Ever dusted a sportbike on your LT?

[nswenson]

A couple days ago we had some beautiful weather here in the San Francisco Bay area, so I decided to take the long scenic route during my commute home. I decided to head up the ultra twisty Page Mill Road to Skyline Blvd heading north toward San Francisco. On the way, I rode up on a sport bike, a YZF-R1 to be more specific. This guy decided to put the hammer down and really took off. I thought, what the heck, I’ll see if I can keep up with him, knowing that I had a snowball’s chance in hell. At this time, I was on Skyline Blvd which is an excellent motorcycle road with lots of nice 25mph marked corners and rolling hills. I gave the LT all she had, hitting redline with every shift in an effort to stay with the guy. Luckily there were enough corners that the guy had to slow down for. To my huge surprise, this guy could not lose me! We were hitting 110mph (indicated) between some of these corners. He would pull on me out of the corners but I reeled him back in the corners. On some of the switchbacks I could see that he was a little twitchy, riding at what he considered the limit. My LT was scraping the center stand and touching the pegs on a few of the corners, but not all. I felt very planted on the beast and in some cases had to hold back because I was right on his ass.

I know you’re not going to believe this, but at the turn onto highway 92, he waved me by. He then tried to follow me. He could NOT keep up! I dusted his race bred crotch rocket with my ultra luxury, long distance touring machine. Later up the road I had to slow down for traffic and he rode up and gave me the thumbs up.

Now granted, this guy was obviously a newbie. I know what that machine can do in the right hands. I’ve ridden my brothers R6, and that machine is scary fast, but I tell you, it is pretty amazing what this big beast can do. The LT surprised the hell out of that guy!

Nathan
2000 K1200LT 75k miles

[DBHutchins]

The Light Truck is a pretty quick ride in the right hands. I'd guess you've got 'em. I used to ride with a friend here in Belgium who had worn flat spots on his fairing lowers! Following him took everything I had, and then some. But I did love the challenge. And yea - we would blow buy some of the crotch rocket crowd on the average Sunday afternoon. Even two up, sometimes.

But keep the rubber side down, eh?

Don

[tmgs]

The Light Truck is a pretty quick ride in the right hands. I'd guess you've got 'em. I used to ride with a friend here in Belgium who had worn flat spots on his fairing lowers! Following him took everything I had, and then some. But I did love the challenge. And yea - we would blow buy some of the crotch rocket crowd on the average Sunday afternoon. Even two up, sometimes.

But keep the rubber side down, eh?

Don

I've actually wore holes through my lower fairing now, and that's with the bike raised up, the bad thing is, this bike can be darn dangerous doing that, particularly in TIGHT turns in hilly area's it's weight can force it off the road alone, I almost had that happen on the richard Russel, down hill tight right turn slightly decreasing radius. the front started to push out . the seat had a nice crease in it - pucker factor 10!.

Just don't forget how heavy of a bike this thing is!

[grifscoots]

And I've levered my rear wheel off the ground with the centerstand whilst throwing her into a tight one in S. Carolina. I thought I'd hit a small rock and the rear had stepped out, wasn't till Swanzy told me of the spark show that the color left the face.

That counter steering is good stuff.

[tmgs]

raise that bike! <g>

[KMC1]

A 900 pound front end slide???? Uh... NO, thanks.
It's the one thing that scares me about the LT, if it starts to get away from you it's probably not going to come back, or you better have a lot of run off area cause it sure does understand momentum. My SO and I actually bought the LT so I would ride "normal" and stop being a jackass all the time like when I'm on the sport bike. It has mostly worked. :) Just the thought of ending up underneath this thing keeps me in line 89% of the time.

