New Black Panther Owner in the US of A

[Pedros_Panther]

Hello All,

I have recently become the fourth owner of a 2000 Black Panther with 5,300 miles on the clock. I live in Milwaukee, WI, USA. I am always looking for advice to help my new ride run smoother, faster, and longer. So, if anyone has general advice, tips, or even good stories I would be eager to read it.

My New Ride:
2000 MZ Baghira 660 Black Panther, M4 Stainless slip-on, custom MZ green and black paint(not the best job), no airbox (only exposed stock filter), new bar end mirrors that I just intsalled, missing seat fastener(already ordered new ones from Grahams -thanks guys ), Maxxis GoldSpeed tires(still quite fresh)...that covers most of it. The first owner had the paint job done and was very disappointed with it afterward(apparently that is why he sold it). I don't mind the quality as much; it looks fine from a few steps away. However, I'm not a real green person so I will be repainting it in either gloss or matte black . As for the missing airbox, it was either removed by the first or second owner and I assume it was to provide more airflow. The third owner, from whom I bought the bike, didn't even know that an airbox was supposed to be there. He had if for five years and really didn't ride it much, but it sounds like he had it serviced frequently(he had plenty of money). Any advice on an alternative to the exposed stock filter? Maybe some clamp-ons? I also would really like the find a rear tire hugger so if anyone has any such experience, please let me know.

Thanks for putting this forum together, I have already found many answers to my many questions. But I am always eager for more advice.

Happy Trails,
Pete

[iceman]

Welcome ,lots of info. here on your bike...John

[mr-brightside]

sounds good can we see some pictures i was wondering how mine would look without the airbox

[BAGGIE 660]

Mine also had no air box and a couple of holes cut inside on both sides about 2" diameter covered with fine mesh, making the area were the filter lives 'the air box' itself....it does breath better and find it revs cleanly to the rev limiter no probs.Any photo's bud?..

[Pedros_Panther]

Here is a photo of my panther...unfortunately I hit a deer three weeks ago and had to do some repairs. Now it's back on the road and this is what it currently looks like.

MZ 006_small.jpg (714.86 KiB) Viewed 2365 times

[DAVID THOMPSON]

nice lookin bike
my traveller has a butchered air box from a past owner-- why do guys mod so much stuff
if you want a fast bike go get a bigger bike

me when i want to go fast i just find a redheaded woman to date

winter project install an oem air box if i can find one or fab one i was sucking water into the carbs
yesterday in a hard rain its hard enough riding in rain with out having the bike want to die on you---
dave

[mr-brightside]

lookin good i presume the deer ended up worse then the baggie did