Are the new bikes that much better

Posted: Mon Feb 10, 2014 1:35 pm

During a lovely Sunday cruise on the weekend, I noticed a bike light coming up in my rear view mirrors. I was probably doing about 120kms through some lovely roads in the Gold Coast hinterland.when the bike caught up to me and passed me like I was standing still, with what looked to be great ease, then proceeded to pull away from me with the same ease. It was definitely a CBR Casey Stoner replica. I don't know what engine size, maybe 1000. It did make me wonder. Should I go and test ride one of these bikes? If I do will it make my 1100 feel that bad? He just made it look so easy. Shocked

Posted: Mon Feb 10, 2014 2:21 pm

Yes, new bikes are that much better. Lighter, faster, easier to handle, stop faster, start with a tap of the starter button, easy to tune with computers, lots of aftermarket parts available... you name it, it's better. Only thing old bikes have are character and looks. If you test drive a new bike, you may not want your old bike anymore. I know I choose my 2008 VFR every morning over my CB1100.

Posted: Mon Feb 10, 2014 2:53 pm

YES.

I just spent two days riding the canyons east of San Diego California on an R1, and was surprised to see us doing 70-90mph (120- 145 kph) in the corners with ease. I actually asked if the speedo was correct. We cruised at 90mph and hit 150mph very quickly at the twist of the throttle whenever we wanted to be a bit more spirited Very Happy

Some people don't like the riding position for long hauls, but each day we put 350 miles on the bikes ... I wasn't any more sore than riding my F.

Posted: Mon Feb 10, 2014 3:04 pm

yes

Twinstar Joined: Aug 03, 2010 Posts: 256 Location: se pa

Yes! Need both

Posted: Mon Feb 10, 2014 5:46 pm

Absolutely!

Some years ago I built a VFR750 streetbike from a mashed up wrecker (OK, not that modern), CBR900 front forks, superbike bars, high-level exhaust, permanent single seat cover, custom paint, etc. It was brilliant, so brilliant that I stopped riding my 985, and (now that I think about it) is probably why I sold my newly rebuilt RC (hello David).

It was necessary to sell it so that the others might live .... so now I stick with Fs and Rs and VF1000Rs ....

Regards,

Max

Posted: Mon Feb 10, 2014 6:03 pm

Yes. That's why spring 2015, I'll be an owner of a Kaw Z1000. It'll be nice having my 985F and a newer bike.

Posted: Mon Feb 10, 2014 9:56 pm

A buddy of mine has an 09 GSXR1000. At about 60 I turned it wide open in 3rd, banged 4th and put the front wheel down at well over 100 mph in about what seemed to be about a second and maybe a half.

New full liter sport bikes are nothing short of dangerous if you're stupid. Most of the showroom stock 600's will eat an 1100F for breakfast.

Posted: Tue Feb 11, 2014 12:15 am

Shawn_Mc wrote:

Most of the showroom stock 600's will eat an 1100F for breakfast.

Lighter, faster, better suspension, better brakes, better handling, cheaper insurance, even better gas mileage. You may even be able to use PODs! What's not to like? Very Happy

Posted: Tue Feb 11, 2014 1:43 am

Bucko wrote:

Shawn_Mc wrote:

Most of the showroom stock 600's will eat an 1100F for breakfast.

Lighter, faster, better suspension, better brakes, better handling, cheaper insurance, even better gas mileage. You may even be able to use PODs! What's not to like? Very Happy

All but the insurance, it's not cheap for a 600.

Posted: Tue Feb 11, 2014 2:53 am

Yes. Better in just about any measurable way. Just like a new Corvette is way better than a '67 big block. But just like the old vs. new Vette, which one would you rather take to the local bike night?

CB1100F Joined: Feb 17, 2009 Posts: 2105 Location: Oz

Better in every way except the old skool cool factor Cool

Posted: Tue Feb 11, 2014 10:45 am

Yes after all the posts and my current condition. Financial and physical I think I'll take the cool factor, for what is worth on the road. I don't think it would be smart to even test ride a new rocket at my stage of life. My bike feels better than the last road bike I rode 30 years ago. I'll just keep living my own dream. Fs are the best. Lol

Posted: Tue Feb 11, 2014 12:11 pm

My YZF600R isn't even that new ('98 I think) but does absolutely everything I need of it and then some and makes my 1100R feel agricultural in every aspect - hell the 600 would probably reach the same top speed.

