I started riding about 3 years ago, I learned on a 1997 Suzuki GSXR SRAD. (My buddy got it cheap, it was banged up to hell but was great to learn on). I do wish I had a 250 to learn on … but … I was young and stupid. :dunno
After riding the SRAD for a few months, I picked up my own bike - a 1998 Honda CBR900RR. (Yeah, it was a really big first bike :eek3)
I rode that around for a year and knew nothing about bikes. I’ll admit I was a squid to start out with. (Shorts & T-Shirt). Then I began reading forums, got wiser, and bought a pair of gloves, riding pants, and a textile jacket.
Shortly after that time, my buddy got into a motorcycle accident on the SRAD when a 17yr old girl cut him off and he t-boned her going 35MPH. Some road rash on his arm due to no gear, and the bone broke in 2 spots, as well as protruded out of his arm.
When he healed, he ended up getting a 2008 ZX6R at the end of the season along with a mindset to always wear his gear. :Idiots
After riding his ZX6R, and knowing that I just didn’t like the feel of my 900RR, I sold it and picked myself up an 06’ ZX6R 636 in the winter.
Tore it down to frame and motor only to find numerous oil leaks, and then had to tear into the motor to change out gaskets and what have you. Did a coolant flush, oil change, brand new sprockets, brand new 2ct’s on the front and back, had the wheels powdercoated to match the bikes color, Corbin seat. I put A LOT of money and work into this bike over winter. Spring time comes around, and I find the cam chain is noisy as hell. Seems to be a common problem with Kawi’s, so I buy an APE manual cam chain tensioner. I had to tighten it far more than people say I should’ve needed to. So, I think the previous owner just didn’t care for this bike. Furthermore, the engine was bogging TERRIBLY. I had a Power Commander set up, the tune was correct. (And I tried running it without the PC). Bike just wouldn’t run right. I couldn’t figure it out :dunno, brought it to 3 different shops who couldn’t even figure it out. :banghead So, I traded it in, lost a couple thousand dollars, and picked up a 2010 Kawasaki Z1000.
The one thing I will say about the 636, is that it made me learn how to do a lot of work on bikes myself. Definitely was a learning experience. :ahh
I quickly modded my Z1000 with the little things - slip on, bar end mirrors, de-stickered it, HID’s … and kept it looking brand new. Stock tires sucked, so when I got the Dunlop Q2’s on, I really started enjoying the bike. While I am still considered a new rider, I’ve always been an avid MotoGP & WSBK watcher so I’m more about hitting the twisties, and not really concerned about getting it up on 1 wheel. (Though, I wish I could afford a cheap bike to learn on just so I can say I can)
I had the Z1000 only for a year (5000 miles) and sold it this past December as I was leaving for the Air Force in March. Ended up coming home this past weekend due to being medically separated for an ankle injury, and wanted to get back on a bike, so I picked up my 2007 Yamaha R6.
… and that’s my life story. :lol
Now onto the reason why you clicked this thread…
SRAD & 900RR
Changed out the exhaust with a Muzzy
ZX6R 636 being torn down
Starting to go back together
Finished
Me and my father at Thatchers Park
Day I picked up the Z1000
Also around this time, my dad wanted a bike that my mom can ride on with him, so he got a Suzuki M109R. Picture of me riding it:
and finally, my 07 R6 I picked up last week:
