The Obligatory Post Your Bike Topic

[RatsMC]

I love that shock on the ER-6N. I love it so much, I have been looking for a project bike to copy it on. Congrats. A new bike Is such a good thing. Hell, even getting a new scooter puts a big grin on your face.

Chakraist, My first thought would be the 636 but the 954 is alright but I haven't ever ridden one (although I've ridden most of the part from one, just on other bikes )

[heng47]

The 954 is alright but it's worlds apart from even the first gen 1000RR. If difference in price isn't that much over there, you should consider instead.

[DaveP]

Thanks Rats

The shock and the exhaust seem to get the most attention even from folk not into bikes.
I went for the ER6F as I intend to do a lot of miles on this one.

First impressions are very good, the build quality seems excellent, much better than my last bike which was a Ninja 250R though I think they both came from the same factory.

Maybe we should start a "real world" reviews section?

[Richo]

Dave, that rear shock does look excellent and would be the number one selling point for me.

Conrad, if I was you I'd be looking at the 636, but I guess it depends on what you want to do with the bike, commuting, long rides, track days etc. After recently completing a track day on my 2002 R1 I have put it on the market and am looking for something in the smaller class. The reason behind this is that at the track day a frined who was riding in a different group to me suggest I try his 2008 CBR600. I think I would have been 10 seconds quicker a lap on his "unfamiliar" bike. That ride just sold me on how easy these smaller bikes are to ride and how fast they are. I know a newer litre bike would handle better than mine, but frankly I dont think I need the horsepower and the 600cc bikes are quite a bit cheaper, so more bang for your buck

[RatsMC]

I am a strong proponent of learning to get to the limit on small bikes. I seriously thing anyone who does track days even semi regularly should do them on an EX250 until they have completely maxed the bike out. I think most people would be amazed at how much fun it is to actually ride at the limit.

[OZintheDesert]

Actually Rats I totally agree,,

I did some track days when younger on a ZXR250 and its was awesome. really hard to max it out even for a big guy like me. Eventually I got there and now I am playing on a ZX6R for track work.

[phil]

I am a strong proponent of learning to get to the limit on small bikes. I seriously thing anyone who does track days even semi regularly should do them on an EX250 until they have completely maxed the bike out. I think most people would be amazed at how much fun it is to actually ride at the limit.

I totally agree also, I want a RGV 250 or a cbr 400 type bike for that exact thing: the fun of riding the bike on the limit.

[RatsMC]

Back home in California, there is a guy that will rent EX250s for racing in the Ninja 250 class. Basically, you can go to the track, pay the guy a couple hundred dollars and be racing. The coll thing is that even the top bikes are only putting out about 3-4hp more than the rentals so you can actually be in there and you might even be able to win. The purse is also not bad at all.

[Richo]

Having a 250 to ride for track days would be great but unfortunately the budget does not allow me to have more than one bike, so I will be taking the compromise of going to a 600 (rather than the 1000). I think the 600 would be a better road bike than any 250 out there and also dont think I could put up with the horsepower drop from 150hp to whatever a 250 is offering. I am actually quite jealous of Gustav with his 250 two stroke race bike. Now that would be perfect for track days I think.

[RatsMC]

What? 38hp isn't enough?

[Richo]

What? 38hp isn't enough?

When trying to keep up with a mate on a 1098, probably not.

[TwoStroke Institute]

Having a 250 to ride for track days would be great but unfortunately the budget does not allow me to have more than one bike, so I will be taking the compromise of going to a 600 (rather than the 1000). I think the 600 would be a better road bike than any 250 out there and also dont think I could put up with the horsepower drop from 150hp to whatever a 250 is offering. I am actually quite jealous of Gustav with his 250 two stroke race bike. Now that would be perfect for track days I think.

Soap and water Richo. A post 98 Aprilia 250 with a few bolt on bits has you between 65-70HP on the wheel, the 1098 will leave you down Eastern Creek front straight BUT they will have to pass you first.

[Richo]

This sounds great until you look to buy one of these Aprillia 250's, a 1999 model is bringing more money than my 2002 R1 . My biggest problem is I have 3 daughters who keep spending all my money, nothing left for track bikes

[TwoStroke Institute]

There's a good reason for that Richo, sweetest handling ever. I do know that daughters can extract $$$ from you all to easily. I found mine trying to run my handicard through her toy eftpos machine.

[Richo]

Did I mention that mine are teenagers?

[heng47]

Then your next move is to get them hooked on bikes, get them on nice little learner bike, like say an RS250 or NSR250.

[chakraist]

Got a new bike!

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll? ... K:MEWNX:IT

It's a 2002 RSV Mille with 7500 miles on the clock. For £2150, which is a very, very small amount of money considering it's in such good condition. The Haga stickers have to go though. I get it sometime this week (or next, if the courier is as shit as I fear he might be).

[Richo]

Nice one chakraist, sounds like a bargain. I actually sold my 2002 R1 yesterday after advertising for quite a while. Delivering it to Melbourne this weekend. Now in the market for a late model supersport.

[TwoStroke Institute]

Pick this up while your down there

http://cgi.ebay.com.au/APRILIA-RS250-RS ... 4aa1997e00

[Richo]

That would be nice, a great track bike for sure. Would need some race glass and not much else. Very tempting.

[Richo]

I think this is how they ride RS250's in winter in Europe

[heng47]

So I dropped my bike while climbing an incredibly steeply inclined hairpin turn. Should have gone down to 1st gear but I stayed in 2nd instead because I thought I had enough power, but I let off the throttle to make the turn and the revs dropped too much so the engine stalled. Tried to keep it up with my leg but it was too heavy especially when leaned over at such at incline. It dropped and I fell off and rolled down the slope and landed with my legs over my head and couldn't get up. Must have looked hilarious to the guy behind me.

Still, it was a fairly light drop and I thought it would be fine but the right fairing split halfway through. Got home and pulled it apart and look what I found. Whoever broke it before patched it up very cleanly on the front but in the back were these little spindly metal wires that were melted into the fairing and covered with what looks like superglue. Can't believe how sloppy it looks. I'm going fix it the proper way, with resin and some glassfibre to strengthen it. Though to be honest, I quite like the look and feel of it without the upper cowl on. Off course, I could just leave it off since I'll be building my own stuff later but I prefer the look of a 'complete' bike.

[Gustav O]

As of Sunday...

[RatsMC]

So I dropped my bike...

Gah!

As of Sunday...

Gah again!

Gustav, I am guessing there is something in the race thread about this?

Heng47, glad to hear you are okay. Low speed falls are usually only bruising on the inside.

[JanBros]

I'm going fix it the proper way, with resin and some glassfibre to strengthen it.

glassfibre on plastic fairings ain't the proper way