I started riding trails bikes when I was 13. When I was 15 I got a suzuki gs550 and my bro got a kawa 454 ltd. I rode both bikes on a daily basis (my only means of transport) until I was 17. Then I got a Suzuki GSX1100 and rode that for a year until I went off to college.

Well its been 5 years since Ive ridden regularly and I am looking to get a sport bike with in the next couple of months. Im thinking I should get something in the 750 range since its been awhile since ive ridden regularly, but I would really like to get the kawa Z1000. I guess im just looking for some opinions. Should I get some more seat time under my belt before I move up to 1000cc+?

 

You seem to be a preatty experienced rider so i don't think you will have a problem moving into a 1000cc bike just make sure to take it ez for a while and get used to the bike before doing anyting crazy....As for the Kawi Z1000 i am a personal fan of the bike and it is a preatty mellow bike as far as the 1000cc bikes go (most of which are completely insane now) . the Z1000 is a VERY nice bike in person and i would recommend you checkout the following link for a preatty good review...

http://www.motorcycle-usa.com/...D=547

Anyway best of luck to you in making your decision, let us know waht you chose to do. welcome back!

edit: the only thing i noticed i didn't like when i test rode a Z1000 was the wind resistance, thats the only flaw i really found un-attractive (very small windscreen) the bike was preatty stable though and would easily ride with the 600 class but it wouldn't keep up with the 1000cc sportbikes quite as nice, but if you looking for an around the town rider its great as the seat is very upright and preatty comfy too, nice bike though

 

Thanks for the reply. I was never into stunting or racing. I just like the solo/free feeling that goes with bikes. When I first started riding the 1100 when I was younger I was scared shitless and got pulled over my first timing riding it. I threw back the throttle to pass someone and I hit 85mph in a 35 before I knew what was going on.

Ive sat on the z1000 alot in the bike shops and read about every review on, but I was a little bit leary about jumping on a "big" bike again after being out of it for so long. However, it doesnt feel heavy at all. I was amazed at how light it felt. My old gsx1100 felt heavy and cumbersome until you got up to speed.

 

If you're not going to be riding twisties you probably have enough experience to handle the z1000 but it still does have a lot of power, much more than the older bikes you used to ride so you have to respect it and give yourself a lot of time to get used to riding again. I would still try to stick to something smaller if you can just do to the torque of the bike it can cause you to slide and you probably lost the instinct to stay on the throttle.