Bigspenda, Can't really see what you have there but it looks like you have both ends covered.

sounds way to complicated lol

my problem is with the 90% of the Harley owners that think they are so much better than other bikers without Harleys.

Yea, I've noticed and that's prolly why I jump on the HarleyBashing Bandwagon so quick, I call that "The Attitude". I have a couple of friends that have Harleys and they're pretty down to earth though. I was showing my new bikes to one of them and he couldn't believe the high tech wizadry we get from the Land of the Rising Sun for under ten large. He dropped over $20,000 on one of those 'New' Harleys, you know the parts bin special with the alphabet soup name and flat black paint job. Not kidding, it has a sprung seat pan with a tooling manufacturing date back in the 40's. He's looking hard at picking up a sportbike while the gettins still good. The trend is Japanese machines are going to get very pricey in the not too distant future, stock up while you still can. BTW, my dealer has green, blue and black 2008 ZX-10s priced OTD at $7900, if I had any money left I'd buy another. They're superb machines just like the '09 ZX-6R. It's a shame they're going to take a huge beating on resale, buy one and ride til the wheels fall off.

I have a couple of friends that have Harleys and they're pretty down to earth though.

Yup, same here. I pick on them and they gladly return fire. Their sting loses effectiveness when we are trying to get their bikes started Lol.

Every year I take the family to Nova Scotia for a few weeks in the summer. The drive is 2200KM. The game we play is count the broken down Harleys. 11 Last year.

I feel bad for the guys and Can't imagine what it must be like to be on vacation and have to load my bike on a rented truck, trailer or flat deck go out and buy straps(all shiny new)and haul my pride and joy home to wherever, as my buds ride on with out me.

A good friend mine from down there(Honda Dealer)Is big into U- Hauls as a side business. He tells me that he is making Good money Renting out the trailers to HD guys. Each year they have a big rally In Digby Nova Scotia and percentage of the boys Don't ride home. Go figure.

I don't dislike Harleys I just don't trust them.

Maybe something with a 600 Back Tire. No kick stand Required.

I have considered a new BMW K1300 and the Ducati Street Fighter and even an M109.. I have not ridden a cruiser enough to be able to tell if I could adjust to the forward controls and still feel enough in control to relax and enjoy the ride.

I do have to ask not just of Harley riders but of every air cool bike owner out there – Where is the logic? I say this because I buy things to last as much as to look good and cannot see the air cooled engine being as good of a choice as liquid cooled. I hate down time and maintenance costs so I have not considered some of the other choices like a Fat Boy, or the Yamaha Raider or Warrior. So please explain yourself. It seems like choosing to marry a stripper – yea it looks good but you know their will be trouble

I may have gotten carried away in comparing harleys to other cruisers. I hope I didn't offend you Romans.

No Can do, I'm a east coast Canadian(Nothing Matters & So what if it Did).If I'm talking shit I want to here it.

My brother on the other hand was Quick to reminding me that there is 14,900 members on his Forum and the oil complaint is due to bad info in owners manual. The bike requires 3.8 litres from bone dry and guys are pouring in 4 litres and the bike is not empty. Then the guys are screwing in the dip stick to check and your not supposed to. I guess the dealers are the worst for this.

I'm sure some have had there probs. But unreliable, Naaa

Alaska, Do not misunderstand I had fun with it. Loved telling him his bike was more unreliable then Harley.

And that he needs a oil truck to follow him around.

And his bike should be taken off the Road. Some good stuff above.Lol

More on the same...

* Last updated by: Romans on 6/17/2010 @ 6:02 PM *

That sounds like a pretty logical explanation Romans and that happens with a lot of bikes. I hate the oil level sight glass window, very little room for error and the bike has to be dead nutz level both longitudinally and laterally or you're going to get a low reading and then it's over fill time. Anyway, thanks for setting the record straight on the M-109 for us.

Alaska Rider, no harm no foul. We're just like a big family around her, at the end of the day we're all still friends even if we do squabble a bit along the way.

* Last updated by: Kruz on 6/18/2010 @ 6:31 AM *

Same thing happened when the Vulcan 2000 launched... it was just people overfilling the case, but it was reported enough that KHI mailed out this letter to all the owners. I wonder if such a letter has been issued from Suzuki?

"Dear Vulcan 2000 Owner:

Thank you for purchasing the Vulcan 2000, Kawasaki's newest flagship cruiser.

