I’ve been hinting at it for about a week now, but today was supposed to be the day that I took possession of a one-family-owned 1992 Yamaha FZR1000 Genesis EXUP. Well, that’s not strictly correct. Monday was supposed to be the day, but the bike didn’t start when I went to pick it up. Not to worry, the owner told me; he’d get it running. Which he did, on Wednesday. Sent video and everything. But it didn’t start again today. So I’m still not an owner — and at this point, it looks like we’re veering strongly into nevergonnahappen.com territory.
The EXUP was the first modern Japanese 1000cc repli-racer. Voted as “Bike Of The Decade” by Cycle World, it reigned in effortless five-valve-per-cylinder supremacy over the class until the CBR900RR Fireblade appeared in the mid-Nineties. Capable of ripping a 10.6-second quarter-mile at close to 130mph, the FZR1000 has upside-down forks, a Deltabox aluminum frame, and all sorts of other cool stuff. This EXUP, however, is having some serious fueling issues. I don’t have the time or knowledge to fix those issues myself, so I think this deal is all but dead.
Alright, let’s see what we have in the hopper from this week.
Brother Bark talked about being afraid to go racing but doing it anyway. He also handed out some pro-Mazda advice.
I delivered a Chrysler 200 rental review and a brief screed about ALPR data sold to private investigators. For R&T, I tackled the thorny ethical issues surrounding supercars and their owners before considering the importance of being Acura.
Tune in next week, where I’ll be talking about the joys of box-van operation and MUCH, MUCH MORE!
Not ending up with the Yamaha might be for the best. Around 10 years ago I was the proud owner of a ’91 GSX-R 1100. It was the bike I had wanted when I was a younger guy and when I had the chance to buy a low mileage, highly souped-up example I went for it. I had almost 20 years of on the road experience under my belt and I felt like I was ready for it.
What I found is that the design hadn’t aged very well. Sportbikes were developing quickly in the late 80s/early 90s and new designs like the CBR900RR had made the GSX-R (which really had its roots in the mid-80s) obsolete within a year of my bike’s production. What I was left with was that remarkable 1100cc SACS engine hung in a frame and sat on a suspension that never really felt up to the challenge of completely corralling all that horsepower.
Of course, the FZR you are looking at was one of those next-gen bikes and it will have better manners than my old GSX-R, but I think you’ll find that any modern middle-of-the-road sport tourer today will be a better purchase. When it comes to bikes, I find retro style is good but old is generally not.I much prefer the old look with a modern engine, brakes and suspension. Just my 2 cents…
that article about ALPRs had nothing to do with cars.
/s
oh, and reading the Acura piece… we also had a Kouyama SHOTEN in Livonia, I used to go there every so often when I worked in the city. it, too, closed a few years ago. No idea why; the Livonia/Farmington/Novi area has plenty of Japanese satellite offices with transplant employees.
Well that sucks.
Ignoring the usual putrid Kawasaki graphics, the ZX9R might be a good option. It’s never won comparos with R1,etc, but you know in the real world that stuff often means very little. It’s a genuine 9-second bike with human-shaped ergos. Target the 2002 and later models. Some very low-mileage examples around. Here’s just one on my side of the border:
http://www.kijiji.ca/v-sport-bikes/ottawa/2002-kawasaki-zx9r-limited-edition/1066755288?enableSearchNavigationFlag=true
Not sure if the US ever got them, but the FZR successor, the Thunderace, is also a used bargain. I gotta stop talking about used bikes…
We got the Thunderace for one year. I adore them but if there are any good ones left they aren’t being put up for sale.
The super car article was right on point.
Thank you!
I agree fully on that.
Another one to point out on the supercars is the number of wealthy chinese/middle eastern types buying them solely as status symbols.
The cars-as-status game of the nouveau riche has always been with us. In the late 60s/early 70s it was flashy Brits in an economy just clawing its way back from post-WWII doldrums. In the 80s the newly-wealthy Japanese were gobbling up all the Ferraris, etc. at auction, and the Miami drug guys and Dallas oil guys snarfed up the Testarossas and slant-nose 930s. I can’t imagine that *anyone* who bought a Rolls Royce between 1981 and … well, today, bought it because they thought it drove better than an S-Class. Unless you really have a fetish for burled walnut, a Rolls has always been a status buy.
