So, new member intro as requested.
Back in the day some time in my 20's I hooned around on A Kawasaki Z550GT that I'd stripped out and put GPZ pistons, cams, head etc etc in. Went OK, but eventually it consumed it's self through abuse, and I retired from 2 wheels having a company car with "free" fuel so that was the nail in the coffin.
Jump forward 3 to 4 decades and the state of "forced" semi retirement from our Gym Equipment business, the clutch failing on my van, and various other coincidences, and getting a bike again made plenty sense.
As it happened a low mileage 2010 K1300R popped up on FB Market place only about 25 miles away.
Loved the look so did some research and apart from the immense power, all I was seeing was massive praise. I had to have it!
Somewhat hesitant about such a "beast" but shaft drive, anti skid, ABS, "special" electrickery suspension, and rear/front linked brakes. I felt there was plenty of safety stuff to keep me from doing anything too schtoopid.
A quick clearout of the garage and a trip to the trader. No test ride, just "take my money" and "when can you deliver?" Followed by some new kit shopping on the way home!
The rest, as the saying goes is history.
It took me several days to pluck up the courage to try riding a bike again, and when I wobbled up the road with erratic clutch control and no gear/rev "matching", and extreme wobbliness caused by the mini-fairing and displays not turning with the handle bars, I wondered what I was doing!
Just went for a 100 mile wonder and soon found that the windy buffeting made it supremely simple to actually stay within the speed limit.
No frantic caged psycho-best trying to kill me, more of a gentle BullMastiff with muscle and attitude but hidden behind the gentle nurturing and extremely protective personality.
Every time I have taken the beauty out "for a walk" everything just gets easier and easier. Nearly there on blipping to rev match for down shifts, and it's all coming together so sweetly.
I am Sooooooo glad I didn't wimp out of getting such a magnificent beast by way of fear of the unknown "power".
I have yet to venture further up the power band to the dark side where the wild stallions lurk, quite happy plodding around in 6th at the speed limit and getting an average of 55mpg !
p.s. Either I'm colour blind or what is described as the colour "black" or "grey" to my eyes seems to be more of a dark green. Oh, and nearly forgot, the speedshift is a thing of magical wonderment!
