Is it more fun to ride a slow bike fast?

[Bill_Walker]

I've heard the adage that it's more fun to ride a slow bike fast than it is to ride a fast bike slow. What's your experience? I think much depends on what the "slow bike" and "fast bike" are. I had a Harley Road King for a while, and it was definitely NOT more fun to ride that bike fast than it is to ride my RT. But it's certainly true that today's "fast bikes" are capable of far more performance than you can use on the street. And I'd include my RT and V-Strom in that, even though they're not "fast bikes" by current standards.

 

I've never owned anything smaller than a 650 UJM. So, I'm wondering if it would be fun to swap my V-Strom for a smaller bike, and if so, what? Bikes that come to mind include the SV650, DRZ400SM, CBR250R, Ninja 250/500/650, maybe Triumph Bonneville (not exactly "small" at 865cc), or maybe an old Honda GB500 if I could find one. And yes, I've thought about an electric bike, but the range for anything more than commuting just isn't there yet.

 

What do you think?

[dirtrider]

Evening Bill

 

To me it is more fun to ride a fast bike fast than ride a slow bike fast but riding a fast bike fast can get you big fines & even jail time not to mention insurance hikes.

 

So riding an underpowered bike (not a slow bike POS, just underpowered) is the next best thing to get the heart rate elevated on public roads. With an underpowered bike you need to have perfect lines & good braking habits so you don't scrub the speed off in the corners & curves. With a high powered bike the speed is just too easy to get back with a simple wrist twist.

 

That is one of the problems I have always had with my Ducati's , to me those things don’t start to become fun to ride until at least double the posted & that isn't fun on wallet.

 

Last few years it has been dirt dikes for me as you can have lots of fun sliding those things around on the dirt & still stay under 70-80 mph for most playing.

 

[outpost22]

What's weird is I tend to ride my slow bike faster and my fast(er) bike slower. Round peg meets square hole. Story of my life.

[Paul Mihalka]

Riding a not too fast but not too slow bike is a pleasure. It means on a nice road, or even a race track, you can go fast but to do it you have to squeeze out of the bike everything it has. I had a lot of enjoyment with my K75, often in company of K100 and K1100 bikes, being a lot on full throttle and keeping up or passing. Having a bike where you do everything you can or everything you dare, and the bike is laughing at you, is no fun.

[Quinn]

One of my first cars was a '62 Mercury Comet, 6 cylinder, three speed on the column. I used to drag race between traffic lights without the other guy knowing we were racing. It was a lot of fun trying to wring out every bit of horsepower and trying to get it to slide out going around corners.

 

After it was wreaked, I had enough money to buy a V-8 Plymouth Sport Fury. All that power just wasn't fun. It was like sitting in an easy chair and watching a movie screen. Only way to have fun with it was to get it up to dangerous speeds and do stupid things.

 

Once the insurance claim from my accident was settled, I'd made enough money to get a new car. My choice was a Datsun 1600, a little two seater with a four on the floor, dual carbs. It was a blast to drive. Not too much power, but fun to wring out what there was.

 

So yeah, for me it's more fun to ride a slow bike fast. I'm a bigger part of the partnership with the machine instead of a parasite along for the ride.

 

-----

 

 

[smiller]

I agree with DR in that a fast bike fast is the most fun but the consequences can be costly, and not just in terms of dollars. But that little niggle aside there's nothing else like it.

 

That being said... I have the DRZ-400S with me in the toy hauler right now and I have to say I've been having some wicked fun on that thing. Feels like riding a 10-speed bike (and requires about as much maintenance) while getting 60 mpg and no worries about the law or the consequences of Big Speed. Have to say there's something to that, it's a lot of fun in its own way.

[JohnnyJ]

Fast is relative. It depends on your reference.

80 mph on the freeway feels slow. Accelerating out of a tight turn at 40 MPH feels fast.

 

The reason I have large MC's (FJR1300 / R1100RT) is for the torque... not the top speed.

 

 

Johnny J

[cali_beemer]

I think there is some thruth in the more fun to ride a slow bike fast....theres somethign like sqeezign the life out of a bike and living near redline...although that being said, I have had some of the bikes listed such as the RT, Vstrom and FJR...and many more. The four cylinder big torque bikes like my GT and the FJR do bring a glow to my face as I roll on the throttle. The K1200GT has been the most fun in this department. It made a growl like a formula racer and revved up faster than politician on his way to a fundraiser. That can get you in trouble and I am trying to not do that quite so much. I nearly ran into a car with the GT...that acceleration can overwhelm you. the GT and FJR also handle like much lighter bikes than they are which adds to the excitement.

