Man, I have to say that is pathetic Extrapolator. I've seen the same thing happening, the kids are super fast on a motorcycle video game, just ask them.

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Jaret Kushner or Campisi

Look Cruz, you don't even need to talk about any of your bikes if you get a bikini babe.

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Is there something better in Texas than the Hill Country for street riding? Especially regarding "twistys"?

Looks like it's 5 hours for you just to get to the Hill Country.

Eureka Springs is almost as close and definitely better roads.

You track at COTA at all? Or tracks in general?

* Last updated by: BIGO70 on 2/6/2020 @ 11:16 PM *

I'll always have a big bore Sport Tourer like the ZX 14 in my stable. Can get you to the twistys in relative comfort and still agile enough to have fun when you get there.

For now, I'll also have a Super Sport bike in the stable too. Load it up in the back of the truck and haul it to whatever twisty location happens to be calling.

Which Super Sport bike is the question.

Here is my bike lineage history as of late.

Bought a new 2008 ZX 14 which I loved.

I then got the itch back in 2009 for a Super Sport (I had never ridden a small displacement bike) and bought a 1098s. Rode it a couple of years until 2011 when the 1198SP came out. Just had to have one! Beautiful aluminum tank, slipper clutch, quick shifter! Fell in love!!!

Keep in mind that I also had the ZX 14 in the stable.

Then in about 2013 I decided I no longer wanted to "Sport Tour" and sold the ZX 14.

Now what to do. No way I am going to be streeting the 1198.

So, I decided to try a completely different platform. A 2011 Speed Triple 1050. Standard riding position and a 3 cylinder engine. Loved the way the bike looked,sounded and the power delivery of the engine. So different than the Ducati's V twin and the Kawi's I-4. Just couldn't get comfortable with the seating position. So, off it went!

Now what to get for a "street" bike. Well, a 2011 BMW S 1000 RR of course! LOL! BMW quirky looks, monster engine, sounded GREAT (especially when it's screaming at 12,000 rpm)! Great handling. However, a CRAZY kind of high frequency vibration/buzz that transmitted into my hands through the clip ons.. Three miles of riding on the highway and my hand was numb. Tried everything to fix it. No luck. So off IT went! LOL

It had now been a couple of years without a "Sport Tourer" and not having the OPTION to actually ride to where the twistys were really had me missing not having one. The itch was back!

So, enter the 2012 BMW K 1300 S HP. I had always lusted for one when they first came out and they are somethong somewhat outside the box again. Beautiful livery. Shaft drive, powerful and smooth engine right out of the box, quick shifter, heated grips, single sided swingarm etc.... The HP also came stock with a bunch of aluminum billet, carbon fiber and Akrapovic exhaust. It really was a beautiful machine.

Until..................my house got struck by lightning! Had the bike plugged into a Battery Tender and the power surge from the lightning went through my wall outlet, through the Tender, through my bike's battery right into my electronic packages! BLEW THEM ALL OUT! I replaced all of the electronics that were damaged (cost over $5000 and that was with mostly used parts) and thought I had all of the electrical gremlins fixed. Until......last year when it would just cut out for no reason and then start back up again. Diagnosed it as the fuel pump, PROBABLY! $ 600 dollars later bike is running fine again. TIME TO SELL IT!

Now enter my current "Sport Tourer". You guessed it! Back to a ZX 14. However, in this case it's a 14R. A 2013 model that I bought off a good friend.

I guess the moral to my story is that there are many different bikes out there but the ZX 14 platform is very hard to beat as an overall package. Monster motor, great handling (for a 600 pound bike), all day comfortable with a couple of minor mods and most important DEPENDABLE!

BTW Got rid of the 1198 SP for a 2018 Aprilia RSV 4 RF. Just had to try out that V4 platform!

I will say that it doesn't disappoint.

So now I'm back where I started. A ZX 14 and an Italian exotic in the stable.

Sorry for the long winded story.

* Last updated by: BIGO70 on 2/7/2020 @ 12:13 AM *

Good write BigO..

BIGO70, you just saved me thousands and thousands of dollars.

OK, well, you confirmed that the thousands and thousands I didn't spend trying out all those same bikes was probably the right decision ... although I did miss out on experiencing each one

I've also considered an Aprilia. Let us know more of your thoughts on that one, too. Believe it or not, the lack of fuel gauge has been a real hang-up for me on them, at least the Tuono anyway. Don't know much about the RSV4.

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Glad you guys appreciate my long wind. LOL

As for saving you thousands, quite possible. However, as you said, you didn't get the opportunity to experience them. Who knows, you might have liked one of them if you ridden one?? As with most things it's about rider preference.

Overall though, the ZX 14 is just hard to beat.