Because the Vulcan 2000 has a unique semi-dry sump lubrication system with separate oil chambers in the crank room, clutch side cover and transmission room, the engine oil level indicated on the dipstick is very sensitive to oil temperature, the motorcycle's position and engine RPM at time of shut down.

Under certain conditions, oil can accumulate in the crank and clutch areas and give a false low reading on the dipstick in the transmission room. This can result in false low readings and oil overlilling, which often leads to oil being pushed out of the crankcase vent and into the airbox.

Use the following procedure, which is also outlined in the Owners's Manual, for checking oil level:

Verify Engine Oil Presence
Before starting the engine, verify that the engine contains oil by removing the oil filler cap/dispstick in the lower right side of the engine. If the dipstick is dry, tip the motorcycle slightly to the right and look thru the filler holde until oil appears. If no oil appears even when the machine is tipped at an extreme angle, remove the oil drain plugs to empty any oil that may be in the transmission, crankcase and clutch cover. Reinstall the drain plugs and refill with the specified amount of oil. Continue with Engine Oil Level Inspection.

CAUTION: If the engine is run without oil, it will be severely damaged.

Engine Oil Level Inspection
After you have verified that the engine contains oil, start the engine and allow it to idle for several minutes to thoroughtly warm the oil in the transmission room to 125 degrees Fahrenheit according to the following chart:

Air Temp Idle Time
40 degrees 15 minutes
65 degrees 10 minutes
100 degrees 5 minutes

*NOTE: During this time the auxilliary cooling fan may be activated several times.
After allowing the engine to idle for the specified time, shut it off. DO NOT REV THE ENGINE AND SHUT IF OFF AT HIGHER THAN IDLE RPM. Doing so can leave a significant amount of oil in the crank room and clutch area, leading to a false low oil level reading.

Allow the oil to settle for several minutes. With the motorcycle level from from to back and side to side, remove the oil filler cap/dipstick and wipe the dipstick clean. Continue holding the motorcycle supright and reinstall the dipstick, threading the cap completely in. Remove the dipstick and check the engine oil level. The engine iol level should be between the high and low level lines on the dipstick.

If the oil level is too high, remove the excess oil through the filler opening using a syringe or other suitable device. If the oil is too low, add oil to reach the correct level. Use the same type of oil that is already in the engine.

Replace the cap, making sure the O-ring is in place and tighten.

Following this procedure should provide an accurate oil leel reading. If you feel your are not obtaining accurate readings using this method, please see your local Kawasaki dealer for further assistance.

Sincerely,

KAWASAKI MOTORS CORP., USA"

Continue holding the motorcycle supright and reinstall the dipstick, threading the cap completely in.

This is the part that kills me. Some say thread in and others say just till threads touch. That 3/4 of a inch = vent tube spew. Ahhhhhhh. Stupid.

They are chick magnets, especially Hardleys and probably the only convincing reason to ever own one.

Proof positive:

I asked the semi-milfy, sorta atractive single neighbor of mine to take a ride with me. "Noooooo," was her wide eyed response. I even asked her if she ever thought about piloting a sportbike (just toying with the idea that she might ride the busa some day). "NOpe."

Some dude just stopped over and they took off on his Harley. I overheard him giving first time passenger instructions.

dammit.

rook a Harley to a woman is just an oversized vibrator lol ur bikes are to smooth

I've found the best way with a new motorcycle is to establish a procedure at first oil change that you can repeat everytime. I service the engine with the exact amount of oil specified in the owners manual for an engine oil change with new filter,then start it up, let it warm to normal operating temperature, shut it down and wait five minutes. Level it both directions and check sight glass or dipstick. Then I positively know exactly where it is supposed to be on this machine, no questions. That is my baseline, from then on I always check the oil in the exact same manner each time and no issues.

I asked the semi-milfy, sorta atractive single neighbor of mine to take a ride with me

The key words here Rook are "semi-milfy" and "sorta attractive". You can do better than that...fagetabouditt and move on to the next one. If she passed up a ride on a 14 for a Hardley you didn't need her anyways.

* Last updated by: Kruz on 6/18/2010 @ 9:23 AM *

Vulcan

the engine oil level indicated on the dipstick is very sensitive to oil temperature, the motorcycle's position and engine RPM at time of shut down.

ZX-14

I hate the oil level sight glass window, very little room for error and the bike has to be dead nutz level both longitudinally and laterally or you're going to get a low reading and then it's over fill time.

I owned a Vulcan for a couple of years and reading the oil level wasn't any easier than reading the 14's sightglass. Pretty hard to see the oil unless it is quite dirty. Also, the ambient temp makes a huge difference in the oil level reading. If it suddenly gets cold, the oil level will drop way off. Another thing-- the bike has to sit for a few hours before all the oil trickles down to the crank case for an accurate check. The 14 and the Vulcan are the same in this regard.

Vulcan

This can result in false low readings and oil overlilling, which often leads to oil being pushed out of the crankcase vent and into the airbox.

Same thing happens to the 14 when overfilled. I'm always amazed at how similar the comments are about Kawi cruisers and sportbikes.

* Last updated by: Rook on 6/18/2010 @ 9:28 AM *

The key words here Rook are "semi-milfy" and "sorta attractive". You can do better than that...fagetabouditt and move on to the next one.

Yep. I don't know if dating a semi-milfy neighbor would have been such a great idea any way. That has PROBLEM written all over it.

rook a Harley to a woman is just an oversized vibrator lol ur bikes are to smooth

heheheh---! NOt always! I guess a wheel standing 9000 rpm isn't the kind of excitement all women want to know.

* Last updated by: Rook on 6/18/2010 @ 9:36 AM *

You're right, very sensitive, same thing happened to me about a year ago with the 14. Got in a rush, didn't follow "the procedure" one morning and I almost had a heart attack as the oil appeared to be waaaaay too low. I added almost a quart..can you say "overserviced".

Two problems, I checked the oil with the engine cold first thing in the morning (ran it for maybe 3 minutes) and secondly I leveled laterally but not longitudinally. The back end of the bike was on the rear wheel stand, found out it makes it read about a quart low even if the bike is leveled side to side(laterally). Felt like a dunce after I figured out what I had done wrong. Attention to detail!!!!

I must be getting old. I got the 14 thinking it would be fun but found out I was to old and fat to get halfway comfy on it so it has been turned into an old mans cruiser. I have 3 ZRX Kawasakis, 1 lowered, stretched, kitted, ported, cammed 1100 that puts down 150 rwhp, 1 lowered, stretched, ported, cammed 1200 that is also 150 rwhp and a stock motored 1100 with a lot of 1200 body / chassy parts. I no longer ride any of them. I have the 2008 ZX14 that is now comfy and way to fast for me that puts down 175 rwhp - I don't ride it. Next is my 2009 K1300GT beemer that I enjoy riding.

Ready for this? My friend Jeff keeps his 2008 SuperGlyde in my garage. Wanna guess who rides the 14 and who rides the Harley?

I hope my next bike is not a 2008 SuperGlyde.

lytnin, I wish I was your neighbor!

I rode the 1200 a couple weeks ago and had to explain to 20 something year old cop why a fat balding old guy just left a 100 ft black mark and I told him there was no way it was a 100ft. He said I went 2 houses and the lots are 50 ft long each.
I looked him strait in the eye and said - "STUPIDITY".

He said good answer and this is my one and only freebe from him.

I am sticking with the Harley since I don't have to worry about acting a fool.

heres my next bike, ill be mowing down the competition....lmao

I'll walk all over anything. Here's me on my new set of wheels...

Could we please get back on track tore my ass UP side is my side hurts, I'm coughing, someone find the brake pedal.

OK Guys, whats all this 'Harley Bashing' for?

I'll have you know that 80% of "ALL" Harley Davidsons ever built are still on the road!!!

The other 20% made it home

lytnin said:
"I rode the 1200 a couple weeks ago and had to explain to 20 something year old cop why a fat balding old guy just left a 100 ft black mark and I told him there was no way it was a 100ft. He said I went 2 houses and the lots are 50 ft long each.
I looked him strait in the eye and said - "STUPIDITY".

He said good answer and this is my one and only freebe from him.

I am sticking with the Harley since I don't have to worry about acting a fool."
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Maybe I should get a Harley?
Yesterday was Fathers Day. I should have realized that the cops would be out in full force, but I didn't and found out the hard way. I pulled off of the freeway with 2 CHP cruisers behind me with their lights on, a motorcycle CHP showed up shortly after. He clocked me at 93 on radar. Since I pulled over right away, am a Commercial driver with a clean record and don't fit the speeder profile, he wrote my up for 80+ in a 65. Good thing it was only 93, I go over that real easily. He commented on his group, converging on a fast bike, I told him that I would not try to run. First ticket in a looong time.

* Last updated by: Captain on 6/21/2010 @ 11:43 AM *