Needs a life
Full throttle!
Posts: One MEEEEEELLION
posted February 29, 2004 10:35 PM
Since the pastor has'nt spoke yet, and I'm just in from the rest of my vacation, thought it was time for for me to chip in my impressions.
The last small bike I had ridden was a CBR600F4I. The 10R felt lighter. Riding it, the bike literally disappeared under me.
Ergos - While at the bike show, I made a measurement for me that was critical to deciding if I was going to fit on a new literbike or not. I added the room that leathers and a helmet would take up and got on the bike in a tucked position. The first bike I sat on was the 10R. It accomodated my 6'1" frame with no problems. Then I went over and sat on the R1. Nope, couldn't fit. The distance from the front of the bike to the rear of the seat was just too short. Score one for Kawasaki. I already had dismissed the GSXR1000 (having put a couple hundred miles on one before) as a great bike, but not one that really stirred any passions in me. The Honda looked bland, and more importantly, was not available for anything other than remote viewing at the bike show. So count one strike against Honda for that. When actually riding the bike, I was again struck by how small it really was. Guys, I rarely ride someone else's bike... I gotta tell you, I was nervous as hell the first day. I couldn't help but think of just how much crap I'd take and how bad I'd feel if I wrecked this bike. This beautiful, wicked black tool of corner slicing badness... Back to the review. The ergos were great. Yes, my legs were up MUCH higher than a stock 12. But magically, I found that the position wasn't uncomfortable. As Fish has relayed, we were able to ride the bikes all day (and into the evening) without being so sore as to have to 'crawl' off the bike. I can recall riding 500 miles one summer on my 1984 Ninja...I was so sore and locked up after that ride, I had to stay bent over and just fall over onto the couch and let my muscles loosen up. When I got off the 10R (after a 'brisk' ride in the rain) I felt as relaxed as tho I had just finished a shiatsu massage...Invigorated, charged with energy, ready to tackle the world! The reach to the bars was perfect for me, leaving me plenty of room for control, but not so close as to restrict my movement when tucked. I'm a long-armed fekker, and if the bike's seat is too close to the bars, it's really hard to tuck and still be in full control of the bike. No probs with the 10R.
Power - With the lack of torque in low rpms, don't expect to be lugging this baby around town in top gear. This motor loves and needs to be revved, so expect to feed it some rpms and slip the clutch a bit when leaving the lights. Around town, I would sometimes forget that and feel the motor bog before gathering steam underneath me. I'm sure that some of you out there will almost immediately go for an extra three teeth on the rear sprocket, to help out in that regard. I weigh about the same as Worm~hole, 230 lbs. First time I've ever had a bike spin up the back tire while lifting the front up ever so gently, tracking straight and true in third gear...Wow... Echoing Fish's statements, the softer bottom end will lull newer riders into thinking this bike's a pussycat...Twist it's tail, and that Manx Coon Cat is gonna come awake on you and tear some serious ass...
Love the exhaust note. Enough so that I've shelved my immediate plans for the exhaust and will definately be happy to take it on the track with the stock exahust intact. Throttle modulation was perfect...Absolutely perfect. Not a glitch all day, in all kinds of weather and altitude.
Brakes - By far, the best brakes I've ever experienced...Mondo stopping power, easy to modulate. Stoppies just two fingers and a slight squeeze away any time you wanted. Perfect balance with the chassis. No tendency for the bike to stand up while braking mid corner. No fade, not that I rode the bike hard enough to ever worry about that. (Sherm, we need to talk about your lane-split braking maneuvers...I saw that front end waggle around while I was behind ya... )
Suspension - 90% race bike. The bikes were still pretty new, and the suspension was fairly stiff, but I still felt like I could get it dialed in for track use without resorting to new springs, shock, etc... All the parts were there to make the bike into a great tool...Yet it was the most stable bike I've ridden on rain-flooded highways with gusty wind and dense traffic. No weaves, no hydroplaning, nothing disturbed this bike.
