Introduction

[Wickham Wonder]

Hi, I'm Bill from South East England - enjoying my second childhood - like over 50 - born again biker for the last 10 years or thereabouts. Bought the Hayabusa last time I changed about 4 1/2 years ago and never looked back despite a major 'off' shortly after I bought it. I'm a year round biker with none of this fair-weather only business, although with the cleaning required of the bike after having ventured on our salted-up roads it sounds like a good idea sometimes. Been to Europe a couple of times to extend the top-end and enjoyed Germany in 2002 with the great roads they've got over there. Possibly going again this year - I need a new fix!!!

Nice to meet you all, look forward to contributing further.

Best Regards
Bill

[The Chad]

welcome to the site hope to hear lots frome you

[Uncle Bob]

Welcome to the site, from a depressed and cold admin ( snow,ice and temps of -27 ( -40 with windchill)).

[Jonathan]

Bill-

Welcome to the site. Look forward to hearing lots from you.

[Wickham Wonder]

Hi Jonathan
You'll probably hear so much from me you'll get sick and tired of it. Always raving about the monster hayabusa etc etc. I guess the weather over there is more in tune with a bikers life than it is over here. But last time I was in the states, I found the speed limits a bit of a pain. And I like speed but I don't want to get shot for my trouble!!!! Well not yet anyway. Nice to hear from you though, take it easy.

Bill

[Uncle Bob]

You're right, I'm already sick and tired of you .LOL

[Wickham Wonder]

Don't say that Bob, I'll get a complex....... hahaha

Welcome, Wick, and all the rest of the new kids out there.

40's and sun today. I put the big trunk on 'er this a. and went for a ride. I rode the DR to the shop and had the new sprocket installed (had to shorten the chain). Ended up going around 90 miles. It was pretty cold, but invigorating. It had been overheating when I rode 65+mph for over five miles or so, but with the (about 10%) change in gearing, I rode 40 miles at that speed or better with no problems. I think I'm ready to start commuting with the little beast now.

The shop where I went had a '98 Bimota Mantra with 188 miles on it. Very cool bike. Lots of fiber parts. They got it from some kind of divorce deal, the non-cycling wife ended up with it and wanted to sell. They're asking $9950. If only . . .

[Jonathan]

Originally Posted by Wickham Wonder

Hi Jonathan
You'll probably hear so much from me you'll get sick and tired of it. Always raving about the monster hayabusa etc etc. I guess the weather over there is more in tune with a bikers life than it is over here. But last time I was in the states, I found the speed limits a bit of a pain. And I like speed but I don't want to get shot for my trouble!!!! Well not yet anyway. Nice to hear from you though, take it easy.

Bill

Nah. It takes alot for me to get sick. LOL. I would love to hear lots about the hayabusa. Most people that I know that have one, just talk down about other bikes, because they feel their's is the best and nothing compares. I agree that the bike is awesome, but when you weigh the pros and cons, a regular rider doesnt need that type of power. Thats just my opinion.

The speed limit thing, I can agree with you on that. They tend to get one in trouble alot. When I was over in England, we moved along nicely. Leave it at that.

[Louis]

What? There's no speed limit in England?

[Wickham Wonder]

Hi Jonathan,

You know I am sometimes inclined to talk down other bikes; not so much these days. The Hayabusa though a great bike does have it's limitations. It's a heavy old thing although a lot of the weight does tend to vanish magically at certain points of the riding experience But my son-in-law just bought himself a new 'Blade - talk about happy as a sand-boy. Light bloke, lightish bike. Suits him. He loves it when I let him have a shot at the 'Busa and he's sometimes a scarier invididual than I am, but day to day bike, he likes something he can dominate; something you can do with the 'Busa, but not if it doesn't want you too!!! hahaha Sounds like a mad old git, you're absolutely right.

[The Chad]

A couple of things I'm not particularly fond of on the honda is the hard a$$ seat it has, and the thing scrapes the ground long befor my baby. A buddy of mine broke off the footpeg scrubber on his 954, and I didn't touch a darn thing on my bikr or my knee. The honda's are a great bike, and they preform quite well.

[Jonathan]

Originally Posted by Wickham Wonder

Hi Jonathan,

You know I am sometimes inclined to talk down other bikes; not so much these days. The Hayabusa though a great bike does have it's limitations. It's a heavy old thing although a lot of the weight does tend to vanish magically at certain points of the riding experience But my son-in-law just bought himself a new 'Blade - talk about happy as a sand-boy. Light bloke, lightish bike. Suits him. He loves it when I let him have a shot at the 'Busa and he's sometimes a scarier invididual than I am, but day to day bike, he likes something he can dominate; something you can do with the 'Busa, but not if it doesn't want you too!!! hahaha Sounds like a mad old git, you're absolutely right.

Well, Im glad that you dont talk down other bikes that much anymore. Most people who have a lower end bike have no other choice because of their budget. So, I dont do that.

I can see how your son in law would be happy as a sand-boy. LOL. Thats a great line, btw. I diff agree with you that the hayabusa isnt a everyday go to work bike. IMO, it for a long ride and fast ride on curves and straight aways when you want to have fun.