So you think you want a chopper?…..
Well, the new review in the Rozzy Rides series might make you think again as Rozzy reviews something a little different from the VC stables. Get ready for peg scraping, back pains, a lot of moaning… and constantly checking for indicators, mirrors, and a speedo that don’t actually exist.
The Black Cat- By Tom Bing
Ok, so COVID19 has necessitated a change in normal service at ROZZY RIDES….
Unable to access Dad’s fleet of shit motos (like the TR5T or the T25), I have been forced to ‘diversify’. Plus, I recently splashed out on an insurance add on that means I can ride ANY bike now. So basically no-one’s prized whip is safe from my ‘reviews’. And my first victim? VC regular Namin Cho and her Red Max built Kawasaki W650 - “The Black Cat”.
Namin bought this sweet chop in 2016 from a dude called Adam Brinkworth after he had it built by Red Max Speed Shop, which sounds very cool. All my dad’s bikes were bought from men called Nigel who had converted their front rooms into workshops after their wives had left them so Namin wins this round over my dad’s bikes already.
“Namin will tell ya, the best thing about this bike is that it’s actually super reliable… unlike most chops ever built”
Namin was the first of the founding VC gals to get a sweet chop after Gemma saw it at a party and was told it was gonna be up for sale soon. After some very hurried phone calls and a “get your arse down here quick!” the bike was Namin’s, and it’s definitely one of the meanest bikes I’ve ever seen. Namin then passed her MOD2 (not first time, or second, or third I’m told…) and then went straight from her lil CG 125cc to this animal, leaving behind everything she had learnt about using indicators and mirrors because this bike doesn’t have anything useful like that.
P// TOM BING
All the chops the gals ride look very cool; but I’ve ridden enough (or not) with them to know that every chop seems to have ‘issues’. With Mai’s Unicorn it’s usually the battery. With Gemma’s Triumph it’s usually a spark plug issue, or the battery, or maybe the alternator, or perhaps Leo is in retrograde. It’s hard to predict and even harder to solve. However, Namin’s chop is a different animal altogether.
“When I rode this I kept desperately looking down at the oil pressure gauge thinking it was the speedo. Surprise: there is no speedo!
You’ve just gotta sense what speed you’re going. Even Namin admits that having a speedo would be nice...”
Namin will tell ya, the best thing about this bike is the fact that it’s super reliable. Just before lockdown I went to rescue it from where it had lain undisturbed down a Hackney side street all winter. After ripping off its cover, it started pretty much third kick and roared into life. And it does roar. There are no baffles in those pipes - loud pipes save lives and all that. It also has a working electric start too!
However, like all chops, it does have a pretty small petrol tank. Not as small as some I’ve seen (hello Mai), but you’d probably want to invest in a 1L fuel friend for emergencies. Saying that, Namin has ridden the 300 or so miles to Camp VC and back on this. Presumably, if you plan your petrol stops well (ie. stop at every single possible service station?) you can put some decent miles on it.
P// TOM BING
Whether you’d want to ride that far is another thing entirely. I spent a day riding it in and around London, and it’s not the most comfortable of bikes. The solid rear end can be a bit brutal on your arse. London is riddled with unexpected potholes and speed bumps, not all of which can be avoided. When I woke up the next day my back didn’t feel brilliant. Also the bars are mini apes or something like that, and I really prefer flat bars, so that made my shoulders hurt a bit (WOE IS ME).
Another thing I noticed is that I naturally rest my right knee against the bevel cover on the right side of the engine. As the day wore on, it actually started to burn a bit of a hole in my jeans and I had to ride with my right knee sticking right out to try and remedy this. I’m sure it’s quite nice in the winter, but the burning feeling did get on my nerves a bit after a while. Not sure this is something Namin would ever complain about because she’s hard as nails and never whinges, but I am trying to be very thorough with this review. And those were my favourite jeans.
