Newbike, my Kawasaki Z750S...

And so - the search began to find a worthy replacement. The problem (not a bad one to have, actually) was that I had gotten so used to thinking that I couldn't afford another bike that I didn't already have it all planned out, what bike I had my heart set on. I *didn't* have my heart set on anything, and I didn't really know what I wanted. I started out looking at cruisers, but really wanted something with a more 'standard' seating position, a la 'Angel and the other early Honda cruisers. Alas, it seems that very few such bikes are still made. And I'd decided that I wanted to stay out of the 80's -- since I did finally have a budget for a bike, I wanted to buy, hopefully, a little more reliability by getting something a little newer.

But nearly all the cruisers I saw had footpegs kicked way forward, and I adamantly wanted feet-under-ass, so I could get up and do 'the bike dance' on long hauls, and move around on the bike to get circulation back into my butt. So... I started looking at.... other bikes.

Newbike is *not*, repeat, NOT, a sportbike [ed. The lady doth protest too much. Yes, Virginia, she *is* a sportbike. And she just might make you a hooligan, with that mighty roar she gets over 7K RPM]. ;) She's a standard. Just because she gets something obscene like 100hp at the rear wheel doesn't mean she's a sportbike. 'Cuz, you know, I don't ride sportbikes. I'm not a sportbike rider. Ergo, Newbike is not a sportbike. [ed. Hah. Just you go on thinkin' that, but I know better.]

OK, I'm going through some adjustments here, cut me some slack. ;>

So - introducing Newbike (she hasn't yet whispered me her name), my '05 Kawasaki Z750S (ZR750K1)!

What sorts of fun farkley things have I done to her? Well, here's the laundry list of 'how do I turned this (NOT A SPORT) bike into a tourer.... (Of course, there's the whole laundry list at twistedthrottle.com, but I'll add things to this list as I actually get them....)

• GenMar handlebar risers. Excellent, well worth the cash - I sit *much* higher now.
• SW-MOTECH Alu-Rack Toprack **NOTE: the standard Givi adapter plate does NOT fit this rack - they *do* make a special plastic one that will fit, though, and TwistedThrottle is sent me one and refunded me for the non-fitting adapter plate. Now that all that's sorted out, I just love the rack.
• SW-MOTECH Quick-Lock Sideracks Note - you must already have/have installed the aforementioned Alu-Rack Toprack in order to get the sideracks.
• A pair of Givi E360 Monokey side cases. Oy, luggage heaven. They're spendy, but oh so worth it.
• A Givi V46 Monokey Topcase and Givi E105 Brakelight/Stoplight Kit for V46. Same as above. And my gawd, it's a topcase that actually looks stylish!
• Corbin Gunfighter Saddle, which they purportedly lowered by ~ 1". I can't tell if it's reallay any different in terms of height, but it is definitely *way* more comfy than the stock seat. Which isn't really saying much, but it does seem to be a pretty darned good seat.
• MRA TouringScreen Windshield. Not near as high as I'd have liked, but apparently this is what is considered a 'sport touring' screen. *sigh*
• So I decided to get a Laminar TouringLip instead, and wow, what a difference! I still get buffeted by the wind a little, but nothing like before. :) Anyone want to buyy an MRA TouringScreen?
• Vista Cruise Universal Cruise Control . Very good quality, but I need to adjust the location so it's more convenient.
• The service manual, which has been essential. Item #99924-1344-01, "Service Manual for ZR750K," $59.95. Absolutely essential.

• A place called TopSaddlery in France makes a really nice looking saddle for the Z750S, but I wasn't quite willing to chance ordering from an unknown company overseas. But damn, it is nice looking. :)
• Kawasaki UK makes a lot of nice accessories for our bike, including...
  • "Low Seat"
  • some really nice looking (but expensive) mushrooms,
  • and a pivot cover set to hide the ugly lack of one on the stock bike.
  • There are also front and rear axle caps available.

Oh, there she is again! Missing her seat, because E & J & I were trying to relocate the turn signals in order to mount the sideracks. Note to self; you shelled out $59.95 for the freaking manual, do not attempt to disassemble the bike (even with the fabulous E present & supervising) without consulting the manual!

And a cool shot I took at night. :)