What price satisfaction?

[GHEZZI]

After recent suspension experimentation/tuning I was really pleased with the ride quality, handling, feedback etc, but was left feeling like an old women as some here have accused me of being. While I may leave no 'Chicken strip' on the rear, the tyre doesn't look to be copping the hiding it used to get and I haven't been toe tapping the pavement much either. So I just accepted that I was turning into an old skirt.

Last Friday I hit my favorite 180 degree left hand blind sweeper sign posted at 60kph, max visibility, 50m. On the Guzzi it was always in my comfort zone at 125 and on a good day 135 if I could hold my rectal sphincter tight enough.

On the Hyper I have seen 144kph at the 3/4 point on many occassions, this at the outer edge of my comfort zone. Friday I'm cruisin' thru the bend, look down, 155kph. GET OUTA HERE!

Then the penny drops, dialling in the suspension = better feel = more confidence, also more turn in = more ground clearance = more corner speed = .

Several more corners on the way home had a similar speed increase which now confronts me with a big problem. If I get my jollies from pushing a bike to its limit in corners, then developing the Hyper can only bring diminishing returns. It's getting a little stressful trying to find it's limit, and when I do, the consequences?

I need either a paradigm shift or a step thru, at the moment I've settled for a track day at Morgan Park on Sept 19th. For the street I'll have to go back to "THE PACE" and be happy with smooth lines and accurate apexes.

Remember, "If you can't place the motorcycle EXACTLY where it needs to be, then YOU are out of control". Wayne Jeanneret

[mountainrider]

Originally Posted by GHEZZI

Then the penny drops, dialling in the suspension = better feel = more confidence, also more turn in = more ground clearance = more corner speed = .

On the Guzzi it was always in my comfort zone at 125 and on a good day 135 if I could hold my rectal sphincter tight enough.

It's getting a little stressful trying to find it's limit, and when I do, the consequences?

For Gawds Sake, stay away from the rear sets, Ghezzi!



Sounds as if you have a much safer ride now.

Don't you feel more confident and in control with the better set-up? Isn't your arse more relaxed at these higher corner speeds?

Most accidents are caused by siezure of the sphincter valve (running out of skill) or riding the bike past its limits. You've clearly raised the bikes limits and therefore, your safe "pace".

Just watch out for the Rovers and 'Roos. Relax and Ride On Brother!

[ADHD]

I feel that I am a pretty good rider. I do several track days a year and have had professional instruction. With that said, my corner speeds on the HM are bordering on ridiculous. It seems like the more I push the HM the more comfortable I feel. Then I think, am I even pushing? I easily outride similarly talented riding buddies on faster rigs. And, if I could clone myself, I would easily outrun me in all corners on my moddedtofrickenhell RC51. Who would have thought that one could have so much fun on an 85 hp motorcycle?

[GHEZZI]

Originally Posted by mountainrider

For Gawds Sake, stay away from the rear sets, Ghezzi!

1) Sounds as if you have a much safer ride now.

2) Don't you feel more confident and in control with the better set-up? Isn't your arse more relaxed at these higher corner speeds?

3) Most accidents are caused by siezure of the sphincter valve (running out of skill) or riding the bike past its limits. You've clearly raised the bikes limits and therefore, your safe "pace".

4) Just watch out for the Rovers and 'Roos. Relax and Ride On Brother!

1. Yes, the BIKE is much safer, more stable, composed etc.

2. I feel more confident to push harder/faster and yes, without imitating Rueben there is less chance of leaving skid marks.

3. At these higher speeds I have already exceeded my current skill levels, if I make a mistake, misjudge, fail to concentrate 110% etc it will all be over in a poofteenth of a nano second. But if I'm lucky my skill levels may catch up.

4. That's the one non-computable error. We can ride a patch to check for dirt/oil/water etc before going back for a serious play. But there are no guarantees with other animals and vehicles.

[GHEZZI]

Originally Posted by ADHD

I feel that I am a pretty good rider. I do several track days a year and have had professional instruction. With that said, my corner speeds on the HM are bordering on ridiculous. It seems like the more I push the HM the more comfortable I feel. Then I think, am I even pushing? I easily outride similarly talented riding buddies on faster rigs. And, if I could clone myself, I would easily outrun me in all corners on my moddedtofrickenhell RC51. Who would have thought that one could have so much fun on an 85 hp motorcycle?

I agree with you whole heartedly and am glad I'm not the only troubled soul in this regard. EGO is a dirty word, it lets most of us think we are Valentino. When we ride alone we can push ourselves to the edge and enjoy cheating death, albeit with varying margins of safety. But when we ride in a group, EGO can take us beyond the point of no return.

I find the best medicine is to be riding alone, pushing along at 'MY PACE' when suddenly some ol' fart on an ancient Bimmer or Norton just flies around the outside and dissappears through the next series or bends. Puts things in perspective and brings you down to Earth, dunnit'.

Trouble is, this aint happened for a long time now. Thought, ...................... maybe we've become the ol' farts on the under powered bike keeping the rest of motorcycledom in check?

[ADHD]

Originally Posted by GHEZZI

I agree with you whole heartedly and am glad I'm not the only troubled soul in this regard. EGO is a dirty word, it lets most of us think we are Valentino. When we ride alone we can push ourselves to the edge and enjoy cheating death, albeit with varying margins of safety. But when we ride in a group, EGO can take us beyond the point of no return.

I find the best medicine is to be riding alone, pushing along at 'MY PACE' when suddenly some ol' fart on an ancient Bimmer or Norton just flies around the outside and dissappears through the next series or bends. Puts things in perspective and brings you down to Earth, dunnit'.

Trouble is, this aint happened for a long time now. Thought, ...................... maybe we've become the ol' farts on the under powered bike keeping the rest of motorcycledom in check?

Being the ole' fart on an underpowered bike suits me just fine! I'll get less looks by the local constabulary while having the time of my life!

[lelenb]

It is amazing how much feed back this bike gives. I put a different tire on the back and the bike felt off to me. I played with tire pressure and adjusted the rebound and what a difference small changes made to me. That said it shows how important it is to take the time dial in the bike. I have ridden three Hypers now, including mine, and it is surprising how different each bike felt. I do need a stiffer rear spring and I am going to try running a lighter suspension fluid in my fork so I am not completely set on how the bike is, but it feels good in the corners and holds a line well.

I am curious how much sag everybody is running on the rear?

[ADHD]

Originally Posted by lelenb

It is amazing how much feed back this bike gives.

I agree. I wonder if it has anything to do with Ducati's steel trellis frame vs. the twin spar aluminum frames that the Japanese manufacturers use in their motorcycles. When I was an avid mountain biker, I opted for the steel frame albeit heavier than aluminum because of the way the steel frame felt beneath me.

[ZoeTard]

Originally Posted by lelenb

That said it shows how important it is to take the time dial in the bike.

+1, I've been amazed at the difference in handling with a few turns of a screwdriver/wrench, you can really feel the difference.