Originally posted by: Zenmervolt
Fair enough, though it might be a good idea in the future to somehow indicate that you're just poking fun. That's one of those things that tend to easily get lost in text.
And that turbo-ed 750S still sounds like a wicked cool bike.
I can't say that I understand your apparent preference for chain drive though. I can understand concerns about shaft-jacking or simply the extra weight of a shaft-drive compared to a chain or a belt on an all-out racebike but I don't see it being that much of a liability on a street bike. As far as belts, I'd take them over chains every day of the week and twice on Sundays. Lighter than a chain, just as strong, no lube, no stretch, less lash, and they'll last well over 100,000 miles. Buell has been using belts without issue for several years. Still, the simplicity of a chain is a benefit, and you can't exactly replace a belt at the side of the road as easily as you can a chain.
ZV
I've been around long enough to realize that some people just want to defend things for silly reasons. I find it most amusing when there are arguments based off opinions - thats something I've always found downright hilarious. If we were arguing about specific purposes of function where there is very little lee-way and there is typically a right and wrong answer, I'm the first person to admit when I've made a mistake and I'm usually extremely grateful for the information above all else, as thats my primary reason for frequenting forums such as this - to learn!
As for my opinions on the bike drive train styles, well I'm glad you inquired, ZV. Long story inc, feel free to skip the rest if you have a short attention span. Or maybe just the last two paragraphs or so.
As for the bikes, I'm not sure. Many years ago, I wasn't a bike person, and I didn't ever see myself becoming one. I always lived in climates where half the year it was snowing, and it never seemed to make a ton of sense to me to own something that was more or less useful 50% of the time you owned it for it's intended purpose. Then I got a job that required travel in warmer climates and my interests dud a 180.
Initially, the aforementioned friend in my previous post told me that I might be an extremely competent driver when it comes to four wheel drive vehicles, but that essentially meant jack shit for motorcycles, which were a whole different world of balance and maneuverability. Nonetheless I showed an interest, and when I was running around shopping for 600+cc bikes, he was determined not to let me make too many stupid mistakes along the way.
To explain, this is the type of friend where if you wanted him to show you something, say for example working on an engine, he'd sit you down in front of the engine, point to what you have to do, and give you a tool. He'd then work on something else for a while while you fucked up whatever task you were doing, and once he felt you had an appreciation for said task he'd sit you down and show you how to fix the damage you'd done and then show you how to do it right in the first place. The end result is he has a teaching method that typically humbles you and shows you a direct comparison of how things are done right, wrong, and how to fix mistakes all in one.
Now, as I mentioned before, said friend was determined not to let me go splat on a 100+HP bike with me having never ridden anything more powerful than a 75cc scooter. However, he has a REALLY sick sense of humor at the same time. So he handed me the keys to what was (at the time) a brand new GSX1300R 'Busa with 72 miles on the clock, gave me a lid and some gloves, and said "Go put 200 miles on this. If it comes back with a scratch on it, I'll beat your ass and make you fix it. If you manage not to drop it, we'll get you your own". The entire experience did, to this day, impact the fundamentals of just how powerful a bike can be. I will never own a 1300cc Super Sport for as long as I live, and after almost 10 years of riding I am just now getting comfortable with all aspects of riding a liter bike.
To make a VERY long story as short as possible, he gave me the CX650C mentioned before. It sure as hell didn't look like much, but I rode it for about 5,000 miles and got all of my retard mistakes out on it, such as experiencing gravel + brakes, water + thin tires, dropping it in a parking lot, in front of others, dropping it with it sitting on the kickstand while closing my garage, etc. After that I evolved to the Nighthawk - which is where I learned the fundamentals of powder coating.
After driving the Nighthawk for almost two years I picked up a Z 750S, threw on a racing cast off for my first experiments with exhaust modifications and had my first experience with chain maintenance and upkeep. After owning that for a year or so I sold it and bought a ZX636. It seemed at this point I was after power, but didn't really know in what increments I would appreciate in the end - keeping in mind that remembering riding that Busa scared the shit out of a guy that only clocks in around 150lbs.
The next step up was in 07, which was a big jump for me. I sold the ZX636 and picked up a 1098 AND a Yamaha Warrior at the same time. That dealer probably loved me. This gave me the first experience owning a belt driven cruiser and riding a liter bike, which was a whole new world of fun - kind of like going from riding a manual 4 banger that you have to give gas and a little bit of 'oomph' to in order to make it go with clutch release, vs. driving something with power like a 3000GT or Corvette where you let out the clutch and it's already moving because it just wants to go. To date the warrior is probably the most comfortable bike I've ridden simply due to sitting upright again, which I haven't gotten to really do since the S750 (the Z750S doesn't count because it's a naked bike and is, for all intents and purposes, still a semi crouched riding position).
And now, having owned various bikes, I sold the 1098 and picked up a ZX10R for the speed factor, fully knowing that the Warrior could really only be upgraded to something silly like a Vmax (have you SEEN that thing? Ridiculous looking, but amazingly powerful) which is ultimately just more than I need. A quick breakdown is simply that to me, shaft driven tends to put too much of a weight imbalance on turns, and thats something I never truly got over. Chain driven is responsive, but requires maintenance - however these can be the most fun to ride around twisties and the power band response (albeit varying through all 3 styles) tends to feel smoothest to me on chain. As far as comfort goes, belt is sure as hell where it's at. Just wish I didn't have to worry if I should be wearing a kidney belt, those 48 degree v-twin's aren't THAT bad by any means, but you sure as hell notice after a long ride.
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