It's been a great Ride!

[ed_in_az]

Just checking in to say Hi

I've performed basically the same type of mods to my Kawasaki Z400 that I did with all my Harleys. 1. comfy seating 2. rack/pack/backrest 3. handlebar risers, 4. windshield (just a "Tall Meter Cover") on the Z, but not #5. exhaust/engine mods, since my wife is done with loud pipes. And frankly so am I since I only have one good ear left (my right one), and my left one just has loud tinnitus.





It may be hard to believe, but other than less windshield = more wind, this machine is just as comfortable as my last Sportster.

And IMHO much better looking than the new Chinese Harley.

I'm wishing you all many happy miles, and hang on to those "REAL" Sportsters.

[Steve9]

Nice bike

Keep on ridin'!

[Melnic]

How would you say your riding position is compared to the sportster?
Did the seat and the riser change help bring it to where you are with the sportster?

[ed_in_az]

The riding position is upright and essentially the same except for the pegs. My Nightster had forward controls resulting in a common chair position. The Z400 pegs result in a position more like a stool. I expected it to be less comfortable, but it's not. Even for an old guy there's no cramping or discomfort at all, only reprogramming the brain where to land the feet after taking off from a stop.

[sportsterpaul]

So happy for you and glad you’re still getting road time. Please stay in touch!

[ed_in_az]

Checking in again. Hi to all in here in Sportster land. I'm still enjoying my Z400. I was surprised a couple of days ago on a ride when I pulled out to pass a car doing 40 in a 55 zone. The slow car in front of him was the problem. I used to just twist my wrist or at most go down a gear on my Sportsters and pass as many cars as were in the way. I've found going down one gear on the Z doesn't' do it, but dropping 3 gears with this small engine results in the same launch as on a 1200 HD. I passed both cars @ 70 and could have just kept climbing. The rev limiter should kick in @ 120 which I'm too old to risk, but cruising @ 70-80 is no problem for the Z even riding 2up.

On a different note, as a forever fan of EVO Sportsters, looking at the "new model Sportsters" on the HD site made me sick. They look bulbous and bloated. To ruin the beauty of the classic Sportster and leave the Big Twins essentially the same is just criminal.

While I'm glad HD didn't go with the Chinese model I first saw online, the later Indian single cylinder is sure to disappoint anyone who's owned a real Sportster.

I hope no one takes this the wrong way, but as a fan of real Sportsters I've seen a real alternative. In fact if I'd known it was going to be introduced I would have bought it instead of my Z400. It's the 2024 Kawasaki 450 Eliminator. The engine is based on the motor used in the Z400, but in a cruiser platform. They even stole the HD colors for their deluxe model. If it's gotta be water cooled, it can at least be light. powerful and a thing of beauty.

[Ireeman]

Sorry folks, but they all make your bum hurt after 100 miles.

[xena]

Awesome to see the transition was smooth for you to the Kawa. Here’s to many more miles of smiles for you Ed! Coming up on 62 next month, and next year will be 20 years for me and my sporty but still ok for now and she’s even more comfy than ever.

Ireeman no bum pain here whether 100 or 300 miles.

[Iron Mike]

Not a bad looking bike in my opinion. Looks to me like it could be a fun platform (although apparently not the route you’re going with yours) for a fun Fri eve hooligan class FT racer. Up the rear wheel size, chain conversion, scrap the lights ect , and have some fun. Or even a street tracker vibe for the road.
And at only 7 grand, that looks like it could be a quick impulse buy on the way past the bike shop.
I need to run some errands for some Ironhead parts today and looks like I may have to take the van instead. I’ll be driving right past the import shop today, looks like I’ll have an additional stop to make!

Looking at the specs, I wonder if the clutch would be tunable on the decel side?

……or just buy it and enjoy riding it, for the normal people…..

Congrats on making a well suited purchase.

[denguy]

The stock seat on my 95 suits my 82 year old ''bum'' just fine, thank you very much.