My Foray Into the World of Sportbiking on a K1300S

[FYRWRX]

Welshman -- I completely agree -- plan on staying on top of the bike!!! LOL

Squire -- great suggestion! I am going to take the suit over to the local bike shop; the owner there has been very helpful with helping me get outfitted. He is going to order a couple of back protectors and then we can see how everything fits. I feel so much better moving forward in the track arena having serious gear. Some people told me "Oh, you can just wear your usual jackets and pants!" The riders that do track days all the time all said -- "You never know what might happen and it's best to be prepared and not need it so get the good stuff and be safe!" Definitely heeding the words of the experienced riders so feel free to drop your .02 anytime and thank you!!!

[squire_2145]

What's right for me isn't necessarily right for everyone. The way I look at it, I spent a ton of money on one of the best bikes on the planet. In my experience, you get what you pay for and i've never been dissatisfied with buying the "best". That being said, I just picked up a Knox Meta-sys back and sport chest protector. Fit is great, can barely tell it's on. I love it. Even on the street, i'm fully track ready. A* 2 piece, Knox back/chest, Sidi Vertigos, and Held Phantoms.

Honestly, can't say enough about the knox stuff... TBH, there was an issue with one of the retention straps on the chest protector. I didn't want to send it back and be without a chest protector for another week or 2. The guy at Knox told me since it's not a "safety" item, take it to a seamstress, get it fixed and he'll reimburse me the cost. Obviously i'm not worried about $10 for a couple stitches, but the fact he is willing says alot to me about the company.

[FYRWRX]

I will look into that! Thanks for the extra info! I love this site!

[FYRWRX]

New suit showed up but alas it is too big -- fortunately the gentleman at the store agreed to exchange it for a smaller size. I am hopeful the fit will be better (although having to go down in size is usually a good thing for most women!!! lol)

Taking more classes and really starting to get a feel for the bike doing slow speed maneuvers; tight u-turns and slow speed managment in straight lines as well as simultaneous throttle/front brake use which will be helpful at the track I'm told. Also starting to pick up speed in my cornering and body shift transitions. This is so much fun when I get it right and so very aggravating when I don't get it right. I have to keep reminding myself to get down over the tank more. The bike can do so much and I'm not tapping into it's potential as much as I should so I have to keep working those skillsets.

I did discover something new: Last week I shifted the setting from normal to sport. I was told that bikes actually move side to side constantly as they move forward. Something to do with the gyroscopic effect of the bike/gravity/forward motion. In any event, I was on a 200 mile trip last Friday, and I finally got that "road feel" sensation that you guys mention in some posts. Feeling the road through my feet, the seat of the bike and my hands. It was an "ah ha" moment, and I also felt the side-to-side sensation. Also getting A LOT better at handling the bike in higher wind conditions. Not freaking out and feeling very much in control. So far so good!

[FYRWRX]

Spending more time working on concepts and skills with instructors. Really starting to develop an eye for body position and tension. Beginning to see that even long term riders can have form issues that keep them from the next level. In oarticular, trying to increase speed prior to mastering the skill or body transitions. As for me, loving that bike more and more! Really starting to get into the "hang" on the turns and developing more and more throttle control. Started playing with the speed shifter today. Wow what a difference when I had to move off quickly!

[SHIVA]

nice updates, keep them up. yes the quick shifter is really addictive.

[FYRWRX]

Thanks Shiva! Really working on the skill sets --- also trying to develop more patience with myself in the process!!!! Lol my absolute worst quality -- tons of patience for students learning curve "0" for myself!

[FYRWRX]

Finally got me and the bike together for a picture!

[FYRWRX]

New bike ....

[SHIVA]

Nice pics! I like the matching outfit. nice!

[FYRWRX]

Color coordination is very important to female K bike riders! LOL

[Pedro Guimarães]

Nice pics. Nice color coordination indeed. Drive safe.

[Bernardo]

At last!, two beautiful ladies together!

Thanks Kathie for sharing your life, makes the forum more human...

