| Author | Message | ||
     Damnut |
So my wife is getting the itch to start riding again and I've been tasked with finding her a new bike. She had a Blast years ago but doesn't want another one, she never felt comfortable on it. So the 3 bikes that I thought of was a Rebel 250 or equivalent, a Ninja 250/300 or equivalent or a Honda Grom/ Kawasaki Z125. She sat on the Rebel and didn't like it at all so it came down to the Ninja or the Z125. (We have a Kawasaki dealer close to the house.) She was tip toeing on the Ninja and even when they rolled out a lowered one, she was still tip toeing. Not something that is confidence inspiring. So now we try the Z125 and although she is tip toeing, it isn't nearly as bad as the Ninja and I can lower the bike 2" by just changing the seat. So it looks like my garage will have a new stablemate. Does anyone here own a Grom or Z125? Just wondering if anyone has any insight on either bike? Here's what the Z125 looks like.  | ||
| Oddball |
I guess your just going to keep riding to slow local roads for her. Wow, if she's tip toeing that bike she is a small lady. That and the grom look like they would be fun on go cart tracks. Minimal cost maximum fun racing. | ||
| Damnut |
She might hit 5' on a good day. Yeah we are just going to be riding local backroads for a while until she has the confidence to get a bigger bike. The resale on those little bikes are surprisingly high. I'm guessing she'll ride it for a year then move up to a Ninja/CBR 300. | ||
| Greg_e |
Kind of far away, but nyminigp.com to race it. | ||
| Alfau |
On board a Kawasaki at 2017 iomtt. Watch for Guy Martin on Honda streak past. https://youtu.be/rbjZdrkrtDY  | ||
| Natexlh1000 |
LOL I don't think those are 125cc  I wonder what the Grom record is? | ||
| Figorvonbuellingham |
So much for Guy Martin streaking anything but his shorts ...lol Glad he's OK. | ||
| Alfau |
Honda is better is all i'm saying /Probably motivate by this (nyminigp.com to race it) That plus iom is under way now (Message edited by alfau on June 05, 2017) | ||
| 04buell |
We just bought two of the Z125 Pros in April. They are the most fun bikes to ride ever. Top speed is 55 or 60 with a good tail wind but ours are nowhere broke in yet. We use them mainly to run around on our country roads between relatives houses. | ||
| Alfau |
He is okay. You might need lessons in crazy to understand. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EnHDnkItXvU | ||
| 04buell |
The 125 is a great bike to learn on. Our grandson got right on it and had no problems. The odometer screen is awesome. Speed, gas gauge, 2 trip meters, clock, tells you what gear you're in.... Jerry bought me a Versys 650 LT Saturday. It's a really fun bike too. But it would be a tad too tall I am afraid. | ||
| Damnut |
Good to know, thanks 04Buell! This is the seat I'm going to order. It drops the seat height 2 inches and is $150 shipped.  (Message edited by Damnut on June 06, 2017) | ||
| Greg_e |
As far as I know, no one has tried to get the Z125 entered to race. But it should fit anywhere with the Grom, and stock 100. Though having seen a Grom with a bunch of mods run, it gets eaten for lunch in the F1 class by stock KAYO MR125 and all the other Stock 100 bikes that run in F1. The Grom really needs enough other riders to run with its own kind, and the Z125 might work well in that group. Neither one would be my first or second choice unless there were enough for a complete field. In the MiniGP.com organization, you pay for the first two classes you enter. So if you want to race a lot, you bring two different bikes and hope they aren't combining similar classes. A Stock 100 and good F1 bike can race in at least three races and three practice sessions (Stock 100 or Stock 100 40+, F1, F2). A Grom could bring you four classes with a good F1 bike to go with it, but only where there are lots of Groms to fill the field (maybe with njminigp.com or sflminigp.com) And no matter if you want to race or not, a Z125 or Grom is bound to be a lot of fun to rip around on. As far as normal F1 bikes go, they top out around 75mph. Mine was supposed to get that fast, but the track is so short that we never got to 5th gear, so I've gone down a tooth in the front to see what happens. Might have to go up a few in the back if I'm still not using everything down the straight. The track is (maybe) being paved right now with a slightly new layout with a faster entry to the straight, not sure what this will bring. Been delayed so long that we missed two events already. Hoping to have some video next time I'm there, but still working out carb issues (bad jet?) and getting ready. 