My summer project....

OTB · 03-23-2010, 12:48 PM

I get to ride all kinds of stuff, and my "Main" bike is the Bimota....I don't think I'll EVER sell it, but having a bike like that can be a bit of a hassle, sometimes.

Like, when it's going to rain. Don't want to get all that CF, Ti and billet
stuff ucky, right?

Like when you want to ride down to the mall, or to a movie, or overnight someplace....paranoid that somebody'll steal it, or worse, that some pimply-faced wannabe will decide it's OK to sit on it while I'm not around, pretend he's Rossi, and then freak when I walk outside and start screaming at him and he leaps off and flops it over..............

Anyway, I've been looking for an "everyday" bike; something that was low-cost, was decent performance and looks-wise but that I wouldn't be sweating it everytime I left it out in public, or that I wouldn't mind riding 211 miles in the rain (door to door from house to cabin in the mountains). Something that I could take to Summit and wouldn't feel bad about thrashing a little; maybe do some low cost mods and have a little fun with; maybe be a greyed-out hooligan once in a while.

Besides, ya'll know that I'm half a bubble off plumb when it comes to what I like in bikes.....I LIKE weird bikes; Suzuki Rotarys, Yamaha Seca Turbos, the Benelli, one-off Ducatis, new and old alike stuff that maybe never really caught on.............

Announcing My Summer Project.

With the purchase of the little UM/Hyosung GT650S, I think I've found a suitable everyday bike. It's a little, uhm, weird, it wasn't a big commercial success (witness the multitude of bankrupt dealerships), it's cheap, it is actually a pretty competent motorcycle, if a little minimalist in execution, and I think it'll make a great summer project. The closest dealer is about two hours away, so service is going to be a self kinda thing. No warranty, so if it breaks, I'm gonna be just like any other joe and I'll record the trials and tribulations of owning one of these things.

I've checked around, and there is a decent amount of aftermarket stuff available to mebbe take care of some of it's shortcomings; plus it'll be FUN to flog a bike a bit without worrying about decreasing it's value.

In other words, this would be a bike I would buy if I were just starting out and didn't have a lot of money and wanted to learn and grow on; like most new riders.

If there's any interest, I'll chronicle the successes, failures, strengths and weaknesses of this little outcast; as well as keep track of costs of ownership, from gas and oil, to mods and repairs.

If any of you are interested and get out this way (Baltimore, Maryland) this summer, I'm going to invite you to help me; by riding it, racing or tracking it, and writing about your impressions and experiences with the bike.

I don't know about posting the stuff here, or mebbe setting up a Twitter or blog account someplace.... suggestions are welcome as to format, placement, ect.

Also need a NAME for the project: suggestions are welcome.

Any feedback???

tached1000rr · 03-23-2010, 12:58 PM

sounds cool, I look forward to reading updates.

tommymac · 03-23-2010, 01:19 PM

Hmmm I iwll turn a few laps on it down at summit or VIR

Homeslice · 03-23-2010, 01:27 PM

Great idea, that bike is a good deal, and it's a lot better looking than an SV. I love the frame on it.

marko138 · 03-23-2010, 01:29 PM

You shoulda held on to that XBs.

Porkchop · 03-23-2010, 02:37 PM

Sounds awesome. I've always wanted a firsthand account of how these things run over time. When I lived out in Newark I almost bought a GT250R but decided against it when the new Ninja 250s were introduced. I look foreward to the write-ups.

Summer Daze: A Hyosung Odyssey

smileyman · 03-23-2010, 02:47 PM

I think they would be a great bike. Lil heavy, lil crude, but it has 2 wheels so why not?

You could call it 'The Seoul Man Summer'
or 'OTB's Comet' or 'The Kim Shi Comet' as opposed to 'Rice Rocket'

nhgunnut · 03-23-2010, 04:54 PM

I am looking forward to seeing how a rel biker tweaks this machine.

Phenix_Rider · 03-23-2010, 06:34 PM

Dirt Cheap SV wannabe...

Should be fun to flog it!

derf · 03-23-2010, 11:35 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by OTB

If any of you are interested and get out this way (Baltimore, Maryland) this summer, I'm going to invite you to help me; by riding it, racing or tracking it, and writing about your impressions and experiences with the bike.

