Motorcycle Talk

[phillysrt4]

So, to resurrect this thread for the 2016 riding season, I introduce to you my brand spankin new R3 in red/white.

Took delivery yesterday. Break in is 400km of no more than 7000rpm and no more than 3/4 throttle. Was very careful with those first critical kays to get good ring seal with good acceleration/deceleration maneuvers. Break In Achievement unlocked today around 5pm. :)

Here are some pics I took. Some are when I was taking delivery (like the 4km on the odometer) and some are from cruising around today in the sunshine. Fuel economy was 55 mpg which I expect to go up now that I don't have to vary throttle so much when cruising.

If you're looking for a city bike or a fun commuter I highly recommend. Engine is smooth and strong all the way up to about 11k or so. Has more than enough power for highway speeds and when you go north of 8k the motor really sings in a way that only a high winding twin can. The first thing I need to do is tidy up the rear fender. It just isn't clean enough for my taste.

[Troll]

nice! good ride for ONE day! what's that thing weigh?

[phillysrt4]

One and a half days. Couldn't get on the road until about 2pm yesterday :)

362 pounds ready to ride. :)

EDIT - first odometer reading was Friday just before shop closed when they finished assembling it from the crate and took it for a shakedown ride. Saturday I showed up around 10am but they were slammed (no problem spent the time sorting out my gear) and started driving at 2pm

[phillysrt4]

BTW - looking for suggestions for a cam that I can attach to my helmet, both for my own protection and for vloggin purposes. Being able to connect multiple headsets via bluetooth or equivalent if a ride with others a plus. Like to spend less than 400 if possible.

[Cam99]

Totally agree on the rear fender area. They got the styling excellent on the bike except for the stalk they attached under the rear fender. Get rid of that and it's tits!

[travj31]

Looks good...

My scoot saw daylight for the first time in 2 years over the weekend... Cleans up pretty well for a bike that is almost 10 years old.

[Troll]

sonofab1tch... some days I miss my Buell... like when I'm riding my Sportster and I start grinding the heels of my boots on the road.

[Terminated]

Truth. I would have thought they'd be faster too. Not much going on there for 20k.

That's 5 or 6 ragged out fox bodies...

[Dickbag 5.h0]

The 4th pic with the R3 on the dock, that looks like it should be in a magazine or Yamaha brochure, looks good!

Here's my two wheel rides for the summer. 2000 Ducati 996 and 2007 Honda VFR800. Rode the Ducati once this year logging 120 miles, had enough. Its currently for sale. The VFR is its replacement, one ride on it also for 130 miles. Loving the VFR so far, fun to ride and super comfy for a sport bike!

[travj31]

I think it's hard not to like these Buell's one you have ridden one, especially the Lightning's with their seating position. I've kind of gotten away from motorcycles over the last couple of years and some days I think i should sell this one, but once I grab a handful of torque I decide to keep it a little while longer.

sonofab1tch... some days I miss my Buell... like when I'm riding my Sportster and I start grinding the heels of my boots on the road.

[SonofaBish]

two weekends ago i rode my R1 for the first time since September.... was nice being out on it... with the vette gone, i think it'll get more use this year.

Unfortunately, the weather here still sucks, so it might be June before it goes out again

[Troll]

that 996 is

[phillysrt4]

Wow! Nice to see the thread is active again...

Totally agree on the rear fender area. They got the styling excellent on the bike except for the stalk they attached under the rear fender. Get rid of that and it's tits!

Agreed. What impressed me the most about this bike is the attention to detail in making a good bike just smaller. They use the engine as a stressed member, the bodywork is excellent, and the feedback is very good. The bike handles really well due to the mass centralization (it is only a twin after all) and below 120km/h (uh... 70mph?) the brakes will stop you instantly. It has big bike fun without as much worry of getting tickets or riding "over your head". I consider myself an "intermediate level rider" and this bike has a lot to offer to improve my skills. If I do decide to get another bike in the future (I'm not ruling out a cruiser or a dual sport) this bike will be staying in the stable for sure!

But yea, a quick clean up of the tail and from a photo you'd never tell it was a baby sportbike :)

My scoot saw daylight for the first time in 2 years over the weekend... Cleans up pretty well for a bike that is almost 10 years old.

I'm likin' it! :)

sonofab1tch... some days I miss my Buell... like when I'm riding my Sportster and I start grinding the heels of my boots on the road.

If I had to ride a sportster I'd be missing whatever I used to ride too :P ;)

(had to troll Troll there...)

The 4th pic with the R3 on the dock, that looks like it should be in a magazine or Yamaha brochure, looks good!

Here's my two wheel rides for the summer. 2000 Ducati 996 and 2007 Honda VFR800. Rode the Ducati once this year logging 120 miles, had enough. Its currently for sale. The VFR is its replacement, one ride on it also for 130 miles. Loving the VFR so far, fun to ride and super comfy for a sport bike!

