Alright, let’s talk about my time with the Kawasaki Super Sherpa. I wasn’t looking for anything crazy, you know? Just needed a simple, reliable bike, something I could mess around with on back roads and maybe commute on sometimes.
Getting Started With It
So I picked one up, used, of course. It looked decent enough, but like any used bike, it needed some attention. First thing I did was give it a good once-over. Changed the oil, cleaned the air filter – the usual stuff. The carburetor needed a bit of a cleaning too, wasn’t running quite right when I got it. Took me an afternoon, fiddling around in the garage. Nothing too complicated, which was nice. These things are pretty straightforward mechanically.
Got it running smoothly. Fired right up after the carb clean. That felt good. Checked the tires, chain tension, brakes – made sure everything was safe before I really started riding it properly.
Riding the Thing
Okay, the first real rides. Took it easy at first. Around town, it was great. Super light, easy to handle in traffic. You can just flick it around. The low seat height was a big plus too, made it feel really manageable, especially when stopping and starting a lot.
Then I took it out on some trails. Nothing too hardcore, just some dirt roads and easy forest tracks near my place. This is where the Sherpa felt most at home, I think. Its weight, or lack of it, was fantastic off-road. You could pick your way through stuff pretty easily. It just felt nimble.
But here’s the deal: It’s not powerful. Not at all. Going up steeper hills, you really had to work the gears. On the highway? Yeah, it could do it, but it felt strained. Anything over 60 mph and the engine was buzzing like crazy. It wasn’t comfortable for long stretches at speed. Definitely more of a backroad explorer or city commuter.
Living With It Day-to-Day
Maintenance was dead simple. Seriously. Air-cooled engine, not much to go wrong. Oil changes were quick. Adjusting the chain, easy. It just sipped fuel too, which was great for the wallet. Never really gave me any major problems, just needed the basic upkeep.
Here’s a quick rundown of what stood out to me:
- Good stuff: Super lightweight and easy to maneuver. Very reliable engine. Low seat height builds confidence. Great fuel economy. Simple to work on.
- Not-so-good stuff: Definitely underpowered for faster roads or steep climbs. The suspension is pretty basic, can feel harsh on rough terrain. Finding certain specific parts sometimes took a bit of searching online.
Final Thoughts
I had the Sherpa for a good while. Used it for exploring all sorts of local spots I wouldn’t have taken a bigger bike. It was fun, you know? Simple, honest fun. Eventually, I needed something with a bit more grunt for longer trips, so I moved on. But I still think it’s a cracking little bike for the right person. If you’re learning, or just want something easy for trails and town, it’s hard to beat. Solid machine, really.
