Can I have more HP on a limited budget?

[BigWillie]

Guys, thanks for the input.

I'm basically happy with the bike, especially around 70mph. I hate vibration. The R3t is as smooth as my GL1800 was until you take it over 80. Therefore I like to stay under 80. BTW, the bike would be perfect with a 6th gear.

My question stemmed from my trip to bike week last Friday. Two in our pack of six were on CBR's. I couldn't keep up after 100. My riding buddy just bought an FJR, a bike I owned for two years and rode very agressively. I thought, at 46, it was time to slow down a little and relax. When I'm riding alone, or with the wife on, that's fine, but when the CBR passes at speeds over 100, my satisfaction wanes.

What I really want is 2 bikes. However, I run a Chevy dealership. Funds are, lets say, tight right now.

.....It's probably better that I can't spend the money. Florida's new "Anti-sportbiker" laws make it much more risky to ride fast. (50mph over the posted limit, $1,000 fine. Second offense, lose your bike. Lift the front wheel, $1,000 fine. Second offense, no bike.)

Thanks for the information. I'll probably start with the K&N and go from there.

I didn't start getting into fast bikes until I hit 48. Had the FJR before my R3T and got it because my knees couldn't take the riding position anymore for long trips. Have to be able to mover my feet around. I don't take my Rock over about 95 most of the time. I just like to blow the mirrors off my bro's HD when we ride together.

 

[CrazyTed]

I really enjoyed blowing away the boys at Bike Week. They gave me never ending crap last year with me riding the 97 Triumph Tiger. If you're not familiar with the older triples on that bike, they sound like a sewing machine with marbles in them. This year, we took off down the back road to breakfast from a red light and I just dusted all them Hardly D's. Then on Friday night, I left the speedway and a guy on some sort of sporting looking bike with upright seating pulled up next to me at the light. I took off moderately hard but not slamming gears by any sense. At the next light he pulled up with about a million questions as he was impressed by the Rocket. Love that reaction..... Some day when I escape worker's comp I'll be going the Tuneboy, TOR's route.

 

[BigWillie]

I had a blast riding with my bro in FL. He and I and some of his buddies down there went out on Saturday and instead of hitting the madhouse of Daytona, went south to Sabastian and Cocoa Beach. The night before Doug (my bro) and I had taken off down I95 and he was telling his HD riding friends how fast I had left him from about 75. He then told them about my jump trick. If I hit the throttle three times quick the R3T jumps up almost taking both wheels off the ground. They didn't believe it until I did it going down the road. Eyeballs were popping. I love showing this thing off especially at Daytona.

 

[STRIPES]

I posted the same thing a few weeks back. Lester accused me of BSing.

 

[BigWillie]

I think it's best to know your limits. I like to play with them by "rocketing" up to 60 or 70, about 10 over the legal limit, and just leaving them in the dust all the way.

Then I back off FAST and maintaining a sensible speed as they sail past me. Rinse, and repeat at the next stop light.

I think it ruins their fun a bit to get dusted and then have you just hand them the top end on a platter rather than having to earn it.

At least that's my little theory.

I enjoy this also. Considering I am not on a track, why do I need to be able to run 160 on a public street. It is fun showing the ****** rocket crowd that their bike is not all they think it is when it is out of its element.