What’s different now is just the ratio of the income disparity. When I was growing up, the fanciest car you could buy was about $100k. Honest small-town lawyers (don’t laugh, they exist) and union electricians that raised their hand for overtime at the mill made $100k/year, so it was an attainable dream if you really wanted it. For folks not quite at that level, it was common (as Jack pointed out) to have enough extra scratch to put a weekend toy in the garage. My third-grade teacher had a Porsche 914, our neighbors had a Barracuda, and the chiropractor that went to our church had a 911 Carrera 3.2 Targa, bought with cash.
Now there are at least six cars I can think of that cost > $1M, while wages for all but the most successful have doubled at best, more commonly remained stagnant or shrunk. Those cars aren’t attainable by folks that merely get educated, work hard, and play by the rules.
Great week overall, but yes that one was the tops.
A sibling had a 2nd Gen Integra (unfortunately an automatic) and damn that thing had the best outward visibility of any car I’ve driven.
With all this talk of classic bikes it’s making me wonder, are going to Vintage Motorcycle Days this year?
Every year I say I’m gonna go and every year I have to travel or race that weekend!
My sons second car was a manual Ford Probe GT. We won’t get into his first car that he chose on his own. Now he is actively looking to trade his current car in on a Focus ST. That doesn’t equal dad of the year points really, but it makes me happy.
Thanks for the supercar article. A great start to the weekend!
Now, can go start lobbying to test drive the new Corvette Grand Sport later this year so you give us the lowdown? The manual of course.
I’m on it, believe me
The lack of manual/exciting Acuras is a major bummer. I’ve got an 07 TSX with a 6 speed, and while I’d like to get something a bit newer, I honestly don’t see much out there that would be an upgrade. V6 Accord Coupe, I guess?
Yeah that’s your only way to go faster and shift yourself.
Jack, do you ever have occasion to carry large cargo in your Accord? I think the back seat is big enough to swing a child seat, even if it would be a bit of a pain. I’m more worried about carrying stuff for various home repair/improvement projects. The TSX can fit ~20 bags of mulch, 10′ boards or a couple small trees. I might look like a bit of an idiot doing it, but it gets the job done.
Along the same lines, I know you were considering the Accord Sport 6MT before deciding on the coupe. Did you have any other reservations about it other than a subpar stereo?
I’ve had a child seat in the Accord every day since I got it, starting with a Britax Pinnacle forward-facing and now a Britax booster.
The Coupe is a few inches shorter than the TSX due to the shorter wheelbase; I think that’s the only real cargo-carrying difference.
Accord Sports are great, but I wanted a decent stereo and I wanted the V6 as well. That was all.
Thanks, Jack! I just drove one today and I can verify that the stereo does indeed suck. Luckily, I’m the former owner of a 2000 base model Hyundai Accent, so in that context, the Accord gets it done 🙂
Everything’s relative!
As a former frequent driver of a 2005 Accent, I have to think that the Sport feels like a rocketship by contrast, as well.
Good luck with the bike shopping. Those late 80s, early 90’s superbikes look great but having owned an FZR600 for a summer many years ago I wouldn’t do it again. Someone mentioned earlier an RC51 looks like you can find them for under $5k all day. Definitely the way to go since you have a Honda collection going on may as well round it out with a nice v-twin
I particularly enjoyed the supercar and the ALPR articles. Your point about the middle class and affordable sports cars (or, hell, affordable *cars*) is well taken, especially when you consider how badly real wages have suffered. Thankfully, I plan on being the dad that has a third and a fourth (or a fifth) fun car, which, speaking of, I’d like to pick your brain on Porkers. Can you e-mail with your e-mail address or post one here?
A note on the ALPR article: All that disclaimer language you took exception to-it’s not necessarily unique to the TransUnion system. The products I’ve used require users to validate approved or acceptable uses pursuant to various laws, e.g., Gramm-Leach-Bliley. When I read that paragraph in your article, it instantly reminded me of the questions the systems pose before allowing access. As you indicated, it’s not terribly hard to find a justifiable reason for a search, especially if you’re doing anything that’s even remotely related to litigation or potential litigation.
