Disappointing?

[CLASSICAL]

Hello from West Yorkshire.
Had a MK11 back in 1980 FUB198T Don't see many around these days.
Familiar story, sold the bike when the kids came, then when they left (2004) I was "born again" so I bought a Suzuki and have been riding modern bikes since then.
What's it it like going back to an old Zed after the modern stuff? I know that it will be a different riding experience but just a bit worried that riding one now, might tarnish my memories of how good it was back then.
Cheers now
AL

[warren3200gt]

I think your confusing "tarnishing" with "polishing".
Do it and you'll wonder how you coud have wasted so much time.

[chrisw1]

Personally I prefer the way an old zed rides over a modern bike but not everyone agrees
Today i left my new vstrom in the garage and rode the Z1b ...... we rode on wet roads and gravel with no problems at all
For big tours the modern bike has some refinements which make life easier but i still plan to take the old bike to Ireland next year

[ninjajen900]

It's like a breath of fresh air, A smile like a Cheshire cat. Have modern and old ,I prefer old Zed's. Try one you won't be disappointed

[Philippe]

Hi CLASSICAL

welcome to the club!
Don't worry about riding an old Zed, it will be like you're young again!
Just make sure that ,when you buy one, it's a good one.
Ask a friend, who's knowledgable about old Kawasakis, to come with you when you go out to see a bike.
And when you find one, show us some pictures on here please.
Greetings from Belgium.
Philippe

[Garry.L]

Worth remembering that the Bike won't have changed, only your expectations of it. A slight mind reset and adjustment to your riding style and it will be just as enjoyable as it was back then.

[Paulb]

I have a modern Ducati and a Z900A4.
You just have to remember that the old bike won't accelerate as fast and you have to brake earlier.
But the pleasure you get from riding this old bikes is immense. DO IT!

[Mr Bump]

It's not a nostalgia thing for me as I never had newish big Zeds when I was a lad, just ratty smaller ones, I just like the things.

Compared to a more modern bike the zeds still have plenty of real world power on the road and are easy to ride. You do have to recalibrate yrself to the brakes which could catch you out. They are adequate if in good condition (I have a z1000a on twin discs and a gpz1100b), though I have to apply quite a lot of force to the z1000 front brake that I wouldn't dare to on a modern bike to make it stop sharpish.

They are still nice things to ride, characterful engines without being a pain in the arse, handling is good enough if the bikes got decent tyres on it. You probably won't try and go as fast as you did when you were a young idiot so you'll find its safe and predictable, if a bit imprecise. Handle nicely in tight traffic and around roundabouts and the like.

You feel like you're on something a bit special which you can't buy new, and you'll have to put up with strangers coming up to you and talking about yr bike.

Not bad really all told.

Olly

[CLASSICAL]

Thanks all for the positivity, I wasn't expecting anything else really.
Just think that I needed a bit of reassurance and a kick up the backside.
Young people may not be saying it as much these days but finally it's logged into my brain YOLO
Anyway, watch this space!

AL