| Author | Message | ||
     Jerry_haughton |
ps... I can keep up with my mates when I'm on a Road King and we are travelling at normal speed. Howevere you guys take that Road King and I'll pick the new Hyabusa I just gave back and I'll race you anywhere, any amount. ...are me 'n DD the only ones smelling an upcoming feature story in Kiwi Rider??? | ||
| Bigdaddy |
i'm in real danger of sounding like a braggart, for which i apologize, It's not bragging if you can do it and Mr. Haughton does it very well. I spend about 90% of my riding in world class twisties and I can hold my own -- Ferris would pull 90% of sportbike riders (maybe more) on his RK. I've got an extra Buell he's welcome to ride if anyone wants to call him out too (keys are in it Jerry,,,help yourself.) G2 | ||
| Rubberdown |
Damn Jerry, sounds like you should have a contract  | ||
| Jerry_haughton |
yep, right after i get a bigger helmet... ps: thx Big Dad, you rock!  (Message edited by jerry_haughton on March 05, 2008) | ||
| Jerry_haughton |
back on topic: is this bike really so hideous looking?  does it really look slow? photo © webWorld International, LLC (Message edited by jerry_haughton on March 05, 2008) | ||
| Danger_dave |
Busa V Road King comparo hey? I've already done the Harleys and it echoes this thread somewhat. http://web.mac.com/david_cohen_design/Site/Index/E ntries/2008/3/2_Article%3A_%E2%80%9808_Harley-Davi dsons.html | ||
| Jerry_haughton |
Then I proceeded to have no trouble at all keeping on the pace with a bunch of 1200cc Japanese and European motorcycles riding at expert rider pace on the road. (Yes - I know the track would be a different story, but the road is my reality.) couldn't have said it better myself. | ||
| Jerry_haughton |
The mate that laid the ‘punishment’ line hadn’t actually sat on a Harley before. I find that’s reasonably common. also noteworthy. | ||
| Jerry_haughton |
As noted in the December KR, the ‘07 Fat Boy won the inaugural Big Dave award for most desirable motorcycle tested in ’07 and for ’08 it gets just that little bit better still. but Dave, how can that be? i mean, the bike's long, heavy and slow - it CAN'T be any fun to ride?!?!? | ||
| Jerry_haughton |
In the end I took the Street Bob back before I was obliged to. I just wasn’t getting any work done and Motomail was running out of Coffee. I had that much trouble keeping off it such was the enjoyment quotient. Taking them back – I’ll tell ya about ‘punishment.’ hell Dave, you're as messed up as I am. wink. | ||
| Court |
Dave: That's just some damn fine reading . . . Well. . . . perhaps it's a zero sum world. . . I don't ride for crap and the last time I rode with Haughton he pushed me off the bike. Court P.S. - it's a joke kids. . . the last time I tossed a factory Buell, Ferris and I split off late in the afternoon and did some sprited riding by ourselves and had a ball! | ||
| Danger_dave |
To judge it so the footboards kiss the tarmac as gently as can be is the challenge. Then the surge of thumpity thumpity back up to cruising speed and then purr to the next corner and judge that perfectly....misery. | ||
| Jerry_haughton |
P.S. - it's a joke kids. . . actually, i DID push you. i think the subsequent concussion may have clouded your memory... ...are me 'n DD the only ones smelling an upcoming feature story in Kiwi Rider??? Danger Dave, how 'bout KR flies me 'n my sweetie to the Land of the Long White Cloud, puts us up for a week in a four-star hotel (failing that, a spare couch somewhere would work in a pinch), and sets us up with a new Road King to ride while we're there. you jump on a new 'Busa, we round up your mates (all preferably on new "full-figured" motorcycles, too) and we head out into the New Zealand countryside looking for unsuspecting/un-enlightened sportbike riders to dust up. we could call it "The Battle of the Bulges" or something silly like that. maybe even we all swap bikes back and forth during our predation, and write our various impressions of same for the piece. i'm handy with keyboard and camera, and besides... ...me 'n Denise are due for a nice vacation. | ||
| Danger_dave |
>>Danger Dave, how 'bout KR flies me '<< And you were going so well up to there. :-) | ||
| Jerry_haughton |
no guts, no glory. :-) | ||
| Glitch |
is this bike really so hideous looking? To me it is. | ||
| Jb2 |
FB1, Two pictures... one of the RK with tasty bits of 'Busa hanging off the front and the second of the guy who's riding it at the exact moment you dust him into the weeds. JB2 | ||
| Jlnance |