[John Bentall]

OK Bill,

 

You think the solution might be getting a smaller capacity machine.

 

Now what was the problem again?

 

John

[Bill_Walker]

OK Bill,

 

You think the solution might be getting a smaller capacity machine.

 

Now what was the problem again?

 

John

 

Time to experience something different? Looking for new horizons. Maybe save some gas. I dunno. Something that lights my fire.

 

BTW, I had a Ducati ST4 in the past, and I spent a day riding a K1200S in the twisties. I've never ridden a Superbike, but I do understand the intoxication of power. But I also understand the feeling of already being way over the speed limit when I hit third gear. And I think it'd be interesting to ride something that doesn't weigh 500 pounds or thereabouts.

 

Part of me thinks I'd like a vintage bike, and part of me thinks I'd be a complete idiot to buy one. I do my own maintenance on my bikes, but I sometimes have to drag myself out to the garage to do it. It's not something I jump at. So maintaining/repairing a vintage bike may not be for me. But I love the look of them, at least. I think I'd love a modern version of a BSA Gold Star, if only anybody made one.

[Guest Kakugo]

It depends very much on what you want to do.

For example on my Honda SP2 I was able of feats I didn't even remotely suspect to be able to do even with my very fast and trusty 929. I am not a good rider but the bike allowed me to do it without breaking a sweat. It was phenomenally fast.

I can only imagine what a modern, big displacement sportsbike like an Aprilia RSV4 or a BMW S1000RR can do.

 

Personally I have always been a BIG fan of small displacement sportsbikes, for no other reason they are more forgiving than their bigger, badder brethren but capable of insane speeds as well as being very good to teach you how to ride near the limit.

The late '80-early '90s were these bikes' Golden Era: you had the Suzuki RGV250, the Yamaha FZR400, the Kawasaki ZXR400 and the fantastic Honda's: NSR250, RVF400, VFR400... the swansong were the Sukuki RGV250SP and the Suzuki-engined Aprilia RS250.

Then silence fell as manufacturers concentrated on bigger displacement bikes.

Now we are seeing a comeback: while not exactly sportsbikes the CBR250R and the Ninja 250 are probably faster than their predecessors due to the benefits of over a decade of continuous technical development. KTM is rumored to be working on a fully blown sportsbike using their 350 single which should be pretty close to a road going Moto3 bike. If KTM didn't have such a dismal sales and assistance network around here (just ask my friend Al) I would seriously consider it. Of course should Yamaha build something similar using the WR250R engine it would be the best of both worlds...

 

The problem with small displacement bikes is that they are not suited to long distance travel unless you are young and fit. Loading them with luggage or, God forbid, a pillion means you'll either have to wring their neck all the time or satisfy yourself with "plodding along".

But for blasts around the local track (less than 20 miles away) or local twisties (fifteen minutes to get at the "start line" by taking it slow and accounting for heavy traffic)... they make sense.

 

[tallman]

Well, my bike is fast.

But it is older and not as fast as the newer fast bikes.

So, I guess it is a slow bike too.

 

Being a slow rider, it really doesn't matter.

 

Either way, I'm having fun.

[BULLman]

Part of me thinks I'd like a vintage bike, and part of me thinks I'd be a complete idiot to buy one. I do my own maintenance on my bikes, but I sometimes have to drag myself out to the garage to do it. It's not something I jump at. So maintaining/repairing a vintage bike may not be for me. But I love the look of them, at least. I think I'd love a modern version of a BSA Gold Star, if only...

 

Get a Triumph Bonieville or Thruxton :thumbnail:

 

Classic style - modern, dependable bike.

[rd400racer]

I've raced everything from an RD400 to a CBR900RR and I have way more fun on the small bikes. I'm currently racing an RZ350 and an FZR400 and they are a blast. I can push them to their maximum limits without really feeling like I'm on the edge (even though I am!)

 

But the most fun I had was with the other German brand...an MZ660 Skorpion. My son and I both raced it and it is the most fun you can have with your clothes on. Big single cylinder thumper with loads of torque and no weight. Sold it last year and I'm still kicking myself in the butt.

