Motorcycles

One can never have too many motorcycles … or guns. Below is my two wheeled menagerie to-date.

My first street legal motorcycle was the 1979 Kawasaki KZ650
It was outfitted with a Veter Fairing, Bates Box, and King and Queen Seat. I also added a “cruise control” to the throttle. It was a UJM (Universal Japanese Motorcycle) so very comfortable and easy to handle. Although it’s now outdated, I wish I still had it in the stable. Alas, it was sold for a down payment on our first house in Jacksonville, Florida.

My second bike was a 2004 Kawasaki Vulcan 750
I was without wheels for many years. Then when we moved here to the country and I bought this cruiser style motorcycle. It wasn’t too bad to ride but a bear in the corners. The advanced fork rake made it hard to handle. But it looked cool! Sold that and bought …

2006 Kawasaki 900 Vulcan LT Classic
Ok, so, I was still hooked on cruisers then. It was a nice bike though. Had lots of horsepower. It was so comfortable, pretty, and easy to maintain, but again, being a cruiser style motorcycle, did not like severe turns. I was still in a cruiser mindset, as you can tell, and I am partial to Kawasaki’s. It handled very well otherwise. Even parking lots where no problem. Never had any trouble with it except one little niggly thing. It had one recall notice for an off idle fuel injection issue. It stalled on me once in traffic (started right back up however) but since I traded it soon after, I hear the issue was fixed by the dealer.

2007 Suzuki V-Strom DL 650
This style motorcycle is a Dual Purpose or Adventure Bike (think dirt bike on steroids). A wonderful motorcycle. Suzuki’s really got something here. It was a bit tall in the saddle, so, Hubby lowered it about 3/4 of an inch with an off market set of “dog bones”. Hands down the best motorcycle ever made. And their 2012 version was even better! What possessed me to sell the ’07 and get the Bonney, I’ll never know. Didn’t keep it either.

2009 Kawasaki KLX250SF (Super Motard)
I bought this little rascal just for fun. I thought it would come in handy for my other hobby of surveying cemeteries for genealogy research at FindAGrave. NOT! The seat and suspension was so uncomfortable that no amount of money could have fixed the ride. It was easy on fuel, I’ll give it that. It was a gas to ride down a bumpy country dirt road standing on the pegs. I wish I could have kept it too but, finances being what they are, I traded it and the golf cart for a Kawasaki Mule UTV. Told ya, I like Kawasaki’s!

2012 Triumph Bonneville SE
Pretty to look at, a torture to ride. I know, I know, I sold my first beloved “Vee” for this English thing. The suspension was a nightmare. I only kept it for a few weeks, then it was outta here …

2012 Suzuki V-Strom DL650
Hands down one of THE BEST MOTORCYCLES ever made!
This version of the “Vee” (or “Wee Strom”) is several pounds lighter, the tank is narrower, and the seat is more comfortable. I did have Hubby lower this one too by 3/4 of an inch. It handles like a dream. LOVES curves and parking lots. It’s so easy to ride. At first, I wasn’t sure if I’d like all the fancey-schmancy digital components in the dashboard, but they’ve grown on me. It displays wind temperature, miles per gallon, mileage and all the bells and whistles, all for a reasonable price. I don’t know how Suzuki does it. They’ve got a real winner with this model.
The only reason I parted with the Vee was because of our scary dirt road and my multiple neck / shoulder surgeries (not motorcycle related), and thought it prudent to get a lower motorcycle that I can flat foot in an emergency stop. If I had tumbled off the Vee it would not have been pretty. I don’t want to have to be in a neck brace. Sold the bike January 2018 to a nice fellow in Augusta.

2013 Honda CB1100 (purchased January 2018 – sold 2019)

2015 Honda NC700X
Love, love, LOVE ❤ this bike!! I think it may be my last. It handles that one mile of sandy dirt road like it’s not even there. Great motorcycle. It also gets excellent fuel economy. My husband has one similar to it now, a 2018 Honda NC750X, only his is a pretty red and silver. I may have to ‘steal’ it. lol