DB
Pro
Posts: 1932
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posted May 26, 2004 08:40 PM
Cycle World top 10
Cycle World's June issue (in the mail today) lists its top ten bikes for the year and names the ZX10r 'Best Superbike'
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Dan
04 ZX10r (Track only)
08 Concours14
  
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Michael Lee
Zone Head
Purchase Ivy
Posts: 729
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posted May 26, 2004 08:44 PM
Excellent choice !
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beansbaxter
Needs a life
Posts: 5911
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posted May 26, 2004 08:53 PM
has it won any other awards this year? hopefully it can mop up the place the way the gsxr 1k did in 2002
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D
Needs a job
Posts: 3365
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posted May 26, 2004 09:02 PM
I still think 05 will be THE year.
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worm~hole
Needs a life
Miles to go before I sleep....
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posted May 26, 2004 09:15 PM
...especially with a digital speedo and analog tach (think R1, Kawasaki  )
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“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
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beansbaxter
Needs a life
Posts: 5911
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posted May 26, 2004 10:09 PM
no wormie...analog everything! maybe i should photochop a new instrument panel.
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12RPilot
Pro
Posts: 1094
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posted May 26, 2004 10:23 PM
quote:
no wormie...analog everything! maybe i should photochop a new instrument panel.
...and send it to Kawasaki designers.
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If you aren't an AMA member, you're part of the problem.
NESBA #209
http://www.bikepics.com/members/12rpilot/04zx10r/
 
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beansbaxter
Needs a life
Posts: 5911
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posted May 27, 2004 08:04 AM
quote:
quote:
no wormie...analog everything! maybe i should photochop a new instrument panel.
...and send it to Kawasaki designers.
did ya hear that xl!
You would think even after all the bad press from the release of the 6R the year before to now, that Kawi would do something about it. Uggg...
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worm~hole
Needs a life
Miles to go before I sleep....
Posts: 10623
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posted May 27, 2004 08:24 AM
...it is my fuzzy guess that the present speedo/tach will be with us for at least a few more evolutions between the 10R, 6R-6RR, and the Z-1000...something about cost amortization of design and engineering, manufacturing and supply, and componentry contracts...in other words, they've bought it, now they have to use it up...
...wouldn't it be great if Kawasaki conducted clinics/surveys of some of its documented long-time Kawasaki product enthusiasts, also known as its focus groups (everyday people like some of the enthusiasts we know here for instance who live and breath Kawasaki), and heed most of the desires of these long-time Kawasaki street-riding enthusiasts for a real-world heads-up in designing certain components and the setting up a bike's ergonomics where/when its viable?...ahhh, the perfect world... 
____________
“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
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madav8tr
Novice Class
Posts: 53
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posted May 27, 2004 11:26 AM
Not that it mattera
The instrument cluster doesn't bother me at all, for some reason. I prefer an analog tach and speedo but the unit on the 10R isn't that bad. No worse certainly than my old RC51. It took me a long time to adjust to that damn thing. Some people liked the RC guages but not me. I would much rather see a needle sweeping that a lcd bar moving but truth be known, I don't look at the damn tach long enough to really care. I ride my bike by feel and sound, certainly this is true with the ZX10. I can't see the instrument cluster when I am riding unless I look down at it. I think it's because of my position on the bike but I feel like I am perched over the front wheel with little between me and road below. I like that about the ZX10, especially since I don't pay much attention to the instruments to begin with. The RC and my 929 were much different.
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worm~hole
Needs a life
Miles to go before I sleep....
Posts: 10623
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posted May 27, 2004 11:49 AM
 Edited By: worm~hole on 27 May 2004 12:59
...its all about user-friendly ergonomics, be it visual or otherwise...a STREET BIKE needs a readily-decipherable speedo with BIG digits...especially these hyper-speed STREET ridden bikes...a newer or experienced rider shouldn't HAVE TO adapt to the bike's gages...the gages should be easily read right out of the box...
...as I've opined before, the racers and track-day fiends could probably care less about the gages, but if you ride your bike year-round on the streets and if you have a penchant for elevated velocities, then an easily deciphered speedo with large easy-to-read numbers is a very good thing to have...trust me on this ...if you don't believe me, see the following...
