Quote :

"Just out of curiosity... How much markup is there on most new motorcycles (typically)? Another words, how much off the MRSP is reasonably negotiable? I'm looking at a few BMW's... I'm going to play the waiting game and see if I can find one used that I want exactly without having to buy one new... "

i would try to start at 20% off msrp and see what they say

9/29/2010 4:01:10 AM

dear ahmet,
http://www.thewolfweb.com/message_topic.aspx?topic=602715

also, ducatis are the biggest poser bikes ever. all the rich guys bring em to the track and they're slow as fuck on em. they also have a dry clutch so they sound like bags of forks driving around the paddock

[Edited on September 29, 2010 at 8:26 AM. Reason : they certainly look cool though]

9/29/2010 8:24:52 AM

Any opinions on Frank Thomas gear? I picked up a jacket and some gloves at Cycle Gear recently and I'll probably be back for the pants eventually.

9/29/2010 9:47:47 AM

That's a race bike, I can't enjoy that on the street... I have nowhere near the skills necessary to enjoy a race bike on track either.

Also, poseur bike? Sounds like me, it'd make a nice addition to my Porsche, or should I get a Ferrari to round it out nicely? :p

I actually really like how Ducatis sound, which is one of the big reasons I'd like one, I also love how they look. On top of that, I think desmodromic actuation is sexy. Honestly, to each his own. I'm not trying to own the fastest bike per dollar. Reminds me of the DSMs, and I just don't didn't have much interest, not even if they do the quarter in 10 seconds for $5k. I'm always curious to know more about them, but no desire to own one. Actually, maybe I am a snob, I also have a single speed hard tail mountain bike...

9/29/2010 11:19:27 AM

Cool old pictures from Daytona in 1948:
http://www.life.com/image/first/in-gallery/37202/daytona-motorcycle-madness-1948

9/29/2010 11:57:24 AM

Quote :

"Any opinions on Frank Thomas gear? I picked up a jacket and some gloves at Cycle Gear recently and I'll probably be back for the pants eventually."

I've been wearing FT Boots and Jacket for over a year now, and they've held up well with frequent use. They definitely aren't as overbuilt as some Cortech or A* stuff I've tried, but for the price, it's been very good gear.

Quote :

"That's a race bike, I can't enjoy that on the street... I have nowhere near the skills necessary to enjoy a race bike on track either."

Racing on a track is certainly safer than riding on the street, and good, cheap way to hone your handling skills.

9/29/2010 3:01:47 PM

and that shit is fun!

9/29/2010 6:24:31 PM

Well sure it's fun, but you gotta start somewhere. I wouldn't feel comfortable getting out on track at my current skill level. I might pull the trigger on the Ducati, but I doubt it, eh we'll see.

I decided to get out of bikes when I was drifting one not trying to and pulling wheelies out of turns, etc. when I can't even stay in my line through higher speed turns, sounds like a dangerous combo, and I don't like taking uncalculated risks -->car pulling out in front, manhole cover, etc. Decisions, decisions...

9/30/2010 12:31:38 AM

Quote :

"also, ducatis are the biggest poser bikes ever."

That's not the fault of the bike. Ducati makes a top-shelf sportbike. The problems with them are (1) they're fairly expensive--enough so that I'd be upset if I balled it up on a track, (2) parts/repairs are more expensive and tougher to come by, too...if you dent a Suzuki tank or break the fairings or a clip-on, they're dime-a-dozen and easy to find. (3) Maintenance on them is a cast-iron bitch. They're like anything else that's fast, Italian, and ends in "i": They have some reliability issues (probably less so in the last few years, though), and they especially require frequent, involved, expensive maintenance (in Ducati's case, largely due to the desmodromic valves). This is, I've heard, better on the late-models (last 3, maybe 4 years). Still, they aren't like Japanese sportbikes.

Since you say you're not yet good enough to be comfortable tracking one, anyway, I don't see why you'd ante up to buy (and own) a Ducati just yet. It's one of those things where you won't fully appreciate the difference (aside from looking at and listening to it ).

Why not buy a 600cc Japanese sportbike or better yet, an SV650?

***Full disclosure (though my opinion would be the same regardless): I own an '02 SV650 that I will sell for $2500. It has a fairly fresh set of high performance tires, freshly replaced fork seals and front brake pads, and heavier, RaceTech front springs and higher viscosity fork oil (heavier damping). This is good if you aren't a 150 lb Japanese sportbike jockey. Picture in my photo gallery.

A 600cc supersport is a shitload of motorcycle. I've owned 5 motorcycles and have been riding for 10-12 years, and an SV650 would still be plenty of bike to keep me entertained at a track. The only reason I'm selling it is because with my BMW touring bike, I can now afford for my "toy" bike to be something totally uncompromised. I want to get a 600cc sportbike, but not for the extra power so much as the brick-wall brakes and better wind protection. To be honest, I'd be just as happy if they reintroduced and imported a GSX-R 400, CBR400, etc.