? You don’t like wrenching Jack ? .
That’s always one of the fun parts for me .
I was looking forward to reading what you think of the Fizzer .
-Nate
Good move on not buying it right now - emotion sometimes overrules common sense in these situations. Thanks to nationwide E10 fuel, if the previous owners let that stuff sit in the tank/carbs for too long, it forms a water-ethanol goo that’s more dense than gasoline, which settles to the bottom, where it can clog up main jets and idle circuits. Worse yet, it could be an intermittent ignition module issue … and those problems are difficult/expensive to diagnose & repair. Now if it turns out that there’s a logical explanation for the no-start issue, maybe I’d reconsider, but from a distance, it sounds like trouble.
Know anyone who would be interested in a V-Star 250?
That was some article on supercars! I agree wholeheartedly. Now more than any other time in recent history, there’s money to be made in catering to the desires of those at the top of the food chain. That lesson really gelled for me while I was working for Land Rover.
I know they are stock, but those round mirrors just look cartoonish and silly on the later rectangular headlight FZRs. Suited the spritely double round headlight older ones though.
“The only bright spot I can find in all of this is the same bright spot that Edward Gibbon found in the decline and fall of the Roman Empire; it eventually led to a more enlightened and democratic era.”
Gibbon took perverse pleasure in recounting in detail all the negative aspects of the Romaioi. For a more balanced perspective I would suggest John Julius Norwich.
Great article, I thoroughly enjoyed it!
Χριστός Ανέστη!
Speaking of motorcycles, I am interested in getting one, and I know it will probably be a Honda (for lyfe, yo) but there is a bewildering array of styles out there, especially in the used category.
Does anyone know of a decent guide that can give me a primer on the differences between an RC51 and a VFR and a CBR, etc.? Things like riding position and ownership considerations. I need to be able to narrow down my choices.
I’m not sure there’s any Honda-centric guide, but this might help a bit. Assuming you’re looking at a 2000 or newer bike:
CBR600F4i: relatively hardcore riding position, inline-four, they don’t break
CBR600RR: as above but faster, angrier, more painful to ride
CBR1000RR: even faster, very difficult ergos, they don’t break
VFR800: relatively upright but still pressures your wrists, V-4 so more expensive to own and service than inline-four bikes.
RC51: V-Twin, competition riding position, slower in a straight line than a CBR600RR
CBR1100XX: big fast bike with VFR-like riding position, 100,000 mile capability.
RC51 and CBR are both sport bikes. How old are you? Those things might hurt the hips if you’re over 30 with the riding position. Jack’s CB1100 is what’s called a standard. It has a more upright seating position and they’re very livable with day to day riding but if you’re planning long highway trips, the lack of a faring can get to you. The VFR looks like a sports tourer which is supposed to be a mix between a sport bike and a touring bike. I’ve never ridden one of those but if you’re planning on longer trips then it’d be better than a cbr or a cb1100.
I’m not really a Honda guy but I think all the companies make basically the same variants.
https://rideapart.com/articles/guide-to-motorcycle-categories
It’s the first one that showed up on google.
Thanks! That helps tremendously. I’m 35 and probably looking at something VFR-like or even more relaxed.
The allure of a small hunched-over bike is there, but I wonder if I could live with it. I grew up riding a 1970s SL 350 (very upright riding position) and that’s all I know .
If you want something sporty but not quite as aggressive seating as the CBR, check out the CB1000r. If I was in the market for a honda, that’s what I’d look at. Same downsides as the cb1100 for long trips I’d guess cause no faring
Buy something like a Honda CB500. They come in three flavours:
Standard (upright)
Adventure (really upright, like a dirtbike)
Sport (more weight forward on wrists)
Don’t listen to bullshit about 600cc sportbikes and such being great starter bikes: they run 11-second 1/4 miles and can hit nearly 160mph. Your first bike is about learning to control it, not babying the throttle on something that has racecar speed potential. In fact, buy a shitty 250 and ride the piss out of it for two years. Spend all your money on gear before you buy a bike. You’ll be alive and a much better rider after those two years. Everyone around you will disagree, but pack your ego into a box and let it out in a few years when you buy something awesome.