It took me a good deal of time before I was ready to really ride at a brisk pace. I was way way slow going up Ortega. Both the fear of the road and the lack of confidence in myself kept me at a pretty slow pace. As the day wore on, I got more comfortable and confident. By the time we got to Idlewylde, I was feeling pretty good and had fun trailing Fish through the tasty bits (After we got around Papa Smurf Popsicle).
Day two started out the same. Having fun, but still pretty slow. I was also the camera bike, which carries the onus of *definately* not wanting to crash and preserve your moment of infamy on tape forever... But it was fun, and I eventually did pick up the pace a little bit. Orange county is a great place for roads to ride. I hope to get down there again and ride with the friends I've made there.
So, should I buy one? Yes, I most definately should buy one.
Notice I didn't say 'want'. I said 'should'. Why is that?
I love my ZZR1200 for the highway trips. I can and have gobbled up a thousand miles a day easily on that bike. It gets about 45mpg, is comfortable and will transport me and a weeks worth of kit anywhere I need to go.
My ZX12R doesn't really fit that scenario. It's got .95km/mm springs in the front to help with my weight, an Ohlins with the proper spring for my weight in the rear, and is a snorty beast that loves to scare the water out of small kids when we go by them... It handles the best that can be expected for it's mass, and stops pretty good as well. But there's no denying that time marches on, and I'm not going to hang on too hard to the past. The ZX12R will go as trade in on the 10R. The 10R will serve as a track day bike only. I'm going to seriously consider *not* registering it to keep the temptation away of riding it on the street. Now I gotta figure out how to get some money out of that Ohlins... ____________
82 Gpz750, 84 Ninja 900, 2000 ZX12R (Muzzy Big Bore Kit), *another* 2000 ZX12R (Muzzy custom stroke crank 1341cc motor), 2004 ZZR1200, 2005 ZX10R, 2007 ZX14, 2008 Concours 14, 2014 Versys 650, 2014 Yamaha WR450F, 2015 Ninja H2
posted February 29, 2004 11:12 PM
I was already sure that I was getting it(seeing how I put my money down in Oct) but now I really want it, in a bad way. I'm 6' 200lbs and I have no probs on my 01 GSXR 750 so I'm sure with everything that you guys have said that this will be even more comfortable. Thanks for the reviews and the appearant instilled confidence in my decision in October.
posted February 29, 2004 11:15 PM
Hey extremelean, how much you and kawasaki paying these guys for these reviews?
____________
Dan
04 ZX10r (Track only)
08 Concours14
Needs a life
Full throttle!
Posts: One MEEEEEELLION
posted March 01, 2004 08:44 AM
Damn right! I woulda done whatever I had to, to get a ride. I think what you are seeing is a real shift in Kawasaki's thinking. For many years, they've enjoyed a great discourse with many of their customers via GTOC. But your typical sportbike rider perhaps perceives GTOC as being something for cruisers and sport tourers. What I see KMC doing is engaging us, the customers earlier than in previous years. The Good Times Owner Club is a great organization that provides a lot of benefits. It's members really determine the direction and type of events it organizes. If there was a large enough contingent of sport bike riders in the organization, I'm certain that organized events would reflect this.
I do have to say that I don't have the hard numbers on the GTOC membership info, but seat of the pant impressions after attending GTOC sponsored events, such as b'fast at the Cycle Show indicated a large contingent of cruiser / sport touring types and not many sportbike riders.
____________
82 Gpz750, 84 Ninja 900, 2000 ZX12R (Muzzy Big Bore Kit), *another* 2000 ZX12R (Muzzy custom stroke crank 1341cc motor), 2004 ZZR1200, 2005 ZX10R, 2007 ZX14, 2008 Concours 14, 2014 Versys 650, 2014 Yamaha WR450F, 2015 Ninja H2
posted March 01, 2004 09:17 AM
I would say the people at kawasaki are very smart doing this as with the Internet etc we can get immediate reviews from a test from some just regular guys (I hope youre regular type guys) . This means way more to me that waiting months for a magazines etc like in the old days! Technology................Ya Gotta Love It!
