High_Sides Trips and Pics

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High_Side · Wed Dec 05, 2007 4:53 pm

As I posted in the soapbox, the greatest bike I've ever owned moved on the other day after 11 seasons and lots of great times. I swore that I would never sell this bike as it had more soul then any other I've ridden. Wheelies were effortless, the bike narrow, the sounds were incredible and it was easy to go fast on....not fast in a ZX-14 fast kind of way, but fast in a planted-feel through-a-corner kind of way. But alas, I didn't hardly even ride it this year and it's time to move on. I want to get a new bike but there are way too may bikes in the garage and it had to go. The new owner is smilin' ear to ear as he found mine after looking at many (all with lower km.) that were in far worse condition. I'm sure that it will treat him well.

So long old buddy....

The blue bodywork was stuff that I rebuilt and used for touring (still for sale if you want it )

The last pic that was used for the add

High_Side · Sat Dec 08, 2007 4:28 am

It’s -20 deg.C, the snow is on the ground and it’s almost a month until the bike show. As the VTR is now gone the NEW BIKE FEVER has kicked in big time. As to be expected, I'm torn on which way to go. The top six at this point are:

BMW 800GS
Mutistrada
Triumph Sprint
Triumph Street Triple
Triumph Speed Triple
Various Moto-Guzzis (if the deal is right)

I still have the VFR so picking up a hooligan bike is still an option I just hope that the Canadian dollar hangs in there because if I go for a Triumph I will be buying it from the USA (and saving up to 35%)!

I don’t really have any new pictures to post since the weather went to hell so I scanned a couple of oldies. I think that I will dig up what I can about older bikes and trips to help be get through the winter. I never used to even own a camera and rarely used one once I got it so the pics are pretty scarce (with most trips I’ve got nothing!). Many of the pictures that I do have were taken with a disposable camera that we passed back and forth while riding to get pictures of each other…..It wasn’t a smart thing to do and the quality isn’t very good but it sure was a blast taking them!

The ’93 ZX-6E beside a lake between Nakusp and New Denver too small to make it on to the map:

I bought the "E" to replace the ZX-6D that I owned before. The "D" was one of the first bikes to roll on true radials from the factory and it was a revelation. The "E" was supposed to be THAT much better again but it never really pulled it off. It was a comfortable sports tourer but it handled like it had a hinge in the middle. The only suspension adjustment was rear preload and even that was only truely adjustable after you trimmed the battery box back for access. The bike would probably be fine if you were just cruising at a moderate pace but back when I owned it going slow wasn't part of the plan

It looked the part in pictures though:

Patrick · #53 Unread post by **Patrick** » Sat Dec 08, 2007 11:27 am

Man you live in a beautiful part of the country. Thanks for sharing the pictures.

Patrick

High_Side · Sun Dec 09, 2007 6:03 am

Patrick wrote:Man you live in a beautiful part of the country. Thanks for sharing the pictures.

Patrick

Thanks Patrick, but to be fair a lot of my pictures are in my neighboring province of B.C. And yes it sure is beautiful.

High_Side · Mon Feb 18, 2008 7:36 am

And now for something completely different:

The deal was right, it only had 870kms on the clock yet its already had it's first service. The picture above isn't mine but just like it (I pick mine up on Friday). Yep, at this point it's a geezer bike. Soon it will be looking decidedly more cafe style though. We'll see how this gets down the backroads compared to the Monster

So much my new-bike short list posted above only two months ago....

#56 Unread post by **Skier** » Mon Feb 18, 2008 8:37 am

If it's a geezer bike, call me old!

Nice ride, I can't wait to see some pictures of your new bike.

High_Side · Mon Feb 18, 2008 2:05 pm

Skier wrote:If it's a geezer bike, call me old!

Nice ride, I can't wait to see some pictures of your new bike.

Thanks Skier; I can't wait to take 'em.

I actually took a bit of coaxing from TotalMike to pull the trigger on this bike. I've been eyeing the Sport Classics but wanted something a little less subtle than silvery green. Considering I was looking mostly at SpeedTriples, this is a lot more "Old Guy" . It's growing on me though and I've got lots of ideas running around upstairs about what I want to do with it. With the money I've saved on the bike, I can afford to have a little fun. YEAH!

High_Side · Sat Mar 01, 2008 6:24 am

And here it is at home after a short February ride in Calgary. Dirty already!

DivideOverflow · Sat Mar 01, 2008 10:29 am

Nice! How do you like the GT? I was looking at one of those to replace my SS, because the SS was just too much for long rides and around town. However, I really wanted to reduce payments, so I opted for an 03 Z1000 instead (similar riding position, and all kinds of fun, and cheaper all around).

I really do love the 1000DS motor though. Are you planning on any suspension mods? I got pretty spoiled with the ohlins on the SS, so it will be a bit to get used to the stock Z suspenders... haha.

But it sounds like you and Mrs. High_Side can zip about in 100% ducati fashion. Too bad neither bike has the beautiful dry clutch racket, you guys could have been "that couple with the broken bikes!"

So let's hear a ride report!

#60 Unread post by **Wrider** » Sat Mar 01, 2008 10:38 am

Now that is one sexy little bike... I still would've kept the Viffer, but that GT1000 is pretty sexy... Congrats!
:happybikeday:

Wrider