Kawa Gto

[RandyWhite]

Hi,

I am looking to buy another Kawa GTO: dodgy on the highway but as fast as anything through Bangkok traffic - except for any young daredevil, of course.

Used to run a GTO (silver with red/black stripes) with the big ribbed rectangular stoplight. This version came between the first GTO with the freestanding tail light and the GTO CitySport which dropped the metal 'Kawasaki' name on the tank. Then came the GTO Classic and finally the GTO Speedster. Seems to me that the mechanical specs. never changed though, only the appearance and stuff like the seat and headlight.

So...save me a trip to Glory Kawa and let me know if the above is right. I am thinking of using a Boss or KRR taillight and a mild custom job because I reckon the Boss is still a bit fat and ugly despite the new colours and graphics and powervalve two-strokes are never good for simply holding a nice speed. They are fun though. Unfortunately, it's rare that I see anyone other than a cop on a Boxer, so that's a bad look.

Anyway, GTO's still have that nice purring sound and I should be able to get a late model one in top condition for 12,000 baht, so a classic seat and some other cheap mods should see me on the road in some style for a measly song moon hah. Anyone got any better ideas?

RAW

PS: Yes, I already have a bicycle.

[Thanh-BKK]

Hi

Get a Yamaha RXZ - i ride one, and it eats GTO's for breakfast GTO, being a nice bike, has a flaw - the carb is sitting under a cover on the right side of the engine (crankcase inlet), if you happen to get into a flooded area the carb will be full of water in an instant (the cover is NOT watertight!) and you need tools to get to it.

Apart from that - my personal choice, as in GTO's, is the Mark VI - a beautiful bike, classic look, has it all. Mine RXZ is outfitted with a headlight from such GTO

Best regards.....

Thanh

[Crow Boy]

Moved to bikes in Thailand

[RandyWhite]

Hi

Get a Yamaha RXZ - i ride one, and it eats GTO's for breakfast GTO, being a nice bike, has a flaw - the carb is sitting under a cover on the right side of the engine (crankcase inlet), if you happen to get into a flooded area the carb will be full of water in an instant (the cover is NOT watertight!) and you need tools to get to it.

Apart from that - my personal choice, as in GTO's, is the Mark VI - a beautiful bike, classic look, has it all. Mine RXZ is outfitted with a headlight from such GTO

Best regards.....

Thanh

[RandyWhite]

Hi Thanh,

Thanks, but the GTO Mk4 still has that odd GPz-ish kicked up rear end, so I'll probably be trying to use a BOSS tail light in a custom piece of metal fender - or simply pay more for a later model, which wouldn't be nearly as much fun or hassle. I always liked the idea of a long low VRR (not a VR though), but it'd still have that doesn't-like-constant-throttle power valve character which was the biggest fault in my NSR150R - and aren't all the small ones like that? I would love a GB250/500 Clubman or SRX400/600 but they seem to be at least sahm moon qwah. So a GTO with rear-sets and clipons and a custom seat and paint job then - but would heavier fork oil improve the bouncy handling much and can you ring much more power out of them?

RAW / BKK

[RandyWhite]

Moved to bikes in Thailand

Yeah, whatever: Live free - ride fast - wear a helmet next time.

[RandyWhite]

BTW a friend of mine in Nonthaburi with an old Jap 'big bike' shop reckons he can get a SRX 400 (first model, no registration)) for 20,000 anytime. I guess he can, but I also reckon he would expect a steady stream of my money on running the thing properly. Caveat Emptor

PS: anyone care to advise how much the boys in brown charge for not having rego papers these days?

RAW / BKK