Mean Machines 2007

Spring's here and it's fully bike-season again. I've been crusing to work and downtown on my motorcycle. As such I'm drooling over new bikes to use as a commuter and for day/overnight trips. I'd like something fast, under 10K and mean. I'll probably end up buying a used bike I won't feel bad dropping but why not dream right? There's lots of cool bikes, Gil's 2006 R6 is pretty mean but he crashed it at low-speed caused about 5K of damage so might be upgrading to an R1. Here's an R1 to R6 comparison. Not surprisingly the R1 is heavier (33lbs) and a bit longer in wheelbase (+1.4").

The R1 is a sweet machine but I'm drawn to more of a naked bike look. Here's a breakdown of some of them:

2007 MV Agusta MV BRUTALE 910R: out of my price range, the none-R version is a bit cheaper but still $$$

2007 Yamaha FZ1: A great all around bike. Looks good and has lots of power, plus it's good for slightly longer trips. A friend Paul has one and really enjoys it.

2007 Kawasaki Z1000: This bike looks mean. Huge Chrome dual exhaust and a great shape. I want one! Plus it's only $9K, cheaper than an R1.

Embarassing moto moment

I was just reading a funny thread on a motorcycle newsgroup about 'most embarrasing moments on your motorcycle' so I'd like to share my dumbass mistake!

Months after starting at MS (3-4 years ago) I was living in corporate-housing and my recently purchased motorcycle was parked in front of my recently purchased BMW in a single parking spot. I was going to take my bike for a ride so I needed to move the car to get at the bike. My plan was to pull the car out and up the hill a couple of parking spaces, then move my bike, and park the car back in the spot... no problem! I move the car out and up from my parking spot and leave it running. I set the parking brake and leave the car in neutral then walk over to the bike. Just as I back the bike out of the spot I glance uphill and OH SHIT!!!!1111 there’s my car rolling downhill towards me! I frantically scoot the bike back just as the car barely slides by my front wheel. I almost drop the bike putting down the stand and leap from the seat. My car is picking up speed and rolling towards a row of parked cars!!! Quickly bolting down the hill I leap akwardly into the drivers seat and yank the e-brake. The car jumps a curb and slides onto a lawn but slowly slides to a stop just inches from a lexus. I couldn’t believe I almost took out both of my new vehicles and a row of parked cars! Luckily nobody saw it and there was zero damage. A word to the wise... don't trust your ebrakes, put your car in gear anytime it's on a hill!

Got an embarrasing story about your car/motorcycle? Feel free to share!