[gunny]

Couple of years ago riding in a group had the only BMW. Buddy's son was riding s Suzuki 650, called it a half Habusa, he'd go tearing by and wait for the group to catch up, let us pas and then go tearing by. Saw him coming, dropped down to 3rd, got in his blind spot and stayed with him. He ran it to 110 and sat up counting headlights in his mirror, came up 1 short and looked around, saw me right beside him, laid back down and turned it wide open. Ran the windshield all the way down, turned on the cruise and waved to him as I passed him. GPS indicated 122 mph and it still had some left, speedo was showing a little more. He bought a LT this spring. He had a lot of trouble with me at lights too, could get about 40' ahead of me but couldn't leave me.
Don't usually ride it like that but wife stayed home that day (she does good at keeping me out of trouble) but it was fun.
Yup, it's a heavy bike and when you get it into trouble, you'll be in serious trouble.
Coming down from the Blue Ridge last summer on 221 noticed a crotch rocket on the side of the road, just past it, 2 riders with helmets, body armor, etc all along the road. Stopped and asked if all was ok, asked if they needed a cell phone. They looked a little shook but allowed they were alright. Started out and then noticed a Ducati in the fork of a tree about 10' off the ground. Wish I had taken a picture of that. Point is, be careful and don't ride beyond your abilities.

[eljeffe]

I've actually wore holes through my lower fairing now, and that's with the bike raised up, the bad thing is, this bike can be darn dangerous doing that, particularly in TIGHT turns in hilly area's it's weight can force it off the road alone, I almost had that happen on the richard Russel, down hill tight right turn slightly decreasing radius. the front started to push out . the seat had a nice crease in it - pucker factor 10!.

Just don't forget how heavy of a bike this thing is!

Downhill decreasing radius turns (especially to the left) are just plain scary on the LT when you are caught by suprise.

[UncleRock]

I rode up on a sport bike, a YZF-R1 to be more specific.

I know you’re not going to believe this, but at the turn onto highway 92, he waved me by. He then tried to follow me. He could NOT keep up! I dusted his race bred crotch rocket


Nathan
2000 K1200LT 75k miles
I don't believe it, (unless the kid was retarded)
Rock

[grifscoots]

raise that bike! <g>

Oh, she has Ohlins and the center stand bumpers are cut with the center stand good and ground off. I just shoved her down hard into that corner at high rpm's.

Now, you on the other hand, lean your body over farther than the bike into corners and you'll keep your fairings :p :D

Chicken strips sux?

[grifscoots]

A 900 pound front end slide???? Uh... NO, thanks.
It's the one thing that scares me about the LT, if it starts to get away from you it's probably not going to come back, or you better have a lot of run off area cause it sure does understand momentum. My SO and I actually bought the LT so I would ride "normal" and stop being a jackass all the time like when I'm on the sport bike. It has mostly worked. :) Just the thought of ending up underneath this thing keeps me in line 89% of the time.

One thang you never want to forget in a slide, push, etc., don't let off on the throttle. Give her gas and look where you want to go. It'll save your ass most of the time.

[messenger13]

Riders being equal . . . or even "close", the LT will prove to be what it is. A very capable LUXURY TOURER. The LT simply does not have the lean angles that a sportbike has. I push the capabilities of my LT...but my Ninja laughs at MY capabilities. Kinda humbling really... :o

[DavidTaylor]

I've had a couple of those -

A few years ago I was on my on my 99 LT with a Ducati 916 on Highway 84 coming up from La Honda to Alice's at the Skyline/84 junction. Similar story - we were stopped at a 1 way traffic control, and when we go the go-ahead he darted around me and took off up the hill. I decided to see how long I could stick with him, and he could never shake me! I loved watching his double take every time he looked back and I was still glued to his back tire (at about 3-5 bike lengths) the entire way up. When we got to the top I was turning south, and he pulled over next to me and said, " Nice bike, that thing will really move!" I told him the same, then he said, "Uh, I'm new up here, haven't ridden the roads much." Then he waved and rode off. I chuckled about that all the way home.

