Go Fast, Get Naked

"Andrew Fails" (fails) 01/17/2016 at 17:10 • Filed to: motorcycles, Suzuki, Yamaha, R6, R1, Kawasaki, SV650, H2R, Hayabusa

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That’s what everyone wants, right? If your bike doesn’t have one hundred and fifty horsepower, while weighing less than four hundred pounds, you might as well peddle your Big Wheel back to your mom’s house. If you can’t do a buck eighty, what the fuck are you doing with your life? Why bother? Every year, the sportbikes get faster, and faster, and faster.

Stripped down R1s trying to shave every gram of weight.

Turbocharged Hayabusas running nitrous oxide.

Supercharged H2Rs with goddamn wings on them.

God.

Damn.

Wings.

That’s the level we’re at now.

Of course, some of this is just for internet points. Because how will your neighbor know that you’re better than him unless you can prove that Sportmotorbikercyclist World Week Rider said yours has a top speed that’s an eighth of a mile an hour higher than theirs? If bigger is better, then bigger numbers mean that YOU are better. Obviously. That’s just science.

Of course, from this, we can infer a great deal. If a high number on the paper is good, then a high number on the speedometer is better. The farther that number climbs, the tighter your jeans get. That’s why sportbikes exist, right? The exhilaration of sensation that sensation that only comes with going full plaid on the interstate. Just a bullet made of science and fury.

But, there may be another way to chase that rush on two wheels. It’s simple: get naked. I’m not saying to drop trou, and let the wind flow through your short and curlies, but if that’s what does it for you, feel free. Just watch out for bugs. Nobody wants to take a cicada to the groin at highway speeds. Instead, leave your britches on, and strip the bike instead. For those confused, a naked bike is a sportbike with all the extra bits thrown away. Keep the same engine, but ditch the fairings, and throw some higher dirt style handlebars.

Of course, all those fairings and windscreens serve a purpose: they reduce drag, and allow you to slip through the air easier than a frat boy slips into latent homosexuality. While they do block the wind, they also block the sensation. A while back, I borrowed a friend’s Yamaha R6. While it was certainly an impressive feat of engineering, I would never want one as a street bike. The combination of that powerband clad in all its Tupperware meant that nothing ever felt fast. I routinely hit triple digit speeds entirely on accident, because I had lost all speed indicators. It was too easy to cruise along, wondering why everyone else on the road was so slow, until I looked down and saw the numbers on the gauge cluster.

Of course the ability to ride at that velocity is amusing from a storytelling perspective. Howeverw it wasn’t very interesting from a physical standpoint. What is the fun in doing a hundred and thirty when it feels exactly the same as sixty? Sure, you’ll pass more people, but the experience is largely unchanged. I’m not running for lap times, I’m just trying to have fun. Any sportbike will outrun 99% of cars on the road as it is. Hell, a 250 can outrun some cars I’ve owned. So if there’s no thrill, what’s the point.

On my SV650, I’m never going to run at those speeds. Some of that is a gearing issue, but more of it is due to the fact that triple digits without a windshield get pretty damn unpleasant. At highway speeds, the wind becomes a physical thing to battle. It will try to strangle you with your own collar. It will pummel your head and shoulders. To try and eke out those extra few miles per hour, you wind up going full cafe racer, chin inches off the tank, knees tucked in tight against the tank, trying to streamline your entire body.

Full fairings make sense on the track where every mile per hour counts, but on the street, where the only objective is amusement, they get in the way. I don’t ride motorcycles to set records, I ride them for fun. !!!error: Indecipherable SUB-paragraph formatting!!! . Sure, I’m a bit hypocritical, because as much as I rant about the purity of sensation, I do still wear a full face helmet and jacket. Would ditching those be more exciting? Absolutely. But then I’d risk my moneymaker. I’m just too goddamn pretty to risk my face.

So if you’re going to keep your own pants on, the least you can do is let your motorcycle go Full Monty.

!!! UNKNOWN CONTENT TYPE !!!