 

This is my son on it at Nashville Super Speedway

 

[realshelby]

I need a governor (sp?), not the political kind.

 

I get into trouble with anything that can cause time warp when twisting the throttle ( or mashing the gas pedal...) so unless I was on a track I cannot really enjoy high powered machines.

 

I have a new 2012 DL 650 V Strom. An absolute blast in the mountains. I can push it hard in the turns....and going into the next turn I might be doing 80 instead of the 100 mph I would do on my 1000cc V Strom. So, yes I think it is more fun to ride a slower bike at its limit than to have to back off of a faster bike.

 

On a track day that would be different.

[Guest Kakugo]

Part of me thinks I'd like a vintage bike, and part of me thinks I'd be a complete idiot to buy one. I do my own maintenance on my bikes, but I sometimes have to drag myself out to the garage to do it. It's not something I jump at. So maintaining/repairing a vintage bike may not be for me. But I love the look of them, at least. I think I'd love a modern version of a BSA Gold Star, if only...

 

Get a Triumph Bonieville or Thruxton :thumbnail:

 

Classic style - modern, dependable bike.

 

If you want a bike with classic style and the best of modern technology follow my example:

 

 

Sadly the US is the only country in the world where it wasn't imported...

[big-t]

Bill, I really like riding the 650 thumpers.They are lightweight,agile and some of them make some decent HP and depending on where you are riding they can be very fun.

 

I live in SW Va and they are great fun on these twisty mountain roads.You can flip them back and forth all day without breaking a sweat and the fast(bigger) bike often have trouble keeping up with them.

 

If I lived in Kansas they would probably not be as much fun,so I would guess maybe the riding terrain might be the determining factor on whether its fun to ride a slow bike fast.

[eddd]

I'm absolutely delighted with the choice of my Ducati 695 Monster. It was so different from the RT and my dual sport that it filled a niche.

 

The smaller Monster is light and quick but not over-powered. After an easy reworking of the front suspension, it is even more fun to ride. Being a bare bones naked, it takes me back to my early days of riding.

 

I've had it to two track days where it performed very well even though it is just an inexpensive naked street bike.

 

The other great thing about the Ducati, beside that great motor, is that it is a great looking bike, and not just to my eye. I never tire of looking at that sexy naked Italian.

 

 

[rd400racer]

eddd, I've got a small Monster myself. In 2000 I bought a brand new CBR929RR. I kept it one year and just knew that something bad was going to come to me on that bike. I went to the Ducati dealer and they traded me a brand new 2001 M750 Metallic for my 929 straight up.

 

It looks quite a bit different than when I bought it, but that's half the fun of a Duc!

 

 

[Missouri Bob]

Part of me thinks I'd like a vintage bike, and part of me thinks I'd be a complete idiot to buy one. I do my own maintenance on my bikes, but I sometimes have to drag myself out to the garage to do it. It's not something I jump at. So maintaining/repairing a vintage bike may not be for me. But I love the look of them, at least. I think I'd love a modern version of a BSA Gold Star, if only anybody made one.

 

Depending on your definition of "vintage", Japanese bikes from the 70s might work for you. They certainly look their age, but are not as maintenance-intensive as British bikes of the same era. However, they are not the bargains that they were just a few years ago.

 

I am currently restoring/correcting a 1975 Honda CB400F: a very slow bike.

 

Bob

[EffBee]

Riding a fast bike fast is fun because of the adrenaline rush. But it's mostly the power of the bike doing the work to, into and out of the corners. You can make a mistake and twist the grip to try and make up for it.

 

On a smaller or slower bike, to go fast takes a lot of precision from the rider. And while the adrenaline rush isn't as great, the intrinsic rewards are much higher. The most fun I ever had was going to/from Crystal Lake in the SoCal mountains aboard a Kawasaki GPz305, and on a Woods-framed Rotax500 cafe racer (tiny thing, even tinier with my fat butt on it) going over Ortega Hwy. I'm sure I've ridden those roads faster both before and since. But I've never ridden them better.

 

I love my RT. But spanking that little 650 V-strom through Colorado a couple of years ago was pure heaven. Asthmatic at altitude, with overheated brakes and original PR's, I had to use the tranny a lot, roll perfect apexes, and use every inch of cornering clearance. I've never claimed to be fast. But that day, I felt like I'd just left Rossi in my wake. You can't buy that with power.

