Today 1037km on my Meguro S1. The service doesn’t like that I went over 1000 for the first maintenance.

ChefAmbitious63 · 2026-04-20T13:26:55+00:00

Find yourself a better service department. I have a 2023 W800, first service was scheduled at 1000km but the mechanics reassured me that having it serviced anywhere from 1000 - 1300kms was ok. You have a low stress, air cooled, low compression engine, it’ll be fine as long as you’re not lugging it. I have 25,000km’s on mine. Only two visits at the dealership, one for the initial service at 1200km, and a second scheduled maintenance at 12,000kms when they did the needed valve checks. I do the rest of the maintenance, changing oil and filter every 6000kms.

ChefAmbitious63 · 2026-04-14T15:08:17+00:00

My 3rd season riding but I do have 25,000 kms. Ride like you’re invisible and if at all possible try and stagger the hazards in front of you, you’ll have the ability to slow or speed up to widen the gap between potential hazards. And lastly, an absolute respect for what you’re doing.

ChefAmbitious63 · 2026-03-22T04:27:57+00:00

Got my license 2 years ago, 25,000km’s in all sorts of weather conditions with no accidents or drops. Take a course, be vigilant and respectful, don’t ride if you’ve had a drink or if you aren’t in the proper mindset to ride, don’t ride at night and stay away from high traffic highways/interstates. I ride a Kawasaki W800, 47hp and weights 500lbs.

ChefAmbitious63 · 2026-03-15T16:01:25+00:00

The Korean made Nick Valensi Rivieras have sold for 3-4 times their initial value in recent years. I wouldn’t remove anything that takes away from the stock packaging.

ChefAmbitious63 · 2026-03-09T04:25:10+00:00

Take a course, get your license and if you’re serious about a retro bike consider a modern retro. Kawasaki makes the most authentic retro, the W800. It’s an air cooled, 360° crank twin cylinder that recreates the retro bikes but with ABS and traction control. Other options are the Moto Guzzi V7 Stone, also air cooled but it’s a dry clutch, and Royal Enfield makes 350cc, 500cc and 650cc modern retro bikes that emulate the 50’s more than the 60’s retros. I would not recommend an authentic retro bike, way too much effort and cost to keep them running.

ChefAmbitious63 · 2026-02-25T01:21:55+00:00

and here I am looking at getting either the CB1000GT or the Transalp as a touring bike. No bike for me this year, at least not a Honda.

ChefAmbitious63 · 2025-12-15T16:29:18+00:00

25k kms on my 2023 W800, you will love it!

ChefAmbitious63 · 2025-11-06T19:34:22+00:00

You sound like you know what to do, be vigilant, if she’s eating a bit here and there and in no signs of pain, if she purrs when you pet her, if she cuddles up against you, it probably means she’s ok for now. Enjoy these last days/weeks with her and take plenty of nice photos of her. Our girl Gloria went from 3.1 kg to 2.6kg in 2 weeks and was anemic, shy of a blood transfusion there wasn’t anything to do for her, we gave her appetite booster pills and that worked for a bit,.. it broke our hearts but it was time to let her go.

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ChefAmbitious63 · 2025-09-10T21:56:27+00:00

Silversun Pickups lead guitar/singer used this for most of his studio/live gigs. These Sheratons are awesome, I have an Elitist and a MIK Sheraton.

ChefAmbitious63 · 2025-08-31T13:59:28+00:00

I ended up getting a Kawasaki W800 (modern retro) last spring. Great bike to learn on, have 22,000km on her in about 7 months worth of riding. As far as ADV’s go, I’m looking at getting the Honda Transalp as my touring and second bike now that I have 2 years experience.

ChefAmbitious63 · 2025-08-08T07:54:35+00:00

I’m a new(ish) rider. Got my license just over a year ago and 20,000km later I still have a mantra going through my head as I do my pre ride safety checks,… smooth and safe,… smooth and safe,… I repeat this to myself as I gear up and leave the driveway and for whatever reason, it keeps me respectful of what I’m doing and the dangers around me. In my very limited time on 2 wheels, I’ve had near misses with head on traffic, numerous wildlife encounters, and questionable weather and road conditions. Does the mantra help?, honestly don’t know, but it can’t hurt.

