What bike do you want today?

[Randy]

Originally Posted by Phlemdog

There are no bar-hop bikes, only bar-hop riders.

Well, that could be said of any subset of bikes, if you want to get technical...

You can tour on a sport bike. You can do a trackday on a Goldwing, or a cruiser... There are lots of debates about what constitutes a "Cafe Racer"...

But, there are bikes that are designed, and perform best with specific functions in mind. The current Sporties (my bike included) has dismal suspension, poor brakes, forward controls, and less than sufficient lean angles (brought about by the "low and long" look crowd) It was designed with style and looks at the forefront of the drawing board. Call it what you want but it was designed with certain concessions to function in order to achieve the "look" that is popular with a large segment of potential buyers. There are guys that will take a new 48 and then lower it further, add apes, and do all sorts of things in the name of "looking cool", and care not how it affects function. Comments like, "no it doesn't work well, but it sure LOOKS COOL!" abound when discussing certain mods.

The term "bar hopper" is just a common term used to describe a bike built with that design philosophy.

I've already improved my brakes dramatically by installing a four pot caliper from the XR1200. I've already improved MY comfort and control by replacing the stock forward controls with mids. I already have longer shocks in hand, and all the parts I need to do the fork conversion are on order as of yesterday.

When done, I hope to have what I consider to be a much more functional motorcycle, with decent brakes, longer travel, more compliant suspension with vastly improved ride quality, and improved lean angles for riding in places other than straight lines. To me, that is taking a "bar hopper" and turning it into MY idea of what a real Sporty should be, a bike meant to be ridden and not just looked at. I'm still making certain concessions to looks though. I still have a 2.1 gallon tank good for about 70 miles. I'm keeping the bias ply, tube tires for the spoked wheels. And there are a myriad of other things, but they are compromises that I'M willing to make because I also enjoy a certain "look" with my bike. Especially this bike... It's all about buying, building, and riding what YOU enjoy...

[nhbubba]

Originally Posted by Randy

You can do a trackday on a Goldwing, or a cruiser...

I've only had the opportunity to do one track day so far. That day I rode my V-Strom in, disconnected the lights and signals, rode all day, ate the sack lunch I carried in with me, put her all back together and rode it home. That day I shared garage space with an HD product to my right and a 'wing to my left. All had a great time.



I agree, only "bar-hop" riders.

[kraven]

It's all about buying, building, and riding what YOU enjoy...

Amen.

[Narsisco Lopez]

It's all about buying, building, and riding what YOU enjoy...

[PeteN95]

Lighten up, Francis!

[enz0]

Originally Posted by nhbubba

I've only had the opportunity to do one track day so far. That day I rode my V-Strom in, disconnected the lights and signals, rode all day, ate the sack lunch I carried in with me, put her all back together and rode it home. That day I shared garage space with an HD product to my right and a 'wing to my left. All had a great time.

I agree, only "bar-hop" riders.

Awesome!

[WildAnCrazymtl]

Originally Posted by Grainbelt

Available in Peoria, IL if anybody wants to actually go thru with it.

These were so much fun, to bad they were pulled after only a year !

[Kona11]

[Cortez]

[burgerking]

Originally Posted by Cortez

One of the best looking bikes still available, just don't like the way they have mounted the ABS (that and the tiny fuel tank)

[Cortez]

I'm trying to talk myself out of a 2008 Shiver at the moment.

[jdgretz]

It's all about buying, building, and riding what YOU enjoy...

The owner is a stuntman and a very good rider. It looks weird but with him in the driver's seat, it performs more than adequately.

jdg

[Mikey Boy]

Originally Posted by jdgretz

The owner is a stuntman and a very good rider. It looks weird but with him in the driver's seat, it performs more than adequately.

jdg

That is awesome. Just saying.

Sent from my DROID X2 using Tapatalk 2

[blacktruck]

A new Norge....Can't post any pics but that's on my list. Not sure if it's just the styling or the mystique of an Italian nameplate. Either way I'm in for one of those. My idea is that a bike should stir the soul somehow. Either through style or maybe even just being a visceral experience when you ride it that feels good.

[jdgretz]

Originally Posted by blacktruck

A new Norge....Can't post any pics but that's on my list. Not sure if it's just the styling or the mystique of an Italian nameplate. Either way I'm in for one of those. My idea is that a bike should stir the soul somehow. Either through style or maybe even just being a visceral experience when you ride it that feels good.

Here you go.

It's a good thing this color is not available, or I'd be trying to justify a new one.



I love that little door on the lowers so you can actually check and add oil without taking off a bunch of plastic. Thank you Miguel, for that change, as well as the other improvements.

jdg