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M2
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First of all, sorry for the late posting. I tried to post this yesterday morning, but lost my wireless connection...so I had to wait until this morning. I did my best to capture the thrill of my day as best I could, but there is still nothing better than actually having lived it. It was awesome, but you can read that for yourself. Enjoy...
Cheers! M²
CBR1000RR First Ride Report
Well, got back Saturday evening around 8:15pm from my trip up to Lewisville to pick up my semi-new (23 miles on the clock) CBR1000RR Repsol. First and foremost, my most humble gratitude goes to Sleepy Weasel, Sleepy Sr, MuddyPaws and Jetblue for their hospitality and generosity during my trip. From being picked up at the airport to the escort to Grandbury, I was so well taken care I almost felt like royalty, and it greatly decreased my stress level for the trip. I am deeply indebted to each and every one of them for their kindness, they are wonderful people and the world is a better place because of them.
Now, about the bike, it has been two days since I rode it the 300+ miles back to San Antonio and the ‘high’ still exists. What an outstanding machine, how Mr Honda and company made such a powerful bike with such impeccable manners is beyond me, but they hit a home run with this one. I have not ridden a bike with such a power-to-weight ratio since I rode Can-Am motorcross racers back in the 70’s! Top gear roll-ons are so powerful that I would try to shift up another gear as I thought I had downshifted one or two cogs to get such acceleration. The few times I dared downshifting and opening the throttle I was hanging on for dear life, the thing felt like it had afterburners on it! It is once awesome motorcycle, and it makes me wonder why I waited so long to get a sportbike, but better late than never!
I was concerned that the riding position might be too radical for me. I did get a chance to sit on a CBR1000RR at the Brussels Motorcycle Show earlier this year, a Repsol to boot, and it felt pretty good to me; but I had yet to ride one until I picked this one up. Remember my normal ride is a 1991 ST1100 that I’ve had since new, so the difference in rider position is quite substantial; but for other ST owners let me point out to key points. For one, the early models had shorter bars on them, so the riding position has more of a forward incline to it than later models. Secondly, I ride with a ClearView SportShield, which is cut pretty low especially compared with the stock and most aftermarket windshields. But the pegs/seat/handlebar ratio on the CBR was definitely a squeeze at first, but once I got used to it I found it to be fairly comfortable, especially compared to the newer Ducatis I have sat on. Anyhow, the six or so hours I spent in the saddle were bearable and much better than I expected. My wrists, neck and butt are a bit sore, but I haven’t really done much riding over the past year due to our move back to the States and all, so I was expecting to feel the effects no matter what. I don’t think I would have been much better off had I taken the ST1100 out for a 300 mile jaunt. Kudos to Honda for remembering to keep rider comfort in mind when they built this bike.
Thanks to everyone who suggested taking 281 back instead of IH-35. Except for one DPS car, I had clear sailing the entire way. I was concerned as the DPS officer gave me an eyeful and I was doing 77 in a 70 zone, but I think the fact that I was in full leathers and helmet in triple-digit temperatures may have bought me some grace for being over the speed limit slightly. I was lucky as I exceeded the limit a bit more than that one a few occasions, I had to rev her up on occasion as part of the breaking in period, y’know! But for the most part I played it safe and kept her within a reasonable distance of the speed limit. I stopped for gas approximately every 125 miles and found I was only putting in about 2.5 gallons per stop, or about half of the fuel capacity. That equates to about 50 miles to the gallon, so you know I was taking it easy. But the road and scenery were great, and I was much happier not having to deal with the Interstate and its traffic. It was also much easier to find places to stop and get gas. Each time I downed a liter of Gatorade and still didn’t have to go to the bathroom until after I got home, a testimony to how hot it was. A Ft Worth bank sign said it was 108 degrees, another one later on said it was 103. Remember I was in full black Alpinestars leathers and a fullface Arai Astral-X, but both did a fairly good job of keeping me cool when I was moving. Sure, it wasn’t like having a/c, but considering how hot it was outside I didn’t sweat as bad as I expected. Still, I think I still got a mild case of heatstroke, as once I got home I had a headache and was very tired, and I slept most of Sunday, but a lot of that could be attributed to the long day and mental stress of knowing I was going to ride a bike I had never ridden before 300 miles in Texas in late August. All things considered, it was a good ride.
