Motorcycle Alabama

Alabama Rides => Events => Topic started by: Nice Goat on July 10, 2016, 08:42:21 AM

Title: Kawi Demo Day
Post by: Nice Goat on July 10, 2016, 08:42:21 AM
From their FB page:

(http://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20160710/3aaae0130b6838c5c88bb7dfcce04b76.jpg)
Title: Re: Kawasaki Demo Day @ Allsport Decatur, 7/23
Post by: klaviator on July 10, 2016, 09:17:30 AM
I'm going to try to make it to this.
Title: Re: Kawasaki Demo Day @ Allsport Decatur, 7/23
Post by: jrobinson on July 10, 2016, 09:32:21 AM
Wow, I have that Saturday open. It's on my calendar now.
Title: Re: Kawi Demo Day
Post by: Gam on July 11, 2016, 03:31:21 PM
Wanna see some video on the H2 R.
Title: Re: Kawi Demo Day
Post by: IceCold4x4 on July 11, 2016, 05:24:34 PM
Hrmmm. Maybe test ride a new h2...
Title: Re: Kawi Demo Day
Post by: SpeedyR on July 13, 2016, 04:16:50 PM
I got two 20 minute sessions on a new ZX-10R monday in CA. nice bike. quick shifter and slipper clutch were fantastic. fun to just rip along with the front wheel hovering a few inches in the air while you bang away at the shifter. couldn't figure out how to get thru the corkscrew like Skyes though.
Title: Re: Kawi Demo Day
Post by: scrappyjon on July 13, 2016, 04:45:02 PM
I wish someone in Birmingham would do this other than big#2
Title: Re: Kawi Demo Day
Post by: merc16 on July 16, 2016, 07:27:39 PM
I should be able to make this. Funny though, I bought my Yamaha there.
Title: Re: Kawi Demo Day
Post by: klaviator on July 18, 2016, 08:39:32 AM
Quote from: merc16 on July 16, 2016, 07:27:39 PM
I should be able to make this. Funny though, I bought my Yamaha there.

I bought a Yamaha there as well.  I do own 2 Kawasakis so now I have to decide whether to show up to this event on a Yamaha, Kawasaki or maybe my Kymco.  Maybe I'll ride my Yamaha but wear a kawasaki T shirt ::)
Title: Re: Kawi Demo Day
Post by: hmoore on July 19, 2016, 09:22:04 AM
I just talked to Dean (sales) and he told me that there will be two bikes for the demo, a Z800 and Vulcan S.
Title: Re: Kawi Demo Day
Post by: Chuck A. on July 19, 2016, 12:09:21 PM
 Man please! I was looking forward to test writing a   Dresser bike
Title: Re: Kawi Demo Day
Post by: merc16 on July 21, 2016, 07:37:17 AM
Quote from: Chuck A. on July 19, 2016, 12:09:21 PM
Man please! I was looking forward to test writing a   Dresser bike

You may want to contact Cycle World magazine for that. Hehehehe.....
Title: Re: Kawi Demo Day
Post by: klaviator on July 22, 2016, 01:44:49 PM
I'm still planning on going.  I'll probably get there around 11ish, eat some free grub, hang out in the air conditioning and maybe do a demo ride or two. Maybe I'll see something I can't live without and buy it ;D  Hope to see some of you there.
Title: Re: Kawi Demo Day
Post by: merc16 on July 22, 2016, 02:10:00 PM
I'll be there too. Guess I'll leave the Yamaha at home.
Title: Re: Kawi Demo Day
Post by: merc16 on July 23, 2016, 05:42:19 PM
(http://i.imgur.com/ppaM8hpl.jpg)

(http://i.imgur.com/NJtGXljl.jpg)

(http://i.imgur.com/V3wJJ9bl.jpg)

(http://i.imgur.com/VwStKdVl.jpg)

(http://i.imgur.com/W38OSqfl.jpg)
Title: Re: Kawi Demo Day
Post by: merc16 on July 23, 2016, 05:45:06 PM
(http://i.imgur.com/ZVZ0hUnl.jpg)

(http://i.imgur.com/LCmf81Ul.jpg)

(http://i.imgur.com/y1xDYqFl.jpg)

(http://i.imgur.com/B2fke5Hl.jpg)
Title: Re: Kawi Demo Day
Post by: merc16 on July 23, 2016, 05:47:25 PM
(http://i.imgur.com/BQUBt50l.jpg)

(http://i.imgur.com/zBUQww6l.jpg)

(http://i.imgur.com/K7wzn4ml.jpg)
Title: Re: Kawi Demo Day
Post by: klaviator on July 23, 2016, 05:58:09 PM
I did make it to this event.  I got there around 11:30 and stayed till almost 2.  I took advantage of the free food, Spent some time with the Bamarides members who where there as well as some possible new members.  I also took advantage of the Demo rides.

Some pics and details.

One of the first things I noticed when I walked in was that they had some scooters on the showroom floor.  As the resident scooter dude I was real happy to see this.  Steve told me they had sold a few this year.

(http://i645.photobucket.com/albums/uu171/wknudsen/2016%20PICS/P7230001_zpsdbrebd3t.jpg)

While sitting and eating Johnny and I ended up talking to a couple of riders about Bamarides.  Maybe we'll see them here in the future.

(http://i645.photobucket.com/albums/uu171/wknudsen/2016%20PICS/P7230003_zpshjkkasju.jpg)

Zach and Vanessa stopped by.

(http://i645.photobucket.com/albums/uu171/wknudsen/2016%20PICS/P7230004_zpsyluzv2pm.jpg)

Kawasaki supplied a couple of demo bikes, A Z800 and a Vulcan 650.

(http://i645.photobucket.com/albums/uu171/wknudsen/2016%20PICS/P7230010_zpsuewjobz9.jpg)

I took the Z800 out first.

(http://i645.photobucket.com/albums/uu171/wknudsen/2016%20PICS/P7230008_zpsip5fguhf.jpg)

While I'm not in the market for anything like this right now it's always nice to get a chance to try out bikes.  I was pretty impressed with the Z800.  I prefer more upright bikes but it was still pretty comfortable.  Handling was light and neutral.  It felt much better than the FZ8 I rode a couple of years ago.  The motor felt smooth and make plenty of power.  The tranny shifted smoothly.  I'm not a big fan of all digital dashes but everything seemed easy to see on this one. 

So, if you're looking for a midsize naked sportbike the Z800 is worth looking at.

Then I rode the Vulcan.  The Kawasaki rep told me that this bike was aimed at new riders.  Being a 650 it's probably also aimed at women and shorter riders.  Tim (tiimbo64) is much shorter than me and said the riding position was about perfect for him.  I'm 6-2 and expected to be cramped but that was not the case.  I enjoyed riding this bike.  I thought it performed pretty well.  Good power, nice handling, and pretty comfortable.  I don't think it's only a beginner bike.  For an experienced rider who prefers the cruiser riding position but likes to hustle in the twisties this bike would probably outrun most cruisers regardless of size.  The motor in this is basically the same as my Versys.  I have heard the Versys called a "poor man's Multistrada"   If that's the case then the Vulcan is a "poor man's Diavel. 

One last comment.  I liked the dash and instruments on the Vulcan better than the Z800 because of the analog tach.  Come to think of it, most cruisers these day don't seem to have a tach so this was a nice feature.

A lot of people brought in their classic Kawaski's for a bike judging. 

(http://i645.photobucket.com/albums/uu171/wknudsen/2016%20PICS/P7230014_zpszocuqxv4.jpg)

.

(http://i645.photobucket.com/albums/uu171/wknudsen/2016%20PICS/P7230015_zpsagq0w3bk.jpg)

Got a pic on Tim on his Harley.

(http://i645.photobucket.com/albums/uu171/wknudsen/2016%20PICS/P7230019_zpsa55hhjg0.jpg)

I'd like to thank Steve and all the folks at Allsports as well as Kawasaki for an enjoyable way to spend a couple of hours.

Before I left I picked up some oil and an oil filter.  I was happy to hear they had a 15% discount for this event :)
Title: Re: Kawi Demo Day
Post by: merc16 on July 23, 2016, 06:03:24 PM
It was good to meet up with you klav' . I really appreciated Steve and his crew for hosting the event. The Z800 was nice. It seemed like a well sorted bike for the price.
Title: Re: Kawi Demo Day
Post by: klaviator on July 23, 2016, 06:18:24 PM
Quote from: merc16 on July 23, 2016, 06:03:24 PM
It was good to meet up with you klav' . I really appreciated Steve and his crew for hosting the event. The Z800 was nice. It seemed like a well sorted bike for the price.

Good seeing you again as well.  Hopefully we'll be able to get together on a ride one of these days.
Title: Re: Kawi Demo Day
Post by: Chuck A. on July 23, 2016, 07:23:50 PM
I was on my way at 11:00 this morning and stopped to help out with a troubled bike. Set under a tree through 4 rain periods(2 major pour downs) and went back home, soaked. Hope it was a good time for all who made it.