[elkroeger]

A slow bike fast is the correct answer. 30,000,000+ scooter riders across Asia can't be wrong.

 

I've always thought of the fun factor as hinging more on acceleration, rather than just plain ol' fast.

 

On the other hand, I used to have great fun racing my dad's VW camper around town. My V8 dodge is both quicker and faster, but there was more joy in "working" that old veedub.

[Selden]

The RT is my motorcycle "wife." My 1988 Honda Hawk GT (647cc V-twin) is my mistress, especially on tight mountain roads in the mountains where 90 is about as fast as you can go. I would love to throw a leg over one of the new Honda 250 RRs, but I'm not willing to shell out the bucks for a new motorcycle.

[roadscholar]

Part of me thinks I'd like a vintage bike, and part of me thinks I'd be a complete idiot to buy one. I do my own maintenance on my bikes, but I sometimes have to drag myself out to the garage to do it. It's not something I jump at. So maintaining/repairing a vintage bike may not be for me. But I love the look of them, at least. I think I'd love a modern version of a BSA Gold Star, if only anybody made one.

 

Vintage bikes are great, I tend to gravitate toward ones that can be ridden though, as in 150-200 mile day, without vibrating apart, spewing fuel on your pants, or throwing a rod on the way home. Once had a BSA Firebird Scrambler (chrome tank), while stunningly beautiful to observe, it exhibited tendencies toward all of the above. The old Guzzis I've had were wonderful riders, Ambassador, Eldorado, Lemans I, 1000SP, V65SP (still have it), Lario, Lemans IV, and 1100 Sport. Two of the most fun bikes to ride though were the CB400F and Moto Morini 3 1/2 Sport, both engines are jewel-like, and mated to six speeds, make for serious fun getting thru the gears. On an old bike though don't forget to back up your riding style to the performance of it's decade, things were a lot different then.

 

 

[Whip]

My KTM 950 has about 75 HPs. It is the most fun bike I have ever owned.

 

I love the power delivery and overall balance of the bike.

 

 

The 990 lost somethin.

 

My GSA has about the same HP numbers and weighs substantially more and I love it.

 

I prolly will never own a 125 HP bike ever again.

 

 

The new Yammie is a nice tweener.

 

 

 

 

[Bill_Walker]

I am currently restoring/correcting a 1975 Honda CB400F: a very slow bike.

 

Bob

 

Now that's a bike I've admired since it was new (and I see roadscholar liked 'em, too, which is always a good recommendation)! That curvy 4-into-1 exhaust was a thing of beauty, and the whole bike looked just right. Nowadays, though, restored ones seem to be quite expensive, and I know I'm no restorer.

 

I think what I'm looking for here is something that will revive my interest in my local roads. I've thought about Ducati Monsters, too, Ed. How much did it take to get your suspension sorted? I've kinda leaned toward the 796 just because of the adjustable front end.

 

Anybody got a Bonny? How do you like it?

[Bill_Walker]

My KTM 950 has about 75 HPs. It is the most fun bike I have ever owned.

 

I love the power delivery and overall balance of the bike.

 

 

The 990 lost somethin.

 

My GSA has about the same HP numbers and weighs substantially more and I love it.

 

I prolly will never own a 125 HP bike ever again.

 

 

The new Yammie is a nice tweener.

 

 

 

 

I think you're substantially underestimating the horsepower of your 950. My RT has more than that, and my V-Strom has more than the RT, and my butt says your 950 has more than that. At any rate, I've enjoyed riding your 950, but it suffers from two of the same problems as my V-Strom: 1) It's tall, which means I really feel like I'm leaning into the other lane or off the road in corners. I like being closer to the road; 2) It's ugly (no offense intended, beauty in the eye, etc. I've had people tell me my V-Strom is pretty and I'm always surprised).

 

My Strom, like your 950, is incredibly practical. But I'm just not getting what I need from it, I think.

 

I wish more bike dealers did test rides.

[John Bentall]

 

I think what I'm looking for here is something that will revive my interest in my local roads.

 

Ah, now we might just have a statement of your problem. You appear to have lost interest in riding your local roads.

 

A new bike would certainly help with this for a while until you utterly master the new machine. Then you will have the "interest" problem again.

 

Would the other board members like to chime in what they have done when faced with the same situation - either with the new machine they have chosen or some other approach.

