The ZED's dead baby the ZED's dead!

[ZED]

The ZED's dead baby the ZED's dead!

Well, gone anyway.  I bought the Z1000 because it just looked so darn cool!



I rode it to work, I toured on it, I rode it on the track.





I learned how to effectively brake in corners.  I learned how to tell when my tires are sticky and when they're not.  I learned the advantage of a fairing and wind screen when touring in the rain.  I learned a ton on it!

But, the last few years I've been using the Ducati ST3S for touring and the wr250x for commuting.  I stopped riding the road track because there wasn't much more to learn that wasn't directed specifically towards racing.  The Z1000 just got ridden a few times a year to try to justify it.  I'd had it for sale, but not with much gusto.  I finally agreed to trade it for a well used MX bike.  



It was difficult to trade the pretty ZED for a beat up dirt bike, but with the cash that was added to the deal I could  outfit it as a true Supermotard.  Even if I just get the last half of the supermoto track season it would see more use than the ZED.


After some cleanup, maintenance and sumo parts it's a true Supermotard ready for track duty.

So, now I have 1 Supermotard track bike, 2 dual sports, and one sport-touring bike.  The tide is definitely towards the dually/motard thing.    

[Flyer]

The Zed was like a beautiful young woman, the Motard like a dirty old broad.
Similarly, I'm sure you'll enjoy the ride.
 

[ksann]

I would be in so much legal trouble on a SM!


Congrats, smart swap.



ken

[DogBoy]

I always liked those early Z1000s. Glad you had so many good years with it.

You'll love supermoto. Is that a 450? It looks almost exactly like the 2002 YZ250F Supermoto (that I'm parting out) but I think the shrouds are different.

[coho]

The ZED's dead baby the ZED's dead!


So, now I have 1 Supermotard track bike, 2 dual sports, and one sport-touring bike.  The tide is definitely towards the dually/motard thing.  

So calling you ZED really isn't appropriate any more, how do you feel about 'Tard or possibly Moe Tard?

[USP-45]

I had the exact same bike in 2004-2006. Same color and everything. I ended up with 636 forks/radial calipers and 636 master, 636 rear shock, Renthal street fighter handlebars, PCIII, full Micron, bar end mirrors and a ton of other stuff. This all came about when I helped my father change the brake pads on his 1990 Porsche C2 cab and he let it off of the jack without having the emergency brake on. Of course my two week old Zed was parked about 6-7 feet behind the Porsche and it rolled out of the garage punting my brand new bike (paper plates) onto its side.....  He turned it in on homeowners so I was able to buy whatever replacement parts I wanted. I had it painted matte black (same as Ducati Monster) since I had to replace the tank. It was a fun and good looking bike, but it was NOT good for riding long distance of carrying my wife around!

Your pics brought back some memories.

Unfortunatly I sold it to a young man in Oklahoma and I recieved a call from the salvage yard about 4 weeks later wanting to know if I was going to pick up my Z1000. I told them that I had no idea what they were talking about (although I had already figured it out) as I had sold the bike. He never even had the chance to register it in his name. He was not seriously hurt, but the bike was totaled..   I felt bad after all of the work I had put in to it. I bought a 2006 H-D Softail Deluxe and made it even prettier then it was new. Georgous bike, but it had no grunt. Now I am looking at either an used FJR, Sprint GT, or maayybe a Futura or ST4.

[ZED]

The Zed was like a beautiful young woman, the Motard like a dirty old broad.
Similarly, I'm sure you'll enjoy the ride.
 

Well put.

I always liked those early Z1000s. Glad you had so many good years with it.

You'll love supermoto. Is that a 450? It looks almost exactly like the 2002 YZ250F Supermoto (that I'm parting out) but I think the shrouds are different.

Yeah the early Z1000s just had that look.  I'd walk out of the house and it would be there staring at me to go for a ride.  Unfortunately it looked better than it handled.

It's a 450.  Not much difference between them and the 250 other than the engine I think.  Can't get over how much lighter it is than the WR250X.  Looking forward to the track on Monday.  I can just about keep up to some of the 450s on my 250 so this should make a huge difference once I learn it.

…
Now I am looking at either an used FJR, Sprint GT, or maayybe a Futura or ST4.

Try out a Ducati ST2/3/4 if you get a chance.  Great handling bikes.  Real mile munchers with good power.


…and yes I did think of the fact that the ZED handle maybe doesn't fit any more but I think I'll keep it. It's somewhat unique.

[Zixxerpilot]

That's ok, I still have mine. 8)

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