Kawasaki Concours Forum

Riding => Rides and Stories => Topic started by: Cold Streak on July 13, 2011, 12:27:08 PM

Title: Kawasaki Demo Ride at Mall of America
Post by: Cold Streak on July 13, 2011, 12:27:08 PM
Had a lot of fun last Saturday riding various Kawi cycles at a demo day.  The local rock station was there taking pictures.  One our own got his picture on the website with the tshirt from last years national rally.  Damned if I can remember his name though.  Hoping he'll post to enlighten us.  I'm in another photo but not wearing my COG colors.

Here is the site address:
http://www.92kqrs.com/PhotoWallPhoto.asp?wallid=68130&photoid=4798845&id=4798845&SearchString=&MPU=yes (http://www.92kqrs.com/PhotoWallPhoto.asp?wallid=68130&photoid=4798845&id=4798845&SearchString=&MPU=yes)

Title: Re: Kawasaki Demo Ride at Mall of America
Post by: The Other Brian on July 13, 2011, 08:09:41 PM
That would be Cookie aka Jim Barron
Title: Re: Kawasaki Demo Ride at Mall of America
Post by: Cookie on July 13, 2011, 09:23:58 PM
Yea, that was me. Good to see you again Cold Streak.

I didn't get to ride a C-14. but rode a Ninja 1000 instead. Lot's of fun. Plenty of balls, but lot's of wind above 65. It's a fun city bike, but I wouldn't want to ride a 500 miles day on that one. 

Jim
Title: Re: Kawasaki Demo Ride at Mall of America
Post by: BackInTheSaddle on July 13, 2011, 09:30:53 PM
You had better luck than me.  I pre-registered on line, showed up about 8:20, and the first ride time I could get was 11:30.  I am not a patient man, however, and blew it off without straddling a single saddle.  Instead my son and I went for a nice ride - on our own bikes.  Maybe I will at least get my T-shirt in the mail some time soon.  Woohoo!
Title: Re: Kawasaki Demo Ride at Mall of America
Post by: Cold Streak on July 14, 2011, 09:17:04 AM
I mainly went to ride a KLR650 since I'm thinking about getting one sometime.  I wasn't impressed with the power but it was fun to ride.  Also rode a Versys which was really fun but the saddle pushed me forward too much.  Next was the 650 R which I was afraid I'd die on.  Not used to riding in a crouched position, but it was also fun.  Then I rode the Z1000 which had a terrific transmission.  Finally I decided to ride a new Concours to see how it felt compared to my 08 and also because it was available.  At first I thought, this isn't like my bike at all.  Then after a few miles I realized it was, but after riding 4 other bikes I had "forgotten" what mine felt like. 

All in all a great day.  Got there at 8 am and left at 4:30.  Got to ride 5 different bikes, six counting my own.  The Kawi team found a pretty good route with a variety of roads and about 18 miles long.  Of course, they can't go too fast, but sometimes it's possible to go fast enough to get a feel for the bike.

Title: Re: Kawasaki Demo Ride at Mall of America
Post by: roger dodger on July 14, 2011, 10:49:58 AM
I misssed Cookie, et al, but my son and I had a great day....

8am went to Moons to test ride the new BMW 1600GTL (great, smooth, expensive)
10am rode to Chopper City to test ride the Boss Hoss w/ 350hp! (fast, stiff, more expensive)
12am rode to Kawasaki tent @ MOA to test ride the Ninja 1000 (quick, light, fun! inexpensive)

Of the 3 very nice bikes, we had the most fun on the Ninjas!!!! ;D