Last Ride 2022, Black Hills

With the urge to take my girl on a lengthy ride after getting her to run right, and with nice weather in the forecast, I set out for the Black Hills, South Dakota USA, quite possibly the last chance to camp comfortably before winter.  I set out for the Black Hills, South Dakota, USA and spent several days there.  Living a short distance from the Badlands, I passed through them along the way.  The haze is smoke from the annual California fires.

On the first day, I rounded a corner to find a buffalo bull on the road with it's young in trail.  A stupid woman in an SUV was behind the bull not allowing it to cross the road but instead herded it toward me.  I dismounted and took cover behind the bike in case it charged, hence the photos from their rears.  In subsequent days, I got better pics of more buffalo.

The biggest problem that I had during the trip was teenager at a gas station who couldn't seem to understand that I wanted to pay with cash, as in green paper, no card.

Thanks for the post and the pictures. I can see why you wouldn’t want an argument with a buffalo!
The KZ looks great.  How do you rate the bike’s performance?
I notice you list a GSF1200 amongst your many motorcycles.  What’s your opinion on that machine?

I consider the KZ1300 a touring bike, not sport touring bike as some sites state.  It really needs another gear which would drop the RPM's and improve mileage.  Ten mph hairpin turns are not fun because of it's weight, but it's in it's element cruising on the highway comfortably, probably as comfortable as I've ever been on a long haul.  The torque is incredible; you can round a corner in high gear, give it a little throttle, and she pulls out without lugging.  I enjoy the whine as it accelerates and decelerates and it's a conversation starter at gas stations.  According to the tires, I have leaned it as much as my Bandit (which is a scary thought).

The Suzuki GSF1200S is the most reliable bike I have ever owned and I'll never get rid of it.  No bells, whistles, fuel or water pumps, little to go wrong and easy to work on.  At 107K miles, she still pulls blood and brains into the back of my head.  I used to tour with it a couple thousand miles at a time but my body can't handle it anymore, so I ride it when I want to go like an idiot and the KZ on longer runs and cold weather.  Between the Windjammer III and the engine heat, I can ride the KZ comfortably at 55 degrees.

Good to see a KZ in actual use! Well done.