Not political, sorta about riding vs driving the Miata

[solo1]

Someone on my post about why we ride, mentioned that riding wasn't at all like driving a convertible.
Got me thinking.

He was right! However, last week when I was driving back on 135 from the DRU (thanks Again, Steve)it was foggy and the top was up.  No "In The Wind" that day.

However, for me, after thinking about it, I was having the time of my life, driving a responsive sport car on curvy 135 and taking the curves art 9/10ths was a different kind of 'attitude adjusting" , never-the-less still invigorating.  I don't believe that I could've felt that way in a Mustang, Camero, or other convertible. Granted both of those car far outclass the Miata in horsepower albeit with a heckuva more weight.  It doesn't seem possible that a heavy car can handle the twisties with aplomb like a light sports car. I have no knowledge of the Corvette.

So I figure that 60 % of the rush is from following tight curves and rowing an easy shifting gear box with about 30 % additional for having the top down.  That leaves 10 % for general satisfaction for things like Cruise, AC, luggage storing, a top that doesn't leak, and tunes.

Comparing the four wheels to three wheels, I'm not sure where that leaves me but I'm satisfied that I made the right choice in adding another wheel.

[Rams]

Wayne,
The way I see it, you're out there enjoying life, that's what matters.    In some ways I'm envious of where you're at in life.   I hope I have your attitude and spirit when I'm where you're at.   

Oh Crap, I'm almost there already.      

[f6john]

    I have no first hand experience with the Miata but I understand they are very "flickable". The fact that you can enjoy yours at 9/10's is testament to their engineering. My experience with my Corvette is similar yet different. It weighs in at 3165 lbs and has 312hp at the rear wheels but the top doesn't come off or fold down, a trade off for a little more chassis/body stiffness. I'm currently running  275-30-18 on the front and 305-35-18 on the rear. For my use the grip is phenomenal although not a track ready set-up. Being strapped in inspires a little (alot) more confidence in the twisties compared to my Valkyrie. But I'm not a 9/10s rider when on my bike, just not enough time in the saddle. My pucker factor is high at half the speed some of the better riders but I enjoy them both.

[Rams]

My pucker factor is high at half the speed some of the better riders but I enjoy them both.

Please define "Pucker Factor".   

[f6john]

My pucker factor is high at half the speed some of the better riders but I enjoy them both.

Please define "Pucker Factor".  

. My definition is the contraction of the anal opening relative to how close you are to coming into contact with a solid non moving object while your body is still moving at a speed greater than your body can absorb and still maintain normal function

[Rams]

My pucker factor is high at half the speed some of the better riders but I enjoy them both.

Please define "Pucker Factor".  

. My definition is the contraction of the anal opening relative to how close you are to coming into contact with a solid non moving object while your body is still moving at a speed greater than your body can obsorb and still maintain normal function

OK....................   Well, I guess that answers that.    

So, now that you've established that, I'm curious, if the pucker factor is measured in mph/KPH, g forces, lbs per sq inch/foot and things like that?


Nope, I'm not going to ask.  

Wayne, enjoy that Miata.   Nice looking ride.............  

[old2soon]

Wayne-my ex BIL is in is mid 50s needle dependent diabetic morbidly obese and I believe currently laying on his couch awaiting his 5th or 6th heart attack!  I'm of a mind that ANYONE can lay about waitin to die. You SIR on the other hand choose to go out and meet life head on. I for one can NOT seem to wait on my medical release so I can git on with the LIVING.  I miss not be able to cut my own grass I miss not being able to go for a walk sans sticks-and I miss MOST of all NOT being able to RIDE!  Wayne-continue to ENJOY LIFE as long as you can!  A wise old Chief (E-8) in the Navy told me a LONG time ago-you can sleep when yer dead. I just KNOW your Miata is makin YOU Happy-What ELSE matters?? RIDE SAFE..

[solo1]

Yeah, I'll try my best to keep on keepin' on.

Dirty Harry said it best, "A man's gotsta know his limitations"

For those that do not understand why I quit riding, I owe no explanation.

For those that do know, Thank you!

[Jess Tolbirt]

My pucker factor is high at half the speed some of the better riders but I enjoy them both.

Please define "Pucker Factor".   

its how hard you pull the pucker string before it breaks and you crap all over the place

[old2soon]

The "pucker factor" be different in Everyone. What you perceive as W T F is a tryin to do is perceived by me as-settle the eff down-I GOT this-or vice versa!  RIDE SAFE.

[Hooter]

Pucker Factor :  The ability for one's ass to eat a hole in whatever he or she is setting on. Hope that brings clarity to the question?     

