Getting a “real” motorcycle !!!
Quicker than I expected, I outgrew my Honda Shadow 600cc v-twin cruiser, partly on account of its “low” 40hp and mostly due to its lack of fairings and weather protection. I am a long distance rider by heart and just needed a bigger machine that will make 600-mile days a breeze.
I finally got a good deal on a 2002 Kawasaki Concours, a silver colored beauty, which I already christened as SilverHorse. It is a 1000cc, 100hp beast and is the most affordable sport tourer in the market. It has an outstanding aftermarket support and an amazingly active Concours Owners Group (COG) website and forum. This bike can be totally maintained by the user, the design being same as the first model in 1986. I really like this type of machines where I can work as much as I can, add a bunch of useful add-on accessories, just by discussing with the COG forum members.
I am really happy about the decision. At $4300 it is a great money saver for me as I expected to spend around $8-10k for a good used Honda sport tourer when I move to California with a new job in January. This bike being the ideal one for me and a california model, saved a lot of headaches.
I can now ride a bit even in the bitter cold of east coast, with the comfort of a good windshield and add-on heated grips. The bike is supposed to come here next week and I just can’t wait…