[SHIVA]

Thanks Kathie for sharing your life, makes the forum more human...

amen... one pic like that balances 50 Tech threads...

[FYRWRX]

At last!, two beautiful ladies together!

Thanks Kathie for sharing your life, makes the forum more human...

Thank you Bernardo and Shiva for the lovely compliment and sentiments!

[FYRWRX]

A couple of friends and I decided to do a "Girls Ride" weekend. Stayed at a casino and went to a motorcycle gear sale in the next state. Since we were bringing some extra stuff along on the trip, decided to take my HD Road Glide. Found myself dreading having to pull the beast out of the garage; then realized that I have been spending so much time on my beloved K13 that my HD riding was no longer intuitive or quite as much fun as I remembered!

I felt as though I was handling an elephant at low speed, I had a headache from the pipe noise, kept trying to signal turns (in both directions) with the left button, kept hitting the same turn signal button when I wanted to use the horn, and almost dumped the bike on a gravel, grass, sand/soft shoulder area of the badly sloped parking lot. Saved the bike with sheer determination but sat there wishing I had taken the BMW.

Once inside the overcrowded and non-inspiring store sale -- had an epiphany moment of sorts when I realized a) I am not upgrading or adding ANYTHING to the Harley and b) the store/show had nothing to offer that would work on my BMW. Mental note to never attend that annual event again! Ever!

On the long ride back to the casino/hotel and again today as I was on the ride home, I had quite a bit of time to evaluate how much my recent riding choices, perceptions and training have changed or elevated my riders palate. I see and hear so many riders who reflexively put down other brands of bikes simply because they are different than the choice they made in purchasing -- but most never entertain the thought of actually going out to see what might be out there in terms of comfort and performance. During an update meeting with my boss, I shared my frustrations in moving between the two bikes, and he wisely pointed out that my biker innocence was forever lost. "You ride your first ride and you make it work because that is all you know at the time. Once you have made the decision to move to other vehicles, your experience broadens and you have to reacclimate yourself to the original bike(s)."

So now I debate: There is a certain amount of "wow" factor in riding such a huge Harley; especially as a woman who trys to set an example for other women that it can be done. However, given my current occupation and movng forward -- is it time to give up the Harley? It would be a lot easier to have a lighter weight touring bike and I could consider a BMW 1600 touring bike or perhaps the new Triumph Trophy -- but would that be giving up instead of challenging myself to manage and reaclimate more quickly between the K13 and the HD?

I need to ponder this one but I do think that the best riders move about in their bike choices to avoid getting stale and to get the best possible takeaways on performance, ride feel, and an awareness of how that improves them as a rider.

[gls620]

when i ride my bike( many, in 50 yrs of riding) i feel like an involved motorcyclist enjoying, and being a male has nothing to do with the experience.

it seems by what you post, being a female is interference to the goal of being just a motorcyclist having a great time !

have a great riding season,and be carefull out there.

[FYRWRX]

I am not sure that being a female rider is ever an interference to my biking enjoyment; if that's the impression I gave that is not my intent or meaning. The vast majority of sport bike riders I see are male, and most have much more experience than I do on this type of bike.

In the field of motorcycle instruction, I am a minority. As an instructor to beginning riders, I would categorize myself as an expert instructor and have the recommendations to back that statement up. However, as I move towards instructing advanced riders, I cannot say the same given that I am also learning and developing the same skills as my students. I do feel that I have to work harder to make sure I am proficient given the difference in "experience" on these type of bikes. Also -- there is a huge handling difference in 1000 Lb Harley and my K1300. I used to think that my Harley was the be all/end all and the HD experience was all I had known. I made a conscious decision to try a completely different type and arena of biking this year, and my posts (suggested and encouraged by Shiva) are just the ideas, questions, thoughts, and experiences I am having along the way -- and some of them in part are from my female perspective. I am just sharing my journey and happy to have you all as fellow travelers!

I will say that at my most frustrated moments, I would still rather have the struggle of mastering a sport that inspires, challenges and amazes me! You be safe as well!

