| Author | Message | ||
     Blake |
I've ridden liter class IL4s both of the Japan Inc and British varieties. Personally, I just don't favor the turbine-like engine whine or the looks. I've never liked the protruding side exhausts. The MV, R1, and now the ZX, and CBR literbikes have addressed that point, but they are all still IL4s. If they would release a big bang version, that too would be an improvement. If I were in the market for one--I'm not--My first choice for a fully faired liter-class superbike would be a Ducati 998. | ||
| Reepicheep |
MollyHatchet, why would I want to flog an inline four owner? If you like the character and look of an inline four, life has never been better. I respect them tremendously, Japan Inc has done amazing things with the platform in terms of cost versus power versus reliability. Having owned an inline four and a twin, I just prefer the twin. And while I really liked riding the 1125r, it probably won't be until the air / oil / fan cooled helicon appears that I will start spending my money on one. | ||
| Molly_hatchet |
well i just figured that seems how things have gotten a little nasty round these parts as of late i might hang myself out there...i have owned both as have many others here and whenever things start to get mean and off topic i hear things like the inline is souless, and ugly, ur a squid if u ride one, u sit a starbucks all the time and pose with ur brand new never been scratched leather, ..and i wanna hear what rocket has to say...i was a little hard on the 1125 when it came out...so im just interested in the real thoughts behind those comments ...little spot to vent ..weve touched on the MV, so why not jump at the chance to flog a real inline 4 owner  ...and thanx reep i like my honda but it is not without flaws that is for sure but its a sexy beast...but so was my 9 it was just a little under powered i though...not that i could truly use every ounce of power from either one. | ||
| Elvis |
I think my my distaste for inline 4's can be linked my generation and tastes. I was born in the '60s and always loved Ducati's, Nortons, Triumphs, Vincents etc. I've always preferred bikes that were thin, light-weight and simple in design. My first bike in High school was a Honda CB350, and while I was in college, I fell in love with (but couldn't afford) the RZ350.  I grew up riding mountain roads in western Pennsylvania, so I was always more interested in the thrill of taking a tight curve at 40 mph than driving 100 mph on a straight stretch. By the time I was graduating and actually able to afford some nicer bikes, all those light-weight twins that I loved were being pushed aside by inline-fours that were (admitedly) technological marvels, but it was frustrating to me to see the more simple bikes I fell in love with as a child getting pushed aside by the inline fours that seemed to focus on brute force, peak HP and 0-60 times rather than things that made motorcycles motorcycles to me. I would imagine someone who was born 10 years later than me would probably have a much different perspective because they grew up with the inline 4's and likely see them now in the way I see twins. | ||
| Cityxslicker |
Heres my prob with Jap litre bikes & yes AND the 1125R. I do not like being munkey humped over the tank/ airbox , cat crouched and weight on my wrists my belly all cat hunched and on the balls of my feet just to reach the pegs and handle bars at the same time. Now diving into the corners, the bike is very well behaved and intuitive, but I felt like I was perched ontop of the bike rather than an intergral part of it like my CityX. The Ninjas that I have had the ergos were just as uncomfortable and the tank slosh going through the corners was annoying. So there, I think any general produced bike will have ergo/handling misgivings when applied to the masses. The trick is to find the bike that is comfortable and confident fun to ride, for me the Buell that does that is the CityX... But opinions vary, my recomendation is that you DEMO the bike before crossing it off any list. It may just change your mind. It is an AMAZING powerful ride. Judge it for yourself. | ||
| Molly_hatchet |
oooh id give my left one for that...my first street bike was a RD400 then a 250 oh man was that thing a hoot..it was the biggest pile of crap ever i spent more time pushing the 250 than riding it but i loved it...home made chambers an all ...ive been looking for an RD that i can afford but there arent many out there for 12 bucks . one of these days. | ||
| Cityxslicker |
There is one at our shop that an employee rides... and he does want more than $12.00 for it. I think it might actually be signed on the tank, not the sticker from the factory. It sounds like an angry chainsaw when it fires off and runs. | ||
| Molly_hatchet |
now if u can work the RD into the deal il take ur 1125R . | ||
| Rocketman |
