posted April 01, 2004 12:26 PM
Kawasaki Marketing Survey I got a call last night from a market research company that had been contracted to conduct a post-sale survey of new 10R owners. Some you have probbaly heard from the same outfit. While a majority of the questions were typical market research BS, there were a couple of interesting areas, mainly about exhaust system appearance and placement. I got the feeling that the Big K is a little defensive about not having a stylish, under-the seat exhaust, and they spent some time probing around my thoughts on the 10R's system vs. the R1 and 1000RR. One question gave me the distinct impression that they tried that route, but that it reduced power and added weight.
Just some trivia from someone with too much time on his hands.
posted April 01, 2004 02:20 PM
I think the underseat exhaust looks great. But I think Kawasaki did the right thing by making sure they came out of the gate with the most power and baddest bike. They did not worry quite so much about the looks of the bike and worried about what I think matters the most in this case. POWER!! Besides, the exhaust looks great as is. It's practicly a high mount from the factory.
posted April 01, 2004 03:37 PM
Hear there is a heat compromise with the underseat but I have never ridden one. Kaw does have a very nice looking factory pipe (nice oval touch). Would like to land an exhaust hanger since my wife does not ride.
posted April 01, 2004 04:47 PM
As an early owner of a Ducati 916 (1994), I can tell you that the underseat heat issue is real. There were a few 90 degree Georgia days when I felt like riding standing up when I was caught in stop and go traffic.
posted April 01, 2004 08:18 PM
I think some undertail exhausts look really good, some look like S**T. And the S**ty ones outnumber the cool looking ones.
Undertail exhaust might have a hard time surviving catalytic converters. There is just way too much heat generated there. If you think the Duc 916 was hot, try the new 999. I don't see how the tail cover can last very long. Of course you can change the muffler and ditch the "cat" but what if they start checking emissions on motorcycles.
Keep up the good work Kawasaki. Dare to be different.
posted April 02, 2004 05:44 AM
I'm already tired of under seat exhausts. I could have put one on my Z1000 but I genuinely liked the Jardine Slipons , and I haven't regretted it.I think hiding it all together will be next, with maybe a pissed off looking slash cut peeping out somewhere like the ZXRR
I got called today. Told them undertails look like crap on anything not a Ducati, and that I rated the Kawasaki exhaust a 9, and she wrote down my comment about it being the best sounding stock exhaust I'd ever heard - she said every one of her survey respondents have mentioned that!
quote:they coulda saved their money on doin a phone survey and just asked here!
ya.. you'd think that at this point in the game they'd clue in to that... sheesh... we'd cost them a fraction of that survey and reach more of their target audience...
ah... but what do we know? ____________ What business is it of yours where I'm from, Friendo?
posted April 13, 2004 03:43 AM
What I'd like to see is an under engine exhaust like the KTM. Low center of gravity as well as being nice and neat. It'd be a challenge to tuck it up under the bike but I think you'd get the best of both worlds while being functional. JMO.
posted April 13, 2004 08:01 AM
thunder, i'v always liked that idea too. i seem to recall hearing there is a problem with how short u'd have to make the system to fit down there tho.
posted April 13, 2004 09:41 AM
Kawasaki: "Well, er, Zed, moving on from the exhaust issue, how do you find the ZX-10R's performance?"
Zed: "S-l-o-w..."
Kawasaki: "Slow??"
Zed: "No. S-l-o-w..."
Kawasaki: "But why, Zed?"
Zed: "Well, I've been waiting well over three weeks now, and my green machine has STILL not arrived at the dealers yet..." Mumble, groan...
____________
Live long, and Faster
posted April 13, 2004 12:46 PM
Edited By: Dino on 13 Apr 2004 14:50
Kawasaki people reading this?..........WHERE"S MY F#$KING BIKE A@#^$%LES???
My patience has just about ran out. I was eyeballing an R1 yesterday. It's starting to look pretty good. I've owned nothing but Kawi's since 1972. I'm about ready to be loyal to some other brand. This is frikkin' rediculous.
____________
uh oh
Needs a life
Full throttle!
Posts: One MEEEEEELLION
posted April 13, 2004 05:09 PM
Just got the call. Responded best as I could. Not that good at being real descriptive. But basically like the bike as it is, wish the motor/tranny wasn't quite as noisy as it is, but wouldn't want the bike any other way.
____________
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
Full throttle!
Posts: One MEEEEEELLION
posted April 13, 2004 05:14 PM
Ode to Dino:
Day after day alone on his 12,
The man with the foolish grin is keeping perfectly still,
But nobody wants to know him,
They can see that he's just a fool,
And he never gives an answer,
But the fool on the 12
Sees the gas going down,
And the eyes in his head,
See the wheels spinning around.
Well on his way his head in a cloud,
The man without a 10R talking perfectly loud
But nobody ever hears him,
Or the sound he appears to make,
And he never seems to notice,
But the fool on the 12 . . .
Nobody seems to like him
They can tell what he wants to do.
And he never shows his feelings,
But the fool on the 12 . . .
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posted April 01, 2004 12:26 PM
Edited By: 