Keeping up with multiple bikes with different riding styles, how do you do it?

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Permalink Reply by Jina Rivera on January 30, 2012 at 7:47pm

Katie, I have the GSXR 600 and the CBR 600, they ride so different. I prefer the GSXR since I feel more secure comfortable riding it. When I ride my CBR I agree muscle confusion, different way of sitting, curving, ... I am  always talking about putting it for sale and had not don't it yet but soon, before I have to put tags in Mar 2012, pretty soon. Good luck with your decision.

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Permalink Reply by Girlriders - Katie on January 31, 2012 at 7:36am

Thanks Jina, I'm glad you told me that, I was beginning to think it was just me.  

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Permalink Reply by Girlriders - Katie on February 3, 2012 at 6:20pm

I think I've am going to store her away for a bit, do some upgrades on the Hyper, improve my skills and bring out the GSXR just for long destination rides.  If after a year she's still sitting there unridden, I'll know what I need to do.

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Permalink Reply by Becky DeShazo-Westly, Admin Team on February 4, 2012 at 7:33am

Katie,

I have three very different bikes, a 2010 BMWR1200RT, 2011 Monster 1100 Evo and a 2007 Honda CBR 600RR for track only.  Whenever I switch from one bike to the other, esp the RT to the Monster, I purposely tell myself which bike I am on and then mentally prepare myself for that bike.  Your corner techniques should be the same, the only thing that changes should be the lean angle.  Both bikes have different purposes, you just mentally prepare yourself whenever you make the switch. 

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Permalink Reply by Evogrl on February 13, 2012 at 5:47pm

Oh, it's so nice to know that others have issues with this - I thought it was just my own special brand of incompetence!  I have a BMW F800ST which I've had for about 4 years and am really comfortable on - it's a go anywhere, do anything bike for me.  A bit over a year ago I bought a Ducati 848 specifically as a track bike but obviously I have to ride it on the road to keep it going and also to get out to the track and back (we don't have a trailer).  Once I'm on the track I'm absolutely fine with it - the main problem is riding it around town in traffic, and then pulling up places where I feel a trifle unsteady because it's taller than the BMW.  I always feel like a total klutz riding into service stations or those bike cafes where there are great packs of  guys and feel like everyone's watching me as I maneuver the bike into a parking spot without dropping it.  Since I had the suspension adjusted for my weight it's felt a huge amount better but I still don't like slow steering with it.  Getting myself out on it is always a big deal and I will find any excuse to take the Beamer although once I'm out on it it's a lot of fun to ride.  It's mostly in my head, I'm sure!  I tell myself to "man up" - that usually works :)

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Permalink Reply by Dakota-Red on March 7, 2012 at 3:52pm

This seems to a common issue for cruisers too. I had a honda shadow (just can't part with her) but wanted a bigger more powerful bike for longer rides so I got a Suzuki 1500. I try to ride my Honda when ever I am going around town to the park or work, but will put it up for a week while I ride my 1500 to prepare for a long ride. It is always a chore to consiously think about which bike I am on. They both handle very differently including pressure for clutch and brakes.

I am starting to think it is safer to ride one...but on the other hand the ability to change might help out if I ever need to jump on a bike totally new to me for some emergency reason on something.

 

I know, I wasn't that helpful, but you are not alone.

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Permalink Reply by MotoQT (Evelyn) on March 7, 2012 at 6:34pm

I would just like to say that i would LOVE to have MMS (multiple motorcycle syndrome) and suffer as you all do :P Actually, my 2nd choice in bike would not be a sportsbike as my GSXR600 is, however it would be a sports touring bike or cruiser... for those "different" types of rides. Katie, although i dont have the experience, i can understand what you mean. And perhaps that is in the problem as the 2 bikes you have can be used for the same type of riding (tho it sounds like the gixxer can go more the distance). I suppose as it is with all firsts its hard to think of giving up your first love. But love grows and pushes us forward to new levels of loves. Perhaps this is just a time for you to move forward on your motorcycle journey, and perhaps one day return to your gsxr. Dont get me wrong, i love riding w u and the blue, but we can't let our 1st loves hold us back from moving forward. I do think you will find more excitement in getting the motard modded upfaster & allow it to continue to "renew" your love for bikes! :)

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Permalink Reply by Girlriders - Katie on March 8, 2012 at 12:25pm

Ev, that was great...I think you nailed it on the head, the motard is renewing my love!  I can't wait to ride Saturday, first performance mod is done!

MotoQT (Evelyn) said:

I would just like to say that i would LOVE to have MMS (multiple motorcycle syndrome) and suffer as you all do :P Actually, my 2nd choice in bike would not be a sportsbike as my GSXR600 is, however it would be a sports touring bike or cruiser... for those "different" types of rides. Katie, although i dont have the experience, i can understand what you mean. And perhaps that is in the problem as the 2 bikes you have can be used for the same type of riding (tho it sounds like the gixxer can go more the distance). I suppose as it is with all firsts its hard to think of giving up your first love. But love grows and pushes us forward to new levels of loves. Perhaps this is just a time for you to move forward on your motorcycle journey, and perhaps one day return to your gsxr. Dont get me wrong, i love riding w u and the blue, but we can't let our 1st loves hold us back from moving forward. I do think you will find more excitement in getting the motard modded upfaster & allow it to continue to "renew" your love for bikes! :)

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Permalink Reply by RC-Lori on April 16, 2012 at 3:24pm

I have that "problem', multiplied by the 100's!  First off, I'm a RiderCoach, so I have a myriad of different training bikes I have to switch between during class.  They're different than my Honda NT700V.  I'm also a Riders Edge instructor and I have the coolest perk:  the dealership lets us borrow pre-owned bikes!!!  This gives us experience riding different Harleys so we can answer students' questions about different bikes.  So far I've been on an '06 Dyna Low Rider, an '11 Heritage Softail Classic, and currently I'm riding an '11 Street Glide.  Each of them is different from each other, and all are A LOT different than my Honda!!  The first thing I do when I take one is to go to the quiet neighborhood next to the dealership (well, it's quiet 'til I get there anyway!) to practice stopping and starting, quick stops, and getting a general feel for the bike before I take it on busier roads. It's such a huge change going from my tall, slender, quiet, nimble sport tourer, to a low-riding rrrrummmmbbbblllling monster.  But, boy, is it FUN!!!!!!  As much fun as I'm having with the Harleys, I find I'm always ready to get back on my Honda for awhile.  The clutch is waaaay easier on my hand and it's a lot zippier.  Oh, and I don't have to fill it with premium gas either.  I figure the little bit of extra I spend in gas for the Harleys offsets the wear and tear on my bike--especially tires.  And I don't have to bring them back full either.  Gosh, are we spoiled!!  Here's a link to my "Harley gallery" and some other bike pics http://www.photoshop.com/users/BikeMom23

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Permalink Reply by Lil Brat on April 18, 2012 at 11:05pm

I think because I ride both my cruiser and ninja so frequently, it doesn't take me long to switch back and forth anymore.  I use to sit in the driveway before heading out and physically find the foot brake as my feet were all over the place.  Forward controls & back to standard pegs. Now once my rump sits in the seat the memory kicks in and I can switch back fairly easily.

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