Riding little bikes

[dcarver]

KrZy8 is down for extended time for serious maintenance.

So Wabs, a Suzuki DL650, has become my 'best' bike and is ridden daily.

Trust me, a stock DL650 ain't no HP match for the mighty FJR...

..but she is significantly less weight, and the difference in mass has taught me how too..

1. Enter with higher corner speed - much more than the Feejer

2. Smoother on controls - one bobble with throttle/clutch/gearing and the speed is gone - on KrZy8, just gas and go..

3. Late apex braking - the bike is light (comparatively) it's like dancing with (fill in the gal of your dream) instead of big fat portly overweight and sweaty pig.

4. Flickability - the line ain't right? No prob, just grab them big tiller bars, give a counter steer twitch, and you got it made.

5. Ease of riding around town - wow, how cool to easily get on the center stand, throw a leg over the seat, and pop wheelie off the curb.

All in all, Wabs is doing a great job - even for longer rides too. So far I've been to DV twice and completed on un-official SS1k on her. I will give up that for serious mile-eating, the FJR is king.

It just goes to show that the best bike for you is the one in the stable that's available and ready to run.

I'll post later about the FJR woes.

 

[Bugnatr]

It's always best to have 2 or more bikes in the stable to ride to keep from Jones'n when one is in the shop.

What did you do to your Feejeer? :assassin:

 

[dcarver]

It's always best to have 2 or more bikes in the stable to ride to keep from Jones'n when one is in the shop.

What did you do to your Feejeer? :assassin:

150k miles...

 

[escapefjrtist]

I've been thinking the same thing concerning a smaller ride. Lots to choose from out there!

What's up with the FJR carver? Time to buy another only ridden on Sundays...by an 'ol retired (smelling of pie) gentleman?

--G

 

[Bungie]

"It's more fun to ride a small bike fast than a big bike slow"

Oh ya, leave the higher entry speeds and late apex braking for the race track, or at least for roads you can see all the way 'round the corner!

Now all that being said, I want a WR250R for what its designed for, and, for running back and forth to work on. That being said, it's a pricey ******. So I've been entertaining thoughts of picking up a small Ninja 250/500 the latter seems to be cheaper than the former around these parts.

 

[yamafitter]

"It's more fun to ride a small bike fast than a big bike slow"

Oh ya, leave the higher entry speeds and late apex braking for the race track, or at least for roads you can see all the way 'round the corner!

Now all that being said, I want a WR250R for what its designed for, and, for running back and forth to work on. That being said, it's a pricey ******. So I've been entertaining thoughts of picking up a small Ninja 250/500 the latter seems to be cheaper than the former around these parts.

You want to hold out for the right deal on a WR250. With all the logging roads & hydro lines around the 'Big Nickel' you'll have a blast. I might take a ride over to Machine Racing in Newmarket, they just took most of the none currents out of the Yamaha Warehouse and I wanted to ask the owner John Nelson for a $5000 parts credit as sponsorship for the upcoming riding season. If he doesn't throw me out on my ear I'll see what he has on the floor.

 

[mfletch69]

I recently - and unexpectedly - did 2700 miles on an FZ6. It ended up being a great experience and the little bike was a blast in the twisties would be the bike I would take to Alaska.

It definitely felt like roughing it compared to the FJR and was difficult to hear my headset music...even with a Givi tour shield. I also learned that I do love ABS and that a big windshield is a good thing, and wow is the FJR smooth.

 

[Bustanut joker]

"It's more fun to ride a small bike fast than a big bike slow"

Oh ya, leave the higher entry speeds and late apex braking for the race track, or at least for roads you can see all the way 'round the corner!

Now all that being said, I want a WR250R for what its designed for,cutting through yards in Ottawa when my GPS fly's the coop,and,for running back and forth to work on.

Fxd it for ya bub

 

[charismaticmegafauna]

...So Wabs, a Suzuki DL650, has become my 'best' bike and is ridden daily.

"Riding little bikes"

I remember when 650cc was a Big Bike...

 

[UberKul]

I think you are exactly right Don! (Don has lots of friends on here so agreeing with him never hurts)

500 mile days are few in number these days for this kid. I almost always find myself wanting a sharper stick when riding anymore and the big 'ol FJR is more like a battering ram than a javelin. Pushed hard she wears off front tires faster than my wife can afford them. Just about any dual sport bike can run the tight twisties faster and with less effort than the feej. Your Wabs is damn near the perfect all-rounder and I have been unusually drawn to the the Versys.

She is like the plain girl at a party you can't take your eyes off of and don't know why.

Don't tell the big blue bike in the garage but I am mentally cheating on her with this.

As of now the FJR's replacement bike with the performance I crave and old guy ergo's.

 

[fjrrider]

Oh ya, leave the higher entry speeds and late apex braking for the race track, or at least for roads you can see all the way 'round the corner!

Whether you can see around the corner or not, controlled entry speeds and apex braking are things everyone that rides a motorcycle should practice!

Yeah its sounds like race track talk, but these things could save your life, especially the late apex braking through a turn!

 

[fjrrider]

Just riding dirt bikes gives a street rider a huge advantage over riders who don’t ride dirt.

1. Reaction time - obstacles in the dirt or woods comes at you much quicker than on the street.

2. Controls - Clutch, brakes, throttle, shifting gears and body placement, just to name a few!

Probably the biggest advantage I have discovered is more of a developed sensitivity to the front or rear tire breaking loose from the pavement, that’s when I found the joy of riding the tar snakes(in a curve)when its wet!

 

[Bungie]

You want to hold out for the right deal on a WR250. With all the logging roads & hydro lines around the 'Big Nickel' you'll have a blast.

Yup, I've spent years exploring them on various trail bikes. The problem is used WR's are both few and far between and really expensive. If they have any 250R's by all means give me a shout!

 

[Bungie]

Just riding dirt bikes gives a street rider a huge advantage over riders who don’t ride dirt.

True that! I recall sliding my FJR around a gravel covered switchback near Potts Mountain in Virginia. Didn't panic, just rode it like I would one of my dirt bikes. Well, except for the part sticking a leg out and pivoting the bike around it.

 

[fjrrider]

With all the logging roads & hydro lines around the 'Big Nickel' you'll have a blast.

The what? Hydro lines?

Oh you mean the power lines!

 

[beemerdons]

With all the logging roads & hydro lines around the 'Big Nickel' you'll have a blast.

The what? Hydro lines?

Oh you mean the power lines!

I hear you Scott, I also had to look in my Canadian-American Dictionary to see what hydro lines meant! Eh there, Hoser!