No Street Bike

[drop]

Dude fwiw, I have done dangerous shit my whole life. It is worth it to me to break bones from a racing incident doing something I love, which I have done many times. Getting creamed by a moron in a car on the other hand is something I don't ever want to spend time recovering from.

ok, now that i can agree with.

[eboos]

Funny how I got into motorcycling because I was injured and unable to keep doing something else.

I am just not into street riding enough to justify buying another bike for the road. If I did, I would probably just turn that into a track bike too.

[davemon]

I don't ride my trackbike on the street even though I have a plate but that is because it's damned uncomfortable and my RT is super comfortable and a bit faster. I do ride that on the street a lot.

Given this... I don't think I count as "don't ride on the street" but maybe halfway.

Dave

[daviid]

i stopped riding on the street in 2007 when i realized i couldn't follow a pace that wouldn't get me thrown in jail.

[gregp]

I am 49 years old, and have been riding dirt bikes since I was 7 or 8. For the past 20 years or so, all of my dirt bikes had street registrations to get from trail to trail, and to participate in NETRA Turkey Run's. I purchased my first street bike around 5 years ago (a Ninja 500), and have had a couple since then, but I will always be a "Dirty" guy.
Some of the bikes I have owned:
01) 1968 Honda 50 minitrail
02) 1965 Honda 55 Stepthrough
03) 1975 Benelli 65
04) 1976 Kami KA-80 (Fuji engine)
05) 1975 Rickman/Zundapp 125 MX
06) 1973 Suzuki TS 185
07) 1974 Yamaha DT250
08) 1976 Yamaha DT250
09) 1976 Rokon RTII 340
10) 1975 Honda MT 250
11) 1976 Hodaka 125 Wombat
12) 1979 Yamaha IT 250
13) 1975 Honda XL 250
14) 1979 Can-Am 175 Qualifier
15) 1979 Can-Am 250 Qualifier
16) 1979 Can-Am 370 Qualifier
17) 1975 Suzuki RL 250 Trials
18) 1979 Kawasaki KL250
19) 1984 Kawasaki KLR600
20) 1984 KTM 250 MXC
21) 1986 Honda XR600
22) 1985 Yamaha YTM225 Tri-Moto
23) 1976 Yamaha IT 400
24 1984 Yamaha IT200
25) 1987 Honda CR250
26) 1984 Yamaha PW 50
27) 1984 Yamaha PW 80
28) 1979 Yamaha RD400 Daytona Special
29) 1985 KTM 125 EXC
30) 1997 KTM 300 EXC
31) 1998 Yamaha YF200 Blaster
32) 1995 Honda CR500
33) 1998 Husqvarna TE410
34) 1995 Kawasaki KLX 250
35) 1996 Kawasaki KDX 200
36) 2000 Yamaha YFM 600 Grizzly
37) 1996 KTM RXC 620
38) 1989 Kawasaki EX500 (My 1st street bike, at age 44)
39) 2001 Beta Rev3 270
40) 2000 Suzuki DRZ400S
41) 1985 Honda VF-700 Interceptor
42) 1999 Kawasaki EX 250 (my daughter’s bike)
43) 1996 Triumph 900 Adventurer
44) 1996 Suzuki DR650
45) 2004 Kawasaki KDX200

[playtwo]

aven't been on the street since 09. just track days

[ZX-12R]

As much fun as a track can be, the scenery never changes. Besides going fast, I also like the part of motorcycling where you get to go to new places and see new things. That never happens on the track.

[BLACK SQUIRREL]

As much fun as a track can be, the scenery never changes. Besides going fast, I also like the part of motorcycling where you get to go to new places and see new things. That never happens on the track.

I agree.

[Chippertheripper]

True, but there are always spots to work on and things to change at the track. It's a constant learning experience. I don't think I'd ever want to limit myself by only riding there, a lil ds is too much fun, and it's cheap reliable transportation. Win/win.

[davemon]

I don't ride my trackbike on the street even though I have a plate but that is because it's damned uncomfortable and my RT is super comfortable and a bit faster. I do ride that on the street a lot.

Given this... I don't think I count as "don't ride on the street" but maybe halfway.

Dave

[DBB]

Sold my street bike in june. DB's only! for me.

[BLACK SQUIRREL]

Sold my street bike in june. DB's only! for me.

Crow hill Thrursday

[scottieducati]

I am longing for a classic fall ride in September through southern NH and up into Northern VT. Nothing can compare to the zen of one of those very rare street rides featuring light traffic, smooth pavement and breathtaking vistas. Then again I hardly get the chance anymore.