Fails is a freelance photographer who sometimes pretends to be literate. You can follow him on !!!error: Indecipherable SUB-paragraph formatting!!! or see his portfolio !!!error: Indecipherable SUB-paragraph formatting!!! . He is talking in third person because it makes him feel mysterious.

For Sweden > Andrew Fails 01/17/2016 at 17:16

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Or you could be like David Bowie and slip back into latent heterosexuality.

Damn turncoat.

slipperysallylikespenguins > Andrew Fails 01/17/2016 at 17:20

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As someone who likes to travel, I much prefer the half fairing on my SV650S to its naked brother.

Birddog > For Sweden 01/17/2016 at 17:20

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BWAHAHA!

Now, to clean up this spilled beer..

bob and john > Andrew Fails 01/17/2016 at 17:23

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my thinks the SV looks best fully faired :D

Chasaboo > Andrew Fails 01/17/2016 at 17:47

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Dudes at work have Harleys. You ain’t got a Harley, you’re a god damn Commie. I ride a Honda. I don’t care.

Scott > Andrew Fails 01/17/2016 at 17:51

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What can I say I guess I’m Bi... I like full fairing, and I like a little necked fun. What ever best serves the fun factor.

upsidaisy > Chasaboo 01/17/2016 at 17:52

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Whereas I’m of the opinion if you ride a Harley, you're a big fat idiot. I loved my Honda 919, best bike I've ever owned.

UKPDXWRX > Andrew Fails 01/17/2016 at 17:53

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Your argument is 100% true for someone that only rides street and 100% wrong for someone that sets foot on a racetrack ever.

If you never go to the track there is no reason to buy a supersport, it is silly to do so, you will not go any faster than a naked bike because you can never leverage the extra performance fully and you will be uncomfortable.

However, if you can only have one bike, and wish to attend track days, which are - I’m sorry, the best thing you can do on pavement on a motorcycle that doesn’t involve traversing patagonia, then you compromise and ride a supersport on the street.

Because track days are best. Track days = best. They are better than most other things.

Andrew Fails > UKPDXWRX 01/17/2016 at 17:54

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I wish there was a track near me.

UKPDXWRX > Andrew Fails 01/17/2016 at 17:55

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How far is far? I’m a lucky MF’er to have one literally 20 minutes away, but I gladly drive hours away, camp overnight on a concrete slap in BFE, and ride other ones. It’s worth it!

Alex > Andrew Fails 01/17/2016 at 18:01

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I think some find that the naked bikes cause the body to feel more of the wind, which can actually be physically exhausting for longer rides, especially due to their lack of a windscreen. Those double-bubbles make a noticeable difference for not getting blasted in the face all day.

but the same goes for hunching over on a sportbike for extended periods of time, which is hard on the wrists/back/shoulders/soul

personally, that single round headlight that seems to be thrown on every “naked” bike I see is kinda off putting.

But what do I know, I rode a purple motorcycle for 4 years

Andrew Fails > UKPDXWRX 01/17/2016 at 18:02

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To put things in perspective, there is only one 1/4mi dragstrip in my entire state, and no road courses.. Apparently there’s a track about 3hrs from me in another state though.

Alex > bob and john 01/17/2016 at 18:03

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agreed

MB > Andrew Fails 01/17/2016 at 18:07

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Sounds like the two-wheeled equivalent of “slow car fast”.

Andrew Fails > MB 01/17/2016 at 18:08

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Very true. And I do love slow cars.

UKPDXWRX > Andrew Fails 01/17/2016 at 18:09

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Three hours isn’t too bad, I drive two hours to one, and guys I know drive all the way to NorCal from Washington to hit tracks there when the weather turns.

See if an organization does a two day event there, then you can make a weekend out of it, camp at the track, have a grand old time.

Clapped out used race bikes and track bikes go for peanuts on Craigslist for what they are too and if you drop em you’re like ¯\_()_/¯

willmederski > Andrew Fails 01/17/2016 at 18:10

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interesting perspective, but i ride full fairing for the reason that it’s a little quieter (both muffling engine noise, and wind noise) and i find the wind whips the bike around less. (that’s also partly the tucked riding position of a sportbike, vs most naked bikes that are more upright)

and also because my FZR ain’t the prettiest naked...

but seriously, an argument for taking your fairings off because “more exciting”??

cool story bro.