I go out of town for a few days and when I come back, everyones in a pissing match about a honda.  I like this thread. The first time I rode with Jerry, I underestimated a road, and ended up leading a pack of bikes across a muddy, rocky, icy, dirt road over a mountain. I was on the Uly, Jerry was 2 up on the RK. He was on my ass the whole whole way. Then we got to pavement and I remember consciously deciding to slow down because I was going to die if I tried to keep up with him. I did one of the Inside Pass trackdays with Spike. I don't ride in Spike's class, but U4euh does. People speak in hushed tones and awe regarding U4euh's riding skills. He came up to me after one of the sessions and said simply "wow, Spike is fast." I'm trying to imagine Jerry and Spike dualing on twisty mountain roads. It would be on hell of a show. | ||
| Jerry_haughton |
folks, this is extremely flattering and highly embarrasing all at the same time. back to topic: i think the point has been made that a seemingly underpowered, large, heavy motorcycle can still be exhilarating to ride, and can - in the right hands and under the right conditions - hold its own with aggressively ridden sportbikes on a technical road. the new Honda (can't they come up with a better, i.e. less boring, name than DN-01?) has all the potential to be a milestone motorcycle. it won't appeal to everybody - no bike does - but it possesses some pretty remarkable features, and combined with Honda's well-deserved reputation for quality, i'm betting this bike will be dripping with aplomb. i'm not sold on the styling of Buell's 1125R, altho i'll withhold final judgement until i see one in the flesh. i DO like the looks of the new Honda, but i'm also fully prepared to change my mind once i see one in the flesh. it's agresso, that's for sure, a bold move for a bike that's not targeted at the power-hungry. i understand why a bike like this Honda might get bashed on a Buell forum, but as good as most motorcycles are these days, i think scorning a bike based strictly on one's preconceived notions of its capabilities is at best short-sighted. as i mentioned earlier in this thread, i've got a lot of seat time on another Japanese v-twin of very similar displacement, and if you think an SV650 won't hump down a twisty road, it's because you haven't ridden one. we don't know yet what the actual numbers are for the new Honda, and altho it can't truly be a lightweight considering its design and overall features, i'm betting they've coaxed a lot of usable performance outta that mill, and coupled with an innovative transmission, i suspect this thing will scorch along just fine. earlier i stated i'd take one in white. i've changed my mind. make it all black, please, with a tasty aftermarket can and one of FuelMoto's custom-mapped Power Commander piggybacked to the ECM. this bike would be SO much fun to go sportbike hunting on... FB | ||
| Blake |
"seemingly underpowered, large, heavy motorcycle can still be exhilarating to ride, and can - in the right hands and under the right conditions - hold its own with people who lack the skills to ride aggressively on sportbikes on a technical road." Fixed it for you. That goes for most any street bike sold in America, yes? But Valentino Rossi couldn't hold his own against me on that thing. First, cause it's so goofy looking that he'd never allow himself to be seen near it, let alone on it. Second, because it is so slow and cumbersome compared to one of the best motorcycles ever made, my Buell Cyclone--ask Court--that not even Rossi would be able to make up for its heinous sluggishness. Take the bait slow boy. You over-tolerant moto-diplomat. You open-minded Honda lover. You corner carving Harley-rider. | ||
| Bill0351 |
"i'm not sold on the styling of Buell's 1125R, altho i'll withhold final judgement until i see one in the flesh." I just saw one, and at the risk of jacking the thread, I think it's a good looking bike. The pods are just a BUELL decal and some pinstripes away from not even being an issue for me at all. I am really looking forward to seeing it in other colors. Bill | ||
| Spike |
Ditto. I figure if it looks like that and wears that much rubber (rear is a 190/50ZR17) it oughtta pack either ~100hp or a boatload of torque.
The SV650 can definitely be hustled, but the only thing I see in common between the DN-01 and the SV is the displacement and possibly the peak horsepower. If nothing else it weighs some 200lbs more. We don't have real apples to apples power numbers, but I'm expecting the DN to be down at least 10hp from an SV. SV650 dyno That's not to say that the DN won't be able to move at a quick pace on a technical road, but the DN rider will certainly be working harder than the SV rider.
