| Author | Message | ||
     Scott_in_nh |
After 14 years I sold my S3 and bought this how do you like it?   | ||
| Ourdee |
New bike, new tires! How do you like it? Oh, if it was a two smoke three cylinder.....  | ||
| Ratbuell |
That IL4 is plenty torquey, and they did an amazing job on that double-wall, triple-polished stainless header. Pure art. Nice score. Take your time and dial in the suspension and you'll have a blast! Kawi did a great job on the RS and the Cafe... | ||
| 86129squids |
Was your soul the down payment? | ||
| Etennuly |
I like the throw back look. My first riding buddy had a new 1976 KZ 1000. The first of the double O H cams. We had painted up and installed a Kruciatia racing body on it, with a Kerker stainless header and lots of other super light bits. | ||
| Pwnzor |
Sssssexxxy... I've been eyeballing those myself to replace the aging Z1000... But I only ride it twice a year and I just sunk a bucket of money into my car, so... Congratulations, looks like a great bike. | ||
| Two_seasons |
Etennuly said "The first of the double O H cams." Not true. First Z1, the 1973 model, had Dual Overhead Cams. I had the 1975 Z1-B. Suspension sucked. Took an 8,XXX ride around the USA for 6 weeks just 3 months after I bought it new. Out the door...$2,525 back then. If you use this inflation calculator https://www.usinflationcalculator.com/ in 2019 that same technology would cost you $11,800+ I know that suspension is superior to anything mid '70's. Have fun with it. (Message edited by two_seasons on March 12, 2019) | ||
| Mnscrounger |
The first time I saw "Road Warrior", I got chills hearing that KZ inline 4 open up during the opening scene. I love that sound. I'd still bet bet in the future, you'll want another S3 though. (Message edited by mnscrounger on March 11, 2019) | ||
| Teeps |
Can't go wrong with a Kawasaki. | ||
| Pwnzor |
Can't go wrong with a Kawasaki. Truth. This one carried my ass back and forth from Mexico to Canada so many times I lost count, and all I ever had to do was change the oil and check the valves (which never went out of spec in almost 90k miles)  | ||
| Scott_in_nh |
Was your soul the down payment? No, or is it yes? I used the $3k I got for my S3 We downsized 6 months ago from a cape with no garage to a townhouse with a garage So the garage I was renting where I used to live is no longer needed (once I get the rest of the crap out) So I justified it because the payment is only $15/month more than the garage - pretty much budget neutral Oh and I got a great deal on the Kawi! Still winter here so I have not even picked it up yet Tentatively scheduled for Friday | ||
| Glitch |
I had a KZ900 in the early 80s. I traded my 68 Sportster basket case for it. | ||
| Crusty |
It doesn't matter what I think. the only question is, do you like it? Does it speak to you? If the answer is yes, then you made a good choice. The bike that speaks to me might leave you cold. But it makes me happy to ride it, so that's all that counts. That should be the only consideration anyone has when it comes down to what bike do you like. If it does speak to you, I hope you get as much enjoyment from owning it as possible! For what it's worth; it's attractive. | ||
| Marksm |
When we were picking up my 650LT my Wife spotted one of those. She said that's what she thinks a motorcycle should look like. She asked if I'd rather have it. It was tempting but I wanted the windscreen, saddlebags, etc for 4K less. They are beautiful bikes though.  | ||
| 86129squids |
... just yankin' your chain, Scott! Personally, I've always wanted an S3 or S3T especially. I'd hate to have to part with one if I had it. That said, congrats on the new ride! I'm all about nostalgia and vintage rides, always digging ones like yours that carry true beauty and style. I gotta say that it's weird every time I look at one of those and don't see dual shocks though.  | ||
| Scott_in_nh |
Not taking anything personal or I wouldn't have posted here  I just thought that most of the Buell crowd would probably like it too, but understand its not everyone's cup Loved my S3, but felt like it would cost me $3k to keep it as I would have had to cough up a down payment (or made a smaller one) blowing my "budget neutral" rationalization it also wouldn't get ridden enough I couldn't really explain the need for two bikes to my girlfriend either and I have the first world problem of too many other toys, several of which are "projects" | ||
