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1000 cc, Why?

Hail said:
You are obviously feeling guilty. I fail to see what that post has to do with 1000 CC bikes. You can do what they were doing on a 600.

I did not post in the thread you mention but they used very poor judgment riding as they did on that road. If I lived there (there were plenty of homes) , and had to deal with people riding like that every single day, with my family potentially being put at risk every time they came out of the driveway to go get groceries I might be a little bent out of shape. Not to the point that ass hat in the truck was but who knows his history or how many time his family or loved ones were put at risk from people driving like that.

I love to ride fast down some back roads but I am respectful, very respectful, from both a safety and noise standpoint when there are residential homes around. People like that give all the rest of us a bad wrap. Time and place for everything.
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I was thinking the same thing when I finally saw the video. That wasn't some out of the way back road but a residential street. I still would have passed that truck if I were on that road but I probably wouldn't've been on that road to begin with.

Last year, i got to ride on a similar road and never felt comfortable with all of the things that could happen. it was a nice road that was lined with high grass and farm homes and warning signs about tractors on the road (and tractors on the road). The others in the group kept up a good pace and I was glad I was in the back setting my own pace. Farther behind me, a dawg ran out of the tall grass in front of somebody.
 
Hail said:
Are we talking about track or street? :)
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As to the quote both track and street. I agree with you the times I do The bad and pass on a double its a very clear line of view or I wait. Its just a lot of people got on the band wagon of I never pass on the double or never pass which is BS 9 out of 10 times. You are right there are times to pass and times to not pass. Most of this should be common sense such as line of sight, blind dips and rises, and of course corners/blind corners. Most like you or I or any one from the forum on a trip such as your three sisters or Deals Gap are not going to sit behind a car doing 35 the whole way and a pass will happen.
 
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A 1000cc bike for the same reason as my sports sedan with +300hp, they are just more fun and easier to ride/drive. We have gotten used to underpowered cars, trucks, and SUV's in our lives, but having some horsepower on tap for easy acceleration and passing, or just for boogying down the road makes the experience (2 wheels or 4 wheels) a lot more satisfying.
 
I like "The Pace" on some back roads not a race pace. I am going to the track for that experience. I have had way to many close calls riding over the last 20 years riding the way I already do.

I definitely pass plenty of people. I just wait until I can, legally. Now, that being said, it may be easier for me where I am. Most of the roads here have enough straights that you never have to wait more than 1/2 a mile to arrive at a passing zone. I imagine the roads out east are much more curvy and have far fewer opportunities to pass. I don't know what I would do in that environment.
 
Hail said:
I imagine the roads out east are much more curvy and have far fewer opportunities to pass. I don't know what I would do in that environment.
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Pass on the double yellow.

Now that you mention the regional aspect, I hardly had to pass on the dy's when I lived out west. Maybe I was slower then since it was before I got the FZ1.
 
I don't know how one quantifies what their eyes are able to see or what ones brain is able to process. I'am sure it differs from person to person. This applies to bike control as well. I estimate for the worst at all times, such as: the corner will be tighter than expected you are caring to much speed(to myself), there a cop around the corner. Hail WhenI ave felt guilt is when I was younger in my riding career and didi things blindly and had close calls. Now when I do thing you shouldn't they are done in very opportune times.
 
I guess my only question is, "what does the referenced post or this post have to do with owning a 1000cc sport bike?"

Your OP implies that anyone who says they do not cross the double yellow is a liar.

"If you are going to tell me that you own a modern 1000 cc motor bike to be a law abiding citizen you are not only lying to me but yourself as well."

This is the only portion I take exception to. I am no angel but it just happens that passing in double yellow is one of my personal rules. I won't scold anyone for it. Plenty of people in my groups will do it yet I always catch up quickly following my rule.

I am probably reading to much in to the post. I can tell you I did not buy a 1000cc sport bike with the intent to break the law though it happens occasionally. It is the exception not the rule. If I really wanted to break laws I could do that even in my wife's Ford Edge.
 
I guess my post entertains the consensus we never break any traffic rules as posted by a lot of people. Then why have a 1000cc motorcycle when let face it even if its the ER 650 FZ6 or GSX 600, which are all motorcycle with the touring capability of the FZ1 then why do people feel the need for a 1000cc bike. All of the bikes I have mentioned are capable of 12 second quarter mile times and a performance level most of us will never completely use. Why then do we need a 1000cc Bike. For me the reason I have one seems to be the the reason or opinion that most here feel is a bad representation of motorcyclists.
 
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Power

I had a 1100 Kawasaki back in 1984, the cops rode a 900. Now I have the FZ1 and for the same reasons.

Time to climb a mountain pass, cars start weaving and jumping around trying to prove that they can drive better and faster. Ride down the freeway, and suddenly every car on the road wants to be close to me. Tooling down an empty road, and somone decides that they don't have to stop at the stop sign to turn onto the road.

