I actually love this thread. As some of you know my Dad raced Enduro really seriously in the 70's, and I grew up racing YZ80's and the like (topped out in the old 125 class), converted to Harleys in my early 20's (1965 panhead with Metallica's Ride the Lightning Cover art on the tank fuck yeah!), and ended up with a VRod for several years that I rode with my Dad (him on an Indian Scout). I sold it after Dad got sick because he was the only person I liked to ride with.
Anyway, I always wanted to try a crotch rocket, because I sort of like speed (duh), but at this point (late 40's) I feel like I would just look like a retard and kill myself. I've always enjoyed watching the racing though - side note: Isle of Man is probably the ballsiest shit I've ever seen and I have landed on aircraft carriers at night. Epic.
Responded first and foremost to Ruth it (double-chin).
Also, though, I'll admit that I was one of those anti-Harley snobs after a very limited sample: My dad is now retired, but he and I used to work shift work at the same place. One day he rode in on his FLXHDQBS55LLT to relieve me for a night shift, so I told him to give me his helmet and jacket and rode the thing home and back the next morning. It badly fell into turns (top heavy and terrible geometry), numbed my hands and feet by the first stoplight, and I kept scraping the floorboards if I didn't slow to half speed through turns. Talked shit about them ever since.
Then he bought one of the new Milwaukee Eight FLXJQBBC45s, and my mind was changed. They make a proper motorcycle now, as it doesn't rattle your teeth, actually corners in a neutral manner, etc. I was impressed. Still don't want one. I've also radically softened on my Harley Hatorade, too, as I realize I'm the one being the deuche°, to each their own, etc. etc.
That being said, the South Park Harley episode is still my favorite of all time...
As for crotch rockets, you've catapulted off an aircraft carrier, so I just doubt you'd have the same reaction as I did the first time I whacked the throttle on a liter bike. Hell, you'd have to try out top fuel drag racing to come close to getting the same sensation (mad respeck, btw). You should still try one if you get the chance. It will make you realize that, although both definitely have their place, a cruiser and a modern sport bike should not even be considered the same kind of vehicle. Just an altogether different thing. You have to be in some kind of shape to even get onto one (any shape but round should do), but it sounds like you've done enough coke to be skinny for at least another decade or two. I spent the first week after I got my first sport bike begging everyone I know to get on the back, as I just wanted every one of them to experience the insane rush of 165 hp on full boil (weak by today's standards). Anyway, VIR is in your backyard.
Doooo iiiiiit....
As for appreciation for the TT, did we just become best friends? My bucket list has like four things on it, and one is making it to the TT before enough people have died that it's shut down for good.
This thread should have been in the Shoppe. I am a tool.