I have to say I've always loved the way the IL4's deliver power. When my mate Blake says he doesn't, because he says so from time to time, I always think 'man you don't know what you're missing'. I know he's ridden them, so I know he's in denial, lol. Over the years I've ridden loads of them. I worked as a motorcycle mechanic through my late teens and in my twenties, so I got to ride a lot of things from I suppose the Honda 400 Fours right through to GPZ1100's and GPZ900's. Recent years I've ridden the odd R1, Fireblade etc, but my favourite was without doubt the MVF4 1000. I put a mere handful of miles on it, but the beauty of that test ride was riding my 916 300 miles that morning to get there. I got on the MV a bit later, and it felt very familiar, and instantly I was at home with it and ringing its neck. Not boasting, I just felt completely at home, totally confident, and as every test you read will tell you, utterly sublime handling. I really did give it a good shafting! So yeah, the IL 4's I really love them. Another IL4 that totally impressed was the Hayabusa. I rode one on test for an afternoon back in 1999, and again I borrowed one for several hours when in Colorado. The way the Busa delivers its power so linear to 10000rpm red line is just awesome. That's how all IL 4's use to be years ago. Just nowhere near as powerful. Modern era IL4's have much higher rev ceilings. Once you get past the initial lack of low down power, get it to where the power lives, and start cogging the box up and down, it's hard to deny how much fun a potent IL4 can be. I liked the way the latest GPZ1000 revved its nuts off too. Not that I can wheelie for toffee, but that's a wheelie monster of a bike. My mate was awesome on the rear wheel of his. Then again, so he was on his GSXR1000K7. Some people are just gifted with the balance point, lol. The 750 Brutale really really loved that kind of hard riding style, but I couldn't help feel it might be a touch fragile for my right hand. The Brutale 910 is a different animal. Stick it in top at 30mph and just wind the throttle up and down to warp speed and back, it might as well have been an automatic. I found it a little boring. If I wanted an IL4, and I do, I'd have a 750 Brutale as my second bike alongside my S1W. As it happens, my friend called today and confirmed he's paying me for the 916 next week. I guess that means the next bike will be that Brutale after all, but it's a way off yet. First there's the S1W to get up to 1250 and XB heads. Can't not put the hard edged stump pulling power of a torque infested V twin anywhere but first on the list. Rocket | ||
| Molly_hatchet |
ah the ole 400 4 ...that was the big thing when i was in high school...had to have the 400 with the kerker pipe..i can still hear that sound...me i liked the chain saw sound but i was a dirt bike racer back then...i sure wish i could sample some of the bikes uve mentioned...maybe someday...i was suprised at how tame down low the fireblade/CBR really is...still not the greatest for luggin around town like the buell was but not to bad...and the stance as far as riding is no better or worse than the firebolt...im hoping i can do a test ride of the 848 before i decide what to buy...was thinkin FZ1 or SV but they just dont do anything for me..if i could afford it id just buy a new firebolt and call it the second bike...i need twin tourque and inline blazing fast.. | ||
| Rocketman |
I rebuilt an engine on a 400/4 years ago. I remember to this day how bloody awkward it was getting the barrels over the pistons. Last week MCN published their back to back test with the 848 and 1098. The 848 ran it close. Only about 6 or 7 mph slower at the top. But the 1098 proved to be the daddy with its superior power and the manner in which it delivers. Rocket | ||
| Eicas |
I have owned several inline 4 bikes and they were all very good in every respect. If you want maximum performance at the lowest cost that is the way to go. However, I like the "character" of a twin, and think that they are a bit easier to maintain, so that is my preference. Twins are more fun, (for me!). I still have a lovely V-4 Honda VFR800, but it does not get used very much since I bought the Buell. As a street rider maximum performance does not matter since I can't use it and all the bikes are much faster than me. If I was racing and only wanted the absolute maximum power for the minimum displacement and cost, - I would have an inline four. | ||
| Molly_hatchet |
the VFR is another on my short list..a few years ago i wouldnt of considered it ...but for some reason now its lookin kinda good...whats the power delivery like on a VFR . | ||
| Old_man |
Elvis, I too love that Yamaha, couldn't afford one. I'm from the Pittsburgh area and know what you mean about the curves, nothing but hills and valleys and hardly any straight roads. That's why the Buell is the bike for here. Where in the area are you from? Where did you like to ride? Jack | ||
| Mr_grumpy |
