New motorcycle purchase , not a Harley

[Ribwizzard]

My fat , soon to be 50 year old a## decided it was time for another bike.
Having only owned ( and rode) a new 2007 Harley night train and 2009 Harley street glide that were sold when the economy crashed, I decided to go with something that was less of an investment.
After doing some YouTube research on best value, comfortable, and fun to ride bikes of 2019, The Kawasaki z900 and z900rs were at the top of the list.
While the z900rs was the more classic and appealing to my taste bike, the standard z900 was $3000 cheaper and more comfortable for me.

For right at $9000 out the door, I will have to say, this bike is way more fun, way more comfortable to ride, brakes better and has twice the power of either of my Harleys that cost twice as much. Hard to believe by looking at it. But it is true.

 

[Kurusu]

I had a Z750 since 2004.

Changed it for the Z900RS.

Mainly because of the "looks", performance being very similar.

But had a very good reason to miss that look.

Edit. I like Harleys. But they don't fit my riding style.

 

[dave1918a2]

Wouldn't want to ride that bike very far. Looks like Your 50 YO axx will get sore around the 100 to 200 mile mark. I'm 74 and looking for another low mile Valkyrie. Put 200K on My last one. Nice looking bikes, but I think the RS looks better.

 

[Kurusu]

Wouldn't want to ride that bike very far. Looks like Your 50 YO axx will get sore around the 100 to 200 mile mark. I'm 74 and looking for another low mile Valkyrie. Put 200K on My last one. Nice looking bikes, but I think the RS looks better.

In the time it takes to reach the 200 miles mark you're not sitting long enough to get a sore keister. And it's more comfortable than it appears.

Edit. I will admit that I'm still 12 years away from 74.

 

[amazingflapjack]

****Niken?

 

[Marshwheeling]

My fat , soon to be 50 year old a## decided it was time for another bike.
Having only owned ( and rode) a new 2007 Harley night train and 2009 Harley street glide that were sold when the economy crashed, I decided to go with something that was less of an investment.
After doing some YouTube research on best value, comfortable, and fun to ride bikes of 2019, The Kawasaki z900 and z900rs were at the top of the list.
While the z900rs was the more classic and appealing to my taste bike, the standard z900 was $3000 cheaper and more comfortable for me.

For right at $9000 out the door, I will have to say, this bike is way more fun, way more comfortable to ride, brakes better and has twice the power of either of my Harleys that cost twice as much. Hard to believe by looking at it. But it is true.

Faint praise. The same thing could be said of the '80s-era KZ650 I had around here for a while. Or the KLR650 single I still ride. Your bike is way, way better than that.

 

[gman51]

Watching those bikes being riden and especially those having a rider on back I just have trouble inagining how they could possibly be comfortable to ride. I would not want a rider dang near laying on my back.
I have never rode one so I can only speculate and go by what I have heard some tell. One guy said he rode one about 100 miles and was so glad to get off of it because he felt his back was about to break.
If you find it comfortable to ride then enjoy your ride in the wind.
I can definitely understand the greater power and handling over a Harley but a more comfortable ride I just can't imagine.

 

[Kurusu]

Watching those bikes being riden and especially those having a rider on back I just have trouble inagining how they could possibly be comfortable to ride. I would not want a rider dang near laying on my back.
I have never rode one so I can only speculate and go by what I have heard some tell. One guy said he rode one about 100 miles and was so glad to get off of it because he felt his back was about to break.
If you find it comfortable to ride then enjoy your ride in the wind.
I can definitely understand the greater power and handling over a Harley but a more comfortable ride I just can't imagine.

I have this to say. I rode some Harleys. I don't find them comfortable. Any little bump in the road really hits your spine.

But I still like the looks of many of them. Go figure.

 

[Gamecock]

Put a hundred miles on my BMW R 1200 R this AM. IT WAS GLORIOUS!

Ride what works for you.

I think that hours spent on a motorcycle are not deducted from your total hours of life.

 

[Kurusu]

Put a hundred miles on my BMW R 1200 R this AM. IT WAS GLORIOUS!

Ride what works for you.

I think that hours spent on a motorcycle are not deducted from your total hours of life.

Amen brother!

Put some 150 miles in my Kawa this afternoon. In fact, my first post was just after I made it home.

 

[Bucher33]

Myself and a buddy rode bikes from the Mexican border to Vancouver, B.C. for the World Expo in 1986. Best vacation I've ever had. Sure do miss that GL 650. Enjoy yours and safe travels!

 

[wood714]

Put a hundred miles on my BMW R 1200 R this AM. IT WAS GLORIOUS!

Ride what works for you.

I think that hours spent on a motorcycle are not deducted from your total hours of life.

Those BMW's are claimed to be the best all around bike for city and cross country rides.

Our police dept. switched from Harley's to the BMW R-1200 RT-P four years ago. I heard they all complained about it. Last year there was talk of them switching back to Harley...heard they all complained about that after riding the BMW's.

Personally I have my dream bike, but the wind is all the same no matter what brand of bike you're on.

 

[hittman77]

Oh my ..... somebody's midlife crisis is in full bloom!

 

[SPEEDGUNNER]

You'll put your eye out kid...!!

 

[Gamecock]

Our police dept. switched from Harley's to the BMW R-1200 RT-P four years ago.

My R model is the roadster version. Same frame and engine as the RT. Just naked. No farings, no windshield, no nothin'. 500 pounds, 125 hp. And gobs of torque.

Below is not mine, but zackly like it.
.

 

[Gamecock]

In my experience, there are 3 things you must have to be happy with your motorcycle:

1. Comfort. Can you sit on it and ride for hours?

I like my feet under me. Prolly because my early riding was dirt bikes. Legs forward on cruisers just doesn't work for me.

2. Power. When it's time to pass the slow dudes, this thing better get going. There are many nice bikes that just don't have enough power.

3. Style (pride of ownership). When you pull up by another rider at a red light, you want him looking at YOUR bike, not you looking at his.

Ribwizzard, that Z900 looks like it covers all 3 for you.

Here's an important tip for naked bike riders:

How to fix buffeting.

For $3.

Wear ear plugs while riding. 95% of buffeting is INSIDE YOUR HELMET!

 

[joe44va]

Sold a Yamaha Vmax to buy a Harley. Oops.

 

[Gamecock]

Sold a Yamaha Vmax to buy a Harley. Oops.

I ♥ the Vmax. Awesome.

How did it ride? I heard they were difficult.

 

[Ribwizzard]

I'm 6' , 300 lbs. The way the seat is real low in the frame puts me at an upright position with just a slight forward lean. My belly rests against the huge tall tank taking all the pressure off my back muscles.
I can ride all day in this position, very comfortable for me.

 

[Kurusu]

I'm 6' , 300 lbs. The way the seat is real low in the frame puts me at an upright position with just a slight forward lean. My belly rests against the huge tall tank taking all the pressure off my back muscles.
I can ride all day in this position, very comfortable for me.

I'm 6 feet too. But 190 pounds.