[Z1000 Rider]

Talk about a small world. Today on my way to work while merging onto the freeway in my truck, noticed a bike a ways back from me in the same lane but could not identify it at first, although I could tell that it was a fighter of some sort and remember rigorously telling myself 'what a cool bike', whatever it was. Anyway, as it started to approach me from behind, there it was a first gen orange Z1k and man did it ever look great going down the road. I couldn't believe it. To give you some background, I have owned my Z going on about a year now and have NEVER ONCE passed or seen another one of these bikes on the road here in Washington or California so you can only imagine the feeling of finally seeing one of these going down the road for the first time. Ok, I did see one in parking lot once, but that is it, seriously.

I remembered blainepc, a recently joined member here that lives somewhere in the area who rides an orange Z, so I sent him a text after I got to work to see if that was him and it was!! Talk about a small world, haha.

 

[Barry]

I havent seen another in my area either.
I work in a resturant on the beach here in florida.
And i can easily say there are more tourists with
Pics of my bike than i have!
People love this ride!
Now that ive started costomizing a little thier amazed.
Bars back, rear seat strap gone,no stickers or reflectors.
Fender gone but still have factory signals shortened,
To look semi stock,lost claws frame plugs everywhere.
The Urban Brawlers are just tough looking and sound
tough too.
There are those who know what they are lookig at
and it kills me as they find all the little things ive done.
Yes im in love,but my highly moded sv is still my ultra-cool
cafe babe that keeps me grounded...Peace..Barry

 

[notabiker]

here in motorcycle paradise i see other ZEDS often. not like GSXRs but often. saw a black 2010 on my last ride . it had a huge windscreen, it looked funny on a ZED

 

[tomohawk]

We have an event during the summers outside a pizza place in Minneapolis. The first Thursday of every month, anywhere from 1,000-3,000 bikes just show up and hang out for a few hours. Last one I was at, last August, there were over 2,000 bikes and I counted three Z1000s, including my own. I know there's a guy about 10 miles from me with a black one, and another red one in the same area I saw on Craigslist. I think one or two guys on various forums too live in MN. But I've never actually seen another one on the road going in the same direction as I was.
ccasion: Cheers fellow Z riders! These other guys just don't know what they're missing!

 

[notabiker]

i have bought 8 bikes in the last 8 years. some new some used. i never stayed with one very long. i bought my 2004 ZED last April and just love it. looks great,runs great,handles great,fun to work on and is plenty fast. my friend has 7 dream bikes and i ride them. including a 2010 ZED i am happy with what i have.

 

[KawiGrnNmyVeins]

I have had my 07 for almost a year now and ride with another Z owner on this forum along with a Zx14 owner....I met another newly recruited Z owner last week with an Orange 03 Z1000 that might start riding with us some this spring.....We're slowly picking up in my area to new owners of Naked bikes

 

[Barry]

Live free,ride free,Bikes without all the plastic are fanFntastic! If i dindnt want the rush of the wind and a livable daily riding posture and a lot more wrist and back pain i would be riding one of those bIkes you always see the rider at stop lights sitting up streaching and shaking thier hands to get the feeling back.

 

[DadzZ1000]

I have seen about 5 during Bike Week so far. At the Demo rides everyone is waiting in day long rides to ride them, so I would imagine we will be seeing some more soon.

 

[jrick56]

met my twin today in searcy, arkansas. first 2010 i've met since august. saw a 1st gen at a bikers for babies ralley. that's all.:screwy::screwy::screwy:

 

[blainepc]

that was an awesome text..... when i sent you all the hahahaha.... i was really laughing out loud

 

[blainepc]

alright if we are sharing Z come across stories heres my only one and well epic....

so my friends and i are in kirkland and they are in their cars and im on the Z... from wingdome to bothell taking the back roads i see a blue 1st gen Z

I take off catch up only to see a hot girl on a cbr f3 and a doped out supra.... so theres the four of us riding and it was awesome seeing a z, supra and chic sportbike rider....

