Okay boys and girls, my near death experience two weeks ago now has me a little gun shy...
I'm driving down this beautiful country road yesterday after a long 300 mile ride to Savana and Galena Illinois (from Chicago). My ass is killing me as is my back and wrists. I notice this light in my rear view mirror. I also have this humongous tank bag carrying all my junk. I ignore it the closing light but 10 seconds later the light is getting closer. I'm doing 70 and crusing. No funny stuff for me as I am very very fatigued and still had 2 hours before I got home. Had to conserve energy. For crying out loud I'm even yawning I'm so beat. Anyways....
the light is now right behind me and it looks like a Kawasaki.
I go to tuck only because I'm tired and I'm at about 75-80...which is my "tuck" speed. The guy pulls alongside and I see its a Z-12 with some mods. He misinterprets my tuck as wanting to play. He hits the throttle and is 20 bike lengths ahead in no time. I'm thinking.....hell if I'm gonna let this happen....I gun my throttle and then remember, I'm in 6th gear!!!! I downshift and by now he is a half mile ahead. I eventually start to close in on him...but am now at 130 mph and realize I have to go to 150-160 to catch him. This guy is bold: no gear, shorts, sleeveless shirt and Passing cars at 150 or so. I am on unfamiliar road with lots of hidden driveways and farm impliments (plus its sunday and the LEOs are out everywhere) so I decide its not worth it and shut down. I yawn again and realize that some Z-12 is bragging today that he dusted a busa. I have had no problems with Z-12s before or the Kaw 10. We have fun and exchange leads all the time when I play with them. But I felt dusted.....
Earlier, I pull into a gas station in Savana and refuel. Then a big honking chopper (purple and very custom) with a huge front rake and a gas tank about 3 feet long pulls in to the same bay area. Everyone starts gawkin at the chopper. This has never happened....the busa always steals the show. So now I am dissed for a freaking chopper? People are watching too much Orange County Chopper shows on Cable TV. So now I'm dissed.
So to the Kaw Z-12 around Pearl City Illinois on Sunday at 4:30 in the afternoon....we will meet again. I promise. My ass, neck and wrists WILL be ready and my tank bag will be gone. And we will go to another road and I will beat you like a dog.
I'm driving down this beautiful country road yesterday after a long 300 mile ride to Savana and Galena Illinois (from Chicago). My ass is killing me as is my back and wrists. I notice this light in my rear view mirror. I also have this humongous tank bag carrying all my junk. I ignore it the closing light but 10 seconds later the light is getting closer. I'm doing 70 and crusing. No funny stuff for me as I am very very fatigued and still had 2 hours before I got home. Had to conserve energy. For crying out loud I'm even yawning I'm so beat. Anyways....
the light is now right behind me and it looks like a Kawasaki.
I go to tuck only because I'm tired and I'm at about 75-80...which is my "tuck" speed. The guy pulls alongside and I see its a Z-12 with some mods. He misinterprets my tuck as wanting to play. He hits the throttle and is 20 bike lengths ahead in no time. I'm thinking.....hell if I'm gonna let this happen....I gun my throttle and then remember, I'm in 6th gear!!!! I downshift and by now he is a half mile ahead. I eventually start to close in on him...but am now at 130 mph and realize I have to go to 150-160 to catch him. This guy is bold: no gear, shorts, sleeveless shirt and Passing cars at 150 or so. I am on unfamiliar road with lots of hidden driveways and farm impliments (plus its sunday and the LEOs are out everywhere) so I decide its not worth it and shut down. I yawn again and realize that some Z-12 is bragging today that he dusted a busa. I have had no problems with Z-12s before or the Kaw 10. We have fun and exchange leads all the time when I play with them. But I felt dusted.....
Earlier, I pull into a gas station in Savana and refuel. Then a big honking chopper (purple and very custom) with a huge front rake and a gas tank about 3 feet long pulls in to the same bay area. Everyone starts gawkin at the chopper. This has never happened....the busa always steals the show. So now I am dissed for a freaking chopper? People are watching too much Orange County Chopper shows on Cable TV. So now I'm dissed.
So to the Kaw Z-12 around Pearl City Illinois on Sunday at 4:30 in the afternoon....we will meet again. I promise. My ass, neck and wrists WILL be ready and my tank bag will be gone. And we will go to another road and I will beat you like a dog.
