zx12adam
Member
Posts: 878
|
posted September 11, 2005 02:47 PM
05 ZX10 1st impression
After owning a Superhawk, 2 954's, and a ZX12 I rode a ZX10 for the 1st time last night(thanks Eric). Great bike, wish I coulda put more miles on it but for the most part handles as good as the 954(with dialed suspenders) but the old 54 pulls harder from lower to mid range rpms(gearing). Once wound-up the little ZX that could really DID! Great acceleration even though the gearing is tall as shit, not quite like my ZX12 but would leave a 954 for dead. Most impressive is the brakes, best binders I've ever used. Fun little bike, transitions effortlessly from side to side. Seating position is like sitting up on the nose of the bike compared to sitting in the 12. I'm getting the itch to grab a black 06 if I could find a buyer for the 12.
____________
CBR1000RR
Best Literbike: Performance Bikes, Superbike, BIKE, MCN, Road Racing World, and Motorcycle USA
  
|
lizard
Pro
Modulator
Posts: 1483
|
posted September 11, 2005 03:09 PM
Some guys here don't like the brakes on the 10. I myself never had a problem with them. Maybe I just don't ride as hard as they do. What impressed me was the seat. Surprisingly comfortable.
|
beansbaxter
Needs a life
Posts: 5911
|
posted September 11, 2005 03:23 PM
I'll just rattle off what I dont like about the 05 10R, so you can assume I like everything else about the 10R.
The factory sends the 10R out with too stiff of a suspension setup - just needs to be dialed in.
The angles of the brake and clutch levers are too high. At least you can lower them - the new 636 you cannot lower them unless you do some mild cutting. Way too high!!
The tach and headlight issues that we all complain about every time.
The titanium paint job...gets too dull and impossible to wax. Kawi's resolve on the matter is utterly frustrating.
I am getting a black 06!
|
zx12adam
Member
Posts: 878
|
posted September 11, 2005 05:40 PM
Almost forgot about the tach. Looking at it from mag pics I didn't think it would've been THAT bad...
... but it's THAT BAD!
Rest of the bike rawked.
|
kahoo5
Parking Attendant
Posts: 21
|
posted September 12, 2005 08:00 AM
Well the seat is the one thing I was considering trading. Love my 05 though.
|
Hells Dark Lord
Needs a life
living life, and loving it.
Posts: 7981
|
posted September 12, 2005 01:50 PM
my seat was decent for the first 6 or 7000 miles, but its worn out, I feel the seat pan when I sit in it. I am looking at aftermarket seats now....or sending my seat of to gelseats and having them fix it....
the tach BLOWS ! ! ! ! ! I have considered replacing it since I got the bike....other things just seem to take priority over that. And since i went with the AP exhaust I can hear it and shift it off the sound.....not as accurate as a shift light, but I can see it too if need be.....
____________
When in doubt, lean farther and go faster....
|
Simple Simon
Novice Class
Posts: 94
|
posted September 12, 2005 05:32 PM
If you are used to a 954, the ZX10 seems gutless off the line. I don't know how many times I thought i was taking off in second when I first got mine. I don't notice it as much now after putting over 20,000 miles on the 10's but it still could be better. I tried one tooth smaller up front but I didn't like the buzzing at highway speeds and I quickly decided to go back to stock when gas went up to $3.65/ gallon.
____________
Don't show your stupidity, wear a helmet.
|
zx12adam
Member
Posts: 878
|
posted September 12, 2005 05:42 PM
Yup
____________
CBR1000RR
Best Literbike: Performance Bikes, Superbike, BIKE, MCN, Road Racing World, and Motorcycle USA
|
Eric_The_Jew
Expert Class
Posts: 266
|
posted September 16, 2005 09:46 AM
Nice writeup Adam. Maybe one of the motorcycle rags would consider hiring you as a journalist :-)
I too think the 10r is really weak down low. My 02 R1 would also have left it for dead up to 6,000 rpms. Not sure if the older r1s had a longer stroke or what, but they were very strong down low. I don't really miss the lack of low-end because once the tach sweeps past 8,000 the 10 get's 'er done!
Also, I found the zx10 to be the opposite of the uncontrollable wheelie monster everyone hyped it up to be. Mine will wheelie unprovoked in 1st, but 2nd gear and higher it won't do shit unless you chop the throttle open really fast. Maybe my stock gearing is the reason.
Glad you enjoyed the bike Adam!
|
zx12adam
Member
Posts: 878
|
posted September 16, 2005 10:44 AM
 Edited By: zx12adam on 16 Sep 2005 11:48
Hey, thanks for letting me take it for a short spin, I'm working on selling my 12, was waiting for the ZX12 replacement to come out but unfortunatley it was replaced with a bagger(damn Kawasaki dropped the ball). Looking at the R1 but really wanting the ZX10. Might wait for the 06 if I can't find a good deal on an 05 and just convert my 954 for street duties until then to save on gas and fuckaround.
And yes, the 1st and 2nd gen R1's had longer stroke motors, the 04 was the first short stroke which is one reason I prefer the ZX over the 04-05 R1 which is guttless down low, usually close to the same top-end but with a longer stroke the ZX10 has more bottom-mid.
And no I couldn't be a mag Jorno, I'd get fired for writing up the craziest shit they've ever heard of(ex: Hunter S. Thompson R.I.P.).
Got plans this weekend? Might be going to G-ville to check out some bikes. Might set-up a ride sometime.
____________
CBR1000RR
Best Literbike: Performance Bikes, Superbike, BIKE, MCN, Road Racing World, and Motorcycle USA
|
justoyz2
Zone Head
Justoyz Racing
Posts: 858
|
posted September 16, 2005 03:23 PM
I love mine, man it's faster then my 04, zx10r and my 00 zx12. 9:58's with a 200lbs rider at 143 mph. I love it
|
TedG
Moderator
Posts: 8222
|
posted September 16, 2005 04:13 PM
I complained about the 10 being weak when it was new, but now after about 7k miles the thing has really loosened up and feels much better down low as well as up top. In comparing it to the 12, the 12 feels faster because of the torque, don't be fooled, it isn't. The 10 just handles so much better and can carry much more corner speed effortlessly. I find the riding position for shorter trips(<200 miles) better than the 12, although for a long trip the 12 is better. The only things the 12 does better than the 10 is 1. It has a fuel gage. 2. the tach is more readable. 3. has better headlights. and that is about it. Everything else leans toward the 10 and in some areas the 10 is just flat much better.
____________
Ted
2000 Green ZX12 sold
The fast color!!
Green 2005 ZX10R
2009 Concours Black ABS
|
Hells Dark Lord
Needs a life
living life, and loving it.
Posts: 7981
|
posted September 17, 2005 04:42 AM
I agree Ted....
____________
When in doubt, lean farther and go faster....
|
Eric_The_Jew
Expert Class
Posts: 266
|
posted September 17, 2005 11:53 AM
Edited By: Eric_The_Jew on 17 Sep 2005 12:54
Adam,
Not sure if you'll get this in time, but i'm going to G-ville tonight (Sat, sept. 17th). They're having test and tune. Maybe i'll see ya there.
Ted,
I've also heard that the 10 loosens up a lot with age. Mine only has 1,000 miles, so I'm sure it'll only get stronger.
|
Hells Dark Lord
Needs a life
living life, and loving it.
Posts: 7981
|
posted September 17, 2005 03:08 PM
mine is pushing 9000 miles now and just keeps gettng better, biggest difference that I see in the 10 over the 12 is tha tyou need to keep the revs up more, do that , and its an animal....
____________
When in doubt, lean farther and go faster....
|
jasonc32amg
Novice Class
Posts: 61
|
posted September 18, 2005 06:43 AM
The only issue with the 10 over the 12 I had is that you have to pay much closer attention when running hard above 150. My 12 always felt glued to the road, but the 10 is so damn light that the front end demands attention during full throttle runs...
____________
12 zx14r
12 SuperTenere
|
|
|
HOME
NEW TOPIC