I have been on and off motorcycles for over 10 years. A year ago, the opportunity to purchase one from a brother in-law inexpensively was too good to turn down. Up until recently, I thought I knew all the upper limits of this bike, putting tons of commuter (LI, NY, NJ, CT) and late nite mission...
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I have been on and off motorcycles for over 10 years. A year ago, the opportunity to purchase one from a brother in-law inexpensively was too good to turn down. Up until recently, I thought I knew all the upper limits of this bike, putting tons of commuter (LI, NY, NJ, CT) and late nite mission miles. Now a buddy of mine is a nut on the bike, and rides hard and fast on a GSXR1100. Riding from LIE, to the BQE exit going towards Brooklyn, there is this rediculously sweet sweeping turn to the left that's smooth as track. Desperately trying to keep up with the big bore Suzuki one nite, I slammed into the turn at just over 100 unknowningly. This is rediculously way too fast for someone that normally takes that turn at 85 to 90. What in the hell was I going to do? "Do it like a pro I thought," so I stuck out my left knee, held my breath, and clinged to dear life on the handle grips and pegs. I still don't know what happened, but amazingly, in a glory of night time spark showers (muffler and pegs scraping all the way), it was the most smoothest, most accurate, most perfect turn that I had ever executed! About 2/3rd's the way through the turn and a few dribbles between the legs later, I was so confident about my poise, that I started to twist the throttle, again, unexpectingly getting sling shotted out and away from the turn. The feeling was just amazing, as I can still vividly remember the rush of euphoria that was pumping through me. What should have been a exciting end to my existence, turned into the most exhillarating sweeping turns of my life. Just when I thought I was getting bored with this bike, it starts impressing me even more. In retrospect after some research, hell, the chassis of this bike IS superbike caliber (based off the 988 Superbike chassis??) although underpowered at times. True, there are a few things about this bike that lend it character. Such as the long warm up times (engine runs lean when cold), and skipping gears every now and then (sometimes goes from 3rd to 5th in the heat of the battle). At speeds over 110 the front end of the bike becomes very light, small short dips in the highway turn into exciting death grip struggles over the handlebars in an attempt to keep the wheels from reaching the sky. But still, when I ride this motorcycle, at least through the twisties, I have confidence knowing that I could blow away almost any other bike through the Hutchinson River and Merritt Parkways ;o)
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