What to expect and what to look out for?

[cubicincubi]

The day is looming fast, end of the month I will pocket a large lump of cash from the equity in my home which is being sold (divorce et al - hoooooorah!!!)

I passed my motorcycle test for one reason - to run a turbo'd busa on the drag strip - often.

So far I've done 4K fast road miles on my VTR (first bike) and am now ready to ease my way into the saddle of a mightier machine.

So... autumn is on its way here in the UK and I was hoping to find a nice used machine at a reduced premium, use it for a few months and then begin work on it during the winter - modifying to my needs ready for spring time and the new draggin season.

People told me that I was crazy getting on a VTR as my first bike - ok, the first 50 miles were a bit hair raising but I settled in quick covering 1200 miles in the first 3 days. I've had high powered cars and wasnt going to go beserk popping wheelies straight off the bat....I'm no slingshot in the twisty's I admit, but for me straight lines and courage is what this project is about - sure I love a jaunt around the country roads aswell.


So - what should I be looking at when buying my first busa? I will proabaly opt for a standard machine... however if a modified machine comes up for grabs what sort of abuse should I expect it to have?

I accept the machines eat tyres, chains, sprockets - so obviously it would be nice to find one with decent consumables on it.

that's all for now - any advice is most thankfully welcomed.

regards

CI



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[nitrousjunkie]

The first thing is: Its a big bike,AND its heavy,that being said....Physics tells you that its not going to stop like a lighter shorter bike.Get used to the weight and size before you go making any ghost rider vids of your own.Respect the power,and you shouldnt have any problems.::

 

[lil basscrazy]

 

[300Busa]

Well, I expect you to make about 2 more post after you get your turbo'ed busa...then we will never hear from you again.

 

[cubicincubi]

why's that then? you think I'm gonna die?

your pace is your pace, doesnt reflect my pace or vice versa - some look before they leap, some look as they leap and get there first.

But you'll kill yourself! - thats what everyone said when I bought my VTR as my very first bike, thats what everyone said when I started free falling, thats what everyone said when I got my first 300BHP AWD 6 second car and modified it extensively, thats what everyone said when I used to rock climb without ropes, that's what everyone said when I went to bosnia with a firearm as my best friend, that's what everyone said when I etc etc etc. If I listened to other peoples fear I'd die from boredom.

However I appreciate your concern, I am looking for progressive advice though.

I'm intending on a standard machine, logic suggests leave it that way til the end of next summer - when I said if any modified machines come up for grabs I meant just simple stuff like cans and humps etc... not FI'd monsters.

the busa is 25% heavier than my current bike, I find my current bike light as a feather - though the brakes are shockingly poor - busa's about the same weight as the R1150R which I rode prior for a test ride - didnt find that aggressive - with it being a long machine how does the weight feel?



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[nitrousjunkie]

why's that then? you think I'm gonna die?

your pace is your pace, doesnt reflect my pace or vice versa - some look before they leap, some look as they leap and get there first.

But you'll kill yourself! - thats what everyone said when I bought my VTR as my very first bike, thats what everyone said when I started free falling, thats what everyone said when I got my first 300BHP AWD 6 second car and modified it extensively, thats what everyone said when I used to rock climb without ropes, that's what everyone said when I went to bosnia with a firearm as my best friend, that's what everyone said when I etc etc etc. If I listened to other peoples fear I'd die from boredom.

However I appreciate your concern, I am looking for progressive advice though.

I'm intending on a standard machine, logic suggests leave it that way til the end of next summer - when I said if any modified machines come up for grabs I meant just simple stuff like cans and humps etc... not FI'd monsters.

the busa is 25% heavier than my current bike, I find my current bike light as a feather - though the brakes are shockingly poor - busa's about the same weight as the R1150R which I rode prior for a test ride - didnt find that aggressive - with it being a long machine how does the weight feel?

You want "progressive" advice,okay....Go over to Labusas.org,you kind plenty of "progressive" advice there.

 

[cubicincubi]

cheers

 

[WuzzaCBXRider]

"I got my first 300BHP AWD 6 second car"

How many ponies and how many seconds to cover what? What 300 BHP car can cover the quarter in only six seconds or did you mean the eighth mile time was six seconds?

 

[Turbo-Torch]

I see you already have the high performance car part down.

Now the two final questions are:

Can you "Drift a Z28"?

and

Did you play college basketball?

 

[300Busa]

lets just keep doing more stupid things, until I fail I guess. I mean taking the world's fastest bike and adding a turbo is awesome, especially for a guy that has never even rode a busa before...?

Do what you want, but until you ride a busa don't compare it to any other bike or car you have ever driven.

 

[PaNDeM1C]

I'd say get a busa and ride it for awhile.... you might/will find it to be plenty fast and probably won't feel the need to get it turbo'd.

If 185mph becomes too slow on a motorcycle for you.... then go for a turbo. I recently hit my new record of 150mph and that was pretty insane. Some would say that was very stupid doing it on a public interstate, and I'd agree. But it was a rush!

The Busa is a very addicting bike once you start to ride one. You'll want to go faster and always want to ride it. Fast.

