Topic: I want a bike

[whaddaiknow]

I'd recommend going to Moto Ilimitees in Montreal.  They are huge and may actually budge on price.  Also I've noticed there is a TON of competition for bikes in Montreal, Laval etc.

Like the car market in Ottawa, it's a captive market, dealers here tend to never negotiate.

...

http://www.kijiji.ca/v-street-cruisers-choppers/laval-rive-nord/2017-kawasaki-z650/1235804052?enableSearchNavigationFlag=true

Dealer in Montreal is selling the Z650 at MSRP but Freight and PDI included!! That's an instant $600+ difference. Definitely worth a 200km ride.
Had the Ottawa dealer offered me a similar deal, I would have signed the papers last Saturday

Looks like there will be a bike in my garage soon

I really like the VFR but it's way over my set MAX at $10k new

FZ-07 and Z900 are not completely out of the picture yet. Same for older '04+ used VFR.

[rrocket]

Motorcycle Daily is one of my favorite sites.

http://www.motorcycledaily.com/2017/01/2017-kawasaki-z650-md-ride-review-part-two/

[whaddaiknow]

Motorcycle Daily is one of my favorite sites.

http://www.motorcycledaily.com/2017/01/2017-kawasaki-z650-md-ride-review-part-two/

Nice summary with a high praise to the little Kawi

[dirtyjeffer]

the Z650 seems like a decent bike, but i thought you wanted something around 100 hp...that parellel twin, while a decent little mill, is nowhere close to 100 hp...i'm guessing somewhere in the 50-60 hp range?

[JacobBlack]

You guys are right, they've all but canned them this year.

They aren't completely wrong this year. Our focus with demos is on our SxS this year and therefore will not be having a national demo tour. In years past we have had them, and up to last year we were also doing the Ninja Experience Tour, where rider could test out our bikes on race tracks across the country. So to say we don't do them at all is false, but for this year is correct. In Ottawa I am sure Good Times Center will be having something year for riders to come test some new models.

[wing]

Goodtime centre I assume is where whaddaIknow went and they even told him no test rides?

It's an Ottawa thing -- buying a car is like that here, I imagine a bike is even more difficult.

[dkaz]

the Z650 seems like a decent bike, but i thought you wanted something around 100 hp...that parellel twin, while a decent little mill, is nowhere close to 100 hp...i'm guessing somewhere in the 50-60 hp range?

65 HP, a little low compared to the FZ-07's 74 HP and SV650's 75 HP but the Z650's engine which is borrowed from the Ninja 650 and Versys 650 is well suited for touring.

[whaddaiknow]

Goodtime centre I assume is where whaddaIknow went and they even told him no test rides?

It's an Ottawa thing -- buying a car is like that here, I imagine a bike is even more difficult.

That's where I went Just didn't wanna name no names

I'll try again a bit later asking if they would match what others advertise. If not, there is Rockland, Gatineau, and Montreal of course.

[whaddaiknow]

the Z650 seems like a decent bike, but i thought you wanted something around 100 hp...that parellel twin, while a decent little mill, is nowhere close to 100 hp...i'm guessing somewhere in the 50-60 hp range?

I rarely went above 11k RPM on the F4i to cross into the 100HP+ territory. The 68HP in the Z650 will be more easily accessible with higher torque numbers down below in the RPM range. That's where most of the street riding fun is. The thing will wheelie easily in 2nd gear. That's plenty for my skill level.

I am also seriously thinking about going to Shannonville and taking at least the first FAST session.

[whaddaiknow]

Received some quotes. I am getting near

[rrocket]

Neat!

[whaddaiknow]

Neat!

ABS vs non-ABS. I am a fair-weather rider and this was not even a question 10 years ago.
Now it is. Should I get ABS or am I going to be just fine without? Will it have a huge impact on resale when 5 years down the road every bike will be equipped with it?
Thoughts?

[JacobBlack]

Neat!

ABS vs non-ABS. I am a fair-weather rider and this was not even a question 10 years ago.
Now it is. Should I get ABS or am I going to be just fine without? Will it have a huge impact on resale when 5 years down the road every bike will be equipped with it?
Thoughts?

These days I'm pro ABS. Though switchable is always best. Assuming you'll be on road most often and therefore I would advocate ABS. It's not like it's a huge premium on most bikes and yet I do think it will hurt resales down the road.

One exception:
Do you like to do stoppies? If so get non-ABS, it's easier to do them without it:P

 

[wing]

If available I'd get it

[rrocket]

Get the ABS

[dkaz]

Professional racers themselves have noted they can't match the speed of ABS brakes, and they're on closed controlled circuits. It's a no brainer on the street when you have various hazards left, right, and centre.

[mlin32]

Agreed with the above- if ABS is available, get it.

[PJungnitsch]

I found I got along just fine without it for 20 years, but when I needed it the once, it probably would have saved me from a highside, which I could have done without.

[whaddaiknow]

Picking up my new bike next week.
 

[whaddaiknow]

Picking up my new bike next week.
 

All black Z650 from Ottawa Goodtime. Need to buy new gear (helmet, gloves, boots). Can't wait.