MetroiD Posted October 19, 2009 Posted October 19, 2009 (edited) Wow... I go away for a few weeks and you guys come up with the best thread ever! Finally, a place to discuss bikes!!! I noticed that Milan has set his sights on my chosen bike as well... I've also been planning to get a ZXR 400 for quite some time now - since I didn't want to get a 600cc straight away and instead would like to learn on a smaller bike. My intention is to get a 400 and then ride it a year or so, doing a few trackdays in the meantime so that I can gain enough confidence... That, and good skills, helps a lot out in the streets - along with concentration and awareness. And people rarely manage to truly master a bike when their first motorcycle is a 600+cc (by that I don't mean to insult anyone!!!). Unfortunately, out here the situation is pretty much the same as everywhere else in the world - only a bit worse. Noone looks out for bikers, so you're really on your own. Compared to that, Germany where I used to live a few years ago was a paradise - but that was pretty much normal, since there's a huge percentage of people on the road over there who ride bikes and drivers are very much used to them. In any case - a few months ago, I found my dreambike which was on sale here in Bulgaria... But I decided I shouldn't splash out all the money I have on that and it turned out that I'd made the right choice. In the meantime, a full set of modular houses (bar the Fire Brigade) and a plethora of train sets, plus some hockey equipment, has pretty much kept me off the thought of buying a bike. So after all these years of dreaming (that's been one of my biggest dreams ever since I was a little boy... and I DO mean little!), I still don't own a bike - the ironic thing is that I've got a perfectly fine pair of leather gloves and a leather jacket (both are Vanucci - which is not AlpineStars, but it's nevertheless a good choice in my opinion). Had a friend with whom we used to ride every other weekend in Germany and I did save his Blackbird from tipping over quite a few times... I guess I've got most of the gear and some pillion experience... It's high time I went for the real thing! Wish me luck for next season ;] My true dream however has always been owning a Triumph. I'm in love with pretty much every bike they've ever produced - even though I'm not a "classic bike" lover, the Thruxton and Boneville are simply mind-blowing. What I would very much like to ride one day is a Triumph Sprint S-kind of bike, since I really enjoy sport-tourers. However, I've tried the Sprint and I must admit its latest version is not too convincing... I feel it's a bit too heavy for my liking and it's one of the very few Triumphs whose looks I'm not particularly mad about. Now, the Daytona 675 and the Speed/ Street Triple... those are a different story. Btw, are there anyone S Triple owners here? I also have quite a few biker friends here, and most of them have decided to start a business with motorcycles or motorcycle equipment. Which is inspirational and a thing I might look into in a few years as well. For now however, I think I'll stick with my cards before starting up my own venture. Hopefully, they'll get me a bike soon enough :) Talking about cards - couldn't agree more with Big Cam by the way about the riding philosophy. My thoughts precisely. Godspeed to all of you, and ride safe ;] P.S.: Milan, congratulations mate!!! To be perfectly honest, I never knew there was a ZZR 500! A friend of mine was selling his ZZR 600 a few years ago, but I was still too young to legally ride a bike of that size back then - even though I really liked its looks and its smooth power curve (oh well, if you can say that about a Kawasaki's power curve anyway :D). That's pretty much the bike which convinced me that sport-tourers can be perfectly comfortable even if they're not 1000cc+. For now though, I'd really like to get something lighter ;] Have fun with that baby on the road Milan! Edited October 19, 2009 by TheOtters Quote
Big Cam Posted October 19, 2009 Posted October 19, 2009 I have purchased '94 Kawasaki ZZR 500! I bought it from a friend, he is mechanic, it was really cheap, and I consider it as a one year, next summer ride. I still have Peugeot scooter, which can rest a little bit now. Good thing is that I will probably sell Kawa at the end of year, and if I manage to keep my job, maybe buy something newer...but for now I have a reason to go to the garage and look at it, and maybe sit on it and make 'Vroom' noises at least until is winter Forgive me for being childish, this is my first big bike... Whoa, did you just get it today?!?! Congratulations man, keep the rubber side down! Quote
Captain Green Hair Posted October 19, 2009 Author Posted October 19, 2009 Yeah congrats Milan! I think our next event should be an EB ride out! Quote
MetroiD Posted October 19, 2009 Posted October 19, 2009 I'm in - as far as I can remember, you're over in Scandinavia, Milan's from Serbia... that should be doable... But I guess I'd better get me a bike first Quote
Big Cam Posted October 19, 2009 Posted October 19, 2009 Yeah congrats Milan! I think our next event should be an EB ride out! That would be awesome, btu I would probably not make it, since my bike doesn't float Quote
Captain Green Hair Posted October 19, 2009 Author Posted October 19, 2009 I'm in - as far as I can remember, you're over in Scandinavia..... I sometimes am, but most of the time i am in good old Amsterdam. And yeah you should get a bike, there's nothing more fun then riding. Quote
Milan Posted October 19, 2009 Posted October 19, 2009 Thanks fellow bike fans, yes today is THE day. We did the payment right now. It is still in friends garage, until I arrange mine. Ohhhh the shape, ohhhh the color, ohhhh the feeling seating on it, ohhhhh the smell of gasoline burning out! Ohhh. True bike fan in me has awaken. No sleeping for me tonight for sure...excitement is too great. As for ride out, I am always for that. We can't do it without Big Cam, so we will have to wait for his floating device TheOtters: ZXR400 was always my dreambike No.1 I am glad that we share same dream! It just looks more beefy and more muscled than most bikes that size. Quote
prateek Posted October 19, 2009 Posted October 19, 2009 Congrats Milan! That paint scheme just shouts 1990s for the win!!! Quote
MetroiD Posted October 20, 2009 Posted October 20, 2009 TheOtters: ZXR400 was always my dreambike No.1 I am glad that we share same dream! It just looks more beefy and more muscled than most bikes that size. And it SOUNDS fantastic! Especially with a nice Akrapovic slip-on I really should check whether that guy I was telling you abou has sold his old ZXR 400 by now... I hope I'll soon be able to follow you in becoming a proud bike owner! Once again, congrats, Milan! :) Quote
L-space Posted October 20, 2009 Posted October 20, 2009 I have purchased '94 Kawasaki ZZR 500!I bought it from a friend, he is mechanic, it was really cheap, and I consider it as a one year, next summer ride. I still have Peugeot scooter, which can rest a little bit now. Good thing is that I will probably sell Kawa at the end of year, and if I manage to keep my job, maybe buy something newer...but for now I have a reason to go to the garage and look at it, and maybe sit on it and make 'Vroom' noises at least until is winter Forgive me for being childish, this is my first big bike... Nothing wrong with making 'vroooom' noices untill the real thing is ready to gooooo! Just enjoy it, no matter what any one says. If you have to explain they don't understand. Quote
Big Cam Posted October 20, 2009 Posted October 20, 2009 Thanks fellow bike fans, yes today is THE day. We did the payment right now. It is still in friends garage, until I arrange mine. Ohhhh the shape, ohhhh the color, ohhhh the feeling seating on it, ohhhhh the smell of gasoline burning out! Ohhh. True bike fan in me has awaken. No sleeping for me tonight for sure...excitement is too great. As for ride out, I am always for that. We can't do it without Big Cam, so we will have to wait for his floating device TheOtters: ZXR400 was always my dreambike No.1 I am glad that we share same dream! It just looks more beefy and more muscled than most bikes that size. Thanks for including me, I'll have to transform my bike into a water worthy vessil like in Top Gear wear they turned little scooters into crappy jet ski type boats. Or I could start swimming now Quote
Milan Posted October 20, 2009 Posted October 20, 2009 Thanks for including me, I'll have to transform my bike into a water worthy vessil like in Top Gear wear they turned little scooters into crappy jet ski type boats.Or I could start swimming now If you watched Scrapheap challenge on Discovery you could see bike transformation, to water vessel! Very educative! Better hurry up building it if you want to get here to the Spring! Hmm, you are not of very much use without your R6 , so no swimming! Quote
