Cycle World Ninja 1000 Blog Winner!

[GuitarX]

Hi all, I thought I'd post this here since most of you probably can't see my FB page. I'll be writing a blog entry for the Cycle World/Kawasaki site later but wanted to fill you in.

What an amazing day! I went to Grand Prix Motorsports in Littleton to pick up the Ninja 1000. I got an all-black one, which is the one I would choose for myself. No pictures yet, but I'll get plenty for you. Plus Cycle World sent me a ContourGPS video camera to use for the 3 months so I'll get some video action as well.

Oh man, I still have goosebumps and can't believe what a great day this has been. I picked up the Kawasaki Ninja 1000 and met AMA God Steve Rapp. He is such a super amazingly cool guy.

We went on a ride together and I took him to Deer Creek Canyon! Me, Mr. Nobody, is riding with Steve Rapp through Deer Creek. Please don't wake me up from this dream yet. We even came up on a herd of sheep in the middle of a blind corner, so he got a nice taste of real Colorado canyons.

He was loving the ride and said he'd like to come back out here and do some more canyon riding. Normally when he does a meet & greet he just gets to drive a rental car to and from the airport. I told him he can have his choice of machines in my garage if he comes out! Can you imagine if that comes to pass? Holy macaroni, I'm on cloud 9. When we came back from the ride we were sitting there talking like old friends about bikes. If it wasn't for the fact that he won Daytona and could lose me like coins in a sofa within seconds in the canyons...I'd almost think he was like a normal person! He'll be racing at Miller this weekend so...GOOD LUCK STEVE! I hope you kick some butt out there!

The stock suspension settings are way too soft for my frame so I'll have to tighten them up before this weekend's riding. I'll have to get over the euphoria of riding around with Steve before getting any initial thoughts of the bike together but there's plenty of time for that.

What a killer day!

[CYCLE_MONKEY]

What an awesome day! Good on ya Gary!

[Sean]

What a cool opportunity!

[aerofaze]

... Me, Mr. Nobody...

Whatever, Gary. (...but didja get an autograph? )

This is awesome. I can't wait to hear/read more about your experience with this thing and the people you get to meet! Do you get to keep the GPS vidcam after the 3 months with the bike?

[Ghost]

Sweet man! Keep us updated! And pics when you pick it up!!

[Mntntoproc]

Congrats! Enjoy the ride! Glad you were able to give him a taste of the canyons we get to enjoy! Can't wait to see the pics et all! Go you!

[GuitarX]

Whatever, Gary. (...but didja get an autograph? )

This is awesome. I can't wait to hear/read more about your experience with this thing and the people you get to meet! Do you get to keep the GPS vidcam after the 3 months with the bike?

Thanks Sarah, if today is any indication it's going to be a really fun 3 months. I WISH I could keep this camera after it's all over, but I have to give it back. It looks like an amazing piece of gear. Maybe they'll let me buy it at a good price instead. It's this one:

http://contour.com/camera/contour_gps

[DriverDave]

Thanks Sarah, if today is any indication it's going to be a really fun 3 months. I WISH I could keep this camera after it's all over, but I have to give it back. It looks like an amazing piece of gear. Maybe they'll let me buy it at a good price instead. It's this one:

http://contour.com/camera/contour_gps

I have a slightly older version of that camera. That's where all my youtube vids came from. But, if I were buying a new one today, I would get the gopro. Contour started out as the better camera, but they have been passed by gopro, I think.

Congrats again, you lucky bastich.

[BC14]

Awesome. Glad the weather cooperated as well for you guys. Did you meet the other guy from here (CO) that got the bike?

[CaptGoodvibes]

I'm in my writing class now and mentioned this awesome experience you get to have to my prof. His question is how often do you have to blog and do you have a link to the page yet?

[Wrider]

You summabeech!

I still stand by this. But that is awesome man, you'll definitely have to keep us updated on this bike for sure. I've been a big fan of the FZ1 since I first learned about it (as well as the FZ6 and the Z1000 and the Z750 and all of those) so I'm very curious as to how it compares to 1. A full on ZX-10 and 2. Other bikes more "in it's class."

[FZRguy]

Don't forget the new FZ8, and Street/Speed Triple. I got the wants for the R model Triple.

[GuitarX]

Awesome. Glad the weather cooperated as well for you guys. Did you meet the other guy from here (CO) that got the bike?

