hppants
Well-known member
Unlike other bikes I've owned and ridden, I find the motor on the FJR is tuned to pull evenly throughout the rpm range. It's relatively low redline (9K) lends itself to a flatter torque curve, which I prefer to the more buzzy high revving motors. I'm most interested in the torque between 2K and 5K, that's where I live 99% of my ride. I rarely push my bike past 5K - although some times, I enjoy a little run up the gears.
Sunday, after 350 miles, MikeP1300 and I parted ways at a road split. I continued on a divided major street that runs through the heart of my home town. I live on the outskirts in a more surburban area, and on this particular day, this divided highway is my best bet. On the other side of town, traffic is non-existent on this Sunday afternoon. Everyone is back in town celbrating Mardi Gras. At one traffic light, I'm 2nd in line and notice two sport bikes turn left onto my street just before I get the green. When my light turns green, I accelerate and tuck in behind them. A quick check of my mirror reveals that a cruiser has tucked in behind me and the 4 of us roll about 1 mile in staggered formation and catch the next yellow light first in line. Sport bike #2 splits off to the center lane. The cruiser also splits of with him to the center lane. I shifted left and pulled in next to sport bike #1 and we are both in the left lane.
I waived to everyone and they reciprocated. The cruiser dude is about my age and both of the sport bike riders are younger than us. I noticed that sport bike #1 was a GSXR1000 in the traditional blue and white color. I know it's got an aftermarket exhaust, but othewise, I have no clue about this bike. For all I know, it might have $$$$$ in motor farkles, or otherwise be completely stock. It's rider looked at me and a short conversation started:
(S/B) "I like your bike"
(Pants) "I like yours too, but I couldn't ride it all day leaned over like that.
(S/B) "Yeah after a while I feel it in my back."
(Pants) "Boy - I bet that puppy goes when you twist it, though."
(S/B) "Sure does"
Meanwhile, I hear sport bike #2 and the cruiser chatting as well.
Now to be clear, there was no undertones of "let's race" said or felt. Further, these guys didn't strike me as squids. They are dressed in full gear and their demeaner presents them as experienced riders. But we have about 1.5 miles of brand new 65 mph pavement ahead of us with NO side entrance/exits and ZERO traffic. Four bikes first in line at this intersection are not going to waste an opportunity like this. I don't care who you are or what you ride - at this particular intersection, under these circumstances, if you don't dump the clutch and let 'er rip a little, well... you've just picked the wrong hobby.
The light turned and I got a pretty decent launch. I shifted 1-2 at about 6K - no point in breaking a shift fork today. Then I ran her up to the redline for the 2-3 and about 8K in 3 before I shut 'er down - I guess I was somewhere around 85-90 mph and that's plenty enough for me. I'll sleep in my own bed tonight, thank you very much
On the other hand, Mr. Gixxer caught me by the time I shifted 1-2, and then it was so over. He pulled away from me effortlessly, like I was sitting still really. That bike is stupid fast, I tell ya. He shut it down after me - definitely going over 100.
I have no idea what the other 2 did or did not do. I heard the cruiser's exhaust at the light, then nothing.
We all coasted to the next light, which turned green as we pulled to the intersection. I switched lanes and beeped the horn at them before turning right toward home. Traffic now building, I returned to my usual more careful riding style with a lingering tingle in my hands from the recent excitement.
I know I know - bad Pants. You should know better. You'll poke your eye out....
But every once in a while, a man's got to live a little closer to the edge. Just a little.
Stay thirsty, my friends.
Sunday, after 350 miles, MikeP1300 and I parted ways at a road split. I continued on a divided major street that runs through the heart of my home town. I live on the outskirts in a more surburban area, and on this particular day, this divided highway is my best bet. On the other side of town, traffic is non-existent on this Sunday afternoon. Everyone is back in town celbrating Mardi Gras. At one traffic light, I'm 2nd in line and notice two sport bikes turn left onto my street just before I get the green. When my light turns green, I accelerate and tuck in behind them. A quick check of my mirror reveals that a cruiser has tucked in behind me and the 4 of us roll about 1 mile in staggered formation and catch the next yellow light first in line. Sport bike #2 splits off to the center lane. The cruiser also splits of with him to the center lane. I shifted left and pulled in next to sport bike #1 and we are both in the left lane.
I waived to everyone and they reciprocated. The cruiser dude is about my age and both of the sport bike riders are younger than us. I noticed that sport bike #1 was a GSXR1000 in the traditional blue and white color. I know it's got an aftermarket exhaust, but othewise, I have no clue about this bike. For all I know, it might have $$$$$ in motor farkles, or otherwise be completely stock. It's rider looked at me and a short conversation started:
(S/B) "I like your bike"
(Pants) "I like yours too, but I couldn't ride it all day leaned over like that.
(S/B) "Yeah after a while I feel it in my back."
(Pants) "Boy - I bet that puppy goes when you twist it, though."
(S/B) "Sure does"
Meanwhile, I hear sport bike #2 and the cruiser chatting as well.
Now to be clear, there was no undertones of "let's race" said or felt. Further, these guys didn't strike me as squids. They are dressed in full gear and their demeaner presents them as experienced riders. But we have about 1.5 miles of brand new 65 mph pavement ahead of us with NO side entrance/exits and ZERO traffic. Four bikes first in line at this intersection are not going to waste an opportunity like this. I don't care who you are or what you ride - at this particular intersection, under these circumstances, if you don't dump the clutch and let 'er rip a little, well... you've just picked the wrong hobby.
The light turned and I got a pretty decent launch. I shifted 1-2 at about 6K - no point in breaking a shift fork today. Then I ran her up to the redline for the 2-3 and about 8K in 3 before I shut 'er down - I guess I was somewhere around 85-90 mph and that's plenty enough for me. I'll sleep in my own bed tonight, thank you very much
On the other hand, Mr. Gixxer caught me by the time I shifted 1-2, and then it was so over. He pulled away from me effortlessly, like I was sitting still really. That bike is stupid fast, I tell ya. He shut it down after me - definitely going over 100.
I have no idea what the other 2 did or did not do. I heard the cruiser's exhaust at the light, then nothing.
We all coasted to the next light, which turned green as we pulled to the intersection. I switched lanes and beeped the horn at them before turning right toward home. Traffic now building, I returned to my usual more careful riding style with a lingering tingle in my hands from the recent excitement.
I know I know - bad Pants. You should know better. You'll poke your eye out....
But every once in a while, a man's got to live a little closer to the edge. Just a little.
Stay thirsty, my friends.
