So Rook, tell me if you think I'm crazy or not. On February 28th I ordered a 2025 Kawasaki Z900RS. I just fell in love with the retro look over the winter. It finally came in on May 9th. I just love everything about that bike. The looks, the wide handlebars, the upright riding position, the handling, etc. Unfortunately, I've only been able to ride it a few times because it won't stop raining in Bismarck, ND. I've only put 143 miles on it so far and I
loved every mile. Last week I took my 2012 (golden blaze green) 14R for a ride. It felt good to ride it, but it's just not the same anymore. It didn't have the same feeling to me that it did when I bought it new or even when I parked it last fall. Last fall I couldn't wait until this spring so I could get on it again. That feelings gone.
I'm thinking about selling it. The only thing is would I regret it? I ordered it from my dealer in January 2012 and it's been part of my life since it came in in March 2012.
The Z900RS is such a good looking and comfortable bike and I'm not that interested in my 14R anymore. The owner of the Kawasaki dealership where I bought both bikes said I would probably regret selling the 14R.
I've also lost interest in roll on racing. Maybe it's my age, I'll be 70 next month. I just want to sit up and cruise.
I know it's my decision on what to do, but I'd like some opinions. Hub? You're the master of thoughts and decisions.
In 1978 I bought a new KZ1000 and I just loved that bike. Maybe at my age I'm just living in the past and want what I used to have. Sometimes decisions suck because you have to live with them, good or bad.

Sometimes decisions suck because you have to live with them, good or bad.

Mokaw, don't do it, it's a trap! You'll regret it if you sell it now.

I looked at used Z900rs for a bit, love the retro 70's Z900 look and the retro paint schemes, they are very cool. I just want something with a little more wind protection. Every review I've read has said they are a better UJM than the original 900 was.

Wait until the newness of the Z900 wears off a bit. If you're still wanting to sell it, do it, but wait for a while or you'll regret it. JM2C

D1GP, maybe you're right. I guess it's always a great feeling when getting a new bike. I'll put some miles on the Z900RS and get it broke in and go from there.
I've always looked forward to going for a cruise on the 14R. Right now it's just not there. I guess it's because of the excitement of riding a new bike.
My 14R has 13,500 miles on it. It's in excellent shape, never sees rain. I went through my owners manual in the back of the book where I document every oil change to see how many times I've changed the oil on it. 20 times! That's an average of about every 675 miles. Probably way overkill, especially since I use Mobil 1 4T synthetic motorcycle oil.
The good part is can you imagine how clean that motor must be inside? The bikes always been my pride and joy. I've gotten so many compliments on the color when it's parked in the sun, especially at bike night.
I've done roll on races and have never lost (BMW S1000RR, Gen 2 and Gen 3 Busas, a 2022 Kawasaki ZX10R (young cocky guy who was suppose to be one of the fastest around here. He took off in 1st gear, I always take off in 2nd. He was humbled and gave me a thumbs up), and a few other 14's. I wasn't proud of myself, I was proud of my 14R for having the torque to instantly get the jump on them.
Those are very good memories of my 14R. NO MORE RACING! I figured if I sold the bike I wouldn't be tempted.
I'll do what you suggest and keep it for now and see how the Z900RS turns out.
Thanks for the advice. I really do appreciate it!

Last fall I couldn't wait until this spring so I could get on it again. That feelings gone.
I'm thinking about selling it. The only thing is would I regret it? I ordered it from my dealer in January 2012 and it's been part of my life since it came in in March 2012.

D1GP has the right idea. You might grow to enjoy having a choice between two bikes any day you want to ride. It will keep the milage down on both bikes. If you feel the 14R is just taking up space, you can sell in a year or two. Right now the biggest cost of owning that bike is probably a little over a thousand bucks a year. I'm just talking the price of the bike from the dealership divided by the years you owned it. That cost what you already own dwindles every year. What you paid per year of ownership falls, the price of new bikes goes up every year. I wouldn't get rid of it unless it starts to be hassle to you to keep it. ...start thinking about what third bike want to own instead of thinking about selling them.

Congrats on the Z900RS. I love the retro eg shape upper cowl too! This reminds me of the first sport bikes I ever saw as a kid. I would enjoy that bike too.

