A sign of getting older?

[dr.nick]

After all I've done in the last 2 years with the 1397 and then going turbo I think I'm done with it. Not done with bikes, just done with all the extra performance. Since my engine meltdown over a week ago I've been riding on a stock borrowed 05'Busa. Stock engine, full yosh system.

And you know what? I've had more fun riding around on a stock bike in the last week than I've had in the last 2 years. I went to the performance side for a while and realized that it isn't what I thought it was.
I mean, it is, but it's not... Does that make sense? I'm not knocking the performance side of bikes, it just I'm tired of having a downed bike every year. I've lost atleast 8-9months of riding time over the last 2 years from things happening or waiting on parts or shops.

So I once again join the ranks of the stock engine crew. That or unless I change my mind again and reinstall the turbo....

I'm worse than a woman at making up my mind....

Your not getting older,your getting "WISER",unless you "track your bike",and actually race it(on the track)or your in "Law Enforcement" and have a "Badge"to get "Outta Jail",there is no need for a "Zillion HP" on a street bike
except for "Braggin rights",and who has the biggest "Balls"

 

[Fate]

Every customer we ever built "hot rods" for were made to understand that any gain in HP is accompanied by an equal amount of down time and maintenance in order to keep said "hot rod" alive..

I see a "hot rod" and it just makes me tired.. I can appreciate the machine but all too well understand the amount of work, time and money it requires to keep it "reliable"

it is not a sign of getting old, it is a sign of getting wiser to what you want.. Many are happy to ride 1000 miles a year.. I do that in 2 or 3 weeks and have a blast..

I rather have the bike go around corners than stand on the rear tire.. Welcome to the "old guys" bike club..

Man, YOUR GETTING OLD, I can do that in a few days

I agree with the down time, it is not worth not being able to ride. If you are on the track, it is fine, but our bikes are way faster than anyone needs to run on the steet anyway. When you can break every posted speed limit in 1st, do you really need to go that much faster (on the street)???

 

[Tufbusa]

Me, I'm an old fart too! Been around a long, Long, LONG time. My daddy told me something when I was a youngster that still resignates with me "Son, it's a shame we grow old so soon and wise so late"!

I rarely keep a bike more than 12 months. I did keep my 2006 busa for 24 months awaiting the release of the 08's but outside of that, I always trade up every year. The only thing I do to any bike is exhaust and suspension. Then just ride the arse off the scooter for a year and move up. I have found this to be the most economical means of owning a bike since I put lots of hard miles on.

I thoroughly enjoy track days and do anywhere from 2 to 6 every month. One thing I have found is more HP is not always a good thing when road racing. One of my close friends built a screaming high dollar GSXR1000 as a race bike. While pushing 200 HP and the best suspension you'll find at a club race, he actually turns better times on his basicly stock 08. While it's fun to carry the front tire off the pavement from corner to corner, it doesn't make it any faster around the track.

By the way, our track record until a week ago was held by an old time racer on a bone stock GSXR1000 (Engine) with Ohlins suspension and upgraded brakes. The record is still held by a GSXR1000 with an old 52 year young fart at the controls (Mike Sullivan/"SullivanRaceSchool.com).

 

[Robot]

I need to take a day trip sometime and see some of my fellow Virginians bikes.

 

[LCB]

It's not your age - it's a maturity thing. When anything isn't as fun anymore as it used to be, it's time for a change. You do whatever it takes to stay in your happy place 'cause life is just too short.

 

[PocketRocket]

2 Bikes is the answer, simple

 

[Red05]

I don't think it's a matter of getting older, GM, just good old frustration. Luckily these things are nuts & bolts and always open to our moods. Enjoy what you have and if the mood strikes you again, you know what to do. I always think that when the times comes that I can't ride anymore, I don't want to "wish I had done that".

 

[hondpwr]

I think you are forgetting a Busa is a performance bike...one of the fastest in the world. Thats why I stick to bolt-on mods and a good dyno tune. Took a 400 mile day trip the other week with no worries...even took if over 170 a few times and still averaged 38 mpg.

 

[GMbusa]

I now really regret selling my 04'. That's one good running 1397. Never had any problems out of it except for the occasional hot hard start. Otherwise it ran fine. I shoulda slapped a 240 kit on her and called it finished...

But is a bike ever finished?.......

I don't think it's a matter of getting older, GM, just good old frustration. Luckily these things are nuts & bolts and always open to our moods. Enjoy what you have and if the mood strikes you again, you know what to do. I always think that when the times comes that I can't ride anymore, I don't want to "wish I had done that".

 

[GMbusa]

Red05 hit the nail on the head, my returning to stock is from sheer frustration. When I had 2 Busa's it wasn't a problem, cause the turbo Bus was a second bike. I like HP, I'm not out to be the fastest. Plus with me at 300lbs, I aint the fastest... trust me. Weight is a real HP killer with bikes. I have enough experience and common sense to perform all my work except for some stuff like degreeing the cams. I don't cut corners and the people that know me know I don't. Part of the reason the down time was soo long was from me not cutting corners. I coulda halfassed it and been back on the road, but that's not me. Do it right the first time.

I don't want this to turn into a performance bashing thread.. I'm into performance, but my bank account says I'm not.

 

[zukracer]

I'm very interested in a turbo bike, but only as a second or third bike. I rode travis' bike and while I didnt even come close to maxing it out, that pull of the turbo was enough to put the permaflex smile on my face