Quote :

"Any opinions on Frank Thomas gear? "

Fine for the money. I had a set of their leathers...crashed them twice (once at about 50 mph, once at 80+); they held up well minus a little torn stitching.





[Edited on September 30, 2010 at 1:10 AM. Reason : ]

9/30/2010 1:04:42 AM

well they are coming out with a ninja 400... ibt kmsj....

9/30/2010 1:10:53 AM

Is it a no-kidding, full-fledged Ninja (i.e., ZX-4R), or is it more like a Ninja 500?

I'll have to check this thing out.

[Edited on September 30, 2010 at 1:20 AM. Reason : damn. it's a sporty bike, but not full-tilt race-replica.]

9/30/2010 1:12:44 AM

I've owned a GSX-R 600, and that's (more than) enough bike for me for the foreseeable future. I could see jumping on one again, but I don't have to justify my motorcycle purchase(s) with reason. I think Ducatis sound amazing, and are awesome to look at, that's more than reason enough.

I don't care if it doesn't make sense, I'm --><--this close to pulling the trigger on this:


I was impressed by the craftsmanship and the soul of my 2000 model year GSX-R, and I imagine this would only be more so. I've thought about an SV650 before, it's not my cup of tea. If I don't get a Ducati, I could do anotherJapanese 600cc, I liked my Suzuki but don't have to stick to it.

9/30/2010 1:54:00 AM

I rode with the guy that got your Gsxr 600. It was blue/black and so nice when he got it. Then he messed it all the way up lol

9/30/2010 7:30:22 AM

Finally got a bike late this summer. 2002 Suzuki Marauder 800 twin. Bought it with 3045 miles on it, garaged it's whole life. $2000 seemed like a good deal to me, so I picked it up.

http://i659.photobucket.com/albums/uu315/clarklynn/017-3.jpg

http://i659.photobucket.com/albums/uu315/clarklynn/017-3.jpg

[Edited on October 1, 2010 at 12:17 AM. Reason : .]

[Edited on October 1, 2010 at 12:17 AM. Reason : ]

10/1/2010 12:16:51 AM

^that you outside the SAS building the other day?

10/1/2010 2:45:22 AM

^^nice

10/1/2010 6:27:08 AM

Wish I could find stuff like that. Under 500 miles per year - the poor thing hardly ever got touched.

10/1/2010 8:31:35 AM

i feel so bad about my bike, got a 2008 zx6r with 2k miles on it.

10/1/2010 9:45:41 AM

Why would you feel bad about that?

10/1/2010 9:54:10 AM

^^^ I'd rather buy something that was run frequently enough to keep everything lubed up and in good running order, and not pay a price premium for ridiculously low mileage, to boot.

10/1/2010 10:44:02 AM

i bought it new when i was in raleigh and then i moved to blacksburg shortly after.

now that im in blacksburg i live 1 mile away from work and dont know anyone here to ride with.

[Edited on October 1, 2010 at 1:03 PM. Reason : i feel bad that the bike doesnt get as much attention as i would like]

10/1/2010 1:02:53 PM

Oh okay, I thought you were suggesting that it was too much mileage or something. I was all

10/1/2010 2:58:54 PM

i don't ride my bike NEARLY enough. got it in 2005 and i have 10k miles on it. time for a trip out to hwy 282....

10/1/2010 4:17:08 PM

620 miles this weekend w00t!

10/3/2010 4:43:00 PM

I did about 350mi this weekend. Most of it was I40 though...

10/3/2010 7:17:18 PM

A list of things better than owning a motorcycle in October:

1. uh

10/3/2010 7:28:41 PM

^
owning 2 motorcycles in October. tomorrow i am riding the bandit 1250 in the AM and the 250 two stroke dirt bike in the afternoon

[Edited on October 3, 2010 at 7:45 PM. Reason : c]

10/3/2010 7:45:34 PM

^, ^^ owning 2 motorcycles in October, and arriving home after not having ridden for 7 months, and never having seen one of your motorcycles in person.

10/3/2010 8:05:53 PM

What's the new bike, duke

10/3/2010 8:16:57 PM

owning 3 motorcycles in october with a couple track days lined up to test the new R-comps?

10/3/2010 8:37:31 PM

owning 2 bikes in october, one of which running like a champ and the other being a project to work on and not be sweating my balls off in the garage

10/4/2010 4:20:45 AM

^^^ 1982 BMW R100RT

originally sold by my grandfather from his dealership. Still has original paperwork with his signature.

I bought it a few months ago (had my dad pick it up). I've been deployed since early April, though, so I've only seen it in pictures.

