How was Your Weekend Ride?

[ShawnKing]

My wife and I have just recently moved to the Danbury, CT area and it's my "job" to find nice places to ride/restaurants/places to see, etc. This weekend while she was out of town was spent doing just that.

I'm a big fan of taking your ride to an isolated area to test aspects of it - for me, I've been wanting to test out the ABS to get a feel for when it kick in and how it feels. I got the chance to feel the ABS this weekend - unfortunately....

I was cruising "comfortably" through some back roads, nice and twisty, when I noticed this particular mailbox on the side of the road. I thought that it looked really odd cause it was so low to the ground and had an odd looking stand....like it was on skinny legs and...it was walking across the road...

DAMMIT! WILD TURKEY!

See, we don't have those damn things in Canada so I'm not used to seeing them, walking across the fricking road. Luckily, I had the presence of mind to at least stand the bike up before I hammered both brakes.

While trying to bring the bike down from speed, I thought, "What the hell is *that* feeling?" It wasn't until the bird had figuratively flipped me the off and meandered into the woods that I realized It was what the ABS felt like when it kicked in - an odd fast pulsing through the wheels.

The most fun I had this weekend was following a group of cars. Now, these weren't ordinary cars - I happened to come up on 10 Porsches and BMW sports cars. I was following about $750,000 worth of 4 wheeled beauties.

As I followed I noticed they weren't going all that fast, relatively speaking. And even though we were on a fairly twisty (and definitely fun) mountain road, there were quite a few (short) passing zones....Hmmmm....

Next chance I had, I hammered the throttle of the FJR. It felt like someone had lit a rocket under my seat - I was amazed at how the FJR just leapt forward with no downshifting necessary.

This could be fun!

Sure enough, I managed to catch/pass 9 of the cars and all of them relatively easy. I would have caught the last guy but he turned off into a gas station.

As always, I'm glad I wear a full face helmet because it would have been embarrassing to have anyone see me giggling to myself. What a great weekend to put another 500 miles on the new bike.

 

[NoCage]

It's always nice to "educate" the snobbish masses.

 

[Panman]

Don't be fooled ShawnKing get some real twisties and some one who know how to mash the peddle thru a coner and the Porsches will win hands down your better off to run them down on the strait streches.

 

[DailyCommuter]

Maybe the German roadster forum was having a lunch date?

 

[993_Pilot]

NoCage, if you lived in my area of the country, I would be happy to let you come try to "educate" me. However, I think you might be the one to learn something. As someone who owns both an FJR and a Porsche Carrera, I can tell you that Panman is right. Any modern Porsche with a capable driver would leave the FJR behind in the twisties. A lot of the older ones would too! Acceleration wouldn't be that far behind the FJR, so passing might still be difficult on the straights. However, you just can't get the same feeling in a Porsche, or any other car, as you can while leaning through the turns on a bike, . . . and that is why I ride!

As for the "snobbish masses" part. . . Do they feel some loyalty for what they drive, and possibly think that it is somehow better than other cars? Probably. However, you probably think, like a lot of us, that the FJR is the best Sport Tourer out there. Does that make you, me, and a lot of the FJR Forum members Sport-Touring M/C snobs ? They (and we) are people, just like anyone else, out enjoying their chosen toys. No need to talk anyone down.

 

[bergs]

Any modern Porsche with a capable driver would leave the FJR behind in the twisties. A lot of the older ones would too!

No fricken way....even the older ones? Put down the Koolaid, you've had enough.



EDIT: Too bad you're over in Nevader. I'm about to do a fly-n-buy in a few weeks and would love to be educated.

 

[993_Pilot]

Any modern Porsche with a capable driver would leave the FJR behind in the twisties. A lot of the older ones would too!

No fricken way....even the older ones? Put down the Koolaid, you've had enough.



EDIT: Too bad you're over in Nevader. I'm about to do a fly-n-buy in a few weeks and would love to be educated.

