interceptorrider

beIN coverage is European style in that it is flag to flag. No commercials. It's pretty good actually. I think it was the UK commentators last year here in the US broadcast for WSBK. I liked it a lot. Not sure what it would cost to get all three series on demand or over the internet. Might be cheaper to get beIN on cable. I DVR it anyway and watch it at my leisure. I hope MotoA can keep building on their good start last year.

http://www.superbikeplanet.com/2016/Feb/150224a.htm Looks like beIN for all road racing this year in the US. Works for me, I get beIN. Hope you all do too. Mark

Exactly...........to all of the above. That is why I would like to see him back. Fast as all get out, very little concern for their drama's, and, well.......fast as all get out. Seems like an interesting suppository for the three major antagonists from last year. Dani doesn't have the consistency or gusto of Stoner. Plus, Ducati has no stake or interest in this crap. They just need to win. It would be interesting and fun. That's all I'm saying.

Oh, please race again full time Mr Casey. I have very little interest in the coming season of MotoGP (WSBK yes......due to Nicky). All the debauchery of the the last season's end has created some disinterest for me. The only good guy was....(gasp).....Dani!?!?!? Casey's raw talent, abject determination, and, "oh, hey everybody.....f@#k you! I'm just here to race!" attitude were good to watch....at times. Mostly, I would like to see him stick it up the arses of MM, Jeorge....and Rossi too. Mostly the Spaniards though. I don't think anyone else has the talent to do it. Dani will spoil once in a while, but Casey will be there every race and has little concern for their little.....uh......squabble. Please race Casey. That would be fun.

This perfectly sums up my thoughts on this whole thing. It's nice to see a very experienced and respected racer express his honest views on the subject. Ride safe. Mark

Ditto. I've watched their portion of the race several times. It was obvious to me the first time through (on DVR at 5am Sunday morning) that Marquez was only interested in hassling Rossi. Rossi tried a couple times to get him to stop and just race........meaning get to the finish line in your best possible position. I was shocked at what happened, but feel Marquez is to blame. You picked a fight, you got it. It didn't look to me that Rossi intended to drop him. When Marquez leaned it hard, he brought it on himself. I'm not a huge Rossi fan and I was a Marquez fan. Not now. That was bullship! I have no empathy for what he was doing. Also, let's face it.......none of the top four guys have any problems knocking someone out of the way (even if they crash). Marquez initiated the actual contact with Rossi. That video was perfect. If he were my son I would say to him, "Really? What did you expect kid?" I'm just sayin'. Mark PS. By the way, I sold my last VFR (of 4) a year ago and I'm riding a KTM 990 SMT now. When this happened in MotoGP, I came here. I knew there would be differing and passionate opinions without the insults and slurs toward each other that the anonymity the internet is famous for. Thanks for the spitired and polite discussion your having. Ride safe.

I just want to say thank you to all of you. I sold my big VFR a couple month's ago due to some shoulder issues and the desire to move to a lighter, more old-man-with-bad-shoulders-and-a-weird-muscle-disease bike. So, for the first time since 2003, I am without a VFR. Kinda sad. I have owned 2 fifth gens, a sixth gen, and my latest and greatest 7th gen (and miss them all). They were all phenomenal bikes and I will miss them. If I ever go back to a fully faired bike, it will likely be be a gently used 5th gen. Thank you all! I appreciate the kindness, cameraderie, and knowledge. Ride safe. Mark

(gulp)

I did it. I bought the SMT. Cool bike. Almost 150 lbs lighter than the VFR (w/bags). It's fun, light, quick, easy, and fun. It's not the VFR. However, it ain't bad. After 11+ years of a constant VFR in the garage (two 5th gens, 6th gen, 7th gen), I will non-V4 for the immediate future (the new 800 leaves me cold). I really like the KTM. It'll be around a good, long time. Thanks all. Ride safe. Mark

Nope. I do not regret it. I"ve had four wonderful years with my big VFR. However, my bad shoulders and her heft have left me worried about dropping her at a rock strewn stop sign or in the garage. So, I found another bike in a different class. After owning 4 VFR's over the last 12 years, I bought a 2012 KTM 990 SMT (new, leftover). It's cool. I hate to sell my favorite bike ever, but the for sale sign is on her. If my shoulders hadn't changed, I would still be rocking my big VFR. Great bike. I doubt I will ever own another bike like it. Ride safe all. Thanks Mark

Let us know the dyno results and your mods so we may plot and plan. Very nice ride.

I did it to a 5th gen I owned previously and liked it a lot. Like you said, easier to move around the garage, put up on the centerstand, etc. I just took my time to develop a template, then got out the Dremmel and went to work. Well worth the effort. Good luck. Ride safe Mark

Wow! Beautiful bike. What did you pay for the cat remove? Was it a local guy? I thought you were sending it to the UK or something like that. Thanks. Ride safe.. Mark

I have a 2010 with just under 11,000 miles. It has OEM bags, Leo Vince carbon slip on, Pwr Cmdr 5, Bazzaz Z-Bomb, Zero Gravity dark smoke double bubble, Pro-Grip grips, Throttlemeister, fender eliminator, Honda center stand (no effort), and some other stuff. It's starting to feel heavy to me. I'm 49 with a weird muscle disease that has changed the bike for me. Sucks, because I love this bike. It is the most refined, smooth, powerful machine I have ever had. Dead stable and comfortable all day. I hate to sell it, but I'm worried about dropping her in the garage or at a stop sometime. I may sell her. We could make a deal..........maybe. I dunno. The big VFR is a great bike. If you find a good deal on one, you will love it. Ride safe Mark

Sat on a KTM 990 SMT and a Kawasaki Ninja 1000 today (and a KTM 990 SMR, Ducati 1200 Multistrada, and a '14 Suzuki 1000 V-Strom.......no thank you to any of them. That Strom feels heavy!) I was instantly at home on the SMT. Pushed it around the show room a bit. Pulled it out from its row, put it in its row, pulled it parallel to its row, repeat, etc. I was shocked at how everything just fit me. My wife even said you look "right" on that bike. The Ninja is cool. Looks like a beefy little bull dog. Solid. It's a little tighter in the leg room than the VFR and a little easier in the reach, closer and higher kinda like an SMT. It moves around like the VFR though (heavier feeling). I think it is because the VFR and Ninja are heavier (600+ and 520+ lbs) and the lower bars put the weight I am moving farther away from my leverage. The SMT is lighter (474 lbs) and the bars are closer to my chest height. I can easily lean a bit of it on me and move it around. The seat height is no trouble at all. Only slightly higher than the VFR. I am very comfortable and really like the SMT. Much more than I expected. The saddlebags are slightly bigger than a wallet. Won't hold much. However, there is a solid rear carrier to mount a bag on and there are relatively inexpensive luggage options from Givi, etc as well. Cheaper than the Kawasaki bags. I am leaning heavily toward the KTM. If I sold the big VFR it would be the first time in over 11 years I didn't have a VFR in the garage. I'm a little weirded out by that. Think, think. Think, think, think.