This one's for Joe - Many years ago I was 2-up with Kari on my HD Ultra Classic Electra Glide when a ZX-11 came up behind me at the 84/Skyline junction. We were going down 84 into Woodside, and before I cleared the intersection he flew around me through the intersection, cutting it a little close for my tastes. I didn't think much of it until I saw him take the 1st turn and realized he had no idea how to apex a corner. So I told Kari to hang on, cranked up the Metallica tape I was playing, and proceeded to dog this joker all the way down the hill. In about 1/2 dozen of the corners I came up and stuck my front tire just under his rear, just to help with the day's lesson. He couldn't get more that 3 bike lengths away from me all the way down the hill until we hit the long straight at the bottom, where at he nailed the throttle and took of at around 80 mph. Traffic was a little heavy getting into Woodside and I caught up with him just before the stop sign at the general store. Kari and I were in typical HD fare for the day - t-shirts & leather vests, jeans, and beanie helmets, with the music playing loudly. I pulled up next to him and said, "Nice Bike" with a big shit-eating grin on my face. He never said a word; just glared at me threw his open face shield, but his eyes told the story of a young man who's ego was splattered all over my front fairing.:D

[messenger13]

This one's for Joe - Many years ago I was 2-up with Kari on my HD Ultra Classic Electra Glide when a ZX-11 came up behind me at the 84/Skyline junction.....Your story confirms my post. It's the rider, not the bike.

[Reid]

Wow guys. This talk scares me. I know this bike has enormous capabilities, but racing a crotch rocketeerp-or anyone else for that matter-makes me wonder "why." I left those yearnings behind years ago and would hope my friends on this site would reconsider the value and sanity of such actions. Sorry if I sound like a preacher, but really.....WHY? I'd like to see all of us live to see tomorrow.

[messenger13]

Wow guys. This talk scares me.It's OK to be scared. ;) But if we have to 'splain it...you probably won't understand anyway. :p

(Not that I'm condoning such immature behavior on an LT!) :D

[nswenson]

Well actually, it didn't really seem like racing to me. The only part that was out of the norm was hitting the higher speeds on the straights. The corners weren't any faster than I'd normally take them at. I was barely scraping the center stand, which is something I do daily on the machine. There was never a moment when I was out of control. I know when I'm exceeding my capability when I'm trying to scrub off speed while in the corner and not hitting the apexes. The reality is that the guy was inexperienced. I know any average rider could have smoked me on that machine.

Nate

Wow guys. This talk scares me. I know this bike has enormous capabilities, but racing a crotch rocketeerp-or anyone else for that matter-makes me wonder "why." I left those yearnings behind years ago and would hope my friends on this site would reconsider the value and sanity of such actions. Sorry if I sound like a preacher, but really.....WHY? I'd like to see all of us live to see tomorrow.

[Reid]

It's OK to be scared. ;) But if we have to 'splain it...you probably won't understand anyway. :p

(Not that I'm condoning such immature behavior on an LT!) :D

Oh, but I do understand. It's a rush. In a previous life I used to race bikes in competition. It was hard to keep my street bike from wanting to give me the same rush on the street...sometimes I couldn't resist. That was then this is now.

[messenger13]

Oh, but I do understand. It's a rush. In a previous life I used to race bikes in competition.Well that sheds a little more light. I've noticed that racers (and/or ex-racers) have a whole different perspective on street riding. As for us common schmucks...we need to get our "rush" on the street . . . albeit pretty stupid in most cases. Than again, brains ain't my strong suit! :D

[UncleRock]

Wow guys. This talk scares me. WHY? I'd like to see all of us live to see tomorrow.

If you don't live today the way you want, what promise can tomorrow hold. :rolleyes:
I can die on the porch choking on a chicken bone, then it is a downward spiral, an endless morass of danger after danger lurking for me. Someone get these bones out of my chicken!
No one lives forever :D
Rock

[Tat_n_Telle]

Someone get these bones out of my chicken!


Just coming up with a visual in my mind of what a boneless chicken would look like. If it looked anything like what I think it would, I'll have a cheeseburger!

[NOGILLS2]

Listening to Sue Galpin, I learned more about quick riding than I ever new. The biggest part of it is building confidence in your bike and yourself. Since getting the LT I have been slightly afraid of it, as it weighs more than any bike I have ridden. Especialy since it rides like nothing I have ever ridden. Most of the bikes I ride with, it out performs them, a couple of them, we run fairly even.

As far as getting in the mode on the street I blame it all on The big T, when Testostorone hits, it seems you just cant help it, you gotta twist the throttle. If I dont slow down with the wifes new car she may not let me drive it anymore. it is also an LT but by Toyota!

