The Motorcycle Industry Sucks

i never thought i would want a green bike (or a kawi), until the Z-Rex came along...



but only 5 gears.

this would be the perfect standard for my needs, and i hope to own one at some point
part of the attraction for me is from starting on a CB-700-SC (the 84 Nighthawk-S)
i also had a Hawk-GT-650 for about 2 years. it was a fun little bike.

PS- i saw the DUC while looking for a GPS mount this WE. it looks REALLY nice.

 

I have an update about the Ducati's I was looking at. I contacted the 3 Duc dealers any where near my house & I managed to talk to a few Duc owners. Aparently the swelling gas tank is a phenoninally large problem. Some owners are on their 3rd or 4th fuel tanks. It seems the Sport Classics are most commonly affected with the Monster bikes right behind them. The gas tanks in question are anywhere between $1200 -- $1900. I say again, I simply do not know how Ducati hasn't been sued into the ground over this. The Duc owners are filing NTSB & NTSB claims. After all the research I've done, I don't think I could ever bring myself to actually pay money for a Ducati. I consider this to be a shame since I do love the sensory experience of any Italian vehicle. I know owning one of these vehicles would be that much more expensive than any Honda but replacing fuel tanks every other year for $1900? No thanks.

Now I need to get the dealer I was working with to stop calling. He's already dropped the price $1000 & says the problem isn't as bad as I claim it is. I gave him these links yesterday. I'll see if he stops calling now.

Tank Problems - Yes or No - Ducati.ms - The Ultimate Ducati Forum
Out Of Warranty Spreading Tank Problems - Ducati.ms - The Ultimate Ducati Forum


So, the search continues. "Buy Another Bike Fever" is driving me nuts. I have one perfectly good bike but I have the irresistable urge to get another one. I see myself ending up buying a early 70's CB750. I don't care what anyone says, that bike will never go out of style. I must say I agree with the claim that it was the single most important motorcycle ever created when it was introduced in 1969.

KC-10 FE out...
lane: :usa2:

 

Have the dealer throw in a spare tank as part of the deal with a signed promise of replacing any failures for free for a 10 year period.

 

If you want a fast modern 6 speed naked you could always get the new z1000 with the snake skin seat. :wink:

 

I wonder how many bike shops in New Jersey have 86'ed ol KC? A few months ago it was cars and we never did find out if he popped for that 25K+ Chevvy he knew more about than GM. LOL

 

I like the new Z1000 too.
I see that they went back to the circa 1982 Gpz chain adjusters. I had one then and also it was on the my later Zephyrs.
It makes adjusting the chain quick and easy and also give you an adjustable ride height if you turn them upside down.
They should never have changed it!
Frikken ugly silencers though!

 

Generally speaking, America does not want standard motorcycles. We buy sportbikes cruisers and dirt bikes. Any combination of the genres are ninch markets. If I were Honda, I wouldn't bring the CB1100 to the US. Too much cash to pass the fed testing for maybe a couple of thousand units sold? No thanks.

Besides the ZRX (5 speed?) the only other bikes I can think of would be Honda's 919 and 599 naked bikes. But again, these are what you are calling watered down sportbikes. If you can get over the 6 speed fetish, your options would open up alot! Were I in the market for a standard I'd look real close at the HD XR1200. Mechanically simple, good reliability, metal gas tank, and the best dealer support of any motorcycle company in the States.

 

Reg - This gets my vote for "understatement of the year" so far for 2010. lol

 

I agree. KC is his own biggest fan.

 

I know :wink: Still the XR is the most un-Harley Harley out there. Just think of it as a Buell that has dealer support.

 

opcorn:
the Euro guys got the 1200 looking good.

 

All those black pots and kettles just need washing from time to time. If you have a specific problem just ask and maybe I can help you or point you in the right direction with a link. The next time you see or hear someone saying, " A watched pot never boils" , don't believe a word of it. IMO somebody just neglected to turn on the stove.

Would you like a response that makes you feel all touchie-feelie-warmy-fuzzy or do you want one you can whine about? Another alternative would be to use one of your BS tactics and I could bitch about hijacking a thread. Whassamatta dude? Cabin fever?

 

I like turtles.

 

Hey Tink:

In the defense of Badbilly; I believe he is one of our most misunderstood VFRW brethren.

In short the guy is funnier than hell IMO. I like BB, even when he’s insulted other members I also like. Badbilly is really good at calling BS on people. A trait I respect.

I recommend sitting back and watch him work his magic. In addition, (and maybe it’s just me) I don’t think most of his quips are serious. BB’s sarcasm doesn’t translate well on the board, but when he is serious many misread his criticisms.

My two cents on the matter.



Now to address KC’s ‘wants or needs’. Outside of restoring or buying one in good condition. I think an older (early 80’s or 70’s) Japanese standard would fit the bill. Otherwise I agree with what someone else recommended. The current Kawasaki z1000 has all you could ever ask for…except the ugly muffler. In the recent Motorcycle Consumer News it got a really nice write up.

Additional 2 cents applied.

BZ

 

I disagree and have no use for his BS posts

 

Badbilly's not bad, he's just drawn that way.

(Bastardization of a line from "Roger Rabbit".)

 

Same deal dude. I can tailor a response to either make you feel like Queen For a Day or put you in a funk for a week. I think we sort of expected to see you in the threads about the new 1200 now that someone has done more than just sit on one. IMO the owner from down under is doing a great job fielding the legit questions. I'm certain he would love to hear your complaints just to balance the conversation.

BTW thanks for the compliment on my 91 that for some reason you thought was some "Euro" model.. Just a little paint is all and a different seat. Always nice to hear from someone who really knows about bikes. Love your stocker. Keep it nice and in 30 years or so it can be sold as vintage.

 

I think I have the solution for KC-10s bike and truck needs, just get one of these and load one of those Sportster 1200s in the back.

Problemo solve-ed. You'd either be the coolest guy on the block, or the biggest doofus on the planet, depending on who you talked to. Shit dude, you'd never even have to take the bike out of the back of the truck, just ride around letting everybody check you out.

The new F-150 Harley Davidson for 2010 Hog Lovers Rejoice