Well its been a while since I updated my blog but a lot has been happening as far as biking goes.  After six years of riding my sit up and beg style gsx1400 I’ve moved over to a crouching style rocket in the guise of a Kawasaki ZX12R.

I’ve never had a fully faired bike before but my Dad has had a ZZR11OO for some years so I’ve always fancied a big Kwak.  As a big lad it goes without saying I need a big bike.  I did look at the other obvious options of either a Busa or Blackbird but the ZX looked pretty and was up for the right price.

Although the GSX1400 is no slow coach the power of this machine is like nothing I have ever ridden.  I cannot get over how well this bike pulls in any gear and from any speed.  You just twist the right grip, point it and it just goes.  I would love to get it on a track and see what it will do although one thing is clear…I will never be able to exploit the full potential of this machine!!!

In addition to the power I’ve been surprised how well this thing goes round corners with not much in the way of chicken strips left on the tyres.  I think another week or so and if I get some dry days to go out and play I don’t think there will be much left of these.

Where it does not score as well as the old GSX, (which I don’t yet have the heart to sell) is comfort.  I think having a rather large gut probably does not help so there are 3 options.

1. Lose weight.
2. Sell the ZX12R or
3. Put up with the more crouched position because it is a fantastic machine.

So option 3 it is.  Oh and there is the other downside- approximately 30miles per gallon- or less!!!  Looks like an expensive summer then as I am about to ride a 1000miles in 24 hours for the Royal British Legion organised event “Iron Butt” and then the following week riding to see my brother in Austria (which I have just worked out will cost me at least £400 in petrol!!!

Updates to follow!!!

Chef

Well this is the first time I have been a “blogger.”  As way of background I have been riding bikes since I was about 12 when I managed to squeeze an H100 engine into a Honda MT5 bought with my paper round money!!!

The last few weeks have been hectic.  3 weeks ago I was up bright and breezy at dawn replacing my old exhaust pipes on a Saturday morning!  I ride a GSX1400 and the last 6 winters have taken its toll! CORROSION! Undid the rear exhaust bolts and the weight of these meant they actually broke the collector box off the downpipes! At least it was easy to remove!

2 hours later the replacement downpipes and collector were on and I put on a new set of front brake pads! Good to go for an MOT! 4 hours later and I am on the road with a new MOT – Hoorah!