Traffic Light GP - motorcycle launch control - Kawasaki ZZR1400

So the ST3 is nearly half the price of some of these bikes, near as dammit as quick (indeed, quicker than most of them), sounds better, handles better in most real world situations, doesnt necessitate dressing up like a gay Power Ranger to look like you fit the bike, and gives you a lot more satisfaction, and better value for money...

 Minor uprated clutch and some lightweight parts for pennies and then you are humiliating litre sportsbikes with all the top end rush and no low down triple grunt..

 Plus - you dont look like a muppet in an out and out sports bike in town (where these traffic light GP actually occur...!) where your handling at slow speed and visibility is compromised compared to a more upright position..

 I take that as a "real world" win all round.. no thanks to the other bikes (other than the zzr1400 as a second bike for all round work with emphasis on longer distances)..

 So clearly, it IS what you do with it that counts.. Half the bhp and torque does not appear to count for much in the real world.. weird huh..

Posted: 10/06/2009 at 15:43

ST3? I didn't read about a Ducati in that article. Unless you're talking about the "Street Triple Triple"!

Posted: 10/06/2009 at 16:19

SD you're completely right...the Triumph gets the 'real world win'...if your world consists entirely of 'traffic light GPs'...

Me, I'm a grown adult and as such couldn't care less about such frivolities. I need my bikes to work every day, I need my engines to last more than 10000 miles and my paint to last more than a year, I need my bikes to  go round corners and on motorways, and most of all I like to scream the tits off them without constant fear of breaking them

Quote from a Triumph dealer I spoke to about a 675 'don't rev it too hard...it don't like that too much...we've had a few go pop (this was a loan bike while mine was in for service)'.

Posted: 10/06/2009 at 19:35

i've never done a traffic light gp in my life,don't think my heart could stand the excitement!

Posted: 10/06/2009 at 20:03

I'm not sure I can stand the excitement of an impending argument with another Triumph nutcase.

It always starts with some ridiculous post about how much better Triumph's are than anything else, ever. They MUST be insecure to make such posts. Or work for Triumph. It must be one of the two, anything else makes no sense.

Because in reality, they are a bit crap.

Posted: 11/06/2009 at 09:34

If the crap bit is the gearbox, then I completely agree. Otherwise, I love 'em.

Posted: 11/06/2009 at 10:13

One missing word of advice: Watch the cross traffic. Redlight runners abound.

Nothing like a fast launch into the side of a bus to mess up the paint job.

Most of the bones have healed very well, thank you.

Posted: 16/06/2009 at 18:46

Totally agree with SIlver Flash, take note all you would be Rossi's. Two sets of  traffic lights on my journey to work both show amber at the same time, gauranteed to see plastics, lenses and fenders at both crossings at least once a week! Staysafe

Posted: 18/06/2009 at 07:21

Silver Flash wrote (see)

One missing word of advice: Watch the cross traffic. Redlight runners abound.

Exactly!....years ago ago it used to be "amber gamblers", now (althought it doesnt ryme) its red. And like all of us, I find more n more are blatatnly just going through whether red or not, they just dont give a fuk.

Posted: 18/06/2009 at 10:55

User 96779 wrote (see)

 fenders

Fenders!....are you in the States..

Posted: 18/06/2009 at 10:57

Would have been good to see some other types of bikes tested here, maybe a V-Strom 1000, Varadero or R1200GS to represent big tourers and a Supermoto. I rarely traffic light GP now but when i couriered in town. The Husqvarna SM610 was hilarious for scaring deauville owners by shooting off on one wheel, clicking through gears until 4th or 5th. A Yamaha FZ6S2 i had also showed some talent at the lights for the sheer fact that it was easy to get all over the front of the bike and use the R6 derived power to its full effect.

Posted: 18/06/2009 at 12:08