As for the Tuono, the V4 engine platform is really great. Kinda the best of both worlds. It gives you a little more low end grunt sooner in the rev range kinda like a V-Twin but it has the high end range of an I-4.You can rev it out with no issues compared to a V Twin. It also has an exhaust sound that is unique to the V4. Of course, no liter bike is going to compare to the 1441 cc displacement of the ZX 14.

As for the Tuonos specifically, I can't speak for it personally, but I know a lot of their owners swear by them. I presume it would be comfortable since it has a basic "standard" riding position. The fuel capacity is definitely smaller than the ZX 14. Don't know if you do your own maintenance or not but the Tuono is definitely more maintenance costly and difficult. Parts aren't cheap ans sometimes aren't readily available since they have to come from Italy. Take my word for it, those Italians do stuff at their own pace. SLOWLY! LOL

Yeah, the no fuel gauge thing could be an issue. The RSV doesn't have one either. I've just gotten used to fueling up whenever I see a fuel station. Typically around the 100 mile mark. However, I know I can go further, I just don't want to get caught out.

I'm sure the Tuono would handle better than the ZX14 but it's almost 200 pounds lighter and the steering geometry is tighter.

Would I trade the ZX for either a Tuono or RSV? And only have one of them be the only bike in my stable? NOPE.

When/if the time comes and I have to put my extra bike out to pasture it won't be my ZX 2013 14R.

2017 RSV 4 RF

2009 1098 S

2011 1198 SP

2011 Speed Triple 1050

2011 S 1000 RR

2012 K 1300 S HP

2008 ZX 14

.............and the bike that really lit the fire under my ass for motorcycling:

2002 Kawasaki ZZR 1200

Thanks for looking.

That is quite the history of bikes!

And to hear you've just about boiled it all down to the Big ZX, well my wallet says "Great! I've already got it!" but my heart and soul wish there were some competition I could consider, just to change things up every now and then. I'm stuck right now, feeling as though I know any bike change I might make is going to be an expensive disappointment. Oh well, it won't stop me from looking, keepin' my eyes peeled!

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BIG070, thanks for the history, very nice looking bikes! The Hill country is probably the best sportbike riding area in Texas but where I live in Anna is possibly the second best. I can have my bikes over on their ear within a mile of my driveway. FM 455 is 3 miles from my house and probably the best sportbike road in North Texas.

Agreed the ZX-14 is a very capable performer depending on the road. It is especially effective on a road with big, wide open sweepers due to it's longer wheelbase and stability in the corners. Like I said, if I have to travel to get the road, like going to Arkansas, the 14 is the go to bike. For shorter missions on tighter, twistier roads, I prefer the smaller bikes though as they are just less of a workout.

I looked at the BMW S1000RR but after riding a '12 model years ago decided to just say no. I noticed the same vibrations you talked about coming up through the bars. All of my Kawasaki's have been turbine smooth, from the 6R up to the 14. I hear the 2020 model vibrates even more at high rpms and is neutered in the lower gears.

With 8 bikes in the garage presently, I really don't need anymore but if I did buy another one it would come down to either the 2020 CBR1000RR-R SP or the 2020 Ducati V4S.

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I guess it boils down to what you expect out of the bike and what you will use it for.

I'm fortunate enough to be able to own two bikes at two different ends of the spectrum.

For me, the only competition (in the Sport Touring platform) was the BMW K 1300 which is why I tried it out. Also, to be honest, if it weren't for the electrical issues I would still be riding it.

Having said that, when the time came that I had to replace the K 1300 I didn't get ANOTHER K 1300, I went back to the ZX 14.

Powerful, Comfortable, Dependable.

That is quite the history of bikes!
And to hear you've just about boiled it all down to the Big ZX, well my wallet says "Great! I've already got it!" but my heart and soul wish there were some competition I could consider, just to change things up every now and then. I'm stuck right now, feeling as though I know any bike change I might make is going to be an expensive disappointment. Oh well, it won't stop me from looking, keepin' my eyes peeled!

Extrapolator, if it's any comfort to you, I would not give up any of my bikes, each one has different characteristics that makes them unique and a blast to ride, never been disappointed by any bike I've ever owned. That being said, none of these machines is perfect in every situation. The ZX-14 is my last pick for shorter, more aggressive rides in the twisties but my favorite for doing the longer rides. The ZX-6R is a blast to throw around on a tight, twisty road but absolute agony on the freeway due to the cramped ergonomics. So all are fun, just in different ways.

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Kruz,

I'll have to check out FM 455.

I have ridden the Hill Country (3 Twisted Sister, etc...) and as you said, for Texas they are great roads. The 14 is really the platform for those roads. Long, fast sweepers. Not really enough tight stuff to warrant a Superbike but if that's the only bike a person has then so be it.

You ever get a far east as the Smoky Mountain area in GA/NC/TN? Pure Super Sport bike heaven!

I have never owned a Kawasaki in a smaller displacement for any length of time. However, the few miles I have put on one when a friend of mine exchanged bikes was smooth.

