Kawasaki Concours Forum
The C-14, aka Kawasaki Concours-14, the new one :) => The Bike - C14/GTR 1400 => Topic started by: Conniesaki on March 13, 2013, 10:13:17 AM
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I am considering both, & see the C14's obvious things like luggage, a bigger windshield & higher bars ... anything else?
Oh, is the larger windshield really helpful? Does it keep you dry in rain? Warmer? Stops rocks from hitting? What are the benefits?
Thank you!
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Riding position and what you stated. And insurance rates. You can get the performance closer with some fairly straight forward mods, but short of a turbo you will still fall short. Also no chain maintenance. If you will be eating lots of miles the C14 is the ticket, if you plan on weekend getaways and crave massive power the ZX is (gets) the ticket(s). ;D
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Depends on what kind of riding you are going to want to do.
And yes, the taller windscreen is very helpful. I don't like to ride in the rain and my bike is still to new, but I like the windscreen for blocking the majority of the wind noise. I can hear my tunes and I can hear when somebody calls me going down the highway. :thumbs:
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C comes before Z?
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Mama wouldn't be comfy on the back of a ZX...
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Riding position and what you stated. And insurance rates. You can get the performance closer with some fairly straight forward mods, but short of a turbo you will still fall short. Also no chain maintenance. If you will be eating lots of miles the C14 is the ticket, if you plan on weekend getaways and crave massive power the ZX is (gets) the ticket(s). ;D
Getting a ticket on the C14 is no problem either. Unless the LEO runs out of citations in his lil book like he did with me. ;D
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ZG comes before ZX?
FIFY
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The entire ergos on the ZX14 are way too stretched out for me. Didn't even want to test ride it.
The stock windshield on the '12 connie is awesome. I rarely raise it, but when it is cold or rainy you can postion it appropriately to keep yourself warmer and to direct rain off the faceshield without having to turn your head.
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i had a zx14 blah....
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May I add I miss Vicki more than the ZX14, this pic was in '08 we ducked out of the rain at a University building ;D
(http://i80.photobucket.com/albums/j180/stevewfl/avatars/vickzx14.jpg)
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May I add I miss Vicki more than the ZX14 ;D
Completely understandable. :P
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May I add I miss Vicki more than the ZX14, this pic was in '08 we ducked out of the rain at a University building ;D
(http://i80.photobucket.com/albums/j180/stevewfl/avatars/vickzx14.jpg)
Completely understandable. :P
One was built for comfort the other for speed. I'll let you decide which is which.
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I am considering both, & see the C14's obvious things like luggage, a bigger windshield & higher bars ... anything else?
1) More comfortable seating position & for back
2) More comfortable arm positions
3) More comfortable leg positions
4) More ergonomically correct for reducing fatigue
5) Massively more storage
6) Lower insurance rates (sometimes tremendously lower)
7) Requires less maintenance (no annoying chain, primarily)
8) More features (instrumentation, etc)
9) Far better warranty (300% better, plus extendable cheaply)
10) More reliable
11) More range (but not by a lot... unfortunately)
12) Longer wheelbase (which equates to a nicer ride)
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(http://i80.photobucket.com/albums/j180/stevewfl/bigthumb.gif)
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1) More comfortable seating position & for back
2) More comfortable arm positions
3) More comfortable leg positions
4) More ergonomically correct for reducing fatigue
5) Massively more storage
6) Lower insurance rates (sometimes tremendously lower)
7) Requires less maintenance (no annoying chain, primarily)
8) More features (instrumentation, etc)
9) Far better warranty (300% better, plus extendable cheaply)
10) More reliable
11) More range (but not by a lot... unfortunately)
12) Longer wheelbase (which equates to a nicer ride)
+2
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May I add I miss Vicki more than the ZX14, this pic was in '08 we ducked out of the rain at a University building ;D
(http://i80.photobucket.com/albums/j180/stevewfl/avatars/vickzx14.jpg)
And a Gixxer too! :thumbs:
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Gixxer was hers ;D
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Gixxer was hers ;D
I gotta find me one of them. :-X
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Shaft drive, better ergos, looks better IMHO, gas mileage, insurance, real luggage.
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kipass?
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kipass?
We have a winnah!!!!
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kipass?
I seem to have left that off my list. Hmm...
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KiPass gives the unfair advantage !
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1) More comfortable seating position & for back
2) More comfortable arm positions
3) More comfortable leg positions
4) More ergonomically correct for reducing fatigue
5) Massively more storage
6) Lower insurance rates (sometimes tremendously lower)
7) Requires less maintenance (no annoying chain, primarily)
8) More features (instrumentation, etc)
9) Far better warranty (300% better, plus extendable cheaply)
10) More reliable
11) More range (but not by a lot... unfortunately)
12) Longer wheelbase (which equates to a nicer ride)
Plus the fact that this old abused body appreciates all of the above tremendously!! I sold my ZX last year after my last ultra-long distance rally due to the fact that I was hurting something awful after a 1200km plus in the saddle...with about the same distance to go! Did the same rally 2 months ago on the Connie, could have ridden further...MASSIVE difference!! Love this bike! ;D :thumbs:
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...
6) Lower insurance rates (sometimes tremendously lower)
...
Tee-totally agree. My suspicion is that ZG or ZR models have better rates than ZX.
If cost is no object, then #6 could be scratched off.
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They're two completely different bikes, or, better, the destination of use is absolutely different, IMO.
The ZX is a bike to drive with your heart: the fastest commercial bike available and a stunning look, especially in Kawi green!
The ZG is a bike to drive with your head: for long travellers, comfy, fast enough, great storage capabilities and great protection.
The ZX is at the top of my wish list, but, having ridden the ZG for a while now I'm quite happy with it and perhaps the ZX would be too much! ::)
But I long to test it! :P :D
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For me the C14 is my big, comfort bike with plenty of performance. I know the zx is faster, but its still monster sized.
Thsi guy I know, lets call him rcannon408...totally different thna me, hit 163 today while map testing his 1000 ninja auto tune. I noticed a lack in the tables of 100% throttle at 10,000 rpm. Thats ok top speed for a comfort bike...yea, slow for a zx14, but semi ok.
So, why do I need to split the difference between these two again? The ninja is a riot, but wont carry anything. I actually lost a pack of cigs today for crying out loud.
I know we're well beyond th eage of a one bike for all, but unless a drag strip becomes important, I dont see a zx in my future. I'd LOVE to have one, though, since I love all things motorcycling. Plus,a green 650 ninja for those days after my private freeway/expressway opens to the public. A zx10r too...just because.
It must be gods gift to me. 4 lanes, PERFECT concrete, and really no traffic except construction people who, uh, "advise" me of whats going on.
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Thsi guy I know, lets call him rcannon408...totally different thna me, hit 163 today while map testing his 1000 ninja auto tune. I He noticed a lack in the tables of 100% throttle at 10,000 rpm. Thats ok top speed for a comfort bike...yea, slow for a zx14, but semi ok.
So, why do I need to split the difference between these two again? The ninja is a riot, but wont carry anything. I He actually lost a pack of cigs today for crying out loud.
FIFY
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Thanks for all the replies, guys. Over the past month of motorcycle shoppin', readin' & dreamin' about 'em, my "likes" have progressed about once a week, evolving from the '13 FJR -> '12/'13 C14 -> '12/'13 ZX-14R -> to now ... . . . .. a '12/'13 Yamaha YZF R1 :o
Each time I think this is "the one", starting with the FJR, I was just too busy to actually go buy it. I know exactly where to go buy the '13 FJR I want(ed) here in FL, if I decided to do it. Same thing happened with the C14; NC dealer has the one I'd buy. Then the ZX-14R. Then over the last couple days ... the YZF has caught my attention.
I think I'm realizing that I'm probably never gonna take trips longer than about an hour & a half on whatever bike I get, so I might as well go ahead & get the b@lls-to-the-wall, no compromises performance I love, so each short ride is as thrilling as possible. I know the ZX is faster top speed & prob a little more comfy, but the YZF is lighter, cheaper, & I like its looks better ... & now Yamaha's new crossplane crankshaft engine format, combined with aftermarket mufflers, makes that thing sound like a big V-twin Ducati!
No storage - That shouldn't be much of a problem, either, for my short trips; I can wear a backpack, & maybe get a tank bag.
Have I lost my mind? Maybe. Probably! But while I'm 44 right now, I'm still thin at 6' / 155lbs & in good shape, so for the foreseeable future I don't see the YZF's extreme riding position being a problem, considering the short trips I'm likely to take. This might be my last hoorah from 'still feeling good' ... to my 50's ... heck or maybe my 60's!
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Yamasaki just doesn't have the same ring.
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I think I'm realizing that I'm probably never gonna take trips longer than about an hour & a half on whatever bike I get, so I might as well go ahead & get the b@lls-to-the-wall, no compromises performance
You need to get what is right for you! (We don't know what that is, of course, we don't even know what bikes you have driven and for how long)
But I will point out that I have never driven the C14 more than 2 hours in a stretch, most trips being much shorter. Comfort is comfort- whether it is 30 min, 2 hours, 6 hours, or 12 hours...
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Thanks for all the replies, guys. Over the past month of motorcycle shoppin', readin' & dreamin' about 'em, my "likes" have progressed about once a week, evolving from the '13 FJR -> '12/'13 C14 -> '12/'13 ZX-14R -> to now ... . . . .. a '12/'13 Yamaha YZF R1 :o
Each time I think this is "the one", starting with the FJR, I was just too busy to actually go buy it. I know exactly where to go buy the '13 FJR I want(ed) here in FL, if I decided to do it. Same thing happened with the C14; NC dealer has the one I'd buy. Then the ZX-14R. Then over the last couple days ... the YZF has caught my attention.
I think I'm realizing that I'm probably never gonna take trips longer than about an hour & a half on whatever bike I get, so I might as well go ahead & get the b@lls-to-the-wall, no compromises performance I love, so each short ride is as thrilling as possible. I know the ZX is faster top speed & prob a little more comfy, but the YZF is lighter, cheaper, & I like its looks better ... & now Yamaha's new crossplane crankshaft engine format, combined with aftermarket mufflers, makes that thing sound like a big V-twin Ducati!
No storage - That shouldn't be much of a problem, either, for my short trips; I can wear a backpack, & maybe get a tank bag.
Have I lost my mind? Maybe. Probably! But while I'm 44 right now, I'm still thin at 6' / 155lbs & in good shape, so for the foreseeable future I don't see the YZF's extreme riding position being a problem, considering the short trips I'm likely to take. This might be my last hoorah from 'still feeling good' ... to my 50's ... heck or maybe my 60's!
Why not just have multiple bikes in the garage? (http://i1200.photobucket.com/albums/bb336/jaywilcox/confused1.gif)(http://i1200.photobucket.com/albums/bb336/jaywilcox/smiley_dunno.gif)
(http://i1200.photobucket.com/albums/bb336/jaywilcox/dfjedj.jpg)
Next... (http://i1200.photobucket.com/albums/bb336/jaywilcox/kwjweiww.gif)
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One was built for comfort the other for speed. I'll let you decide which is which.
:rotflmao:
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May I add I miss Vicki more than the ZX14, this pic was in '08 we ducked out of the rain at a University building ;D
(http://i80.photobucket.com/albums/j180/stevewfl/avatars/vickzx14.jpg)
Does Theresa know about that? ;D
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Why not just have multiple bikes in the garage? (http://i1200.photobucket.com/albums/bb336/jaywilcox/confused1.gif)(http://i1200.photobucket.com/albums/bb336/jaywilcox/smiley_dunno.gif)
(http://i1200.photobucket.com/albums/bb336/jaywilcox/dfjedj.jpg)
Next... (http://i1200.photobucket.com/albums/bb336/jaywilcox/kwjweiww.gif)
I have plenty of garage space ... please send whichever bike(s) you think I will need ;D There's talk of your bottomless bank account 8)
But only do it if it won't slow completion of your CTG.
(Conversion To Green)
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This might be my last hoorah from 'still feeling good' ... to my 50's ... heck or maybe my 60's!
I had Suzuki Hayabusa at age 55. A Kwak ZX-10R at 58. The C-14 is a lot more sedate ride.
If your going for the thrills, why the YZF? Just go ahead and get the ZX-14
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I have plenty of garage space ... please send whichever bike(s) you think I will need ;D
:rotflmao: :chugbeer:
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You need to get what is right for you! (We don't know what that is, of course, we don't even know what bikes you have driven and for how long)
OK, from the start! 1) 197x Honda XR70 as a ~8 y.o. boy ;D ; 2) 197x Kawasaki KV100 as a pre-teen; 3) 198x Honda CB125 at age 15 until age 16 when I could finally drive a car! :) ; 4) 1993 Yamaha FZR600, awesome! but I really really wanted a Honda CBR900RR but was trying to be "reasonable"; 5) 1994 Honda CBR900RR, when I found I just could not live with the FZR knowing the big CBR existed, & kept this CBR for about 2 years then sold thinking I wouldn't miss it; 6) 1998 Honda CBR900RR when I discovered I did miss it, & kept this one for a 2-3 years not sure. So I've been away from bikes altogether since about 2000-2001.
All during that decade+ I never missed 'em. But ... then ... I ... started thinkin' ("a cheap used enduro might be fun! & easy!"). And lookin' ("Honda's XR650L would be good, very torquey!"). And thinkin' some more ("how much am I REALLY gonna ride offroad? Really prob never"). "Hmmm ... but something simple for the street might be fun again, maybe a used 600. But if some is good (600), more is better? So, maybe a 1000?? used, still could be fairly cheap. And might as well get something comfortable for long trips! Hey the FJR was always pretty striking. WOE $14K!! Ouch! Ah but I can get a leftover new one for quite a bit less, etc etc etc " ... then decided buying new means I don't have to deal with somebody's else problems & abuse they inflicted on the bike. I've never been too good at compromise :-\
There's prob a medical term for my affliction, but I can't think of it right now :-\ Indecisivitis?
I know only I can make this decision - just laying out the facts in case anybody wants to read 'em. [/book]
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But I will point out that I have never driven the C14 more than 2 hours in a stretch, most trips being much shorter. Comfort is comfort- whether it is 30 min, 2 hours, 6 hours, or 12 hours...
- your longest stretch is 2 hours ?
- do you mean your entire ride (start to end) was 2 hours , or that it was 2 hours to say a gas station to get fuel and then onwards ?
.
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- your longest stretch is 2 hours ?
- do you mean your entire ride (start to end) was 2 hours , or that it was 2 hours to say a gas station to get fuel and then onwards ?
The longest ride yet on the Concours has been 2, maybe 3 hours. I define a "ride" as s stretch with only rest stops of 30 min or less. Most I have ridden total, on the Concours, in a day, would be maybe 5 hours.
I have been much further on previous bikes, before my best friend got married and moved away and stopped riding. My point was, that I knew I wouldn't be riding far before I bought the Concours. Comfort is comfort- it doesn't matter how far one plans to normally ride to enjoy all the benefits of the Concours. But in my case it is more applicable, since I have lots of hand/arm/neck/back issues even when not riding.
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Thanks for all the replies, guys. Over the past month of motorcycle shoppin', readin' & dreamin' about 'em, my "likes" have progressed about once a week, evolving from the '13 FJR -> '12/'13 C14 -> '12/'13 ZX-14R -> to now ... . . . .. a '12/'13 Yamaha YZF R1 :o
Try to get a ride on it for about 30 minutes. The ergonomics on the R1 are, let's say, "race-ready."
Have you thought about a Honda CBR1000RR? It's a bit more comfortable than the R1, and has more low-end torque than the R1, so if you're not screaming around a track, it's actually a bit quicker around town. And those weird headlights on the R1 freak me out. :-)
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- if you are keen on the sportsbike thing, but still would like something comfortable for a bit of the odd distance ride , maybe test the Kawa Z1000SX.
http://bikerholic.com/2010/10/07/2011-kawasaki-z1000sx-and-z1000sx-abs/ (http://bikerholic.com/2010/10/07/2011-kawasaki-z1000sx-and-z1000sx-abs/)
.
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Try to get a ride on it for about 30 minutes. The ergonomics on the R1 are, let's say, "race-ready."
I've ridden an R1. Yeah, it's racey for sure.
Have you thought about a Honda CBR1000RR? It's a bit more comfortable than the R1, and has more low-end torque than the R1, so if you're not screaming around a track, it's actually a bit quicker around town. And those weird headlights on the R1 freak me out. :-)
I love Honda's. The two CBR900's I had were designed & built to the same high quality standards that Honda cars are ... but the CBR1000RR has some things I just don't like. First, it's called a Fire Blade. That sounds so gay to me! HAHA! Seriously. "Fire Island" combined with "Zorro, the Gay Blade." Not good. Let's just say Honda's attempt at establishing a "Ninja"-like name is not working for me. Heck, I don't even like the name Ninja, but it's tolerable. And the front of the CBR, I dunno, looks kinda like a big ol' forehead to me. Just doesn't look as good as the YZF. Oh, & the half-cut low shorty tailpipe ... not for me.
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snip...
And the front of the CBR, I dunno, looks kinda like a big ol' forehead to me. Just doesn't look as good as the YZF. Oh, & the half-cut low sorty tailpipe ... not for me.
A big forehead! I know what you mean. :rotflmao:
But wait, now here's a big forehead.
(http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/3/30/Peyton_Manning_(cropped).jpg/275px-Peyton_Manning_(cropped).jpg)
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OK, from the start! 1) 197x Honda XR70 as a ~8 y.o. boy ;D ; 2) 197x Kawasaki KV100 as a pre-teen; 3) 198x Honda CB125 at age 15 until age 16 when I could finally drive a car! :) ; 4) 1993 Yamaha FZR600, awesome! but I really really wanted a Honda CBR900RR but was trying to be "reasonable"; 5) 1994 Honda CBR900RR, when I found I just could not live with the FZR knowing the big CBR existed, & kept this CBR for about 2 years then sold thinking I wouldn't miss it; 6) 1998 Honda CBR900RR when I discovered I did miss it, & kept this one for a 2-3 years not sure. So I've been away from bikes altogether since about 2000-2001.
All during that decade+ I never missed 'em. But ... then ... I ... started thinkin' ("a cheap used enduro might be fun! & easy!"). And lookin' ("Honda's XR650L would be good, very torquey!"). And thinkin' some more ("how much am I REALLY gonna ride offroad? Really prob never"). "Hmmm ... but something simple for the street might be fun again, maybe a used 600. But if some is good (600), more is better? So, maybe a 1000?? used, still could be fairly cheap. And might as well get something comfortable for long trips! Hey the FJR was always pretty striking. WOE $14K!! Ouch! Ah but I can get a leftover new one for quite a bit less, etc etc etc " ... then decided buying new means I don't have to deal with somebody's else problems & abuse they inflicted on the bike. I've never been too good at compromise :-\
There's prob a medical term for my affliction, but I can't think of it right now :-\ Indecisivitis?
I know only I can make this decision - just laying out the facts in case anybody wants to read 'em. [/book]
This screams DL1000 V-Strom to me....
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First, it's called a Fire Blade. That sounds so gay to me! HAHA! Seriously. "Fire Island" combined with "Zorro, the Gay Blade." Not good.
Honda should have kept the "Hurricane" name for their sport bikes.
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The Honda "Rebel" name I've always found interesting (http://i80.photobucket.com/albums/j180/stevewfl/avatars/lol8.gif)
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You meet the nicest people on a Honda ;D
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Really depends on what you'll do with it. If you don't have time to tour on it, I think a zx would be a better bike. I mean, what's the point of having a big, sport tourer with saddle bags and comfort that can take you on 12 hour rides when you'll only ride it maybe 10 minutes to get sixpack at the store?
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I too considered a ZX-14 before I bought my new C14 a few weeks ago.
As many have already noted, the factors that swayed me were: comfort, insurance, and storage. If money was no object, I would have both, but I knew that the novelty of having such a powerful bike would wear off after awhile, I would rarely use its speed capability, but I'd still be saddled with the high insurance payment.
I will probably only do minimal touring on my C14, but I really like the convenience of the hard bags. I will ride much more since I can easily bring my gym clothes, lunch, protective gear, and other things to work. I think my Z1000 will be relegated to the days when I KNOW I really don't need to carry anything.
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Really depends on what you'll do with it. If you don't have time to tour on it, I think a zx would be a better bike. I mean, what's the point of having a big, sport tourer with saddle bags and comfort that can take you on 12 hour rides when you'll only ride it maybe 10 minutes to get sixpack at the store?
I drink more then 6 beers in a sitting, hence why I bought the ZG instead of the ZX... ;) :chugbeer: