Got a bigger bike ( and so soon)

[toads]

I feel kind of fickle really, I haven't been all that happy with the gn250 as it isn't really a bike I want to travel any huge distance on, I never felt "in love with it" at any point, but then today while checking out the kawasaki en 400, I realised there are very few bikes that I can actually touch the ground on and not feel as though the bike is too heavy for me, this bike felt great to ride, although according to the DH I rode far too slowly !!! 80-90kms, but I really enjoyed it and I know now what you guys are raving about when you say you enjoy the twisties, I can tell you that is a novelty!! :) Anyway I'm buzzing, got to get some warmer riding gear though, froze out there today. And my helmet lets a lot of noise in too, which I would think would become tiresome after a few hours, anyway, had to share with someone!!

[wari]

Good onya toads ....

take your time in looking for the bike that suits you ...

there's polenty out there ...

[toads]

I forgot to add, I bought the 400, it's a good ride, and I got it from someone I know so I know it's history, an 87 so it's reasonably old, but so comfortable and when I decide to up the speed, I can!! :banana:

[wari]

congratulations then ... :spudbooge :spudguita

[k14]

Yeah, good stuff toad.

Hope it goes well. Got any pics??

[toads]

hopefully this one uploads ok,

[wari]

very nice ... tidy ride ya got there mate.

[Her_C4]

I feel kind of fickle really, I haven't been all that happy with the gn250 as it isn't really a bike I want to travel any huge distance on, I never felt "in love with it" at any point, ...............
I realised there are very few bikes that I can actually touch the ground on and not feel as though the bike is too heavy for me, :Punk:

OMG!!!! I sooooo understand this - I too had a GN250 that I couldn't really relate to but everyone I spoke to told me that it was the best one to (re)learn on etc etc ... and it surely was ...... but then I wanted something that would give me more and found to my frustration that at just under 5ft 4 I did not have a lot of options.

Persistance pays though and last week I found the perfect 'next stage' learner bike for me.... (CBR250RR) I even took a couple of days off work to take it up to Palmy and back a couple of times and introduce myself to it (furtherest I had been - or even wanted to go before on the GN was Upper Hutt!!).

I am buzzing too :yeah:

[Ms Piggy]

:2thumbsup Nice rides girls! Have fun! I was thinking for my next ride I'd get a 400 something or other. Have fun! Might see ya out there Her_B4. :cool:

[SPman]

Good on ya, girls. Seat height can be a real problem.

And my helmet lets a lot of noise in too, which I would think would become tiresome after a few hours, You'll just have to be like most of us and wear earplugs.A good pair for $5-6 make all the difference.

[Racey Rider]

hopefully this one uploads ok,

Is that a brake light or a red lunch box on the back of that thing?! :D

[toads]

Is that a brake light or a red lunch box on the back of that thing?! :D

LOL!, shocking isn't it, I removed the great gumboot flap off the rear of it today , but the "tail light" has to stay!! :yeah:

[toads]

Persistance pays though and last week I found the perfect 'next stage' learner bike for me.... (CBR250RR) I even took a couple of days off work to take it up to Palmy and back a couple of times and introduce myself to it (furtherest I had been - or even wanted to go before on the GN was Upper Hutt!!).

QUOTE]

My son has just bought one of these, but yours is in very nice condition, his is a wreck, but he will have to get stuck in and repair all the damaged fairings etc before he gets to ride it , I find that is too high for me I am 5' 1" tall/short so most bikes are beyond me, however I can manage with the new bike ok, thanks for hint about ear plugs, I will try some

[FROSTY]

Good onya toads. I just figured out what your bike is.
Kawasaki got onto the custom cruiser bandwagon by building chopper type frames for their road bike range.
I'm almost certain yours is Z400 running gear.
If you get sick of the wind in your face then try a spitfire fairing --they work well on bikes like yours

[pete376403]

If you're interested in cruiser styling the Virago 535 is nice and low.

