Daytona Bike Week 2018

[GS1150Pilot]

I was about to ask about "mountains" in Florida too.

[chuck hahn]

I like it 1948man.

[Jedz123]

I'll update this evening from the Hotel I'm Vermont bound... It's been a tough last couple of days with the HD running like complete Dog $hit.

Now I can depend on it moving... It's in my truck.

Here's my Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/Jedz-Moto-3...39007946603631
My Blog:
Loaded. Learned allot from this trip, mainly the reminder that education is expensive. The HD ran poorly the whole time. The list: Main harness failure, main and fuel pump relay failure, main switch failure, high caught idle with check engine light (three times) causing runaway conditions in high traffic, poor transmission shifting caused by low oil, oil leak, oil consumption through exhaust, 2 quarts of oil burned in 1000 miles and a stall with failure to restart... Oh and it Ran completely out of fuel at 130 miles on a brimmed tank! (just love pushing my 600lbs MC's to the gas station...) Gave it a honest go but this bike had more problems this past week than I've ever encountered with my Bandit 1200 with 88K miles on the clock. Save your time (and money) and buy a Japanese motorcycle...

ROUGH...

Back to the White hell hole that is Vermont.

I'll update soon!

Best,

[bobgroger]

I'll update this evening from the Hotel I'm Vermont bound... It's been a tough last couple of days with the HD running like complete Dog $hit.

Now I can depend on it moving... It's in my truck.

Here's my Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/Jedz-Moto-3...39007946603631
My Blog:
Loaded. Learned allot from this trip, mainly the reminder that education is expensive. The HD ran poorly the whole time. The list: Main harness failure, main and fuel pump relay failure, main switch failure, high caught idle with check engine light (three times) causing runaway conditions in high traffic, poor transmission shifting caused by low oil, oil leak, oil consumption through exhaust, 2 quarts of oil burned in 1000 miles and a stall with failure to restart... Oh and it Ran completely out of fuel at 130 miles on a brimmed tank! (just love pushing my 600lbs MC's to the gas station...) Gave it a honest go but this bike had more problems this past week than I've ever encountered with my Bandit 1200 with 88K miles on the clock. Save your time (and money) and buy a Japanese motorcycle...

ROUGH...

Back to the White hell hole that is Vermont.

I'll update soon!

Best,

So.....I'm thinking a new Harley is not at the top of your short list?

[chuck hahn]

About the only way to get a Harley from point A to point B and do 70MPH.

[gsrick]

Well at least you made back to the truck safe. lol

The day after our ride, I was heading about a mile south of my place and got cut off by a van that decided it needed to make a right turn from the left lane. I locked my '92 G up and slowed down, but I STILL HIT HIS REAR BUMPER. I didn't see my life flash before my eyes, but I was thinking this is gonna hurt. He made the turn and went on down the road about an 1/8th of a mile and then finally stopped. After checking the forks, front wheel and my pants, I shot down to where he was stopped. He was screaming, "I'm so sorry, I'm so sorry", "I didn't see you". I was so pizzed I wanted to yank him out of the van. He started saying, "I'll give you my insurance". I took another look at my bike and told him there was no harm done, but I could have been killed and all because you didn't just go another block and turn around. That's the first time in about 4 years that I've had to lock up a bike. I'm a pretty defensive rider expecting everyone to pull out in front of you, but sometimes they still catch you off guard.

[Jedz123]

Glad you ok!

[Jedz123]

So the last big day was to Key West and back, about 500 miles on. It was an awesome trek, I would do it again however I did catch some nasty bug/flu and am still recovering. I was escorted by Amen-Moto's Doug with his Explorer 1200.

Couldn't have asked for a nicer day... It was in the high 60's all day.

Finally rolling into the KEys... The Everglades were not that exciting.

Looking out from Mallory's square.


Oh it was a Scooter world down there... Holy smokes.

Hog's Breath! Great food and live music...

There is a tree growing in here!!!


Just Walking around checking out the scene.

More stuff in Mallory's Square
Chickens... Everywhere!

Scotty from Amen Moto joined up with us and I got to ride another 50 miles on his T-120... I LOVE that bike... It's like a GS but lighter, more powerful and smooth!

The Three Amigos.

After a 500 mile day we drank some beers and had good conversation till about midnight... When I awoke the next morning feeling like dog $hit.

