Are you a Kawasaki kinda guy?

[wibornz]

Started on a Kaw 50 trail bike, then a KD100, kx125, kx500, ZX10 and currently have KLR650, C14, and a Versys.  I have owned many other bikes, but just seem to alway be looking at the Kawasaki brand.  

I have had some hondas, yamas, and zuki I just seam to get rid of them and migrate back to the mean grean.

So are you a Kaw guy?  What have you owned and why did you like it?

[tigertim955]

For many years Kaw was my only choice. First street bike was a KZ 750 twin followed by an '81 honda Wing. Good bike but ...... Then in '89 I bought my first new bike - a Connie followed by a new '95 Concours. Then in '02 I bought a new Voyager ( over a great deal on an 1800 Wing ). Very nice bike but we never really gelled. In '04 I was looking for something a little more exciting but the Connie was getting real long in the tooth by then and I started looking at a Tiger and went that route.

Always have a soft spot for Kawasakis and would never consider any other Japanese brand if I decide to go there again.

[Indefatigable]

My first real street bike was a Kawasaki and I have owned 6 of them since then, one being the ZRX1200R which I regret selling to this day.  

[Squareman357]

Not me.  I'm a "whatever gives me wood and makes me giggle" kinda guy.  I've owned Suzuki, Honda, and Kawasaki.  I'd buy any of those brands again.  The only big four I haven't had yet is a Yamaha. I will say I've owned 2 ZX-14's (lost one due to a red light runner) and that neither has ever failed to give me wood and make me giggle...and if something should happen to my current ZX-14 I'd buy another...so maybe I'm turning into a Kawi guy LOL!

[Motornoggin]

My father was a Suzuki dealer in the late 60's and that's where his loyalties have generally been, and mine followed. My first bike was a Suzuki Trailhopper 50. However, after he sold the delaership, his motorcycle connections went Yamaha so that's what the next few bikes were, except for one Honda XR100 (complete POS). When I graduated to street bikes I went back to Suzuki with a GSXR750, Intruder 1400, Katana 750 then I took a break from motorcycles for a few years. When I came to my senses again, I started back out with a Marauder 800. Then I had a Kawasaki Drifter 1500 (short lived cruiser kick), then a DL1000 V'Strom. I lost my mind and bought a Buell XB12X (holeeee crap! Won't make that mistake again!). Now I have a Kawasaki Concour 1400. I looked at lots of different bikes and the C-14 just seemed to fit me better and I liked the features and bang for the buck.

[jetapumper]

74 Mach 1 Triple
78 KZ650
06 C10....All great bikes...but then again,

76 CB 500F
79 Yami 850 Special
84 R100RT
82 CB900F/SS
And with spring arriving soon I'm hearing the siren song of a C-14! Always seem to come around again to Kawi!

[Rembrant]

My first real street bike was a Kawasaki and I have owned 6 of them since then, one being the ZRX1200R which I regret selling to this day.  

Man o man do I love the ZRX....I've wanted one for years, and I still do....lol. I've only seen one of those before, but that has got to be the coolest effin' seat that Corbin ever made.....it blends in with the bike so well....lol.

I'm on my third Kaw...

1999 ZX-7R (A true classic, that I still regret selling)

2005 ZX-10R (The most radical, and wild bike of the decade, hands down.....jesus that thing was nasty....lol, I loved it!)

2006 Z1000 (My current ride, and I love it....will keep it for ever if possible.

Next, likely a Concours-14 and/or a KLR650

The Kaws have been god to me, I'll try to keep it in the family...lol.

[bikerdude55]

Guess I am, I just went full circle last year and bought a C-14 even after 4 years on a Yamaha FZ1 the Concours called me more loudly than the FJR. First bike was a 79 KZ400, next came a 750 h2 (still have a soft spot for those) a couple of Hondas, a Yamaha and then a zx10 the late eighties vintage. Awesome bike! Also did a short stint on a Vulcan 1500. When I got ready to buy the Concours I thought back on my history of motorcycles and the ones that came to mind first, as well as ones I didn't buy but wished I had (Z1R, Concours 10) all were Kawasaki. Yeah I drink the green Kool Aid.

