Epic Rides and Destinations

As most two-wheeled veterans will tell you, there's a lot more to motorcycling than the bikes themselves. Part of the sport's mystique is the going, the doing and the traveling – the places you'll see, the people you'll meet and the great adventures you're sure to have.

Whether it's attending a laid-back east coast touring rally, a high-energy MotoGP or club-level roadrace, or a leisurely ride through the Appalachians or Texas Hill Country with a passenger or a riding buddy or two, heading out for a day or three – or a week or two – on a motorcycle is a thrill unmatched anywhere. Like Bob Seger says in his epic motorcycling song Roll Me Away… "We rolled across the high plains, deep into the mountains. Felt so good to me, finally feeling free…" Yeah, free.

Here are a handful of epic destinations and rides, in no particular order…

Americade Rally The seminal touring rally, held in Lake George, N.Y., is also one of the best all-around motorcycling get-togethers anywhere. June

MotoGP at Laguna Seca & Indianapolis The best road racers in the world bangin' bars for an entire weekend, plus plenty to do in and around the Monterey, Calif. and Indianapolis, Ind. areas. July (Laguna Seca) and August (Indy)

AMA Vintage Motorcycle Days America's biggest and best vintage extravaganza features motocross, roadracing, a fantastic swap meet, demo rides and much, much more at central Ohio's Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course. July

The Sturgis Rally Get your custom-bike vibe going in the biggest way possible while enjoying the scenery and roads in the beautiful Black Hills region of South Dakota. August

Daytona Bike Week Every March, the Daytona International Speedway and surrounding areas host one of the largest gatherings of racers, cruisers, customs and shows in the nation. Don't miss it! March. Biketoberfest Just like Bike Week, but a little more relaxed.

Biketoberfest includes rallies, shows, races and a taste of the street scene that made the original "Bike Week" famous. October.

Road America Vintage Motorcycle Classic This Midwest event has everything a motorcyclist could want – racing, great roads, a swap meet, good food, and that great Midwest vibe. June

The Blue Ridge Parkway From Virginia to South Carolina (or vice-versa), the BRP is 470 wonderful miles of perfect pavement, beautiful scenery, great eateries and quaint motels – the perfect place for that leisurely ride you've been dreaming about, especially in the fall.

Utah's Highway 12 One of the most picturesque highways you'll ever ride, Utah 12 runs from beautiful Bryce Canyon National Park to its conclusion near the entrance to Capitol Reef National Park. 'Amazing' is the only way to describe this ride…

California's Pacific Coast Highway One is epic from top to bottom, but the 100-plus-mile run from Santa Maria to Carmel is enough to make grown motorcyclists cry. You simply can't believe the views.

Barber Vintage Fest This one's more than a vintage racing and swap-meet extravaganza; there's also the world-beating Barber Motorsports Museum, in Leeds, Ala., with over 1000 motorcycles you've got to see to believe. October.

The Alps We know; the region's far away, and pricey, too. But if you're looking for some of the world's best motorcycling, culture, food and history, the Austrian, Swiss, French and Italian Alps – especially in the fall – will knock your riding boots right off your feet.

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Socializing with like-minded folks can make riding much more enjoyable than riding alone. Clubs can also provide mentorship and guidance for new riders. There are a number of groups riders may join, whether model-specific or all-inclusive. Whatever you're into, it's likely there's a club to suit your personality.

Kawasaki's riders club, the Riders of Kawasaki (ROK™), hosts events throughout the country. Aside from ROK, there are other Kawasaki-specific clubs, including the Concours Owners Group (COG) and the Vulcan Riders of Kawasaki (VROK).


Rallies are held throughout the country, with most events taking place during the spring and summer months.

Suggestions for finding the most suitable group or event:

• Decide if you want to ride with people on the same type of motorcycle as you, or whether you'd rather join a more open and diverse group.
  
  
• Look up the club's calendar and determine whether its activities match your interests. Do you want to join a group ride? Tour? Club race? Join in charitable functions?
  
  
• See what kind of guidance they offer for new riders. Many clubs are happy to mentor newbies. Some events have demo rides, allowing you to try different motorcycles.
  
