My birthday present..(to myself)
 

Well, tuesday is the day when I get my new present. Some of you know about it, but here is a picture of it (not mine but exactly the same). It's a 2001 Kawasaki ZX6R.

I am itching to get this thing. I've wanted another bike for many years now and I can finally afford one now. So I did some research and searching. I turned up nothing that was really worth it. Then Jet came thru, finding one that fit the bill. This thing doesn't have a scratch on it anywhere. It's got higher miles, but runs perfect. Needs a few minor things; new front tire, a rear shock rebuild, possibly a refresh of the fork oil and a new chain sometime soon. Otherwise, everything works perfectly.

I bought a new helmet but now I need to buy a jacket. They had helmets on sale down at Leo's South. It's a full face, Snell M-2000 helmet with graphics. I can use this one for rallycross for quite a few years as well as while I'm riding my bike. They were like $80.

Re: My birthday present..(to myself)
 

Cool bike, I've always been partial Kawi's myself. Its not green, but yellow will do ;)

Re: My birthday present..(to myself)
 

Yeah, too many green ones out there. Everybody wants green because it's factory race colors.

I would rather have a silver one, but I couldn't find one reasonable enough.

Re: My birthday present..(to myself)
 

Awesome Erik!

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Jana's gonna kill me for even saying this but the more and more i see threads like this I want to learn how to ride more and more and get a smaller sized bike.

After learning how to ride how easy is it to get the full liscense? What's insurance like for some of your guys with bikes?


Definatly a sweet ride Erik. Can't wait to see it out and about.

Re: My birthday present..(to myself)
 

I really recomend taking a safety/riding course. Its a 20 hour program that goes Fri night, and all say Sat and Sun. They provide the bikes and everything. If you pass that course, and you're over 18, you automatically get your license. I still had to take the license test since I was under 18 (15) at the time and it was very easy. I pay $250/year full coverage for my '01 Ninja 500R. My '98 250R was $175/year. Insurance takes a huge price jump at 600cc though (at least with State Farm, style of bike doesn't matter, its all based off of engine size).

Re: My birthday present..(to myself)
 

You can get your instructional permit by going down to the testing center and take the written test. That is good for a year. You can only ride during the day. You can't take passengers and you can't ride on interstates. Get some miles under your belt and take one of the MSF courses. They have them at most of the colleges around like DCTC, Hennepin Tech, etc. The course costs about $125 (4.5 hours of classroom and 10 hours on the bike) and when you complete the course successfully, you have your full license. You have to take a test at the end of the course, but it's thru the place that gave you the course, not the DMV. It's easier and they help you thru it (from what I hear). And you get to use their bikes which are 125-250cc bikes. They're easier to handle around the track. The guy I'm buying my bike from is one of the instructors. Otherwise, you can just get your permit and then take your on the bike test. The written test is easy. They have the manual online at the DVS website with practice tests and quick quizzes.

As for insurance, I'm not sure what mine will be. I will be setting it up tomorrow so it's ready to go.

Re: My birthday present..(to myself)
 

How much did you get the bike for if you don't mind me asking?

CRAIG

Re: My birthday present..(to myself)
 

He wanted $3100. I offered him $2800 because of what it needed to have done to it. He thought about it over the weekend and called back and told me he accepted it. Just gotta get the paperwork finallized and it's mine.

Re: My birthday present..(to myself)
 

Damn I didn't realize they are so cheap to buy used! How many miles are on it? Guess its time to buy another toy, probably wait until next summer when I (hopefully) have a real job though.

Re: My birthday present..(to myself)
 

It has 45,000 miles on it. He used to drive to Colorado and all over with it.

When Jet and I went to look at it, it hadn't been started before we got there (exhaust was bone cold). We didn't even have to choke it. It fired right up. It was pretty chilly out at that time too. He took very good care of this one. Never dropped or dumped.

The 01 ZX6R's with less miles on them are going for around $4000 now. They are retail valued at over $4500. Trade in is around $3500. From 03-up they were the 636's and are going for a bit more. Maybe next year or the year after, it may get a custom paint job. If I still have it. I may trade up in a year or two for either a 750 or a 636. I'm not sure yet.

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Nice bike, Erik. Just like AJ the more and more I see others getting bikes, the more and more I want one.

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Oh sure now everone gets a bike now that I'm gone!!!

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Yep..Yep..

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Yeah, get that thing Erik! I put 180 miles on today, it was a blast! There were 5 of us out ripping up some twisties.

Re: My birthday present..(to myself)
 

I'm working on it!!!! He is coming over with it on tuesday. We'll get all the paperwork taken care of then. Then I gotta get the front tire.