Sorta reminds me of my experience: When I saw the '24 Anniversary ZX14R I thought HOLY CRAP I gotta have that! And posted just that. I had been looking for a new bike for 2-3 years or so but hadn't found anything I wanted, then saw that ZX and thought that's the perfect answer! I get to keep the bike I like but 10 years newer and with an awesome new livery!! But when it came down to actually doing it, I just couldn't! There's nothing wrong with my ZX, it looks great, runs great, is great ... and the more I thought about it the more I just wasn't interested in swapping for the same thing. So I tried the '24 Yamaha MT-10 SP which lasted less than a year before I decided Nah just not that exciting, now on to a '24 Ducati Diavel V4. I "think" I'm going to migrate fully to the Duc, but I'm just not sure. But going back to the ZX isn't that exciting either ... but then I haven't ridden it in over prob 9 months ... you know what, I'm going to now! I'll be back!

Mokaw

If you feel the 14R is just taking up space, you can sell in a year or two

The funny thing was when you posted I was thinking "2012, Golden Blazed Green, low miles...I should convince him to sell it." If you decide to sell yours in a year or two, I could be a buyer. I kinda want a new one for my first, but you never know...

"2012, Golden Blazed Green, low miles." It just rolls off the tongue.

But going back to the ZX isn't that exciting either ... but then I haven't ridden it in over prob 9 months ... you know what, I'm going to now! I'll be back!

I hadn't ridden my Gen1 for two years. Starting up the Gen2 and riding it brought back a lot of warm, fuzzy feelings. I don't feel like it replaces the Gen1 though. That bike was unique and this new one will be too. My Haybusa will always have it's place as well. I really like owning all of them and they each have their own special characteristics.

Rook, funny you should mention a 3rd bike. I had a 1971 Kawasaki Mach III 500 3 cylinder 2 stroke back in the 70's. They were a little over $1,000 brand new back then. I'd love to have one again. The bad part is the ones that are restored and look like new cost just as much or more as the 2025 Z900RS I just bought.

...well mokaw, I just watched a video about that bike. You should get yourself that H1. It would provide a much different riding experience from your current bikes. I'd love to own a little red Yamaha DT-100 again. That was my first bike. LOL I remember I paid $575 for it new from the dealership. I was 12 years old and saved up my paper rout money. At this point in my life, I wouldn't pay 12 times that for a restored one. Maybe some day I would. I tell ya, it would have me thinking a little if it were right in front of me. It actually would be a great last bike. God willing, the last bike is many years down the road.

God willing, the last bike is many years down the road.

Dude, ahhh, Rook, I'm with ya on that one.

About 40 years ago (1983-84, just before my first daughter was born), yes I'm old-ish, I was the test rider for my crippled friends', 830cc, reed valved, 42mm carbureted, air shifted, H2 drag bike. He always said, "There's nothing worse than getting beaten by a crippled guy." A story for another time.

I have lots of development experience. Fitting the larger, much modified cylinders (crank and crankcase), air shifter and finally thank GOD a wheelie bar. He sent the engine to some shop in Florida that only worked on 2-strokes and specialized in 3 cylinder Kawi's. I can't remember the name, but I think the child of that shop still exists today. I'll see if I can search it on the interweb.

I would ride of those (stock-ish) on weekends or for short trips. The H2 I test rode started out pretty much stock, but they are a gas guzzling (10-13mpg), crazy handling, non-stopping, plug fouling, wheeling adrenaline rush that you'll never forget, or in your case always remember.

Too bad a really nice, clean survivor can be over $10K now. You might find a clean-ish one for $8-9K. I've never ridden an H1, but I have ridden an S3 400. It was fun and not to flexi, but could wheelie. There are some fun stories about that one, too.

If you can find a clean one that you can justify, buy it.

It will never be worth less than you paid for it, if you keep it rubber side down, shiny side up.

* Last updated by: D1GP on 5/22/2025 @ 9:09 PM *

It will never be worth less than you paid for it, if you keep it rubber side down, shiny side up.

That's what I keep saying about old bikes, you're better off to not ride them too much to reduce the chances they'll be lost in a crash. Whether it has value as a collector's item or not, I don't want to wreck any more bikes I've spent a lot of time and creativity working on. It's kind of a catch 22.

That's what I keep saying about old bikes, you're better off to not ride them too much to reduce the chances they'll be lost in a crash. Whether it has value as a collector's item or not, I don't want to wreck any more bikes I've spent a lot of time and creativity working on. It's kind of a catch 22.

That's why so many bikes in collections aren't ridden or only ridden a little. Everyone (including myself a few times) says, "If that was my bike, I'd ride it, not just let it sit." Jay Leno is one exception, but he has enough money to repair just about anything that gets damaged. Just about.

...you're better off to not ride them too much to reduce the chances they'll be lost in a crash.

At Goodwood Festival of Speed, there was one crash during "light competition" that caused like $250 million dollars in damage to multiple cars, a few irreparably.

I don't have enough money (or the desire) to write off a $15,000 motorcycle, let alone a $48 million Ferrari 250LM.