I ride too fast-thinking about quitting

[county]

Slow down or quit.  
  

I do not think those are the only options...

[Hardware]

Wake up please, there's a cruiser D-P thumper waiting for you. Sport bikes can be boring unless you've got twisties and high speed sweepers on your daily drive. Try a comfortable sitting position(good seat) and just enjoying been in the wind, (No windshields) and quick acceleration off the line and some visceral V-Twin big single thunder. Just sayin

FTFY.  Friends don't let friends ride cruisers...

[Mookie]

Step 1 - do some track days, it'll make your 'fast' commute seem even more boring but you'll get your whole need for speed fix taken care of

Step 2 - get a little supermoto. They're a blast to ride at nearly legal speeds and they just aren't capable of retarded speed.  You can hoon it everywhere and still be traveling at the speed limit, plus you can get a second dirt oriented wheel set and you've basically got a 2nd bike for a grand more.

[phatphil]

I do not think those are the only options...

Get a 250?

[stevent]

I just stopped buying high performance bikes. I went to a HD Superglide to a T 100 Bonnie to an HD Electraglide and now to a GS. Granted you can get in just as much trouble on a slow bike as a fast one, it's just that with slower bikes the performance isn't the big factor. Once you take that out of the equation then everything else falls into to place and I got back to just the sheer enjoyment of riding rather than feeling the need to drag the pegs and thrash every corner.

It worked for me anyway

[black hills]

I just stopped buying high performance bikes. I went to a HD Superglide to a T 100 Bonnie to an HD Electraglide and now to a GS. Granted you can get in just as much trouble on a slow bike as a fast one, it's just that with slower bikes the performance isn't the big factor. Once you take that out of the equation then everything else falls into to place and I got back to just the sheer enjoyment of riding rather than feeling the need to drag the pegs and thrash every corner.

It worked for me anyway

+1
 I have noticed I am happy at a much lower speed on the Adventure than on the CBR.

[ZuluHour]

Step 1 - do some track days, it'll make your 'fast' commute seem even more boring but you'll get your whole need for speed fix taken care of

winner!  I know the op said he wasn't into trackdays, especially b/c of the cost, but you will never know the limits of your bike until you really push it on the track.  Yes, it is a time & financial commitment (if you do several) but you only need to do a couple a year to get that fix.  I have found doing TD's has slowed me waay down on the street.  Trying to push the bike enough to just make the tires a little warm on the street is a let-down compared one twenty minute session on track, not to mention the increased risks of spirited riding on the street.

Not wanting to sound like a complete track-addict since I still commute occasionally on my RC51, but if you're over 40 and haven't even done one trackday you are truly missing out on a great experience that only sportbikes can deliver.

[Robus]

My advice would be sell it.  Either buy something slower like others have suggested or step away altogether.  If you think you're an unsafe rider, you probably are.  If you're aware that your riding is unsafe but can't control it, then give it up.

Motorcycles and compulsive behavior don't go together.  Riding safely takes judgment, discipline and good habits.  You seem to have the judgment to recognize that you are taking poor risks, but lack the discipline and habits to do anything about it.  I'd walk away.  Crashing sucks.

[servicerifle]

Buy a real dirt bike (not a dual sport). Give up some time on weekends to ride off road. The dirt bike will solve all your problems. You'll crash and get hurt but not killed or run over by a truck. The Blackbird will seem boring and you'll be too sore to ride it.  


I think the advice that you are bored with your "regular riding" is probably true otherwise you wouldn't be trying to make it more exciting and risky.

I was thinking the same thing, and a good dual sport could do the same.  Nothing like a face full of dirt to adjust your riding.  

[cbsnbiker]

FWIW, the OP hasn't been back online since an hour and a half after he started this thread.

[Papa Lazarou]

FWIW, the OP hasn't been back online since an hour and a half after he started this thread.

I saw that too.  

[county]

FWIW, the OP hasn't been back online since an hour and a half after he started this thread.

And that is relevant how?

[boogeyman]

And that is relevant how?

Maybe he had to go to work?

[mikexup]

Take a vacation to central Ohio for one week. Spend the first couple of minutes riding at the speed you described, while the deer, turkey, raccoon and every other type of animal mother nature can throw at you tries to play dodge em with you and your bike. The other 6 1/2 days you'll be slowing down guaranteed.

[blakebird]

Anyone else have a similar predicament/dilemma?  Anyone been able to slow down on a Blackbird?  

I've been riding 44 yrs and had no trouble riding my '99 XX within reason....same went for my ZX-14, CBR1000RR, etc.

Pick your time and place and it's no big deal to keep it real

[tvpierce]

FWIW, the OP hasn't been back online since an hour and a half after he started this thread.

Maybe he's sitting in a jail cell after being arrested for Criminal Speeding!  

[dr dralion]

I'd agree with most folks here: buying a slower bike with less of a faring will help you feel the speed at a lower velocity.  Personally, I'd recommend the Yamaha WR205X Hypermotard.  Yah, a 250 sounds small, but upright seating and super-light weight will make you use the whole throttle 80% of the time.  Perhaps the seating position will not be good for your back, but just a thought.
Kevin

[David Morrow]

Really good, consistent advice so far.

When I'm driving my 350Z, I know that I go too fast. When I'm driving my S.O's Subaru Outback, I really slowdown and enjoy myself. Not on purpose mind you, it's just the vehicle and what feel comfortable. Go for a different bike; you'll enjoy the ride more and be safer doing it.

[Hunter]

With org's like STT and Track Tactics the excuse of not doing track days is pretty lame. If you think you are fast do a track day, you most likely find your driving more like a ham fisted squid on a bike than actually "riding". Spend some time with one of the control riders and your skill will go up exponentially and you will find riding is far more pleasurable at any speed.

http://www.tracktactics.org/

http://www.sportbiketracktime.com/

[skater69]

FWIW, the OP hasn't been back online since an hour and a half after he started this thread.

You're right.  I wasn't.  Thanks for all the advice.  I actually have only commuted once since I posted this.  Mainly b/c I don't get motivated to take the time to suit up for 45 degree weather commutes any more.
Come spring/summer/fall......I'll most likely commute most of the time for 9 mos or decide I don't really care.
Either way, I'll still keep the Blackbird for now.  I give it a little exercise on the weekends but whatever it is, I could often care less about riding it for leisure.
It's just not that comfortable to me.......I prefer riding it with a purpose, like my 20-30 min commute.

"Comfortable bikes".....like cruisers or standards kill my lower back......always.  The Blackbird while not comfy really never annoys my lower back.
So she stays for now.  Thanks again for everyone's replies.