Any audiophiles into motorcycles


As its just getting into motorcycle season here in the great lakes region, motorcycling is beginning to supplant audio as my primary preoccupation. I recall there being threads as to car ownership, don't recall a motorcycle thread. And so, lets hear from the audiophile motorcycle enthusiasts out there; tell everyone about bikes you own, or have owned, and lets hear some motorcycle tales.

As for myself, I started riding around 12 years of age, little Suzuki 50cc trail bike, purchased Sears Allstate (Puch) 250cc street bike at 15 so I'd be ready for street legal riding at 16. Over the next 25 years too many bikes to list, mostly 650cc bikes and larger, migrated to super sports over those years, I was doing a lot of sports touring in those years, strap a tent and sleeping bag on bike and go for up to three or four weeks, mostly around great lakes region. I did great lakes circle tour: southern Ohio and West Virginia was a yearly tour, up into Adirondacks, northern New York, Vermont was always nice. Ontario, Canada was also a pretty common destination as was upper peninsula of Michigan. These days I  find myself pretty much sticking to weekend rides with my nephew, a budding audiophile with his Aprilia RSV4. I've been riding my little pocket rocket KTM RC390 the past few years, fun bike but lacking the thrill of bigger bore bikes such that I've now purchased 2021 Ducati Supersport S in silk white, expecting delivery next Wednesday. So, at this point my ownership of bikes includes the KTM, Ducati, Suzuki DRZ400S and 1973 Yamaha TX500 I'm in process of making into cafe racer.

My passion for motorcycles (and cars, but that's a different story) has certainly impacted my audiophile life. I don't have as much disposable income for audio, and bikes replace audio as my primary preoccupation in summer, but having passion for both sure makes for a richer life!
sns

Showing 3 responses by sns

Yep, comfort is an issue as you age, I get leg cramps after riding KTM for a few hours. I was thinking about purchasing an Aprilia RSV4 or Ducati Panagale, nope, not up for that severe lean because of wrist issues and pegs too high, leg cramps anyone. Anyway, today I'm going out for a dirt road jaunt on DRZ400, slower paced scenic tour.
Not sure this is a representative sample, but where are the younger motorcyclists? Often hear talk about the disappearance of younger audiophiles, I fear the future of motorcycling is in greater doubt.
I suspect cultural change brought about by increasing congestion on roads is the sole cause of this endangerment. I'm pretty sure if I was a youth growing up in an urban environment today a motorcycle would be anywhere near top of the list of desires. I did grow up in the city, but back in the day we didn't have anything near the congestion of today in that same city. Add to that increased aggression of drivers in ever larger vehicles. I doubt many parents are ok with their children riding bikes, and even the youth can clearly perceive the danger.  Where I live urban areas to east, never ride east, and that from a very experienced rider.
Too bad so many youth will never experience motorcycle culture. I've had some of the best times in my life on motorcycles hanging out with fellow bikers, rolling into backwater towns where you're a novelty and citizen's curiosity makes them open up to you, just experiencing the smells and sights of the parts of America most never even know exist. Finally, I never experience a sense of freedom more than when I'm on my bike, I've always felt riding my iron horse on long tours is as close as I can come to replicating what it must have been like to live on your horse prior to industrial revolution.
Took delivery of my 2021 Ducati Supersport S yesterday. Fit and finish way above KTM RC390, should be based on price differential. The one thing I didn't expect was the ease of turn in, feels as flickable as KTM, and far more stable in turns than KTM. Ducati much more confidence inspiring in turns (and I doubt electronic aids have even kicked in at this point). Fueling much more spot on than KTM, perhaps a bit of surging at steady state speeds, with KTM I found a tune an absolute necessity.  And then acceleration, while KTM was fun, Ducati is a rush, the way this thing is geared and power band made for street riding means you have near full torque at lower rpms. Seating position is totally spot on, probably 20% more sporty than a standard bike, on KTM I"m cramped up.

And then aesthetics, beautiful from any angle, real cohesive look with all Ducs, nothing looks out of place (exception of the rear fender, as with all bikes, looks like some added on appendage, and even here Ducati does a relatively good job). Rear fender will be gone today as New Rage Cycle fender eliminator here.

Anyway, at my age likely last bike I ever purchase, best enjoy while I'm able.