Scenerio:
Friendly cop: "How fast were you going?"
Dejected rider: "Uh..I dunno"
Friendly cop looks at speedo: "Well, no wonder, pal!...you need a magnifying glass to see the numbers on your speedo, buddy!...have you seen the one on the 2004 R1?...I never seem to catch them speeding, but man, you Kawasaki guys  ...sign here, please....its not an admission of guilt...you're just indicating that you're promising to appear for the ticket...and please don't disregard your court date or there'll be a warrant out for your arrest...ride safe, ok?"
...I don't know if it'll slow the speed-demons down much, but I think it'll make the speeding bullet's ride a little more relaxed knowing just how fast he's/she's riding...I know that I'd be more relaxed knowing what my bike is doing
____________
“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
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madav8tr
Novice Class
Posts: 53
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posted May 27, 2004 11:56 AM
Well, regardless of how small the numbers are I can see them when I look at them. It also doesn't matter how large the numbers are or how easy it is too see the guage cluster I still ride my bike by feel and rarely look at the speedo or tach. Anybike, not just my ZX10. I also think it is the location of the speedo that makes it more difficult to see anyway. I don't think I could see it any better, regardless of how big it is, unless it was positioned near the top edge of the windscreen.
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worm~hole
Needs a life
Miles to go before I sleep....
Posts: 10623
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posted May 27, 2004 12:02 PM
true for you...true about the 10R..next-tech?...wireless heads-up display in your helmet
____________
“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
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Erich
Expert Class
Posts: 131
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posted May 27, 2004 12:22 PM
worm, the only problem with having long time Kawi folk, is you would end up with something that would most appeal to them and their sensabilities. Not to mention if they have not had to much experience with other brands things, they may not be aware of some alternatives used on another make that could be better solution.
Part of what they want to do is draw in riders from other makes, and those that highly favor familial design may miss that traget.
They should be a part of the group, but a cross section of the demographic would ensure the machine has appeal to the largest possibe group, and contains the best possible solutions or ideas out on the market. A best practices approach.
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worm~hole
Needs a life
Miles to go before I sleep....
Posts: 10623
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posted May 27, 2004 12:48 PM
Edited By: worm~hole on 28 May 2004 07:51
...I guess they didn't draw enough from the R1 group, apparently ...but I get your drift...I guessed as much and should've mentioned it, too...however, I think the majority of the sportbike crowd know what they want on their bikes irregardless of brand loyalty and I think alot of them say or grieve as much to the dealers and manufacturers...I wonder if the cruiser, standard, dresser, and dirtbike group is the same way?...I think its one thing to attract other potential converts to the flock with 'better stuff', but I would also think that its not good to alienate your loyal customers...
...just as for instance, we should conduct an informal survey of certain parts of the 10R's design/architecture on another thread...I'll start it...
____________
“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
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Erich
Expert Class
Posts: 131
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posted May 27, 2004 05:39 PM
Yep, we all do definately repond to big HP, lots of handling, and good looks. Kind of a universal truths. And staying with that will will never alienate anyone. Unless you style it like the last Ducati that is.
Truth be told, I am probably a Suzuki guy since I've had more of those than anything, but I agree with you, they could have sure used some insight from Yamaha for the iitem in question. Not to mention you wouldn't need specially prepared bikes to go as fast  Doh!! Did I type that out loud? Sorry could'nt pass on that last one
OK, I could have, but what where would the fun have been in that.
If it where me, I'd have to take bits from all 4 of the current jap bikes then mix in a little Aprilia to make the one I want. Maybe use the Ducati's adjustable seat, if I could get over it being from a Ducati that is.
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beansbaxter
Needs a life
Posts: 5911
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posted May 28, 2004 09:17 AM
Yeah I agree with how bad the RC51 was. Seen some bad ones on Aprilia as well.
And for the whole time thing, a manufacturer has to output two years worth before any changes, in order to accomodate the cost of parts and replacement parts.
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D
Needs a job
Posts: 3365
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posted May 28, 2004 09:41 AM
No 2 year plan if the parts are shared on 3+ models and a design that first showed up - HEY, 2 years ago.
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