991.2 C2s early impressions from a motorcycle guy
08-29-2016, 02:39 PM
#31
Rennlist Member
Beautiful! I have that bike's less-hot cousin: BMW R1200GS. It's an amazing machine. I do agree that, at road speeds at least, two wheels are a greater challenge than 4 - less forgiving and more to do. I also think that riding a bike well on a country road is ultimately more fun - it's like flying, and the way that driving a car can never be, and what's more fun than that?
That said, though, I went out for two for-fun road trips last weekend and both were in my cars. Maybe it's the lateral-G thing, maybe it's the comfort, maybe it's the music, or the potential for company, or not having to wear a thick leather suit in a heatwave - I don't know. It's almost definitely that sitting in a bit of traffic sometimes bothers me less than it used to. Am going away biking next week and looking forward to reconnecting with it, but currently Porsche is winning...
That said, though, I went out for two for-fun road trips last weekend and both were in my cars. Maybe it's the lateral-G thing, maybe it's the comfort, maybe it's the music, or the potential for company, or not having to wear a thick leather suit in a heatwave - I don't know. It's almost definitely that sitting in a bit of traffic sometimes bothers me less than it used to. Am going away biking next week and looking forward to reconnecting with it, but currently Porsche is winning...
While I ended up concluding that I have more fun in cars, I agree with you rather solidly on all points here.
One other thing going for the bikes though is road trip stories are typically far better. I think the inherent potential for misery is part of the experience and makes the highs that much sweeter. My dad, sister, and I went and did a long motorcycle trip a few years back. We went through a few national parks up to Glacier in August. And stupidly, we didn't bring rain gear... We were soaked in rain for about two days straight and saw snow twice in the mountain passes. I think I remember the miserable parts with more fondness than anything. Bonding I guess. Beautiful scenery, wearing a three dollar parka that tore to shreds at 100mph (told my dad it's obviously not speed rated), having two dozen drunk Indians approach us like zombies or children of the corn at a gas stop, freezing our wet butts off by a fire in a tiny wood cottage at an 8000 foot mountain pass, etc. It was all stuff my wife would want absolutely no part of, but it makes for some great memories.
08-29-2016, 03:10 PM
#32
Rennlist Member
I haven't been on a 1200, but years ago I owned an '03 1150GS. Quirky, immensely capable, and seriously fun! I got the GS dirty many times over the years, but this version of the Multistrada will never see dirt. Compared to a GS, it's more like a sport bike with an upright riding position.
08-29-2016, 03:18 PM
#34
I also have a Fiat 500 Abarth and while it is an absolute HOOT to drive
it doesn't come close to the 911. What it does share though is the ability to leave you walking away with a huge smile on your face every time you step out of it! 
08-29-2016, 03:33 PM
#35
No comparison between bikes and cars IMO, in terms of sensation and involvement. One of the reasons I've never taken my car to a track is because I know it will never match the feeling and thrill I got on a bike. I sat bitch one time in a car on track and it was a yawner to me in comparison. Track on a moto is better than sex.
08-29-2016, 03:54 PM
#36
Burning Brakes
Thread Starter
I didn't start doing track days on a bike until I was well into my 40s. Got good enough on my Honda RC51 v-twin sport bike to be one of the slowest guys in the advanced group. Had no problem dragging knees, but then skipped a few years and lost a lot of my skills. Did one track day last year on my KTM 1290 Superduke and felt old and slow
Barely touched down one knee once the whole day. It was a bit of trial by fire that day. Five years off the track, new track, and rain most of the day. Very challenging doing a track day in the rain! I finished that one glad I didn't crash and get hurt. So am really enjoying the 911 as it offers speed with less injury risk. Quite a bit more financial risk though!
Barely touched down one knee once the whole day. It was a bit of trial by fire that day. Five years off the track, new track, and rain most of the day. Very challenging doing a track day in the rain! I finished that one glad I didn't crash and get hurt. So am really enjoying the 911 as it offers speed with less injury risk. Quite a bit more financial risk though!
Last edited by dflowerz; 08-29-2016 at 05:17 PM.