knifun
10-16-2008, 08:39 AM
Hello all,
Used to race MX as a kid back in the late 60s, early 70s. Started with a Hodaka 100, then to a Sachs 125. Anyone remember those or am I dating myself :-) Life went on, got married, had kids, through school, got a job, very routine. Gas went up to $4/gallon and something snapped just after filling up SUV 2x/week at $75 each fillup ($150/week for gas). Thought why not get back into motorcycling and get a used 600 and see if I can save some on gas (and have some fun as well). Found a used 2001 with low miles and a very strong motor. My new baby is a CBR F4i (I know its not a 600rr, but its a great 1st bike getting back into it). Needed a little work, the usual, new chain, new rear sprocket, oil change, a little TLC and, just to make sure a safety check by the dealer. I decided to gear it down a little, went +1 on the front and -3 on the rear. Took the dealer almost a month to find a steel rear - seems eveything is aluminum now. I topped off the tank and started riding everyday to work. My next fillup was about $13 for 3 gallons. I calculated that I rode 150 miles - that was 50 mpg (http://www.600rr.net/vb/showthread.php?p=1891813#) !!! This is mostly freeway miles in SoCal and I leave early enough where there is virtually no traffic. Ideal situation. I drive the SUV only on the weekends now. Been riding it for 6 months now and I just figured something else. The money I have saved in gasoline by not driving the SUV - the 600 has just paid for itself. Really hits home just how much you pay for things and dont realize it.
I have a friend that works at Honda in Torrance. He's an actual manager, so he is part of the real employees. Anyway, there is a manager bike coming up soon a CBR1000rr (http://www.600rr.net/vb/showthread.php?p=1891813#) that I am thinking of buying from Honda. He says it should be a great deal.
If this goes through, I will probably sell the 600. Anyone interested?
Anyway, that's my initial post and I hope to post in the regular section as soon as my newbie probationary period ends.
One last thing, here is a tip for you that I found works very well !!!. In SoCal, it is very hard to dress for the weather. When I leave for work, it is usually between 48-52 degrees. When I come home, it is 85-90. Leather jacket works good in the morning, but I overheat coming home. Bought a vented nylon with soft armor. COLD in the morning, but OK coming home. I also race (http://www.600rr.net/vb/showthread.php?p=1891813#) bicycles (USCF Cat 3, Masters 50+), and I have an old vest. Kind of like this http://www.performancebike.com/shop/...tegory_ID=1130 (http://www.performancebike.com/shop/profile.cfm?SKU=26063&subcategory_ID=1130). It has a nylon front to stop the wind and a fully meshed/vented back. I now wear this under the vented nylon motorcycle (http://www.600rr.net/vb/showthread.php?p=1891813#) jacket and it works perfect in the morning. I put it in the backpack on the way home, perfect. It only weighs a few ounces and rolls up so that you could almost put it in you jeans pocket. Give it a try!
Used to race MX as a kid back in the late 60s, early 70s. Started with a Hodaka 100, then to a Sachs 125. Anyone remember those or am I dating myself :-) Life went on, got married, had kids, through school, got a job, very routine. Gas went up to $4/gallon and something snapped just after filling up SUV 2x/week at $75 each fillup ($150/week for gas). Thought why not get back into motorcycling and get a used 600 and see if I can save some on gas (and have some fun as well). Found a used 2001 with low miles and a very strong motor. My new baby is a CBR F4i (I know its not a 600rr, but its a great 1st bike getting back into it). Needed a little work, the usual, new chain, new rear sprocket, oil change, a little TLC and, just to make sure a safety check by the dealer. I decided to gear it down a little, went +1 on the front and -3 on the rear. Took the dealer almost a month to find a steel rear - seems eveything is aluminum now. I topped off the tank and started riding everyday to work. My next fillup was about $13 for 3 gallons. I calculated that I rode 150 miles - that was 50 mpg (http://www.600rr.net/vb/showthread.php?p=1891813#) !!! This is mostly freeway miles in SoCal and I leave early enough where there is virtually no traffic. Ideal situation. I drive the SUV only on the weekends now. Been riding it for 6 months now and I just figured something else. The money I have saved in gasoline by not driving the SUV - the 600 has just paid for itself. Really hits home just how much you pay for things and dont realize it.
I have a friend that works at Honda in Torrance. He's an actual manager, so he is part of the real employees. Anyway, there is a manager bike coming up soon a CBR1000rr (http://www.600rr.net/vb/showthread.php?p=1891813#) that I am thinking of buying from Honda. He says it should be a great deal.
If this goes through, I will probably sell the 600. Anyone interested?
Anyway, that's my initial post and I hope to post in the regular section as soon as my newbie probationary period ends.
One last thing, here is a tip for you that I found works very well !!!. In SoCal, it is very hard to dress for the weather. When I leave for work, it is usually between 48-52 degrees. When I come home, it is 85-90. Leather jacket works good in the morning, but I overheat coming home. Bought a vented nylon with soft armor. COLD in the morning, but OK coming home. I also race (http://www.600rr.net/vb/showthread.php?p=1891813#) bicycles (USCF Cat 3, Masters 50+), and I have an old vest. Kind of like this http://www.performancebike.com/shop/...tegory_ID=1130 (http://www.performancebike.com/shop/profile.cfm?SKU=26063&subcategory_ID=1130). It has a nylon front to stop the wind and a fully meshed/vented back. I now wear this under the vented nylon motorcycle (http://www.600rr.net/vb/showthread.php?p=1891813#) jacket and it works perfect in the morning. I put it in the backpack on the way home, perfect. It only weighs a few ounces and rolls up so that you could almost put it in you jeans pocket. Give it a try!