See, I was thinking that about the ~40hp Burgman. | ||
| Jerry_haughton |
Take the bait slow boy. no thanks, Blake. I just saw [an 1125R], and at the risk of jacking the thread, I think it's a good looking bike. Bill: no worries about jacking the thread, it's a time-honored tradition here on BWB (a skill i've honed to a razor's edge... ) there's much i like from the pix of the 1125R (another boring bike name) - the overall fit and finish appears to be impeccable. i'll have to see one in person before i know whether it's a visual keeper in my book, tho. i can sure envision it with a swoopy full-fairing... I figure if [the new Honda] looks like that and wears that much rubber (rear is a 190/50ZR17) it oughtta pack either ~100hp or a boatload of torque. Spike, i was thinking exactly the same thing. ...the only thing I see in common between the DN-01 and the SV is the displacement... that's why i've mentioned the SV650 several times in this thread, as it's a bike i don't have to assume what it's capable of engine performance-wise, and it's similar in displacement (and identical in layout) to the new Honda. the numbers in the link you provide align well with Motorcyclist's figures, who state 73.5 hp and 47.1 tq for the SV. for what it's worth, those numbers compare very favorably with their results from a Buell XB9SX, i.e. 73.9 and 56.7, and the SV does better in a top-gear roll-on from 60-60 mph (4.44 seconds to 4.73) despite torque numbers that might lead one to assume the Buell would prevail in this situation. this is another reason why i feel it's unreasonable to look at what we know about the new Honda and make negative assumptions about what it will be capable of when ridden in anger. numbers only tell part of the story, and using the SV as an example it's quite apparent that a smallish-displacement Japanese motorcycle can actually produce American liter-bike-class engine performance. when we DO finally see dyno numbers for the new Honda it'll be interesting to see how much area is under the curves. the more the merrier, and simple peak hp and tq numbers don't tell this important tale. That's not to say that the DN won't be able to move at a quick pace on a technical road, but the DN rider will certainly be working harder than the SV rider. if the assumed significant weight difference between the two bikes proves to be true, i totally agree. you wanna work hard, try hanging with an aggressively well-ridden sportbike on a technical road with a 70-hp, 800-pound touring motorcycle... (Message edited by jerry_haughton on March 06, 2008) | ||
| Dfbutler |
At the risk of throwing gas on the fire... http://www.motorcyclists-online.com/o1_792_Picture s--Honda-DN-01.html | ||
| Strmvt |
looks like a giant stepped on a Firebolt doesnt it? | ||
| Damnut |
Someone asked about specs on a Vespa. Here are the specs on my Vespa GT200 Granturismo 200 Chassis Frame Type: Pressed steel, mono-coque type construction Engine Type: Piaggio L.E.AD.E.R. (Low Emission ADvanced Engine Range) - Single cylinder, four-valve Displacement: 197.78 cc Bore × Stroke: 2.83 in × 1.91 in (72.0 mm × 48.6 mm) Compression Ratio: 11-12:1 Carburetor: 29.0 mm Walbro WVF-7P or Keihin CVK 30 Max. Power: 21.0 hp (15.4 kW) @ 8,500 rpm Max. Torque: 12.9 lbs·ft (17.5 Nm) @ 6,500 rpm Fuel: Unleaded, min. 91 Timing System: Chain driven SOHC (Single OverHead Camshaft) Ignition: Electronic by capacitive discharge (CDI) Spark Advance: Variable from 10° @ 2,000 rpm through 32° @ 6,500 rpm (before T.D.C.) Starter: Electric w/automatic choke Cooling: Liquid Transmission: Automatic CVT (Continuously Variable Transmission) Clutch: Dry, centrifugal type Fuel Tank Capacity: 2.5 gallons (9.5 liters) Oil Sump Capacity: 1.1 quarts (1,000 cc) Weight and Dimensions Dry Weight: 308 lbs (140 kg) Width (at handgrips): 29.7 in (755 mm) Length: 76.4 in (1,940 mm) Wheel Base: 54.9 in (1,395 mm) Seat Height: 31.5 in (800 mm) Wheels and Tires Front Wheel: 5-spoke aluminum alloy rim 3.00" × 12" Rear Wheel: 5-spoke aluminum alloy rim 3.00" × 12" Front Tire: Tubeless 120/70-12" Rear Tire: Tubeless 130/70-12" Suspensions and Brakes Front Brake: 8.66 in (220 mm) disc hydraulically operated by a floating caliper w/two Æ 25 mm pistons Rear Brake: 8.66 in (220 mm) disc hydraulically operated by a floating caliper w/two Æ 30 mm pistons Front Suspension: Single-arm w/hydraulic shock absorber, compression and rebound damping; 3.4" (86.5 mm) travel Rear Suspension: Engine-swing arm w/2 hydraulic shock absorbers, adjustable pre-load, and compression and rebound damping; 3.5" (89.5mm) travel It may be underpowered or lazy but this thing screws. I have a blast everytime I take it for a spin. Although I did buy it for my girlfriend | ||
