Solo

If you had a problem standing the bike up after dropping it, get together with an experienced rider to review the procedure with you. The technique I learned works for me, but it's a little hard to describe, and I don't want to confuse you. Don't be discouraged. Dropping a bike is normal, especially for a new rider.

You'll get used to the weight after awhile. If you're anxious about dropping it, by using the proper technique you'll probably manage to lift it without help.

You are in serious need of a minder, Alex. Or at least a mentor who you can call at all hours to come over and talk you out of your suicidal impulses. Did your instructors stress showering before a ride? Or was it checking the tyre pressures? What's next? Taking your hands of the bars at 80 mph, while standing up on the pegs - backwards and with your eyes closed?

I've experienced front wheel wobble on my FJR1300, with hands off the bars while coasting from about 40 to 30 mph. The first time it happened I took it to the shop. The techs didn't find anything wrong. No loose bolts, bent suspension or wheel, etc. And on a test ride the tech was unable to get the wheel to wobble. Since then, I occasionally let go the bars, with one or both hands, at speeds under 40 to see if the wobble is still there. Sometimes it wobbles but usually not. And I don't think I'm experiencing as severe a wobble as you describe. I've had the bike up to (indicated) 150 mph with no hint of instability (both hands on the handlebars). I've concluded that my bike prefers that I keep my hands on the handlebars, at all speeds. If your bike has the same expectation of you, maybe the wobble fix is simply to get a grip.

The ATGATT rule isn't adhered to by most bikers in southern Arizona. I do have one friend who wears full leathers all year round. He claims to be comfortable until temps are above 35, which is every afternoon here in southeast Arizona from April through September. It helps that the humidity is very low most of the time. When the temps are above 22 I wear a long sleeved white shirt, jeans and leather chaps. The chaps are mainly to keep engine heat off my legs when I'm on the Nomad. Also, my daughter thinks they look cool. The US uses fahrenheit, so I'm using a conversion chart to find the celsius equivalents. Hope I got them right.

There's lots of information on this bike on the internet. Search for it on Google. I've watched it being ridden on some YouTube videos. The tiny speakers on my laptop can't really duplicate what I'm sure is an awesome sound. I think there is a CBX1000 owners club in Europe. You might look them up and ask for a demonstration.

I haven't been to Monument Valley yet. I don't ride off road or camp anymore. Several members of my local bike club are avid off-roaders and occasional campers. I can put you in touch with them if you'd like. PM me if you're interested. I hope you won't have to wait too much longer to live your dream. The scenery in the American southwest is spectacular and so different than where you live I understand its attraction for you. But IMO, the best motorbiking in the USA is in California. If I could take only one riding tour anywhere in the world, I would choose to ride the length and breadth of California. Straight, hot desert highways to serpentine coast roads with the natural air conditioning of dependable fog. Snow-capped mountains and redwood forests. I've already lived that dream - and I hope I can do it again sometime.

I was intrigued by the CBX's 6 carburetors. They would be a challenge to tune, I think. How would you even access them without removing the gas tank? When I used to maintain my own bikes, I remember fiddling with just two carbs and feeling a sense of accomplishment when I got them synchronized. Contemporary reviews of the CBX1000 record sub-12 seconds in the quarter mile. Pretty good performance for a 1 liter bike weighing 600 lbs. I'd love to hear that engine at full song.

My Honda-Yamaha dealer recently added a pristine 1980 CBX1000 to his collection of vintage bikes. Here's an image from the web of a similar bike. http://www.motorcycle-usa.com/photogallerys/honda-cbx.jpg I've read that an inline 6 engine has perfect dynamic balance. Does anyone in this forum have one of these? If so, how about a review?

That's quite a story, Throttled! I'm glad you survived unhurt, but I'm looking at your avatar and wondering if the lightning strike might have had a lasting effect on you. Anyway, back to the subject of riding in Arizona during the thunderstorm season. Moisture in the atmosphere creates spectacular clouds. Amazing sunrises and sunsets. But when it's not raining it's very hot, especially at lower elevations, like around Phoenix and Tucson. That time of year is better for the photographic opportunities than for riding. I recommend spring for the best riding weather.

Spectacular... and deadly. Last summer a biker was killed when a lightning bolt struck and split his helmet and knocked him off his bike. http://www.9news.com/news/story.aspx?st ... &catid=339 Another biker was killed by a lightning strike that blasted out a chunk of pavement, 18” x 8” x 4” deep. http://www.wesh.com/news/9411396/detail.html

Daylight hours are longer in May, so that might be a consideration for anyone planning a tour. I should also point out to anyone considering riding Arizona in summertime that July and August bring thunderstorms. That's when Arizona gets most of its annual rainfall. I know that rain won't deter you UK bikers, but it's not a good idea to be on a bike when lightning is flashing all around you.

After driving near these places in an air conditioned car last year, I do not think I could ever do it on a bike Riding around Las Vegas and Death Valley isn't advisable in summer. But the roads around the rim of the Grand Canyon are at higher elevations, so temps are usually Ok for riding from May through October.

Terrence, if your trip takes you into Arizona, pm me with your itinerary if you'd like me to ride with you for a day or two. Arizona is a good place to ride in the summer if you stay at higher elevations.

Your supervisor is very accommodating to allow you to wash your bike and write personal messages on the computer while you're at work. I had a job like that once. Now, in retirement, I have to do everything on my own time.

The bike would be cooler without the fairing and windshield, but then it wouldn't be a police bike. I never rode this bike in hot weather, but it was the bike used for many years by many American police departments, including some that were in really hot climates. The tall windshield is a standard feature of most police bikes. American motor officers usually don't wear helmets with face shields, so a windshield helps to protect their eyes. The half fairing on the KZ1000P supported emergency lights, a radio speaker and housed the instruments. My comment that poor aerodynamics might have caused the front end to be "floaty" at high speed is purely speculation. Above 90 mph my bike's whole front end "hunted", from left to right. Rather disconcerting and it served as a speed-limiter for me.

A pipe might not be the smartest fashion accessory to compliment the looks of a vintage replica bike.

http://motordoctor.net/assets/images/a_police_2.jpg Good points Heel and toe shifter mounted above foot boards prevents scuffing the toe of your left boot. Side cases (panniers) are capacious enough to hold gratuities from grateful traffic violators. Accelerates quicker and handles better than police model Harley Road Kings. Has a "positive neutral finder" which enables a rider to just kick the transmission into neutral. This is an especially handy feature when you have to dismount in a hurry and leave the bike with the engine running. Bad points Kawasaki discontinued this model, so factory support and replacement parts might be a problem. Above 90 mph the front end gets floaty. Engine noise bounces off the fairing, right back at the rider. This can be overcome by the siren. Engine type: In-line 4, 4-stroke, DOHC, 8 valves Displacement: 998 cc Cooling: Air/Oil Horsepower: 88 hp @ 9000 rpm HP:Curb Wt ratio: 1:6.77 lbs Torque: 112 ft-lbs @8000 rpm Transmission: 5-speed Rake/Trail: 27.0 degrees / 4.5 in. Overall length: 90.2 in Overall width w/side cases: 35.2 in. Ground clearance: 6.3 in Seat height: 30.7 in Curb wt: 596 lbs

My Ultra Classic would pull between 45 and 59mpg depending on how it was being ridden - 40mpg seems almost ridiculous in comparison. How many people ride baggers and use tank bags? Next to none that I've ever noticed. And can't you fit aftermarket heated grips? Are the bars a non-standard size? Please see my latest edits which address avg mpg and heated grips.

I'll take some photos and have Sharron resize them to fit on the forum. The starter failed after about 4,000 miles and was replaced under warranty. No other problems. I was out on the Nomad today and was reminded of one more "Bad Point" which I'll add to my review right now. I've also edited the avg mpg entry, to point out that it's in US gallons, which are smaller than imperial gallons.

"How many people ride baggers and use tank bags? Next to none that I've ever noticed. My Nomad gets about the same avg mpg as I used to get on my Road King, which weighed about the same and had less power. My friends who ride various Harley models get between 40 and 48 mpg. I'm getting a little less avg mpg than other Nomad owners I've talked with. Differences in fuel used, riding style, elevation, average air temp and humidity, etc. all affect avg mpg. I don't use a GPS so I miss not being able to fit a tank bag with a map pocket. I listed the lack of heated grips for the benefit of anyone thinking about the Nomad who rides in a colder climate than I do. They're not essential for me.

Note: my review pertains to the US model. Year, Make and model: 2009 Kawasaki VN1700 Nomad Purchased: June 2009 in Arizona, $14,300 USD Current odometer: 13,600 miles Good points: - Upright riding position promotes relaxed, long-range touring - Comfy seats for rider and passenger - Cruise control - 40 mpg average. Note: US gallons are about 20% smaller than imperial gallons. I don't rely on my bike's onboard computer, which always shows a higher avg mpg than the result I get when I do my own calculations. - 6-speed transmission enables high speed cruising at low rpm (2850 rpm @ 80 mph). That's right about the engine's torque peak and felt vibration is almost nil. Bad points: - Requires 91 octane fuel (I haven’t tried regular fuel, but other Nomad owners tell me their bikes ping on regular) - Fuel mileage suffers at high speed. The bike isn't very aerodynamically efficient. At a steady 80 mph the mpg drops to 35. - Instruments are mounted on top of fuel tank (Harley style). This arrangement makes it awkward to use a regular size tank bag/map holder, but a small one will work. - Heated grips not available as a factory option. - No center stand (inconvenient, because you have to stand the bike upright to check engine oil level) - Rear suspension is air adjustable but there’s no crossover tube, so each shock has to be inflated separately - Airflow over windshield causes buffeting on my helmet. Why I bought the Nomad I rode a Harley Road King when I patrolled the streets of San Francisco and thought I would like to buy my own when I retired. But when I compared the Road King's specs and maintenance costs to similar bikes from other manufacturers, the Nomad won. A note on tires: The OE Bridgestone Exedras have given good service. My original front tire still has tread, at 13,600 miles. I replaced the rear at 3,000 miles because of a puncture, and the replacement now has 10,500 miles with lots of tread remaining. Most of my riding is solo, with little luggage. Would I buy another one? Yes.

Type 1 has an advantage over type 3, in that you don't have to read a pointer when you're tightening the bolt.