I got an early Christmas pressie today ................

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HowardQ
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I got an early Christmas pressie today ................

#1 Post by HowardQ » Sat Dec 19, 2009 6:03 pm

I've had the old CBR thou for more than seven years, and it's been a good friend over the years, nice and comfortable and a lot faster than most people think, but it had to go sometime.
Always thought I'd replace it with a Blackbird, Fazer Thou or possibly a Futura, but the latter is a bit too like a Falco, and if I have a second bike it's nice to have something different.
Anyway after a long break it's "Back to Kwack"
Not the one I was looking at earlier.
Found a really nice 2002 late model ZX9R at George Petch Wheels at Grimsby. Only ever ridden an older heavier version briefly, but they are that bit more comfortable than most race reps with lots of mid range torque that I like, and it is 7kg lighter than the Falco.
Hardest part has been planning how to get there with this bloody weather.
Had one last chance today then with Christmas and two weeks hols coming up I could have missed it. I'd had to cancel all my previous plans so got up today, no more snow and the sun was out, so I thought I'd give it a try. Trouble is I had to get up the hill from where I live at the bottom and it was icy all the way up, so salted about 1/4 mile of the bloody road first. Let that clear and I just had to manage about 70 miles of motorway at 80 ish, with temp at zero. Phoned up to check the weather at their end only to find they had another 3" of snow last night and hadn't seen any gritters.
It was bloody freezing on the M1/M18/M180. Got there and there was still some slush and ice around in the town itself, so really dodgy for last mile or so. Main roundabout off the A180 was white for one lane.
Anyway had a good look at the bike and they offered me a pretty good deal on mine, ended up getting just under a grand, and I would probably have let it go for less as I did not want to go home on it, once the sun had gone down.
Will be getting the Kwack delivered on the 16th of January, the Saturday after I get back off hols.
It's not really a traditional Kwack colour (i.e. it ain't green), but it's an unusual colour scheme, looks a bit different and I like it.
Mainly silver with black bottom half and a couple of black and yellow flashes. Can't find a mark on it, pictures to follow, and further comments in January, when I get it home, and hopefully a chance for a run on it.
Just realised that this is my first 4 stroke Kwack, the previous ones were KH250s and 350s.
The Falco will always be my first bike, but it's nice to have another toy in the garage.

Thanks Santa! :smt002
Last edited by HowardQ on Sat Dec 19, 2009 9:07 pm, edited 1 time in total.
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kneescratch
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#2 Post by kneescratch » Sat Dec 19, 2009 6:38 pm

Congrats!!

I had a really nice ZX9R for about 3yrs and prob the best bike iv'e owned.

That one was blue and i miss it now.

The engine is superb, just keeps pulling

There are some really good deals about at the mo and am very tempted to buy one for a second bike also.

Hope you enjoy it.

Pictures Howard lets see it. :smt001




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Re: I got an early Christmas pressie today ................

#3 Post by MartDude » Sat Dec 19, 2009 8:25 pm

HowardQ wrote: or possibly a Futura, but the latter is a bit too like a Falco,
:smt002


That'll upset some people on here :smt048
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HowardQ
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#4 Post by HowardQ » Sat Dec 19, 2009 8:31 pm

Thanks Gary, only got pictures in the showroom taken on my daughter's phone.

http://i144.photobucket.com/albums/r164 ... Photo3.jpg
http://i144.photobucket.com/albums/r164 ... Photo4.jpg
http://i144.photobucket.com/albums/r164 ... Photo2.jpg
http://i144.photobucket.com/albums/r164 ... Photo1.jpg
http://i144.photobucket.com/albums/r164 ... photo5.jpg
http://i144.photobucket.com/albums/r164 ... hoto6A.jpg

Get some better ones when I get it home.
Standard other than crash bobbins and the pyramid hugger.
The paint is a metalflake silver so looks good.
It's a bit more subtle than the new silver and orange Blade in the background of a couple of the photos.
Good Dunlop Sportmax Tyres with a Fat 190 on the rear.
Never used these, so not sure how good they are, last Dunlop I used was a D207, which I found pretty good for what I wanted.
Will get it delivered on the 16th of Jan., the weekend after I get back from Spain and will have a difficult choice then, as haven't been out on the Falco for a few weeks with this crap weather.
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HowardQ
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#5 Post by HowardQ » Sat Dec 19, 2009 8:35 pm

Nothing wrong with the Fut, just a bit similar to the Falco, did seriously consider one, but only one (expensive, highish miles bike) up for sale that I could find at the moment.
Don't think there is a bad V60, like em all.
Also thought about an RSV and an R, again ruled that out for same reason.
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#6 Post by fastasfcuk » Sat Dec 19, 2009 8:49 pm

thats nice howard, i nearly bought one then i spotted the falco.

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#7 Post by kneescratch » Sat Dec 19, 2009 8:59 pm

HowardQ wrote:Thanks Gary, only got pictures in the showroom taken on my daughter's phone.

http://i144.photobucket.com/albums/r164 ... Photo3.jpg
http://i144.photobucket.com/albums/r164 ... Photo4.jpg
http://i144.photobucket.com/albums/r164 ... Photo2.jpg
http://i144.photobucket.com/albums/r164 ... Photo1.jpg
http://i144.photobucket.com/albums/r164 ... photo5.jpg
http://i144.photobucket.com/albums/r164 ... hoto6A.jpg

Get some better ones when I get it home.
Standard other than crash bobbins and the pyramid hugger.
The paint is a metalflake silver so looks good.
It's a bit more subtle than the new silver and orange Blade in the background of a couple of the photos.
Good Dunlop Sportmax Tyres with a Fat 190 on the rear.
Never used these, so not sure how good they are, last Dunlop I used was a D207, which I found pretty good for what I wanted.
Will get it delivered on the 16th of Jan., the weekend after I get back from Spain and will have a difficult choice then, as haven't been out on the Falco for a few weeks with this crap weather.

Looks superb and the pics are'nt bad for a mob either. :smt003

I used Dunlop D208RR's on mine and i found them to be spot on.

What a dilema to be in "Shall i take out the Falco or the Ninja?"

Just jellous now, as i cant see santa coming round my way with one of them :smt001



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#8 Post by kneescratch » Sat Dec 19, 2009 9:03 pm

Ooh just thought i think iv'e got a Micron end can in the garage if your interested.

Superb condition if your interested Howard P.M me.






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#9 Post by HowardQ » Sat Dec 19, 2009 9:16 pm

I'll have a think on that Gary and let you know later, need to refill the piggy bank! I'll see what it's like on the standard can first, as this late model ran a titanium can.
Standard can might be a bit quiet, but on the plus side you get to hear the induction a bit better, always nice on a Kwack, as it is on a Falco! :smt002
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#10 Post by joecrx » Sat Dec 19, 2009 9:17 pm

nice bike , now get it out and get it dirty :smt001

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HowardQ
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#11 Post by HowardQ » Sat Dec 19, 2009 9:28 pm

I got dirty enough on the motorway today, the salt spray off the lorries was scary, just pulled out to fast lane early and floored it past each one. Trouble is the M18/M180 are mainly two lane, so you still get a lot of spray from the wheels, glad I used my old Arai and an old visor!
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#12 Post by Aladinsaneuk » Sat Dec 19, 2009 10:20 pm

grats on the new ped - enjoy it :)


Let's face it, you wouldn't go to a nurse to get good advice on a problem with a Falco - you'd choose an Engineer or a mechanic...


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#13 Post by mangocrazy » Sat Dec 19, 2009 11:26 pm

That looks very nice Howard. I was seriously considering a ZX9-R myself about 10 years ago but never quite got one. The motor will be as strong as a very strong thing...

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#14 Post by snapdragon » Sun Dec 20, 2009 10:59 pm

good choice - a do EveryThing bike :smt038 tough cookie and comfy too

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#15 Post by Falco9 » Sun Dec 20, 2009 11:33 pm

Looks superb Howard, my mate had one and they are a great machine

Nice early Xmas present for you

Enjoy!

F9 :smt006
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