| Jerry_haughton |
At the risk of throwing gas on the fire... cool, thx for the link. i don't like the looks as much in the dynamic shots of the bike going down the road. dunno how tall the rider is, but he makes the bike look like a giant stepped on it... | ||
| Glitch |
Now y'all can see why I didn't like the looks of it, the "sit up and beg" position the rider is in. The overall style of the bike is ok I guess, if you leave the rider off so you have no reference of scale. It's almost like a scooter wanting to be a sport cruiser. A scooter with an identity issue. I'm not worried at all about "the numbers" I have a hoot on "smaller" bikes. | ||
| Reepicheep |
Good point Jerry, I always thought of my XB9SX as kind of a spiritual successor to the Honda Hawk, or an SV-650 with a LOT of suspension work and a more adaptable fit (anyone with long legs will find their knees on the wrong side of an SV-650 tank flare). It's a great bike for the price, and the XB9SX I think delivers more then enough better handling to justify the extra $$. Both bikes have a wonderful motor for a sporting middleweight twin street bike. The 9SX is also far cheaper and easier to maintain... buying chain lube and sprockets and chains and valve adjustments and messing with axle adjusters on tire changes for the KLR-250 really re-opened my eyes to what a huge PITA my XB9SX *isnt*.... I have recommended the SV to several people that I suspected would never have a use for the level of handling a XB9 would provide... one of them bought it and is very happy, though in hindsight I think he may have evolved into more of a Concourse kind of guy. (Message edited by reepicheep on March 07, 2008) | ||
| Jerry_haughton |
Now y'all can see why I didn't like the looks of it, the "sit up and beg" position the rider is in. Glitch: the rider sure makes the bike look small, which is interesting in part because the specs indicate the bike is so long. if is is this small it would make a lot of sense, considering the target market Honda seems to be shooting at. i'm ok with the "sit up" part - i don't like having a lot of weight on my wrists when i ride - but not to the point where my back is leaned rearward beyond vertical, because at this point you find yourself holding yourself up with your arms, which can be annoying (and exhausting). my RK has a wonderful (for me) sit up position but no "beg," as the bars are of a mild enough bend (and me being short overall) that i'm leaned just slightly forward when i ride, with my legs stretched comfortably out in front of me. i'd rate the RK second only to my former 1000 V-Strom in terms of overall riding comfort. the new Honda still looks comfy to me in the dynamic pix, altho i'd have to at least sit on one to determine whether or not the riding posture would work for this tired old body of mine. ------------- Reep: i agree that the SV is an excellent scoot, and i wish we still had it in our stable. not sure i agree totally with the maintenance cost comparison, but i've never owned an XB, and we didn't have the SV for enough miles to ever have to pull any maintenance on it. i DID ride the SV quite hard on several occasions, and altho the suspension is certainly nowhere near the caliber of what comes on the XB, i also am not sure i agree that the suspension differences between the two bikes outweighs the price difference. i never had the opportunity on the SV to go against another sportbike, Buell or otherwise, but it was always my impression that the SV would more than be able to hold its own under most "real world" aggressive riding situations. from both the V-Strom and SV experience i came away with the opinion that Suzuki builds their bikes to a price point. altho i never tinkered (much) on the SV, i had the 'Strom apart on several occasions doing mostly cosmetic stuff, and i HATED working on it - nothing seemed particularly well engineered to me and nothing ever wanted to go back together right. back to the new Honda for a moment: it sounds like the "auto" trans might be quite the marvel, and it occurred to me that back in the days i used to autocross my '69 Corvette, the auto-equipped 'Vettes were always faster around a course than a manual-equipped 'Vettes, regardless of small-block vs. big-block, regardless of overall driver skill. always. i think the new Honda has the potential to really open some eyes. FB |