It starts, handles and stops without cause for complaint.

I love it and use it through the winter as an everyday get about.

BUT… and it is a massive BUT… it lacks the charisma of the R… its a typical UJM and doesn't get anywhere near the attention the R does when it meets a crowd of bikers

Nice bike though

CB1100F Joined: Jun 18, 2006 Posts: 2527 Location: UK

Yes modern bikes are far superior in all ways

The most modern bike i owned was a 1997 Honda VFR750, Excellent Engine and Chassis, Brakes and the noise was awesome, nothing like the sound of a V4 @ 11000 rpm,and probably 15-20 mph quicker than my 1100f

But as many people have said you cannot beat the oldskool charisma of an 80's Superbike,and they always stand out in a crowd

Keith

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Posted: Wed Feb 12, 2014 2:35 am

yes.. it's easy to get spoiled. I bought a 2003 r6 for the track and liked it so much that I put plates on it.....rocket ship for sure. then for comfort I picked up a gen 2 FZ1 and really enjoy that...but one thing for sure..my old school 1100f is still a pleasure to ride even though it doesn't handle and brake like the new stuff ....but man it pulls like a freight train and still sends a chill down my spine when I open her up.

Posted: Wed Feb 12, 2014 8:04 pm

cb1187 wrote:

Bucko wrote:

Shawn_Mc wrote:

Most of the showroom stock 600's will eat an 1100F for breakfast.

Lighter, faster, better suspension, better brakes, better handling, cheaper insurance, even better gas mileage. You may even be able to use PODs! What's not to like? Very Happy

All but the insurance, it's not cheap for a 600.

It is here. Basic motorcycle insurance is based solely on engine size in BC. Now, if your bike is eligible for a collector plate (a nice shape 1100 would be) you can get a huge discount, but even then, a collector plated 600 would be cheaper than a collector plated, anything above a 600.

Tires for a 600 will likely be more expensive and you'll defiantly go through more of them Very Happy

Twinstar Joined: Dec 18, 2013 Posts: 255 Location: NC

There's a limit on the street. Everybody has their own.
At what I consider a sane street pace, the F bikes can keep up, if- you get the suspension upgraded a bit- good shocks and the right rate springs and emulators in the forks- and if you put light 17" wheels and good rubber on it, and if you learn to ride it well.
Any other chassis improvements will help you far more than more power. A fork brace. Get rid of weight. Good front brakes should go along with the 17" wheels. Get the footpegs up from stock so they don't drag all the time. Make the centerstand removable and don't take it with you.

Being old, I like to impress the young people with how capable these old bikes can be on the back roads and in the mountains.
More power never hurts...

Posted: Wed Feb 12, 2014 10:56 pm

Wide wrote:

At what I consider a sane street pace, the F bikes can keep up,

I would suggest the 'sane street pace' on a contemporary 600cc sport bike is noticeably higher than it is for these old heavy F's.

Posted: Wed Feb 12, 2014 11:52 pm

Yes.

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Posted: Thu Feb 13, 2014 12:01 am

I have to say, well first I have to say yes.

But then, I have to say, that it is really nice to see the number of VFR owners here!

I own my CB because I have wanted one since I first saw one, love the looks and now have made one my own as well. But, the V4 is my true love!

Posted: Thu Feb 13, 2014 4:53 am

SEBSPEED wrote:

I have to say, well first I have to say yes.

But then, I have to say, that it is really nice to see the number of VFR owners here!

I own my CB because I have wanted one since I first saw one, love the looks and now have made one my own as well. But, the V4 is my true love!

Yep, someday My VF's will look as close as I can make them to the bike in Sebs avatar. The first road race I ever went to was in 84 when I was 14. I will never forget the sound of Fred Merkal's HRC Interceptor going down PIR's front straight. That's why I bought one with a fully tuned motor with all the goodies. Carillo rods, Web cams, oversize SS valves, Wiseco Hi comp pistons and ported by one of the best local tuners. RIP Russ!