 

[Z1000 Rider]

that was an awesome text..... when i sent you all the hahahaha.... i was really laughing out loud

lol

 

[Curtie223]

Z's are starting to get pretty popular in my group. I met someone that owned one. Then my best friend got one. So now there are 3 of us rolling with Z's. Now one of my good friends that I ride with alot is wanting to sell his gsxr600 to get a Z. They are very addictive. The one with the GSXR rode mine once and had a smile from ear to ear. lol

 

[kawtoy_77]

We have an event during the summers outside a pizza place in Minneapolis. The first Thursday of every month, anywhere from 1,000-3,000 bikes just show up and hang out for a few hours. Last one I was at, last August, there were over 2,000 bikes and I counted three Z1000s, including my own. I know there's a guy about 10 miles from me with a black one, and another red one in the same area I saw on Craigslist. I think one or two guys on various forums too live in MN. But I've never actually seen another one on the road going in the same direction as I was.
ccasion: Cheers fellow Z riders! These other guys just don't know what they're missing!

We have an event like this at the local DQ in Savoy, IL 1st Tuesday of every month @ 630pm.... It really is a good time. I have run into one or two Z's there before... none here lately though.

 

[JSharp]

We have an event like this at the local DQ in Savoy, IL 1st Tuesday of every month @ 630pm.... It really is a good time. I have run into one or two Z's there before... none here lately though.

What the story on the meetup at Savoy? Do you get many people usually? I wonder because I'm north of Champaign and might try to make it some time. If we EVER get any decent riding weather...

 

[kawtoy_77]

JSharp, It ends up being the nicer the weather; the more people show up. I try to make it every month in the summer. I have seen as little as 3 people in the winter, and probably as much as 40 people on a good day in the summer. I heard before my time there would be around 100, but that number has since dwindled. If you have biker friends... Bring 'em on down! Where is it exactly you live North of Champaign? I live about 27 miles north of there in a small town called Elliott. It would be nice to see another Kawasaki there!

 

[JSharp]

JSharp, It ends up being the nicer the weather; the more people show up. I try to make it every month in the summer. I have seen as little as 3 people in the winter, and probably as much as 40 people on a good day in the summer. I heard before my time there would be around 100, but that number has since dwindled. If you have biker friends... Bring 'em on down! Where is it exactly you live North of Champaign? I live about 27 miles north of there in a small town called Elliott. It would be nice to see another Kawasaki there!

I'm from Paxton and live just south of there. I've lived in the area my whole life ( 54 years ) so I know Elliot. I'm an ex Vetter engineer and ex road racer from back in the day. We might know each other or you might know one of my kids. My son runs the Bumper to Bumper store in Paxton.

I'll try to make it to Savoy for one of the meet ups. I've had a few back surgeries and quit riding for about 20 years. Bought a Concours a few years ago and started riding again but it never really fit me properly. So I traded it for the Ninja a few weeks ago. It's a far more comfortable bike for me and the modern suspension and overall performance are great!

Maybe I can get my son to tag along when he gets his bike done. He bought and old GPz 550 like we used to race and we've been working on it over the winter. It should be nice one we get all the 'work' done by the previous owners undone.

Now if we'd only get some decent riding weather!

 

[kawtoy_77]

Cool, I have an old '77 KZ1000 thats lightly modded, and my first bike which is an '80 Kz440. My Fiance also rides, and has an '04 Ninja 500R. You guys are just down the street from me! You aren't the only ex Vetter employee I know either.... 10-4 on the riding weather!

 

[JSharp]

Cool, I have an old '77 KZ1000 thats lightly modded, and my first bike which is an '80 Kz440. My Fiance also rides, and has an '04 Ninja 500R. You guys are just down the street from me! You aren't the only ex Vetter employee I know either.... 10-4 on the riding weather!

We are neighbors. I take the Elliot blacktop to work almost every day. The company I work for owns some buildings just south of Dewey, the old seed research place. That's not what we do there now though...

My first streetbike was a '73 Z1. It was heavily modded over time. 987cc Yosh engine, 29mm smoothbores, dual disks on the front, Lester cast wheels etc. I sold that bike to a guy that lived just south of Elliot. Can't remember his name but I heard he died some years ago. I always wondered what happened to the bike.

Lot's of old Vetterites still in the area.

 

[kawtoy_77]

I have seen that C-1000 then! I take those back roads to Urbana where I work almost every day. I work at Altorfer CAT just off of I74 and Lincoln Ave. My dad also rides the dewey elliott road on an '82 GL1100 Interstate.

Small world indeed.

I would love to know where that bike is as well! :+1: