Man, these things never get old.

[Big Block]

So I'm a bit slow getting on the bikes this year. Got back home in March, decided to go through the brakes on the 750 and the 1100. Waited for new lines, a master cylinder, pads, seals, brake light switches and a caliper piston on the 750 (be happy if you live in the states and can click your finger and get a part within a week). Sold my Honda finally so I rode it to make sure all was good and it was okay I guess. Jumped on the 750 and man it's just like your favorite pair of shoes, fits great and does it all nicely, yesterday hopped on the 1100E and the same, love all over again. Every year it's the same, I start thinking what a PITA it is waiting for any part you need and why do I like these old bikes anyway? That all goes away for me on the first start and ride. I've had a bunch of newer bikes and they should be so much better and on a 500 mile day I guess they are but they just can't replace these old dogs for my taste anyway.

[rphillips]

Block, have you ridden a Kawa. ZRX, mine brings back good memories of the old GS's, main difference feels a little lighter and more agile, but a lot of the same feelings and qualities of the old GS's... I did need to work on the more modern hydraulic clutch that left me stranded the other day, and realized if it had the old cable I'd have not been stranded and made it back home just fine.

[Big Block]

I should have bought one a few times. First time was a new one but it was silver, another time an 1100 and I wanted to hold out for a 1200. I regretted those two and am still looking for one actually. People seem to be hanging onto good ones now though, but I will buy one sometime.

[gtem]

I get similar feelings, I keep searching for something that's basically a "modern UJM" and the nearest I've gotten have been my Bandit 1200s. But they're a bit too sporty/hooligan-ish (to me anyways), in the sense that I feel compelled to ride more aggressively than I perhaps care to when touring. My buddy has a 2014 Honda CB1100, I've never ridden one but if it's like "most" newer fuel injected bikes it would likely be just too polished and missing that mechanical "essence" that these old machines have.

[rphillips]

Man, I've got both a "98" and an "05" Bandit 12S, for me the "98" is much better riding and handling, but neither close to the "2000" ZRX 1100. Hard to think I said that, I've always been partial to Suzuki

[Big Block]

I liked by Bandit 1250s too but I really think that ZRX would do it all for me too. I like that RS Kawasaki as well but too expensive for my Suzuki size budget.

[gtem]

Man, I've got both a "98" and an "05" Bandit 12S, for me the "98" is much better riding and handling, but neither close to the "2000" ZRX 1100. Hard to think I said that, I've always been partial to Suzuki

I had a '99 S (supertrapp exhaust) and then an '02 naked (holeshot+ presumably a jet kit). I really prefer the looks of the gen 1 "S" models. The 02 had better throttle response, the '99 had this annoying little dip/lag but to be fair that could be from not being rejetted after the aftermarket can was installed by the previous owner. I wish I had tried atleast some bar risers on my '02. But even then, especially with the exhaust, it felt like it was always goading me on to ride too fast. It just felt "wrong" to idle along on that thing.

[rphillips]

I finally wedged 1" risers on my "05" but had to relocate brake and clutch hoses and stretch elect. harness pretty tight. Nothing taller will fit, and still too leaned over, crotchrockety for me. Back then I contacted Holeshot and he advised many were inquiring about raising bars. He said he was putting together a kit with taller bars, longer hoses and elect extenders, estimated appx. $400. I never contacted him again except to order his gear position indicator, that Suzuki should have never quit installing. Best things I can say about the "05" is it's beautiful paint scheme, for prettiest Bandit they ever made, and gear position indicator that I put on it.... "98" is sure ugly but really comfy and fun to ride,

[Ccitis]

I get similar feelings, I keep searching for something that's basically a "modern UJM" and the nearest I've gotten have been my Bandit 1200s. But they're a bit too sporty/hooligan-ish (to me anyways), in the sense that I feel compelled to ride more aggressively than I perhaps care to when touring. My buddy has a 2014 Honda CB1100, I've never ridden one but if it's like "most" newer fuel injected bikes it would likely be just too polished and missing that mechanical "essence" that these old machines have.

Z900 RS is worth a look.

[gtem]

Z900 RS is worth a look.

They strike me as being a bit too far over on the "sporty" side of things in terms of ergos and suspension, though I assume the ergos would be easy enough to correct with a handlebar riser etc.

[rphillips]

gtem, be sure you're looking at the right Kawa. Z900. For me the Z900 is way over the top, the Z900RS is waaaay more reasonable looking, and is the bike I'd be looking at if I were in the mkt. for a new bilk.

[gtem]

gtem, be sure you're looking at the right Kawa. Z900. For me the Z900 is way over the top, the Z900RS is waaaay more reasonable looking, and is the bike I'd be looking at if I were in the mkt. for a new bilk.

No I'm definitely thinking of the right thing, the "retro" one styled after a '73 Z1. I just suspect the rider triangle would be closer to my old naked Bandit 1200 than something like a 70s UJM.

[rphillips]

Just being sure, that Z900 is kind'f sickening for me to look at. I haven't ridden an RS but really like the looks... As said earlier, the early B12's were way less "crotchrockety" and more comfortable to ride than the later ones.

[Rob S.]

No I'm definitely thinking of the right thing, the "retro" one styled after a '73 Z1. I just suspect the rider triangle would be closer to my old naked Bandit 1200 than something like a 70s UJM.

Isn't it a '75 (Z1b) that it looks like?

[rphillips]

My rekelections say "73" was the only year for the Z1 900 to have the wide stripe that covers most of the sides of the tank. Thinking came in Root Beer and orange stripe, or green with yellow stripe, "74" and up has waaay narrower stripes.