quote:

Originally posted by Ryanp225:
It's a 2018 Z650. Plenty of power and it's light and super fun in the mountains.

I imagine the Z is a bit lighter than the already light Vulcan S, which is a blast to toss around but not as much of a long-distance cruiser.
Enjoy & stay safe.

Welcome to the Brotherhood. Lots of good advice here.

That's a very serious-looking machine. Do be careful.

FWIW, to me "Biker" implies a Harley.

flashguy

quote:

FWIW, to me "Biker" implies a Harley.

Yes, the OP is a Motorcyclist, much more sophisticated than a mere Biker.

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Originally posted by PossibleZombie:

quote:

Originally posted by YellowJacket:

I was also expecting to see a road bike, made of carbon fiber, weighing very little, and powered by legs.

I was half thinking a road bike too, since a lot of people use biker and cyclist interchangeably. As someone who does both, once you get used to riding a bike, going back to a motorcycle with comparatively huge contact patches, you feel invincible in the turns.

quote:

Originally posted by P250UA5:

quote:

Originally posted by Ryanp225:
It's a 2018 Z650. Plenty of power and it's light and super fun in the mountains.

I imagine the Z is a bit lighter than the already light Vulcan S, which is a blast to toss around but not as much of a long-distance cruiser.
Enjoy & stay safe.

You're exactly right. Funny that I was originally intending on getting the Vulcan S but I got a deal on the Z that I couldn't pass up.
The Z650 has a fairly upright riding posture compared to sportier bikes and the older naked standards. I can probably tolerate a 4-5 hour ride without needing a chiropractor but it wouldn't be nearly as comfortable as a cruiser.
It's kind of a jack of all trades but a master of none bike but a hell of a lot of fun.

quote:

Originally posted by trapper189:

quote:

FWIW, to me "Biker" implies a Harley.

Yes, the OP is a Motorcyclist, much more sophisticated than a mere Biker.

Potato putahto.
And I aint none too sophisticated.

quote:

Originally posted by trapper189:

quote:

FWIW, to me "Biker" implies a Harley.

Yes, the OP is a Motorcyclist, much more sophisticated than a mere Biker.

[CSM Plumley] How do you know what kind of goddamn motorcyclist he is?[/CSM Plumley]

quote:

Originally posted by Ryanp225:

quote:

Originally posted by P250UA5:

quote:

Originally posted by Ryanp225:
It's a 2018 Z650. Plenty of power and it's light and super fun in the mountains.

I imagine the Z is a bit lighter than the already light Vulcan S, which is a blast to toss around but not as much of a long-distance cruiser.
Enjoy & stay safe.

You're exactly right. Funny that I was originally intending on getting the Vulcan S but I got a deal on the Z that I couldn't pass up.
The Z650 has a fairly upright riding posture compared to sportier bikes and the older naked standards. I can probably tolerate a 4-5 hour ride without needing a chiropractor but it wouldn't be nearly as comfortable as a cruiser.
It's kind of a jack of all trades but a master of none bike but a hell of a lot of fun.

I did 3 hrs on the Vulcan S & had to stop about 1/2 way. The seat on it is not overly conducive to extended time in the saddle.

https://sigforum.com/eve/forums...090082274#5090082274

Need another 1-2 inches of rearward space & it would be better.

It is a hoot to rip up to 10m rpm, maxing out 1st & 2and puts you around 70 with how the Vulcan's geared.

quote:

Originally posted by P250UA5:
I did 3 hrs on the Vulcan S & had to stop about 1/2 way. The seat on it is not overly conducive to extended time in the saddle.

The Small Airhawk Cruiser R Seat made a noticeable difference in ride comfort on my Shadow.

quote:

Originally posted by jrhillma:

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Originally posted by MikeinNC:
Always wear your safety gear

ATGATT FTW. Dress for the slide, not the ride.

Don't be squid...ATGATT. And keep your head on a swivel and pretend EVERYONE is out to hit you.

Congratulations and be careful!

quote:

Originally posted by mas4363:
If you haven’t already done so, take the motorcycle safety foundation basic course.

Best advice so far. Take that and maintain the mindset that every other person on the road may do something stupid and kill you and ride accordingly.

Take the Motorcycle Safety Foundation courses. Beginner and advanced. ASAP. They are well worth your time and will help keep you out of trouble.

Have fun and ride safe.

quote:

Originally posted by 2Adefender:
Take the Motorcycle Safety Foundation courses. Beginner and advanced. ASAP. They are well worth your time and will help keep you out of trouble.

Have fun and ride safe.

This, I’ve been riding for over 45 years, I take the advanced course every few years an always learn something new.

Nice, enjoy!!

Congratulations those Z650 are a nice bikes. I think you will enjoy it.

Went for a short ride the other day couple hours before sunset, somehow found myself riding the last hour home in the dark.

Congratulations! Have fun on the rides.

Sweet bike. Ride it in good health. Agreed, lots of great info here. Be safe!

Motorcycle & car accidents -

While there are a variety of reasons, this situation is classic -

A car is stopped at an intersection, a bike approaches and at the last minute the car pulls out, right into the path of the motorcycle.

I don’t know if the safety courses cover the “why” of this, but for me I think I am a safer driver having figured it out.
Car drivers (4 wheelers) look for something the size of a car coming toward them. They then look to see how large it is getting at it comes. If it increases in size rather quickly they are moving fast and the 4 wheeler at the stop sign decides “I’ll wait for them to pass, then pull out”
If there is a motorcycle coming one of two things may happen - compared to a car you may be so small they don’t see you at all, especially against whatever confusion is in the picture behind you - or - you are seen, but are small and despite your speed you are really not increasing in size, indication to the 4 wheeler that you are moving slowly and they now HAVE ENOUGH TIME to pull out in front of you. Which really they don’t.

So, as indicated above, defensive driving is a requirement. Being padded is also highly recommended.

I also make an effort to be different, HAVE A DIFFERENT APPEARANCE, while I am riding. I have seen helmets with Mohawk haircuts on them. I have seen chrome helmets. Flags flying in the breeze. Loud bikes do have some effect announcing their presence. Bright clothing helps.
I will frequently wear an old pair of welding goggles (#3 shade) that have perfectly round lenses. They work well as sunglasses and makes me look like an escapee from Mel Gibson’s “Road Warrior”.

Simply put - for your own safety - DRESS to be SEEN.
.