RE: Best Bike Ever

Kawasaki Z 900 discussion forum:


RE: Best Bike Ever

RE: Best Bike Ever 
ByronBrown said 2005-01-20 01:35 
 
Introduction: I have owned 3 bikes, a Yamaha 125 twin, a Kawasaki 175 trail and the incomparable Z1.

I bought the newly arrived Z1 on impulse and never regretted it. A friend, Peter, (I recently helped him get his M/C licence), invited me to the showrooms. For the test drive we were bluntly told if you drop it you buy it so Peter gave me the nod. I had an immediate affinity with the big bike. I loved the turbine whine, reminded me of the jumbo jet take offs. Confident to command, comfortable to travel and later I discovered the awesome stopping power during an altercation with a drunk driver. The Z1 out stopped, by a large margin, a 4 wheel locked-up squealing large sedan travelling in the same direction. It was the first time I saw the front forks travel, yawning the frame into a we mean business stop.

Back to the test drive and I chucked a very reluctant Peter off the bike to see the difference and saw none. Skinny Pete then had a go, we returned and the surprised vendor made 2 sales.

News of my then top of the line bike purchase quickly got around. Now this soon happened twice within a few days. I was asked, by two different people, why 900cc? A 250 or maybe 300 tops would have stacks of power and on both occasions I felt like a gasping fish out of water, caught me off guard, didn´t make me feel good at all, shook my tree a bit. A few days later I realized the answer. Look directly at the guy with a big genuine smile and say "Have you ridden one?" and boy was I ready for number three.

A great bike, possibly one of the greatest of its time in my limited view as I would be hard pressed to suggest improvements. On thing though, the exhaust system had started to rust along a weld seam after one year. Perhaps stainless steel next time?

Thank you for the opportunity to contribute to this forum.

Byron Brown. 
 
<<Previous          Answer          Discussion overview          Report spam          Next>>

Comments, questions and answersEnter a comment or answer to this message

You can post your question, answer or comment as a guest. Or enter your e-mail to join the forum and get notifcations of new messages.

 
Title 		 
Signature
Optional e-mail
Enter your e-mail to join the forum and get notification of answers and new messages. You can unsubscribe with a single click. Bikez does not display, sell or misuse e-mail addresses.
Message text

Describe technical issues in detail to get quality answers. You can offer or request second-hand parts and equipment as a privat person. Bikez reserves the right to remove any improper or commercial content.
Accept that we store and display the message.