Mikelly Posted January 12, 2012 Share Posted January 12, 2012 So I found that I'm not a true hardcore sport touring guy. The FJR I had was great at gobbling up miles. Totally uninspired miles, but miles. The longer wheel base really didn't allow me to have the fun I prefer to have when on two wheels... So today I traded it in on this: Already working on those new tires... This bike is really a comfortable bike to ride because of the location of the footpegs and the higher bar location. They make hard bags for it that I'll get over the next 45 days. So far, I'm liking it a lot! Mike Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
surpip Posted January 12, 2012 Share Posted January 12, 2012 Those roads do look pritty wet, but thats a gynormus chicken strip! haha nice bike tho good call on the trade Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mikelly Posted January 12, 2012 Author Share Posted January 12, 2012 Yea even though it warmed up today, the roads were damp... I did my best to get the tires scrubbed in, even on damp roads... 138HP and 97ft# of torque! It's pretty "peppy"!! Mike Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
surpip Posted January 13, 2012 Share Posted January 13, 2012 I have PP 2ct on my CBR1000RR/R and the poor Michelin man's head is gone bless him, I am a total chicken when it comes to damp roads tho expechially in TX, lots of oil. Hows the rideing in Virgina? never been. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
johnc Posted January 13, 2012 Share Posted January 13, 2012 Ninja 1000? That is a good day or couple day trip bike that can also be fast at VIR (hint, hint). A lot more comfortable then it looks. I've been riding my Z750S for about a year and love it. Did a track day at Cal Speedway and the bike performed flawlessly, even saved me from my own stupidity a couple times. We're going on a ride through Death Valley for a couple days the first of March. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
johnc Posted January 13, 2012 Share Posted January 13, 2012 Need to see a pic like this of you on the new Ninja... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
EvilC Posted January 13, 2012 Share Posted January 13, 2012 John - I want one like that! Hope to do a track day this year. Mike nice bike! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kiwi303 Posted January 14, 2012 Share Posted January 14, 2012 And here I am looking at 7Kw 150cc chinese single cylnders! escuse me while I go turn green... Still, at <US$300 for a 150cc bike, you wouldn't expect much. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mikelly Posted January 14, 2012 Author Share Posted January 14, 2012 (edited) John, I got that itch on track with my old Kawi back in 2002-2003 timeframe...I loved that green ZX9R so much and regreted selling it. That was a chief decision to sell the FJR and find something more "sporty". Glad Kawi made this bike... Here's a nice youtube clip of the new bike both one up and two up with luggage on about half way thru... You can see the relaxed ergos... http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IP-NFKua0EU This bike has the best mirrors I've ever had on a motorcycle... 29 years of crappy mirrors is why I mention this. Also, the stand over height is decent. I'm 5'9" and have about a 30 inch inseam. I can almost flat foot this bike. Shorter wheel base and those tires make for lots of grip and confidence, even new and in the wet it didn't wiggle. Power on was very predictable. Once I get some break in miles on it, I'll see how it rotates and slides thru corners. On my ZRX1100 I had no problems with getting the rear light enough to slide thru corners. Not sure this bike will be any less neutral in handling. Also, I've already ordered the SW MOTEC soft bag rail system for this bike, as it is easier to remove when not in use... And I plan to get a trunk to go along with that for now. I plan to buy the hardbag system from Kawasaki or thru Givi (Kawi rebrands the V35) and I'll buy heated grips and a 12V plug kit or two. Beyond that, I'm just going to ride it for a while and enjoy having a more sporty bike again! The FJR was a nice commutor, but totally uninspiring to just "ride" for enjoyment. I loved the conveniences of the bags and the heated grips, the glove box and the comfy soft suspension. But it was such a pig and so heavy to try to push thru the twisties. I'd honestly have gotten to the point of selling it sooner, had I not crashed it Nov. 2010. That crash forced me to re-evaluate my riding, the bike, and myself. Took 18 months to decide that it wasn't so much me, but the bike and me... We just did not have a happy marriage. Hopefully this new fling will blossom into full love and I'll keep this ride for a long time. Mike Edited January 14, 2012 by Mikelly Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
randy 77zt Posted January 17, 2012 Share Posted January 17, 2012 As you get older you realize that its the ergononmics of the bike that is more important than what it looks like.I have a 2002 yamaha fz1 that is a great bike.But after renting a bmw r1200gs for 2 days and test riding a ktm 990 adventure I am looking for a more upright riding position.Part of the problem is leg length.I wear 34" long pants and my legs feel like they are too cramped on any japanese motorcycles.Someitmes I dont get around to riding the fz1 for a couple of weeks and I am always surprised by the performance when I get off the bike.But i cant ride more than 200 miles a day on it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mutantZ Posted January 18, 2012 Share Posted January 18, 2012 Nice bike! I rode my friend's Z1000 and was impressed with the torque that motor puts out. Must be nice not to have numb hands after a long ride. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
zero Posted January 18, 2012 Share Posted January 18, 2012 Nice bike. I hear you on the ergo issue too. I loved the somewhat upright position on my SV650 (which I bought because of suggestions from members here by the way). Then I did a GSXR front end swap and all that went out the window I would love to do a trackday this season. I still need a proper pair of armored pants though. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mikelly Posted January 21, 2012 Author Share Posted January 21, 2012 (edited) I installed the SWMotec Blaze bag system this past week, along with a set of Oxford HeaterZ grips... Bike only needs some sunshine so I can put some miles on her... Unfortunately it snowed last night and we have freezing rain this morning... SW Motec bags ran $280 and are very cool... No hardware visible when you don't want the bags on the bike... And the grips were only $80 thru TwistedThrottle.com: Mike Edited January 21, 2012 by Mikelly Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
auxilary Posted January 22, 2012 Share Posted January 22, 2012 I picked up a used givi rack (sides and top) and a givi economy 41 L case a while ago. It holds a ton of stuff, and I haven't even installed the side racks (no luggage for those, it's expensive), but I paid $150 shipped for the whole setup + $140 for molded piece of plastic. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mikelly Posted January 22, 2012 Author Share Posted January 22, 2012 Givi makes good stuff for sure... Mike Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
auxilary Posted January 22, 2012 Share Posted January 22, 2012 I agree, but it's very pricey stuff. The rear rack by itself new for my bike costs $160, and side racks are another $180. I scored a heck of a deal. Although, engineering and build quality of the rack is worth it, the luggage costs are not. For example, a pair of givi v35 side cases run $550 new. IMO, that's a rip off: Btw, nice score on the bike... are you replacing the exhaust or keeping this one? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mikelly Posted January 24, 2012 Author Share Posted January 24, 2012 The OEM bags are re-branded V35s. The dealer wants $1000 for the bags and the hardware... Yea, I'll probably not get them from the dealer... Ugh... I'll probably have the ECU remapped and do either an Akropovic. What I'm finding is that there's a bunch of stuff available for the Z1000 but not for the N1K... Go figure... And I got to test out the heated grips today on a little 1 hour ride... They work very well and i was able to get by with just my summer gloves and the controller set to 40% heat. Was nice being "warm!" Mike Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
24OZ Posted January 24, 2012 Share Posted January 24, 2012 That's a lovely looking bike Mike. The ninja series has been out for some time now in different guises if I'm not mistaken. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
randy 77zt Posted January 26, 2012 Share Posted January 26, 2012 To bad you were not around here today .60 degrees and sunny.I am only 70 miles from Yosemite and the gold rush country. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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