I’ll second this. My first bike was a 300. Buy used so you can sell it for close to what you paid for it when you want something a bit quicker. My first bike lasted 1 season but it was worth it.
Anybody who tells you that a 600 is a great starter bike probably owns at least one piece of Monster-Energy-branded apparel.
Which reminds me, I should write about my starter bike…
Please do.
Do exactly what ZZR says. A lower-powered “starter” bike is better for a novice. it will more or less do what you mean and forgive most errors. Buying a high-powered sportbike the first time out is suicidal IMO, those bikes will do exactly what you tell them to and you won’t have the experience to know you’re telling the bike to do a very, very bad thing. Grabbing too much throttle at the wrong moment in a 250 is going to be recoverable, on a 600+ it could be a disaster for you.
leave the “sick Gixxer 1000 for a starter bike” for the 19-year-old squids who haven’t yet outgrown their “I’m indestructible” phase.
To be fair, I plan to have a Gixxer thou before I die.
Maybe immediately before I die.
well, I’m not poo-poohing the bike itself, just a particular segment of people who might ride them. a segment which excludes both of us by definition 🙂
Just so ~
A Gixxer is a fun Moto and all Moto Enthusiasts who know how to ride fast should ride one just because .
-Nate
hahaha…excellent line:
“You can say what you want about the people who bought 1976 Porsche 930 Turbos, and a lot of what you could say would have the word “cocaine” somewhere in it, but you can’t say that any idiot could drive the thing in a hurry.”
I liked the way your Acura article started off in Kouyama SHOTEN in the first paragraph and returned there in the last paragraph. Nice writing.
It’s a habit of mine to try to start and end in the same place, but it’s often edited out — so thank you for noticing when the idea makes it through!
” Your first bike is about learning to control it, not babying the throttle on something that has racecar speed potential. In fact, buy a shitty 250 and ride the piss out of it for two years. Spend all your money on gear before you buy a bike. You’ll be alive and a much better rider after those two years. Everyone around you will disagree, but pack your ego into a box and let it out in a few years when you buy something awesome.”
.
THANK YOU for posting this ! .
.
It’s 100 % on point , I wanted to post a thing like it but was worried I’d be shouted down .
The better you learn , the more fun you’ll have in the end and the faster you’ll be able to ride later……
.
Most of the idiots who disparage ” murdercycles ” were Childish fools who bought too much Moto out of the gate and crashed or got scared instead of learning on the bell curve .
.
-Nate
Ok so I rode a 350cc dual sport bike with about 30 hp ( 1973? Honda SL350) for about four years in my twenties. It’s been about eight years since I have rode regularly. I don’t plan on racing on tracks, just commuting about 15 miles ( on highways) and short trips. 300cc bike is still recommended for me? I’m asking seriously. You guys seem pretty knowledgeable and I have appreciated all your advice so far.
My wife’s R3 is pretty quick — runs a high 13 in the quarter, which is probably at least two and maybe three seconds ahead of your SL350.
The Ninja 650 is also pretty legit; http://www.cycleworld.com/2014/11/14/kawasaki-ninja-650-sportbike-affordable-and-best-value-motorcycles-cw-bargain-blasters
I see Ninja 650s in the $3000-4000 range quite often. I don’t think you could go wrong with one. It’s very different from a modern four-cylinder 600cc supersports in both ergonomics and insanity.
A 300cc bike will still go 100+ mph so they’re plenty fast enough for the highway but you’ll want more pretty soon. I’d still suggest starting on a 300. Ride it for a few months and upgrade. You can get a used Ninja 300 for under 4k and closer to 3 if you look really hard and find the right buy and after 6 months it will be worth basically what you paid for it. You will want more bike fairly soon though. You’ll also probably fall at some point and falling on a 3-4k used bike is a lot better than falling on an 10k+ bike. And if you end up hating biking it’s a lot easier to sell a 3-4k bike.