While Jeremy Clarkson is admittedly an ***, watch THIS VIDEO, then tell me all about how your FJR, at 200 pounds heavier, is anywhere near as fast as an R1. Keep in mind that it wasn't even a Turbo or a GT3. Now let's compare world class lap times for F1 vs. MotoGP . . . In 2007 they both raced in China on the same circut. For Moto Gp Rossi turned in a time of 1:58.424 for his pole position and Felipe Massa turned in a time of 1:35.938 for his pole position. On a banked oval type course you might have a chance, but not on a road course with lots of turns. Cars can carry more speed into the turns, and get on the power sooner for the exit due the the advantage of mechanical grip of the 4 wide tires. Because of this, they also don't have to scrub as much speed off, so they can brake later. If you are still not convinced, just go out to your local road track some weekend and see if you can beat the lap times of an experienced driver in a Porsche, while riding your FJR. Best of Luck, you'll need it ! If you want to have a chance to win, you better bring an R1 and leave the FJR at home. Or, you can just accept the FJR for what it is, and what does very well, and enjoy riding a great sport touring bike. At least, that's what I do.

P.S., sorry for the hijack

 

[kiteman11]

Well, well. Looks like there are some serious pretentious motherfuckers on this site. Hey ShawnKing, glad you enjoyed your ride and thanks for the insight on the ABS.

 

[EasyRider]

My wife and I have just recently moved to the Danbury, CT area and it's my "job" to find nice places to ride/restaurants/places to see, etc. This weekend while she was out of town was spent doing just that.

I'm from Danbury CT and have a few cool rides I like in this area. This rout is a lot of fun though on smooth state roads and state forest properties. After the Bear Mountain Bridge, you can ride to the top of Bear Mountain and get great views of the Hudson Valley area. You can also continue out the to west through Harriman state park and some cool twisties at the end of the rout on the map near I-87.

Brewster NY to Bear Mountain and Harriman State Parks in NY

 

[ShawnKing]

Well, well. Looks like there are some serious pretentious motherfuckers on this site.

LOL There are *everywhere*. Just gotta learn to ignore them.

Hey ShawnKing, glad you enjoyed your ride and thanks for the insight on the ABS.

Thanks and you're welcome!

 

[ShawnKing]

I'm from Danbury CT and have a few cool rides I like in this area. This rout is a lot of fun though on smooth state roads and state forest properties. After the Bear Mountain Bridge, you can ride to the top of Bear Mountain and get great views of the Hudson Valley area. You can also continue out the to west through Harriman state park and some cool twisties at the end of the rout on the map near I-87.

Thanks! I've been on parts of that trip but nice to see the Google map for it. Much appreciated!

 

[993_Pilot]

Well, well. Looks like there are some serious pretentious motherfuckers on this site. . .

I am not a "pretentious ************" or part of the "the snobbish masses" as has been implied here in this thread just because I am a Porsche owner. When I see comments like that, especially when they are inaccurate, I do feel the need to comment, but I try to do so with a bit of class. It isn't about the brand. You could substitute a Honda S2000, a Corvette, a Mustang, a Mitsubishi Evo Lancer, a Subaru STI or maybe even a Mazda Miata for the Porsche and the FJR probably still wouldn't be able to keep up in the twistys. It is about the mechanical grip of 4 wide tires, coupled with a reasonably powerful engine. So, let's set the record straight here, I am not the one acting like a third grader, and doing the name calling. It may be fun to think your FJR has the capabilities of a MotoGP bike, but it doesn't. It is however, a very capable sport touring bike. Too bad some of you can't seem to accept that, and enjoy the bike for what it really is. If it makes you feel better live in a fantasy land and to put others down, I won't stand in your way any longer. Go ahead and flame away, I'm done.

 

[Panman]

Well, well. Looks like there are some serious pretentious motherfuckers on this site. Hey ShawnKing, glad you enjoyed your ride and thanks for the insight on the ABS.

ShawnKing, I have seen a few loose their live's trying to chase down cars or faster bike's they shouldn't have. I to am glad you had a good ride also, I haven't used my ABS yet and glad to hear that they work! If I'm a "serious pretentious" whatever" put old somewhere in there also! I don't like reading about guys dying here.