As far as new bikes go for the street. anything over 600cc should be outlawed. My FZ1 is a blast but I can't imagine a new rider getting on one and it happens daily. 150 plus HP goes a long way unless your name is Casey Stoner you don't really need that much.

Unless of course you love to wheelie! Shocked

I love all my bikes but the ones from the 80's are THE BEST!!

Keep it in a wheelie, JimmyJam.
There I said it. (inside joke with me) Shocked

Posted: Thu Feb 13, 2014 6:17 am

Take a read about the new Yamaha FZ09. Its replacing the FZ8, but its stats are sick.

115 hp
414 pounds.
3 cylinder naked street fighter.

ohhhh...I think I need a cigarette....

http://www.cyclenews.com/366/22362/Racing-Article/First-Ride--2014-Yamaha-FZ-09.aspx

Posted: Thu Feb 13, 2014 10:54 am

Just read an article on Tom Sykes WSB title winning ZX10. After riding it they said in every way it was easier to ride fast than the stocker. Traction control by killing one or two cylinders depended on wheel spin AND lean angle! They have sensors for everything you could possibly think of. This will all trickle down even more to street bikes so they will be even easier to ride way too fast. Tom Sykes does not have to dodge an idiot texting into your lane.

All of these doo dads come with a price tag however. I dont ride enough to justify anything more than my F. I like the torque, the easy reach to the bars and pegs, and the good looks. People still think its some kind of new model instead of a thirty year old Jap bike. I like that. Wink

Posted: Thu Feb 13, 2014 11:19 am

Fuel injection is got to be one of the best improvements by far with crappy E-gas we are all dealing with nowadays, no more clogged carb jets and they are easy to tune laptop.

Posted: Thu Feb 13, 2014 2:37 pm

I think the secret is the metallurgy... I could be wrong. The cylinder walls are different. The cams do not pit like the early models. The fueling was forced to change via emissions.

The bikes run smoother, start faster, have better mileage, tune simpler by using a powercommader type 'pig.' Right now, hidden HP in the bikes are now 'flashed,' where the pigs are about to turn obsolete.

HP can be flashed up to 212 HP without removing the valve cover, meaning, the world's fastest production bike = ZX-14 is today's benchmark.

Twinstar Joined: Dec 18, 2013 Posts: 255 Location: NC

Bucko wrote:

Wide wrote:

At what I consider a sane street pace, the F bikes can keep up,

I would suggest the 'sane street pace' on a contemporary 600cc sport bike is noticeably higher than it is for these old heavy F's.

Not for mine, which is fairly light (just over 500# with full fuel) and handles very much like my SV650 in the mountains, has a well set up suspension and good (F4i) front brakes with HH pads. If people want to start going over 80mph in twisty stuff, the front fork/chassis limitations start to become apparent, but over 80mph on public roads, even low traffic roads in the foothills of the Blue Ridge, isn't really sane.
Part of 'sane' takes into account the typical hazards encountered on back roads- animals, farm equipment, slow moving trucks, gravel and sand that wasn't there last time through, downed trees or tree limbs, people backing out of driveways or pulling out of side roads- and also the local law, who are (mostly) pretty easy going when you're going 65 or 70mph on a 55mph road, but start to get upset if they catch you doing 80mph or above. Especially if people are hanging off and dragging knees. I keep trying to teach these young guys not to do that on the street, but they insist...

Will a good rider on a modern 600 leave me on the racetrack? No problem. But they aren't waiting for me in the mountains.

Twinstar Joined: Dec 18, 2013 Posts: 255 Location: NC

Shawn_Mc wrote:

Take a read about the new Yamaha FZ09. Its replacing the FZ8, but its stats are sick.

115 hp
414 pounds.
3 cylinder naked street fighter.

ohhhh...I think I need a cigarette....

http://www.cyclenews.com/366/22362/Racing-Article/First-Ride--2014-Yamaha-FZ-09.aspx

I want one too! Sat on one last week at the local dealer, and, like you've read, the suspension feels pretty average, everything else, very nice. I'm waiting for a used one in a year or two, when my knees won't let me ride the RC-5 anymore. Crying or Very sad