No, I figured I had a great time with Steve so I'd let Aaron (the other guy) have his day in the sun. They didn't need me there and I had to get some work done. Hopefully he and I will ride together a few times for pics and videos.

I'm in my writing class now and mentioned this awesome experience you get to have to my prof. His question is how often do you have to blog and do you have a link to the page yet?

Sorry for not answering this sooner. I just got back from seeing Warren Haynes at the Ogden. Effin' great show...
There are really no rules on the blogging. I guess they just hope you'll blog as often as you can. I still feel like I owe them one for today so that's next on my to-do list.

Here's their Facebook page:

https://www.facebook.com/pages/Cycle...26217844119191

Don't forget the new FZ8, and Street/Speed Triple. I got the wants for the R model Triple.

Interesting comment. I thought the Ninja 1000 would compare more to my VFR but while riding it I was actually thinking it felt more like my Speed Triple. I think this is mostly due to the "sit up and beg" riding position which reminded me more of the Triumph than the Honda. Also, although the bike is well-composed in the corners it does move around more than the Honda. This is another trait that reminds me of the Triumph. I think the cause for the Kawi might be that the suspension is just way too soft for me as it sits. I'm going to tighten it up at both ends and see if that settles it down through the corners. The bike is surprisingly light-feeling and flickable, again like the Triumph.

[GuitarX]

My first video ever! Lovin' the Kawasaki...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u-vfMRpWsZg

[Ghost]

My first video ever! Lovin' the Kawasaki...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u-vfMRpWsZg

That's awesome! Keep it coming!

[GuitarX]

That's awesome! Keep it coming!

Thanks Ghost! I've got 4 more videos from that ride (Deckers, back and forth from Bishops, etc.) but I need to learn how to edit better. I'll get those done asap. The rest of the videos will have more twisties.

[Tylar]

My first video ever! Lovin' the Kawasaki...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u-vfMRpWsZg

Good music, Gary. Definitely enjoyed watching the vid.

[rforsythe]

Of course there's always www.chicanetrackdays.com on June 26th if you want to have some good clean fun on the thing. Does the deal include a set of race rubber?

[CaptGoodvibes]

My first video ever! Lovin' the Kawasaki...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u-vfMRpWsZg

Great vid! Only suggestion I have is to level the camera before setting out. Maybe put the bike on a stand and make sure the horizon is square?

Keep'em coming!

[OUTLAWD]

again like the Triumph.

you should ride mine at some point...a bit old, but pretty much the same as the new 1050 Sprints aside from some minor ergo changes

once it has 2 wheels on it of course

[CaptGoodvibes]

you should ride mine at some point...a bit old, but pretty much the same as the new 1050 Sprints aside from some minor ergo changes

once it has 2 wheels on it of course

I'm not deterred by your near mishap in my 848evo lust...

[mtnairlover]

Nicely done, Gary. And I was regretting not having the chance to get any scenery shots. Ha! That camera did a pretty good job of capturing the day.

[GuitarX]

Good music, Gary. Definitely enjoyed watching the vid.

Thanks Tylar! I was in a band with two of the guys in Chainsaw so I go see them all the time. I wish I had their new album so I could use some of the new stuff. More vids coming...

Of course there's always www.chicanetrackdays.com on June 26th if you want to have some good clean fun on the thing. Does the deal include a set of race rubber?

As soon as 303 tells me those lazy Italian bastids have shipped my new leathers I'll be signing up for Chicane and STAR School. The Ninja should be a lot of fun there. I've never been on HPR so I'm really looking forward to it.

Great vid! Only suggestion I have is to level the camera before setting out. Maybe put the bike on a stand and make sure the horizon is square?

Keep'em coming!

Yo Capt, it looks pretty level to me. I did it in the garage before riding with the camera. You do realize bikes lean...don't you?

Nicely done, Gary. And I was regretting not having the chance to get any scenery shots. Ha! That camera did a pretty good job of capturing the day.

Thanks Cathy, lots more footage coming. I thought my software would allow me to edit sections out but I may be out of luck there. Got to do more homework and get them posted.

[BC14]

Thanks for putting the effort in Gary. I'll have my GoPro this weekend for our trip, so I'll make sure to get some good vid of you, as well as the others in the group. I have a feeling I'll be changing positions often as we ride to get good shots. I have the LCD screen(finally) so I can do adjustments on the fly