motor

TransAm · 03-08-2005, 10:09 PM

Well I picked up a new toy today

Custom shot:

The arse end:

Side shot:

There's nothing like that 'new' feeling

In case anyone wants the specs: 43hp, 650cc four stroke single, about 105mph flat out, should be a bit of a wheeliemachine!

SilviaEvo · 03-08-2005, 10:21 PM

what are those things on the side? in like the blockish shapes. dont harleys have two?!!?

TransAm · 03-08-2005, 10:27 PM

^ dunno what you're meaning? edit the pic and put a red circle round the bit you mean and I will tell you!!!

BADMIHAI · 03-08-2005, 11:15 PM

Looks like it's lots of fun and very sensible. I like it because for some reason it doesn't seem scary (as opposed to those R1s and Hayabusas). I'm not an expert in bikes but I've only heard good things about Suzuki bikes so it seems like a good purchase. Perhaps some day, when I will have the funds for it (it can only be a summer blast in Canada), I will buy a bike aswell. They seem to be tons of fun.

T-Bird · 03-09-2005, 01:17 AM

I'm guessing that's what you were asking about...

Nice bike is it road legal in your area?

RC45 · 03-09-2005, 04:01 AM

All enduros are street legal in the states.

Nice robust choice there J...

You gonna rig it up as a supermotard warrior?

03-09-2005, 07:44 AM

wheelie machine !

have fun but try not to drop it

coombsie66 · 03-09-2005, 09:15 AM

Nice little play thing!
Ive always thought about getting a small supermoto style bike, cus im a keen mountain biker. Are the techniques for trick riding fairly similar when moving to a small bike like that, from a pedal bike?

My little motorised play thing aint too easy to wheelie:

TransAm · 03-09-2005, 04:33 PM

@ bad - much like Japanese cars, most Japanese bikes are pretty reliable and relatively inexpensive. I wanted to take advantage of the dirt roads around here, as you can imagine in my tiny country (UK) we don't have much space left to enjoy.

@T-Bird, yes it is road legal, the license plate (under the rear light) is an interim one valid until March 29, so I haven't bothered to hide it in the pictures as I can't be identified from it.

@ RC - well I am tempted, but to be honest I would have bought the DRZ400SM instead, which is already supermotard styled, has road tires, etc. I might get a set of road tires after I get back to the UK, assuming I need 'British Standard' stamped tires to pass the UK inspection after I ship the bike back.

@ Dan - kinda joking about the wheelies really,

ops: , I don't want to ruin my front end bearings slamming the front up and down, but it's a torquey motor and will wheelie off the throttle should you be that way inclined. Yes, I'd feel a right prat if I dropped it, so I will treat it with the respect it deserves.

@ Brembo - well I was originally going to buy a trails bike, then I sort of got it into my head that I'd like to go on the (asphalt) track so I started looking at Sportsbikes, a good deal on an R1 came up (as you know) and I was nearly sold on the idea. Insurance was a killer though on the sportsbikes, well into four figures, and to be honest it is not difficult to kill yourself on a Sportbike, even in the controlled environment of a racetrack. While I act like a kid sometimes on here, I do have a wife to consider, and a tree at 15mph is going to be a lot easier for her to deal with than the results of me sliding across asphalt at 145mph. Besides, I was one of these kids who always wanted a 80cc motocross bike and my parents never let me, so I get to have all my dirt thrills now I am a bit more aware of the laws of physics and how much things hurt when you fuck up. Also, this bike was CHEAP, compared to sportbikes and the insurance costs are a joke (a good one) - I've spent more money in the past on a night out with the lads than the insurance on this bike is costing, for full coverage.

@ Coombsie. Nice pocket bike, or is it a Yamaha YSR50? That thing would FLY with an 80cc moto-x motor in it. Next years summer project maybe? As for whether a motorcycle handles like a mountain bike, I really can't remember the last time I rode a pushbike, but I guess the principles are the same. Personally, I can balance very well on a (motocross style) motorbike, I can stop for a couple of seconds without putting my feet down...personally I think the extra weight of the motorbike makes it easier to find the balance point, in some ways. You can probably pick up a used DR350 or a Yammy TDR250 for under a grand in the UK, I'd certainly get a dirtbike living where you live, mate!