[maddjack]

Kawa and me hav a history , a good one that is. I have owned a , Gen 1 connie, a couple of ex 500's , a 440 LTD, a ZX9, A nomad, and currently a Versys. I like em because they always seem to work ,real world, are comfortable and I do little more than maintance on them. My all time favorite brand, even though I have no brand loyalty

[marc11]

Yeah I must be one too, I keep gravitating back to Kawi.  While my past has seen a 2 Hondas, two Ducatis, an Aprilia, even one Yamaha, I have owned far more Kawasakis than any other brand, including the following Kawas:

1972 Z1
1996 ZX6
199something EX500 track bike
2000 ZRX1100
2002 ZZR1200
2003 ZX636
2000 KLR650
2007 KLX250s (still own)
2003 KDX50 (still own)
2008 KLX110 (still own)
2008 Versys (still own)

[zrx4me]

'79 KX125 was my first kawi when i was 17.then....
'89 KZ750R
'00 ZRX1100
'03 ZX9
'05 ZRX1200
'06 ZX14
I now have a DRZ400sm for commuting and a Harley Fat bob.I really am getting bored with the harley and plan on getting a '10 ZX14 in that new red metallic this fall.Power commander,flys removed and a full exhaust and I will be happy again.

[st2sam]

I've had my share and I like the fact there are Kawasaki dealers in every town, borough, city, village, almost anywhere in the USA.
It also seems that Kawasaki is building the bikes I want to be riding at this time and  IMO - out of all the big four, Kaw, Honda, Suz, Yam, they listen and build what their customers want!
I guess, at this time, I'm a Kawasaki kind of guy.

[Baz]

I've had my share and I like the fact there are Kawasaki dealers in every town, borough, city, village, almost anywhere in the USA.
It also seems that Kawasaki is building the bikes I want to be riding at this time and  IMO - out of all the big four, Kaw, Honda, Suz, Yam, they listen and build what their customers want!
I guess, at this time, I'm a Kawasaki kind of guy.

That of course will change just as soon as a nicer model of something comes out.  

I find that most Jap bike riders are not really loyal (except for maybe some of the Honda crowd). Very few of the people I know would not hesitate to brand jump.

[atadaskew]

Hmm..
I've had GPZ550, GPz600RX, ZX10 (1988), D model ZX11, KLR 650, Ninja 250, Ninja 500.  Also extensive use of a buddy's ZX12-R.
Hmmm.

Product placement does work on the youth, cuz Top Gun maybe had the greatest ever and that's what initially got me hooked..

[kevin_stevens]

I'm not really stuck on any brand of bike, but I loved my ZX-14, and I'm absolutely sold on the Kawasaki "positive neutral" feature.  Don't know why that isn't on all bikes.

KeS

[propeller]

In order
Honda CB350
Suzuki GS550
Suzuki GS650G
BMW K100RT
15 long years bikeless
Kawasaki C10
Kawasaki C14
Kawasaki C14 (to replace the first one that i totaled...)

I am not attached to a brand but the C10 was the best bang for the buck as a re-entry bike and once I fell in love with this type of bike the C14 combined with a good local dealer seal the deal.

[loadedmind]

I started with a '94 Yamaha FZR600 (miss that bike) and a guy decided to cross a street in his van without looking.
Then on to the Candy Lime Green ZX-14 '09.  A left lean with gravel in the middle of the road ended that bike.
Bought another '09 ZX-14 Burnt Orange/Black SE and loving every minute of it.  The bike never fails to put a smile on my face and I'm in the middle of touring it out.

[Fourstring]

I never thought of myself as brand loyal, but I keep coming back to Kwak.  They make interesting bikes that I can afford.













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[MCRyder]

I've only owned 1 Kawasaki over the years, a 2003 Concours.  I really enjoyed it.  I was looking for an inexpensive way to get a new, big sport-tourer for my then 13 year old son and I to ride together.  The Connie fit the bill, and more.  It did a great job of handling two-up, pulling a trailer, and even did some sport riding duty.  Very capable and it had a first-class upgrade aftermarket.

Now looking at another K, a 2010 Z1000.  I'm serious enough about it to want to sell my '03 Triumph Sprint ST to acquire it.  I want something with some good sport potential, Japanese (no more Euros for me), and semi-naked (no more full faired bikes for me).

[tomla]

yea, I had an H1, a KZ650 (my fave lo-tech bike of all time?) and now a Versys.  I like to look at the Triumphs more, but ride the Kaw's.

