A tale of Two Apes, RS660 is about 95% of the performance but 100% of the fun...

* Last updated by: Kruz on 4/18/2024 @ 7:27 AM *

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I'm jealous Kruz, not the bikes, but the decision to make it happen. Was at the GP in Austin last week, sat on an ape V4, swung it between my legs and was so impressed how light it felt. Don't think there are going to be many ktm's to wheel and deal. See a leftover ktm but it's more obsolete compared to the new model.

Next is I'm getting old and a saddlebag is like a purse to a woman. Can bring leftovers home, go out for cat food. I usually have a roll of tape over the clutch master's rez and tape lunch/dinner on the tank of the 14. The old ST1100 is such a sweet ride, but so fucking heavy to push, let alone pickup if I throw it away.

Come Sept should bring out some new models from the Big4, but the bike scene is at a low right now. Have to deal with the grome group buying up smaller bikes they can afford. Going to wait it out for a pumped up 15 (wont hold my breath) to make a decision. I'm so spoiled having the 14 gens series being so dependable, then researching the duc's/ktm's/ape's showing how most have a short fuse down the road.

Was picking the brains of two guys from Oklahoma at the hotel I was staying at, both had Connies. Was told they discontinued the connie a few years ago. Oh well. Everyone has a saddlebag accessory option, but that doesn't save a trans needle bearing from blowing up.

The tuono was sort of cobby in all sorts of ways, so I don't want to see the same old leaky air box, cheap wire connectors, etc. Handling I can't complain though.

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Going to wait for a pumped up 15

Hub, you have contacts everywhere so make it happen!
With his knowledge Rook can help design it.
Victhing will have an opinion or two to contribute.
Kruz can buy the first one and report back.
The whole Hayabusa community will cry.

I await eagerly for the end result…

* Last updated by: yannih on 4/18/2024 @ 1:55 PM *

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LOL the Hayabusa crowd has been crying ever since the Gen3 came out!!!

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Hubsteer, I saw the new Hayabusa in orange today and that thing looks stunning, dam sharp, kinda reminds me of Rooks old 2008 Busa but even better. The new Apes are light years better than the old one you had in terms of fit, finish and electrical connector quality etc. My new Aprilias remind me of Jap bikes but even better in some areas of fit and finish. I am super impressed so far with my new RS660, Mother Ape swung for the bleachers on this one and knocked it right out of the ballpark! Can't wait to see what they can do on a much needed RSV4 redesign/update, the V4 is getting a bit long in the tooth.

* Last updated by: Kruz on 4/18/2024 @ 9:35 PM *

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Kruz can buy the first one and report back.

Yannih, I'm always ready to take one for the team but I think this time I'm played out, finished buying new bikes and may start to cull the herd, no one needs this many bikes.

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Only place I found that will offer a test ride is Pro Italia. I can ride the duc v4 that has the upright handlebars with the same engine as the more full fairing one. They are an ape dealer too, so maybe they have an ape to see the difference.

Ha Yannih, my contacts are to call dealers (recently) ask the salesman if he'd sell one in the crate. His response was no and I said, 'well we have no more to say.' But I found one that will work with me.

Kruz, rode one years ago. Felt lighter, not as torquey, sat lower. Not interested, LOL.

Lettuce sea if this sails. Edit retry:

* Last updated by: Hub on 4/18/2024 @ 10:45 PM *

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but I think this time I'm played out, finished buying new bikes and may start to cull the herd, no one needs this many bikes.

Hahahahaha!!!
My sides hurt.
Spoken like someone who is just about to buy another bike...

* Last updated by: yannih on 4/19/2024 @ 4:13 AM *

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Super Hubmeister wrote:

Kruz, rode one years ago. Felt lighter, not as torquey, sat lower. Not interested, LOL.

Hubster, what bike are we talking about here, the new Hayabusa or the RS660?

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Hahahahaha!!!
My sides hurt.
Spoken like someone who is just about to buy another bike...

