Looking for a little insight

[zantamoray]

Okay. I've been reading around this forum for about six months now, and just now registered.

Most importantly: I'm 18. And I'm going to be buying a Busa in the coming weeks. I can feel you cringing.. but hear me out.

A little about me:
Riding Experience I've been riding dirt bikes and four wheelers my whole young life. Oh my, right? No dirtbike has 196 horsepower. I've taken the MSF course. I purchased my first bike a year ago, a 2004 GSX-R 750. I love it, but it's not exactly a great bike for my riding style. I've had no trouble handling her, and am confident when riding. I'm not a 'teenager' on a motorcycle. For reasons that will become apparent later on in this post. But I don't ride to 80 between stoplights, roll the throttle at every stop, and generally don't try to show off. Sure, like anyone who owns a powerful motorcycle, I'll get on it once in a great while just to get that ooooh-ahhhhhh feeling I don't imagine I need to explain to you folks. I have a theory about buying my Hayabusa. While I have real respect for most any motorcycle, my GSXR doesn't intimidate me. A Hayabusa? The fear of god. I honestly think I'll ride 10x more conservatively, be 100x more reluctant to do anything risky, and have 1000000x the pride in my bike. The real reason I want to upgrade to a busa (other than it's a freaking BUSA! ) Is because from May-->July I'll be riding across the country and filming a documentary along the way. More about that later. I'm not looking to get a stepping stone bike like so many people do. I want to buy this thing, and ride it until the odometer reads 'it's been fun, but you should just stop now.' I want to tour. (A sidenote that will probably come up: insurance cost. I am the owner of a painting business that insures a slew of work vehicles, so my monthly cost for full coverage on an '06 Hayabusa would be $86/month.)

My person/relevant past One of the people I loved the very most in this world, my oldest brother Jeremy, was killed in a motorcycle accident. And for this reason, I have a deep rooted respect for the danger of any motorcycle, a respect that even some veterans may not possess. I pride myself in being level headed. Much more so than the vast majority of my peers. (At any point if this begins to sound egotistical, I am extremely sorry. That isn't my intent at all.) While learning any skill, I'm the type of person that jumps into the deep end first. I'm an avid scuba diver, BJJ practitioner, martial artist, rock climber, and power lifter. When I force myself to perform at the highest level early on, it cuts my learning curve to pieces. It also allows my to remain calm and keep my head when I'm in a position that is excessively stressful.

The bottom line: I am interested to hear what you all think. I, unlike many in my age group, have respect for my elders. I understand that most of you probably have a LOT more wisdom about this than I do. I'd love to hear what you think, and don't be afraid to be honest. If you think I'm being a dumbass, let it rip.

In addition, Gen I or Gen II?

Also, I may just want to do a little redeeming for us young people. :tongue3:

[kml]

What gear do you wear?

cheers
ken

[zantamoray]

Bell helmet with UV visor, Gerbing heated gloves in winter, Alpinestars gloves in summer, 3 season jacket (I can't think of the brand, for some reason. sorry! ) I typically just wear jeans and tennis shoes if I'm not going for an extended ride.

[kromdom]

Welcome. We have a few members here who take their Busa on LD rides (myself included) and have racked up tons of miles. So the Busa will serve your intended purpose very well.
Sounds like you have a good head over your shoulders. Go ahead and buy a Busa....Gen I or II is up to you but I personally prefer the Gen II.

[piratediverjefff]

Welcome. We have a few members here who take their Busa on LD rides (myself included) and have racked up tons of miles. So the Busa will serve your intended purpose very well.
Sounds like you have a good head over your shoulders. Go ahead and buy a Busa....Gen I or II is up to you but I personally prefer the Gen II.

x2

[Ludicrous Speed]

It sounds like you don't really care what anyone thinks, you are buying a Busa

Personally, I know that if I had a bike like this at that age, I would not be here typing this now.

And I thought I was mature for my age as well..........

[oeballer50]

Yolo

[Lycan6]

Welcome to the group. It sounds like youve done a bit of thinking on this and sounds like you have made up your mind on getting a busa. I would suggest the Gen II becasue of the mode selctoin option. I would love to hear more about your cross counrty ride as well.

