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posted July 13, 2002 04:41 AM
ZZR Report from Laguna Got in some riding yesterday on the ZZR. Everyone knows the basics. Ie; it's a retuned ZX11, with slightly different suspension geometry, etc. But what's it like to ride it?
Still breaking it in, so no fast stuff.
Handling - If you thought the 12 was steady at speed, I don't think you'll be disappointed by the ZZR. It's a veritable locomotive on rails once rolling. It handles two up riding with no problems, thanks to adjustable preload on the rear suspension and a steel subframe.
During a ride along the coast, there were some fairly good gusts coming in from the ocean, and the ZZR handled them with no problem, never leaving it's line.
Accelleration - Very good. I was only able to blip it through the gears, staying below 5k, but with two people on the bike, I had no problem merging with traffic on 1. The transmission has a wider set of gear ratios, but the overall gearing ends up close to a stock 12. Expect to see an indicated 70 mph at 4k rpm. With a deep well of torque to draw on, it's very easy to tool around town in third gear, only going to first when pulling away from stops.
Clutch -I'm not a huge fan of hydraulic actuated clutches, but this one seems to work ok. Engagement seems a little abrupt compared to the 12, and it's hard to get a good feel for when it's fully released. Effort actually seems somewhat stiffer than my 12, but I'd have to have them side by side to really tell the difference.
Shifting - After the 1st - 2nd shift, I don't use the clutch at all, and that gives the tranny a chance to shine. With the engine whirring softly like a small turbine under me, a slight bit of pressure and just the barest twitch of the throttle results in an incredibly smooth clutchless gear change. My passenger asked me how I managed to shift four times with her never feeling it through the bike, only noticing it from the change in the exhaust note. That being said, first gear is a little bit noisy compared to the 12, with gear whine being evident when tooling around in 1st.
Ergonomics - Stock ergonomics are very good, but like the 12, the stock seat slides the rider forward into the tank. Friday morning, I walked over to the Corbin trailer and picked up the seat and backrest for the ZZR. That transformed a good riding position into a great one. With the corbin in place, the rider is comfortably seated, with no more 'tanknads' syndrome coming into evidence. Passenger seating is improved, with a more distinct space for the passenger and a backrest provided. The stock screen blocks wind from the midchest down on a 6'1" person, so the overall package was designed for Europeans, imho. I'll be getting a sport touring screen for the ZZR when it's available from ZG.
Mileage - I filled up the bike with 1/2 tank showing on the fuel guage and 121 miles on the tripmeter. It took 2.8 gallons to fill the bike with the bike on it's kickstand, so I may have burned a bit more fuel than that, say possibly 3 gallons, but I would say the bike's capable of high 30's, or possibly 40 miles per gallon. With a 6.1 gallon tank, that gives the rider a fairly good range.
Luggage - Go to the Kawasaki tent and check out the Givi luggage. Then go to the Corbin tent and check out their luggage for the ZZR. You decide which you like, because the two systems are different enough to draw their own advocates. Personally, I think the Corbin luggage provides a much more integrated look for the motorcycle, with the bag's contours molded for the passenger and the factory exhaust. Both bag systems provide good weather sealing and ample storage space, so either would be good. Just as an experiment, I threw my soft luggage on the ZZR before I left, and I was able to secure it to the ZZR.
posted July 15, 2002 08:40 AM
I rode it at the Honda hoot. No break in worries there. I got to pin it (for short distances). It has fantastic midrange, probably better than the 12R, but it doesn't have the amazing top end hit. Not that it's bad, it's a sport tourer and is tuned like one. For the kind of riding I do 90% of the time, the power was exactly where you need it.
I agree with swft about the ergos...very comfy stock. I didn't have a problmem with the seat as my large belly keeps my jewels away from the tank.
I went into the ride expecting to like the bike and still came away suprised at how good it was.
Steve
____________
"There is only one basic human right, the right to do as you damn well please. And with it comes the only basic human duty, the duty to take the consequences."
PJ O'Rourke
Needs a life
Full throttle!
Posts: One MEEEEEELLION
posted July 15, 2002 04:13 PM
So far it's definately proved to be the ride I want for those thousand mile days! I'll be looking for the screen from Zero Gravity when it's available.
posted July 15, 2002 04:43 PM
Well, untill I wrecked my last (three weeks ago) I have been a proud (Europeann) ZZR-1100 owner. I owned two over the last years and foud it a great bike and ride!
With the ZZR you are able to amaze a lot of supersport bike riders (where the ZZR is suppost to be a supertourer). Not many of them can stay in front of you. It handles somewhat heavy, but I like to have heavy toys :-)
I now ordered a new ZX-12R (silver 2001 model) and can't wait to get on it. I have ridden several #12's and enjoyed them. I it's just a little sportier and somwhat easier to handle and I just looove that look. It would be nice to see a real good test between the to big Kawa's (any chance one of you knows where to find a comparission test?).
Well, good luck on the ZZR, it's an awsome bike just like the #12.
Needs a life
Full throttle!
Posts: One MEEEEEELLION
posted July 15, 2002 08:32 PM
Wow, I have a friend with a stock 12, we could do a amateur comparison between the two. I have a feeling that I could smoke him in the 40 - 80 rollon, but after that he'd smoke me. ____________
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 July 13, 2002 04:41 AM
posted July 15, 2002 04:43 PM
