Current Bike...Why and What?

[Mel]

Hey guys,

Things have been a little slow here lately on the forum, so I decided to post up another topic to try and get some interaction going. As the title says, what is your current bike, why did you choose it, and what mods have you done to it, if any. I reckon I'll start it off.

I've always liked mid sized bikes and currently own a 2007 Yamaha FZ6. I have put a lot of time and effort into setting it up to work well in almost any street situation, from smooth/fast roads to bumpy goat roads. It still has stock exhaust, stock turn signals, and stock mirrors, along with a stock motor. I did not want to draw any attention from any of the LEO's up in the mountains or around town, so kept it fix-it ticket free. I could have bought any 600 I wanted at the time, but chose the FZ6 as best for my own personal needs. I was tired of clip ons, peaky motors, poor gas mileage combined with small tanks, and sub par comfort...features that most of the 600 sportbikes all seemed to share. I especially like the 5.1 gal tank on the FZ6 that can easily go 200 miles between fillups.

The first thing I did when I got the bike was to concentrate on the ergonomics and get it set up for my body and riding style. I went over to the Corbin factory in Hollister, CA and had them custom shape a seat for me to my specs. Then I put on fully adjustable Rizoma rearsets and a Rizoma superbike handlebar with a bend that suit me. I now have a bike that has perfect ergonomics for me in all riding scenarios.

I wanted to keep the motor and exhaust bone stock, but dial in the throttle response. I did this by putting on a Power Commander and installing a custom map for a stock motor. This made a big difference in the throttle response throughout the rev range, but especially at low rpm's where it cured the surging coming from off throttle. I added a K&N air filter at this time to complete the package. One more thing I did was to go 2 teeth higher on the rear sprocket to gear it down just slightly. This allowed me to have a choice of 2 gears in most corners depending on the pace I was running.

Next up was the suspension which was definately not up to par when the pace got spirited. I installed an Ohlins shock in the rear with adjustable rebound and compression. The damper rod front forks were sorely lacking, so I put in some RaceTech fork springs, a set of the RaceTech Gold Valve Emulators to help with the compression, and a heavier weight oil to help with the rebound. These modified damper rod forks still will never be the equal of the fully adjustable cartridge forks that come stock on all the 600 sportbikes, but they work a hell of a lot better than the stock setup. I also added a Superbike fork brace for a little more rigidity up front. I've got my suspension dialed in for the backroads, whether they be smooth or bumpy, and it just works for my riding style.

I installed stainless brake lines front and rear and am running Vesrah brake pads. I went with a Brembo radial master cylinder up front for that extra bit of stopping power and feel at the lever, and am loving that mod.

Last thing was installing an Ohlins steering damper. It came with an FZ6 mounting kit and was a breeze to install. I know there is a lot of controversy about steering dampers and if they are even needed, especially on a bike like an FZ6 which has a more relaxed steering geometry than the 600 sportbikes. Where it comes into it's own for me is when I'm riding at a very spirited pace on those really bumpy goat roads. Yes Virginia, it does make a difference in those situations!

There might be a couple little things I left out, but that is pretty much how I have the FZ6 set up. It all works very well together in the real world backroads. To keep this in perspective, I'm sure an R6 will kick the living shit out of my FZ6 on the race track, but my FZ6 can hold it's own on the backroads and is a lot more civil to ride. It's kind of a sleeper and is basically an old man's pseudo sport bike . Here are a couple pics.

[GreenMachine]

Mel, your FZ-6 is quick enough for all our rides, so it's the perfect match.

I chose my green Kawasaki because after test riding some early sportbike generation 750s, I knew I needed more CCs for our thin air.  I ended up finding an older 1000, but as it turned out, it wasn't a good fit.  It wasn't comfortable to ride more than 100 miles, the power on it was adequate, but not as overpowering as it should have been, and overall just didn't fit how I wanted to ride.  The bike was beat by the previous own too, so that had a lot to do with some of my dislike for the machine.  I let it sit in my garage for the last years of its life with me, before selling it.

I haven't done much to my current bike, a 900.  I think it's quite the dreamy ride.  I'm certain that if I die on it, it will probably be from me falling asleep at the wheel, so to speak.  It came with a K&N and was fouled up & ill-maintained by the previous owner, so it didn't run well.  About all I've done is add an aftermarket exhaust system, do the routine maintenance adjustments and fluid changes, and a little adjusting of a screw here or a jet there.  The suspension was fairly close for street use.  Would have thought it to be due for an overhaul by now, but it happily keeps chugging along.  The battery shorted some months back on one of our rides, leaving me stranded, but it just needed a new battery.  It has to be worth about nothing now, with all the miles I have on it and scratches I've added to it, but I wouldn't trade it for anything else.   

[Mel]

Hey GM, it sounds like you are one with your 900 and that's what it's all about .

I see there are 17 views but no other postings. None of the viewers have a current bike ? Come on guys!

