Kawasaki intoduces the ZRX 1100 "Eddie Lawson Replica". So I have to have one. This bike is on all the top 10 lists. After all the hype this bike has to be good and its a "Standard", just what I want. It's snowing when I bring the bike home in early January. Can't wait to ride.
Spring '99:
Well it's fast, 100 hp and 490 lbs. it should haul. But I'm not sure if its a good street bike. This thing is top heavy and it weighs more like 515 dry I find out. It just feels heavy all around. What a chore to wheel this thing in and out of the garage. I find it's just easier to ride the MuZ Tour. Shifting? It sounds like the tranny is going to fall out going from neutral to first, its embarrassing at stop lights. No center stand. Stiff clutch. You always wanted one more gear (its a 5 speed). On the plus side it has huge underseat storage and did I mention its FAST? (for me anyways). But I always seemed to want to ride the MuZ, was the MuZ that good or did the Kawasaki just not fit me?
Fall '99:
The local dealer has one MuZ is stock. A 98 or 99 orange and black Mastiff (he's not sure and the paperwork isn't clear but that's MuZ for ya). Now this is neat. A dirt bike with Metzlers. I look for a test or anything on the web but find nothing. Similar concept to the KTM Duke but cheaper.
The Trade:
So here I acquire MuZ # 2. They trade even up - Kaw for MuZ. I have a lot of reservations. Do I have to put up with the vibration for another 7000 miles? Are the nickle and dime things fixed?
Unlike the ride home on the Tour, this is a complete joy. Other than the controls needing adjusting for me, this thing is great! Virtually no vibration... can hardly believe this is the same motor.
What's it like?
This is one of the funnest MC I've ever ridden. MuZ calls it a "Funbike" and they're not kidding. I've had more positive comments on this bike than on any MC I've owned. People just can't seem to figure out what this bike is suppose to be. Same easy starting/shifting Yamaha motor but with a little more snap than the Tour. Wide handlebars, super cornering clearance. 45mm dia forks, White Power rear shock. Of course there has to be some quirks; this time both the speedo and odometer are in kilometers. Until I figure out the conversion who knows how fast I'm going? The seat is a pain to R&R (and a little narrow). No storage, no centerstand, but at least this bike I can muscle up onto a stand. But I don't care - this is a neat motorcycle. Did I make the right choice? Let's just say I'll be glad to wave to anyone riding a ZRX.
Wait till spring....
I only managed to get about 300 miles on the bike so far so I'm sure not all the gremlins are ironed out but I am optimistic.
More light:
Since we had such a wimpy fall I was able to ride right upto the middle of December. So that means that early mornings are dark. The Mastiffs low beams just don't cut it, high beams are OK but something had to be done. I purchased a 55 watt driving light from Sport Touring Accessories. This is a complete kit with 2 lights and all the wiring. I will only use one light as I don't want this thing to look like a Buick. By the time I had this thing installed, I nearly dissasembled the top half of the bike for all the wiring and routing and well, just a lot of messing around. But it should look nice and work good.