| Author | Message | ||
     Koz5150 |
The latest print of Motorcyclist compared the two bikes. After reading the article the one line that really stood out was "If the Buell had 25%more power and size it would be perfect..." How many days till the new models come out??? | ||
| Ceejay |
Wouldn't that be a tuber with a 1250 kit? | ||
| Anonymous |
Let's see 25% more size would be 52*1.25, or a 65 inch wheelbase. So I guess a Softail would be right on the money for them as a sportbike. | ||
| Metalstorm |
I had a Kawi 750 & my Buell could whip it's arse on it's worst day. Oh, it was a 92' Zephyr 750. Does that still count?  | ||
| Kenb |
you had a zephyr ? i had a red 92 that i put over 70k on before i got rid of it. decent motorcycle even went cross country on it but a complete pig compared to my 96 s1 | ||
| Dbird29 |
Funny my Buell beats my Kawi too!  '82 Kawasaki GPz750R1 | ||
| Rick_a |
They're always gonna bitch about it. I remember at the press launch of the XB12R they were still complaining about the clutch and whined because it had too much low end power. For a 52" wheelbase the power level is very acceptable IMO. We are so power hungry. Hell, if street legal MOTO-GP's were available people would be flocking to own the latest poser tool and status symbol. | ||
| Johnnylunchbox |
I assume you're talking about the new Z750? My opinion FWIW is that the Z750 is a fine motorcycle, but the XB gives you a lot more for your money. The suspension on the Kawi is typical cost-cutting minimally adjustable. It has good weather protection and a bulletproof motor that'll probably get you 100k miles or more. The comparison is really apples to oranges. | ||
| Thepup |
The Kaw is $1500 less than a 9 and $3500 less than a 12 so you can't say the XB gives you more for your money. | ||
| Bomber |
Pup -- depends, I spose, how what unit of measure you use -- CCs, wheelbase, power, 1/4 mile time? me, I don't ride spec sheets -- I ride for fun, and my grinometer helps me make my decisions . . . . as always, YMMV | ||
| Thepup |
I wasn't trying to bash any specific brand,he talked about the cheap suspension on the Kawi.It is apples to oranges.Stating a fact is not bashing. (Message edited by thepup on June 13, 2005) | ||
| Josh_ |
My 05 FJR1300 cost the same as my S3T did in 99. However I had to add: seat ($350 used), braided brake lines ($250), fork brace ($180), power commander ($300), bar risers ($80), Wilburs adj rear shock ($700), gel grips, and throttlemeister (ie bar end weights) to get a ride (and grinometer reading  ) comparable to the S3. List price doesn't tell the whole story. | ||
| Kenb |
my 92 zr750 was far from bulletproof, the list of things i fixed and times i was stranded over 70k miles is too numerous to list here, like i said though decent bike | ||
| Johnnylunchbox |
Thepup - I guarantee you can pick up a very slightly used XB for about the same price as a new Z750. I got my 2004 XB12 last year with 1200 miles for 7300. I stand by my statement that the suspension on the Kawi is what it is for economic reasons. Try to add a fully adjustable suspension to the Z750 and see how much that'll cost you. I am not bashing the Kawi either. An XB will probably go through two engines to the kawi's one. | ||
| Johnnylunchbox |
Kenb - you can't compare a 92zr750 with a new Z750. | ||
| Thepup |
Johnny,I was just comparing new prices.If you went by spec sheets alone,Ducatis,Buells,and a few other exotics wouldn't be in business,but thats what is great about owning a bike these days,there is a bike for everyone. Ken I have 24k miles on my XB and my list is pretty long,including 2 tranny problems. Josh,I bet the majority of FJR owners would disagree with you,but as long as you like your bike thats all that matters | ||
| Johnnylunchbox |
Thepup - I agree, specs are BS. I ride what I want and don't give a rat's a$$ what anybody else rides. | ||
| Josh_ |
>Josh,I bet the majority of FJR owners would disagree with you Most change the seat and add a PCIII and risers, you can't avoid the fact that it doesn't have braided lines or an adjustable shock. | ||
| Thepup |
Josh,what I meant is I bet most FJR owners wouldn't think that a S3 would be better. | ||
| Ray_maines |
From the Who Even Cares What Ray Thinks Department: Here's my 2¢ worth on these burning issues The Adjustable suspension issue: All suspension is fully adjustable. Sometimes the adjustments are cheap and easy (like on the Buell) and other times the adjustments are expensive and difficult (like on the Kawasaki), but once the adjustments are properly made most people generally don't re-adjust it, they just leave it alone. You can spend your money at a Buell dealer or you can send your money off to Race Tech. It all comes out even in the end. The 4/5th size bike issue: I've been saying for a couple of years that the XB bikes are too small for my taste and everybody from "Anonymous" on down have been denying it and ridiculing me for saying so. Don't misunderstand me here, I'm not talking about the engine - not the power or the cc's, just the physical size of the bike. I'm glad to see that somebody agrees with me, even if he's only a professional bike tester and he's just as dumb as I am. | ||
| Josh_ |
I agree with you. Love my RS tho. | ||
| Koz5150 |
Ray_maines - I agree about the size thing. The actuall quate from the guy in the magazine was that the bike needed to be one size bigger | ||
| Rippin |
Ken You got mail Ryan | ||
| Koz5150 |
you got some back... | ||
| Metalstorm |
"you had a zephyr?" Yep, a red 92' Zephyr 750. The longest ride I ever took with it was about 1000 miles. I rode from Pnt Reyes Sta, CA to Orofino, ID. It took me about 20 hours. | ||
| Jon |
You could write Buell versus Godzilla and I could care less.  | ||
| Brucelee |
If one were inclined to get the Kawi naked bike, why would you not buy the z1000? Certainly quicker and very cheap out the door. | ||
| Tpoppa |
The physical size of the XB is part of the reason I bought mine. What some people call '4/5' I would call innovative. The overall size & the 52" wheelbase give me the confidence to throw it into a corner & I know it will stick to the pavement. Also, when exiting corners, I can get on the throttle sooner than on other bikes I have ridden. BTW, I like the Kawi Z750. I think it would make an excellent, inexpensive sport tourer. | ||
| Johnnylunchbox |
Brucelee - One may not need the extra grunt of the 1000, or the insurance cost. Although both are extremely comfortable (at least from just sitting on them) the weather protection on the 750 is superior. | ||
| Cataract2 |
The one Kawi I liked a lot was probably the 2000+ ZR-7S. My brother had one and that was a very nice and comfy bike. Made a good distance riding bike. Kinda like the XB/S model only a bit bigger. Plus, it was air cooled. Sadly, Kawi discontinued that model. Pissed me off. Also, my brother wrecked his. Dang...  Well, least he plans on getting back on. Looks like he's looking at the Honda Shadow. Trust me guys, I've tried to get him to get a Buell. He doesn't want another sport style bike. Fine with me. Least he'll be riding again. |