Yannih, I'm really done this time, I mean it, no more bikes, the new RS660 is all I need, slower than my literbikes on long straights but quicker just about everywhere else and a ton of FUN!

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Hubster, this is the 25th Anniversary Model Hayabusa I saw yesterday, c'mon you know you want one, Rook wants one.....heck I even want one...sorry Yannih!

* Last updated by: Kruz on 4/19/2024 @ 8:22 PM *

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heck I even want one...sorry Yannih!

Nice!
One of each color for the garage Kruz?

In all seriousness, look at those cans!
You wouldn't change or upgrade them...

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Hubster, this is the 25th Anniversary Model Hayabusa I saw yesterday, c'mon you know you want one, Rook wants one.....heck I even want one...sorry Yannih!

I'll stick with my 08, thank you. The sharper updated look seems more modern and I like that they included some black into the nose on the 2024. I think they were going for the liter bike look on the Gen3. The busa looks more like liter bikes now but it's not a liter bike. I'd rather have seen it retain it's big, round, slippery look. LOL but the Gen3 busa took a step backwards in high speed performance so maybe the new look fits. Suzuki traded off quicker 0-60mph performance on a 200 mph machine. A stock Gen3 busa can't even do 180 mph which is downright sad. It's really a great machine, maybe lacking the hard edged character of the ZX-14 but gaining something in smoothness. What Suzuki should have done is throw the gloves off and put a 1500 cc engine in there like they would have in the old days. The modern world has become soft. No thanks, I'll keep my 08 busa and go with the Gen2 ZX-14. It's the stronger bike. I'm not paying for weaker. I still love my 08 ZX-14 and I will rebuild her to at least look like new. LOL Idon't know if I'll get it to run again or not. I think that's doable.

* Last updated by: Rook on 4/20/2024 @ 2:18 AM *

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In all seriousness, look at those cans!
You wouldn't change or upgrade them...

yannih, Those cans actually look like someone sat down and designed them to fit the look of the bike as did the cans on the Gen2. Unfortunately, that's wasted R&D because everyone's going to put some kind of aftermarket exhaust on there if they can legally get away with it. I feel for some of my European sportbike enthusiasts. Apparently aftermarket exhausts are legal in NZ?

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No Kruz, they were shooting for the look of my 08 because that was the best looking busa they ever made. Smart move but the new bike doesn't look as good and it's not as good performance-wise. It's debatable if the Gen2 ZX-14 looks as good as the Gen1 but at least it's a better bike. Which would you choose if both were available brand new, Gen1 ZX-14 or Gen2? I wouldn't even need to think. I'd grab a Gen2 ZX-14. It's faster and that's what I care about most. If I'm going to go with slower, I'll pick a bike that wasn't supposed to be designed for top speed. I'd pick a 600 and ride it like it was meant to be ridden.

* Last updated by: Rook on 4/20/2024 @ 9:28 AM *

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Yannih wrote:

Nice!
One of each color for the garage Kruz?

In all seriousness, look at those cans!
You wouldn't change or upgrade them...

I actually do like the look of the stock cans on the '24 Busa Yannih, not bad for an OEM exhuast and they really flow well with the rest of the styling but my guess is they are way too quiet. This is a good looking bike IMHO, would consider one of these before the ZX-14R Anniversary I saw this afternoon, the blue/green/white one, just not my cup o' tea.

* Last updated by: Kruz on 4/20/2024 @ 7:41 PM *

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If I'm not hallucinating, it looks like the new Busa has down force generators built into the side fairings.

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Two of my current favorites...

* Last updated by: Kruz on 4/20/2024 @ 8:57 PM *

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If I'm not hallucinating, it looks like the new Busa has down force generators built into the side fairings.

They're there for looks like the fins on the ZX-14. Laminar airflow my ass. It's a gimmick.

I'll hand it to you, the Gen3 busa is a good looking bike. If you have spare money to buy new bikes that are slower than old ones, go for it. What the hell, the fastest isn't fastest for long. You still love your bike after something faster comes out. You wanna buy a little slower from thwe get go, that's up to you. I'd buy a bike that's supposed to ne slower but it'd also a hundred pounds lighter. A bike that's heavier and slower? I'll pass on that. I don'r have the mney to buy things that are worse even if they look better.

* Last updated by: Rook on 4/20/2024 @ 9:41 PM *

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I like heavier and slower, kind of reminds me of my ex-wife.....

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Kruz, the two rides I was talking about were the busa's. First year out I did a 600 service on the first gen busa in 1999. My test route was more around the block, but it had a downhill. Punched it, lifted, saw 92mph on the short shoot, then a hair pin turn. Needless to say I was impressed, because the Honda A65 had the grunt at the time. Came into the lot and stabbed the front brakes and the back wheel came up. Couldn't afford it at the time.

Segway to maybe the mid or late 2000's and Suz came out to a track, signed up for a busa and followed a street route so I couldn't whip it up, but I could tell it felt a bit of a handler than the 14, but not the torque of the 14.

Read the latest revision of the new busa and they took the suggestion of the diehard busa group of 'whaaa, I want it smoother, downplay the power, etc.' For sure I said pass. Besides, kawi is know as a performance brand of the Big4.

IMO, the list is Honda for dependability, Yammie for fit and finish, Kawi is neck and neck for 2place and Suz is forth.

That photo I sent is body-less short of the nose and fender. I could hide the cans. Speaking about the cans; I was on PCH going thru one town with stores on both sides and 4 lanes, 2 going north and south. Split to the light, light changed and the note off the cans sounded so race as it echoed between the cars and stores, no exotic car could match it.

Went to Austin for the recent GP and was told the down force wings are banded come 2027. So forever, the body work to replica the aero was forced on us due to, 'look race, here is a sales gimmick for this year' for the wannabe profilers.

Still on the fence till mother tea comes out with a 14 beater. Not too totally impressed with this years offering from the manu's.

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Hub, I'm not saying I want or need another motorcycle..... but let's just say for sake of argument that I had to have one more in the lineup, it might just be the 25th anniversary Hayabusa in orange/black. IMHO Mother Teapot lost the plot back in 2012 with the 14R. Yes they added ABS and TC and stroked it for some additional ponies and torque but they also gained a lot of weight and made it look a tad porky for my taste while losing the purity of form that defined the original offering, more tourer less sport. I have said no thanks for the last 12 years to the 14R and will keep my beloved '06 until either it or me breathe our last, which will happen first is open to debate. Now if Mother T went back to the original design, added some updates while going on a salad and water diet to get it down to fighting weight,I'd be all in, less is more, witness my current obsession with the Aprilia RS660. To me the sport-tourer has been replaced with more tourer in the current behemoth 14R while the new Busa looks slim to my eye and retaining the original form and proportion that made the 1999 so appealing.

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but let's just say for sake of argument that I had to have one more in the lineup

I love it Kruz!!!
Let me know when that new Busa rolls through your garage door...

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LOL Yannih, I don't think that is going to happen any time soon but thanks for the vote of confidence...

Grandpa and Junior!

* Last updated by: Kruz on 4/23/2024 @ 8:31 AM *

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Kruz, busa has a production run of 25yrs. Honda CB750 had a production run of 9yrs. 14 has a production run of 18yrs.

Eventually they too will pass. Boy, if I were looking for a used bike, I'd be at your garage with cash. Rotate those fother muckers. You probably had a cold or flu when you bought that wannabe chopper look. That's the first bike I'd unload.

I flipped a 2010 Honda 750 chopper look with 54mi on the speedo. One test ride on that thing said squid crowed. A too long 1st gear, seating position needed an arm rest with a soda can cutout, a bag of popcorn and I'd look the part LOL

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