Who rides motorcycles?

[Kyle_in_Tex]

I rode an early Husaberg 500 out in Hesperia CA. It was fast on the fire roads, but it had very little flywheel and was lousy for trials type tight trail rock riding. motor kept dying, and it was left hand kick. Preferred a WR 200 towards the end of that long day.

I've also rode an Ossa Super Pioneer north of Ruidoso and it was nice too, but under powered at altitude.

 

[Grumpycat]

I rode an early Husaberg 500 out in Hesperia CA. It was fast on the fire roads, but it had very little flywheel and was lousy for trials type tight trail rock riding. motor kept dying, and it was left hand kick. Preferred a WR 200 towards the end of that long day.

I've also rode an Ossa Super Pioneer north of Ruidoso and it was nice too, but under powered at altitude.

Husaberg has gone through 3 big transformations. Initially formed by Husqvarna 4-stroke engineers unhappy about Cagiva takeover killing 4-strokes. Eventually KTM bought in 1995 wanting a modern 4-stroke dirtbike. Allowed Husaberg to continue their way, and sell through KTM distribution. In exchange KTM got the wildly successful RFS line which wasn’t very much like the Husaberg designs.

For 2009 KTM took more control. In 2008 Husaberg announced the “70°” design using most of the moving parts used by KTM’s 2008 model XC4 engine but effectively upside down with crankshaft above transmission plus fuel injection that really worked. Chassis dynamics with high crankshaft turned out to be difficult to tune at the pro level.

My biggest problem is the rear shock is enclosed by gas tank under seat and exhaust. Shock gets cooked quickly. OTOH this engine has the sweetest throttle control of any dirtbike I have ever ridden. Discontinued after 2010 when most all factory riders had DNFs for bad tolerances in fuel pump. Too tight. Rotor seized when it got hot. 2009 pumps were in high demand.

More big changes in 2014 when KTM discontinued Husaberg (which by now were rebranded KTMs) as Husqvarna.

 

[scootr]

Fuel injection is a blessing to anyone who leaves a bike sit or rides in varying elevations.
I have 3 bikes and 3 vehicles all with FI. Don't want no more carburetors

 

[Cycledude]

Dang!

Now I want one. My old Garmin NUVI is getting old.

I have 2 Garmin Zumo XT 1’s owned them since they first came out and so far they have been flawless.
Now that the XT 2’s are on sale it’s making me wonder if maybe there will be a new XT 3 coming out soon with a bigger screen ?
So far Bigger screen seems like the only reason I would spend the money to upgrade from my XT 1 .

 

[scootr]

A bigger screen can be easier to see but I saw a comical sketch of a rider with a huge monitor with controls all around it blocking his whole view... just a jab at how big and complicated bike info systems are getting. I just ordered the Garmin XT2. I'm pretty sure that will do what I need.

 

[scootr]

Keeping the build going. Since I'm putting on a more aggressive D606 tire I ordered a larger JT sprocket and 520ERVT chain. Just 2 teeth bigger. I wanted 3 but only found 2, that should give her a little more grunt.

 

[CloverKnollFarms]

I've got to get to a couple valve checks/shim jobs on the mx bikes

 

[Cycledude]

A bigger screen can be easier to see but I saw a comical sketch of a rider with a huge monitor with controls all around it blocking his whole view... just a jab at how big and complicated bike info systems are getting. I just ordered the Garmin XT2. I'm pretty sure that will do what I need.

The first time I saw a Zumo XT screen I was amazed at how easy to read it was and knew I would be ordering one. For me it’s much easier to read than any other GPS I have ever seen, and no matter what the light conditions are the screen is very easy to read. The XT2 is very slightly bigger but not enough to make me buy one.

 

[lman]

I use Android Auto on the built-in instrument panel.

 

[Bocephous]

The south facing trails were in decent shape today. I stayed off the hill; too much ice and my rib still hurts from my get off a few weeks ago.

 

[Grumpycat]

Fuel injection is a blessing to anyone who leaves a bike sit or rides in varying elevations.
I have 3 bikes and 3 vehicles all with FI. Don't want no more carburetors

There are those who swear by FI, and those who swear against.

Husaberg hit a home run in 2009 with the single cylinder fuel injection. KTM apparently believed themselves to be smarter than their Husaberg subsidiary so they put FI systems on dirtbikes that didn't work nearly as well. As did the other manufacturers.

FI continues to be a problem on the small utility engine market, lawnmowers & etc. Works until it doesn't then $300+ to replace, cleaning or "rebuilding" doesn't seem to work. Dealers can still order most or all Bad Boy mowers with Kawasaki engines with or without FI.

 

[Bocephous]

My CRF is fuel injected, and most of my motorcycles have been. I think a well jetted carbed motorcycle is smoother.

Smoothest FI I've ever experienced was on my former 2003 R1. No on/off, very smooth. Smoothest overall motorcycle's were my two Yamaha FZ1's, both of which had Ivan's jet kits installed in the carbs.

 

[The Gaul]

I just don't get the current rage of wimpy bikes. Never owned a bike below 1,000 cc or 150HP.

Below are 3 of my Italian bikes. No electronic nannies. The MV and 1198R are tuned >200HP. I ride the Ducati 998S Final Edition when I feel nostalgic

 

[deserteagle71]

I just don't get the current rage of wimpy bikes. Never owned a bike below 1,000 cc or 150HP.

I'd love to see you on one of those bikes follow my "wimpy bike" on the roads I like to ride.......

 

[CloverKnollFarms]

A 250cc motocross bike, off road, is a hullava lot more to handle than a liter bike on the street.

Ive owned a Speed Triple, B-King and now have an 1125R Buell. All very tame compared to a CRF250R in dirt.

 

[Kyle_in_Tex]

So my friend has a Ducati Hypermotard 1100. It needs new fork seals.
He called the dealer in Houston. They said they don't work on bikes over 10 years old.
The bike is a cream puff with only maybe 8000 miles.

Have any of you heard of dealers refusing to work on older bikes?

IIRC, the service advisor might have told him something like, "if you take off and just bring the forks, we can work on it" but friend said they later recanted that.

 

[Kyle_in_Tex]

I've ridden 2 street bikes with 200 hp. You might only be able to wick it 1% of the time while riding the roads.

But a thrill for those moments.

At my age and responsibilities, I prefer to putt around now with both headlights on high beam during the day.

 

[Kyle_in_Tex]

My 92 yamaha FZ had EXUP, a servo controlled exhaust valve. It opened up at 6000 rpm.

I could quietly/stealthily zip around keeping under 6K. The cops wouldn't even look up to see.

But when it opened up, the Yoshimura exhaust expelled a sweet tune, but loud.

I told my 15yo son, "you can get away with a lot more zipping around if you can keep it quiet."

I remember talking with a deputy on Lime Creek road on the east side of Lake Travis. He said the noise was what had all the locals calling the sheriffs regularly.

 

[The Gaul]

I'd love to see you on one of those bikes follow my "wimpy bike" on the roads I like to ride.......

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I should have been more explicit, I was talking about road bikes only. What I call 'wimpy' is the likes of Ducati Scramblers and all kinds of 'Starbucks run' vehicles.

I did own dirt bikes myself at some point in my life. Back when I track raced (speed) I owned a Honda CR500 for my winter training and I have to admit that it was a handful.

 

[The Gaul]

I've ridden 2 street bikes with 200 hp. You might only be able to wick it 1% of the time while riding the roads.

But a thrill for those moments.

At my age and responsibilities, I prefer to putt around now with both headlights on high beam during the day.

It really depends where you live. I've moved all over the US for my career and there are places where it doesn't even make sense to own something nice or exciting. NJ/NY with all it's potholes and horrible weather is a good example. Not to mention crazy drivers who do not always obey the rules.
Having retired in Central Oregon I basically need to get out of town in Eastern direction and there's desert and canyons all the way to Idaho. My only concern is range to the next gas station.
It's motorcycle bliss...And yes, the 200HP are put to use. I've been on rides accompanied by friends on Sport Touring bikes (120 to 150HP) who admit that they could use some more HP.