 

HTH,

 

John

 

 

[artig]

The August issue of the British magazine Bike was a special fun issue. It included their list of the 40 most fun bikes ever. Winner was the Triumph Street Triple/Street Triple R. Second was KTM 950 SM, followed by KTM Super Duke, Triumph Speed Triple and Kawasaki Z1000. Highest placed BMW was the R1200RT at number 20, with the only other BMW being the R1100S at number 32. Although it could be said that the Husqvarna Nuda 900S is part BMW, and comes in at number 10.

 

It's some time now since I owned a bike with more than 800cc displacement. For me, fun is low weight, reasonable power, good maneuverability, and comfortable suspension.

[John Bentall]

Fun with all sorts of "ifs" and "buts" and conditions though. It might even correspond to the jaded road-testers idea of "fun".

 

Is it more fun to ride a Street Triple R through the twisties fully laden with two-weeks worth of luggage, a tent and a pillion than a R1200RT? Or how about riding through 2 hours of sunshine followed by 1 hour of blinding rain?

 

"Fun" is in the mind. I wonder if there is a trade-off like tire grip - one has x amount of grip for cornering and braking/accelerating. Does one have x amount of brain processing power for simultaneously experiencing exhilaration and also concentrating on the road?

Does a road racer have any time to experience "fun" while he is racing? There is no doubt that riding a Ducati Desmoseidieci on the road is fun, but in a race?

 

Would it be have more fun riding a showroom-new shiny Honda Fireblade or a completely messed up (but still perfectly ridable and equally fast) Aprilia RSV Factory that had just been thrown down the road by a friend?

 

John

 

 

[eddd]

...I think what I'm looking for here is something that will revive my interest in my local roads. I've thought about Ducati Monsters, too, Ed. How much did it take to get your suspension sorted? I've kinda leaned toward the 796 just because of the adjustable front end...

 

The 695 was an entery level Ducati and one of the ways they kept the price down was to spec very basic and non-adjustable forks. After much research and some conversations with Dave Hanson, I was able to install a new set of linear springs and change out the fork oil for about $150.00 total. I am very please with the results of these simple changes, and unless I'm willing to spend $1500 I've done pretty much all I can do with the stock forks. They are not adjustable for preload or rebound and the cartridges are not rebuildable.

 

From what I've read, the earlier 796's used Marzocchi forks which are also non-adjustable for preload or damping. The 2012 model now comes with Kayaba 43mm forks, but I haven't been able to verify if they are adjustable. I'd also be sure the particular bike you looking at has the forks you want since it seems that even the Ducati web page is unclear when it comes to exactly what components are on the bike.

 

I will say that after riding two track days, many local trips, and spring Torrey, the Monster is the most fun I've ever had on a road bike.

[Peter Parts]

Talking about "power" and "fast" may be right for the stupid muscle cars of yesteryear (that did nothing well but go in a straight line), but not apropos bikes. It is not the whole story to do with what is fun on a bike.

 

While we can't use big power to go high-speed on highways, with a big power bike, we can pass cars on two-lane roads at 100 mph in the blink of an eye... or equally fun, we have a middle-power bike that is a joy to shift up and down to do that passing. Or the fun of shoulder-joint popping power accelerating on an on-ramp... or sharp braking at other times.

 

The joys of handling can be had every day, not just when the twisties beckon. You can do ear-holes pulling into your driveway and that should put a big smile on your face.

 

You can do fun balancing tricks with bikes of all sizes - different fun for big bikes (like putting two hands in the air going fast) or small bikes (balancing at crawling speed).

 

For vintage types, fun when your bike is running well.

 

There are a lot of different kinds of joys in biking and they don't match-up with power one-to-one.

 

BMW boxers fun? The fun might be a bit more cerebral or even delight in riding trick engineering (or the challenge, for me, of improving that engineering and feeling the difference on the road... cerebral).

 

Ben

[big-t]

I think what I'm looking for here is something that will revive my interest in my local roads.

 

If you really want to get back to basic motorcycling,this is the bike

 

Don't laugh,it will do anything you ask of it.Basic motorcycling at its best.Its cheap,almost indestructible and it will go down the Interstate or even off road.If it falls over its no big deal,parts are dirt cheap and if you don't like it there is always someone that will buy it and you will be surprised how much fun it can be on a tight twisty road and its hard to beat for just laid back cruising on the local roads.

