Liter + bikes

[bljakkl]

I've owned a bunch of bikes, but keep gravitating back to bigger cc inline fours.  Or V-4's.  Granted, most have been older.  I had a V-65 Sabre, a concours 1k, a GS1000 and just revived a 1988 Katana 1100.  Now I've ridden all types of modern 600's.  I know they will kill the Katana on the top end.  But I just like that immediate yank on my arms that I get from the older big-bore bikes.  Not counting cruisers, had a Virago 1100 too, that's not quite the same.  
Probably the best in the middle was a Honda vfr700.  Great sound and still scooted along ok and handled good as well.  I suppose it's because I now can buy the bikes I wanted in high school.  Anyone else like the old bigger-bore (by those years) bikes?

[black hills]

there is no replacement for displacement

[mjrfd99]

Older bikes are our history.  Ride em don't hide em

[greasemonkey79]

I can't speak for the older bikes as all of those I've ridden (and enjoyed) were less than 1000cc's. I know full well the appeal of the big bore bikes though. My current ride is a 1300cc monster (Hayabusa). The insane HP is great and all but what really makes it so nice is the smooth low end. I can putt around at 3k rpm and the bike still has enough torque pass without a downshift. It cares not what gear your in because it'll pull clear down to just right off idle. That ability to pull strong without having to wring it's neck is the reason why big cc bikes are so awesome.   For fun-time it's hard to beat the top end rush of the smaller bikes but for daily riding it's true that there simply is no replacement for displacement.

[Rogue]

I get the same, immediate acceleration you speak of in my big bore V-twin engine.

But back in HS, my dream bike was a 1986 Honda VFR750 Interceptor.  Later on it became the 1993 VFR750.  Both in their all white livery.  I remember riding one of my old HS friend's Ninja 1000R.  Another friend had an FJR1200, which I also rode.  Both were mighty fast.  But they were quite heavy and didn't handle that well.  So I preferred the VFR.

[Meemuh]

Older bikes do make me feel all warm and mushy inside.  

[bljakkl]

I'd like to try a V-twin like a Buell, a Superhawk or a Suzuki TL-1000.  I like the grunt, but it's nice when it doesn't die completely on top.  Rode a Yamaha R1 which was fun, but had most of the power above 6k as well.  
Hopefully I'll get to ride a Hayabusa of either gen and a zx-14.  Course I also wanna ride a zrx, etc.  This list could go on forever.  If I wouldn't have got the Katana 1100 I wanted a GPZ 1100 from the mid-1990's.  

[greasemonkey79]

I'd like to try a V-twin like a Buell, a Superhawk or a Suzuki TL-1000.  I like the grunt, but it's nice when it doesn't die completely on top.  Rode a Yamaha R1 which was fun, but had most of the power above 6k as well.  
Hopefully I'll get to ride a Hayabusa of either gen and a zx-14.  Course I also wanna ride a zrx, etc.  This list could go on forever.  If I wouldn't have got the Katana 1100 I wanted a GPZ 1100 from the mid-1990's.  

I've owned 2 Buells, an XB9S "Lightning" and an XB12R "Firebolt". Both were torquey but the design of that Harley engine means that trying to give very much throttle at low RPMs (below 3k) will lug the engine pretty bad. They would shudder something FIERCE as the engine tries it's best to beat those roller bearings in the bottom end to death. Buells do their best in the mid to upper end of their rev range. As much as I LOVED the chassis and handling of those bikes that Harely engine never did much for me aside from returning AMAZING mpg's (60+mpg was common for me on the road). I would still like to have another XB9 Lightning. I liked the more "rev-y" nature of the 9 than the 12 I had. A $600 big bore kit takes care of any power difference between the 2 as well.  

My brother has an R1 that I've ridden may times. It is a little short on low end (only compared to other big bore bikes, it feels like a beast compared to the 600's) but get that tach swinging to the right and you'd better be holding on tight!  

