How Comfortable is a Crotch Rocket for a Long Trip?

 I was looking at the Suzuki Hayabusa on their web page.  I noted in a review
that it does 0-60 in comfortably under 6 seconds.  I also noted that the top
speed is above that of my 1998 Ford Ranger 4-cylinder.

Just for kicks, if I were to buy one, how comfortable is it for long trips?

I've never even sat on a sportbike, so I have no idea how it feels.  It
looks like you are always leaning forward on your arms?

I'd probably never get the throttle more than 40% the way I ride, but I'd
just be curious what one is like and how practical it is for traveling.

--
David T. Ashley              (dta@e3ft.com)
http://www.e3ft.com           (Consulting Home Page)
http://www.dtashley.com       (Personal Home Page)
http://gpl.e3ft.com           (GPL Publications and Projects)

 David T. Ashley wrote:

It depends on you and your build. I find sportbike position to be ok but
I don't like the need to bend my neck back to see the road. The proper
position for a race bike on the track is not the proper position for the
street where you need to look out for cross traffic, pedestrians, etc.

The Busa is pretty comfortable and not really a full on sportsbike as
far as position. Compare with a 1098 or a 916 Duc and you'll see what I
mean. Anyway, I put Heli bars on mine raising the bars and also bringing
them closer to the seat. The bike then sat like a slightly aggressive
sport tourer. That was all it took to make the bike comfortable for any
reasonable distance.

-paul

 
For you or for the pillion? If you paid attention there was a post
from an R1 rider who had no problem piling up a lot of miles on
the bike. Keep in mind that the rice rockets typically have
tiny gas tanks so you'be forced to fuel up (and stretch if you're
smart)
every 110-150 miles. Which gets old pretty quickly but if you are a
glutton
for punishment you surely can do it being in what? 20s?


There used to be a lot of choices for in-between riding positions.
Interceptor, YZF600 and ZZR600 provide such a position.


Hayabusa is a perfect tool for bench racing. If you want to do a long
trip more than once then I suggest you get something with a higher
capacity tank and more relaxed riding position.

Somehow I think Yamaha FZ1 would work well for you.
From the looks of it you can drop the handlebar a bit lower
with an aftermarket handlebar kit lowering the point of the
bar mount 3-4".

Either that or get the pig you originally wanted.
Goes well with a tank top and shorts.

 
a Hayabusa would make a good sports tourer, it completely protects you from
the wind, and is pretty comfy for longer rides.


--
Andrew
00 Daytona
00 Speed Triple
71 Kawi H1
05 Kiddo

 

While almost entirely subjective, choosing a motorcycle depends on your
riding skills and habits.  Sport Touring bikes can be perfectly comfortable
at speed on the highway, but not so great in town or traffic.  Windstream is
the culprit.  A semi-racing crouch behind a small fairing allows that
windstream to help hold you up, which lightens the load on handle bars and
forearms.  If you mount a tankbag, you can rest even more weight on it.
You'll find yourself stopping only for gas.