[Jackrat]

Ahhh yes,Black,Alloy an Chrome.Very nice!!
Now go buy stock in Autosol. :2thumbsup

[marty]

:2thumbsup Nice rides girls! Have fun! I was thinking for my next ride I'd get a 400 something or other. Have fun! Might see ya out there Her_B4. :cool:


i think you'd be disappointed in the performance difference between a 250 and 400. talk to zed and slim about their 600's - hugely different from a 400, and SO much more capable

reckon you'd look good on one of these..

http://www.trademe.co.nz/mcat-0001%2D0026%2D1255%2D1285%2D/0001-0026-1255-1285-/auction-10913381.htm

[Indiana_Jones]

I've been pretty happy with my FXR150 :2thumbsup Had it for about 4 months now.

-Indy

[toads]

Ahhh yes,Black,Alloy an Chrome.Very nice!!
Now go buy stock in Autosol. :2thumbsup


Hell it's great stuff isn't it, kerosene works a treat too!, cleaning da bike is part of the scene and it's nice to know the state of your bike too, fairings must make it difficult to see the workings of the bike, don't ya reckon

[fpsware]

I feel kind of fickle really, I haven't been all that happy with the gn250 as it isn't really a bike I want to travel any huge distance on, I never felt "in love with it" at any point, but then today while checking out the kawasaki en 400, I realised there are very few bikes that I can actually touch the ground on and not feel as though the bike is too heavy for me, this bike felt great to ride, although according to the DH I rode far too slowly !!! 80-90kms, but I really enjoyed it and I know now what you guys are raving about when you say you enjoy the twisties, I can tell you that is a novelty!! :) Anyway I'm buzzing, got to get some warmer riding gear though, froze out there today. And my helmet lets a lot of noise in too, which I would think would become tiresome after a few hours, anyway, had to share with someone!!
I just totaled a 91' Kawasaki ZXR 400. Great bikes. I loved riding it, and it fairs well in accidents (only one) too. :cry: Six weeks after the accident its about time to get another bike. I've had my eye on another ZXR 400 for the last few weeks, but I have the opportunity of Kawasaki ZX-9R for around the same price (well, $2K more).

ZXRs are great bikes though. The only problem I had with mine was how hard it was on my ass after a while. The shocks are bloody hard. But other than that I loved it.

[johno]

Meet another 5'4" shortass. But my friends, there are ways. When I am bike hunting, the first thing I look for is the bloody seat height. Had a GN250 many moons ago, not a real bike is it? I got dragged off by a bus at the lights! Then I got a GPZ250, great, but too small. then I got a GPZ500, nice and low, but nothing to write home about. Then I got a Bandit 1200, had read that the seat height was 765 or something low. Seat height was still a problem, but I did two things. (The third, trying to get my boots built up - didn't work). I got some suspension struts from USA that lowered the bike about 30mms, and I got the seat doctored to lower the height and narrow the profile. It works, but I have dropped it on occasions when I have got the angles wrong. However, dented pride endows one with enormous strength, and I can lift all 23okgs up again. Love my Bandit, it sings to me. My wife says I am compensating for something! Moral is, you can have the bike you want, find a way, I'm still working on the boots.

[pete376403]

BMW do cut down seats for the Scarver (the roadie only version of the F650) and possibly other models

[Her_C4]

:2thumbsup

Whilst I love my CBR, I am keeping an eye open for the next possible contender in the new bike stakes - and like you, the first thing I look for / ask about is the seat height!! Have to say there is not that many around that are still in the running :thud:



... I'm still working on the boots.

Kool!! Let me know how you get on.... :D :D Not only would it be totally impractical but I am also gonna look pretty silly at my age in stiletto heeled boots just so that i can touch the ground!!!! :doh:

Desperate times call for desperate measures......... :yes: lol

[toads]

yeah well I think I beat ya all in the short ass stakes, 5'1", and something wrong with the length of my legs too, they must be even shorter than they should be, can't touch both feet on the ground on the kawasaki, but it feels ok despite this, I have real big soles on my boots but still can't get both feet on the ground and the bike is lowered.

[wari]

yeah well I think I beat ya all in the short ass stakes, 5'1", and something wrong with the length of my legs too, they must be even shorter than they should be, can't touch both feet on the ground on the kawasaki, but it feels ok despite this, I have real big soles on my boots but still can't get both feet on the ground and the bike is lowered.


I shall call her ... Mini-U ... :spudwave: