Did we never make a motorcycle thread?

[neanderthal]

You guys seem to be forgetting that I owned a motorbike at one time and put 30,000 km on it.

You work with your hands mate. I think it's more concern than anything else. But I echo the sentiment. I bought myself a nice textile suit (Sedici Avventura) to be able to go traipsing about in adverse weather if I want to. (the car needs a $4000 transmission.) I need better cold weather gloves though.


I am not so much worried about the motorcyclists than I am the drivers around them.
You'll love the Versys 300X. The new ones have a 19 inch front tire that gives it marginally better off road chops without sacrificing on road ability.

[Cam]

Successfully completed the motorcycle safety course.

[dodint]

Did you have fun? When I did it we had a really good and enthusiastic instructor, made for a good day.

[Cam]

Yes, it was fun. Our instructor was chill. I think things could have moved along a bit quicker though. He liked to chat about other things. Our class was small; only four students. That made it easier.

[dodint]

Awesome.

[Cam]

Officially got my mo-mo bike endorsement on my license.

[Rare White Ape]

Do a wheelie!

[neanderthal]

Let the shenanigans begin.

[retsmah]

After 13 years and 40k+ miles of riding my little Ninja 500 I finally got a new bike! 2019 Ninja 1000, got it in December for $3200 off MSRP. The downside to this is I haven't been able to ride much in the winter in Portland, only have 115 miles on it so far. I got the factory side bags on now, still need to do some of the other upgrades I had on my 500 like an easy battery tender connection, cell phone mount and USB plug, and ideally figure out a top case. Might even do heated grips!

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Looking forward to spring, I need to plan some camping trips! The bike is quite a bit more comfortable than the 500 (and also has almost 3x the power). I was a little nervous about the increased seat height (32.3") and weight (500lb) as a 5'5" guy with a 29" inseam, but it's been fine. As some of you may remember I did a 4000 mile trip to Utah on my 500 back in 2015 when I was (f)unmemployed, I wish I could take a few weeks off to do a similar trip on this bike this summer.

I've offered to give the 500 to my stepdad so he can do a weekend trip or two with me, with the stipulation that he has to take the motorcycle safety course, so we'll see how that works out! Side by side of the 500 and 1000, I like big butts apparently:

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There is a local dealer that somehow has ended up with more than one still new, unsold 2018 Ninja 400, which are now deeply discounted at $3299. I'm seriously considering one for a track day bike, but as a pretty frugal person buying two new motorcycles in 3 months seems crazy. Although I guess now that I type this out the total price of the 400 would be almost exactly the amount I saved on the 1000, so maybe it was meant to be?

[retsmah]

It is optioned pretty well, with a centre kickstand, side and rear travel cases, skid plate and engine guard roll-cage-like things on the sides.

As you can see from the above post, I am all for small two cylinder Kawasakis with side and top cases! The Versys X seems like a pretty awesome little bike.