MetroiD Posted October 20, 2009 Posted October 20, 2009 Scrapheap challenge... hmmm... that sounds like a good idea. Perhaps I could make my first bike a ratbike? Btw, what do you guys think of those? Have you seen actual ratbikes in person? I wouldn't have believed that if anyone told me so, but those thing actually smell terribly!!! Well, not all of them -- but I guess that run-down look really has to be achieved somehow Anyway, back on topic - Big Cam, have you heard about the guy who travelled the world on his Yamaha R1? He's from Holland and apparently 3 years around the world on the back of his Yam weren't enough, since he's doing an Alaska trip right now! If he can do that, I bet you can turn your R6 into a seaworthy vessel... Quote
Milan Posted October 21, 2009 Posted October 21, 2009 Congrats for your rank upgrade, TheOtters I have been watching Long Way Round with Ewan McGregor And Charley Boorman, on BMW R 1150 GS Adventure. Truly long and bumpy ride! There is also Long Way Down, but haven't seen it yet. Quote
Admiral Bejaune Posted October 21, 2009 Posted October 21, 2009 Im glad to see there many riders on this forum... I love motorcycles... I have had two.. One I still own and the other I sold... THey both are Yamaha R1, one was an 07 and the current one is an 08. Both in BLack or "Raven" is what Yamaha calls it I believe... I have my eye on the Ducati 1098 and I almost bought one a few months back.. but after seeing the 2009 R1, I might just go for that one! Read the specs of it... its and amazing bike. -Admiral Bejaune Quote
MetroiD Posted October 21, 2009 Posted October 21, 2009 Congrats for your rank upgrade, TheOtters Thanks Milan ;] 'Bout time :P I have been watching Long Way Round with Ewan McGregor And Charley Boorman, on BMW R 1150 GS Adventure. Truly long and bumpy ride!There is also Long Way Down, but haven't seen it yet. The Long Way Down is just as fascinating, Africa is a true challenge to any adventurer. As to the Long Way Round concept - a friend of mine is doing just that right now, he started his trip in June and was expecting to be back in Bulgaria by the end of January 2010. Last news I/we heard from him, he was at Vladivostok - he'd made the trip from the Bulgarian seaside to there within 111 days, and was preparing his documents for the ferry to Japan. Update: the guy's added photos from Japan! :thumbup: The website of his adventure is www.fireinside.bg. Unfortunately, for now it's just in Bulgarian, but I suppose he will translate it to English sooner rather than later, so you might wanna keep on eye ;) Admiral Béjaune, everyone keeps telling me that the new R1 is an unbelievavly awesome bike... There's gotta be a reason for that ;) And even though the Duke 1098 might beat Yamaha in the "exclusivity" category, I'm not 100% sure that your money would be well spent there. Unless of course you're a true Ducati admirer, in which case nothing I say would make a difference. Otherwise, I'd advise you to stay away from the 1098 - too much money for too much of a nutcracker ;) Whatever choice you make, good luck and do post pics when you've bought your new bike! Quote
Big Cam Posted October 21, 2009 Posted October 21, 2009 Im glad to see there many riders on this forum... I love motorcycles... I have had two.. One I still own and the other I sold... THey both are Yamaha R1, one was an 07 and the current one is an 08. Both in BLack or "Raven" is what Yamaha calls it I believe... I have my eye on the Ducati 1098 and I almost bought one a few months back.. but after seeing the 2009 R1, I might just go for that one! Read the specs of it... its and amazing bike.-Admiral Bejaune It is, I am thinking of swapping my exhaust for the new R6 because it's a shorty one. They always make the best improvements the year after you buy one. Quote
Milan Posted October 22, 2009 Posted October 22, 2009 While we are at traveling long distances on bikes, I have My Own Event. My friend (she) and I wanted to go to our Capitol Belgrade, to spend the day in her apartment there, and to travel there, of course on my Elyseo 50-scooter. I had to try that. Trip was about 110 km, approx 65 miles. Weather was fine, we packed our (lots of) stuff and went. But as I was trying to accelerate, poor 50ccm engine just could not pull two of us, our full gear, and full tank to proper speed. We went to the highway, to shorten our trip, and everything was fine, until we saw mayor roadwork. Highway lanes are narrowed and only one lane is drive-able, but at normal highway speed. Elyseo propelled us to about 45 km/h, and that was it, we slowed down the entire mayor highway. Cars somehow managed to pass us, but once the big truck came, and could not pass us, it was over. In my mirrors I saw vehicles as never before, literally hundreds of them, Somebody (or everybody) called the police and so we had police escort in front of us, to ensure no one tries to pass us. And so we drove about 1 hour like this, until roadworks ended. I felt like Terminator when he drove John Connor on Harley in front of the speeding T1000 in big truck behind them trying to smash them. Next time I borrowed my friends Aprilia RS 125 and traveled 100kmh Quote