[BlueRidgeKat]

I had a used 19?? Kawasaki Vulcan 750 Cruiser. Great bike but it hurt my back and shoulders after a couple of hours, put 12k on it then sold it.

In 03 I purchased the best bike I have ever owned a Kawi ZZR1200. 25,000 trouble free and fun miles, including the sunset in Key West Florida. Then I decided I just had to have a V-Strom and sold my wonderful ZZR. Yes, I'm still kicking my stupid f-ing ass. I'm wondering if a C14 would somewhat ease the pain.

[Punchdude]

Does this count....?  I'm not sure...

Hey, where did that Triumph come from..?...  

[stose85]

My first bike was a 1988 Honda Hurrican 600cc. After 5 years of riding that on and off I purchased my 2007 zzr600. I'm putting so much work into it to get it where I want comfort wise, I don't think I'll ever sell it. So far 10,100 miles absolutely trouble free. I love Kawasaki's.  

[McRider]

Three of my last four street bikes and four of my last five dirt bikes have been kawi's.  

My take on the brand is this:

strong, reliable engines
very reliable electrics
great value in initial purchace, maybe not so much in resale.  
poor fit and finish

[steveWFL]

I'm not a fan of kawi, although when I compared bike for bike at the Greenville expo show I chose the C14 over the K1300 and bought one.

hope its as good to me as my ZX14 was  

[Spectreman]

I started out on a 74 KZ400


then spent the better part of the next 20 years on various Hondas.

Came back to Kawi w/the 95 GPZ1100,


then a 01 ZRX1200,


then an 04 ZZR1200  


and now my beloved 03 ZRX1200.


I don't know if I'm a "Kawi" guy but outside of Triumph, it's the only brand that sings to me.  Yeah, the other Japanese brands are all fine & swell, as are HD's & Victory's, but none of them call to me. I've yet to see an Italian or German bike that I would want to own.
Lee

[chornbe]

My first street bike was a KZ440 LTD with belt drive.  (not mine, but like this) 


Had a GPZ750T for a short while. (not mine, but just like this) 



Had a 2005 Gen-1 connie for entirely too long (3 months, 6600 miles). Worst bike I've ever owned.   This is mine at the Jerico B&B in Marlinton.


Toyed with the idea of getting a C14 recently.  
I'd love to have an ER6N as a play toy.  

I'm not a Kawa guy - most of my bikes over the years have been Honda - but I'm not opposed. I'm not a brand loyalist.

[Paulie]

Apparently yes. After a Nighthawk 550 starter, it's been 00 (totalled) & 01 Concs.

Dunno what's next, but it'd be nice if they'd put their new models on a freekin diet.

[Giaka]

Hummm...

F7 175
F12 250
KZ550
GPz550
KZ750
KZ750LTD
KZ1000J
05 Ninja 250
05 Concours ZG1000
07 Ninja 250
09 Versys

Edit, forgot about the 750LTD and to attach a pic of an F7, my first street legal bike.  

[JGreb]

Does this count....?  I'm not sure...

Hey, where did that Triumph come from..?...  

Love the garage  

[09Nomad]

Everything here is a ST.....duh name of site....I ride a cruiser....09 Nomad 1700. Love the big bitch. Does anyone else ride a cruiser or am I all by myself on this one?  

[Giaka]

Does anyone else ride a cruiser or am I all by myself on this one?  

I want one, just not sure why.    Some day maybe...........

[wibornz]

Look up "G" in region 4.  He has a nomad also.

[09Nomad]

OK so I tried 10 Xs how the hell do you look someone up?

[gritsngravy]

Everything here is a ST.....duh name of site....I ride a cruiser....09 Nomad 1700. Love the big bitch. Does anyone else ride a cruiser or am I all by myself on this one?  

Got a vtx to scratch my cruiser itch.  That's a nice lookin' bike, ready for comfortable riding out of the box. .......... on topic I'll say I'm not really a Kawi guy but my first 'big' bike was a kz400.   Bought that thing used, it burned oil, needed a head job, and it generally ran like crap but I rode the hell out of it 'cause it was my first.  

[wibornz]

OK so I tried 10 Xs how the hell do you look someone up?

Here you go

http://www.sport-touring.net/forums/index.php?action=profile;u=12901