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Me and Kawasaki.


I don't know why I like Kawasaki so much, I just do. It goes back to even before I had a driverslicense. I just knew I would get my motorcycle license and ride a Kawasaki. Sticking with Kawasaki will limit my choice of motorcycles (but maybe that's a good thing with so many models around), so I also keep an eye on the bikes of the 'competition'.

It started in 1984 with a secondhand KL 250 (single cylinder, four-stroke, off the road bike), which I bought after I failed my first license test. Back in those days it was possible to ride on public roads with a 'learners permit' and an  L  plate on the back of the bike (without supervision of an instructor, that is). I passed the second test and started using the bike to commute (school) until winter. Sold the bike the next year (why? that's what I am still asking myself too).

Kawasaki Z750B, right side
The story continues in 1986 with the purchase of a secondhand Z750B (parallel-twin). The bike was modified by a previous owner: higher handlebars, custom paint, 'homemade' 2 into 1 exhaust. This was the start of a period with lots of trouble. The electric system wasn't very well on that bike. The electric start failed most of the time. But the engine had then been cranked over a couple of times, resulting in unburned fuel in the exhaust. After starting the engine with the kickstarter that often resulted in an explosion that blew the inner part of the muffler onto the street (I always had to check that there weren't any people or cars behind me, when starting the bike!). For those interested: the Z750 story continues here.
Nice Z750B feature: brakelight failure indicator!

Kawasaki CSR650, left side
In 1989 I bought a new, US model, CSR650. At that time I liked the LTD models, and this grey imported CSR650 was the option that was financially available. I had the bike for just over 2 years and was pleased with it, well, at least until I had a 2 hour testride on a Zephyr 750!!

Kawasaki Zephyr 750
I had arranged a testride on a Zephyr 750, I had the bike for 2 hours and was blown away by it's handling, brakes, seating position, looks, the whole lot (all this compared to the CSR). I couldn't wait to get one. But the dealer was on holiday, the b*stard, OK, mc dealers are entitled to holidays too, but they should be limitied to wintertime ;-) Finally, I got the bike in august 1991, on a tuesday, had the 1000km service the next friday and was off to Germany for the weekend. This bike stayed with me for 5 1/2 years and 116000 km. Thanks to a colleague I went on many holidays across Europe (with him and the Zephyr). I had the Zephyr until march, 1997. Back then I thought it was time for another bike. But Kawasaki did, at that time, not have a model that I liked to have.

Kawasaki ZR-7, back side
Late 1998 I saw the first pictures of the ZR-7. Just the bike I was looking for: no nonsense, low budget bike. I had to wait until may 1999 for my ZR-7, but it was worth the wait.

Kawasaki KLR 650, right side
In the fall of 2001 I thougth it would be a good idea to have a commuterbike (and not use the ZR-7 for commuting). A trail/dual-sports/off-road bike seemed like a good choice for that. But there aren't many bikes of that sort at dealerships. At last I decided on this new KLR650.
Great bike. The single cylinder engine runs very nice, and sounds even better under accelleration.

Kawasaki ER-6n ABS, left side
At last Kawasaki has made a 2-cilinder bike again that I like. It is the 650 cc ER-6. I have the naked version with ABS.


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