Moving to MD this summer, Ft meade to be exact. I will be taking you up on this offer

03-23-2010, 12:48 PM	#1
OTB The Man Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: CrabTown USA Moto: 00 Bimota DB4 Posts: 823	My summer project.... I get to ride all kinds of stuff, and my "Main" bike is the Bimota....I don't think I'll EVER sell it, but having a bike like that can be a bit of a hassle, sometimes. Like, when it's going to rain. Don't want to get all that CF, Ti and billet stuff ucky, right? Like when you want to ride down to the mall, or to a movie, or overnight someplace....paranoid that somebody'll steal it, or worse, that some pimply-faced wannabe will decide it's OK to sit on it while I'm not around, pretend he's Rossi, and then freak when I walk outside and start screaming at him and he leaps off and flops it over.............. Anyway, I've been looking for an "everyday" bike; something that was low-cost, was decent performance and looks-wise but that I wouldn't be sweating it everytime I left it out in public, or that I wouldn't mind riding 211 miles in the rain (door to door from house to cabin in the mountains). Something that I could take to Summit and wouldn't feel bad about thrashing a little; maybe do some low cost mods and have a little fun with; maybe be a greyed-out hooligan once in a while. Besides, ya'll know that I'm half a bubble off plumb when it comes to what I like in bikes.....I LIKE weird bikes; Suzuki Rotarys, Yamaha Seca Turbos, the Benelli, one-off Ducatis, new and old alike stuff that maybe never really caught on............. Announcing My Summer Project. With the purchase of the little UM/Hyosung GT650S, I think I've found a suitable everyday bike. It's a little, uhm, weird, it wasn't a big commercial success (witness the multitude of bankrupt dealerships), it's cheap, it is actually a pretty competent motorcycle, if a little minimalist in execution, and I think it'll make a great summer project. The closest dealer is about two hours away, so service is going to be a self kinda thing. No warranty, so if it breaks, I'm gonna be just like any other joe and I'll record the trials and tribulations of owning one of these things. I've checked around, and there is a decent amount of aftermarket stuff available to mebbe take care of some of it's shortcomings; plus it'll be FUN to flog a bike a bit without worrying about decreasing it's value. In other words, this would be a bike I would buy if I were just starting out and didn't have a lot of money and wanted to learn and grow on; like most new riders. If there's any interest, I'll chronicle the successes, failures, strengths and weaknesses of this little outcast; as well as keep track of costs of ownership, from gas and oil, to mods and repairs. If any of you are interested and get out this way (Baltimore, Maryland) this summer, I'm going to invite you to help me; by riding it, racing or tracking it, and writing about your impressions and experiences with the bike. I don't know about posting the stuff here, or mebbe setting up a Twitter or blog account someplace.... suggestions are welcome as to format, placement, ect. Also need a NAME for the project: suggestions are welcome. Any feedback??? __________________ http://www.decreasingradius.net/

03-23-2010, 02:37 PM	#6
Porkchop 125GP Champion Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: Worthington, OH Moto: Empty Garage Posts: 3,418	Sounds awesome. I've always wanted a firsthand account of how these things run over time. When I lived out in Newark I almost bought a GT250R but decided against it when the new Ninja 250s were introduced. I look foreward to the write-ups. Summer Daze: A Hyosung Odyssey __________________ *Coming soon? 2010 Ducati Monster 696 - Sold 1984 Honda VF500F - Sold 1999 Yamaha R6 - Sold

03-23-2010, 02:47 PM	#7
smileyman White Trash Hero Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: NW Arkansas Moto: Buell 1125R Porco Rosso Edition Posts: 4,895	I think they would be a great bike. Lil heavy, lil crude, but it has 2 wheels so why not? You could call it 'The Seoul Man Summer' or 'OTB's Comet' or 'The Kim Shi Comet' as opposed to 'Rice Rocket' __________________ Arkriders.com To be the best you must first be willing to risk the worst!

03-23-2010, 04:54 PM	#8
nhgunnut gun totin redneck Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: South West New Hampshire Moto: turbo busa 999 Duc Goldwing & Victory Posts: 1,130	I am looking forward to seeing how a rel biker tweaks this machine. __________________ Evolution requires a body count, Count or be Counted!

03-23-2010, 12:58 PM	#2
tached1000rr WERA White Plate Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: NC Moto: 2009 GSXR 1300 Posts: 2,448	sounds cool, I look forward to reading updates.

03-23-2010, 01:19 PM	#3
tommymac Moto GP Star Join Date: Nov 2008 Posts: 11,022	Hmmm I iwll turn a few laps on it down at summit or VIR