A Hayabusa or ZX14 is a "must experience" kind of ride. I've ridden both generations of Busa (own a 1st gen) and they are amazing; Smooth, torquey, and "Hand of God" kind of powerful. I haven't had the privilege to hop on a big ZX but I would do it without hesitation if the opportunity arose.

[ray916mn]

When I was in college I was a gadfly at the local Suzuki dealer. I still remember when the owner threw the keys to the demo GS1000E to me and asked me to pick up some parts from the local Yamaha dealer. Wowwwww.

Years later I managed to buy the 750 version, put in a big bore kit, smoothbore carbs, braided steel lines, after market shocks and springs,  fork brace and GS1000S quarter fairing. Rode that thing to Nova Scotia, Skyline Drive, Blue Ridge Parkway, Deals Gap, Adirondacks, Finger Lakes, Watkins Glen, Laconia, Pocono, Summit Point, Bridgehampton, Lime Rock all over the eastern seaboard. Allot of great memories.

Unfortunately, I also remember the solid mounted foot pegs and associated grinding, long wheelbase and associated resistance to turning and large wheel associated gyroscopic effects and the resultant cro magnon handling. It and the "liter" bikes of its ilk which followed it (CB900F with factory sport fairing and sport control kit , CBX, FJ1100, Ninja 900, built ZX11) while great arm pullers all are better as memories because of their handling weaknesses.

OTOH, I picked up an immaculate stock '86 GSX-R750 last year. What a hoot! Kevin Schwantz for the win!

[axelwik]

I've had some big-bore bikes and liked their umph, but lately I've gravitated toward lighter more flickable machines. Much more fun on a tight mountain road.

[greasemonkey79]

.....OTOH, I picked up an immaculate stock '86 GSX-R750 last year. What a hoot! Kevin Schwantz for the win!

I LOVE them old oil cooled GSXR's I had a 92 750 myself which was the very last year for the oil cooled motors. That bike would take a beatin' and never miss a lick.

[TuffguyF4i]

Love my 750 gsxr.  Scared me the first time i downshifted into 2nd to blast by a slow car and ended up doing an accidental wheelie.  

The next 30 times, it was on purpose.  

[Frankienuckles]

I had a very clean (sold it in '04) '86 gsxr 1100 and liked it alot!

[Justin]

I'm pretty happy with my Liter+ bike. Best compromise between a full on touring bike and a sport bike. Can still rail twisties and eat 1000+ mile days. Does everything I need.

[Andrew]

Owned a few Liter bikes in my day. I loved the ablity to curse at 3k and still be able to pass without down shifting. OK I may have been too lazy to downshift .
 
Something about the rush of a Big Bore I4 up in the R's is a very addicting drug.
Yet, as I get older I find I don't need that drug as much, YA I ride a 1150 now but the GSA is more about torque than HP. That and I value my CDL as much as my nuts.

[JSharp]

I can feel the love for I-4 literbikes. My first street bike was a Z1. 900cc and a little over 500lb. After riding lots of different bikes both bigger and smaller I'm back to what amounts to the current version of that bike. To me, it just feels like the right size for a street bike. Plenty of power, decent handling, and not too heavy.

[Dan K]

I4, V4, V-Twin, I3, all good.  All different, yet with plenty of oomph to make you smile.  Don't think I'd ever get anything smaller than a liter bike as a primary bike.  Track bike - yes.  Around towner - yes.  Everyday?  No way.  

And whomever said everyone should ride a BUsa or ZX14 just once +1 million.  Wow, are Busa engines the shit.

- Dan

[MidLifeMike]

My one and only personal ride is a 79 XS750 Special. I've gotten over the misconception there is anything Special about it but it gets me there for peanuts and it's skewed me towards triple engines so maybe a Triump 955 or 1050 at some point in the future.

To the topic of  litre bikes, I borrowed a FJ1200 for a few days that was bored out and had maybe 130 HP. Air cooled and heavy like mine but the power on tap was a pleasure and it turns way better. It just keeps giving, deceptively fast with no drama except at the gas pump (XS750 has way better mileage). I'd love it for my two up plans but buddy won't part with it.  I also tried his Suzuki TL1000 S. That thing just begs to be throttled and go. It never felt like the bike was satisfied within legal speeds. Glad I got a chance to compare a few bigger bikes.

