posted March 22, 2004 09:01 PM
My Impressions of the 10R My impressions of my 10R, after a whole 29 miles. The engine never got over 4000 RPM, except for a downshift or two.
Visually, the angular nose and radiator exhaust cutout are sharp, viscereal. The bike is small between your legs, but that's been said before.
The mirrors show what's in either lane behind you, I have to do a shoulder-dip to see what's directly behind.
The seat is a little higher than I'm used to, and they've fixed the sharp crease in the gastank that I didn't like on the pre-production demo model I sat on in Chicago. I can still stand flat-footed with both feet while in the saddle.
The bike idles very quietly, with a bit of straight-gear whine, and very little cam-chain noise. Blipping the throttle it's clear the fuel is well-metered, as the revs build and die cleanly.
The lever pull is light for clutch and brake. The bike goes into gear nicely, no major 'clunk'.
Starting off, I notice how tall first gear is - but no problem, add some very linear throttle, and off you go. Immediately that light weight and narrow crotch are noticeable - it's easy to ride at walking speed and put a foot down.
I get out into traffic, and a pair of Harley riders at a traffic light gawk - they know what this bike is, and approve - after telling them it has 2 miles on it, they grin and laugh, and pull out while the light changes.
It's tough to keep it at 4000 RPM for break-in - this is 63 MPH, and very restrictive. The tach is hard to read, but the other numbers on the LCD readout are fine. Wearing a polarized face shield makes it very hard to read any of the instruments, however.
The bike exhaust starts to sound like it means business around 4000 - pity I can't open the throttle up yet. It's a quiet, but nice note - deep and round above 2700, quiet at idle.
Fuelling is nice and precise - the motor pulls cleanly from 2000 RPM. It's not 12R-like down low, that 'grab your balls, buddy, you're coming along now' feeling, nor (under 4000 RPM) that giddy head-of-the-comet feeling either.
This bike is insanely easy to ride, especially compared to my '87 CBR1000F. All the inputs are lighter, the bike is lighter, the engine picks up revs faster, the control feels are positive and light.
The 10R is roomy! Much better than that torture device I used to ride! I think I could even tour on day-trips with the bike. Who knew?
Handling - well, in a word, sharp. The bike flicks well - after 15 miles of surface street, I got out into the desert, on a road that routinely sees motorcycles at 100 MPH+. I took it at 63MPH - uphill, downhill, dips, washes - the suspension is a star, letting muted response to road imperfections reach the rider, but soaking up big elevation changes and choppy pavement. The front tracks incredibly well, and is absolutely planted. At the speeds I was going, there was no hint of wiggle. The rest of the chassis feels like a billet of magnesium. I think I'd have felt the same if I'd taken that road at 100+...
The bike is quick to steer - look at where you want to be with this one, because you will be there *now*.
I think the engine would need to be spinning at 6000 RPM to break the tire loose in any gear over first. I can feel the bike wants it's head free, meaning it wants to rev!
I haven't really tested the 218's yet, but they seemed to scrub in well - holding the road well on the turns I made.
The brakes: I don't know about 1 finger braking, they felt spongy and weaker than my CBR's with HH pads did. I think there must be air in both front and rear, and I will bleed them this coming weekend. Having said that, they had adequate power, I use two fingers, putting more pressure on with my taller finger, and they worked just fine for legal speeds.
What else can I tell you in only 29 miles? I'll be putting about 64 more miles on tomorrow, to work and back, breaking it in. I'll try to squeeze in a visit to the local nasty twisties - ridden sedately, of course, it's a new $11K motorcycle, without sliders, and I'll be in less-than-perfect gear.
posted March 22, 2004 11:54 PM
That's awesome, I'm stoked for ya. I'm really starting to get pissed that my dealer hasn't gotten mine in yet though. All I know is, it will definitely be worth the wait.
posted March 23, 2004 12:35 AM
Edited By: C Dolan on 23 Mar 2004 00:39
Takes 150 to 200 miles of "spirited" riding to bed brakes in. They're ok now, but early on , I thought they sucked until they bedded in.
Did 217 miles on mine around east San Diego County and Palomar Mountain.
posted March 23, 2004 05:32 AM
Welcome Chris! We had plans to ride Palomar when we were down there but the weather was no good.. it snowed at the top.. I can see that it's nice n sunny now!
I see you got a 10R... nice!
still waiting on mine ____________ What business is it of yours where I'm from, Friendo?
quote:Welcome Chris! We had plans to ride Palomar when we were down there but the weather was no good.. it snowed at the top.. I can see that it's nice n sunny now!
well.. I could have mine now.. it's in... just no time to get it.. working 7 days a friggin week !!
____________ What business is it of yours where I'm from, Friendo?
posted March 23, 2004 07:34 PM
Great write-up kz2zx. You're making me anxious as hell to get mine!!! I think I'm going to have to light a fire under my dealer's ass tomorrow!!!
____________
Word
posted March 23, 2004 08:34 PM
OK - it's got 104 miles on it now, and she's sippin her second tankful.