All in all it was a good trip. I can't say great for the Harley let me down ALLOT on this one. It really gave me no redeeming qualities for it doesn't even cruise well, running out of gas at 11 miles after the fuel light went on (totally dry at 130 miles)... give me a break, nothing like pushing a 600lbs motorcycle fully loaded off the interstate to the nearest gas station... I left Thursday sick as a dog, couldn't do the trip in one shot and had to overnight in VA, I got back Friday afternoon with a 102' fever and slept all day Saturday trying to fight off this infection, felt better yesterday and I'm just good enough now to go back to work. I unloaded the HD and threw it in the back corner of my shop with no intention of riding it anytime soon (like I can anyway, it's been sub zero every morning for the last 3 mornings). Add insult to injury the Jackwagons in Florida that serviced my truck filled my washer fluid reservoir with water and it's now a split and frozen brick... Called GMC corporate on that fallacy. So, yes I have reached out to 3 Kawasaki dealers about the Z900RS and 2 of them have folks waiting to buy a HD XR1200 so I think I'll be in good sorts to get rid of the bike quickly. I also inquired about a Triumph T120 for it was a phenomenal bike. I know it seems I run around on machines allot but I just cant seem to find my "perfect match". I want something that looks refined but is quick. I test rode the Z900 and I believe that motor in a retro styled chassis is going to yield my desired result I've been looking for since I retired the FZ1. We will see.

Test ride on the Z900:
(As always, the disclaimer being that I use profanity... Innocent ears need not click)

It was great to meet GSrick! I look forward to meeting more GSR members this year to come!
If nothing changes I will likely be on top of a Bandit 1200 for those rendezvous.

Thanks, for tuning in! I will post the videos once I edit and produce them on Jedz Moto!

Best,
-Jedz

[gsrick]

Glad you ok!

Thanks, Justin. I survived that, but was taken down while helping one of the new guys put a Busa on a rear pit stand. Go figure, I'll have a big nasty 4" scar above my knee and I wasn't even moving. Hey at least it happened on a big liter Suzuki. lol.

[Nessism]

Epic ride thread Jedz! Enjoyed reading your exploits. And glad you gave HD a fair shake. No one can say you didn't try.

Question: you say you didn't like the Z900 but really want the Z900RS. What's the main difference other than styling of course? Can't tell from the spec sheets.

[Jedz123]

Epic ride thread Jedz! Enjoyed reading your exploits. And glad you gave HD a fair shake. No one can say you didn't try.

Question: you say you didn't like the Z900 but really want the Z900RS. What's the main difference other than styling of course? Can't tell from the spec sheets.

Thanks!... Now I can whole heartily rip on Harley's and say "I've owned 2, I know they suck"

I loved the power-plant of the Z900, But the rest of the bike not so much...
So the Z900RS has a different cam and compression ratios for more mid range grunt and highway blasting. Shorter 1st and 2nd gear and a much taller 6th giving the bike a more highway ready feel with Holeshot punch. The fatter torque curve and transmission is designed to make the RS feel quicker than the Z900 and act more like a "traditional" UJM with more "punch" out of the hole. In my video you can see I was actively trying to keep up with that standard Z900 as the RS scooted off very quickly. They still boast a respectable 111hp, which is 14hp less than the Z900 but adds more on the fit and finish, really driving a true modern retro motorcycle. Also the Egos are way more relaxed vs the Z900. Bench seat upright handlebars and pegs that are not behind you but under you, the epitome of a UJM. I would say they are very much like the Triumph T120's which I put over 100 miles on when i was down there( AND I AM IN LOVE WITH THAT BIKE!), I sat on the RS and it was a dead giveaway that Kawasaki's relaxed seated RS is trying to steer folks away from the Bonneville. Also the RS gets the classic 80's Kawasaki gauges...

It's gorgeous, quick, comfy and highway capable...



I want it... In a Bad Way!

I wanted to Demo it but they were booked for DAYS.... Oh well I got a feel for the power-plant with the Z900, and handling which is great and was told very comparable between the 2 bikes.

Both are middleweight 470lbs wet bikes with 950cc I-4 motors. Liter bikes for sure.

[Jedz123]

Finally getting to editing my vids!

[GS1150Pilot]

That Z900RS is a dead sexy bike.

[Eli69]

good viddy and the closest thing i've had to a bike ride in fer effin ever.

[Jedz123]

Thanks!

Finally getting my footage edited an uploaded!