A fun ride, 125 miles, in green, green, green country
- dcarver220b
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Re: A fun ride, 125 miles, in green, green, green country
1 week 6 days ago - 1 week 6 days agoWhat lead you to choosing to buy a new 1300 all those years ago? Can you recall the day you collected your brand new KZ1300 from the dealership? What were your early impressions of the bike’s all round performance? Apart from the oil consumption, did it meet or exceed your expectations?
Read a ride report in Cycle magazine and instantly fell in deep deep lust. Pure lust. As in a purple-headed-woody lust.
Sure, the CBX looked attractive, with the 'broad shoulder and narrow at the hips look', but.. it was air cooled.
I was coming off riding a Honda CB70, gold tank, with a Wixom brothers fairing and saddlebags. Installed a CB radio, (hey it was 1974 after all) and built a remote box to control channels, squelch, on/off. Installed a chain auto-oiler and dual row final drive chain. Rode that bike all over Western USA. Sold it for a dirtbike.
Then, the Kz1300 article arrived in the mailbox. I just KNEW I HAD to have one.
The local dealer was in Redondo Beach. Went there and the sales guy was very accommodating. Let me sit on it make vroom vroom sounds, start it up. But no test ride until 'you deserve one by putting down a deposit'. So I hand the man my last $119.52 (literally emptied my wallet and pockets). Had no idea if any bank would fund me, but for less than $120 bucks I could cop a ride? WIN WIN!
I vividly recall, my first impressions. The bike got very hot very quick. I thought this was normal as I had never had a liquid cold motorcycle before. The bike was a handful to push around. But anything about 5 mph she had to weight very well. I recall being very surprised at how good the brakes were, and how excellent the transmission was for shifting. To this day, the 79 has the best transmission of any motorcycle I have ever ridden.
The test ride lasted approximately 20 miles, and I felt defeated just knowing that would be the last time I rode such a fine motorcycle.
Here is where the salesman came to the rescue. He asked if I had a bank already. I said no. I also told him the truth, that I had just gotten a job and didn't think any bank would fund me. But for $120 bucks the test ride was worth it.
Salesman said, go to Security Pacific National Bank. That's who the dealership uses. We have sent many young riders to SPNB, only one has been declined. Tell him that Joel sent you, and I'll call the manager before you get there. Have at least 3 paycheck stubs. Lucky me, I had been working for exactly 3 weeks, so could meet the requirement.
Salesman went above and beyond.
He said 'I will keep this bike for you. I will not let anyone else test ride it. We will fully prep it, as I'm confident your loan will go through. This gave me incredible hope where as before I had none. Joel offered up on more bit of advice.
"Before you go to the bank, get a haircut and wash your jeans and shirt. Polish your boots. Represent well. Shake the man or woman's hand. Be appreciative.
Looking back at it, I think Joel was the owner.
Long of short, I got the loan. I got the bike. It's the same bike that you have seen on this website.
Thanks for asking and for the pleasant trip down memory lane.
Last edit: 1 week 6 days ago by dcarver220b.
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- biltonjim
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- dcarver220b
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