 

Mine has been gone for several years,but in the back of my mind it still lingers as a possible replacement every time I get tired of the complex,high HP bikes.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Its a real motorcycle..

[Whip]

My KTM 950 has about 75 HPs. It is the most fun bike I have ever owned.

 

I love the power delivery and overall balance of the bike.

 

 

The 990 lost somethin.

 

My GSA has about the same HP numbers and weighs substantially more and I love it.

 

I prolly will never own a 125 HP bike ever again.

 

 

The new Yammie is a nice tweener.

 

 

 

 

I think you're substantially underestimating the horsepower of your 950. My RT has more than that, and my V-Strom has more than the RT, and my butt says your 950 has more than that. At any rate, I've enjoyed riding your 950, but it suffers from two of the same problems as my V-Strom: 1) It's tall, which means I really feel like I'm leaning into the other lane or off the road in corners. I like being closer to the road; 2) It's ugly (no offense intended, beauty in the eye, etc. I've had people tell me my V-Strom is pretty and I'm always surprised).

 

My Strom, like your 950, is incredibly practical. But I'm just not getting what I need from it, I think.

 

I wish more bike dealers did test rides.

 

 

 

Ugly is in.

 

 

Good Luck with your search.

 

 

 

 

 

[jimbullitt]

I would have to say, 'both'. I have had the slower bike that I rode fast, a `79 CB650-my first street bike.

I have a fast bike that I can ride slow-my Aprilia Tuono R-hey I have to obey the law, too-but like pushing it a little as well. I guess I found out, on my ride yesterday-aboard a K1200GT-that it was completely in 'it's element'-at about 80 m.p.h. It was an absolute joy.

The reality-that was NOT, the posted the speed limit.

Isn't possession, still, 9/10s of the law?

[Matts_12GS]

My ancient DR650 is a hoot on roads like the blue ridge parkway and smaller roads. It's good on gravel, better in dirt than the GS, and if it ever has an expensive sounding noise, I'll rip the license plate off it, file the vin and hitchhike home...

 

 

Seriously, I bought it for $1500 3 years ago and love it.

 

 

I have ridden DL650s for thousands of miles and love the challenges involved in using more of that bike's capabilities than I can on my GS or many other bikes.

 

Riding a lower powered bike at the same level of aggression as a higher powered bike will take more effort on your part. It's rewarding and fun, but it will take more effort to hit your apexes and maximize your momentum.

[Whip]

Triumph Thunderbird

 

Harley XR1200

[Bill_Walker]

Triumph Thunderbird

 

Harley XR1200

 

I presume you're referring to the prior Thunderbird triple, not the new twin cruiser. Or else the old Meriden twins. I do like the T-bird Sport a bit.

 

I really want to like the XR1200. I'd like to reward H-D for trying to make a bike that handles. But it's too heavy, and they've somehow managed to put a finish on all the metal parts that makes them look like plastic.

 

Generally, though, by "slow bike" I also mean "smaller, lighter" bike, and these two don't qualify.

[Bill_Walker]

Has anybody here ever ridden a Honda GB500?

[Fubar]

I wonder if this is at least part of why we enjoy the twisties so much? We go to the BRP, not Bonneville.

Is it because we are closer to our, and our rides, limits? Are we using more of our senses and abilities than we normally do?

I'll take the "slow bike fast" any day. It takes more skill to wring it out and maintain the speed.

My favorite car was a 4-speed '76 Vega wagon. Nowhere near a fast car but a ton of fun to drive, especially in town. Light, small, maneuverable, quick. Top speed was not a concern. Plus, more of the performance is usable and it's cheaper.

I'd take a Porsche Cayman or Audi TT or Ariel Atom anyday over a DB9, 911 or Veyron. True sports cars, not supercars like Lamborghinis and Ferraris, are what I like.

[Gene O]

The edge is the edge -- weather you're on a riding lawnmower or a superbike. The biggest difference is the consequence of an error or accident. Whipping through a tight woods trail at 25mph is as demanding as tripple digits on the race track but overcooking a corner might mean bruises in the former and potential serious or lethal injuries in the latter. Is it more fun to do 39.5mph in a 40mph corner or 105mph in a 110mph corner? For me, both are rewarding. I'd be more inclined to push the limits on a slower bike because the penalties for screwing up are a little less severe but it's all about pushing the limits -- slow or fast.