There are times when the throttle is the correct way to resolve a situation. There are times when having superior braking power is the only answer.

Power is there to be used when needed, but to ride at full power constantly is not just irresponsible, but asking for trouble.

Power in reserve is the reason for this size bike. 'In reserve' is the operational phrase.
 
[ame=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CbTZkZTYkaM]YouTube - ‪Pickup driver tries to kill motorcyclist.‬‏[/ame]

The above video in question is about a 1999 R6 (the one that passed the truck) and a 2003 R6 that recorded the ass hat driving the truck. Not 1000cc bikes. I've watched a few of his other videos where he talks about getting the bike, etc. I'm not clear if everyone knows that, but that's really beside the point for this thread.

I live in a very flat place with grid roads, so I also don't have many reasons to pass on the double yellow. :banghead: I do think that there are places (certainly not all) that the double yellow is there to warn the Prius that it doesn't have time to pass before something might come over the next hill. With a 1000cc bike this may not apply in a practical sense (but of course it does in a legal sense). :deadhorse:

As far as a 1000cc motorcycle (sport bikes, at least :disturbed), yeah, it for this :eek5: :tup:

I also think the driver of the truck had a valid beef if bikes are racing down the twisty road where he lives. There are 2 choices, call the cops, complain enough that things slow down and tickets are written, or move everyone so the bikes can enjoy the road! :laugh2: I hope he enjoys his time in the state sponsored room with his new roommate, Bubba. :flip: Obviously, no matter what the bikes did, that behavior is so over the top and crazy.

I'll admit, I've been the ass hat on the bike a few times. I really try not to be that guy, but every once and a while, it happens. I've been lucky and not gotten into any trouble, legal or worse. If I'm honest, I have as much or more fun at legal speeds under 5000 rpm when riding with my wife's Ninja 250R.

I will ad that my wife was out on her Ninja 250 with her father on his 1970's Moto Guzzi on the back roads one day. I know my wife rides her bike very conservatively and her father rides even more conservatively. They were terrorized by a red Dodge pickup that came up behind them and rode their proverbial bumpers. I guess they weren't going fast enough for him. My wife has only been riding for about a year and was very disturbed by this as I'm sure any of us would be. :2cents:
 
johnnyontherocks said:
After reading the responses for "this guy doesn't like bikers", I'am now wondering why most of us have purchased 1000cc+ machinery. I will be the first to post that my reply of I don't pass on the double yellow or I'am hesitant to pass in a passing zone was BS. If you are going to tell me that you own a modern 1000 cc motor bike to be a law abiding citizen you are not only lying to me but yourself as well. In the current state of motorcycling you can buy a bike that does everything the FZ1 does with much less power, additional power that you can't use with out breaking the law and public sentiment. Some may chastise me for posting my feeling on this but I own a high HP bike to make my passes in the quickest and safest manner I can.

Thank you.
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Well said Johny!
If some people think less of you for speaking the truth then you should understand that there are some of us who will think higher of you for being honest.

1: I bought my FZ1 for comfort. That really was first. The first time I rode one I knew this was the bike for me.
2: Second was incredible power. I LOVED having that kind of control and power. My SV650 just didn't have the power at Interstate speeds. Meaning that when I was going 70mph I couldn't shoot a gap or pull ahead of someone who I wasn't sure if they saw me. Sometimes I will pull ahead of someone when I see a soccer mom talking on her cellphone, turned around talking to her kids in the back seat. IMO - It's not safe to be beside someone like that.
3: Looks was the third thing. I love the paint scheme of my Skunk. I think it's a beautiful bike.
4: Reputation: The FZ1 was considered by many to be the best all around bike at the time. I have to agree. I have owned 7 bikes and this one by far exceeds all my expectations.

I personally enjoy having the kind of power that we all possess. It has allowed me to shoot ahead of people not paying attention. Throttle past people who are in the process of pulling out in front of me (my judgement is that I couldn't have stopped in time - plus i didn't want to stop for some A$$hole pulling out in front of me).

Those kinds of examples are easy. I started to say the line gets grayer but I choose to reword it by saying: "Sometimes I choose to break the law and use the power of my FZ1 to get around slow drivers" I will give an example: I was coming home from Austin and I was cruising at about 80 in a 70. Not too bad :D I know that road VERY well and we did not have a passing lane coming up for a long time. There was a panel truck that was holding up the group by driving about 40 to 45mph. This sucks! LOL I was tired - I had to work that night - I needed to get around that truck. Now we have all been here. Each person has to make a value judgement as to what is the best move for them to make.

