u/PuzzleheadedFly7911

Perviously: the last warm weekend over here in Austria. Time to start early to get the most out if it!

Found that plastic/rubber ring debris under my Z900RS when I wiped down the warm chain with a workshop rag for applying some fresh lube the other day. Can't really tell where it came from, or if it was already there - it just suddenly appeared in the corner of my eye on the bright garage floor. First thought it was an X-ring of the chain, but it isn't. Checked the chain link by link and nothing's missing there. It's too big anyway for an X-ring. The outer diameter is 11mm (0,43"), the inner 6mm (0,24") and it's about 1mm (0,04") think. Due to the grooves and the thin inner lip it really looks like it was a part of a shaft seal. Z900RS is dry though and not leaking anywhere. Any ideas? Open for conspiracy theories 🤓

Yesterday I was on tour with a new friend on his Yamaha MT-09. Beautiful 200 kilometers mostly narrow twisties up and down the hills south-west of Vienna (Austria). We really ripped it but man I had to wrestle the Z900RS into and around the corners while the guy seemed to get around with his MT-09 like it was nothing, kinda effortless. I really had to work hard, used every inch of my tires (Dunlop SportSmart MK4) and scraped the pegs in hairpins. Found out, the MT-09 is 26kg lighter, has a short wheelbase, a few more ponies, a more active rider position and is like the Karate Kid of the block while the Kawa acts like a grumpy Sumo Fighter. Maybe not that extreme, but you know what I mean. And I have to admit he was some fine rider with decades of experience. Still, I love my Z900RS and because I opted for an early apex, I could accelerate really hard pretty early and got away quite quickly while he was still leaning. It was great fun and I learned a shit lot of driving dynamics!

I really, really love this time of the year. Warm light, perfect temperature, settling nature. If it could just last a little longer, like 6 months or so... 🤣

Anyone else got that ION S tail bag? I'm not 100% happy how I mounted it (straps looped to sub-frame), it's a bit loose.

Brought my PX with me on holiday on a trailer. Like very year. Holidays are double the fun this way.

I've been researching for months and just couldn't decide on the right luggage for my Z900RS. On my previous classic bike (RE Interceptor) I had the Legend Gear softbags but those weren't ideal: buckle plus roll-top plus velcro was just too much of a hassle to get something in or out easily. So I wanted something far more practical but not those terrible boxes as those found on most adventures bikes. Because I actually appreciate the quality of SW-MOTECH products, I gave the BLAZE bags a shot, and what should I say: they're pretty much perfect!! The best thing of the BLAZE luggage is that the rods holding the bags can be removed by a click, just a little bracket remains on the bike. Now I thought I'd share my experience and some photos for those in the same situation of looking for the GOAT solution.

#notsponsored

...been on a 2 day round trip to the lower Austrian alps with my buddy (T120 Bonnie). Up and down the hills, through woods, along rivers, by lakes, atop of ridges with jaw dropping views, countless curves and hairpins and few straights to clean the exhaust. Those moments are priceless.

I bought a black Fjällräven Räven 20 last October (2025) and haven't used it very often, maybe once or twice a week when riding my motorbike or when I was skiing for a few days. It now looks so terribly bleached out with a red tint especially on the upper part, like it was used outdoors for 10 years or more. Is this normal? Can I do something about it? I actually really don't like the shabby way it looks now...