Mel

[Smacka]

i am on a 87 kawasaki ninja 750r .. my girlfriend bought it for me for valintines day lucky me lol .. now she wants to keep it and buy me a new one lmao .. anyhow .. my bike is stock with the exception of aftermarket pipes and the airbox has been removed in favor of 4 unifilters .. it was jetted ... but the guy that did the jetting went overboard lol just ask green so it has been rejetted for this altitude.
other than that its pretty much stock .. to bad it wasent built to take corners like the newer bikes :/  .. welp ... thats what i am on and why

[288RR]

I have my 04cbr 600rr. It's my first bike,  and I like the looks of the bike.   I love the bike.  And don't think I will ever get rid of it

[dub]

OK, Mel, I'll bite. 

My street bike is a 2004 SV650n.  It's my first.  I bought it because it is universally recognized as a good starter bike.  Additionally, it is adored the world over by seasoned expert riders as a great weekend sportbike, tourer and commuter.  So, I knew there was a good chance I wouldn't grow tired of it after a few years as I feared with a Ninjette or GS500.  I have enjoyed it very much.  I appreciate the low end grunt of the twin and it handles well enough to keep up with the likes of GM (most of the time) in the twisties.  Sometimes I wish it had a little more passing power, though.

I bought it from a guy in Santa Clara who buys neglected bikes, restores them and flips them as a hobby.  Mine had been sitting in a garage for a few years after the original owner lost interest in motorcycles.  He stripped it down and meticulously cleaned every part.  He replaced/serviced every maintenance item and consumable, including the radiator which had bent from a 0mph tip over.  The fork was sent off to Lindemann Engineering to be re-worked and the tank/plastics were painted.  He also added/replaced/upgraded a few other parts like handle bars, grips, levers, bar ends, frame sliders, swingarm spools and a Suzuki factory fender eliminator.  Other than cutting the stock can down to 3/4 length, it is mostly stock, despite the refresh.

When I went to view it, it looked like it had just come off the showroom floor.

Save for replacing the ugly, chrome antler mirrors with CRG bar ends, I haven't changed it much; I haven't really had the desire.  I too have kept it fix-it ticket free by keeping the stock lighting and exhaust (except I removed the reflectors).  I have ridden it about 13,000 mi in the two years I've had it.

Not that I dislike my SV, but I have been thinking lately about my next bike.  I was initially thinking I would sell the SV, but it's not worth much and I just know I would regret it.  So, whatever I get in the future, I'll probably keep the SV and maybe make it into a project of sorts.  I'll bet I could make it even more fun with some power mods and more suspension work!

Before and After:

[n10sive]

Hey Dub...step over here and look at this. A beauty! (and a BMW)

http://www.sierrasportbike.com/smf/index.php?topic=3707.0

[cobra23]

Ahhh..

XR 400 Dual Sport (I just bought this after selling the beloved "Mule" an XR 600)

Ducati S4R (soon sold see insurance thread)

99 R6 Track bike

KZ 900 Custom (not done yet)  
http://www.sierrasportbike.com/smf/index.php?topic=721.0

http://www.kzrider.com/forum/11-projects/274097-1975-kz-900--zrx-swingarm-89-gsxr-front-end

DT 175B 1975

Honda Fiddy

Honda MR fiddy (under construction)

Wife owns a 250 Honda recon Quad

I love them all.
The Ducati is soon to be traded for a super trick ZRX 1100 in Washington State.

The KZ is the bike I have always wanted to build, and now just want to set fire to. It is currently at Steves 2 Wheel Custom, in protective custody.

The DT was my first bike, I found this one in Carson City a while ago and could not resist it, it makes me giggle.  

The XR 400 was my neighbors, he is moving so I sold the 600 and bought the 400, it is much more friendly on tight trails than the 600. The 600 is like a bull in a china shop when ridden in Washington forests.

The track bike was purchased from my good buddie "Dunnellthenut" in Washington. The bike was number one in WMRRA back in 99. I spent this summer (and alot of money) getting the thing track ready as it has been stored for about 7 years. Spent all the track money this summer, so next year is the Summer of Love.

I have an XR 80 motor to put in the MR fiddy for a pit bike, and the Honda Fiddy is for my grandson.

nobody knows where I live. H a hA hahaaahhhh !!

[Grey Goat]

Hey Mel, great thread.

My 12-year-old Aprilia RSV Mille-R is the last bike I'll ever own, until I  degrade to a barcalounger (aka Harley). 

Built well from the start:  Real Italian bike (not owned by a Texas conglomerate ...  ), custom designed Rotax twin, top-shelf Ohlins suspension, dry sump, two plugs per cylinder, OZ wheels, slipper clutch.  Everything is adjustable to fit riding style & rider. 

Brakes sucked, but nothing Brake Tech couldn't solve with new iron rotors ... now gentile 1-finger pulls from buck-speeds.

Plus aftermarket carbon intake, Ti exhaust, dyno-tumed PC ignition, sprockets.  And a Valentine radar detector      Of course!

Watching Haga 'backing' his MilleR Superbike around corners at Laguna, leaving long black stripies at entrances & exits, gave me inspiration on Hwy 88 scoots past Silver Lake (and limited rear tire life to ~3,000 miles ... oh well).

Looking forward to riding with SSA folks in the near future.