Thank You to all who was involved! I now have a real feeling for this bike and am buying one for sure because of that "Regular Guy test!"
____________
"Ya Gotta Have Big Ones!"
posted March 01, 2004 11:51 AM
Here, Here. Your reviews are actually more to what a real rider wants to know anyway as that is what you guys are, THANK YOU. Hey XL can I get a ride next time?
Needs a life
Full throttle!
Posts: One MEEEEEELLION
posted March 01, 2004 01:37 PM
I want to go test out a Vulcan 2000 with the bags and screen...Maybe ride out to Vegas, stay the night and ride back. ____________
82 Gpz750, 84 Ninja 900, 2000 ZX12R (Muzzy Big Bore Kit), *another* 2000 ZX12R (Muzzy custom stroke crank 1341cc motor), 2004 ZZR1200, 2005 ZX10R, 2007 ZX14, 2008 Concours 14, 2014 Versys 650, 2014 Yamaha WR450F, 2015 Ninja H2
posted March 01, 2004 02:27 PM
Gollllleeeeeeeeeee! That's a difficult decision!
Vulcan 2000 or ZX 10R.....Vulcan 2000 or ZX 10R......Vulcan 2000 or ZX 10R.....Vulcan 2000 or ZX 10R.......Vulcan 2000 or ZX 10R.......Vulcan 2000 or ZX 10R.......Vulcan 2000 or ZX 10R.......Vulcan 2000 or ZX 10R!?!??!?
Seriously I was pondering either 1 or the other! A friend of mine picked his up 1 month ago and just loves it!! In Escondido in Ca. But I just think I'm a Sport type guy and confirmed what I want!
____________
"Ya Gotta Have Big Ones!"
Too far?
Are you serious?
This summer I made 500miles on my R1 in 1 day from Croatia to Italy and back enjoying twisties along the sea. The reason: a cup of good espresso in Trieste and just pure fun.
One Life, Live It!!!
posted March 01, 2004 05:36 PM
Edited By: frEEk on 1 Mar 2004 22:45
quote:Gollllleeeeeeeeeee! That's a difficult decision!
Vulcan 2000 or ZX 10R.....Vulcan 2000 or ZX 10R......Vulcan 2000 or ZX 10R.....Vulcan 2000 or ZX 10R.......Vulcan 2000 or ZX 10R.......Vulcan 2000 or ZX 10R.......Vulcan 2000 or ZX 10R.......Vulcan 2000 or ZX 10R!?!??!?
Seriously I was pondering either 1 or the other! A friend of mine picked his up 1 month ago and just loves it!! In Escondido in Ca. But I just think I'm a Sport type guy and confirmed what I want!
I'm pondering the same thing.I have a large deposit down for either one but can't decide.My dad picked his 2000 up a couple weeks ago but i haven't had a chance to ride it yet.
Needs a life
Miles to go before I sleep....
Posts: 10623
posted March 01, 2004 05:46 PM
you will dig the Vulcan for what it is ____________ “We sleep safe in our beds because rough men
stand ready in the night to visit violence on those
who would do us harm.”
-George Orwell
quote:Hey extremelean, how much you and kawasaki paying these guys for these reviews?
Nothing.. like he said, just the chance to ride the bike.... I just so happens that they bike is awesome... What I really want people to know is that if it was a piece of shit, we would tell you... There are a lot of new users here who might not know that about us, but I am sure the regulars know that we are pretty stright up about things...
I am very happy that the bike is as good as it is... glad I didnt have to come back and tell you guys it sucked!
____________ What business is it of yours where I'm from, Friendo?
posted March 02, 2004 07:59 PM
Fish, I know XL didn't pay you guys. I was just joking, with all your guys reviews sounding like a kawasaki advertisement I had to throw a jab. I knew kawasaki had it in them to build this bike, I was just wondering when they were going to. It looks like they have. Thanks go to kawasaki for finally building it and for allowing avg riders (ok, some more avg then others) to test them and report it back to us the consumer. Kawsasaki really must have confidence in the 10r because this could of backfired. All it would of taken is a problem or two to arise during your guys test and you would of came back and slammed the bikes on the net and this would of killed sales before it ever released. Hey, as I think about it maybe you guys are on the payroll - Just kiddin' - Thanks guys, thanks XL and thank you kawasaki. NOW, one last comment: WHERE IS MY BLUE 10R?
____________
Dan
04 ZX10r (Track only)
08 Concours14
posted March 02, 2004 09:20 PM
I know what ya mean DB... I hate to "rave" about the bike.. .but damn.. it's great... ____________ What business is it of yours where I'm from, Friendo?
posted March 03, 2004 10:43 AM
How about vibrations? After riding all that time on the 10 how are the vibrations. I find that the R1 puts my hands asleep while the GSXR1000 does not. I hope that the ZX10 is smooth so I can ride all day and not worry. Did some say that it had vibs at around 5000 rpm?
Needs a life
Full throttle!
Posts: One MEEEEEELLION
posted March 03, 2004 10:44 AM
The motor didn't seem to have a lot of vibrations. After a 300 mile ride, my hands were beet red from the cold, but certainly not asleep.
____________
82 Gpz750, 84 Ninja 900, 2000 ZX12R (Muzzy Big Bore Kit), *another* 2000 ZX12R (Muzzy custom stroke crank 1341cc motor), 2004 ZZR1200, 2005 ZX10R, 2007 ZX14, 2008 Concours 14, 2014 Versys 650, 2014 Yamaha WR450F, 2015 Ninja H2
Needs a life
Miles to go before I sleep....
Posts: 10623
posted March 03, 2004 12:44 PM
Edited By: worm~hole on 3 Mar 2004 12:46
There was a resonance or buzz from somewhere on the body panels somewhere around 4000 rpm on the green bike that I rode...noticable when you're tooling 'slowly' around town at that rpm...dunno if all the bikes will be like that...could be a body fit issue from bike to bike...but I imagine that most owners will not hang at that (4000) rpm much since the really good stuff happens at higher rpms....and it goes away once you're up there and you'll have other really good things to really think about ...it probably has something to do with Kawasaki's decision to make the bike as light as possible and still make the body as thin and durable as possible compared to its other sportbikes...its something that I imagine could be readily fixed by the end user by sticking some adhesive foil-backed heat insulation sheets or something similar on the panels to slow it (the resonance frequency?) down and keep the buzz to a minimum...the hard-core amongst you will not care ...and I personally didn't feel any noticable vibrations through the pegs, seat, or handlebars
____________ “We sleep safe in our beds because rough men
stand ready in the night to visit violence on those
who would do us harm.”
-George Orwell
posted March 03, 2004 01:36 PM
My hands were purple. But that was from the dye....
Seriously, I could have never ridden my R1 anywhere near that far. It definetly "buzzed" my hands to sleep after awhile ('02 model). But I think the riding position seemed to put more pressure on my wrists as well. The '04 model (R1) does not seem nearly as bad as the old one. I can't put my finger on it yet, but it just fits me better than the older models.
HOME
NEW TOPIC
posted February 29, 2004 10:35 PM
Back to the review. The ergos were great. Yes, my legs were up MUCH higher than a stock 12. But magically, I found that the position wasn't uncomfortable. As Fish has relayed, we were able to ride the bikes all day (and into the evening) without being so sore as to have to 'crawl' off the bike. I can recall riding 500 miles one summer on my 1984 Ninja...I was so sore and locked up after that ride, I had to stay bent over and just fall over onto the couch and let my muscles loosen up. When I got off the 10R (after a 'brisk' ride in the rain) I felt as relaxed as tho I had just finished a shiatsu massage...Invigorated, charged with energy, ready to tackle the world! The reach to the bars was perfect for me, leaving me plenty of room for control, but not so close as to restrict my movement when tucked. I'm a long-armed fekker, and if the bike's seat is too close to the bars, it's really hard to tuck and still be in full control of the bike. No probs with the 10R.
Edited By: 
posted March 03, 2004 10:43 AM
