claude
Expert Class
Posts: 205
|
posted February 07, 2006 06:04 PM
KAWASAKI !! READ THIS!!! (pleeaase...)
Dear Kawasaki, there's a bike I'm already in love with that I would love to get to replace my aging ZX11. You already built it but stopped 3 years ago. I'm talking about 2003 ZX-9R. Please re-introduce it as a rebadged ZZ-R900 like you did last year with the ZZ-R600 (rebadged 2002 ZX-6R).
This version of ZX-9R have the perfect combination of power, midrange torque, weight and price I am looking for. Just build it as it was in 2003 and I would buy it for sure!! If you want to make it more ZZR-ish though, you could raise the screen and bars a bit, lower the pegs a bit, add a fuel gauge and a centerstand. But please, keep the carburators!! You could enlarge the displacement "à la" Z1000 but not mandatory for sure.
This would be a really great platform for a lightweight sport-tourer, something that is missing in your line-up. And that 900 cc model would be great to fill-up the gap between ZZ-R600 and ZX-14. It would be perfect to meet tighter budget for both selling price and assurance purposes. I know a lot of persons are looking for ZX14-ish power numbers but not everyone. Also, all the tooling being already paid for would mean a low cost to you and a low retail price... I have been e-amiling Kawasaki USA and snail mailing Kawasaki Canada for the last two years now; I really strongly hope Kawasaki will read this and decide to fulfill this need...
If there are more members here that agree with me, please feel free to add your comment. Thanks to you Kawasaki !!
  
|
zx12mark
Pro
Posts: 1654
|
posted February 07, 2006 09:10 PM
I THINK I HEAR THEIR TOOLS WORKING RIGHT NOW. FER SURE
|
gunner
Needs a life
Posts: 5778
|
posted February 07, 2006 09:12 PM
You probably just passed gas that's all 
|
trenace
Needs a job
Posts: 3056
|
posted February 07, 2006 09:21 PM
I do believe it's a good idea, only caveat being that 1 or 2 years ago when this was being suggested to them they could have just gone and done it, now they have to deal with emissions and therefore do have to spend some money on the engine, but nothing like an entire new bike development.
Put modern wheels and brakes on it thus saving weight, same parts already being used on the 10R so no problem there for cost, and put bars just a little higher similar to say the Helibars for the ZX-9R, maybe give it the 10R suspension or the same basic parts but a little softer, and they would be all set, absolutely. Nothing to compete with it.
|
gunner
Needs a life
Posts: 5778
|
posted February 07, 2006 09:24 PM
Makes TOO much sence! They won't do it
|
supra5677
Pro
Posts: 1279
|
posted February 08, 2006 12:34 PM
I agree the 03 ZX9R is the best all around bike ever built. My wife has one and I ride it just as much as my 12R.. With a full akrapovic and jet kit it walks 01-04 Gixxer 1000's on the top end. Comfortable, smooth and torquee  The likes of we'll never see again. Its amazing what you can do with 19 years of development
supra
|
trenace
Needs a job
Posts: 3056
|
posted February 08, 2006 01:17 PM
Oh, and they could easily give it the Z1000's 953cc pistons while at it. Already proven technology, already available parts. Or the same but with a little more compression if desired, certainly that would be a microscopic drop in the bucket compared to an all-new model.
I'd buy it.
|
Lilrock04blue12
Parking Attendant
Posts: 30
|
posted February 08, 2006 02:17 PM
 Edited By: Lilrock04blue12 on 8 Feb 2006 14:18
supra, my buddy has an 02 zx9 full ak jetted and he can't hang with my 01 gixxer1000 full micron pc3. I won't even say what it does against my 04 12. Don't get me wrong I like the 9 but it won't walk away up top from a gixxer 1000.
No replacement for displacement.