I'll put another hundred on it and change the oil. I uh, accidentally, hit 7000 in second leaving a shop, yeah, accidentally - so THAT's what a power wheelie is like. Bike soaked it right up.
I stopped by Helmet Harbor to try out some new Oxtar TCS boots - it was a neat feeling to walk in and ask them if they wanted to see a 10R. I don't think they believed I had one until they looked out the window...
The exhaust is sounding deeper, mellower. I don't think it's raspy, more like a baritone bellow, but it started to sound reedier as I climbed accidentally up the rev range... I think I will have to have some more of these accidental moments.
The brakes are getting better - the sponginess is still there in the rear (yes, I use both brakes), the front not so bad, but they definitely bite well, and have more power. We'll see what the next 100 miles brings.
The tranny doesn't like short-shifting much - 3-4 and 4-5 gear shifts can be notchy. I have no problem with it when I shift deliberately, using clutch. I haven't tried clutchless upshifts yet - I'm not a street racer yet, I guess. Anyway, I think it's better when shifted at higher RPM. Downshifts are sweet, and I think the slipper clutch is a Really Neat Thing(tm). I had a few stops today on city streets (getting home) where I deliberately tried to test it - couldn't even feel it working, but when I hopped on the back brake a time or two I could feel the back trying to weave a little - I think I like the Dunlops' grip.
More tomorrow - I'll get up into the twisties, I promise - some tight technical stuff.
posted March 24, 2004 08:59 PM
Well, I didn't get into the twisties today - but I did adjust the headlights and get an oilfilter. I'll change the oil in the morning.
I'm finding it impossible to keep under 4000 RPM - I'm trying very hard to keep it under 7000. I think I did another major powerwheelie - I was having a lot of fun but dealing with crossing 6 lanes of traffic to the HOV lane at the time.
I'll give the bike it's first cleaning - with Wipe Clean - tomorrow. I'll be buying spools and a rearstand tomorrow, then changing the oil.
posted March 24, 2004 09:35 PM
KZ2ZX, good read, keep it coming and just wait until your in 4th, ripping the throttle and the front ends starts floating upward! I now know why they made the top of the tank so flat. It's so you can lay down the weight as you get into it. Approaching 500 miles now. Still I hate the mirrors! They are awful!
Transmission - It's like this:
1) get in it's arse and up shift (clutches) the heck out of her...No problems!
2) Try being nice to her and be certain you fully pull the clutch lever in ALL THE WAY and she remains content.
3) Somewhere between those two, she's a clunky little female dawg and she makes herself heard. I've also missed a few 1-2 just slowly pulling in toward the house but it was me who didn't fully bring my foot up. Worst though, 2-3 half of the time makes that Kawasaki clunk...I'm just gonna keep on riding her until I can't.
BTW, she goes into storage Sunday until my Korea tour is over...4 months to go,
-lukn
____________
A "99.99% open mind", is still closed!
posted March 24, 2004 10:18 PM
swft - thanks for noticing and yes, it's just killing me!
But hey, least I got a great board to hang out on : )
____________
A "99.99% open mind", is still closed!
Today I changed the oil. Messy job, even with tinfoil on the headers, since the heat exchanger is in the way of doing a good job, and so some drips on the collector.
The filter has to come out between the headers, since there is a coolant hose and hanger in the way of taking it off the port side. I used a cap wrench and a 9" 3/8 extension and ratchet, no problems. Oil drain plug is 17mm. Use a funnel to refill the oil and pour slower, the clutch drum is *right* behind the filler cap.
Last night I'd readjusted the headlights. Today I could see the reflection of my headlights on cars and streetsigns, which is a Good Thing(tm).
The chain seems to be stretching a little, so I will adjust it soon. The brakes are bedding in nicely, but still not as powerful as the HHs on my last bike, and the soft initial travel on the front and rear brakes are still there. I will likely take it to the dealer and see if they can bleed some air out (discussed it with them already).
I took the bike to the twisties today - some really tight stuff (for the Arizona folks, I took it up 88 to Tortilla Flat). I kept the RPM low - busted 4000 a few times. I was working it at about 5/10 pace on the way up, then about 7/10 on the way back - and 7/10 on this bike is about 11/10 speedwise compared to the old CBR. Nice.
I didn't shag the tire like Chris Dolan did on his trip up Palomar, but my chicken strips are only about 2mm wide front and rear. Not bad for not having the upper 2/3 of the powerband!
The bike was a lot less work in the slow twisties. There was a lot of torque down low - nice in the chicane/esses. Only once did I hurry a braking event, and the bike responded to trailbraking beautifully.
I find myself naturally pushing the bike down under me in gentle corners unless I accentuate the body english (moving chest to inside line). I'm saving the hanging off for when I have leathers and pucks (week after next, according to Debbie at Z-Customs). I'm not sure why - its not a habit I was in with the CBR. To cure it, if I use the back of the gas tank as a pivot point, it doesn't occur.
I need to work on smoothness with this bike a bit - the throttle is a tad abrupt, and with the loosening of the chain, I was having very rough 1-2 shifts in the tightest corners and exits (not the transmission's fault).