[Edited on October 4, 2010 at 9:05 AM. Reason : When I sell the SV650, I think I might get an '03-'05 Triumph Daytona 600/650.]

10/4/2010 9:05:09 AM

you and I both know the only daytona to have is the 675

10/4/2010 9:41:11 AM

sweet bike, but double the price or close to it. If it was a daily rider, that would be fine, but it will probably spend a very significant portion of its time on the track, and I'm more OK with balling up a ~$3k bike than a ~$6k bike.

10/4/2010 9:43:47 AM

my next bike will look like this.

Already bobbed out and hard tail. Buttoning up engine too. Should have within next couple months. sick sick sick

10/4/2010 12:43:27 PM

Those firestone replicas aren't cheap. I want a set bad.

10/4/2010 2:01:57 PM

Commuted on my CBR600RR today...chilly but so fun Glad I work somewhere with a dress code that is motorcycle compatible, heh.

10/5/2010 10:26:59 AM

^^ that's badass

10/5/2010 1:28:56 PM

When I bought my CB750, it came with a beat-the-fuck-up bullet fairing that I've since removed. I've been wanting to replace it, because even with a cracked screen and scuffed plastic it looked pretty snazzy. Looks like there are lots of EMGO Viper fairings on eBay that can be had for ~$50, which is a pretty good price, but I can't find much info on them. Picture



Longshot, but anyone have any alternative recommendations?

10/5/2010 1:52:24 PM

The harley is going onto the chopping block for the winter build tomorrow. What comes out of the shop this spring is going to be pretty sick!

10/6/2010 7:36:47 PM

all the people with "cafe racers" ITT remind me of the hipsters and their fixed-gear bicycles, minus the hat and the full beard

TripleD4U on his sprotster reminds me of a drunk ass irish leprechaun, minus the hat and the full beard

10/7/2010 12:41:49 PM

I got to ride a Harley for the first time the other day, liked it better than I thought I would but still not my thing.

^ I've always liked the look of the Sportster as far as Harleys go, so when a buddy and I dropped by the dealership (for him) the other day I tried sitting on one...man I had no idea how awkward it would be for me (6'2"). It would never work, hah...my knees were above my damn waist Definitely cool looking bikes though.

I need to go by the Triumph dealer and try sitting on one of the 2005+ Triumph Bonneville's. I love the look of that bike, and I think it would be a fun toy for around town/middle distance trips. I'm really not going to ride in a style that takes advantage of my CBR600RR anymore, heh.

10/7/2010 12:49:54 PM

I ride my fixed gear bicycle everyday to and from work and wherever I go pretty much. I dare you to try and keep up with me on it. You can even have a 3k carbon bike it's no matter.

[Edited on October 7, 2010 at 12:54 PM. Reason : .]

10/7/2010 12:54:13 PM

hah, I will pass. Slowblack probably could, though

I am thinking about picking up another bike this winter. I'd hate to store it outside, but i guess people do it. I need to research theft insurance rates.

10/7/2010 1:06:24 PM

Quote :

"I need to go by the Triumph dealer and try sitting on one of the 2005+ Triumph Bonneville's. I love the look of that bike, and I think it would be a fun toy for around town/middle distance trips. I'm really not going to ride in a style that takes advantage of my CBR600RR anymore, heh."

I'm 6'2" and a Triumph feels more awkward than a sportster IIRC.

10/7/2010 2:13:23 PM

Yea stock sportys are not comfy even for me at 5'11. You need a street glide they would be pretty comfy but ugly imo. FOO You dumb nigro when you coming to MT to visit and Ride sleds?

10/7/2010 3:12:48 PM

Quote :

"all the people with "cafe racers" ITT"

Who in this thread has a cafe racer

10/7/2010 3:22:02 PM

that was a euphemism for some old ass 70s and 80s era scoots dominating the last few pages

PACKhunt, how is your xb12r holding up? I was thinking about picking up a lightning, not that they have came down in price, but I am a bit concerned about reliability. Never owned anything made by HD, but heard some bad stories. Did the bike ever leave you stranded?



[Edited on October 7, 2010 at 3:36 PM. Reason : ^^FOO i'll ride over there with my temp tags still on the buell or draw some with crayons like vin! ]

10/7/2010 3:32:57 PM

Quote :

"Yea stock sportys are not comfy even for me at 5'11."

On my old sportster I picked up some taller back springs that made riding a lot more comfortable.

However, my knees were still high so I ended up putting my feet on the highway bars whenever I rode.

10/7/2010 5:03:18 PM

xb12r's are reliable.

love to warp front rotors and occasionally jingle bolts loose. but that is it.

Knew a fellow with one with 40k of abuse and held up well.

Why do you think stunters use them.

10/7/2010 8:00:55 PM