New from Western Mass

[TDDragon]

Hi everyone,

Out in western mass in Amherst area on 06 FZ1, prior to that Ninja500. Now looking at Tuono's

Cool to have a place just specific to NE. Looking forward to meeting up with more riders in Western Mass.

Cheers,
T

[NEWTREADS]

Hey welcome. Im in northampton. When do you get out to ride

[TDDragon]

Hey welcome. Im in northampton. When do you get out to ride

Try to go daily at least for a short ride in afternoon/evening. Sometimes as schedule permits also head out in the morning.

Where do you go and when usually?

[Ken C]

Welcome.
Ashfield, here.

[TDDragon]

Welcome.
Ashfield, here.

Thanks!

Ashfield.. Nice to have 116 in your backyard!

[Ken C]

Thanks!

Ashfield.. Nice to have 116 in your backyard!

It's my commute!

[TDDragon]

It's my commute!

Very cool! Are there any get togethers of western mass riders around here?

[TDDragon]

Yeah, we usually meet at the Cumberland Farms gas station in Amherst and ride from there.

Supposedly, there is a guy that lives in Amherst known as "The Master" Apparently he drags knee around every corner on the 116 and eats liter bikes for lunch. May be just a myth though!

LOL. I wonder what he eats for breakfast and dinner then

Cool on the rides. How often do you guys meet usually? And also ever during the week or weekends only?

[TDDragon]

Mostly weekend riding, I'm always up for a weekday quickie, needs to be after 5ish or early morning

Cool. How about getting together this week after 5? Today seems to be rainy - but tomorrow looks sunny. Will pm you.

[Ken C]

I'm not much for group rides any more (except on the track ), but will consider it.

FYI, there are now 2 temporary stop lights from South Deerfield to Ashfield due to bridge repair.

[Rambunctous]

Hi, welcome to the forum. Lotsa info in here. The monday morn race reports is the favorite here. Have you been to the Rt 9 Diner? I think it is on the town line between N Hampton and Amhearst. Soup to nuts. Place is awesome.

[keeena]

Sam, Eric, Clay, Keeena, Mike, other Eric, Master... not welcoming the new guy??/ WTF

I fail at interwebs socializing so try to stay out of it completely.

But welcome new guy! Western MA, S VT and NY have some nice roads (for what it is...definitely no NC/TN or SoCal). I had a naked 07 FZ1 and currently have an RSVR...so let me know if you have Q's comparing the two. The Ape is a nice bike for sure.

Ken C - Good to know; just a couple weeks ago there was only 1 light on the east side near Matthews Rd. Where's the other one?

[TDDragon]

Hi, welcome to the forum. Lotsa info in here. The monday morn race reports is the favorite here. Have you been to the Rt 9 Diner? I think it is on the town line between N Hampton and Amhearst. Soup to nuts. Place is awesome.

Thanks. No never tried the Diner. Will check it out. Like Café Essalon on Rt.9. Will watch out for the race reports

[TDDragon]

I fail at interwebs socializing so try to stay out of it completely.

But welcome new guy! Western MA, S VT and NY have some nice roads (for what it is...definitely no NC/TN or SoCal). I had a naked 07 FZ1 and currently have an RSVR...so let me know if you have Q's comparing the two. The Ape is a nice bike for sure.

Ken C - Good to know; just a couple weeks ago there was only 1 light on the east side near Matthews Rd. Where's the other one?

LOL. I feel now so interwebbedly socialized! Would LOVE your input on FZ1 vs. RSVR. I test drove a low miles 08 Tuono Factory but not for long... only thing I noticed is that its tons more flickable then the FZ1 (feels super light to turn) - and also has tons more torque down low.

[TDDragon]

Thanks you all for the warm welcome. I was digging quite a bit into the forum - really cool site! Glad I found it (google).

[keeena]

FZ1 was easily faster than the RSVR (seat of the pants). I think the FZ1 is kind of buzzy around 3.5-5k. With the mods was extremely capable and a blast to ride. Was a good 2-up bike as well, so very good all-around bike. Better 2-up than Ape (if that's a consideration). To put in perspective, my FZ1 had all the motor bolt-ons and derestrictions...was pushing R1 power specs and had a tuned '08 R1 front-end. Should've probably kept this one in my stable.

V-twins have that tractable power (cliche, i know) that makes them fun to ride and sound amazing w/ a set of cans. The RSVR is geared pretty tall. Most go for a +3 or -1/+1 and I guess that wakes it up. Handling is awesome out of the box. I've had my RSVR for a year and barely modded it...which is not normal for me. Goes to show how good it is stock. Some minor quirks: finding neutral can be bit tough, rear brake and clutch hydro system 'issues. Trunk is useless. That's really about it. The 07+ RSVR/Tuono had changes to help a couple of these things. The Tuono Factory has forged rims which are a bit lighter as well as Ohlins front/rear. I really like the Ohlins on my RSVR (standard on the non-Factory) so I'd suggest finding a Factory Tuono if you can. Mods are expensive compared to the FZ1.

Range is OK on both. Both will drop quite a bit when flogged. Can't remember what I'd get on the FZ1, but on the RSVR get 120-130mi when the fuel light first pops up.

If you had fun on your test ride, I'd say go for the Tuono. Stock to stock I'd take it hands down over the FZ1.

[TDDragon]

Awesome thanks for the input. And track days? Tuono I assume also better then FZ1? Or better bike with clipons? Or just put clipons on Tuono for track?

And FZ1 faster then RSVR? I thought they had about same HP ? At least stock..

Yeah FZ is very buzzy around 3.5-5k - very annoying

I never test drove the regular tuono - only the tuono factory - and like I said was tremendously impressed with the handling for a bike that weighs the same as the FZ1.

[Ken C]

The second light went up on Monday morning. It's after the one passing zone heading west.

The FZ1 is a fine track day bike. We get them there all the time.

[keeena]

I have never tried either the FZ1 or RSVR on the track, so couldn't give you much detail there. But again, based on street riding I think the Ape has the better suspension out of the box and the Factory is an RSVR w/ MX bars & no fairing. The FZ1 is a little bit more distant from it's supersport brother. But both would be totally capable.

Thanks for the info Ken.

[TDDragon]

The second light went up on Monday morning. It's after the one passing zone heading west.

The FZ1 is a fine track day bike. We get them there all the time.

Thanks! Good to know. I would like to get into track riding but did not know if upright position was OK for that or not. Do the folks that take them on the track mount clipons on them or keep stock bar?

[Ken C]

No need at all to alter your bike to do track days. As long as you have decent tires and a well-maintained bike, you can ride anything (at least at at Tony's day). We have Gold Wings, BMW tourers, dual sports riding right alongside sport bikes.

Go to Tony's Track Days website www.tonystrackdays.com and look at the videos and learn all about the bike and rider preparation requirements.

All you questions should be answered there, but if not, feel free to PM me.

[keeena]

We have Gold Wings...

Harleys too!




Ken - OT, but I just signed up for your RITZ course. Can't wait.

[Ken C]

Ken - OT, but I just signed up for your RITZ course. Can't wait.

Excellent! I'll be in touch to ask you about what your goals are.

[TDDragon]

Harleys too!

I thought one needed full leather gear and taped lights etc. those harley guys on the picture have only their usual brain buckets and short sleeve shirts

[Ken C]

That's a Boston Moto day, so I don't know what that's about. However, I think it's a parade session of some sort.