The tranny is definitely loosening up - only one skipped tooth today all day.
posted March 25, 2004 09:07 PM
kz2zx, thanks. I hope you keep this info coming while I'm away
I'm just over 500 now. Adjusted the chain yesterday. Oil change tomorrow. Noticed coming home tonight I need to adjust the headlights. I see knob for horizontal, but not for verticle...What gives KaWaSaKi?
-lukn
____________
A "99.99% open mind", is still closed!
posted March 26, 2004 09:15 AM
Yeah, I read that in book, here and looked it over. Point was, verticle needs knob! If I have wife get on for a ride with me it'd be nice to reach up and use a knob to adjust verticle. Don't want to pull out tools to adjust...oh well,
-lukn
____________
A "99.99% open mind", is still closed!
posted March 26, 2004 07:21 PM
Today I crossed 390 miles.
The chain is looser - I need to tighten it, but the rearstand and spools probably won't come until Monday. Poor planning, I guess.
I put a Lockhart-Phillips CF Tank Protector on the tank - it blends in nicely.
I also adjusted the rear brake - it was way too far down in the travel for my taste - I prefer hair-trigger action, and since I got new Oxtar TCS Ti-Evo boots today, my foot-flex range is limited, so... The boots also make upshifts more positive (no pain resulting from the short travel), but I have to pint my toe farther downward to get under the stock placement. I'll leave the lever there in case I ride without the Oxtars.
The front brake is still a tad mushy - I'll pay a visit to the dealer tomorrow and see if they can find air in the lines.
I'm noticing a high-speed buzz in the bars when the tank is near-empty. Nothing terrible, and only when the tank is near the reserve range. I do wish the bike had a bit more fuel range, though - I'm getting about 130 miles to the tank.
Tomorrow, I should get some action shots of the bike leaned over.
posted March 27, 2004 06:34 PM
Well, today was a good day - another 190 miles on the clock, at 580 now.
I felt little worry about revving up to 6000 at 450+ miles, and had a blast on some very fast roads through the mountains.
The bike holds a line so well, and you can position yourself so easily, and the bike is SO SILKY smooth, you can really lose yourself for a while.
Wow, I had a great time. No wheelies or hard shifts, no real hopping on the throttle - just me and a friend on a 6R blasting through the Arizona mountains - and on the road between the mtn and the lake, hugging the mountain side, we shredded and railed - dancing around the 85MPH mark, slower than I've taken this road before, but in great style and with great ease, rolling on throttle where needed, eating up cars and expelling dust in our wake.
This bike would have done well at 60+ MPH faster, and I wouldn't have had to lean far enough to drag a knee even 30 MPH faster. I'll save this for when I have the new leathers and knee pucks, though - better yet, I'll save it for the track.
After adjusting the rear brake, the new boots felt better, easier to control the bike with. I think I'll take a little more travel out of the brake, though.
The front brakes have all the power that I think everyone who rode the pre-pro bikes, and the Irvine demo crowd (Swft, Fish, Redelk, Kerry) raved about. The lever travel is a little to far to engage, and the feel is very soft, but the response is now very linear. The initial bite is nowhere near my old CBR with EBC HH pads was, and in a few thousand miles I'll be investing in aftermarket pads. I think a mod I may make around July is braided lines - I think the Kawi OEM lines are good, but aftermarket may be better.
The tranny was butter-smooth all day, no skipped teeth or anything at all.
Guys, I love the middle of this bikes powerband - I cannot wait to get another week into it and get up high in the rev range.
Next week I travel, so after Monday's commute, I won't be putting any miles on the bike until next Saturday.
I'm guessing there probably isn't a whole lot more for me to tell until I get into the upper part of the powerband anyway - so unless people want a blow-by-blow of every mile, I probably won't keep this thread alive.
posted March 27, 2004 06:48 PM
It's a million times more comfortable than my old CBR, and I last four hours on the seat without crying. Wrists, legs, feet, etc are fine - no worries other than the usual if you don't move a limb for a few hours.
The bike is roomy, I think - just a bit more of a drop to the bars than I used to have, but more room everywhere else. Get a tank protector, you will be rubbing zippers and belts on it.
Four hours at a shot on a sportbike is pretty darn good. The range on the bike is a bit less, I was feeling sore in my seat at the end of two tankfuls. Not bad at all.
posted March 28, 2004 06:09 AM
First few miles on it (75km)
-hard to stay under 4000rpm
-very light and responsive
-clutchless shifts or maybe an inch of a clutch
-suspension is perfect
-third of a inch chicken strips (that speaks for itself)
-my previus cbr600 was much harder work on transitions of directions (wow)
-didnt use much brakes yet
-mirrors? i will take em off anyway but better then my previus bikes
-rpm gauge hard to read but will get used to
-paint on bike will easilly scratch and ya gotta be carefull with wat you came close to it
Now i will do two more heat cycles and then change oil and filter at around 100 miles. Then will gradually give her more revs, but with no intention to go past 8 or 9000 rpm till some 800miles. Will change oil again at 600 miles.
____________
ride it like u stole it
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posted March 22, 2004 09:01 PM
Edited By: 
posted March 23, 2004 08:00 AM
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