Bonkers...

[Dark Angel]

One day, I went out on my ‘Bird. I’d just fitted an upgraded rear shock (YSS) and I was keen to experience the difference it made to the sensations and feedback I got from the bike. The next day, I went out on my R1 and found that the experience I’d had on the ‘Bird transferred easily to the much lighter and faster sports bike, because, having appreciated my new, ‘Bird-specific reference points, I was able then to create new reference points “across the board” as it were. Simply put: learn something on one bike – and you can re-employ the outcomes of that learning process on a different bike, and to good effect.

Years later, having forgotten all the previous stuff, I fitted a newly-acquired Corbin seat to my ‘Bird (have I mentioned that before?), and I was truly surprised by the difference it made in terms of handling a bike that is more familiarly known, even to its admirers, as “a bit of a barge”. If you’re familiar with your bike to the extent that you’re immediately and acutely aware of any changes that have been made to it, in terms of either comfort or performance, then you'll know what I mean.

After riding the 'Bird I jumped on the R1 and went for a test ride after carrying out one or two overdue maintenance tasks. I didn't realise that I was carrying the same level of relaxation and feeling of control and trust in the bike as I'd experienced on the 'Bird until the little bike took me through a series of bends at a faster rate than I'd ever experienced before. Let me stress here that I was on an empty road with excellent forward visibility in clear, warm, bright weather: a "back of the hand" road, if I may put it that way.

I wasn't in a hurry and I wasn't "trying to be fast": I was riding comfortably and within my capabilities - but I was also riding in a way that was better informed by my earlier progress on a different bike. The experience on the 'Bird had transferred, subliminally, to compliment my abilities on the Yamaha.

It was quite a revelation for me, and one that I enjoyed thoroughly.

Bikes are bastids because they're so bloody pe-rrr-sonal. Ride somebody else's bike and it'll be "OK" (shit) - or "bloody fantastic" (you can have my wife, house, car and the kids - just tell me how you did that!); there doesn't seem to be an in-between, it's all-or-nothing. And that's the kind of revelatory learning experience that I'm on about. Maybe you've had a similar experience. Maybe you understand how I feel.

I fookin' love bikes, me.

 

[slim63]

Any bike you ride adds to your experience, riding 2 bikes one after the other often shows up faults with one or puts you in a different frame of mind where the second bike seems to be better than before while you adjust to the new position/power/handling

Done it loads of times & its often a good experience but just occasionally it bite you in the arse so go steady old lad

 

[Squag1]

Yea,
The K1100 can read speed limit signs, the Bird doesn't even see them.
I have to keep reminding "her"

 

[Dark Angel]

Any bike you ride adds to your experience, riding 2 bikes one after the other often shows up faults with one or puts you in a different frame of mind where the second bike seems to be better than before while you adjust to the new position/power/handling

Done it loads of times & its often a good experience but just occasionally it bite you in the arse so go steady old lad

I rode three or four different bikes every day for four years as a full-time DSA instructor, so I know where you're coming from. I was also doing 2/3 trackdays every month at the time, as well as commuting and touring.

If I could have those days back again, I would - in an instant!

 

[slim63]

I rode three or four different bikes every day for four years as a full-time DSA instructor, so I know where you're coming from. I was also doing 2/3 trackdays every month at the time, as well as commuting and touring.

If I could have those days back again, I would - in an instant!

Yeah despite always having a few bikes of my own to chose from it didn't really hit me how much the feel of a bike could change until I started instructing & jumping from one bike to the next all the time

 

[Pow-Lo]

One day, I went out on my ‘Bird. I’d just fitted an upgraded rear shock (YSS) and I was keen to experience the difference it made to the sensations and feedback I got from the bike. The next day, I went out on my R1 and found that the experience I’d had on the ‘Bird transferred easily to the much lighter and faster sports bike, because, having appreciated my new, ‘Bird-specific reference points, I was able then to create new reference points “across the board” as it were. Simply put: learn something on one bike – and you can re-employ the outcomes of that learning process on a different bike, and to good effect.

