jonwright
Needs a job
Posts: 2416
|
posted September 29, 2003 08:46 AM
 Edited By: jonwright on 29 Sep 2003 09:47
It is with much sadness I announce....
...That I'll most likely have to give up the 12R.
I'm up for licensing/insurance issues so I don't expect I'll be able to get the bike insured - and if I could it'll be a stoopid amount that I can't fathom paying. My other option is to allow the bike to collect dust in my garage for three years (and I know I don't have the self control to keep it parked nor do I have the stomach to not let it be ridden).
On the other hand if I do luck out with probation I know now that I don't have the self control to stay on the street with this amazing motorcycle. On my favorite stretch of road for 15 miles I locked in the 12 at 70 mph an didn't use the brakes. There were only two turns that were any fun and the speed limit is 55.
In order for me to keep my brain engaged I need to go at speeds that eggregiously break the speed limit.
So, what this does is rather push me to stay on the track - which in many areas isn't a bad thing at all. Plus I'm going to trade in the 12R on a KTM 400 EXC to ride in the dirt. I can be the biggest hooligan there and not worry about getting into law trouble.
What I will miss most about that bike will be the friends (both locally and on the net) that I have developed. The Sunday rides with my friends are a time that I cherish. Now those Sundays will be spent at CMRA races and preparing the Gixxer for the next race.
And for the DG events. Perhaps I'll find a way to make it. If I do show up it will be sans 12R. But I really enjoy hanging out with everyone and I do think of those events often. That is the really painful part for me. I will be thinking of how to make the next event. Hell, I may just bring my track bike and roll the dice. Or cool my heals at the cabin while you guys ride and then I'll hang out at night and enjoy the smack. That'll give me a chance to be a real tourist around there, wouldn't it? 
Maybe I won't be trading 12R stories with you guys, but I'll still be lurking out there. I do enjoy this forum the most and the friends I have made around this forum as well.
  
|
frEEk
Administrator
ummm... yeah
Posts: 9660
|
posted September 29, 2003 09:14 AM
 hope u find a reasonable way to keep it, but if not, making the switch to track & dirt is definitely a smart thing to do. as long as u dont tell us u'r takin up stamp collectin instead!
|
GOZR
Zone Head
GOZR
Posts: 716
|
posted September 29, 2003 09:15 AM
So track bike then..
____________
-G
|
worm~hole
Needs a life
Miles to go before I sleep....
Posts: 10623
|
posted September 29, 2003 10:04 AM
...or make the 12R into a heavy track bike ...man, sounds like you've got some serious right hand self-control issues when riding the 12R on the streets...very understandable with a bike like the12R...but obviously not by the non-12R-owning cops, caged cops, or citizens who don't ride anything...bad luck doesn't help, either...better luck on the track and trails
____________
“We sleep safe in our beds because rough men
stand ready in the night to visit violence on those
who would do us harm.”
-George Orwell
|
Ninjaman12R
Needs a job
as a Deal's Gap tour guide.
Posts: 4767
|
posted September 29, 2003 11:00 AM
Chin up bro.......
Jon, I know it has been a tough decision for you. You and I have discussed this at length and I totally understand why you are making the switch. As you well know I may have to do the same thing. It all depends on how the judge and my lawyer "jive". No matter what happens, I have got to change my ways on the street. I cannot ride as if I am above the law all the time. It has really caught up with me this year, and it sucks to be in this position.
Good luck with your racing, and I know you'll enjoy the dirt. I'll be keeping in touch.
____________
What we're dealin' with here is a complete lack of respect for the law.
Sheriff Buford T. Justice of TEXAS
|
necro
Needs a job
My Grandma Is A Virgin
Posts: 2148
|
posted September 29, 2003 08:59 PM
The bright side is that you got to exerience the 12.
____________
3829
|
Scooter
Zone Head
Posts: 899
|
posted September 30, 2003 01:42 AM
I hear ya. I've been considering selling my 12 also. Got another ticket a couple months ago. Got stop the insanity before the insurance gets any worse. $6K yr for cars and bikes is killin me. Just wait until you get e teeniebopper on your policy, Yeouch!
____________
"Growing old is inevitable, growing up is optional."
|
Otis
Needs a job
Captain Kickstand
Posts: 3028
|
posted September 30, 2003 03:01 AM
I'm with ya brother, in sadness and all. Trying times need to be dealt with tring measures. In the end you'll do what's right for you. Be advised though Jon. Just because you don't have a 12 does not mean you can't come to DG events, not at all. Peace brother.
____________
It's a free country brother
|
Ninjaman12R
Needs a job
as a Deal's Gap tour guide.
Posts: 4767
|
posted September 30, 2003 03:38 AM
NO doubt....
Yeah Jon, you know you are welcome at the DG events. We may be in the same boat next year. HHhhmmmm,....I bet we could rail some Supermotards through the gap eh??? (wheels turning)
____________
What we're dealin' with here is a complete lack of respect for the law.
Sheriff Buford T. Justice of TEXAS
|
jonwright
Needs a job
Posts: 2416
|
posted September 30, 2003 05:59 AM
mmmmmm....motards....
Man, last time I was at the track this dude on a 450F was fookin' RAILIN!
I saw him up ahead (and me being on my Gixxer) I thought to myself, "I'll catch him in the next turn." WRONG!
That guy had me scrapin' pegs and late brakin' like a mofo to keep up! I could outrun him on the straights but he was carrying some crazy assed corner speed. I was on the floor.
I'm looking at a KTM 400 4 stroke so I'm sure it'll be fun on the track. Requires different wheels (tires, duh) and brakes.
Guys, I do plan on hanging out with you all. The DG events are indeed a treasure to me.
Yup. I do treasure the fact that I've had some crazy assed times on that 12R. Experiences are something nobody can take away. I've done more on just the short time I've been on the 12 than most folks do in their whole lives (but that's true for most of the guys on here as well).
|
Otis
Needs a job
Captain Kickstand
Posts: 3028
|
posted September 30, 2003 06:36 AM
"Yup. I do treasure the fact that I've had some crazy assed times on that 12R. Experiences are something nobody can take away. I've done more on just the short time I've been on the 12 than most folks do in their whole lives (but that's true for most of the guys on here as well)."
Agreed, as you said about your buddies at home that don't ride but golf everyweekend. We live more on this bike in one weekend then they do all year! AMEN!
____________
It's a free country brother
|
ddpete3
Pro
Posts: 1189
|
posted September 30, 2003 06:44 AM
This should keep you in line.
|
frEEk
Administrator
ummm... yeah
Posts: 9660
|
posted September 30, 2003 09:51 AM
dont bet on it!
|
jonwright
Needs a job
Posts: 2416
|
posted September 30, 2003 01:49 PM
You should see the Ruckus video when I low-sided it. Ain't gonna happen.
But I did notice that model is the souped up GT version....hmmm....12 shot of nitrous?
|
ballisticzx12r
Zone Head
& Deals Gap Board Member
Posts: 940
|
posted September 30, 2003 02:19 PM
Jon,
I to am getting to the point where I am going to give up the street. I am 100% behind racing an SV 650 next year. An with getting married I am probally going to have only one trip to the gap next year. Can't see keeping the 12 just for that.
Bart
____________
Be fast and Be safe
|
TurboBlew
Moderator
BUSY DOING THE SCHIAVO
Posts: 4590
|
posted September 30, 2003 04:31 PM
Bart... are you gonna cut your balls off too?
____________
Official Charter Member of the RIDERS OF KAWASAKI MEMBERSHIP REVOCATION CLUB
Also a BadAss Internet Forum Moderator 4 Hire!! Come at me brah!
|
frEEk
Administrator
ummm... yeah
Posts: 9660
|
posted October 01, 2003 01:44 AM
bart has balls?!?
|
Hells Dark Lord
Needs a life
living life, and loving it.
Posts: 7981
|
posted October 01, 2003 07:28 AM
only when his wife lets him take them off the fridge, adn that is usually only at night, when he is going to bed...he didnt need them for the DG event....he was always on the receiving end......
Hate to hear about you guys and the problems that you are having....and any of you all that are riding on the race track, we are doing track days every month atleast once a month...and you all are all welcome....would love to ride with you all on the track where we can rail around.......
____________
When in doubt, lean farther and go faster....
|
redelk
Moderator
Please... speak to the hand.
Posts: 3212
|
posted October 01, 2003 09:10 AM
Edited By: redelk on 1 Oct 2003 10:11
This will be Jonathan's new scoot. With the "hot" CDI box and HO fuel regulator, this baby will cook at 45+ mph! I've already put one together (from a various parts bikes) and doin' 40 ain't nothin'!