QuikThink > Andrew Fails 01/17/2016 at 18:12

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considering how many small displacement nakeds there are now, I couldn’t be happier that I’m in the market for a bike. I’ve been looking for a small (500cc or less) bike for my 5 mile daily commute. It would be a bicycle if I didn’t live on the street that would make Lombard St. blush.

I hope the new baby beemer ends up being a well-put-together bike. I also home Yamaha decides to bring the MT-03 to the US market.

Doctor-G-and-the-wagen > For Sweden 01/17/2016 at 18:16

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Too soon D:

The English Guy > Andrew Fails 01/17/2016 at 18:35

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Eeking out every last bit of speed, chin to the tank, on an SV650 is 115mph.

Fastest I’ve found a non track road in the US is a good thirty some less than that.

Pulling thirty plus over tends to be felony reckless driving not the usual “Fifteen over? Let me waft a slap at your wrist that you can keep off your record if you fill our coffers with the traffic school scam.”

I don’t like jail.

Remind me again why I care whether a bike is fared, has a liter plus, fins or any of that other stuff I can’t, in any way, use off a track?

Every time I see a squid talking about how awesome their skillz are, I’m left thinking, “As you ride it a two tenths or three tenths of what it’s capable of?” If they're annihilating speed limits and blasting into oncoming traffic as they cross center lines, on turns they can't see through, I'm willing to accept some of them demonstrate three and a half tenths mastery.

Halfton81 > Chasaboo 01/17/2016 at 18:37

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Used to work somewhere like that. Reminding the guys that my 15 year old VFR “street fighter” (read: I was too cheap to buy new fairings) was cheaper, louder, faster, etc etc than their Harleys didn’t help.

But it did make me feel warm and fuzzy inside when it shut them the fuck up.

XJDano > Chasaboo 01/17/2016 at 18:39

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My old Honda we called H-Bike. I have another just like it again.

Ryanator122 > Chasaboo 01/17/2016 at 18:42

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Jokes on them, their bikes are heavy AF and probably break down a ton

200 Touring > Andrew Fails 01/17/2016 at 18:42

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That SV650 looks pretty sexy when naked, not a fan of the full cowled.

Zaggie > Andrew Fails 01/17/2016 at 18:43

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Until we’re riding to our friend’s house in the country. Then my naked brethern hop on the back of my BMW R1150GS and I shuttle them up the washed out fire road up to the house.

Or when we’re on the barely maintained road thru the state park where those additional inches of suspension having me waiting for them at the end of road while they pick their way thru more gently than a coked up model thru a steak.

Or when I pull my rain gear out of my side case, tuck in behind my fairing, and push on to my nice, warm home while they huddle under the freeway overpass.

Or when we’re stopped at our third fill-up of the day and they are looking for an excuse to call it a day and my back and knees are still good for another hundred miles or more.

The English Guy > Alex 01/17/2016 at 18:43

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Rode 11,000+ miles, through all 48 contiguous states, in a month, none of it with a windshield....

If they find riding without a windshield physically exhausting, I’d recommend kegels to tone up whatever they apparently have in place of a neck. ;)

Seriously though: Ride more. If any amount of riding, at close to legal speeds, exhausts them for want of a windshield, that’s just Mother Nature telling them a little more riding time and muscle development might be good for them.

(Person with inevitable “but I have leprosy and...” story accepted.)

Ryanator122 > UKPDXWRX 01/17/2016 at 18:44

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So you go to Thunderhill huh? Can't imagine Sonoma or Laguna being any drier

Alex > The English Guy 01/17/2016 at 18:45

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I’ll take your advice into consideration, although I have leprosy

AlBosnien > Chasaboo 01/17/2016 at 18:47

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Just bought a Victory bagger and all I got was “it’s not a Harley” I said “Isn’t that the point? “

The English Guy > UKPDXWRX 01/17/2016 at 18:50

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Accepting the excellence of track days...