By the way, a big shout goes out to RC45 as he kindly went to look at Aprilia RSV for me which was located near him, I owe you one buddy. 8)

coombsie66 · 03-09-2005, 07:08 PM

^^ Its a cheap 50cc mini moto from my best mates they import them cheap from china and gave me an offer i couldnt refuse.
They are ridiculously small!!! But pretty hillarious, and quite fast for what they are!
I would love a 'crosser for at home, we have a few acres which has a huge bomb hole in the middle (used to be a quarry) so it would be fun!
I just wanted to ask about the move from push bike to motor bike, as i think the only thing i would have trouble with is the swap to a foot actuated rear brake.
My minimoto has a slipper clutch and a bars mounted rear and front brake, that thing is great fun sliding the back end around on the wet tarmac!

TransAm · 03-10-2005, 06:32 PM

Minimotos:

Yeah a guy I was talking to at the 'bike shop said his mate sells them for $220! Bargain!

Apparently the cops here are ok with you riding them on empty parking lots, which surprised me - cops are not really that tolerant of anything in TX.

Well I wouldnt worry about the brakes/clutch lever - The front brake provides 75% of your stopping power anyway, and pulling the clutch in by mistake isnt going to hurt you really!

coombsie66 · 03-11-2005, 07:15 AM

Originally Posted by TransAm2001

Minimotos:

Yeah a guy I was talking to at the 'bike shop said his mate sells them for $220! Bargain!

Apparently the cops here are ok with you riding them on empty parking lots, which surprised me - cops are not really that tolerant of anything in TX.

Well I wouldnt worry about the brakes/clutch lever - The front brake provides 75% of your stopping power anyway, and pulling the clutch in by mistake isnt going to hurt you really!

Yeah, but i mean its gunna take getting used too for controling wheelies

TransAm · 03-11-2005, 04:59 PM

Well I went out on the 'dirt' for the first time today. It confirmed that I am very unfit!!!

Bit of a heavy bike to pull out of an 8" deep muddy rut, but I kind of went off down this track which started off all nice and 'dry' and relatively smooth, and just got worse and worse. It was all good fun though, but I don't think the Lexus RX300 that was behind me after I got back onto the asphalt appreciated the crap that my back wheel was flicking all over her bonnet/hood.

03-11-2005, 08:38 PM

Originally Posted by TransAm2001

@ Dan - kinda joking about the wheelies really,

ops: , I don't want to ruin my front end bearings slamming the front up and down, but it's a torquey motor and will wheelie off the throttle should you be that way inclined. Yes, I'd feel a right prat if I dropped it, so I will treat it with the respect it deserves.

well.. my wheelie comment was more because its a big torquey single cylinder 4 stroke, rather than because of anything you said

anyway have fun with it.. oh wait, it sounds like you already did

TransAm · 03-11-2005, 09:54 PM

Originally Posted by Dan\/6

Originally Posted by TransAm2001

@ Dan - kinda joking about the wheelies really,

ops: , I don't want to ruin my front end bearings slamming the front up and down, but it's a torquey motor and will wheelie off the throttle should you be that way inclined. Yes, I'd feel a right prat if I dropped it, so I will treat it with the respect it deserves.

well.. my wheelie comment was more because its a big torquey single cylinder 4 stroke, rather than because of anything you said

anyway have fun with it.. oh wait, it sounds like you already did

It doesnt come up off the throttle as such, but the front will lift pretty easy given a little tug (ooer) and a quarter turn on the loudness grip, which is what I should have done earlier insteead of bottling it and coming to a stop. Then I'd not have got stuck between two ruts like I did...doh. Easy does it at first though, I guess, plus I'm still breaking the motor in. 1/2 throttle til 500miles, 3/4 throttle til 1000. Then I can wind it up properly!