Motorcycle Forum / General / Sportbikes / July 2006

Flailing around a bit, searching for that elusive "next bike." Problem
being I have little self-consensus on even what style that next bike
will be.

My ZX636B is probably sold to my pal Bill in California.  I say
"probably" because he's in no burning hurry and deals aren't done
until the checks clear.  Nothing wrong with the ZX, per se, other than
I'm tired of riding on the track just to make faster laptimes: I
realized last year that was a zero-sum game, I'm not willing to make
the sacrifices necessary to turn Nicky Hayden-speed lap (or perish
trying).

Track riding in general isn't boring, I'm simply bored of it.  The
most fun in 2005 was a rain-day, a first in many years of track
outings.  Not falling on my a.s and controlling slides at heinous
speeds was fascinating and exhilarating.  Somehow this got me thinking
of Supermoto, Supermoto being all those things and a bag of chips.  So
I wait, wait for the elusive Aprilia SXV.  I think it is vaporware, in
the U.S. at least: we'll see about 2007.

Other contenders for "next" bike vary wildly.  On the one hand I also
want to replace an aging Blackbird, too, which just crossed 50K miles
in June.  Oddly, there is nothing wrong with it: engine strong as
ever, burns no more oil than one would expect (half a quart every 5K
miles or so, if that), etc.  Hondas are Hondas are Hondas, amazing
motorcycles in terms of fit-and-finish and longevity.  Still, after
five years, one grows a bit tired.

What, then, BMW?  There are rumblings BMW can't make a bike to hold
together, under duress: Iron Butt Rally and similar stories paint a
disturbing picture of critical systems failing when needed most.  Save
the flames, I owned two BMW cages w/ combined 100K miles in 9 years.
They mostly work; when they don't, however, they break in difficult
ways requiring expensive repairs.  BMW cars, and in all probably
bikes, are a state-of-mind more than practical engineering
consideration: I'm not counting them "out" but might lack the patience
for Teutonic quirkiness, despite the undeniable panache-points.  The
cost of entry is also wallet-busting.

The local KTM dealer has a black 950SM.  Interesting bike, this,
though I'm sure the usability of an Abraham Lincoln-class Supermoto
bike must be somewhat limited.  Further, it is carbed and not
particularly light.  Not sure why their 950cc twin makes about 93 rwhp
(per MCN's test) whereas similar engines from Ducati and Aprilia (999
and 998, respectively) are up there in the 110s or higher.  The KTM is
also frighteningly spendy, at about 13G's.

I would, however, be the only kid on the block with a V twin KTM
Supermoto.  That's worth something.  The 990 Superduke is proving a
bit more elusive, definitely more sportbike than SM, also.  In the
PacNW, with rain always a threat, bikes that split the difference
between "sport" and "dirt" always have an appeal.

Decisions, decisions.

-=DRB=-