[DavidTaylor]

It's OK to be scared. ;) But if we have to 'splain it...you probably won't understand anyway. :p

(Not that I'm condoning such immature behavior on an LT!) :D

And just how scraped up are your footpegs, Joe? ;) :D

[tmgs]

One thang you never want to forget in a slide, push, etc., don't let off on the throttle. Give her gas and look where you want to go. It'll save your ass most of the time.


had it been worse, and the front slid harder then caught traction, it prolly would have high sided me, I was darn lucky .

I like to think there was skill involved as well, but that time it was more luck, all conditions worked together , I think it was a little bit a small grqavel that did it, but then again I was running hard, just got blasted by some sport bikes and thought I would show them the lt wasn;t the big slow pig itlooks like, I have since slowed down up here!

[tmgs]

Started out and then noticed a Ducati in the fork of a tree about 10' off the ground. Wish I had taken a picture of that. Point is, be careful and don't ride beyond your abilities.


Or the bikes ability

[tmgs]

Downhill decreasing radius turns (especially to the left) are just plain scary on the LT when you are caught by suprise.


This was a right hander, and it was the hgihest pucker factor i had on this bike! I'm still not sure how I saved it from that one. luck and a little skill prolly

[bowlesj]

Fun post. But, you know. I agree with Reid. Having roadraced for 10 years, and very good at it with several championships and some good battles with Mr. Schwantz and others. I cannot see all out racing on the street for one very main reason. Cost to put the bike back together! I have never been down on the street but have crashed more than I can count on the track. Have totaled and rebuilt 10's of thousands of dollars worth of bikes and my body keeps healing itself, albeit slower these days. However, on the track you just don't deal with too many bone heads and unknown conditions. These both abound on the streets.

Since tour riding full time my racing experience has saved me a few times, including a surprise dip and decreasing radius exit ramp on a Cavalcade with my wife on back. Hit the loose shoulder and grass stayed off the brakes and rode the slide back to the pavement. Tar snakes create some wonderful slides, but again not good with wifey on board. I can still get around pretty good but really know when to say when on the road.

You guys be safe and remember those that know fast never condone taking it to the street. Find a track day! That being said, can't wait to hit the roads here in NC.

[pjessen]

You guys be safe and remember those that know fast never condone taking it to the street. Find a track day!

Great advice, John. Guys like Reg Pridmore or any of his instructors willl whip you on their bike, then take yours and do the same thing. Humbling, to say the least.

As far as the LT, if you have agressive riding tendencies...Ohlins!

At the Gatlinburg CCR I wore holes in the bottom fairings. I came home and ordered the new shocks; instant new bike!

[Reid]

If you don't live today the way you want, what promise can tomorrow hold. :rolleyes:
I can die on the porch choking on a chicken bone....Rock

When I first read this I thought you wrote "die choking my chicken." Sure struck me funny! Sorry.... I'm not a well man!!

[messenger13]

When I first read this I thought you wrote "die choking my chicken." Sure struck me funny! Sorry.... I'm not a well man!!http://psychobike.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/hysterical.gif
I am SOooo glad I wasn't drinking coffee when I read that!

[UncleRock]

When I first read this I thought you wrote "die choking my chicken." Sure struck me funny! Sorry.... I'm not a well man!!
Not on the front porch :D
Rock

[CharlieVT]

ride with the sport bikes, if you are willing; and it defies good sense to do it ;).

My ride with a group of Ducatis and Speed Triples from an old post: http://www.bmwlt.net/ubbthreads/showthreaded.php?Cat=&Board=RideTales&Number=89805&Search=true&Forum=All_Forums&Words=maine%20ducati%20triumph&Match=And&Searchpage=0&Limit=25&Old=allposts&Main=89805

[mikexup1]

Thought I was the only one who had riddden a Cavalcade...if fact still riding one.

[bowlesj]

Mike,

My '87 LXE was an excellant machine. Just didn't work for me when solo or needed a better handling ride. The LT fits that bill big time. I still brag about the Cade and all the gadgets it had for a 20 year old bike. Mine was still bone stock, even the auto leveling system still worked correctly.