Nice ride today 4/4/21

bmart · Apr 4, 2021

Hey guys. Thanks for the company today. It was really nice to get out after being a laptop jockey to much the last few weeks.

Mark, Vesrah: http://www.vesrah.tokyo/product-line/brake-pads/

This page has a chart comparing them. I use the traditional RJL compound

Thanks for the BMW rental. I had a hoot getting to know it a little. I've always wanted to ride one of those. It was comfy!

bmart · Apr 4, 2021

You said that you could make room. I'm just sayin'...

https://www.ebay.com/itm/2005-BMW-R-1100-S-Replica/294091725119

JustAnotherSquid · Apr 5, 2021

bmart said:
Mark, Vesrah: http://www.vesrah.tokyo/product-line/brake-pads/

This page has a chart comparing them. I use the traditional RJL compound

I tried the RJL XX at VIR last week. Wasn't really a fan of the progressive feel, but people rave about them so maybe I will grow to like it.

Having said that, they were insanely powerful, easy to modulate, and required absurdly low effort. I felt like I was carrying a secret weapon on the nose of my bike. "Oh look there's someone in front and we're approaching turn one ... let me just take out my secret XX pads ... aaaaaaaand Later Gator!"

Caveat: I'm comparing them to twenty year old memories of HH pads, which IIRC were terrible despite being the popular choice.

JustAnotherSquid · Apr 5, 2021

bmart said:
You said that you could make room. I'm just sayin'...

https://www.ebay.com/itm/2005-BMW-R-1100-S-Replica/294091725119

The best looking R1100S by far was the blue and white Randy Mamola edition:

This one looked good too - much better in person than in pictures. The grey was darker and the orange more vibrant than pictures show, and the bike popped visually.

And this one looked good but was rare as hell. I've only ever seen one in person. They only made 200 of my bike, and it seems like you'd run into one everywhere, so I can't imagine how limited this run was:

JustAnotherSquid · Apr 5, 2021

A few pics:

bmart · Apr 5, 2021

Thanks for the pics! I'll grab them off of the site. That's a lot of BMWs. lol The blue is really nice!

Regarding the pads, the HH were marketed heavily...but were just a street pad replacement. I hated them..and every other EBC pad I've tried.

JustAnotherSquid · Apr 5, 2021

I love little bikes and the CB-1 was a blast! It sounds fantastic. Honda should have called it The Banshee because it wails all the time.

And that's how you know it has an engine. You can hear it. Beyond that there is no indication of one.

Makes you wonder how much fun a modern CB-1 or FZR-400 would be.

bmart · Apr 5, 2021

I'm glad that you enjoyed it. The sound is indeed intoxicating...especially when the rider has a mountain wall to the right. Really something.

The moderm small bikes are fun, but they're simplistic to the old 400 4-cyl w/gear driven cams. The new Kawi 250 (non U.S.? would be a blast.

JustAnotherSquid · Apr 8, 2021

bmart said:
The new Kawi 250 (non U.S.? would be a blast.

Hadn't heard of that so looked it up. It's called the ZX-25R and it looks pretty sweet! It makes 50hp, has premium suspension and brakes, and a full electronics suite??? Well done Kawasaki!

Having said that, and I'm not a power guy at all, I'd still want a little more oomph. I'm almost 250 pounds with gear and that's a lot for a little 250 to push around. Something like a modern, high-end FZR400 or VF500F would be awesome.

Or an RS660.

bmart · Apr 8, 2021

That's the one! It'll cost the earth, but I bet it is a hoot.

I'm starting to think that you're your own worst enemy. lol

JustAnotherSquid · Apr 8, 2021

bmart said:
I'm starting to think that you're your own worst enemy. lol

It's a trait we all share, to one degree or another.

bmart · Apr 8, 2021

Done.

JustAnotherSquid · Apr 8, 2021

<drool>

If we go down this rabbit hole any further, we are going to end up below. To have any of these machines recreated in modern times would be a miracle, but it would allow me to die a happy man - and likely while riding one of them.