Would you say the percentage of liter bikes with farings, fins, modified gearings, etc... that will ever see a track day... is greater or less than ten?

I don’t dispute that track days are excellent. I just see riders who NEED trackable bikes being similar to drivers who NEED lifted, off road capable, Got Dirt? stickered pick ups. True for some, but a very low percentage.

Andrew Fails > 200 Touring 01/17/2016 at 18:51

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I love it! Not a big fan of the color, but I got it for a good deal, so couldn’t complain too much.

Coyote/Guard_PP > Andrew Fails 01/17/2016 at 18:51

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Ruff riders baby! Full plaid, bitches!

aae42 > upsidaisy 01/17/2016 at 18:54

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love the 919s, a broke me about 8 years ago wanted one so bad and ended up with a ‘97 bandit 1200 (a bikini faired bike that got it’s bikini removed :D), which i love to this day, even with 45k on the clock i will never feel the need to upgrade, because i share the same views as the author of this article... the only bike that really interests me at the moment are the electric ones, something about commuting on one seems like a really good idea to me...

i have no desire to measure dicks with the guys on the S1000RRs and Busas

i’ve been 165mph and i’m quite comfortable with how quickly my bandit can get me there...

Sky Captain Obvious > Andrew Fails 01/17/2016 at 18:55

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Yessss!!!! Now that I’m back in LA, I’m on the hunt for another SV! This is shot literally could be of my last ride. My google image search has been loaded with various shots of naked SVs the last two weeks. Damn it Oppo. Now my bank account is about to get lightened up even sooner.

200 Touring > Andrew Fails 01/17/2016 at 18:56

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Eh, a few spray cans in the color of your choice can fix that, even Plasti-Dip if you want it to be reverseable!

Steve_Kamrad > Andrew Fails 01/17/2016 at 19:01

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Someone likes to say “of course”.

I do agree with Mr. Fails. This is very similar to the “riding a slow bike fast is more fun than riding a fast bike slow.”

me > UKPDXWRX 01/17/2016 at 19:06

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I’m no motorcyclist; I’ll be honest, I don’t trust myself not so become a crimson smudge on a dual carridgeway within 3.5 hours of purchacing a motorbike, but it seems to me that, while a proper supersport might make things, say, 100% better when on the track compared to a naked, but 10% worse on general road usage, and you spend, say, 5% of your ride time on the track, then that means that, in total, buying a supersport makes your motorcycle-based life approximately 10% worse. Of course, it’s up to you as to what the actual percentages are, but it’s often better to comprimise the other way, to make things better on a day-to-day basis.

Andrew Fails > Steve_Kamrad 01/17/2016 at 19:07

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I...did not notice that.

Joneez > Andrew Fails 01/17/2016 at 19:10

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My nakeds-

I prefer to be able to look at my machinery and you can’t do that when you cover it in plastic.

The English Guy > Alex 01/17/2016 at 19:13

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Well now I feel like a jerk!*

*was also a jerk beforehand.

ptak appreciates old racecars > Andrew Fails 01/17/2016 at 19:21

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I bet you don’t need that fender. Or that rear brake. Or the mirrors, lights and license plate holder. Or that entire rear section. You certainly don’t need the muffler. I bet you could drill the frame too. You could add some cream tires though, maybe get the bars down low as well... :D

DonKeybals > Chasaboo 01/17/2016 at 19:25

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They look like tools. You look like a biker. They'll get into unprovoked fights, or end up backing down because they're pussies. Either way, you win. By a lot.

Danger > Alex 01/17/2016 at 19:27

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I appreciate your input, despite the purple moto haha.

DonKeybals > Andrew Fails 01/17/2016 at 19:28

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So, where are you actually going to use all that horsepower legally, let alone safely? I doubt all the R1 and ‘Busa owners are booking track times to wring out their bikes. And don't people in this country ride to have fun, to take things off their minds? Why the hell would anyone want to be bothered with trying to control a beast that packs that much power. Give me enough power, an open road, and good weather. That's all I need.