____________
Is Wayne Brady gonna have to choke a bitch?
|
trenace
Needs a job
Posts: 3056
|
posted February 08, 2006 02:32 PM
The point of this would not be making the "ZZR-900" (or ZZR-1000, if following the round-up nomenclature of the Z1000) where it beats the supersport literbikes in magazine tests or on the road... but to build a highly capable sports tourer / daily-use bike that stomps, for sport, any other sport tourer, and certainly within that displacement category.
|
MadMike
Moderator
FEAR THE BLACK FLAG!!!!!!!!
Posts: 6579
|
posted February 08, 2006 03:01 PM
so why dont you just buy a used 03 ZX9R????
they are cheaper then new and then you can use the extra change to do whatever you want with it...
____________
200-MPH CLUB MEMBER!
|
trenace
Needs a job
Posts: 3056
|
posted February 08, 2006 03:24 PM
Edited By: trenace on 8 Feb 2006 17:08
I have considered doing so at various times, but it doesn't have sufficient appeal because I've "been there done that." On the other hand, a new 953cc "ZZR-900" with modern lighter wheels and brakes and modern suspension, e.g. using ZX-10R parts, would be something I haven't been there done that and I think would be a big step up on the old ZX-9R.
True, I could buy a used ZX-9R and buy all those parts and do the work but I'm not going to take on another bike project till the 12 is done, and besides this, aftermarket wheels, aftermarket suspensions, and aftermarket brakes cost a whole lot more than the factory just installing better pieces in the first place.
Kawasaki could today, with off the shelf parts that are already considered affordable for production Kawasakis, put together a much better ZX-9R (except don't call it that, call it a ZZR so the magazines won't compare it to the supersport literbikes) than has been sold before, with those changes.
|
worm~hole
Needs a life
Miles to go before I sleep....
Posts: 10623
|
posted February 08, 2006 03:37 PM
...I, too, would like to 'fix up' my '00 12R if I don't get a 14...'05 forks/radial brakes with suspension mods for my weight, Muzzy's 1270 kit and clutch package...clean it up real nice with new paint, either the stock '00 green paint or the retina scorchin' '88 BMW Henna Red like my old M3 I used to cage around in...hmmm, I just might do that and wait for that shaft-driven ZX14GT (or whatever they'll call by then) w/ABS to arrive....I may be getting older, but I still enjoy my need for speed...at undisclosed areas and unconfirmed speeds, of course
____________
“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
|
claude
Expert Class
Posts: 205
|
posted February 08, 2006 05:39 PM
Trenace, I agree completely with you about how you see a ZZ-R900 in Kawasaki's line-up.
However, while it could make it "better", I would even take it as is in the wheel/suspension dept. if it can keep the cost lower.
I really, really am strongly hoping that Kawasaki build this top notch sport tourer. Come on big K!! No cost involved and a best buy bike garanteed! I'm waiting...
|
claude
Expert Class
Posts: 205
|
posted February 08, 2006 05:42 PM
quote:
so why dont you just buy a used 03 ZX9R????
Yes, that could be an option but I would prefer to buy a new one; who knows how it could have been beaten up by previous owner... Also, they were not really huge seller in 2003 as R1 and Gixxer1000 were getting all the praise for track performance. So, finding a used one is not that easy, particularly around here.
|
fish_antlers
Administrator
The Truth is Out There
Posts: 21894
|
posted February 08, 2006 06:52 PM
claude... no offence.. but to play devils advocate here, why would we want to bring back the zx9R?
it;s a bit of a dead horse.. like the zx7...
the KLR and the concours are both in desparate need of a makeover...
isnt it time to move on?
____________
What business is it of yours where I'm from, Friendo?
|
trenace
Needs a job
Posts: 3056
|
posted February 08, 2006 06:55 PM
Edited By: trenace on 8 Feb 2006 19:03
OK Fish, what bike does Kawasaki sell that fits the market niche being described?
The Concours? I don't think so.
The ZX-10R? No.
So, what would it be?
Or are you saying there are competing bikes for that niche that this "ZZR-953" couldn't compete with?