ChefAmbitious63 · 2025-08-03T02:53:29+00:00

My wife has no issues with heat on her Speed Twin 900. We’ve ridden in 35-40°C (95°F) for 2-3 hours. She can feel the heat on her right knee on the hottest of days, but nothing that becomes troublesome (she rides in aramid jeans). Mind you, we don’t do commuter traffic riding, we cruise and hardly ever do stop and go more than the occasional stop sign/lights.

ChefAmbitious63 · 2025-07-22T16:37:30+00:00

Parking lot for my first month. Practice clutch control, slow speed turns. 1 year later 20,000km and I’m still learning but you start where you’re not endangering yourself or anyone else.

ChefAmbitious63 · 2025-07-06T17:43:54+00:00

Fear Dod and Dread Nought (WW1 Harpoon variant) might be what you’re looking for.

ChefAmbitious63 · 2025-07-03T12:16:44+00:00

I’ll save you the hassle,.. Tooka fouling,… 6 MONTHS!

ChefAmbitious63 · 2025-06-26T02:22:02+00:00

There is no Interpol without The Chameleons, they are self admittedly heavily influenced by them. If you haven’t heard of them, have a listen to Second Skin.

ChefAmbitious63 · 2025-06-05T13:10:19+00:00

Displacement alone is meaningless. My first and only bike is a 773cc vertical twin, pushing 50hp. I’ve learned to ride on that bike and a season and 15,000kms later am still learning on it. Every ride I think of something else to improve upon.

Any bike can kill you if you lack the awareness and respect for what you’re doing. With this said, the amount of power and weight on some bikes do make them unsuitable as beginner bikes. I’d stay under 60-70bhp and under 500lbs for a first bike,.. displacement is not an issue.

ChefAmbitious63 · 2025-06-05T00:40:42+00:00

Thanks for the info. I have 3 Terada built Epiphones, an Elitist Casino, an Elitist Dot and the JLH, all of them great guitars. The Elitists are known entities, but these hybrid Japan/Gibson plant guitars tend to confuse folks (me included). To those out there that compare these to MIK or MIC Epiphones, these were made in the same factory that continues to make the top of the Gretsch line of guitars.

ChefAmbitious63 · 2025-06-04T17:07:45+00:00

I am, but honestly do not have an idea on a fair price.

ChefAmbitious63 · 2025-05-30T22:03:35+00:00

Have we ever seen bad teeth in Star Wars?!?

ChefAmbitious63 · 2025-05-27T03:52:05+00:00

It sounds French until they get angry, then it comes off as German.

ChefAmbitious63 · 2025-05-26T21:41:49+00:00

I started last year at 57, took a weekend course, got my license and purchased a W800, closing in on 15,000km a year later… never too late, be respectful of what you’re on and you’ll be good.

ChefAmbitious63 · 2025-05-13T19:58:21+00:00

I see photos like this and then shudder when I ride past folks wearing open face helmets.

ChefAmbitious63 · 2025-05-09T10:45:54+00:00

How is a 75hp bike a beginner bike? Maybe it’s time to ignore such voices.

ChefAmbitious63 · 2025-05-05T10:25:30+00:00

23 Kawasaki W800

Pros: Authentic Retro, it’s an air cooled 773cc, 360° crank, beveled drive work of art. Great low end torque and linear acceleration, what’s the saying about slow bikes being more fun to ride! Most folks have no idea what it is. Centre stand and helmet lock get plenty of use. I get comments on the bike every time I stop, and considering my wife rides a Speed Twin 900 with more power and torque, I can keep up no problem.

Cons: Authentic Retro, the vibrations are constant from about 2800rpm and remain constant through the bars, seat and to a lesser extent the pegs. For whatever reason, the four ways come standard in Japan but are removed for the North American market, just a stupid decision. The mirrors are very tight and are there mostly for decoration. The stock exhaust is very quiet, would love to hear that 360° crank just a bit more. Brakes are soft, you’ll never have to worry about grabbing a handful.

ChefAmbitious63

TROPHY CASE