[sixpack577]

If you ride a 750, the Busa is not that different.
It has more power, but it's all in the wrist. It'll accellerate faster and feel as though it handles a little slower, because it's over 100lbs heavier.
Main thing is, have you sat on a Busa? If so, do you think it's comfortable?
Can you flatfoot it? Not a must, but helps alot backing up a heavy bike.
Got money for modifications? Because if you stay here you'll find plenty to spend on.
Gen1 or 2? If you can buy either, get the gen2. Better brakes(which still need improving), and more hp, as well as a few other improvements.
Good gear. I always wear a helmet, but am in a t-shirt and shorts alot of the summer.
I wear full leathers kneedragging and stunting. Risk is your own, and I'm no gear nazi, but I'de definately wear all of it cross country.
Tires, Busa is alot heavier and has alot more torque than a 750. It'll eat a rear tire in half the time of a front(unless you run a sport tire front and sport touring tire rear, they'll wear out evenly.
A couple thousand miles of agressive riding and the tires are done...if that many miles. Or 6k to 8k miles if you cruise like grandma everywhere...everywhere.
Ride your bike to look at Busas for sale until someone lets you test ride theirs.
It's always best to ride a bike before you buy it. Not just to check out if a particular bike is mechanically sound. But to ride the kind of bike you think you want, to make sure it's a good fit for YOU personally.

[sixpack577]

Welcome to the group. It sounds like youve done a bit of thinking on this and sounds like you have made up your mind on getting a busa. I would suggest the Gen II becasue of the mode selctoin option. I would love to hear more about your cross counrty ride as well.

Not to argue, but to give a different perspective on the mode switch.
If you learn the bike in C mode, great.
Then you have to re-learn the bike in B mode.
And finally again in A mode.
Throttle control is all in the wrist, no matter how much power.
The Busa's throttle response is not so agressive as where it cannot be controlled by someone with a level head, and a little riding experience.
Power can cause you to make mistakes, but it can aslo save you.
Power can give you the ability to get out of harms way.
Even in the rain, A mode. A mode always.

[FALQN]

The Busa is my first bike ever, and I bought it last year. I also took the MSF course and I continue to soak up as much knowledge as I can. Granted, I was in my 40's before the purchase...but maturity and age are not always connected. Some mature quicker... while others, not at all. The experience and knowledge of the oRg. can guide you, but only YOU know the answer. Good Luck!

[sixpack577]

Bottom line is this.
If you can ride(or should I say operate)one motorcyle, you can ride any motorcycle.
Assuming you have skill enough to balance, use a clutch, and stop without falling over.
You already ride a bike, so you're good.
The differences in bikes are what they are designed to do, and how comfortable you are or aren't on any particular bike.
Skill and ability will come in time based on what you ride and how you desire to ride it.
No bike will go any faster than you make it go.
Some bikes are better for certain things than others.
The Busa happens to be one of the best "does everything well" bikes ever built. It's extremely versitile and can be modded to do many different things specifically. It ususally only takes a few small changes to make it better at something else too. Drag racer, touring, kneedragging, stunt, cruiser, ect.

[bigron]

Go get yourself a busa. Its an experience that will never cease to amaze you. Take care of your right wrist and the rest this forum will help you with.

[mysticblu999]

Personally, I know that if I had a bike like this at that age, I would not be here typing this now.

And I thought I was mature for my age as well..........

100% agree, that would be me too.

[zantamoray]

Awesome responses guys. I appreciate the feedback. I would like to get a Gen II, but I'm having trouble finding any near me. I am seriously thinking on a '06 Pearl White Busa with 8k miles. With the money I'll save I can pick up some Helibars, a throttle lock, gel seat, some saddlebags, and anything else I 'gotta have.'

[dragonbusa]

Welcome, 750 will kill you just as dead as a 1300, control you right wrist, dont show out in front of you friends, some body wants to race take it to the strip. there are some sweet Gen1s that can be had very cheap. If what your saying is true about riding your style youll be fine, DO IT MAN! Oh and I"m 52 years old. words from an fart

[mr8ball]

My Gen II busa was my 2nd sport bike. The first was a Honda 1K sport touring. The first time I opened the busa up it scared the H out of me. After that I took my time and really fell in love with it. I had to end up selling mine because of my back but you are young and seem to be pretty level headed and in good shape. Get one, take your time and enjoy it. You will never regret it. Keep us posted

[SS14PSI]

I'm with Sixpack on this one. If you're comfortable with the power of a 750, you'll do just fine on a busa. My first bike was a brand spanking new cbr954rr and it was fast as hell. A stock busa really isn't that much faster. I think a stock busa is easier to learn on than a stock 1000 because of the heavier weight. Don't let anyone scare you away from one because of the power. If you were planning to buy a stock wheelbase turbo busa I'd say you're nuts, but that isn't the case. My current busa is 230rwhp before nitrous and has significant weight reduction. I rode a stock gsxr1000 the other day and it still gave me the giggle factor. Bottom line, you'll be just fine man. Be sure to keep us posted on your cc ride.

[cheferman65]

Buy a WHITE GEN II. That is all, and what sixpack577 says, he use to ride a Hayabusa...

[dadofthree]

to the oRg Gen II, and I hear it has a mode switch A B C


Just don't buy a black one at your age :watching: