[Jukes55]

Hey Everyone!

I was on this forum a lot before I made the plunge into a brand spankin new, right off the crate, 2011 z1000!! Yay! I bought it last weekend, so I'm still breaking in the engine, keeping it under 4k rpm is SO TOUGH! The thing wants to pull and pull and pull. I have about 300 miles on it, and then it started raining here =/ this weekend looks bad too... not eager to test my new liter bike skills out there yet lol.

I came from a CBR 600 RR, much too uncomfortable of a riding position for anything longer and an hour or so. Much happier on the Z!! Also still own a 2001 Yamaha Virago, that ones only a 250, so totally only a city streets cruise, but lots of fun none-the-less. I'm thinking of just going steampunk on it and turning it into an art project haha. Or trading it for a super fun dirtbike. Before those toys, I had a 1995 Ninja also 250.

I fell in love with naked bikes about 6 months ago and have been chomping at the bit for a fusion sport bike naked bike this like one. Im already thinking of a few random accessories. The wind, I like, prolly going to keep the stock screen for now. The suspension is a bit stiff on bumpy roads, but Im thinking of getting those Corbin seats. My girlfriend was complaining about the rear seat after a few hours back there. The look bulges but the comfort it a big factor especially when I want to ride 2 hours north to Santa Barbera or 5 hours to Big Sur hah.

First think I got was the fender eliminator, then new Rizoma grips, and now im looking into some mirrors that dont stare at my shoulders. I should probably look into some frame sliders... because day 1 I was coming down my friends driveway... turning slowly and NOOOO!!! It dropped!! Oh bummer =( Very minor cosmetic damage, and i'll get those pieces replaced in a few weeks, but how darn was that. Oh well, now you all know my deepest darkest secret hah!

Happy to be here, happy to own a Z, and lookin out for anyone wanting to ride with me and my buddy who has a ninja =)

Josh

 

[Kawa-Jockey]

Nice! Where did you get your bike? I used to live in LA and know one of the dealers really well (Santa Monica). I bought several bikes from them. It was a sickness (and also to replace a couple of stolen Ninjas).

 

[Jukes55]

Aww bummer on the thieving scoundrels! I got it from Berts mega mall actually. I've heard nothing but bad things from them, and I had a few moments while shopping this thing with salesmen being like vicious rabid dogs. But I ended up getting this completely awesome sales guy named robert totally made the experience incredibly painless and they threw in a nice $300 pair of sidi boots after a reasonable price drop for a brand new bike. Complete with a paid 3 day vacation in laughlin, which was a nice little extra hah.

I know the sickness, im looking for a good cheap older dual sport bike, We have too many great dirt roads here to pass up that fun!

Which dealer did you go to in santa monica?

 

[ridingswitch]

Welcome, im still in the process of breaking in my 2010 z also.

 

[Kawa-Jockey]

Aww bummer on the thieving scoundrels! I got it from Berts mega mall actually. I've heard nothing but bad things from them, and I had a few moments while shopping this thing with salesmen being like vicious rabid dogs. But I ended up getting this completely awesome sales guy named robert totally made the experience incredibly painless and they threw in a nice $300 pair of sidi boots after a reasonable price drop for a brand new bike. Complete with a paid 3 day vacation in laughlin, which was a nice little extra hah.

I know the sickness, im looking for a good cheap older dual sport bike, We have too many great dirt roads here to pass up that fun!

Which dealer did you go to in santa monica?

Ha ha ha. I know good old Bert's Mega Mall also. My wife would clench her teeth every time we went there and had to walk across the showroom floor because they would attack you.

I got my Z1000 from Santa Monica KTM Honda Kawasaki in Marina del Rey. Ahh, I miss SoCal so much these days.

Happy riding and stay safe!

 

[jrick56]

welcome to the madness. know the feeling 14 bikes since 2000. including new 03 zrx 1200r i kept for 4 years and 35,000 miles. have logged over 140,000 miles since my return to 2 wheels after a 10 year hiatus raising kids, had ltd 1000 for 10 years back in the day.:screwy::screwy::screwy:

 

[RobG]

Welcome! There's a group ride in OC on Sunday if the weather holds... Ocmoto.com if you're interested.

Rob

 

[Administrator]

Welcome... but we need pics!!!

Stew

 

[notabiker]

i bought 2 used bikes from berts
1. in 2003 i bought a 2002 ZRX with 6,000 miles on it. no problems
2. last year i bought my 2004 Z 1000 with 9,000 miles on it no problems. they will work you on the deal, but they carry nice bikes that are all indoors and out of the weather.

 

[LAdodgerdog]

Can't wait to see some pics! =)

I am ready to buy too, but the local dealer doesn't have the Green/Black combo yet. They have offered 500 under MSRP and no set-up or dealer fees. I thought that was good.

Maybe I will make my way to Bert's this Saturday to see what they can do. Hope it doesn't rain again =(

 

[RobG]

There's a green/black one at Chaparral Motorsports in San Bernardino if you're willing to come all the way out here. I saw it there a couple of days ago when I stopped by to get some tubes for my DR650.

Rob

 

[LAdodgerdog]

Thanks Rob! I just might make the trip.

 

[Kawa-Jockey]

Thanks Rob! I just might make the trip.

You're in El Segundo. Santa Monica KTM Honda Kawasaki is right down the street from you in Marina del Rey on Lincoln Blvd. Those guys always gave me a great deal. Tom is the GM and I definitely would be buying there again if we were still in LA. I bet they'd match whatever deal you get. Plus, you'll have made some friends closer to home when it comes time to service it without having to lug it out to Azusa to get to Bert's. Just a thought...

Damn, I miss CA. Stupid economy!

 

[LAdodgerdog]

You're in El Segundo. Santa Monica KTM Honda Kawasaki is right down the street from you in Marina del Rey on Lincoln Blvd...

Thanks for the tip! Though I have already made a deal at Mid-Cities, I headed down that way today. There are open on Sundays (yes!). I spoke with the 2 kids behind the parts counter. One was actually the service writer and he showed me around. Didn't know about the back enterance. He even took me in the back to the service area (The mechanics don't work on Sundays).

I found a new jacket and ordered a couple of things for the bike =)

Thanks again!!

 

[RobG]

BTW don't be too easy on the new bike. I kept mine under 5k for the first 100 miles and then started opening it up. Would run it up to 10-11k at 1/2 to 2/3 throttle in 2nd, 3rd and 4th, and then let it coast back down to about 40 mph and repeat. Did that for an entire tank of gas (which, on a new motor, didn't take long -- 20 mpg).

Now at 2000 and synthetic, a freeway trip on Friday 80 miles each way from Redlands to El Segundo and back at 75-85 mph and I got 43 mpg. Not too shabby.

Oh... also... we're doing an Angeles Crest ride next Sunday (March 6th) if you want to go. I'll be on my DR650, though.

Rob

 

[Jukes55]

Nice thanks for the warm welcome guys, The last week has been crap weather for riding with all the rain. My usual ride to work takes me up la tuna canyon to the 210, and sunday morning it was SNOWING there?!?!?! Thank god I was in my car, but still gives you an idea of the junky weather. Today is great though, not too cold took it in to work. I would love to go with you guys this sunday angeles crest, where and when do you guys meet up? The 7-11 on oro vista?

Yeah Im stuck on some freeways during the break-in stage, but im trying to take lots of canyons because im all over the rpm range there. On the fwys I look kinda silly because im speeding way up then slowing way down the whole time trying not to lock it into 6k rpm for too long. I only have 70 more miles until I'm ready for the first 600 mile service. My mechanic mentioned that I can start pushing it above 6k but not for long stints, so I'm playing with the coveted 7k+ rpm range OH MY GOD YES THE TORQUE! =) =) =)

I just got some Rizoma parts for it also, grips and bar end weights. After I got the factory bar ends off, I realized the rizoma bar enders wouldn't work because they spot welded on a washer that makes the hole fit only a small screw, not the big bulky bar end insert =/ But the grips will work nevertheless, I have these big old hands and the edge of my hand is always pressing on the little lip on the end of the grips, so these rizoma ones solve that with no silly edge. I want bar end mirrors so badly, but I'm concerned that my hand is going to be pressing up against the mirror assembly the whole time =/ So im also looking at the ducati streetfighter "viper" mirrors which look pretty sick! The stock mirrors kinda blow =/ And at 75 mph the left one vibrates like crazy! lol oh well.

I also just got a fender eliminator kit installed on the thing yesterday, one I found on ebay that said I can still use all my factory parts. Well yes you can, but in order to take off the fender, you have to cut the wires for the turn signals because this washer they put on the thing is too small to slide off over the connector =/ But snip, strip, solder, and tape did the trick. Its so nice to be rid of that huge back end =) I'll post some pics later today.

Oh yeah, my girlfriend rides the back often, but she's complained about the seat being a little too small for a longer ride, has anyone had any experience with the Corbin seats? They look pretty sweet, and I would love to use the z1000 as a kinda tourer so I want maximum comfort =)

Josh

 

[Jukes55]

Oh yeah, when I went to Berts last week that had the green and black 2011 z1000 on the showroom floor. Might want to check again, Ive seen it there a few times. Its beautiful! I went for the black because it matches all my gear, and i like the stealth look =)