____________
There are only three sports: bullfighting, motor racing, and mountaineering; all the rest are merely games.
-Ernest Hemingway
|
jonwright
Needs a job
Posts: 2416
|
posted October 01, 2003 11:08 AM
...looking for a big bore kit now....(drool, slobber)
so how does that work...if you don't need a driver's license to run a scooter where do the points go when you get caught speeding?
OOOOOoooo...you guys should see the 'Knight Rider' LCD light bar on the wind screen!
|
Ninjaman12R
Needs a job
as a Deal's Gap tour guide.
Posts: 4767
|
posted October 01, 2003 11:35 AM
Uh Oh........
Me thinks the Ol' Barty Boy will be jealous when he sees this rig. WAY more aerodynamic than the Ruckus, and you know Bart will like that yellow paint scheme.
____________
What we're dealin' with here is a complete lack of respect for the law.
Sheriff Buford T. Justice of TEXAS
|
TurboBlew
Moderator
BUSY DOING THE SCHIAVO
Posts: 4590
|
posted October 01, 2003 01:49 PM
Jon's gonna have to trade in his Devo LPs for some cds....lol
du na na na na naaaaaa "CRACK THAT WHIP"
|
redelk
Moderator
Please... speak to the hand.
Posts: 3212
|
posted October 01, 2003 09:26 PM
Edited By: redelk on 1 Oct 2003 22:29
Went to my dealer and picked up 2 more that they were used for "parts bikes" but were not canabalized too bad. Also picked up a third chassis with some plastic and a front end. They also had various pieces of body work and electrical stuff in several boxes. Brought it all home and started to work on them. I striping off everything on the ones that was missing the motor / rear wheel and the one that was the most canabalized. Then, with the one that was the most intact, I did the same servicing I did on the first one I picked up last Saturday.
Basically, I cleaned the two tanks (gas & 2 cycle oil), carb, changed the plug and put in a $12 battery. After putting in some fresh gas and 2 cycle oil, I hit the starter button for a while and.... BINGO! Sundiro #2 is running! The one I picked up on Sat. had 90 miles on it and was a complete (and not wrecked either). The one I got running tonight was a wrecked scooter with 3 miles on the odo.
The object of all this started off as a way to get a running and cheap scooter for one of my employees. My dealer offered all these scooters and spare parts to me for $800. I told them if I got one running, it was a deal. They will let my employee pay them $100 a month. When I picked up the other scooters today, I kinda hoped that I could get a second one running so we could use it for a pit bike.
Well, I'm over half way there. My dealer still has some more NEW parts that range from gaskets and pistons to electrical and bodywork trim. I'll be getting some of that stuff as part of the "deal" too! They quit selling these scooters, but can still order parts. Since the parts are so cheap, there's a chance I might actually get THREE running scooters out of the deal. The best part would be that it would cost just a couple hundred bucks (or less - not counting my employee's $800).
Even without the "hot" CDI box (yes, there really is one), these babies would SMOKE the Ruckus off the line AND on the big end (top speed). The only downside is the suspension SUCKS! Even though it cuts like a 600, you won't want to hit a good sized ripple or patch in the pavement. The suspension will bottom out on a 2"-3" curb. Even with 10" rims. It bottoms out so hard, plastic will rattle and it will sound like it's about to fall apart (probably is).
Still, if I score two more $1400 (each) Chinese scooters (manufactured under license from Honda) for a couple hundred bucks, I'll consider them "disposable". If I (or who ever is riding them) scratch up the bodywork in a dump, I just put fur on it. In the mean time, my employee has a "good as new" scooter and I'll probably have a "alternate method of no license required transportation" available for Jonathan's use... if he wants it.
To me, I don't really care to ride any of them. I get enough of a kick out of getting them to run when my dealer's mechanics couldn't. I'm 2 for 2 so far. Now if I could just get RaceTech to do something about the suspension
____________
There are only three sports: bullfighting, motor racing, and mountaineering; all the rest are merely games.
-Ernest Hemingway
|
jonwright
Needs a job
Posts: 2416
|
posted October 02, 2003 07:19 AM
Now if I can only find the 'power hat' shaped helmet....
|
jonwright
Needs a job
Posts: 2416
|
posted October 02, 2003 04:27 PM
<---- On the phone with Vanson to have custom leathers made.....
|
|
|
HOME
NEW TOPIC