pmkin10r
Expert Class
Posts: 191
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posted September 17, 2005 11:23 AM
Kawasaki bashing
Lately it seems Kawasaki has been taking alot of heat for the design of the 06 10R & ZX-14. And, while I do agree both are not as attractive as previous models, ie 04-05 10R & ZX-12R, there is some rationale in the design elements. The 04-05 10R, was in my opinion, the best looking mass produced sportbike ever. Kawasaki delivered the goods with the 10R. Most journos pronounced the 10R as the ultimate 04, many did again in 05. And what was Kawasaki's reward? Sales approx. 1/3 that of the R1(in Europe anyway, not sure for US or global sales, but I think it's safe to say nowhere near R1 sales totals). So, scratching their heads Kawasaki fiddles with some design elements, naturally looking at the 04 litre-bike sales leader for some inspiration; underseat exhaust, steering damper (an Ohlins for kripesake). Some may say their execution was sloppy, but suppose Kawasaki addressed heat issues with the underseat exhaust (possibly precluding a closer tuck to the seat) suppose Kawasaki chose larger diameter pipes with less dramatic bends, thus maintaing higher hp, forgivable? While the only concrete thing we have to base our judgements on is appearance, there will undoubtedly be functional aspects that will manifest themselves when the bike is actually ridden.
With respect to the 14, Kawasaki dropped the ball and offended 12R owners. So What? The 12R owners represent a market segment no manufacturer is going to trip over themselves to capture. The 12R could'nt even limp along another year, even after tooling costs had been amortorized over 5yrs. Kawi did'nt make squat on the 12R. Somthing largely justified by their 99 pre-release smack talk distilling the bike into a single dimensional king of speed. They failed. With the 14 Kawi looks to take on the ultimate GT role. The 14 looks pillion friendly and generally over 40 ergo friendly. Face it, it's not just the cruiser crowd that's getting older, young guys can't afford insuance, and in any case are too pre-occupied with their pocket racer cars. I hope Kawi covered the funtional aspects of these bikes, if so I believe any aesthetic shortcomings will be forgiven by most.
  
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zrx4me
Novice Class
Posts: 42
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posted September 17, 2005 02:07 PM
well put,I agree.
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hitman12
Novice Class
Posts: 89
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posted September 17, 2005 03:38 PM
Pmkin10r -- Thank you I've sat here and read post after post about how ugly the 14 is and how they don't like the changes on the 10R. What a bunch of over grown whiny ass babies! Fellas maybe you guys should step down off your soapboxes and take a real look at the 14 and why it exist. Kawasaki makes bikes for one reason to make money, although you guys may not agree the 12 and Busa are NOT in the same class the BUSA is a sport touring bike and the 12 is all out sportbike. Busas out sale the 12 for one reason it's a more comfortable easy ride with seat of pants power. You can't find ANYONE that says the Busa handles as well as the 12R. Just as pmkin said the 10R is the king of the street but they are still on dealerships floor RIGHT now. I for applaud Kawasaki for bringing the 14 out(personally i wanted it last year) and as for looks the BUSA is not better looking it's just grown on you, well I say jump on the 14 and tlet he BUSA guys see what butt crack and exhaust look like doing the shrink move..................!
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Move over and let the fatman in!
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THEMADKAW
Expert Class
Posts: 211
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posted September 17, 2005 05:08 PM
I understand what you guys are sayin. I'm a Kaw man myself and i think overall that the new 10r looks better than the last, but i still don't like the styling of the 1400. It looks a lot larger than the 12 and is bound to be heavier. which means its gonna need all that extra power. And Busas dont outsell 12s because they're more comfortable in my opinion. I've been on both. Busas sell because of there rep! Its the so called baddest ass bike you can buy, and everybody in the world makes parts for them! Guys who like to ride don't buy big heavy slow turning busas! But the old I used ta racers do! thats why busas sell! Two kinds of busa riders: 1. dragracers ! 2. ParkinLot Pimps! I know because I do a fair bit of both! Only I do it on a zx12! and soon on a 06 10r or a Busa!
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Evander
Expert Class
Posts: 130
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posted September 17, 2005 05:17 PM
 Edited By: Evander on 17 Sep 2005 18:18
Wow! Sorry for having an opinion on the looks of a bike. All hail King Kawasaki they can do no wrong!!!
I like the looks of the ZX-14, but will never buy one, and I hate the looks of the 06 ZX-10 so I bought an 05. This is the first time I've ever bought the same brand, same model of bike in my life. The 04-05 ZX-10 was so different that's why I bought them. However if Kawasaki keeps "FOLLOWING" trends instead of "setting" them it probablly will be the last Kawk I ever own.
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It's not the bike, it's the rider.
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THEMADKAW
Expert Class
Posts: 211
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posted September 17, 2005 05:44 PM
OH! they're setting a trend alright! they just won't set any sales records! at least not as far is big bores go anyway. I still waiting for someone to say AW man we just kiddin! It aint really gonna look like that!
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238mph
Pro
Posts: 1145
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posted September 17, 2005 09:25 PM
The 10r is a sweet track bike, but sucks for two up riding, and sucks worse if you're
taller than 5'8" or weigh over 140lbs... It's a little boys bike for track work...
there are some guys that are larger, that ride hard on the street and the twisites, but need
a larger sportbike... alas the 12... but is was too heavy and under powered. If they upped
the hp and dropped 100lbs it would fit big guys and still perform like the 10r.