Contrary to what many people might think, I’m not known for ‘getting my knee down’. That’s lucky, because this Kawasaki ain’t built for a deep lean on the corners. Lean it over just a little bit and you’ll be scraping the pegs (it gave me quite a shock the first time I did it). Like all chops, it’s really built for nice long straight American roads, with very long sweeping curves. You can do a sharp right hand turn onto Commercial Road, but you’d best try and stay as upright as possible.
However, despite this, of any bike I have ever ridden, this one has made me feel the most cool. It’s SO LOUD that people cannot help but look at you as you go past. When you stop at the lights (and people realise you’re a woman) everyone loves to have a good old ogle. The only other times I’ve experienced as much attention near a motorcycle is when I’ve broken down and am pushing it up the road. Riding this I’ve had people wind down their car windows to shout things at me, had gangs of kids stop and film me and had lots of thumbs up. Now I think about it, the things shouted at me might not have always been nice but, as I said, the pipes are really loud so you don’t hear it anyway!
Big thanks to Namin for letting me have a blast on her prized moto!
IMPORTANT SCIENTIFIC BLACK CAT STATS COMPILED BY RDP
COOL FACTOR: 12/10. Never have I had so many approving looks at traffic lights. Riding this made me feel like the coolest chick EVER. It’s loud, it’s mean, it’s chopped, I get to pretend I am Namin. Basically, love it.
HANDLING: 5/10. Not brilliant… I don’t think it was built to do corners? Very little in the way of suspension. Built for looks not practicality (like all the girls’ bikes…)
LIKELIHOOD OF BEING NICKED IN LONDON: 6/10. Hard to judge - it normally lives outside under a cover, secured with a nice chunky chain, and obviously wasn’t nicked in the months it was left unattended. Plus, it’s pretty recognisable, so might be hard to sell on without someone noticing that it’s quite clearly Namin’s chop...
LIKELIHOOD OF NEEDING DAD TO COME RESCUE ME: 1/10. Dad has paused all rescue missions for me at the moment, however, luckily, this bike is pretty reliable (until you run out of petrol…)
KEY TOOLS FOR A SUCCESSFUL RIDE: Your arms to do your turn signals, healthy neck to do lots of lifesavers because you’ve got no mirrors, earplugs because it’s bloody loud. Only your coolest moto gear because everyone is gonna look at you.
VIBRATIONS WHILST RIDING FACTOR: Really not much of a problem, the most important thing is to avoid potholes because this has a solid rear end AND THEY WILL FUCK YOU UP.
IDIOSYNCRASIES: Try and keep fairly upright on the corners because you will scrape the pegs with even the shallowest lean. One of the pegs has been welded back on wonky after a slight previous mishap. The back brake can be a bit sharp so use with caution.
RESTORATION LEVEL: N/A cause it’s a sick chop. Namin’s never been big on cleaning it (I’ve seen Gemma clean it a few times, but never Namin) but apart from the grips looking a bit scummy, it’s it very good shape. No noticeable rusty bits, and it’s all black which hides a multitude of sins.
HAS DAD PUT A SHIT RACK ON IT: Thank god he’s never been allowed within 10 feet of this bike.
Factory stats (yawn) most of which probably don’t really apply to this bike any more
Chassis
Front Wheel: WM1 21"
Rear Wheel: WM3 18"
Front Tyre: 100/90-19 57H
Rear Tyre: 130/80-18 66H
Front Suspension: Telescopic (Inner Tube Diameter 39mm)
Front Brakes: Single Disc (Outer Diameter 300mm)
Rear Brakes: Drum (Leading Trailing) 160mm (Inner Diameter)
Engine/Transmission
Configuration: Bevel-drive parallel twin
Capacity: 675cc
Bore/Stroke: 72x83mm
Power: 49.3bhp (36.5kW) @ 5,000rpm
Torque: 41lb-ft (56Nm) @ 5,500rpm
Gears: 5
Dimensions
Length/Width/Height: 2180mm x 790mm x 1075mm
Seat Height: 800 mm
Wheelbase: 1465mm
Dry Weight: 193 kg
Fuel Tank: 14 litres