New Bike Time!

I've spent the last year staring at all of the bikes I'd like. My flavor of choice goes by many names: naked, standard, streetfighter, and more. It's a market segment that continues to grow and I've been spoiled rotten. Basically, you get the performance comparable to sportbikes with comfort. So, I spent a year pouring over every ounce of information available. Every review of every bike available online, three magazine subscriptions, and several forum memberships. I could tell you most anything about any bike in this class. After all that work, I finally decided, and here it is:

2010 Kawasaki Z1000 - "General Zod"

All I can say is that I'm thrilled. This is a fantastic bike and really the first Japanese naked to get it right. Instead of taking a sportbike engine and "retuning" it (see: neutering), Kawasaki built an engine from the ground up specifically for this bike and application. The result is a ridiculously powerful low end and midrange for an inline four without sacrificing top-end. Twist the throttle and it pulls hard everywhere. It's a beast.

I'm trying to get my girlfriend into riding. Hell, I'm trying to get everyone out on two wheels. It's incredible fun. You don't need to do wheelies, stoppies, or any of that stupid crap - it's wonderful to just ride. Exciting at the same time that it's frequently compared to meditation. Everyone who has the means should go out and take a local MSF Basic RiderCourse. For about $175 or so, you'll learn how to ride and be able to go get a motorcycle endorsement on your license. I guarantee you'll know by the end of class whether or not this is for you. I bet it is.

Did I mention great parking at work?