What would they be?
Now, of course, if they want to do something more modern like create a ZX-10R-based model that's say stretched 2 inches or so, with moderately lower pegs and higher bars and a seating position and wind protection like the ZX-9R, that would be OK too. But it seems simpler and more practical to ask for a really modest refresh of a model they're already set up to build, than to ask for a much bigger engineering project like that.
|
fish_antlers
Administrator
The Truth is Out There
Posts: 21894
|
posted February 08, 2006 07:27 PM
i'm not suggesting for KHI not to fill that market segment somehow.. I'm just suggesting that they not do it with old tired technology
____________
What business is it of yours where I'm from, Friendo?
|
trenace
Needs a job
Posts: 3056
|
posted February 08, 2006 08:08 PM
Edited By: trenace on 8 Feb 2006 20:09
Good point... but I think the only tired parts of the ZX-9R were the suspension, wheels, and brakes... nothing inherently tired about the frame, bodywork, or motor (if refreshed to 953cc.) It wouldn't be a tired old bike with those chassis upgrades to ZX-10R spec.
The final model of the ZX-9R really was competitively light, an excellent chassis for its size, not out of date even today at all for the kind of use being talked about. Problem was, it was being put up against the supersports and deemed slower on the track.
That said, I'd have no objection to an all-new for that purpose either. A re-issue with those modest upgrades just seemed a simpler request that the factory could much more readily fulfill (trivially easily) than an all-new bike.
|
Miklos
Expert Class
Posts: 246
|
posted February 09, 2006 06:36 AM
As Kawasaki makes the 10r more and more track oriented, the ZZR-900 only makes perfect sense to me. We have an '03 9r in the stable and I would NOT trade it for a 10r.
____________
The problem with other countries is they are all ran by foreigners.
|
claude
Expert Class
Posts: 205
|
posted February 09, 2006 07:12 AM
Dear Kawasaki: Please introduce a ZZ-R900 !!! There's no reason to not do so. Please !!
|
supra5677
Pro
Posts: 1279
|
posted February 09, 2006 08:55 AM
To Lil Rock.. perhaps it is the rider.. Riders make the bikes go fast not the other way around. For my experience going to Fresno on highway 152 we did several roll ons over a period of an hour. Everytime at 150mph when the ram air really kicked in I could walk him. Keep in mind Im in California and the valve lift on the ca models is less than the 49 state version.. That is a BIG difference.. this is perhaps the difference.. My wifes bike dynoed at 150 STD.
|
worm~hole
Needs a life
Miles to go before I sleep....
Posts: 10623
|
posted February 09, 2006 12:41 PM
quote:
i'm not suggesting for KHI not to fill that market segment somehow.. I'm just suggesting that they not do it with old tired technology
...why not?....they do it with the Concours and the KLR650....build it and people buy it...I imagine it'd almost be like free money for KHI...
____________
“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
|
claude
Expert Class
Posts: 205
|
posted February 09, 2006 05:07 PM
quote:
....build it and people buy it...I imagine it'd almost be like free money for KHI...
I'm so happy to see that I'm far from being alone to have this opinion about a ZZ-R900.
Dear Kawasaki, you are listening aren't you?
|
claude
Expert Class
Posts: 205
|
posted February 12, 2006 08:04 AM
Bump!!
Hope Kawasaki will wake up someday and realize they have a sleeper in their sleeves with almost zero R&D cost or tooling cost !!
Please make my dream comes true!
|
fish_antlers
Administrator
The Truth is Out There
Posts: 21894
|
posted February 12, 2006 09:06 AM
Edited By: fish_antlers on 12 Feb 2006 09:08
Claude..... even if they listened to you and built it, it would take a good 4 years to bring to market...
are you going to bump this topic to the top for 4 years?
That gives us lots of time to find you and take your computer away from you!
____________
What business is it of yours where I'm from, Friendo?
|
|
|
HOME
NEW TOPIC