I will admit that I really didn't have much time for Japanese motorcycles (or cars for that matter), until I owned one! My first was a '79 XS-650 Special that I bought (new) 'cause it looked like my old Triumph. It was a good bike, but not a "great" one. Some years later I bought a 1981 Virago 750 - again a good bike, but not a great one. However, I did rebuild the engine and gained a LOT of respect for Japanese engineering (so I bought a Nissan pickup)!
Last year I obtained the KZ650 - and I am totally amazed! For a 30-year old bike, it is the smoothest, and easiest to ride, motorcycle I have ever been on! It may not be the fastest bike out there, but I find it more than "adequate". How on earth you can compare the engineering talent that went into this bike to a Harley I will never know - it makes the Harley look like a bike thrown together by a farmer from left-over tractor parts!
P.S. - I have an affinity for old cars/trucks/bikes too - I drove my 1971 MGBGT to work this morning! We also own a 1974 MGB Roadster which we may sell - I would like a mid-to-late 60's Triumph Bonnieville!
Eric
Newmarket, England (for 3 years)
Pentwater, Michighan (Home)
1978 KZ650
2000 ZG1000
2006 Suzuki Burgman 650
