bikebandit.com had a closeout sale last weekend and I jumped at the chance to pick up some equipment.
I dropped $400 on a jacket, pants, gloves, new brake pads, new turn signal, and a cargo net. Because of the sale, I saved $200 total on the clothes. Nice.
Monday, October 19, 2009
Thursday, October 15, 2009
The ZX11 - 32,500 Miles
I bought my Kawasaki ZX11 in August, just two months after I started my new job at Progressive. I wasn't planning on buying a motorcycle anytime soon, but this one caught my eye and the price was right. Previously I had been riding my sister's Kawasaki 250 Ninja every summer since I got my license.
I totaled the thing 2 days after I got my permit, on a country road when a bear ran out and attacked me.
Yes, a bear.
The bike was fixed partly through the dealership and partly from my brother's handywork. I was left with two scars on my right arm.
My sister told me when I was in the ER "When you get better, get back on that bike and go out for a ride." And that's what I did.
I put a lot of miles on the 250 puttin' around town. Minus the rides to Defiance and back (20 miles), I only went on 2 long trips. One was to Ft. Wayne with my dad (50 miles). The other was to Port Clinton (110 miles).
I learned a lot on the 250 and owe my brother and sister for all the support they have given me.
So I ran across the ZX11 for sale while picking up some hay for my bunny. I stopped by and had a look at it, talked to the owner, and got his number. I stopped by a week later for a test drive and put down a price of $2800. He took it. I had just bought my first vehicle.
The bike is a 1991 and it had 31,910 miles on it when I bought it. It runs well. Starts up everytime, idles around 1200, and has more power than you can shake a stick at. It is a giant leap from the tiny 250. The ZX11 is also really heavy, something that I both like and dislike. While it makes it more difficult to corner, the bike feels really solid and tied to the ground.
Since I bought it I took a trip home and back (180 miles), but mostly I've been running around Cleveland. I got a flat tire just before the end of the riding season which put me down for the winter. My bike is currently in the garage waiting for me to winterize and start working on it. I've got a huge list of things to go through this winter (change brake pads, oil/fuel filters, tires, change tire, clean carbs, ect.) so it will be a fun experience. I'm looking forward to learning all about keeping a vehicle running smoothly.
I totaled the thing 2 days after I got my permit, on a country road when a bear ran out and attacked me.
Yes, a bear.
The bike was fixed partly through the dealership and partly from my brother's handywork. I was left with two scars on my right arm.
My sister told me when I was in the ER "When you get better, get back on that bike and go out for a ride." And that's what I did.
I put a lot of miles on the 250 puttin' around town. Minus the rides to Defiance and back (20 miles), I only went on 2 long trips. One was to Ft. Wayne with my dad (50 miles). The other was to Port Clinton (110 miles).
I learned a lot on the 250 and owe my brother and sister for all the support they have given me.
So I ran across the ZX11 for sale while picking up some hay for my bunny. I stopped by and had a look at it, talked to the owner, and got his number. I stopped by a week later for a test drive and put down a price of $2800. He took it. I had just bought my first vehicle.
The bike is a 1991 and it had 31,910 miles on it when I bought it. It runs well. Starts up everytime, idles around 1200, and has more power than you can shake a stick at. It is a giant leap from the tiny 250. The ZX11 is also really heavy, something that I both like and dislike. While it makes it more difficult to corner, the bike feels really solid and tied to the ground.
Since I bought it I took a trip home and back (180 miles), but mostly I've been running around Cleveland. I got a flat tire just before the end of the riding season which put me down for the winter. My bike is currently in the garage waiting for me to winterize and start working on it. I've got a huge list of things to go through this winter (change brake pads, oil/fuel filters, tires, change tire, clean carbs, ect.) so it will be a fun experience. I'm looking forward to learning all about keeping a vehicle running smoothly.
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