Thanks man! I like that photo too. Glad you liked it!

Two engine styles I have a soft spot for: twins and V-anything. How would you compare its nimbleness of the VFR versus the Duc?

BTW - I read a comment in one of snowcat's videos on YT about Ducati's: "There are two times a Ducati owner is happy. Once when he buys it, and once when he sells it." Have you had a lot of issues with yours? Just curious.

[Dickbag 5.h0]

Wow! Nice to see the thread is active again...



Agreed. What impressed me the most about this bike is the attention to detail in making a good bike just smaller. They use the engine as a stressed member, the bodywork is excellent, and the feedback is very good. The bike handles really well due to the mass centralization (it is only a twin after all) and below 120km/h (uh... 70mph?) the brakes will stop you instantly. It has big bike fun without as much worry of getting tickets or riding "over your head". I consider myself an "intermediate level rider" and this bike has a lot to offer to improve my skills. If I do decide to get another bike in the future (I'm not ruling out a cruiser or a dual sport) this bike will be staying in the stable for sure!

But yea, a quick clean up of the tail and from a photo you'd never tell it was a baby sportbike :)




I'm likin' it! :)



If I had to ride a sportster I'd be missing whatever I used to ride too :P ;)

(had to troll Troll there...)



Thanks man! I like that photo too. Glad you liked it!

Two engine styles I have a soft spot for: twins and V-anything. How would you compare its nimbleness of the VFR versus the Duc?

BTW - I read a comment in one of snowcat's videos on YT about Ducati's: "There are two times a Ducati owner is happy. Once when he buys it, and once when he sells it." Have you had a lot of issues with yours? Just curious.

The VFR handles surprisingly well, better then what I was expecting. Its not quite on the same level as the Ducati though. You can definitely feel the extra weight the VFR is carrying when transitioning thru the twisties.

I've been lucky with my Duc, haven't had any issues. Its been well maintained during it's life so I'm sure that has a lot to do with it. Its a great bike, just not very rider friendly on the street. It stretches you out, a lot of wrist and neck pressure. I'm getting older and willing to sacrifice some performance for comfort at this stage in my life, so the VFR is a better fit. 10 years ago I wouldn't have even thought about selling the 996 lol.

[Troll]

If I had to ride a sportster I'd be missing whatever I used to ride

The tires and handling definitely outlast the lean angle on this machine... Had a handful of sportbikes and this thing is the most fun I've had on the street. Sportbikes are too good. This 48 scares the f*ck out of me every ride. LOL! Was grinding the peg feelers every ride, so took them off and you can see I'm into the rubber on the peg.

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[Cam99]

I thought I already posted up in this thread when I bought it, but not seeing it. So anyway heres my Night train I bought last summer. Maybe we will be able to get enough nice weather to make it worthwhile getting it out at some point :(

[Troll]

can't make a track rental happen on a drag racing forum... doubt we'll ever be able to coordinate a SCMC bike ride. :bummer:

[phillysrt4]

The VFR handles surprisingly well, better then what I was expecting. Its not quite on the same level as the Ducati though. You can definitely feel the extra weight the VFR is carrying when transitioning thru the twisties.

I'm getting older and willing to sacrifice some performance for comfort at this stage in my life, so the VFR is a better fit. 10 years ago I wouldn't have even thought about selling the 996 lol.

That was exactly my rationale for choosing the R3. For the longest time I had a hardon for the SV650. A dealer near me had a leftover he was willing to sell at the upper end of the price range I was willing to pay. Sat on it and realized how much I hated being leaned forward anymore. The R3 is more upright but you can tuck if you want to.

The tires and handling definitely outlast the lean angle on this machine... Had a handful of sportbikes and this thing is the most fun I've had on the street. Sportbikes are too good. This 48 scares the f*ck out of me every ride. LOL! Was grinding the peg feelers every ride, so took them off and you can see I'm into the rubber on the peg.

LOL!!!! was that an exhaust pipe that had a nice long lean scrape on it too? Maybe you're too much rider for an HD ;)

I thought I already posted up in this thread when I bought it, but not seeing it. So anyway heres my Night train I bought last summer. Maybe we will be able to get enough nice weather to make it worthwhile getting it out at some point :(

It was sunny and 14 (57F) when I took those photos. Perfect riding weather... just sayin....

can't make a track rental happen on a drag racing forum... doubt we'll ever be able to coordinate a SCMC bike ride. :bummer:

Late June I'll be in the area... a few of us should meet up for a ride.

[Troll]

LOL!!!! was that an exhaust pipe that had a nice long lean scrape on it too?

yup. i was surprised it didn't unsettle the chassis more than it did, but it made a helluva noise and sparks, too.

Maybe you're too much rider for an HD ;)

not really... HD is just not enough bike for anybody with mediocre skills. :booyah:

[phillysrt4]

not really... HD is just not enough bike for anybody with mediocre skills. :booyah:

ya heard, cam?