TOPIC:

Vintage rider here new to forum and wanted to say hello. Laid off riding for a # of years while I got my kids raised and for the last couple years feeling the urge to get back in the wind. Got the usual hi-buck Harley softail project sitting in the shop but while awaiting more money for it I picked up a pretty nice 2002 KZ1000P to tinker on and while its not my first Kaw it is the first for many many years. Besides a couple of dirtbikes my last big Kaw was a late `70s KZ750 and after I got bored with it I traded it in on a Laverda 750 SFC. Wow, I AM getting old LOL. In any event felt I should join this forum and learn what I have been missing during the intervening years and pick y`alls brains for ideas to make this new bike "mine". I am just looking to make a smooth running reliable comfortable cruiser out of it. So far not in love with the stock tires and the rims are meh at least to me so looking for recommendations on that stuff as well as anything else you guys think I should look out for from a performance and reliability standpoint. I am not interested in escort riding or impersonating police so all the cop stuff is coming off and hopefully sold for some $$ to retwork the bike to my standards. Suggestions?

I've been waiting for a deal on one for this.
Steve

With maybe this

Welcome Dach, if you want reliability go easy on the performance stuff, these bike will run a long time if just you do a little maintenance.

I don't know what stock tires are for a 2002 but if they are Dunlops ditch them .
I like Avon Roadriders my self because they are the only tires that come in 3.25/19 and 4.00/18 , they grip well and I can get 10,000 miles on a set.
There are softer tires out there and they grip real good but I question how long they would last in the desert heat.
Some guys use Pirelli's or Shinko's. both good, post something in Chassis, you'll get more choices I'm sure.

You got some great roads East , West and North of you, I wasn't thrilled with Scottsdale or Phoenix but that road thru Wickenburg Prescott and Jerome is great
Also 87 up to Payson , Pine , Strawberry and Camp Verde is beautiful.

Welcome! I'm from Tucson. Maybe when both our KZ's are up and running we can go for a ride sometime.