Andrew Fails > DonKeybals 01/17/2016 at 19:30

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My point exactly. My bike has 73hp, which is totally enough for me.

Steve_Kamrad > Andrew Fails 01/17/2016 at 19:34

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One time I wrote something and showed it to thee Sean MacDonald of Lanesplitter. I used the word “If” to start the first two sentences. He called me on it. Best advice I ever got. That and some line I wrote about “be able to say yes!” And he said it sounded like a line from a infomercial for foot fungus powder.

Andrew Fails > Steve_Kamrad 01/17/2016 at 19:36

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I am terrible at proofreading my own stuff.

Alex > Danger 01/17/2016 at 19:36

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1994 Fzr 600 Genesis - looked like a planet fitness ad

farscythe - makin da cawfee! > UKPDXWRX 01/17/2016 at 19:39

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i live within spitting distance of the TT assen track

unfortunatly i killed my bike.. n the missus now gets nervous if i so much as look at one... so.. fat lot of good its doing me... guess ill just listen to the others every weekend

Owner of '06 C55 & '09 R1 > Andrew Fails 01/17/2016 at 19:40

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My younger brother had a yellow Gixxer like that, every time I rode it, it kept asking: “Where would you like to shred today?” On the other hand, my older brother has a ‘98 SV650. When I ride the SV650, I’m usually not in a rush while riding at 100%.

Andrew Fails > Owner of '06 C55 & '09 R1 01/17/2016 at 19:42

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Any time I ride something like a GSX-R or R6, I keep thinking “I’m going to jail today.”

joykill > Andrew Fails 01/17/2016 at 20:07

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I love my 2104 Aprilia Tuono. With my personal ergonomics, I could never get comfortable on a super bike, though I relish the opportunistic blast on my friends’ KTM RC 1190 and the Ninja 1000R for short periods. For me, the Tuono is the cross between a hooligan supermoto and the super bike combining the important factors. Fast, fun, more affordable, more comfortable but not stupid-kill-myself-fast.

frankfan42x > Andrew Fails 01/17/2016 at 20:08

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Riding is a great and enjoyable thing. Fairings are NOT evil, they allow interstate speeds and travel without undue fatigue from fighting the wind. But they do dull the feel of the wind, and add weight and complexity and are easily damaged in a drop.

Here’s a thought- ride whatever the hell you like, or have. Just ride. Truth be told a 250 is faster than some cars, and anything 500cc and over is plenty of power unless you are touring two up. Don’t let the bullshitters bullshit you.

WhereInThe > The English Guy 01/17/2016 at 20:10

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I was one of those guys. The race replicas are just the bikes I always thought were cool. It wasn’t about need. It was just what I wanted and isn’t that motorcycling in general? No one *needs* to ride. We want to.

That said, I got into track days around a year after I started riding, upgraded to a superbike, and realized that riding a superbike on public roads is just pointless. Italian rubber costs way too much money to be wasting it commuting or “hittin the twisties hard” which only really amounts to novice group round robin pace.

Yamidan > Andrew Fails 01/17/2016 at 20:15

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Yep, years ago in my early 20s’ I had an R6 with a fully built crate engine in it. Good god that thing would get me into trouble a lot. It was the last of the carby R6s and ran like a pig if you were doing less than 80km/h. Rolling away from red lights or stop signs was a choice between 1) stall, 2) slip the clutch like crazy and rev the hell out of it or, 3) leave a black line. Once you put the track wheels on it and went out on a closed circuit though that thing was awesome, always came in with a pac man grin.

RT MOTO > Andrew Fails 01/17/2016 at 20:16

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I’m all on board with what you’re saying. I have managed to outlive/outlast the sport bike phase and I am glad to do so. It was a great experience and I may some day buy another but it would only be for the track. They do look sexy af but I think the times I would stare at it would outnumber the times I would ride it. I have a Sport 1000 that I love and enjoy way more than anything else I have ever ridden. The naked phase has been here for me for a while and I like it a lot.

catzo5 > Andrew Fails 01/17/2016 at 20:23

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So true. I have a yamaha fz6, its almost totally naked but has the engine from the r6 retuned for more slightly more torque. Way more sensation and more low end so more usable.

