Essence of Motorcycling Kawasaki Zg1000 Concours

Riding 20 years on many different bikes and types. Have had a ‘99 (purple) now for three years. Have done many day trips and one overnighter. And a lot of in city riding. This old beast is great, really love it. Feel like a sporty cop on it, funny. Tons of comfort. Surprising performance. Good all across the tach but really rips above 6000. You’ll be shocked how leaned over you can get this 700lb baby if you’ve got the road and the guts to do it. Incredible handling for the size amd vintage. Brakes are decent. Rugged as hell. Shaft drive worry free and smooth. Amazing wind protection so I stay dry and I don’t feel the need for heated grips even when it’s really cold if I have a little heavier gloves on. Mirrors might be the best ever put on a bike. Seat is just OK. Incredible fuel economy thanks to tall sixth gear and smaller displacement than St1300, FJR, and newer 1400 model Concours. And huge range thanks to massive tank. You don’t even have to think about stopping for gas before 350kms. The more you ride this thing the more it becomes like an old friend. Sounds corny but its true. It’s old tech as hell, but that helps when you (rarely) do have to maintain it and no electronic BS to go wrong or need reprogramming. Regular gas. Cheap to insure. And pick one up used for $2000. Get one with as many accessories as you can, especially: bar risers, after market windscreen, seat. Rip those OEM Dunlops off soon as they wear and throw on some Avons or others that fit the bikes weird tire spec. They handle even better and I’ve found they won’t track nearly as bad on rain grooves. I’ve got an Avon on front and the OEM on the back right now. Feels good. I also have a fork brace which may help the handling. Again, it’s a great handler out of the crate though. Also nice to get a Givi topcase so you can leave the side cases off except for longer trips. Top case is plenty for your regular life storage and helmet I find. Only thing the modern bikes have that I’d find myself wanting frequently is power windscreen so I can raise it up for highway, down for city and ventilation. The modern sport touring alternatives are objectively better in every way, but they are much more $ even used. And the old Concours has so much character and is surprisingly capable, making for a really authentic ride. Hey it’s your money. I say get one of these old girls and spend your savings on forty nights of hotel rooms as you ride into every corner of North America. Let the good times roll.