[Awesome]

I like to knit.

[TimmyB]

I am longing for a classic fall ride in September through southern NH and up into Northern VT. Nothing can compare to the zen of one of those very rare street rides featuring light traffic, smooth pavement and breathtaking vistas. Then again I hardly get the chance anymore.

definitely. My zen was 630am, the overlook, an air-cooled twin, and not a person in sight... I would have to do 7 trackdays a week for me to get off the street...

[FireboltEric_MA]

I love doing both for different reasons. I can say my street riding is much slower pace and i prefer being sweep guy when on rides with others,(not that it will happen this year again)

You track only guys, do you not feel "disconnected" from your bike only riding it on the track? I find it hard to get my groove back on the bike when only riding track. takes a few to get used to the bike for the first few laps..

riding street/track I was always riding trying to practice something to better myself on the track. Mostly smooth hand control, bar inputs, etc...etc..

["Dangerous" Dan K]

You track only guys, do you not feel "disconnected" from your bike only riding it on the track? I find it hard to get my groove back on the bike when only riding track. takes a few to get used to the bike for the first few laps..

I wonder if part of this is your street bike IS your race bike? I have trouble going from street to race, mainly because the bikes are always so different.

I'd say the most trouble I ever had getting into the groove on the track was the day I rode my 74 CB550 TO the track for a race weekend. It'd been all I'd ridden/driven for the past few days in a nice weather spell, and I was really used to it. I got on my race bike and was like "WTF is this?!" I didn't want to trust the brakes to brake late enough, felt like I should be shifting @ 5K, etc. It was a major bitch to get over. I'd say it took me a DAY to get comfortable with my race bike again, and the CB felt weird on the ride home.

[DBB]

Crow hill Thrursday

I would really like to however my work schedule now leaves me with only sunday and monday off. I miss crow hill.

I'm planning on riding sunday at either 101, Rocky Hill or that other place in maine (never been there). Haven't been on the bike since beginning of june.

[FireboltEric_MA]

I wonder if part of this is your street bike IS your race bike?

It was this year. BUT the main reason was I felt "off" going from the CBR to the R6 last year doing track days, It felt odd as they both handled very differently. I felt like i was IN the Honda riding. but I felt ON the R6 when riding that bike on the track. Just different feeling bikes to me.

They both had different characteristics to me, I felt one bike to nail down SOLID would be better " for me " for racing/td's.

I don't think i could take weeks off from the track, not riding at least a street bike, and still have solid/consistent track times. I'd feel like it was learning over the first session or two getting my groove back....Am I the only one here that feels that?

[csmutty]

It was this year. BUT the main reason was I felt "off" going from the CBR to the R6 last year doing track days, It felt odd as they both handled very differently. I felt like i was IN the Honda riding. but I felt ON the R6 when riding that bike on the track. Just different feeling bikes to me.

They both had different characteristics to me, I felt one bike to nail down SOLID would be better " for me " for racing/td's.

I don't think i could take weeks off from the track, not riding at least a street bike, and still have solid/consistent track times. I'd feel like it was learning over the first session or two getting my groove back....Am I the only one here that feels that?

It happens to me every race weekend, regardless of whether I ride or not between weekends. The EX500 is worlds different than the ZRX1200. But by the first race of the weekend, I am right back up to speed.

[Chippertheripper]

every time you bring this up, eric, i cant help but think it makes a ton of sense. and yes, it takes a smidge to get back "up to speed" but i don't think any longer than when i was riding the same bike on and off the track.

[FireboltEric_MA]

So in theory I should be running the same pace, or close to it, once I get back on the bike?

I just find it hard to see this happening. not saying I wont be. I've just never proved it to myself yet.

was wondering what others felt on this subject, just curious really.

[Chippertheripper]

in your case, it may take a bit longer than usual. that's the nature of being off any bike for a couple months. i hope it doesn't get in your big empty head. and i hope i get faster before you get back out there.

[Manny]

As much fun as a track can be, the scenery never changes. Besides going fast, I also like the part of motorcycling where you get to go to new places and see new things. That never happens on the track.

There are A LOT of tracks around the northeast right now. Plenty of changing scenery.

[OreoGaborio]

As much as I love the track (which is a LOT as you all know), I don't see myself giving up street riding any time soon. There's just way too much out there to discover.

I really wanted to do some longer distance riding this year but it just didn't happen... Though I suppose the season isn't over yet!