A look at some 2011's....Ride Now, Concord, NC

Made a real quick stop at RideNow in Concord, NC on my way home on March 12. There I saw for the first time, the Yamaha FZ8 which is seen at left. It has been sold in Europe for a while, but is making it to these shores for the first time this year. The FZ8 is in in-line four somewhat based in the R1 sportbike engine though downsized from that 1000cc engine (this bike also exists in a 1000 cc version, as well as the R6 based FZ6 . I like 750-800cc engines, and this bike looks like it will be a good motorcycle for Yamaha. I read that this is the only color it comes in. Should be a lot of fun to ride and has been getting good reviews from the motorcycle magazines.
Another bike getting good reviews from the motorcycle press is the Kawasaki Ninja 1000. It uses the same engine as is found in the Z-1000 but is said to have better room for taller people such as myself, and has an adjustable windshield. I did like this bike, and it is another naked as is the Yamaha FZ8. Next photo (the red cruiser) is the new Kawasaki Vaquero, also new for 2011 with a 1700cc v-twin. Like the look of this bike, which has a definite Harley look, though the 1700 in the Kawasaki, unlike the HD engines is water cooled (though Harley does have water cooled engines in its V-Rod series). The last bike is one of Victory Motorcycles fine line of bikes, like the look of their bikes and they are getting a good reputation for quality and reliability. Many of them have a custom look and are interesting motorcycles.