With Autumn closing in...

 

Hey Look! Here's a pic of my Z900 NOT parked next to a lake

After a stretch of particularly cold weather, we finally got a few days of unusually warm temps, and today was forecast to be the final one for the season. So while planning for the ride, the question came down to would it be H-D or Kawasaki 900s ? My Road King has heated grips and wind protection, so yeah, another day for that bike...

We met at a gas station about 10 miles from my house and I led out about 25 miles to a stop along a lake we were both very familiar with. After a half hour or so, Scott led us out towards his house and after a while I peeled off for home. A nice way to spend an afternoon.

We had been street riding together about 4 years when he got this bike. I remember the first ride we took, my GPz1100 and this new GPz900. I remember a great many rides together before, after that, and up through this one 39 years later. So very many memories I have throughout my life revolve around these shared rides we have had on numerous different motorcycles. Thank you.

I can't help but wonder though... which of these Z900s would be quicker ? ...  

It's good to have summers off

 I think that all can agree that summer is a great time to get out for a ride. For me, a partly sunny, 72 degree day is just perfect. I mostly ride alone as being semi-retired affords me time that others still burdened with a rigid work schedule do not have. I prefer to ride with 1 or 2 others when possible, with schedules and a block of free time allowing, but mostly I'll go out for a 1 to 2 hour spin by myself.

I have enjoyed having the new Kawi as a riding option this past year as it provides it's own experience. If I spend some time on the Road King, this bike literally feels half the size. It is so much quicker to flick around. It is not as sporting as many of the bikes I have had, but that is not a bad thing, once I get adjusted to which bike I am riding. I do sometimes get caught up in the speed and cornering this bike offers, but I quickly find its edges and have to dial it back before I get into trouble. 

Don't misunderstand, it's a great bike, but it's not a Ninja or GSXR, and you have to respect that. I have made a few minor cosmetic changes, but also plan to replace the stock tires as they certainly flex at high lean angles, and add braided steel brake lines, then reevaluate from there. 

NY state offers what can seem like endless miles of mountain roads and there are many lakes of all sizes. This is why so many of the pics I take are at rest stops near water, particularly since so many are within a 40 mile radius of where I live. I'm going to have to make a concerted effort to capture some other types of images, just to mix it up.

I've got a few scheduling issues I already know of for 2025 but I am also already looking forward to getting back in the saddle for another season.