13:1 piston, performance cam, better carb., should bring a "big" increase to the stock 10hp (at the crank). Hoping for about 12 to 13 HP now which is a huge percentage of improvement, and hoping the bottom end stays together with the greater power. http://minigp-racing.com for stuff on my bike. (Message edited by Greg_E on June 06, 2017) | ||
| Hybridmomentspass |
Both those bikes look like loads of fun! | ||
| 86129squids |
These are totally different configurations, but what about a Ruckus? Folks are doing some kraykray modifications to them around here... They're hard to find, but an 86-88 Honda Rebel 450 would have good power, and the old Kawasaki Eliminator models seemed to sit pretty low. The 600 and 1000cc models were based on the old Ninja motors, probably too much power and weight though. A few years back, someone in West Knoxville was selling a YSR50 with a Honda CR125 motor crammed in... DANG but I wanted that bike! I miss 2smokes!! | ||
| Glitch |
This reminds me of someone, not the bike, but something else... | ||
| 04buell |
My Colorful Kawasakis!!  | ||
| Greg_e |
Kind of digging the SSR Razzkull for a stock 100 bike. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H1G5lgbj74Q | ||
| Damnut |
Well just got a call from the dealer saying I am all set. Going to sign the paperwork tonight and should be able to surprise my wife with a new bike in a few days. I'm going with the grey one since she wasn't too fond of the green. | ||
| Damnut |
I'll give a ride report after the weekend. Squids....... she hated the look of the Ruckus. (Message edited by Damnut on June 06, 2017) | ||
| 04buell |
If you are a veteran, be sure to ask for the veteran discount. Kawasaki has a 250.00 allowance on bikes. We got it on all 3 bikes we have bought. Jerry got the gray one!! (Message edited by 04buell on June 06, 2017) | ||
| Greg_e |
If you decide you need extra sticky tires, I would recommend the Dunlop TT93 as the closest thing to stock size. Normally around $70 for the front and $75-$80 for the rear and only come in soft compound. They stick really well. | ||
| Marksm |
04Buell, how do you like the Versys. I've been thinking of getting one. | ||
| Robertl |
My ex started on a ninja 250 (b/c it was green) and within a month she wanted something more. Got her a Blast which she rode all the time for a couple of years. Next was a Ninja ER6N. I put a 1" lowering kit on it for around $100. Considered having the seat modified but she said no. The ER6N was a very nice, smooth bike and extremely easy to ride. A friend wanted something bigger than 650 so she got a FZ8 and had it lowered by dealer (believe they modified the springs front/back). Rides a little rough for me but she's 5'1" and can flat foot. | ||
| Damnut |
Pick up the bike tomorrow after work. Ended up being $3400 with tax, title and registration OTD. I figure she'll ride it for a year and then we can upgrade or she just may be content with this one. We shall see. I can't wait to crank some whoolies with it.  | ||
| Damnut |
Oh and that seat I ordered was $105 shipped, not 150. | ||
| 04buell |
Marksm, the versys has only 170 miles but i love it already. it's not as powerful as the uly but is similar in feel and handling. it is also lighter,cooler and has better wind protection. hope this helps. can't wait to get more miles on so i can wring it's neck!!Damnut, gray is most definately the fastest color!  | ||
| Sagehawk |
04buell, what size versys? | ||
| 04buell |
Sagehawk, it's a 650LT. comes with saddlebags,handguards and abs. | ||
| Damnut |
Well I surprised her with the bike yesterday and I think it went well. My daughter was happy because now we own a bike that she can touch the pegs on.   |
