Oomis

Just realized that I hadn't come back with an update on Tubby. Once I finally got her out on the road; goddamn it's quick. I mean, seriously quick. Until the third ride when, as I was vigorously passing a car, the engine exploded. I was lucky to keep her upright, considering that I broke a rod and dumped all the oil on the road (and on my back tire). The rod took out the engine case and the transmission; trashed the engine. I was able to find a donor engine from an FJ09 and took it to a specialist to have it properly tuned. He estimated that the RWHP of the original tune was just under 200 hp (no wonder the rod let go), and he had to dial it back to just under 175 hp, richen it right up and recommend that I run it 50/50 high octane / race gas. It is now just a blast at the track. I decided to make the bike a track-only bike because IMHO this turbo is really too much for the street. As I said before, it certainly is faster but I don't know if it's better. On the track, it definately has limitations, it really needs the rider to get up and out of the seat to hustle around corners, but as you'd expect, the stability in long sweepers is epic. On the other hand, it's a lot of work in the tight stuff. Overall, so much fun. Worth it? I dunno. The bike will never really be a threat on the track; it is what it is. Might as well just ride it stock and give up the pretenses... The worst part of owning this bike continues to be trying to explain it to people. I'm considering making a sign and just hanging it off the bike to save everyone some time. Yes, it's a motorcycle. No, it won't stay up on it's own. Yes, it's very stable. No, you can't ride it. Yes, the turbo makes it pretty quick. No, it's not that easy to ride on the track.

Hola folks. I had rented a Niken last summer down at Deal's Gap and had more fun on it than I can recall having recently on any other bike. It was just giggles. Over the winter, I came across a screaming deal on a Niken GT. The savings went straight to Australia and that turbo kit. Kit is installed, and I'm waiting for the pandemic to end so I can get it fine tuned, but it is beastly. I actually don't know if it made the bike better, but it certainly made it faster... I haven't yet put too many kms on her (working name: Tubby) but that'll change soon I expect.