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[Ironhorse]

i need something that can handle as well as my Vespa, can handle very slow tight maneuvers well, fit very well between cars, and have enough power for when the Freeways are not bogged down with traffic to climb uphill with ease at full speed.

I am from SoCal (just working in Afghanistan) and I so get it.

I know what you are looking for and do believe the KZP fits the bill. It's a 1000cc so it has plenty of power. It has a very nice tight turning radius and can make a full lock circle inside of 16' with a board scraping lean. It does tight manuevers so well, it has it's own catagory in police rodeo competitions. It weighs 550 pounds and can be handled with a fair amount of ease. The riding position is very close to your Ultra. You sit upright, have floorboards, a large brake pedal, and heel and toe shifters. The solo police saddle is comfortable enough for 12 hour long patrols. Although NOT designed to go off road, it can handle dirt and mud fairly well (at least it did at motor school) and has enough ground clearance to go over curbs and up and down stairs. There is a reason it was a police bike from 1977 to 2005, and why it is the ride of choice amongst most big city motorcycle courier services. A fully dressed one comes with a fairing, saddlebags and a top box (radio carrier). A very dependable workhorse that can take abuse and punishment, just ask Trapperdog,...LOL!

But if you don't like the looks or just don't want one I understand.

Mark

[Trapperdog]

And as Mark said in another post, when you pull up behind someone on the KZP, they move out of your way quickly! Very fun bikes as they take abuse and keep on ticking. I'll always remember doing cone maneuverer's on the KZ's with Mark on a steep hillside, what a hoot.  Now you've got me jonesin for one again. One with a siren 

[brosen101]

Tiring on riding my big bike (UltraCVO) on the 405 freeway here in SoCal in horrible traffic, thinking of picking up yet another bike to commute with.
Have used my Vespa GTS300 Super but when roads are wide open i am full throttle and really pushing that little engine.

Need something that handle amazing and also squeeze through the cars for lane splitting in the narrowest of places, and enough power to handle 85 plus on the freeway, plus climbing up and down a mountain hill.
 Have been thinking something like an older Dyna (perhaps a Low Rider) or maybe even a Sportster 883 Low (the specs make it sound like it handles great at low speed, which may be required), or even maybe a Triumph Bonneville, but I question comfort and handling on that bike. Test rode recently and found position weird and steering not as nimble as i had hoped.


Thoughts?

Sounds like we're neighbors and riding the same bike.  The 405 blows, anyway you look at it.  I've tried commuting on other bikes but still prefer the Ultra, even though other bikes have a smaller waistline and can squeeze through those tight lane splitting areas.  For what it's worth, I have a couple friends that commute on the BMW R 1200R, and they swear by it, then hop on their Harley's for the weekend rides.

[mightywarlock]

Sounds like we're neighbors and riding the same bike.  The 405 blows, anyway you look at it.  I've tried commuting on other bikes but still prefer the Ultra, even though other bikes have a smaller waistline and can squeeze through those tight lane splitting areas.  For what it's worth, I have a couple friends that commute on the BMW R 1200R, and they swear by it, then hop on their Harley's for the weekend rides.

Please find out if yer buddy crashed this week.

I was on the 405 and a guy on a bmw 1200 got off the freeway north due to traffic at Wilshire to head up on Sepulveda.
On Sepulveda by Sunset, after a green light, a car turned left into his lane and the guy struck the car and crashed. I was on my Vespa and the bmw hit my scooter.
Guy got carted away in an ambulance.

Vespa has minor scratches.

Yer friend?

[brosen101]

Ugh!  After reading this I gave them a quick call and luckily that wasn't either of my friends commuting on their Bimmers.  Plenty of construction up there to throw things off.  Hope that guy is going to be okay.

[Rooster]

In 83 I bought a new Kawasaki 1000 ltd. Very fast for the day and I rode it everyday for years. One of the best bikes I ever owned.

[turbo357]

What about a Buell xb9 or xb12 ?? Light weight and Plenty of power from a Harley V-twin

[SDCVO]

In 83 I bought a new Kawasaki 1000 ltd. Very fast for the day and I rode it everyday for years. One of the best bikes I ever owned.

My only mode of transportation in college in the late 70's. I loved (and hated) that bike with the Vetter fairing. I almost killed myself many times on that bike but had a ball trying..
I think its why i fell so hard for my roadglide. It reminds me of that bike with the fixed fairing.

[CVO2FIXUP]

 KTM 990 Adventure.  Easy to split lanes with, fast and powerful. And you can aerate your neighbors front lawn!!!

[FLHTCUSE7]

I have to second the BMW g 1200 GS. Great all-around bike. 

[Hog95023]

St1300