Glad I'm not the only one that noticed the vibes on the S 1000 RR. When you spoke of more vibes on the 2020 model were you also speaking of the RR?

As for the Honda or Ducati, I'd have to go with the Ducati. The V4 S Corse specifically.

The Honda seems to be the bees knees(at least for a Honda)but I just find it difficult to drop $30,000 on a metric bike.

With the Ducati, you at least have an exotic bike.

Having owned one you know what I am talking about.

Regardless, you have a nice collection of bikes.

I get tired of performing the maintenance, paying insurance, licensing costs, WASHING etc... the three that I own but I guess that's the price we pay. LOL

Couldn't imagine doing all of the above on SEVEN bikes!!!

Extrapolator, if it's any comfort to you, I would not give up any of my bikes, each one has different characteristics that makes them unique and a blast to ride, never been disappointed by any bike I've ever owned. That being said, none of these machines is perfect in every situation. The ZX-14 is my last pick for shorter, more aggressive rides in the twisties but my favorite for doing the longer rides. The ZX-6R is a blast to throw around on a tight, twisty road but absolute agony on the freeway due to the cramped ergonomics. So all are fun, just in different ways.

I get it. My main problems are, I'm in FL where we have hardly any curves so no good reason to ride a liter superbike, and with work right now I don't even have time to ride the 2 I have (ZX and XR650L).

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Kruz - I zoomed again in to your FM455, and it looks like mostly hi-speed straights with fairly big switchback sweepers, which is cool, but you really need to load up your fave, '11 ZX-10R, plus another 1 2 or 3 for fun, and head to the famous NC/TN mountains BIGO70 is talking about, for a week minimum. If you have no job or family in TX, heck you might even consider just moving there! It'd def help you justify all your bikes, not that you need that ... but it'd def be a better place to stretch their legs

... ie you don't have to be doing 100+ to push it to the limit.

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Extrapolator,

Sent you a PM.

Thanks

Replied.

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Got your reply.

Does anyone see my embedded video of the bikini home tour with Christina K?

Jaret is a motorcycle enthusiast, body builder and now we find he's a singer and guitar player. Man do I ever wish I could be Jaret. Don't you?

* Last updated by: Rook on 2/8/2020 @ 3:46 PM *

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Been a long time since I've visited this forum, doesn't look like there is much activity here anymore.... @BIG070, do you currently own all of those bikes in your last post? If so, I have to say you have a VERY impressive collection.... I retired over a year ago and am having trouble justifying all the bikes in my garage these days. I'm surprised that I don't ride that often with all the free time on my hands but early retirement and Covid 19 has messed with me . Will post up some Youtube GoPro videos from some local rides we did a few weeks ago, I was on my little '09 ZX-6R. Cheers!

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Been a long time since I've visited this forum, doesn't look like there is much activity here anymore....

You have to go to Off Topic for activity.

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Been a long time since I've visited this forum, doesn't look like there is much activity here anymore...

Hey Kruz, yeah I know, it had its era. They say FB and other sites took the draw away. But I consider you one of the relics like Rook, Grn, BG, and me. Say 2005, before BG took the reins? See, I had a relic. Mem is going.

I'm surprised that I don't ride that often with all the free time on my hands

The way gas is, I'm doing a little fluid servicing. Going to attempt the ABS box and empty that while a new battery goes thru its prep. Covid parked the riding so I'm going to catch up.

How many do you have left? I think you want to cash in on them at a premium. If you kept them pristine, the gas prices, I think it's time to thin the herd and oh, what timing!

Will post up some Youtube GoPro videos...

If you send in the copy and paste, I'll assist and get it up. Or, look up to where it says BODY in bold. Go down to where it says 'To embed a youtube...' all you have to do is look at the junk in the middle and remove it. Then the forward slashes with the v in between.. /v/.. and try that.

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Hello Hubster, good to hear from you again and that you are doing well. Yes, I am a relic and one of the first forum members from way back in 2006. I often wonder what happened to 1Bad, haven't heard anything from him in many years. I still have all eight of the machines listed in my signature. Yes, I have contemplated it might be time to thin out the herd while used bike prices are high. I'm guessing my Youtube vids are not showing up, I can't see them but Rook said yesterday he is able to see them. I'll try forwarding the Youtube links to Rook and have him try posting them up.

@Rook, you should have my hyperlinks, go ahead and try embedding the videos, not sure why no one but you can see them.

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@Rook, please make sure the videos start from the beginning, it sounds like what you are seeing is starting about half way through.

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As far as starting the videos from 0:00, I think you have to select that on youtube. I tried but it keeps going to 13:00.

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Is it just me or does everyone else see Kruz's videos a few posts above?

Kruz, if I post the videos for you, I will be using the exact same code I was telling you to use yesterday when you posted them. I don't see how it will make any difference if I post that code on this site or if you do. Here goes.

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