I figured you had him out of the hole and may have been behind when the wpeed got up around 80 or more. The lighter Kawsaki would be quick there. Also, the Japanese bikes reved up much faster than the Harleys.

I've owned and ridden a few different makes and models of motorcycles. I've had a couple unknown makes even, ever heard of a Tohatsu motorcycle? Currently I own and ride a touring Harley-Davidson, complete with the windshield, fairing, saddle bags, tour pack, plus AM/FM/CB radio, cruise control, and ABS brakes. It is something I wanted and I do enjoy. I will not claim it is the best make or model for everyone, but it is the one I wanted for some time. I respect and support any rider who cares to ride on two (or three) wheels and will not belittle or disparage someone on a different bike, even smaller ones. I've been there and done that. The freedom felt when riding on a motorcycle (technically it should be called an "enginecycle" unless it is powered by modern electric motor unit) is what sets it apart from the four wheeled conveyances called automobiles (car or truck).

The complaints about loud exhausts can be applied to four wheelers who do similar customiztion to their cars. I must partially agree that louder exhaust systems on bikes does make them more noticeable to cars which travel with the windowa closed and drivers who are not observant and watching for two wheelers. I've experienced several close calls because a driver was not paying attention and turned in front of me, began moving into my lane when I am beside them, and pulling out from a side street as I approached. Thankfully I have avoided any serious incidents that could have resulted, but not everyone is as lucky.

Interesting connection between smoking and riding. I have owned and riden motorcycles since I was 16 and have ridden since I was 12. Growing up in the 50s and 60s smoking was widely accepted and most of the people that I knew smoked as did I. In 1978 we has a brutal blizzard with extremely cold temps and high winds and it just happened that I ran out od cigarettes. I put on my ski gear , including my goggles and trudged to 3 stores until I found one that was open so that I could buy smokes. At that time I realized that smoking was controlling my life and not in a good way and I swore to stop. I did stop and the money I saved payed for a brand new Yamaha XS750. In spite of owning other bikes over the years, BMWs, Ducatis and Triumphs, I kept that Yami until it was time to downsize and I had to thin the herd. Smoking cessation and motorcycles are always linked together in my life.
As a side note, in the last six months I was incidentally diagnosed with a small cancerous nodule in my upper left lung which I had removed by a minimally invasive surgical procedure and I am cancer free.