi on it, just been riding back roads since I picked it up. Finally got a chance to get out on a highway last night, my leisurely neighborhood ride went from la da da, to Wholly F!****!!! :) in like 2 seconds hahahaha. Love that bike, rode for about 3hr's last night and didn't want to put it away.

I hear ya....she just begs to be ridden!!!I love my bike!

I upgraded from a track and street 636 to my 14. People used to say I made the 600s look like circus bikes. I believe the 14 size and power fit me better and it is an excellent machine if the suspension is set up correctly. Lowering the bike like mine was 3 inches when I bought it are restricting the capabilities of this machine. I just boosted back up to stock height in the rear and will try to finish the front tomorrow.

My intentions for this 14 are to also have a track and street bike. After I get a feel for the stock suspension hardware I'll look for ohlins rear and rebuilt front fork internals. I don't think the stock rubber brake lines will be around for long either. I haven't got to push the bike hard since the suspension isn't set yet but I can tell the manufacturers intent was to stop this big machine fast right from the factory. I can't wait to burn through some rubber literally. I have a nagging feeling the tire budget is likely to expand through the year. The rear on mine was so low the front tire would barely leave the ground before the rear tire was burning into the rear undertail plastic. At least I solved that for now and the bike came with an adjustable kickstand.

I have not got enough seat time in the 14 to decide how to gear it. I've read a lot of people are changing the gearing but I only ever did it on the 636 to change the power delivery more power down lower. The major difference I immediately feel going from the 636 to the 14 is 6th gear roll on power. The 14 moves out to 140+MPH with the acceleration of the 636 in maybe 4th or less. But even at 140 were the 636 would scream the 14 just begs to throttle on. I'm surprised more people are not using this bike to set land speed records instead of the hyabusa.

* Last updated by: Redlinejoes on 9/6/2011 @ 10:25 PM *

Hmmm.good question alright.Guess the draggers are lovin it more though.That guy on the internet ran 236 on his 14....he was pretty stoked.I'd love to go fast like that...but I just don't have the cash to buy a new motor or build one.Decided I'd rather have my great running baby around for a lot longer,so I took 1Bad's advice last year and stopped trying to outdo myself with the top speed thing.190's the best I got.Speedohealed and GPS'd.It is legit.Those times are over for me with this bike now.She's run excellent ever since I've had er for 4 years now.I'm hoping to get a lot more from her....but I don't know...with the new 14 comin out and all.

* Last updated by: blue07 on 9/7/2011 @ 1:24 AM *

Redline, the 6th gear pull is damned impressive even at the lower rpms, hey? I have gone up 4 teeth on the back and the bike is more vigorous all around. The +4T still doesn't feel at all like it's going to loop me azz over teakettle unless I am quite aggressive on the throttle. Must admit I haven't had the nerve to whack the throttle open in 1st and second gear yet.

The shorter gearing is something to be careful with in cornering esp at high rpm. I had no problem at the track but I have my throttle set up with no cable slack and the map has the power delivery smoothed out almost perfectly. No surprises but there is a lot of power there to be leaned way over.

I thing the stock gearing may be as good as shorter gearing. I still have not decided. The way I see it, stock gives you the best top speed if you ever are going to get up to that. Also there is no place in the powerband the doesn't have enough power on engine alone. Really, if you need extra zip, you just shift down one or two gears. Shorter gearing on demand there. It is fun and noit too expensive to play around with gearing though. The stock 41T looks puny to my eye now that I have a 45.

Blue, How fast do you think a 17/45 setup will go?

Hmmm...I don't think yer 45 is gonna get ya anywhere near 186.Now...if ya stick an 18 on there....I think we'll be readin about the latest 200 club member right here on our very own forum .

45 rear..geez...amazing.You like that do you?Let me guess...you're shifting into 6th at,oh,60 mph?The rest is a looonnnggg way to the top!I don't think I could have mine like that.I was forgettin and tryin to shift at 150 .

You have your machine lined out very nicely for the power delivery...why not make her even MORE fun by addin a Rifleman's 1/5th throttle mod.26 bucks....worth every penny.I think you'd REALLY enjoy it.

* Last updated by: blue07 on 9/7/2011 @ 1:43 PM *