I'm a long way from being the most experienced rider on the boards here,but I'm 46 and I got my first bike at 13. I have had 7 or 8 over the years from Honda,to Kawasaki to a chopped and raked Harley that could barely turn over 5 miles an hour. I dragged them a little, did things on city streets that argue for the existence of a God who must have wanted me alive for some reason, and I am the first to admit I'm not very good at the road racing that some of the canyon runners and other expert riders on this board are into. My most recent bike was a 750 Katana. BUT, WHEN I RODE THE HAYABUSA it was like a REVELATION. The bike makers had finally made the one I had been dreaming of.I have ridden fast street bikes all my life but nothing with all of this torque and low end grunt in every gear! I't's continously shoving from the back so hard, seamlessly with no end it feels like the thrust of the space shuttle. BUT, it is so incredibly stable and sure on the road, that although some might say that could lead an inexperienced driver to perhaps get into trouble, it does not lull you into a FALSE sense of security because it really IS very balanced, and secure, and forgiving, even with such enormous power.Its so stable at speed that it rides like it is much heavier than it really is, and since we have a lot of high winds around the plains I get pushed around a lot usually when coming around a semi and such. The Busa actually dips INTO the side wind much of the time and I have far less trouble staying in the lane than other bike approaching double it's weight! So, much like the first time you drve a Porsche 911, you genuinely can run through the gears, look down, and be astounded that you're runnung at 140 OR 150. It feels like 100-110, with no great drama,or loss of control or braking, oe even the feeling that you are stretching it's performance at all.
I was sold immediately.- Three weeks later I paid the full sticker without arguing when the guy first on their list couldn't get the money, and drove it home. All my friends are tired of me talking about it all the time, my employees think it's hilarious that a guy my age has the baddest bike in the parking lot, and the guards at the guardhouse tell me people stop and look at it continously. Even though there are every kind of Harley, Bimmer,sport bike, and even Triumphs parked there as well. And I couldn't care less; I'ts the best bike in the world, not just the fastest, in my opinion; and it is a thrill every time you get on it. Beg, Borrow, or steal one to ride it, and you'll be next!!!
[This message has been edited by 201mph (edited 24 February 2000).]