Kevin

 

[kiteman11]

Well, well. Looks like there are some serious pretentious motherfuckers on this site. . .

I am not a "pretentious ************" or part of the "the snobbish masses" as has been implied here in this thread just because I am a Porsche owner. When I see comments like that, especially when they are inaccurate, I do feel the need to comment, but I try to do so with a bit of class. It isn't about the brand. You could substitute a Honda S2000, a Corvette, a Mustang, a Mitsubishi Evo Lancer, a Subaru STI or maybe even a Mazda Miata for the Porsche and the FJR probably still wouldn't be able to keep up in the twistys. It is about the mechanical grip of 4 wide tires, coupled with a reasonably powerful engine. So, let's set the record straight here, I am not the one acting like a third grader, and doing the name calling. It may be fun to think your FJR has the capabilities of a MotoGP bike, but it doesn't. It is however, a very capable sport touring bike. Too bad some of you can't seem to accept that, and enjoy the bike for what it really is. If it makes you feel better live in a fantasy land and to put others down, I won't stand in your way any longer. Go ahead and flame away, I'm done.

Dude, this thread is about a ride, some fun passing some sportscars, and having to use his ABS and feeling what happens when you do so. Nobody needs your opinion on "if there was a capable driver" ********. Get over yourself and start a new thread about how great sportscars and capable drivers are. K? Sorry ShawnKing but this hijack is ******** and I see it often on here. I've had enough.

 

[bergs]

993_Pilot- With all due respect, you're delusional. A Miata? Cripes! For the love of God put down that Koolaid broseph.

You're using that ONE video as the Holy Gospel of cars vs bikes?

Furthermore, you go from using a "capable" driver/ rider into a comparo like F1 vs MotoGP?? That's not even a remotely reasonable comparison given the available (and adjustable) downforce of an F1 car.....an option I have yet to see on any bike in any class anywhere.

Take the wings of the F1 car THEN come talk to me about lap times.

Your example of 4 tires only serves to offset 4 times the weight that a given cage has over a bike....including the FJR.

Trust me my friend, a motorcycle has quite alot of available grip even over your precious Porsches. It's all about the application of that grip which decides the outcome.

This is not a dig at you but it sounds to me like you've never truly explored the limits of adhesion on a motorcycle....I mean TRULY explored the limits.

Me on the other hand...well let's just say I'm "fairly comfortable" with my thoughts on a bike's available grip.

EDIT: kiteman11- My apologies to you and Mr ShawnKing. I'm just trying to inform people. This will be my last OT post in this thread.

Please accept my apologies.

 

[ShawnKing]

ShawnKing, I have seen a few loose their live's trying to chase down cars or faster bike's they shouldn't have.

No worries here about that. I will *never* ride trying to "chase down" anyone!

And my bad - I should have made it more clear that the cars I was "chasing" weren't really pushing their performance envelopes. It's not like we were all racing up and down the mountain. They were riding fairly sedately and I indulged my racer fantasies by pass them at every opportunity.

 

[993_Pilot]

ShawnKing,

I want to apologize for the hijack. The "snobbish masses" and the "pretentious ************" comments got to me, and I took the bait. I belong to the local Porsche club, and they are some of the nicest people you could ever hope to meet. I also frequent a forum dedicated to Porsches and although I have seen some good healthy debates, I have never seen the childish name calling that I have here. I didn't think that you were trying to say that you were faster than the cars, and probably wouldn't have cared even if you did. If it wasn't for the name calling, I probably wouldn't have even commented. I am glad the the ABS worked so well for you. I had it save my butt once too on my VFR, and know that weird feeling you descibe. Enjoy the new bike.

 

[ShawnKing]

ShawnKing,
I want to apologize for the hijack.

No worries.

The "snobbish masses" and the "pretentious ************" comments got to me, and I took the bait.

Hook line and sinker.

I didn't think that you were trying to say that you were faster than the cars

But I was - at least, those cars with those drivers in *that* situation.

Enjoy the new bike.

Thanks!

 

[FatNakedGuy]

Shawn, great photography sir! I get up to Danbury from time to time so will email ya for a ride and/or photog lessons!

Rick