Years later, having forgotten all the previous stuff, I fitted a newly-acquired Corbin seat to my ‘Bird (have I mentioned that before?), and I was truly surprised by the difference it made in terms of handling a bike that is more familiarly known, even to its admirers, as “a bit of a barge”. If you’re familiar with your bike to the extent that you’re immediately and acutely aware of any changes that have been made to it, in terms of either comfort or performance, then you'll know what I mean.

After riding the 'Bird I jumped on the R1 and went for a test ride after carrying out one or two overdue maintenance tasks. I didn't realise that I was carrying the same level of relaxation and feeling of control and trust in the bike as I'd experienced on the 'Bird until the little bike took me through a series of bends at a faster rate than I'd ever experienced before. Let me stress here that I was on an empty road with excellent forward visibility in clear, warm, bright weather: a "back of the hand" road, if I may put it that way.

I wasn't in a hurry and I wasn't "trying to be fast": I was riding comfortably and within my capabilities - but I was also riding in a way that was better informed by my earlier progress on a different bike. The experience on the 'Bird had transferred, subliminally, to compliment my abilities on the Yamaha.

It was quite a revelation for me, and one that I enjoyed thoroughly.

Bikes are bastids because they're so bloody pe-rrr-sonal. Ride somebody else's bike and it'll be "OK" (shit) - or "bloody fantastic" (you can have my wife, house, car and the kids - just tell me how you did that!); there doesn't seem to be an in-between, it's all-or-nothing. And that's the kind of revelatory learning experience that I'm on about. Maybe you've had a similar experience. Maybe you understand how I feel.

I fookin' love bikes, me.

I wish I could put into words why my second 'Bird felt 'wrong'. My first was a '98 R plate, which I bough brand new. All I had done was a K&N air filter and dumped the stock exhaust for an Akrapovic 4-2-1. What. A. Fookin'. Bike. I had to sell her under a cloud after less than two years of ownership. Fast forward to 2010 and I bought a '57 plate model and I never got on with it for reasons I don't understand to this day. She felt dog slow and uncomfortable. At the time, I thought it was because I was ten years older and had been off bikes for a good nine years or so. However, now I have a 23 year old carbie, it's like putting on an old pair of slippers. Even the original seat don't bother me. I really wish I knew why I didn't get on with the second one.

 

[slim63]

I wish I could put into words why my second 'Bird felt 'wrong'. My first was a '98 R plate, which I bough brand new. All I had done was a K&N air filter and dumped the stock exhaust for an Akrapovic 4-2-1. What. A. Fookin'. Bike. I had to sell her under a cloud after less than two years of ownership. Fast forward to 2010 and I bought a '57 plate model and I never got on with it for reasons I don't understand to this day. She felt dog slow and uncomfortable. At the time, I thought it was because I was ten years older and had been off bikes for a good nine years or so. However, now I have a 23 year old carbie, it's like putting on an old pair of slippers. Even the original seat don't bother me. I really wish I knew why I didn't get on with the second one.

Its not just you mate, I have had 3 RF900's all with similar miles on them & every one felt different the first I bought I could put anywhere on a road I wanted almost down to the cm but neither of the others would handle quite the same, power wise the 2nd & 3rd were down as well & never as comfortable either ………. I really cant explain it as all were set up exactly the same to start with, its partly why I sold them on, I just couldn't get to the bottom of the differences

I have had it with other bikes I have had more than one of but those 3 were markedly different

 

[Dark Angel]

Bikes can be a blessing, or the bane of our lives when it comes to getting the right "feel" or "sensation" or "feedback" when we're in the saddle. It all goes to show how personal our riding experience becomes, regardless of age or experience.

I've spoken with bikers who said, when discussing the acquisition of a new bike: "I didn't know what I was looking for 'till I sat on it and rode it". I was like that when I bought my first 'Bird. I'd gone to buy a Hayabusa, but it didn't feel right when I sat on it. On my way out, the sales bod said: "Just try this. See how it feels." Blinded by all the (then) hyper-bike top speed headlines, I'd never given a thought to the Honda Blackbird...

I've also spent the day watching Alberto Nasca's video's and there's one where he tells how, one year on, the same bike at the same track behaved in a totally unexpected way: I guess the "doesn't feel right" phenomenon is experienced across the board, so we shouldn't feel too surprised if it's happened to us mere mortals, too.