potential owner's kickstand question

[Guest jpea]

I have owned and ridden a California for one year, and though I love the bike I just can't get used to the cruiserly riding position. Now I am strongly considering replacing it with a lemans or other sport-oriented twin or triple. Couple questions I hope you guys can answer:

 

1. Kickstand placement: At 5'6", I can just barely reach the sidestand to put it up. Though I have sat on a lemans, I never thought to try the kickstand. Is it a similar reach? Has anyone moved the kickstand back?

 

2. Engine paint: Bubbles for 2002 only or for other years as well?

 

3. Is it worth it to get a model with the high-end suspension?

 

 

Thanks very much for your help.

 

Jpea

[twhitaker]

I have both bikes and the LeMans sidestand is in about the same place on both bikes so it would be about the same degree of difficulty. I would not know how the the sidestand could be relocated. Maybe the best thing would be for it to automatically pop up like the stand does on a Quota.

 

2002 and possibly 2003 were the only years for the bubbling paint.

 

If you are the streetfighter type of rider that pushes the limits of the bike, the suspension improvements of the Olins would be worth the extra cost.

[mark.gilmore]

3. Is it worth it to get a model with the high-end suspension?

Thanks very much for your help.

 

Yes.

For what it's worth, It does'nt cost that much more.

Cheers

Gilly