  
• Pick rallies to attend based on your own schedule, or timed to coincide with special occasions, like the fall turning of the leaves, Fourth of July, Bike Week, October / Biketoberfest, etc.
  
  
• You can attend rallies in conjunction with your chosen club, or on your own.
  
  
• The internet is your friend, and a little research will go a long way. Rallies in particular, can run the gamut from dedicated race gatherings, to sedate owner's meetings, to wild all-night biker hooliganism. Only you can decide what type of rally is the best match for your own style…the possibilities are nearly endless.

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Customizing is a step many riders take within a few months of owning their first motorcycle. As beautiful as a stock bike is, customizing makes it more distinctive — it makes it yours.

Manufacturers and aftermarket companies have responded to this impulse with gusto, offering everything from custom decals to specialized exhaust systems. And because manufacturers make specific accessories for their models, customizing can be as simple as replacing an original part with a direct-replacement accessory. Several models in Kawasaki's S.M.A.R.T. line-up have an abundance of factory approved accessories just waiting to be added to your motorcycle.

Click here to check out Kawasaki Motorcycle Accessories

ACCESSORIES LIST:

Ninja® 250R

• Seat Cowl: Each cowl is constructed of high quality ABS plastic and features factory-matched paint. Replaces stock rear seat. Available in green, black, red, and blue.
• Tribal/Flame Graphics Kit: Highly detailed pattern has a black and dark smoke background with silver tribal flames and your choice of red, green, blue, purple or pink pinstriped outlines.
• Bubble Screen: Durable scratch resistant material and bubble-shaped windscreen offers great looks and additional wind protection.
  

Ninja 650R

• Spoiler Screen: Unique spoiler shape and 2" of additional height offer increase wind protection.
• Sport Screen: Sporty bubble shape and 1" of additional height offer increased wind protection.
• Low Seat: Top quality OEM base, foam and cover. Reduces height by 30mm (1 1/8") and width by 20mm (3/4").

Versys®

• Tall Windshield: Taller, wider windshield for improved wind protection. 13.5" tall, 13.5" wide.
• Vario Windshield: Unique adjustable spoiler controls airflow to suit the rider. 12.5" tall, 13.5" wide.
• Tank and Knee Pads: Semi-transparent gel resin adhesive pads protect the painted surfaces of the fuel tank.
• Low Gel Seat: Custom molded seat features a gel comfort layer and is 2" lower, 1" narrower than stock.

KLR™650

• Tall Windshield: Tough 3mm hardcoated polycarbonate with an additional 4" of height.
• Gel Seat Kit: Features a simple to install high resiliency foam with a gel insert and a specially designed cover with spandura for extra comfort.
• Saddlebags: Convenient, durable storage for touring and daily use; features a unique rubberized vinyl finish that is durable and water resistant. 16" x 11" x 7".
• Renthal® Grips: Specially formulated to achieve the optimum combination of strength, tackiness and shock absorption to suit every riding condition and individual style.

Vulcan® 900 Classic

• Short Windshield Kit: Thick, optically correct acrylic plastic windscreen is same design as standard windshield but 3" shorter.
• Gel Seat: Gel insert evens out seating pressure, “floating” the rider's and passenger's weight over a larger surface area.
• Passenger Backrest: Strong chrome steel bar construction with all required hardware included. Riser measures 13" high.
• Alamo Saddlebags: These bags feature a unique hinge and a hidden quick-release buckle designed for easy access to your gear. 16"L x 13"H.
• Headlight Visor: Triple chrome plated, mounts to the headlight.

Vulcan 900 Classic LT

• Windshield Lowers: Provide additional wind protection for lower body. Chrome plated steel brackets and trim with hard-coated clear polycarbonate wings.
• Light Bar: Light the road with dual sealed beam DOT-approved lights delivering 22,000 candlepower each.

Vulcan 900 Custom

• Windshield Kit: Optically correct Quantum hard-coated polycarbonate shield is shaped for smooth airflow and classic cruiser style. 26" high in low position with 2" additional vertical adjustment.
• Luggage Rack: Chromed rectangular steel bar construction. 7.5" x 7".
• Engine Guard: Made from durable 34mm steel tubing, these triple chrome coated engine guards are made to go the distance.

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