Motorcycling

August 2011 I got again motorcycle fever, and before I got back to my senses, I had bought this Hayabusa. The idea was to buy a sensible long distance touring bike, and actually it's not too bad in it. As new this example had been bought by Finnish UN soldier who had it in Cyprus. Later he took it to Finland, but it wasn't used much. Now it has 36,000 kilometers on the clock. It's all original and the overall condition is pretty good. Afterwards I found out that this is of a somewhat rare all black special edition model, which was originally made for Canadian market. Only drawback is that the top speed of this '03 model is limited to just 300km/h...

During the winter 2009 I got an idea that I definitely needed to have one more motorcycle. Something different it should be, so I started to look around for the one that was one of the mightiest thing on two wheels during the time when I got my driving licence, Kawasaki Z1300. As my first bike was a Kawasaki Z500, this was even more natural choise.

I didn't have time for any restoration project, so I wanted to have one in good original condition. Also, the parts for these are so rare and expensive that the rebuilding cost can easily exceed the price of a good ready made one. So I found this one in a motorcycle shop in Tuusula, and made a deal.

It's of KZ1300 model, which were targeted for US market. However, being of the first model year 1979, it was still made in Japan. The later ones were assembled in the USA. This example has been imported from the USA to Finland in late 90's, and has undergone some renovation after that. The odometer shows 20,000 miles, but it's unknown how close that's the truth.

The in-line 6 cylinder engine gives the bike very special character. It is virtually vibration-free, but you really feel the bulk and high rotating masses of it, when riding the bike. The max power is 120hp, which was pretty hign in its time. However there is well over 300 kg plus driver to move, so the performance is nothing special in today's standards. Anyway, pretty fun it is still.

I acquired this Aprilia in late summer 2008 after riding a Triumph Tiger 900 for few months. There was nothing wrong with the Triumph, but eventually I felt that I'm not so much an enduro man. I decided to get something more exciting for tarmac roads as long as my knees still bend and wrists can take the load. So, in the end I got this Aprilia and Triumph found a new home after unexpectedly short ownership.

This Aprilia is registered in 2006 even though it is of 2005 model year. It has driven only approx 10,000 kms, so from my point of view it is practically new. This top of the range Factory model has nice features that sound good to the car enthusiast as well: Full Öhlins suspension, OZ forged alloy wheels, Brembo radial mount brakes, lots of carbon fibre and so on.

Performance is, let's say "adequate". 139 hp and 185 kg is not exactly the top amongst today's sports bikes, but I can assure that for a middle aged man, with some instinct of self preservation, it's enough. Moreover, its Rotax V2 gives really nice sound and good low end grunt.

I have had this Moto Guzzi since summer 2001 when I swapped my Kawasaki Gpz750R and some money to it. Basically there was nothing wrong with the Kawasaki, but I just wanted to have something with a bit more character, and yes... I can assure that this one has it.

This example is originally sold in Germany as new and has been imported to Finland few years before I got it. It was in a very good condition when I bought it and it is obvious that it has had an enthusiastic previous owner. It was basically in original condition, some modifications including "Silent Hektik" electronic ignition and steel braided brake hoses. Actually, some photos from one phase of its previous life can be found in the internet using this link.

During my ownership I have done some small maintenance to it, including the cam chain and rear brake main cylinder replacement. I have also fitted the "Lafranconi Competizione" exhaust silencers (makes a great sound, just couldn resist them...) and Hepco & Becker luggage system. The latter doesn't look so sporty, but it's very practical when needed. I have also added cylinder head protector bars (just in case someone drops it...). Very worthful modification was also cutting the throttle return springs shorter, which made the very heavy throttle twist a bit lighter.

On road the Le Mans 1000 is very good to ride and actually it's a bit hard to believe that its desing dates back to mid 70's when the first of the Moto Guzzi Le Mans series was launched. The frame is very rigid and the whole bike is very stable, although it requires a bit determination to turn it into tight corners. Of course the linked brakes, shaft drive and longitudinally mounted engine give their own spice to the soup, but nothing that one couldn't get used to. The sound is great and the vibrations of the V2 are just right, not horribly disturbing like in some other famous V twins... Frankly, the performance dates also back to '70 and is not much when compared to modern superbikes (which also the early Le Mans was in its time) but there is still enough power to make it feel right.