[solo1]

Hooter,

[Oss]

when you get up off the bike, how high do the bike stay with you before the suction breaks?

[old2soon]

when you get up off the bike, how high do the bike stay with you before the suction breaks?

             Heard this in Basic U S Navy Feb 1964-yer ass sux buttermilk. I have NO effin idea! RIDE SAFE.

[rocketray]

go drive a shifter kart.....it's as close to a F1 car as we'll get...at the local track in Cresson Tx I was faster than my Zo6 Corvette

[Jess Tolbirt]

go drive a shifter kart.....it's as close to a F1 car as we'll get...at the local track in Cresson Tx I was faster than my Zo6 Corvette

those shifter carts are crazier than my old sprint car,,one showed up at our 1/4 mile dirt track in houston,,big h motor speedway, and wanted to show up our sprints, so i said ok and took him on,, had 2, count em, 2, 250cc rotax with 6 speeds,, he lapped me in 3 laps,,, this was back in 1986

[f6john]

Anybody got any pics of these shifter carts?

[Jess Tolbirt]

Anybody got any pics of these shifter carts?

https://www.google.com/imgres?imgurl=http%3A%2F%2Fi702.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fww26%2FRJH71%2F04ShifterKart125CC.jpg&imgrefurl=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.dootalk.com%2Fforums%2Ftopic%2F301726-vforce-reeds-vs-boyesen%2F&docid=YE_ImCCfzv1HtM&tbnid=CZiUxI6AjaufdM%3A&w=800&h=600&bih=816&biw=1424&ved=0ahUKEwiO1aC21bjPAhVO3GMKHdmkA2gQMwhUKBYwFg&iact=mrc&uact=8

heres one with one engine on it

[RDKLL]

Wayne, for a little bit we were thinking about finding a new home for the 347 stroker and the rest of the drive train in my 92 Fox body Mustang...and we looked real hard at a Miata and I thought it would be a blast to have a Miata with 325 or so hp and 400+ tq to the wheels...sort of a reimagined Cobra...
Enjoy whatever you are enjoying for as long as you can enjoy it...
Might be able to make a better case for the

[cookiedough]

enjoying the ride regardless of number of wheels and type of vehicle is what it is all about. 

If the miata puts a smile on your face,  that is what it is all about..  Enjoy! 

[solo1]

You know, putting a V8 into a Miata absolutely does nothing for me. The extra weight, especially in the front end, would destroy everything that I like about the Miata.  The car's light weight coupled with the straight four is perfectly balanced and handles great!. If I wanted and could afford more horses, I would turbocharge it with an intercooler. It adds only about 20 pounds weight and keeps the rear wheel horsepower under 200 so no need to 'beef up' other parts of the drive train.  I would prefer a Roots type supercharger with about 8psi boost but those kits are no longer made for the Miata.

The Miata engineers knew what they were doing.

glad to see this thread back on original track

[Jess Tolbirt]

You know, putting a V8 into a Miata absolutely does nothing for me. The extra weight, especially in the front end, would destroy everything that I like about the Miata.  The car's light weight coupled with the straight four is perfectly balanced and handles great!. If I wanted and could afford more horses, I would turbocharge it with an intercooler. It adds only about 20 pounds weight and keeps the rear wheel horsepower under 200 so no need to 'beef up' other parts of the drive train.  I would prefer a Roots type supercharger with about 8psi boost but those kits are no longer made for the Miata.

The Miata engineers knew what they were doing.

glad to see this thread back on original track

I bought Bev a new miata and that thing is a blast,, traded in the saturn sky redline

[f6john]

glad to see this thread back on original track

   Apologies for the sidetrack, I'm out.

[solo1]

bought Bev a new miata and that thing is a blast,, traded in the saturn sky redline QUOTE by Jess

The new Miata ND is a nice change from the NC.  Less weight less horsepower.  Only company that I know that reduces  horsepower and still improves acceleration and handling.

 If memory serves, the Sky and the Pontiac Solstice were a collection of GM parts under a mighty fine looking body............with no trunk.

Good choice, Jess.

No problem F6, I enjoyed the posts but I enjoyed posts about the Miata better.

[DDT (12)]

It is a wise person who recognizes his/her limitations, wiser still those who make appropriate adjustments accordingly. You've certainly done that, and I'm impressed to see how well you've made the 'transition' from what was to what is...

It's all about the ride anyway, and that 'special place' certain rides take us... You're still on track, and I just hope I find the wisdom to make the adjustment when my time comes... Have I ever mentioned that you are an inspiration to a bunch of 'grasshoppers'... like me, for instance...?

DDT