| 86129squids |
You're a pretty fart smeller, dude!  | ||
| Pwnzor |
You should ride that thing down to Suches, GA in about 2.5 weeks. If you show up and let me test ride that thing, I'll cover your camping and all your fire wood. | ||
| 86129squids |
  Couldn't ask for a better break-in ride. So far I've got 2 extra beds in the upstairs lodge. | ||
| Gusm2 |
https://youtu.be/Z5gnC-i87-4 This might be of interest | ||
| Rick_a |
Not bad. I've actually had my broken S1 up for sale tentatively. Had a few bites, but none too serious. I'm probably keeping it. There's time and money I've invested in it that will never be recouped. My finalists for a replacement were these two.   With this as an alternative...  The Suzuki offers the specs I'm looking for and has the best ergos, the Yamaha is simply bad-@ss but gets terrible fuel mileage, and Yamaha #2 is the most me, but doesn't offer a significant performance upgrade. Someday there might be an addition, I suppose...but the next big purchase is likely an economic but sporty car, as I've moved to N GA and the winters are cold and wet. | ||
| Scott_in_nh |
You should ride that thing down to Suches, GA in about 2.5 weeks. If you show up and let me test ride that thing, I'll cover your camping and all your fire wood. Couldn't ask for a better break-in ride. So far I've got 2 extra beds in the upstairs lodge. Thanks a lot for awesome offer, you guys are great! The reality is that it is still winter here and the only way to make that a good ride would take me out into Upstate NY and down through PA i.e. I'm old and it would take 3-4 days of riding each way My riding buddies and I almost never head south from here, it is always North, Northwest, or sometimes Northeast along the Maine coast South into MA, CT, RI, or Southern NY is a deal breaker (traffic, bad roads, bad drivers, etc.) Even though there are some good roads, getting to them ruins the fun | ||
| Scott_in_nh |
"There's time and money I've invested in it that will never be recouped" I had to let go of all the time and money I spent on my S3 too. The reality is that nobody pays for mods and farkles whether it be a car or bike (with exception for well known/respected modifiers like a singer Porsche). That's the money you spent enjoying a hobby. the Yamaha is simply bad-@ss but gets terrible fuel mileage I like the Kenny Roberts paint job on the XSR900 and watched all of the reviews on YouTube, but in the end you get what you pay for and the Kawi cost more is a better bike IMO (Message edited by scott in nh on March 12, 2019) | ||
| Rick_a |
It's a matter of preference, I would say. The Z900 is a standard with more of an emphasis on finish and trim and the XSR is more sport oriented. One is a retro and the other a neo retro. Both have ample power. The XSR is known for having the better suspension set up, better ground clearance, and is lighter weight. The Z appears to make a better UJM. | ||
| Scott_in_nh |
Good points Rick, I would only change it to the Honda whatever they call it with dual shocks is a retro, the Kawasaki a modern retro, and the Yamaha a neo retro Nit picks I know.... | ||
| Ducxl |
Great Bike Scott. My eldest brother had a '76 then a '78(I rode it crackling the Kerker) KZ650. The '76 looked the most like your new bike.We'll have to go ride Laconia weekend | ||
| Pwnzor |
Rick, you moved to North Georgia? Will you be joining us in Suches in 2 weeks? | ||
| Scott_in_nh |
Great Bike Scott. My eldest brother had a '76 then a '78(I rode it crackling the Kerker) KZ650. The '76 looked the most like your new bike.We'll have to go ride Laconia weekend Hey Greg, bike week isn't the best week to ride in NH (IMO), but let me look into the dates and if that is when you can make it, then that's what we will do We'd love to have you and Susan up or it can be just the guys | ||
| Rick_a |
I really like the CB1100EX. When I was buying my DR650, after all was said and done, I sat on the Honda and said, "is it too late to switch?" 
Nah. I'm just getting situated, here. I'm in no mood for further adventuring at this time. The temperature difference from central FL is only fifteen degrees or so, but it's such a difference this time of year. The winter monsoon would really suck on a bike. | ||
| Rick_a |
Oh, and picture.  |