I really wanted to take the CBR for a ride on Sunday, but when I woke it was overcast and raining, and I was still feeling the effects of the long ride the day before, so I just went out to the garage and stared at the bike for a while. I know Sleepy said it wasn’t his kind of motorcycle, and he is using the money I paid him to get a bike he wants; but several times on Saturday I asked him if he was sure he wanted to sell it. I just love this bike that much! But I am glad he is getting a new bike with the money, as he is a very nice guy and was kind enough to work with me in getting this bike even though it meant it was sitting in his garage longer than he wanted. It is a dream come true for me, and I hope the Sherpa will be the same for him as he deserves it. I am still grinning about the CBR, and I can’t wait to take her out for another ride. I do feel sorry for the ST as I don’t think I will be riding her much for the next couple of years, but I have to get this sportbike bug out of my blood. I will probably keep the ST in hibernation as one day I will need her back, and I have known too many ST owners who regret getting rid of their bike. Her time will come again, but for now I am having a love affair with the CBR, and I will have a hard time keeping the smile off my face when I think of her.
And one last anecdote, on the way home Saturday evening I was on the outer loop of San Antonio (1604) and guess what passed me in the other direction? Yep, another Repsol CBR! I have met what I believe are the only two other Repsol CBR owners in San Antonio, so I suspect it had to be one of them. I am going to call both later today to see about meeting up at Specht’s (122 Specht Road in Bulverde) on Wednesday night, having three Repsols together will look pretty cool. If anyone is in the area stop by, barring any effects from Katrina I will be out there, it would be nice to meet some more folks from this forum.
Cheers! M²
Cheers! M²
CBR1000RR First Ride Report
Well, got back Saturday evening around 8:15pm from my trip up to Lewisville to pick up my semi-new (23 miles on the clock) CBR1000RR Repsol. First and foremost, my most humble gratitude goes to Sleepy Weasel, Sleepy Sr, MuddyPaws and Jetblue for their hospitality and generosity during my trip. From being picked up at the airport to the escort to Grandbury, I was so well taken care I almost felt like royalty, and it greatly decreased my stress level for the trip. I am deeply indebted to each and every one of them for their kindness, they are wonderful people and the world is a better place because of them.
Now, about the bike, it has been two days since I rode it the 300+ miles back to San Antonio and the ‘high’ still exists. What an outstanding machine, how Mr Honda and company made such a powerful bike with such impeccable manners is beyond me, but they hit a home run with this one. I have not ridden a bike with such a power-to-weight ratio since I rode Can-Am motorcross racers back in the 70’s! Top gear roll-ons are so powerful that I would try to shift up another gear as I thought I had downshifted one or two cogs to get such acceleration. The few times I dared downshifting and opening the throttle I was hanging on for dear life, the thing felt like it had afterburners on it! It is once awesome motorcycle, and it makes me wonder why I waited so long to get a sportbike, but better late than never!
I was concerned that the riding position might be too radical for me. I did get a chance to sit on a CBR1000RR at the Brussels Motorcycle Show earlier this year, a Repsol to boot, and it felt pretty good to me; but I had yet to ride one until I picked this one up. Remember my normal ride is a 1991 ST1100 that I’ve had since new, so the difference in rider position is quite substantial; but for other ST owners let me point out to key points. For one, the early models had shorter bars on them, so the riding position has more of a forward incline to it than later models. Secondly, I ride with a ClearView SportShield, which is cut pretty low especially compared with the stock and most aftermarket windshields. But the pegs/seat/handlebar ratio on the CBR was definitely a squeeze at first, but once I got used to it I found it to be fairly comfortable, especially compared to the newer Ducatis I have sat on. Anyhow, the six or so hours I spent in the saddle were bearable and much better than I expected. My wrists, neck and butt are a bit sore, but I haven’t really done much riding over the past year due to our move back to the States and all, so I was expecting to feel the effects no matter what. I don’t think I would have been much better off had I taken the ST1100 out for a 300 mile jaunt. Kudos to Honda for remembering to keep rider comfort in mind when they built this bike.