Well several cars were peaking around the left side to see what oncoming traffic was like. The first and second follow car must have had cars they didn't trust because they didn't pass this guy when they could have. NOW I KNOW THIS ROAD VERY WELL. I was watching oncoming traffic through a clearing that allowed me to see the hiway behind the upcoming hill. I knew that NO One was coming because I had been watching the road. My 45mph pack went into a hill where it was double striped. I didn't think twice. I shot right past all 7 cars and I was around the panel truck before I got anywhere near the top of the hill. LOL I have done things like that numerous times and I don't think that makes me irresponsible or dangerous. Funny thing - once I passed the panel truck I looked back in my side view and he pulled over to the shoulder to allow everyone behind him to pass. He probably just wasn't paying attention - No big deal. LOL Even more funny is that I accelerated to around 100mph to pass but I slowed back down to 80 and settled in for the rest of the trip. Once I did that - 3 of the cars that were bottled up behind the panel truck passed me :D
Well - I did it - I crossed a double yellow line. It wasn't the first time I have done it and it probably won't be the last. I don't think that makes me reckless or a hooligan. LOL That is the way that I feel personally. I don't begrudge someone else for feeling another way and I am in no way trying to fight with the people whom I disagreed with in the other thread. I'm just stating my feelings in what I hope is a respectful manner.

Now there are times that I don't know the road and I wouldn't think of doing what I just wrote. There are times to follow the posted signs and rules of the road EXACTLY. I went on a moto trip a few months ago (we posted pics of it) and one road sign said "4 motorcycle deaths since....". There was a second sign that said "10 motorcycle deaths since ....". We drove those roads at a very fast pace. We drove twice the speed limit but we were under control and we were safe. Actually I was running lead in that group and I had the choice as to pass some people going 55mph or settle in behind them. That was a time I chose to settle in and go slower than I wanted to drive.

You hit it right on the head for me Johnie. I bought a 1000cc motorcycle so I could have all the power I wanted. To tie it all together: Passing double yellows is illegal. No 2 ways about it. But yeah Johnie - I have done it and probably will in the future. I will accept the consequences as they come.
 
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Why did I buy a 1000cc bike?
1. I wanted to be able to keep up with my friends that run Honda 919s and high hp crusiers.
2. I want the power to be able to get around people and stay ahead of the pack when its better to be. (lots of interstate in ND and I get nervious behind 18 Wheelers, lots of those too going really fast)
3. I wanted the power when riding two up(lets face it we aren't all as small as we would like to be)
Im with you guys on the fact that there are certain times you break laws and the extra power is needed. I was riding in town and coming up to an interection where I have the green light. Well there was a police officer coming up to the intercetion on the side with the red light. I saw him on his phone and playing with the pc in his car. That sent the bells off in my head that he is going to fast to stop at the light so I roll on the speed and get through the interection (I was breaking the speed limit to do this), heard screeching tires and looked back to find the squad car half way into the intersection and almost got T-Boned by the car that was behind me.
Now I don't advocate breaking laws but some times you just have too, just don't be an idiot while doing it.
 
I bought a liter bike because 600's are just to "peaky" gotta ride with them at redline all day and I always wanted a liter bike even thought the Warrior was a 1700.I almost bought a Busa but in the end I am a Yamaha guyhave owned 5 yamaha watercraft and 3 yamaha bikes.another reason is this bike is badass looking.I didnt know what to expect for power as I had never ridden a modern liter bike.I had been on a 07 FZ6,Turd so i knew that wasnt gonna cut it.As for passing I pass whenever I feel its safe double yellow or not however this only applies to my bike not my cars....after all my Neon automatic,ZR2 blazer Mazda 4wd are not exactly what I would call spunky
 
I especially like a liter bike when I'm two up with luggage. A 600cc just doesn't cut it. As far as other times when I'm solo it makes for a "lazier" ride without having a little 600cc motor spun up. Ironically if I want to "break the law" I'd rather have a 600cc bike, I think they are easier to ride at speed; smaller, lighter, etc.

As far as power to pass, a 600 will do the job, a 1000 is easier. Here's an example; while on vacation this spring we were driving from Austin to Taos and back on a lot of two lane roads in my '09 Malibu. It makes 169 hp, and weights about 3,600 lbs. It took forever to pass a car and at times wasn't safe doing so. With the new Infinit, and 328 hp, I can pass a car in a heartbeat, in turn it is a safer car. The funny part is the Infiniti 6c, 3.7 ltr, gets about the same mileage as the 4c, 2.4 ltr, Malibu.

And no I haven't read the entire thread, Johnny, just go for a ride and don't worry about it.
 
I also believe that having "power on tap" makes for a safer vehicle. Most bikes can get into triple digits but some just get there faster. I like having the extra CC's for passing when need be or for distancing myself from "accidents waiting to happen". I'm sure we've all been riding in a group of cars around you with no "pocket" of safety. I like to get out of there as quickly as possible and get myself into my "safe zone". I hate being in other driver's blind spots cause you just never know. I just like the fact that even with my fat arse, I don't need to drop down two gears to pass. I agree with Pete. If I wanted to be a "hooligan", I'd much rather do it on an R6 or GSXR600, and not the FZ1.
 
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