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posted October 28, 2001 03:44 PM
First ride with the Marchesini wheels And Race Tech shocks, etc. Loaded up Cliff Randall's 1270 map to try it out. Took a quiet back way from Port Angeles to Gig Harbor, WA. Lotsa 15-35 mph corners. The bike feels very, very different! First of all, Cliff's map works, in that the lurch is gone. Have to see what effect it has on fuel economy, etc. The race tech forks are a definate improvement. The front end of the 12 felt numb until it would finally let go and then sink too fast when braking in stock form. With the race tech revalve and springs, there was *much* better feel on the front end, with no chattering. The bike felt much more composed in any situation. The Marchesini wheels really made a difference as well. The bike turned much faster, feeling more like a 900 than a stock bike. Also, more composed whatever you were doing. I got back 20 cents on each dollar's worth of attention I was spending riding, because I didn't have to spend it on correcting what the bike was doing. With these pieces in place, the bike feels much more confident. It's both more compliant, yet firmer, on both ends. It goes straight, brakes straight, and absolutely rails around the corners. I rode the route with a friend on his stock 12, and I kept looking back in my mirrors, watching him disappear behind me as we went through the corners. We stopped and swapped bikes, and I let him take the lead. Now it was my turn to try and keep up! Fuck, I watched him go into the corner, serenly leaning into it while I was back there floundering on a stock suspension, never able to keep a consistent line, etc. So if I had to rate everything that's been done over the past month, I guess it would go like this:
The bike's handling is at least 100% better at speed. Overall, on a scale of 100, a stock bike would rate about 70. A fully kitted 12 rates more like 90, maybe 95.
Of that improvement, I'd break things down like this:
50% of the it was the Marchesinis - The bike can be absolutely *snapped* into corners now. It tracks better as well.
30% is due to the Race Tech Gold Valves and Springs. - The forks are more sensitive, yet also not prone to diving under hard braking like the stock forks.
20% is due to the Bridgestone BT56SS tires - Tho this is an improvement I wouldn't recommend for normal street riding, as they are DOT race tires. They're sticky as hell, but are really only meant for the track. Remember, I'm getting this bike ready for an endurance racing season.
Lastly, I want to thank Cliff Randall again for his map. The lurch is dead! I did have to crank the piss out of the idle, due to his map. That's because the bike was drowning at idle with his setup.
____________
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 October 28, 2001 06:58 PM
Will you adopt me swft? That way you could buy me a set of those marchesinis wheel for christmas????? LOL
I hope to get a set of those or marvic penta 2 wheels maybe next year.
____________
"Life should NOT be a journey to the grave with the intention of arriving safely in an attractive and well preserved body, but rather to skid in sideways- Body thoroughly used up, totally worn out...Screaming "WOO HOO, What a Ride !!!"
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posted October 28, 2001 08:42 PM
I'd have to say just about *any* wheels would be better! I was hot for the PM carbon fiber wheels, but am glad I went with the Marchesinis, despite the fuckup with them not including a custom spacer for the rear wheel.
____________
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 October 28, 2001 08:44 PM
So what was the final weight savings?? RC Comps *Talladega* model saves right at 10lbs static(even more rotational)
____________
Official Charter Member of the RIDERS OF KAWASAKI MEMBERSHIP REVOCATION CLUB
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posted October 28, 2001 09:18 PM
Edited By: swft on 10 Feb 2002 13:46
Dunno, go look at the web page. I dinn't have a scale handy, and more importantly, didn't care to get into a mental masturbation exercise over it. Just wanted to get them on and go RIDE.
posted October 29, 2001 05:29 PM
I had the oportunity to ride a 12 with DyMags...Felt like it was 50lbs lighter...More road feed back and easier to flick around!!!
____________ Jason Miller StreetBike Seminars
*****DragRacers do it better, because they dont cut Corners*****
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posted October 29, 2001 07:03 PM
Yah, it's really amazing what a good pair of magnesium wheels will do for this bike. I'm definately converted! I'm not saying that everyone needs to buy Marchesinis, buy what you like. The point is, any of the mag wheels will be better! ____________
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
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posted October 30, 2001 08:28 AM
Nah, I think I like the red fender the best, kinda 'balances' the whole look of the bike.
____________
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 October 31, 2001 03:27 AM
Edited By: 22348bCVC on 31 Oct 2001 03:30
...powder-coating the swing-arm the same color as the monocoque frame and painting the foot pegs/controls and heel guards the same color as the steel tank would also visually "shorten" the bike and might improve "the look" further, no?...looks good nontheless...and it's too cool that its not all "show", too!
____________
...just relax...my dog wants to use only one of your legs...
posted February 11, 2002 09:04 AM
How do Mag wheels help handling? Swft -
How do different wheels help handling? Is is less unsprung weight helping the suspension to react more quickly? Is it less rotational mass reducing the gyroscope effect and allowing the front wheel to be turned left and right more quickly? What is it? Inquiring minds want to know.
posted February 11, 2002 10:19 AM
SWFT..... All I saw was a little box with a little red x and a big box with a little red x!?!? I'd really like to see aome pics of the wheels and undertail, pleeeeeease!!
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posted February 11, 2002 10:58 AM
Edited By: swft on 11 Feb 2002 11:17
Dagger -
quote:How do different wheels help handling? What is it? Inquiring minds want to know.
'It is a book by Stephen King'.
quote:Is is less unsprung weight helping the suspension to react more quickly?
That's right! If the wheel has less mass, it responds quicker to road conditions. Ie; bumps, etc. So if the wheel is able to move quicker, the suspension doesn't have to work as hard in controlling the wheel's movement.
quote:Is it less rotational mass reducing the gyroscope effect and allowing the front wheel to be turned left and right more quickly?
That's right too! A wheel being a gyroscope, a heavier wheel is harder to turn. When you turn, you are actually applying a force to the axis of the gyroscope (wheel), which causes the bike to precess around that axis. (lean). So if there is less mass, you can lean the bike faster.
posted February 11, 2002 12:23 PM
Thanks SWFT... Love those adjustable foot pegs (rear sets??). Will you adopt me too so I can get some trick stuff also. I won't mind being Harry's step-brother!?!?!?
Zone Head
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Posts: 602
posted February 11, 2002 01:32 PM
Edited By: ROCKET J on 11 Feb 2002 13:34
You shure got sum OPP-SHUNZZZZ Swft, you don't mention the TV antenna and that cool vertical exhaust stack. And what about that ohlins ray gun thing? You must be made of money! ____________
If I get any smarter, my head will explode!
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posted October 28, 2001 03:44 PM
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