[double.d]

I'm enjoying your views and experiences FYRWRX, and looking at your lovely photos i would have to say that on first impression i would view you as being more suited to the K than a big heavy Harley cruiser. It is always hard to give up something you have become accustomed to, i have just changed brands after 25 years of Guzzi ownership and the differences are vast. I still have one Guzzi, the one i bought back in 86' and i have not ridden it since i bought my K home a month ago so i'm sure that when i get on it next it will be a reverse shock , but it won't take long to familiarise again as everything will happen a lot slower

I suppose the point i'm trying to make is that by all means have a Harley but maybe think about a Harley that is not so far removed, but still very different than the K in character, something a little sportier like an XR1200

[FYRWRX]

Hi DoubleD --

Your impressions regarding the Harley are dead on; from an ergonomic and athletic standpoint the K is the much better fit for me. The irony is WAY BACK when I first considered my first motorcycle -- it was supposed to be a BMW! It's interesting that it takes a lot longer to get back into the "ride" of the Harley, but I literally was back in sync with the K within the first 5 minutes! I really enjoy that bike -- I am getting so much better on it as well. We have had a lot of high wind days here lately, and at first it was unnerving but now I just go with it -- I am learning how to move the bike using my knee pressure. So interesting how that works!

I did consider getting a different Harley, but I think I've had my run with them and this will be my last one. I think I just want to try out some other bikes and have a tourer, my K and possibly a off-road option as well. As always -- so many bikes -- so little time! (I am thinking about a Guzzi as well.... )

[Flynt]

Having a couple or a few bikes makes sense anyway... different horses as they say. I have a very modified '92 Yamaha FJ for my upright cruiser and love it. The Hardly's got to go however...

Frank

[double.d]

Hi DoubleD --! (I am thinking about a Guzzi as well.... )

Ooolala I can see either a V7 Racer or a Griso in your future , depends on wether you want 48hp , or 108hp

[Special-K]

Hi

Great photos of yourself and your lovely K bike.
My view of harleys is they are dangerous, an akward riding position does not inspire
confidence in me at all. This is a personal view and thats all.
I would ditch the harley and save for the 1600, your life would then be complete..

All the best in your adventure and journey.
Right now we are suffering a horid winter and have around 10 degrees to deal with.
Bike riding is not pleasant in these temps, however summer looks alike a hottie is on the way.

Peace..

[FYRWRX]

You guys are making me laugh BUT you are right -- the Harley is on its last season with me! I have 3 more bikes in mind and my boss just told me I can store the extra bikes in his garage! (God I love that man! BEST BOSS EVER - hands down!).

Specialk - is our motorcycle life ever really complete? I hope your summer isn't as brutal as ours -- record steady heat every day 90+ and humid for a record number of days. Still riding thanks to my BMW Venting jacket and airflow pants! Harley friends bikes languishing in the garage!

DoubleD -- leaning towards 108hp......

[FYRWRX]

In my latest adventure I've been assisting the local sportbike dealership in their move to a new and larger location. A very tiring but extremely educational week spent around Ducatis, Triumphs, Guzzis, Husky's, KTM's and the like...

Had the chance to sit on a variety of bikes, ask a lot of questions, and think about what I really like and need (or just want!)

Rode to the job site and back every day even on the 104 degree days. Cannot say enough good things about my BMW Venting jacket. That piece of clothing just plain works as advertised! Got a pair of BMW boots as a gift from a friend, ordered some track level boots to break in and ride with, and am now riding the bike like I stole it. I am really becoming confident in my ride and my response time, shifting and speed have come up accordingly -- I am enjoying the bike more and more and i am really looking reward to the next level class training next week.

I have decided I am selling the Harley and adding a Diavel to the garage stable. ( thank you Shiva yet again for that review!) I can tour on the K13 if I need to do so, and if I need more storage I can rent a GTL or a Triumph Trophy SE next year. Someone at the BMW owners meeting tonight asked me why I decided to move to a sportbike and did I feel I made the right choice of bike. I replied that if I died and was reincarnated as a machine I would look just like my bike -- it's a reflection of who I am as a person -- just a bit faster!!!