MetroiD Posted October 22, 2009 Posted October 22, 2009 (edited) Milan, sounds like that must have been a terrible experience... That's the only reason why I don't like scooters - they're extremely practical, but can sometimes turn a good thing into a downright nightmare. I would have told you to consider getting a new bike on a lease after selling off the Elyseo. The new Suzuki Gladius 650 is supposed to be an affordable alternative, and so is the Ninja 250R - however, it is not sold in every country and I'm not sure how things are in neighbourly Serbia. For what it's worth though, I must say that I believe your ZZR beats both of those hands down ;) Btw, I know that our Greek friend Zorbas is also a huge bike fan, perhaps we could organize small Balkan LEGO scavenging bike tours at some point later on Edited October 22, 2009 by TheOtters Quote
Big Cam Posted October 22, 2009 Posted October 22, 2009 While we are at traveling long distances on bikes, I have My Own Event.My friend (she) and I wanted to go to our Capitol Belgrade, to spend the day in her apartment there, and to travel there, of course on my Elyseo 50-scooter. I had to try that. Trip was about 110 km, approx 65 miles. Weather was fine, we packed our (lots of) stuff and went. But as I was trying to accelerate, poor 50ccm engine just could not pull two of us, our full gear, and full tank to proper speed. We went to the highway, to shorten our trip, and everything was fine, until we saw mayor roadwork. Highway lanes are narrowed and only one lane is drive-able, but at normal highway speed. Elyseo propelled us to about 45 km/h, and that was it, we slowed down the entire mayor highway. Cars somehow managed to pass us, but once the big truck came, and could not pass us, it was over. In my mirrors I saw vehicles as never before, literally hundreds of them, Somebody (or everybody) called the police and so we had police escort in front of us, to ensure no one tries to pass us. And so we drove about 1 hour like this, until roadworks ended. I felt like Terminator when he drove John Connor on Harley in front of the speeding T1000 in big truck behind them trying to smash them. Next time I borrowed my friends Aprilia RS 125 and traveled 100kmh I hope you can see the humor in it now, looking in from a 3rd persons perspective, but I do feel for you, that would be a horrible event to take part in. I don't think I would have tried to take a scooter on a highway, I wouldn't feel to safe ion something that barely weighs more than a bicycle. Glad you made it without incident. Quote
Milan Posted October 22, 2009 Posted October 22, 2009 I hope you can see the humor in it now, looking in from a 3rd persons perspective, but I do feel for you, that would be a horrible event to take part in. I don't think I would have tried to take a scooter on a highway, I wouldn't feel to safe ion something that barely weighs more than a bicycle. Glad you made it without incident. Thanks, man, so do I! It was very foolish of me. I was younger, if that can be accept as excuse. Quote
L-space Posted October 22, 2009 Posted October 22, 2009 Thanks, man, so do I!It was very foolish of me. I was younger, if that can be accept as excuse. Maybe not an as excuse. But it will be a start of a long time of mythical stories in your family. "Remember when grandpa took of to Belgrade and controlled the highway?" Keep telling it and it will get better everytime. Quote
Big Cam Posted October 22, 2009 Posted October 22, 2009 Thanks, man, so do I!It was very foolish of me. I was younger, if that can be accept as excuse. No excuse necessary , if I had a scooter, I'm sure I would try something like that,........ even today. Quote
Captain Green Hair Posted October 22, 2009 Author Posted October 22, 2009 No excuse necessary , if I had a scooter, I'm sure I would try something like that,........ even today. Yeah screw the other traffic, i own the road! Quote
Milan Posted October 22, 2009 Posted October 22, 2009 Yeah screw the other traffic, i own the road! New age road warrior, on 50ccm! Quote
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