I can't believe it's been a year!
Getting back on a bike was probably the best decision I have made in decades, probably second to a divorce.
For new readers I will be 57 this year.
I put 7,600 miles on the Ninja 400 between October and April and wanted more electronic controls (ABS, TC, Cornering ABS, Power Modes), cruise control, adjustable windscreen and lastly more power so I traded for a Ninja 1000, the Ninja 400 only had ABS. I didn't get the 2020 as planned but got everything except cruise for 4,500 less, this 2017 was a deal and a badass bike.
Then I bought a KLR650 from a friend from high school who crashed it and let it sit for several years. He practically gave it to me and my agreement was he could buy it back for the same price if I sold it no matter how much money I put in it. I proceeded to rebuild it (replace broken or bent parts) although I had it running in a day, inspected, tagged, insured and on the road in a week with zip ties, rubber bands, and a single Hella 500 for a headlight. It is fun and I never intended for it to be an offroad bike, instead wanting something for commuting and quick trips. It is "decent" on the road with 80/20 tires and a recent trip to Houston it cruises fine at 80 and tops out near 95. Top speed is not the goal, but I travel in 75 mph zones so 80-85 is necessary at times. I don't fugg around when passing, especially 18-wheelers, pickups pulling trailers or other potential killers. My friend recently declined to buy it back not wanting to ride any longer and I understand, it may go down the road at some point.
This is not the most recent photo, the center fairing was replaced with one of the few new parts since the other components mount to it including the dash, side cowling and headlight. It has the Shinko 705 80/20 tires, a replacement turn signal and EBC brake pads.
After logging 7,200 miles on the Ninja 1000 between April and October I got the bug to test ride a ZX14R, and within five minutes I knew I would find a way to get one. The engine was so much smoother, the bike slightly lower, a little heavier and stunningly fast. I happened to reach a deal trading my Ninja for the ZX14R I test rode and never looked back and have logged almost 5,000 on the beast. I lost the five-axis sensor of the 1000 so no cornering ABS but the ZX is incredibly smooth and equally as comfortable as the 1000 with some minor mods. The wind protection is not as good and never will be but it makes up for it in other aspects. I like to go fast but my joy is fast for long stretches with curves thrown in, so most of the time you will fine me with a tank bag, duffle bag on the pillion seat and my GPS programmed to a destination, so it's a sporty sport-touring bike for my riding. I don't see selling it until I need something more upright.
The N400 topped out at 119, the N1000 at 155 and I have not reached the limit on the ZX, yet. But the ECU was recently flashed so there are no limits to hold me back other than my balls. The tuner is focused on overall drivability rather than top horsepower but it easily lifted the front tire on a third gear pull at 45 mph, previously it only lifted in second gear so his tune made a difference for sure.
I could not sell the Mustang without paying out of pocket to cover the gap even with my great 0% interest, my intent was to put 1,500 in my 2500HD, sell the Mustang, simplify life and free up driveway space. The Mustang was a blast and I loved it but the bikes have scratched the speed itch. That an living on a damn dirt road it was always dirty. So in one week I traded the Ninja 1000 for the ZX14, traded the Mustang for a white 2020 F150 5.0 4x4, sold the 2500HD and paid off the ZX14
The fugg'n F150 electronics suck and flake out all the time compared to the GT, quite annoying and if I could have a do-over I would have put 3,400 on a credit card and kept the Chevy despite it's 12 mpg. After a great experience with one Ford, I am not happy with the new Ford, at least yet.
And as if that was not enough change in my life, I completed the refinancing of my house dropping a percentage point saving some good money over the long haul as well as monthly.
Wanting to improve the highway ride of the KLR I explored putting 17" super-moto wheels and street tires on it. I also test rode a DRZ400-SM to compare the ride and power to my KLR and decided against a KLX/DRZ400-SM or super-moto wheels on the KRL and continued looking. I missed the Ninja 400 with 46hp, 365 lbs and 55 mpg around town. The Ninja 400 seemed to be the better choice against the KTM RC390 but oddly, the KTM Duke 390 seemed the better choice compared to the naked Z400. I test rode a Duke 390 in Austin and it was a blast, about 44hp and 328 lbs. Then I read about the Duke 690, also a thumper and found one nearby with 5,600 miles and only about five bills more than a 2017+ 390, despite what I type I do have a budget LOL. I didn't ask to test ride the local bike, instead I went to Houston and rode a 2018 last Saturday. The 690 is 73 hp and 325 lbs and I froze my balls off riding in the high 30's in summer armor but I can't see a 390 keeping me smiling for long after testing the 690 and expect to bring home a used 690 this week
What the hell does this have to do with Jeeps or my build?
Well, I need room for more bikes in the garage so this may be the tipping point to getting my ass in gear
Rear brakes, exhaust, torque converter, upgraded fuel pump, e-brake, swap the body over and clear out the garage.
And I recently stumbled onto this Cherokee on Bring a Trailer and the wheels flat tripped my trigger. Detroit Steel Wheels and fugg'n expensive but I truly like the looks of more wheel and less rubber, if I remember correctly 285/65/18's on an NT. I really like slots but 15x7 and 31's don't compare to this, at least to me.
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