Newbie to sportbikes...speed question

[kdriven]

Today I was on a local expressway and saw a sportbike coming up in my rearview mirror...as the guy past me I dropped into his lane thinking two bikes, even spaced apart and on their respective side of the lane are easier to see than one...I'm pretty sure he thought otherwise because in about 1 second he hit the throtle and I thought, ok, I'll give it a shot....so two questions:

1. Is this a sport bike no-no, should I not have dropped in behind this guy?

2. At about 140MPH the front wheel felt like it was everywhere, the handle bars had a little shake but I could feel the front wheel back and forth (at least it felt that way)...being new to these speeds, and immediately backing off once this happened I just wondered if this is a normal feeling at this speed. I had control of the bike but I felt like if I pushed it another 10MPH I might not...

PS - whatever the other guy was riding made my bike look like a triple turtle...when he finally slowed to exit I saw it was a Huyabusa 1300 - the thing was a freakin bullet!

[HiVel]

That is called: WANNA RACE?

you lost.

[Limey]

:-D :-D that was the fastest production bike on the road. go faster :-D

[tekmoe]

think of it this way...

those hayabusa's aren't NEAR as much as fun to ride as our s3's. yes, seriously.

[tekmoe]

oh, and not to mention...everyone and their mother has one! :razz:

[Limey]

I go riding with m neighbor, he has a busa, nice bikes but mine is more fun in every category except top end

[kdriven]

I'm definately not trading the S3 for one, they look a little like the limo of sportbikes (and limos are ugly, no matter what they were orginally), but ***** that thing looked like it was at 200 at the same time I hit 140...

How about the shaking question? If I plan on getting to these speeds and above should I be thinking about a stabalizer or something or was it wind and road conditions or should the bike not shake up front at all? It's not the best expressway - as any Michigan driver will tell you...or will it shake but shouldn't freak me out kind of thing.

If I'm freaked I'll back off...but for you guys that fly on these things, do they shake at that speed? Are naked bikes just not designed for balls out freeway runs?

[ This message was edited by: kdriven on 2006-05-30 13:31 ]

[Limey]

to go Ton+++ u need a smooth road or the bike will shake, u did the right thing to back off. I did 158 on a smooth road Monday and it was fine

[kdriven]

sweet - Thanks Limey.

[kuhlka]

Also, keep in mind if your arms are locked and stiff, any wind buffeting your body will go directly from your shoulders down your arms into the handlebars and cause headshake.

When you're hauling ass regardless of whether its in a straight line or the twisties, keep your arms relaxed and at least slightly bent and don't deathgrip your bars. You'll notice an immediate change in stability.

Also, make sure to duck and tuck when you're trying to go in the 120mph+ range or else your body will act like a sail and want to wobble the bike around in the wind.