When the 400/4 came out me & my mates were all riding 250 strokers, mostly Yam & Suzi & the odd Kawa triple. One guy sprang for the Honda, & saw us all off with it (no surprise) & he wouldn't shut up about it, so me & another mate did what was commonly known as the "100 up" conversion. You take a stock, Yam YDS7 250 twin & swap all the top end, inc' oil pump, off a crashed YR5 350 "Roadburner" (believe me there were plenty). You end up with what looks like a 250 that goes nearly as well as the 350 & would eat the 400/4 for breakfast. Tyre & suspension technology being what it was, you can imagine the results. I still carry the scars, & the memories still make me grin from ear to ear. | ||
| Molly_hatchet |
got my first good road rash on the RD 400 ..hit a cop car..ah to be young again. (Message edited by molly_hatchet on December 30, 2007) | ||
| Rocketman |
It's great that we can span continents 30 years back by owning the same bikes, such as RD's and KH etc. There's an interesting Buell connection to this particular style of Kwak. Anyone recognise the connection?  Rocket | ||
| Molly_hatchet |
well this was sposed to be the hater thread and here we sit reminiscing ...i had a kz900 for about three days when i was 17 or so but knew i would die on it so i went back to accumulating road rash on the 2 strokes...some things are universal for those that love to ride i guess...looks are a small part or of what drives one to ride...for me it started seeing a kid on an old mini bike ya know the briggs and stratton lawnmower bike...oooh man i thought that was the coolest thing ever..all the girls were crowded around him...sooo anywhoo the kwak...i say wheels or bodywork ? ... | ||
| Bads1 |
My Brother has a first year 1973 Z1 that he is the original owner sitting in the garage for at least 15 years now unridden. He won't part with it yet but I figure one day it'll be mine. | ||
| Rocketman |
Molly, you're close, so here's a clue. It has nothing to do with vacuum cleaners  Rocket | ||
| Captpete |
Got anything to do with your trips to the States? Even though you (we) never made it past Colorado on one?  | ||
| Rocketman |
See the Kawasaki above. It's wrapped in an Ian Dyson produced bodykit. Dyson bodykits were pretty popular here in the UK. Ian Dyson is the brother of Graham Dyson. Graham Dyson was one half of Barton Motors (Barry Hart - Graham Dyson), Barton being the basis of what Erik Buell built his RW750 from. Rocket | ||
| Molly_hatchet |
u know ur history...vacuum ...duur...now i get it. | ||
| Bad_karma |
Really have a hard time getting on board the water cooled smooth as silk no power below 3k motorcycle train. How about an overhead cam 8 valved XB9 stroked 1200cc+ air cooled buell in a trellis frame, oil in the swing arm conventional rear shock with three variants, naked, faired and tour. Joe (Message edited by bad_karma on January 01, 2008) | ||
| Rocketman |
Really have a hard time getting on board the water cooled smooth as silk no power below 3k motorcycle train. Is that a way of saying all IL4's behave this way? Is riding an IL4 250cc Honda which revs to 13000rpm the same as riding an IL4 1300cc Suzuki which revs to 10000rpm? Is riding a V twin 1200cc Buell which revs to 7000rpm the same as riding a V twin 1098cc Ducati which revs to 11000rpm? The motorcycle world is full of great surprises. Rocket | ||
| Bad_karma |
Sean If it's like the FZ1, GS1100 or GTS I4 that I have ridden I don't really want it. Never ridden a duc, SV, TL or RC51 so I don't have the knowledge to say. But I would like to have 8000rpm worth of the air cooled Buell power band. I would really like to have a USA built motor. Joe | ||
| Crusty |
Is riding a V twin 1200cc Buell which revs to 7000rpm the same as riding a V twin 1098cc Ducati which revs to 11000rpm? Of course not, Silly. No duck will ever feel as good as a Buell. | ||
| Slaughter |
By the way Rocket, that IL4, 250cc Honda (CBR250RR) revs 19,000. At 13,000 it's barely making power. I still want one (much as I LOATHE Honda) They're not common here but my boss just picked one up. Can't wait to ride it! | ||
| Rocketman |
Steve, you're right. I'd forgotten how high those things rev. Funny enough, I've only ever met one person that had one, and he imported it from the States. Even funnier, and related to Joe's point. I gave him a go on the S1W and he wanted to buy it from me. I guess you're right about them barely making power at 13k. Joe, I apologise if my post was confrontational. I could have worded it much nicer. As you're aware, I'm a jerk a lot of the time anyway, lol. Rocket | ||
| Igneroid |
Good thread, specially for an old coffin dodger like my self. Prior to August of last year(07), I hadnt had a sportbike-(loose use of the term)since 1975. It was a 1974 Kawasaki 900 Z1. Back then, it was the "ALLMIGHTY". WE all had the same aguments as we do now about IL4 vs twins. The Norton Triumph crowd hated me...heh. Prior to that, I had a 1972 Kawasaki H1 500 triple...an IL3...hahahah That thing was a handfull. By todays standards, it was a slug but first gear during a drag race launch was about the most exciting thing Ive ever done on a bike. You'd be hangin yourself as far forward as you could, the front wheel was a foot in the air and you were layin rubber slightly askew(polite word for cockeyed) and shifting time was comming way too fast. Was a hoot to ride. Heres a pic....yes thats me, zits and all...  |