[2DFlyer]

I stray but find myself circling and will come back round to an inline liter bike.  I like the 1050 because it sings a couple of octaves - a beautiful range of low end grunt and top end shriek.  

[CanadianBird]

You can still find low milage BlackBirds for $4 thou in the States. It's very user friendly, very fast, comfy and it's a Honda. Easy to work on, bullet proof engine, lots of mods available. My '02 has 180,000 kms on her.

[dietDrThunder]

I had a very clean (sold it in '04) '86 gsxr 1100 and liked it alot!

Now that bears a full quote reply.

Very nice.

Ya I love liter bikes on the street. My current ride is a 2000 CBR1100XX and I absolutely love it.

[CBRian1K]

Fell hard for the first gen 1000 Hurricane when I was in high school.  Still have the April 87 issue of CW with a black and red 'cane on the cover.

Bought this  last summer......


 

It was worth the wait.  Big, fast, comfy.

[Frankienuckles]

Insert Quote

Fell hard for the first gen 1000 Hurricane when I was in high school.  Still have the April 87 issue of CW with a black and red 'cane on the cover.

Bought this  last summer......


 

 

That thing is clean! Sweet!

[bubba zanetti]

I had a very clean (sold it in '04) '86 gsxr 1100 and liked it alot!

I spent years coming to grips with the fact that this bike was in fact the holy grail of what we tried to achieve with lesser machines and thousands of dollars. Come to grips because there it was, staring us in the face. An 86 11 ... gawd. I see the one you had was rather well sorted too.

Sometimes, after a few beers, even Dr. Zorko agrees that this was the epitome of bikes that with a few cuts to the fairing, some different handlebars ... one might have had the ultimate SPORT tourer.

The Shielded 33 Mikuni Smooth Bores are a great touch ...  

[bubba zanetti]

Fell hard for the first gen 1000 Hurricane when I was in high school.  Still have the April 87 issue of CW with a black and red 'cane on the cover.

Bought this  last summer......


 

It was worth the wait.  Big, fast, comfy.

Hey my friend.   That is the most awesome retro bike in the KOOTs IMHO ... I saw you riding late this year and am pleased to tell anyone reading, this is no garage queen.

[Bad-Dog]

Here is some photos of my old pride and joys

[FJRmgm]

'05 FJR 1300 and '02 CBR-954 in the stable right now.

I just love to be able to just twist the throttle and feel that big motor torque take the bike to whatever speed you want to go.

Big engines are good.

[CBRian1K]

Hey my friend.   That is the most awesome retro bike in the KOOTs IMHO ... I saw you riding late this year and am pleased to tell anyone reading, this is no garage queen.

Hey Bubba,  yep, finally rode it to my storage area while the snow was flying. Def. not a queen, I put a lot of miles on the bike last season, and intend to do a lot more this year and I am really looking forward to the Borscht Burn this year (hope to help out a little this time).  I love the idea of re-purposing yesteryear's litre+ sport bikes into simple, stripped down budget sport tourers, just add soft luggage, a comfy seat, and a re profiled screen. That ZX10 in the pic above is just crying out for that treatment.  Man what a bike!  Amazing pic of the gixxer 11 too.  I've always likened those early slab sided ones to a two wheeled,  road going   Vought F4U Corsair.  Wicked looking bastards they were (plane AND bike that is).

[CBRian1K]

That thing is clean! Sweet!

Yeah,  when I heard it was for sale, I went to take a look....soon as I saw it,  I knew it was a done deal.

All is not so good on the other side however, small amount of rash on the lower fairing and can from where the PO dumped it on some sand at the end of his driveway.  Various other small nicks, chips and scratches abound as well.  Oh well.  No doubt I'm going to be adding to them, as this bike was bought to be ridden .  Lots.

Cheers!