Just Ride.

Should this ride thread be just a.... well, thread? Or should there be a dedicated Forum topic?

  • Yes, it's own topic in the Forums

    Votes: 19 90.5%
  • Nah... threads good enough.

    Votes: 2 9.5%

  • Total voters
    21
  • Poll closed .
My son arrived to pick me up for lunch the other day in a white '71 Datsun 240 Z. A friend of his had just forked out over $90k for the car. It was well below the truck tyre line, heavy on the clutch, loud throughout the exhaust, rough over even our good roads and attracted attention like a rattlesnake in an ice-cream parlour. What's worse is that none of us had a cassette to slip into the player. It was a time machine that took me back 50 years on the way to the Southport Yacht Club. We loved it!
 
Not an XS but today took the GPz out to the local brewery. Weather was perfect and the GPz was running great.
GPz Jul 15 2.JPG
 
That's a nice looking Kawasaki Guy. What is it - '82/'83? Tell me, how do you compare the ride between your XS and the Kwaka? Is there a marked difference in terms of power and handling?
Thanks. It's fast, smooth and loud. Handles like a truck stock but this one has cartridge emulators and ZRX rear shocks. I'm faster on my 650 in the twistys because it's lighter and the weight is lower down. The GPz has to be wound up to generate boost but the 650 is more like a tractor.
 
Took a post Boxing Day ride out to Canungra this morning. Put on the leather jacket to minimise some of the road contact if I encountered an issue and, man, was it hot. Served the purpose though - I believe I sweated out most of Xmas lunch, well....... maybe not all the beer! Pleasant ride. Went by myself so I wasn't continuously checking the rearview mirror. Actually I was, but I wasn't looking to make sure my wife or son were OK. Funny how you "zen out" when you ride alone - still aware but more "one with the bike". Just fixed my starter 4th gear and replaced the clutch. The starter is still noisy but it no longer sounds like you've dropped a handful of teaspoons into the garbage disposal. The clutch is amazing - two fingers now as opposed to Arnold Schwarzenegger's workout. The suggestions on the forum for both jobs were spot on, as usual.
Thought I had better take some shots so.... here is scenic Canungra, the Gold Coast's biker hub.
Pics 1 - 3 The picturesque Canungra hotel. First built in 1927 so nearly done the ton - rare for this part of the world.
Pics 4 - 8 Inside the hotel. Still got some old world charm and modern convenience
Pic 9 The old Anglican church across the road - even older than the pub and the scene of many a pre-Sunday afternoon session confession "Forgive me Father for I am about to sin - just across the road!"
Pic 10 The XS heading the queue in the service station next to the Outpost Cafe - 9:00am is a bit early for a beer, even for me!
My SE ran beautifully. I get passed a bit by guys on fibreglass, wedge shaped Star Wars creations but I couldn't care less - I Just Ride!
Hope you all had a marvellous Xmas, my friends and enjoy a safe and prosperous New Year.
Dave Toll
 

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Took a post Boxing Day ride out to Canungra this morning. Put on the leather jacket to minimise some of the road contact if I encountered an issue and, man, was it hot. Served the purpose though - I believe I sweated out most of Xmas lunch, well....... maybe not all the beer! Pleasant ride. Went by myself so I wasn't continuously checking the rearview mirror. Actually I was, but I wasn't looking to make sure my wife or son were OK. Funny how you "zen out" when you ride alone - still aware but more "one with the bike". Just fixed my starter 4th gear and replaced the clutch. The starter is still noisy but it no longer sounds like you've dropped a handful of teaspoons into the garbage disposal. The clutch is amazing - two fingers now as opposed to Arnold Schwarzenegger's workout. The suggestions on the forum for both jobs were spot on, as usual.
Thought I had better take some shots so.... here is scenic Canungra, the Gold Coast's biker hub.
Pics 1 - 3 The scenic Canungra hotel. First built in 1927 so nearly done the ton - rare for this part of the world.
Pics 4 - 8 Inside the hotel. Still got some old world charm and modern convenience
Pic 9 The old Anglican church across the road - even older than the pub and the scene of many a pre-Sunday afternoon session confession "Forgive me Father for I am about to sin - just across the road!"
Pic 10 The XS heading the queue in the service station next to the Outpost Cafe - 9:00am is a bit early for a beer, even for me!
My SE ran beautifully. I get passed a bit by guys on fibreglass, wedge shaped Star Wars creations but I couldn't care less - I Just Ride!
Hope you all had a marvellous Xmas, my friends and enjoy a safe and prosperous New Year.
Dave Toll

Very nice David! Great photos. You should look into a mesh Jacket , you’ll be waaay more comfortable on those hot days.
 
With the idea to test the new tires and have the first ride of the New Year, I got dressed and headed out. I did stop a few times to take some pictures. The first are of Sahuarita Road. Second set of maybe were your pecans were grown. Sahuarita area. Last of a landmark well known to me aa I had taken a?new to me road and was looking for a landmark to be sure I was going the right way.
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Snap Clip broke? :umm:
yep

Bad as that is, calling her sure beats calling a tow truck. I'm sure you can fix it. Best wishes!
thank you sir
So fortunate I have kids who I can guilt into coming to get me. Both have had the pleasure and both times it was the XS650. If it was the wife there would be a lot of complaining...
hahaha
oh man!
 
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