Thanks to everyone who suggested taking 281 back instead of IH-35. Except for one DPS car, I had clear sailing the entire way. I was concerned as the DPS officer gave me an eyeful and I was doing 77 in a 70 zone, but I think the fact that I was in full leathers and helmet in triple-digit temperatures may have bought me some grace for being over the speed limit slightly. I was lucky as I exceeded the limit a bit more than that one a few occasions, I had to rev her up on occasion as part of the breaking in period, y’know! But for the most part I played it safe and kept her within a reasonable distance of the speed limit. I stopped for gas approximately every 125 miles and found I was only putting in about 2.5 gallons per stop, or about half of the fuel capacity. That equates to about 50 miles to the gallon, so you know I was taking it easy. But the road and scenery were great, and I was much happier not having to deal with the Interstate and its traffic. It was also much easier to find places to stop and get gas. Each time I downed a liter of Gatorade and still didn’t have to go to the bathroom until after I got home, a testimony to how hot it was. A Ft Worth bank sign said it was 108 degrees, another one later on said it was 103. Remember I was in full black Alpinestars leathers and a fullface Arai Astral-X, but both did a fairly good job of keeping me cool when I was moving. Sure, it wasn’t like having a/c, but considering how hot it was outside I didn’t sweat as bad as I expected. Still, I think I still got a mild case of heatstroke, as once I got home I had a headache and was very tired, and I slept most of Sunday, but a lot of that could be attributed to the long day and mental stress of knowing I was going to ride a bike I had never ridden before 300 miles in Texas in late August. All things considered, it was a good ride.
I really wanted to take the CBR for a ride on Sunday, but when I woke it was overcast and raining, and I was still feeling the effects of the long ride the day before, so I just went out to the garage and stared at the bike for a while. I know Sleepy said it wasn’t his kind of motorcycle, and he is using the money I paid him to get a bike he wants; but several times on Saturday I asked him if he was sure he wanted to sell it. I just love this bike that much! But I am glad he is getting a new bike with the money, as he is a very nice guy and was kind enough to work with me in getting this bike even though it meant it was sitting in his garage longer than he wanted. It is a dream come true for me, and I hope the Sherpa will be the same for him as he deserves it. I am still grinning about the CBR, and I can’t wait to take her out for another ride. I do feel sorry for the ST as I don’t think I will be riding her much for the next couple of years, but I have to get this sportbike bug out of my blood. I will probably keep the ST in hibernation as one day I will need her back, and I have known too many ST owners who regret getting rid of their bike. Her time will come again, but for now I am having a love affair with the CBR, and I will have a hard time keeping the smile off my face when I think of her.
And one last anecdote, on the way home Saturday evening I was on the outer loop of San Antonio (1604) and guess what passed me in the other direction? Yep, another Repsol CBR! I have met what I believe are the only two other Repsol CBR owners in San Antonio, so I suspect it had to be one of them. I am going to call both later today to see about meeting up at Specht’s (122 Specht Road in Bulverde) on Wednesday night, having three Repsols together will look pretty cool. If anyone is in the area stop by, barring any effects from Katrina I will be out there, it would be nice to meet some more folks from this forum.
Cheers! M²
), and don't forget to include some pics!
Hmmm... Now that you are back in San Antonio and have the CBR, perhaps you might help get things kick started in that area? As far as I know, there aren't any regular meets of the folks in/around San Antonio. I know there has to be a ton of riders there. Check with Bluedogok, he has some really cool card templates that he can send you for making personal TWT business cards that you can leave on bikes and hand out 