I think you might be thinking that a stock Busa might not be enough for you. All I can say is, get one and find out for yourself. You will probably have second thoughts about the turbo idea. A turbo is for someone who is extremely experienced and just a little bit nuts.

 

[cubicincubi]

150mph and that was pretty insane. Some would say that was very stupid doing it on a public interstate, and I'd agree. But it was a rush!

6 seconds 0-60 - not 1/4 mile.... i'm not comparing this car to a busa. All i'm saying is there is risk in everything, you have to feel the fear and do it anyway. my storm allready outperforms all the cars I have owned previously and the busa is a progression.

I regularly crack 150mph on my firestorm, in fact did so today on the motorway. it's pretty much pinned full time. not big and not clever, just a choice, choices are the only freedom we have in life.

No, I did not play college basketball - In the Uk we play football and rugby, the latter being a mans game with actual contact. I joined the Royal Air Force at 17yrs during gulf war round one and got my hands dirty. I didnt have time to play games.

Anyway...

Can we get on topic please?

would anyone like to offer some feedback with regards to my original concerns?

buying a busa, what should I look for in terms of worn out components?

thank you.

K

 

[Revlis]

I'd just get ready for big silly grin that you cannot get rid of...

Welcome and enjoy!!!

 

[Revlis]

As for parts that wear faster than others? Other than REAR Tires, no not really. Of course this is taking into account the weight and power of the bike.

Also, I would avoid like the plague any used turbo bikes, Big Bores, or any bike that has had a bunch of work done to it allready. Once you start tinkering with the stock powerplant on any bike you've opened a can of worms, and you do not want to inherit someone elses worms.

 

[onerabidshark]

Go new and do your own mods then you KNOW what the bike is and isn't a used bike is just that a used bike,

but for advice Do a VIN search see what kind of repairs have been done or receipts other owner has or repairs done, after that good inspection from a dealer/shop checking frame, swingarm, compression test the cylinders etc.

still for piece of mind, new w/warranty

 

[spr0cket]

Well it's worst time of year to be buying in blighty - everyone has the bug and wants to enjoy the week of sunshine that is summer. So costs of used kit goes up accordingly. Wait till December if you can when a few months of rain will have resigned most rides to garages and sheds, and the continued cost of insurance and tax makes them an expensive unused toy.

Busa loses it's weight real quick as soon as you start moving, though it'll not be quite as nimble when you're trying to filter (Sorry lane split for our american readers )
Delivery of power will also be very different for you, the Firestorm is in my view a great first bike as it delivers its power in a linear fashion from the lowest of RPM's. Busa is again, very progressive though more deceptively so, all too easy to not realise how hard it's actiually pulling and look down to read triple digits and eek speeds before you know it.

If you decide to keep the VTR, brakes need attention, though the forks are the weakest link, they simply don't allow enough adjustment and are inferior along with the rear shock.

Mechanically, Busas appear sound bikes, check for cosmetics and any signs of a hard time, such as scraped hero blobs, chicken strips etc. Also mileage - many UK bikes are low mileage due to limited rideability by fair weathered mid to late year owners. prices reflect that though and can vary greatly.

 

[PaNDeM1C]

Even though you can take your Firestorm to 150 and like to drive cars fast.... those machines are not a Hayabusa.

I think the reason so many are getting on your case is because you have not owned a high end sportbike yet. And you're already talking about a turbo Busa before actually owning a stock Busa, which will do 0-60 in 2.3secs and hit 185mph. You're going to need a good bit of road and low winds to hit that mark (somewhat safely!)... and some good distance to bring the bike back down again.

I feel pretty confident that if I had the right road and under the right conditions, that I could take my Busa all the way.... but I haven't found it yet. Others here have taken their babes all the way, and then some.

So I suggest to first buy a Busa and ride it and get very comfortable with it.... then maybe go turbo only IF you can actually tame this monster without thinking twice about it.

But, as others have said... if you buy used... you never really know what you're getting. The Busa is a very reliable machine. It eats rear tires (duh). Good luck with your decision... oh, and welcome to the org!

 

[cubicincubi]

sorted.

I've just got off the phone and have put down £3K deposit, its being delieverd next week!!!

all i need to do is choose the collour, they have 2;

SuzukiCyckes Link Broken
SuzukiCyckes Link Broken

 

[cubicincubi]

oops, forgot to add, its brand new, 0 miles 06 uk spec.

 

[pure_ego]

good choice going new... no worries about abuse or wear that way mate.

to put it into a better perspective for you concerning the brakes.

the VTR brakes aren't as good I don't believe..

but the busa is far from excellent so.. hmm.. maybe compare them like so..

the VTR would be like a heavy truck with a load... the busa.. just a heavy truck with no load.

neither is gonna stop fast enough to get you out of the trouble the throttle can get you into.

yer gonna be grinnin' from ear to ear when you realize 150 (kilometers?) mph isn't really that big a deal on the busa till something unexpected happens.. then you realize how fast stuff starts going wrong.

busa probably not the smartest choice in a second bike... but hell.. if you skip over my dirtbike years the busa was my 3rd street bike so who am I (and many others) to judge.

get some good gear.. not because I think you can't ride the thing.. just because it's an intelligent thing to do.. pavement hurts no matter if your going 30mph, or 180.