Although it does have a windscreen thank god

Crow > Chasaboo 01/17/2016 at 20:44

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I have gotten that attitue from many H-D owners, until I point out my USMC sticker on my helmet, and the USMC license plate frame. They tend to mumble something, and then wobble away with their straight pipes blaring.

At least, that describes the in-town posers. The riders you tend to meet on the backroads are usually cool.

Frankenbike666 > Andrew Fails 01/17/2016 at 20:59

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There is only one sport bike I’ve ever wanted. The Triumph Sprint RS. It wasn’t completely naked, but it had less fairing. Might still get a used one if I have some spare cash someday. Though really, I could just as easily go for light fork mounted fairing.

As opposed to this:

Nick George > Andrew Fails 01/17/2016 at 21:18

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Just bought my first bike and it’s a naked, a Honda CB500F. Absolutely love it.

lingenfelter > Andrew Fails 01/17/2016 at 21:25

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I like naked bikes, but the full fairings on my R6 make washing the bike a very quick task. Not sure how I’d feel trying to get the dirt out of all the nooks and crannies of a naked bike.

Decay buys too many beaters > Andrew Fails 01/17/2016 at 21:30

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I like the cut of your jib, didn’t know there were other SV riders here besides Peter and I.

Here’s my baby.

Andrew Fails > lingenfelter 01/17/2016 at 21:34

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What is this “washing” you speak of?

Andrew Fails > Decay buys too many beaters 01/17/2016 at 21:35

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The previous owner of mine changed it from blue to orange. I’m jealous of your color.

UKPDXWRX > The English Guy 01/17/2016 at 21:36

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You’d be surprised, at least where I’m at I’d say a little less than half of the guys with supersports have done at least one track day. But then again I live in a area that tends to be older guys and less of the 19 y/o with an 05 CBR deal.

Nick Chandler > Sky Captain Obvious 01/17/2016 at 21:38

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I was in the same boat...until a Honda 919 came strutting across my Craigslist.

SNYDAMAAN > Andrew Fails 01/17/2016 at 21:51

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Naked bikes are a lot of fun, unless you ride mostly freeway. That's the reason I sold mine. Got a zx6r and a quiet helmet, now I can relax and actually hear my own thoughts over the wind noise.

PardonMyFlemish16 > Andrew Fails 01/17/2016 at 21:55

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I wish they made more faired standards, like the Ninja 1000. For me having good ergos trumps a fairing, but I would really love to have both, and the N1K is a boat.

MK6GTI-now with added Miata > Andrew Fails 01/17/2016 at 21:57

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I just got a 2013 CBR250R for super cheap. It’s my first bike and I’m having a blast getting to know it. I think slow bike fast is better than fast bike slow, but I wouldn’t mind a little more juice. My next bike is gonna be nekkid too.

Cowpieapex > Scott 01/17/2016 at 22:02

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The only “rational” solution is one of each!

Ornery Duck Is Always The Answer > Alex 01/17/2016 at 22:08

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How do you feel about two round headlights?

Cowpieapex > DonKeybals 01/17/2016 at 22:08

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When the choice is between a lightning-strike overtake or following a row of lumbering RVs over my favorite sinuous mountain roads, a few extra ponies are always welcome.

icelandr > Alex 01/17/2016 at 22:42

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Kind of like snowmobiles then, except they are mostly sold with the useless short windshield for styling. The ones we have to test have somewhat of a windshield although it still buffets your helmet. We have a windshield for the sole fact it gets super cold out. Was riding yesterday with air temps of -10F and wind chill standing still was -20 - -35F at times, then add in running 60+ a majority of the time. It was pretty cold out.

I did get my first bike a few months ago after riding season, and although only a dirt bike I expect to pick up a street bike in the next year or 2.

