05GT Guru

I did ride one... a demo 16, though it was at a dealers closed course. I didn't burn myself or anything but I also haven't lived with this bike on daily basis. Just a short test ride.

Well, you're making me want to spend that extra 1500 for the FZ over the Z800. The motor does seem great. I have heard some complaints about an engine cover sticking out too far on one of the sides and getting hot. Ever had any issues with that? I might be getting nit picky but I have never bought a new bike before.

They have a 2017 XSR900 at the Yamaha dealer but it is 500 dollars more than the 2017 FZ09 and I prefer the look of the FZ09. ABS I am interested in though as I have never owned a bike with ABS. It's not an absolute must though. I have also never owned a bike with modes either. Yea, I believe B mode is for rain or slick surfaces. Good call. The FJ and FZ have the same 847cc triple.... correct? How do you like it? Any complaints? What year is your FJ, nvm I see it in your sig?

Well I took a close look this weekend and right now I am down to the Kawi Z800 or the Yamaha FZ09. Both are naked street fighters, similar in power. If they were the same price I would probably pick the Yamaha. Seems like a better bike, in terms of riding experience. Also has riding modes. A- aggressive, b- bullshit, and standard. A is no assists all power, aggressive throttle mapping. B - is the slowest most dumbed down mode, lag in response, seems like less power, all assists on and working. Standard is full power, slightly less aggressive throttle, traction/wheelie control on. The kawi is just a bike with normal controls but all the z800s do have ABS. I do like the gauges on the z800 better than the fz09. More info and a better layout IMO. Plus I had a hard time seeing the rpms on the FZ09 when I was at lower rpms but I think it's just because I'm so tall and the angle needs to be adjusted. I have had inline 4 bikes like the kawi... I do like the triple the Yamaha has. Both have trq at lower rpms than a sportbike because of gearing but it seems like the 847cc triple from Yamaha is just beastly at mid range rpms.... the z800 is nice too but I do like that yami triple cylinder.... I think more so than another inline 4. I also have to ask myself do I want a bike with different modes and other electrical settings??? I can totally see myself playing with the modes too often or cracking the throttle and going wait... I need to switch modes. Might be more annoying than useful. They both have a similar msrp and the 2017s are pretty much the same price. What makes this somewhat difficult is a local dealer has 2016 z800s for 6350 brand spanking new. Which is cheap, can't find any other midsize class street fighter for that price anywhere. The 2016 FZ09 is 7800... 1500 dollars more. Which really isn't a killer and is still in my price range but for 6350 that kawi z800 is a steal. There are dirt bikes that cost more.

Buell blast is a good learners bike. You can get 2004-2010 models for less than 2 grand, and the early 2000s for 1500 or less in good shape. Which often means more reliability when compared to a nice condition 70s-90s bike. Don't want to spend too much on a first bike incase of user error causing damage or if they find out riding isn't for them.

Bikes can be lowered but I usually find they feel different when lowered. One of my F4Is was lowered when I bought it and it felt different when leaning over.... until I put the stock length link back on. Also rode lowered R6s that felt different than standard. None of these bikes were hard to control... just felt more confident at stock ride height.

Going to look at new street bikes this weekend. Hoping to spend 8-9k or less on a new bike. Going to see what kind of deals the local dealers have going on. My street bikes have been 3 600cc CBRs and a KLR650 enduro. And 2 dirt bikes but obviously not on the street. CRF450 and CRF250. Not quite sure what I want going forward. Don't think I want a RR bike like my last CBR. I mostly cruise around but I do want something that feels good on power. The KLR is at the opposite end of the spectrum from my CBRs with its whooping 38 crank hp. Not a great freeway bike. I saw a never sold 2016 CB1000R listed for 8994 at a dealer I am interested in. Some cruisers can be had for that price in the 900cc range. Also saw a never sold 2015 thruxton 900 for 7499. And a 2014 with 600 miles on it thruxton 1200 for 7995. I have some thinking to do.... and hopefully some test riding to do.

Ammo background checks, jesus. You can buy ammo at some of the gas stations around here. If you want to pay too much that is.

I have 50cc Yamaha that is 2 stroke. Feel free to take it for a ride if you're ever in WI. Also have a buddy selling a Banshee if you are looking for a good condition 2 stroke sport quad.

Don't believe guns making noise during gun season on hunting land is unethical.

I would like to go small game hunting with a suppressor but just because it will scare the game away less. Big game hunting like deer I don't think it would do much. They all take off when they hear a bow or crossbow fire and usually you're only killing 1 at a time. If anything I could see suppressors being used for unethical hunting. Usually, around here anyway, when you hear of someone getting caught taking game after dark or out of season it is a bow/crossbow being used to keep noise down.

Ethical hunting? Enhanced accuracy? What do you mean?

Yep. But most guys don't even use them off road from what I see. Who wants to jack up their street bike messing around off road? Stuff gets damaged when riding hard off road. Best way is too just drop the 2 grand on a crf250r for off road and have a street bike for the street.

Supermotors are fun. But they get old fast IMO unless all you do is ride around small tight areas for short periods of time. Get one on the freeway or long drives and you will wish you had more power and different gearing. Supermotos also require a complete tire change to do any real off road riding.

Nice, when you going pheasant hunting?

Since I have CCW permit in WI I just get in my truck with my pistol loaded on my hip or place it in my truck. I have to leave it in my truck when I go into work.

In my experience most novice shooters seem to take to the full size 1911 easily. If you're not planning on carrying it on your person a full size 1911 is a great handgun. As far buying a 1911, it can be overwhelming since just about every manufacture makes one. Comes down to how much are you willing to pay and the little details of the gun, with a glob of personal preference thrown in.

I want it too.

That is true. The trq is insane. I think my next bike might be a Yamaha V-Max. I have always like them. Nice looking cruiser IMO. And the fact that they make 175hp doesn't hurt either. I'm just not sure the riding position is relaxed enough.

My uncle had a boss hoss. His was like a early to mid 2000s back when they only had 370ishhp v8. Looked like a pain in the butt to ride really. It was also a 1100lbs bike. Which means it still only had the power to weight ratio of a 600cc sport bike having roughly 3 times the horsepower and 3 times the weight.

I still ride... just not a crotch rocket. Don't really feel like having my knee be in pain everyday when I can just ride a more relaxed bike.

I had 3 CBRs. Had fun on them all. My left knee is shot but I still ride friends rockets every now and then. In a perfect world I would have a cruiser and a sport bike. The balance, the feel of them is something I miss. I just don't want to ride them on 3+ hour freeway rides each way like I used to.

We are a single family household and car parts aren't cheap. So I have carseats in the 2 DDs and anything else is pit crew seat swaps. It helps now that the older two are in boosters.

We have 4 cars and 3 kids. And I have a mom too. Either get that money out or practice changing car seats like pit crews change tires.

Or buy another car seat, one for each vehicle.