Re: My birthday present..(to myself)
 

Order the damn thing now and have an appt. set to get it up on Wed. :D I got the bike up to 135 mph, but didn't want to rev it any higher yet, so I backed down a tad to 120. I only have 1/2" chicken stripes left now.

Re: My birthday present..(to myself)
 

....makes me think even harder about the '05 883L Sportster I looked at last weekend :D....

Re: My birthday present..(to myself)
 

Yea Ive been looking for one for a while but its kinda hard to find around here... Suzuki GS500E. Small bike but a good starter bike that looks pretty good. It doesnt have the fairing, A bike with fairing really jumps insurance prices.

That is nice looking bike, I really like the yellow color!

I need to get licensed so I can get one maybe next year and ride with you guys! :)

Re: My birthday present..(to myself)
 

Just go down and take the written test now so you have a permit. Then, if you get the chance, you can get an older bike and do some riding this summer. You just won't be able to ride at night or on the interstate. Written test is very easy if you study the manual.

I'm calling Bob's tomorrow about the tire. What kind do you think I should look into?
Dunlop, Bridgestone, Michelin, ?????

Re: My birthday present..(to myself)
 

It makes me wanna learn how to ride a bike now! I had planned on taking some classes last summer, but never got around to it. Plus, I only know like one guy who's got a bike. Seems like us DSMers are turning over to Bikes!...hahaha :D

Re: My birthday present..(to myself)
 

I would match the pirelli that you will have on the back. They are some of the best out right now. The bridgestone BT014's are a good bang for the buck too.

Re: My birthday present..(to myself)
 

I was looking on Bob's website and they didn't mention anything about Pirelli's on there. Can they order those?

Re: My birthday present..(to myself)
 

The MN written test is very easy, I got my license in Wa many years ago, when I came here I took the written without any studying and passed with no issues at all. Not too tough. As soon as Chris gets the title for that GPZ750T I am after it. I miss riding, too much fun, not much compares to it.

Congrats again on the bike Erik, glad the guy accepted the offer. Should make for a fun summer!

Re: My birthday present..(to myself)
 

I dunno. Their michelin pilot sports are a decent price, as are the bridgestone BT014's. Either would be fine for you right now, with the bridgestone probably lasting a bit longer, but still a good tire. The michelin will offer a little better performance. The one thing might be with the profile of the tires. All brands have a little different profile, that is why most people stick with the same brand front to rear.

I would order one from chaparral or something and have someone put it on.

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Just like in cars, for proper handling (and safety) you watch matching tires front and rear.

Re: My birthday present..(to myself)
 

I was thinking about going with new front and rear tires. If I can find the matching front tire, then I'll get it. But otherwise I think at this time I might just get both new and save the other one for a spare.

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My bike comes with the BT014's, they stuck really good for me and are supposed to wear decent. Not to mention they are cheaper than Michelins.

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That's probably what I'll look at.

Re: My birthday present..(to myself)
 

IIIIIITTTTTTTTT'''''''''''SSSSSSS HHHHHHEEEEEEEERRRRRRREEEEEEE!!!!!!!!!!!!!

She's sitting in the garage. I am so happy now!!!! I just have to wash it up. And get tires on it.

Re: My birthday present..(to myself)
 

w00t!! Get that thing ready for this weekend! It is supposed to be nice!!

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More PiCs!!

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As soon as I get my camera charged up I will have more pics.

I should be able to get it ready. I have to replace the lower ball joint on Terina's car before I can do any work on the bike. We have the part and I'll probably be working on it tomorrow nite.

I don't know exactly how much I'll be able to do this weekend. Saturday I have to go up and check roads for Headwaters. Sunday I should have some time to ride though.

I just read thru the owners manual and went down to the garage to get aquainted with it. I even strapped the helmet to it so they could get to know each other before I go out to ride. That way they have a relationship built up before we go out.

Re: My birthday present..(to myself)
 

Here's some pics of my bike.

It's a little dirty yet from it's trip home last nite.

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I really need to get one!

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Tiny pictures :) That is a really nice looking bike! Its very aggressive looking.

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I like the air scoop under the headlights. Now I just have a few things to do to it and it is ready for some good road trips.

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Lookin' good!

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A kid who works with me got the same bike a week ago. His was an 01 also. His needed about 700 in work and he got it for 1500. I think it had some scratches on it though.

Re: My birthday present..(to myself)
 

I am DYING to get my r6. I even like the gsx'rs, but my dream bike is my blue r6. I wonder what insurance for a 19 yr old would be? I would prolly turbo it someday too..lol. Anyway, My rents would KILL me for getting a bike, and I still live at home( it's free, and no one else to live with) so I gotta obide them..for now.

-A. Swift