Daveinva > Nick George 01/17/2016 at 22:43

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Woohoo! CB500F riders in da house! I own a black 2014, and I can attest to the accuracy of this posting. The bike reminds you of the speed limit any time you approach it, the wind will just smack you right in the face and chest.

I had a hard time holding 65 mph comfortably on the bike until I picked up a windscreen ( the Puig ). You do lose a little bit of the naked look, but you get another 10-15 mph of comfort out of it, it’s worth the tradeoff to me.

Safe riding!

atfsgeoff > Andrew Fails 01/17/2016 at 23:10

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You should do the exact opposite. Full shell fairings!

Andrew's Ennui > Chasaboo 01/17/2016 at 23:14

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Wow, aren’t you the iconoclast.

Andrew Fails > atfsgeoff 01/17/2016 at 23:15

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Check out the lean angle clearance on that!

Alex > icelandr 01/17/2016 at 23:16

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I learned on an ‘03 cbr 600 f4i and the difference between the stock windshield (which apparently was just for show) and the double bubble was night and day. The double really gets the wind up out of your face whereas the other one made you feel like you were face to face with one of those high efficiency hand dryers

Alex > Ornery Duck Is Always The Answer 01/17/2016 at 23:20

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Oh god even worse, I think what I don’t like s the fact that it doesn’t look like it belongs. They jut out like an afterthought, kinda like the hard top on the original dodge vipers. I’ve seen a select few I liked but they had the mini fairing on them to make it look a little more natural. Also some of the larger bikes that are “naked” or .. “streetfighters” you can see the huge radiator behind the forks and it’s just an unnatural look

This is tolerable

DangerRanger > Andrew Fails 01/17/2016 at 23:45

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I ride an ‘06 Sportster. Naked is what I do. I have clip-on handlebars and a Sporty looking 2 into 1 exhaust, but in the end it’s still an 883 Sportster. It’s all about the feeling of riding.

You are probably faster than me, no matter what motorcycle you ride. I have enough fun pushing my own limits.

Airchompers > Chasaboo 01/18/2016 at 00:06

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I’ve always thought that Suzuki made the most mazda-like motorcycles. Why’d you get a Honda?

MadisonSuicide > Chasaboo 01/18/2016 at 00:23

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And they have an Indian, Taiwanese, Mexican, Germany ....I remember fondly the first time I handed a metric wrench to a guy on an HD.
I don’t really care or bothered much by it, and I don’t think it makes HD any less attractive or worse or whatever, but damn I get sick of hearing “get a real bike” and “buy American” yelled over a blipping throttle like the ignorant attempt at an insult that it is.

Eddie Brannan > Zaggie 01/18/2016 at 00:25

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Sure, but you’re comparing a Landcruiser to a Miata.

ScrotumKnots > Andrew Fails 01/18/2016 at 00:31

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I can see the track from my house.

Eddie Brannan > Steve_Kamrad 01/18/2016 at 00:33

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I’d be curious to see what you wrote. To my mind opening a piece with “If you like to do X then A is the right choice. If, however, you prefer Y and Z, then you must do B and C…” is perfectly acceptable.

EdirtyiX > Andrew Fails 01/18/2016 at 00:33

3

I’m sick of every review akin to this. Ride a supermoto and stfu.
it’s like this: Sportbike < your argument for the same (except now naked lardbarrow) < Supermoto. Spank the sportybikers in the canyons, hang with the dirtbikers on the trails, jump things on your daily commute, doesn’t matter if you wreck. Oh, and this thing called usable torque.

Eddie Brannan > Owner of '06 C55 & '09 R1 01/18/2016 at 00:33

0

That is not to do with the fairing alone.

MadisonSuicide > The English Guy 01/18/2016 at 00:34

0

I’ve done similar rides, though not hitting all 48, (in hindsight I’m not sure why I didn’t just go ahead and do it that way, I was doing the milage anyway lol) and without a windscreen. And in all fairness, it does get exhausting, especially depending on the conditions. Though typically when people complain about their neck and the wind I usually recommend they try a different helmet. That really can make a surprising amount of difference. ....though, at least in my experience, there isn’t one particular one, some helmets just seem to work better with some setups (position, fairing, partial, etc) than others.

Curious, what did you ride for the 48 states?

krhodes1 > For Sweden 01/18/2016 at 00:49

2

Bisexuality doubles your chances for dates. I've always been a tad envious of folks who can actually pull it off. Literally AND figuratively...

EvilFD > DonKeybals 01/18/2016 at 01:16

0

Precisely. I’ve been riding on and off for about a decade. Have an ‘08 R6. People have asked why I don’t move up to a liter bike. I say why the hell would I? When I can take my R6 knee-to-knee on the track and actually approach what the bike is capable of, then I’ll think about upping the displacement. I’m maybe..... maybe half-way there.

IMO 99% of the folks I see riding liter bikes are complete squids. I live in Colorado and have consistently embarrassed higher displacement bikes during “spirited” (seriously nothing crazy) rides in the mountains. Guys that think they should be riding a 1000+ even though they’re scared to use even a quarter of it anywhere outside of nice, straight, four-lane+ highways.

Rnej > Andrew Fails 01/18/2016 at 01:22

2

could not agree more. 4 years ago I bought a ‘98 speed triple;

100-ish HP and 220 kg (460 pounds) ... 0-60 in 3.1 seconds. top speed of 220 kph.

After 4 years still scary as hell and as soon as I’m in the twistys not any slower than newer sportsbikes.. no regret buying that :)

Go to sleep, I'm a Clown > joykill 01/18/2016 at 01:34

1

2104 was a good year for Tuonos. I have a Gen 2. It does 0 to reckless endangerment in 5 or 6 seconds. But the most fun is lobbing the front tire for the moon as I pass the supermoto guys. As I tell the Harley guys when I’m gassing up, gotta love V twin torque.

TLdampersallover1000s > Andrew Fails 01/18/2016 at 02:24

0

I love vettes and lifted trucks.

Would you lower a truck to make it more like a vette?

We spend extra $ to get helmets with better aerodynamics to reduce drag.

So why would I chop up my soft bagged modded Hayabusa? Because slower and windier is better?

It rides and feels like it looks and like what it is. That is good. Better than slower and less comfortable. Streets or track, faster is more fun if thats what you want. Naked is great for salvages but lets not molest the top of the line tech in the industry.

I can still open my visor and sit up straight. Have you even ridden sport bikes? Does this say it’s better to chop off the fairings on our sport bikes?Less freedom? Handling and acceleration is freedom to some riders. I am just too old and confused and stupid probably.

SukhoiRomanticthenonfacebookloginversion > Andrew Fails 01/18/2016 at 02:53

1

Having recently been able to compare a fun, low powered naked (CB300) with my CBR600F4i, I can confirm that the flatter bars and general riding position of the naked is more fun. However, I got soaked on the naked, from head to to, whereas on my CBR I might get a little wet around the knees, but thats it (unless I am stuck in traffic in heavy rain, which is rare). So to commute, I’d go faired every time

FSBCyberPropagandaDivision > Andrew Fails 01/18/2016 at 03:39

1

I miss my 600RR. That is all.

Logos11 > Andrew Fails 01/18/2016 at 03:44

0

So, I’m guessing this isn’t what you had in mind.

The English Guy > MadisonSuicide 01/18/2016 at 03:53

0

A bacalounger. ;)

Yamaha V Star 1300.

A good throttle lock made a world of difference.

Whitesmoke > Andrew Fails 01/18/2016 at 04:33

1

For sheer exhiliration, nothing has ever topped getting my 1965 CB160 up to 85mph downhill wearing a pair of cutoffs and no shirt, shoes or helmet. Now however accurate that speedo was I don’t know and I don’t care - that was fun!

rc2u > Nick George 01/18/2016 at 07:02

0

Looks like mine! Also my first. I commute on it and couldn't be happier. I have an FA.

JEM > Frankenbike666 01/18/2016 at 07:08

0

I couldn’t agree more. All I really want is a windshield and small fairing for the highway riding I do (which is a lot). Which is why I’m sure a Bandit will be my next bike: