TOPIC:

Head gaskets can be an interesting topic !   I bought a generic kit solely for it's head gasket.  I liked what I saw in some pictures and was really pleased with it when I received it.  Appears to be composite/laminated, well applied sealant around the cooling ports, fully coated on both sides and well tooled fire rings and grommets. 
My cly.-head was shaved and the cyl.-deck meticulously cleaned.  I'm not expecting any surprises.

scotch wrote:

Head gaskets can be an interesting topic !   I bought a generic kit solely for it's head gasket.  I liked what I saw in some pictures and was really pleased with it when I received it.  Appears to be composite/laminated, well applied sealant around the cooling ports, fully coated on both sides and well tooled fire rings and grommets. 
My cly.-head was shaved and the cyl.-deck meticulously cleaned.  I'm not expecting any surprises.
 

What kit? My POS gasket set is leaky from every orfice...Sigh

It was from an eBay seller "Italianmetals". 
I had previously Googled "head gaskets" and found many hits lead back to other forums for other bikes.  Opinions about various makes of gaskets are wide open.
There is a common theme about preferring to use OEM.  While searching for a new one I came across an eBay ad for a OEM.  Numerous pictures were supplied. In several, the (silicone?) sealing beads around all the cooling jacket ports, were cracked - very noticeably.  How old was this OEM?  Are all OEM's of this age?  I doubt Kawi. currently produces them (Fresh).  Point is:  I am more comfortable with a new aftermarket made with modern materials.
We'll see   
 

Fully agree. Tx for lead. Gonna buy a set 'just in case'.