And that's what we wanted ... not some big pig of bike, with 1980s styling.
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crip2nite
Zone Head
Posts: 820
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posted September 18, 2005 03:11 AM
You aint really seen some serious bashing until you accquire a Buell! I had one...many probs...very fugly...lotsta comments...OH..THE HORROR.....................
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'08 ZX-10R ~ GREEN ~
Long Island, NY
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jasonc32amg
Novice Class
Posts: 61
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posted September 18, 2005 06:36 AM
The proof will be in the pudding...
The '06 14 will be forgiven its softer lines if it puts K over the top in the speed wars. I think K obviously is seeking to address the Busa's aerodynamic edge and throwing CC's on top just to make sure they are not embarassed again. I haved to say that I did not mind my "underperforming" 01 12.
The '06 10 looks to be a sweet bike, I just cannot stand underseat exhausts...they just scream poser to me and I'm old school and prefer the traditional exhaust. Also, living in s. fl., the last thing I want is a heater under my ass.
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12 zx14r
12 SuperTenere
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fish_antlers
Administrator
The Truth is Out There
Posts: 21894
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posted September 18, 2005 10:30 AM
quote:
The 10r is a sweet track bike, but sucks for two up riding, and sucks worse if you're
taller than 5'8" or weigh over 140lbs... It's a little boys bike for track work...
there are some guys that are larger, that ride hard on the street and the twisites, but need
a larger sportbike... alas the 12... but is was too heavy and under powered. If they upped
the hp and dropped 100lbs it would fit big guys and still perform like the 10r.
And that's what we wanted ... not some big pig of bike, with 1980s styling.
I 100% disagree with this statement. I am 6'3.5 and well over 200lbs. As a former 12R owner and a current 10R owner I can personally state that I find the seating position and overall comfort of the 10R to be far superior to the 12R. There is ample leg room... much more comfortable IMHO. The 12R hurt my knees for some reason... the 10R does not. I've ridden thousands of miles on both, and ridden both bikes from Canada to California and back... 10R was more comfy..
perhaps it's just me... but I aint no small fry.
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silver12r
Novice Class
Posts: 74
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posted September 18, 2005 10:31 AM
Edited By: silver12r on 18 Sep 2005 11:32
Kawasaki hit a home run with the 12R, they just fucked up royally in the marketing department. I've never been beaten by a 'Busa in over a 100 street races with every type of rider - not even close. Whilst i enjoyed being the underdog and having to constantly prove myself - I certainly wasn't selling any bikes for kawasaki.
Perception is everything, PERIOD. Just look at Harley. How do you think they manage to sell all of the 25K chrome tractors they can make? In 2000, when Kwack gave the magazines engines that weren't broken in they screwed themselves. The 12 killed itself in print, not on the street. Meanwhile, the second fastest production bike is eveywhere with chode after chode standing around bragging about it being the fastest simply because the mags say it's the champ (of course when you offer to race them with your 'stock' 12R, 99% decline). Anybody who's fast knows, that on the pavement, it's a completely different story.
Anyway, what I'm getting at is - the 2000 12R is the most spectacular thing I've ever owned, with the '04 10R following a close second. That's coming from an avowed lifetime Suzuki guy. I switched to Kwack because they're the better, and faster, bike of the two.
On the flip side, the 06 10R is definitely the faggiest looking bike they've ever made (that thing screems queer from the mountain tops), and the 14R is interesting if you like the Matrix, but it looks a little too '90s for me. Technologically they're both the pinnacle of innovation, but I think they need to find another stylist.
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zeta xray
Expert Class
Posts: 416
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posted September 18, 2005 11:03 AM
There may be several sound reasons for designing the exhaust the way they did in order to have undertail exhaust. BUT, I would rather they didn't follow the "me too" mentality and stayed with the side exhaust. While there isn't much that I like about the '06 R6, I do prefer the R6 exhaust to the system on the '06 ZX10.
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It is good to be green.
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Evander
Expert Class
Posts: 130
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posted September 18, 2005 06:10 PM
quote:
quote:
The 10r is a sweet track bike, but sucks for two up riding, and sucks worse if you're
taller than 5'8" or weigh over 140lbs... It's a little boys bike for track work...
there are some guys that are larger, that ride hard on the street and the twisites, but need
a larger sportbike... alas the 12... but is was too heavy and under powered. If they upped
the hp and dropped 100lbs it would fit big guys and still perform like the 10r.
And that's what we wanted ... not some big pig of bike, with 1980s styling.
I 100% disagree with this statement. I am 6'3.5 and well over 200lbs. As a former 12R owner and a current 10R owner I can personally state that I find the seating position and overall comfort of the 10R to be far superior to the 12R. There is ample leg room... much more comfortable IMHO. The 12R hurt my knees for some reason... the 10R does not. I've ridden thousands of miles on both, and ridden both bikes from Canada to California and back... 10R was more comfy..
perhaps it's just me... but I aint no small fry.
6' 4" 230lbs and I find the ZX-10R very comfortable.
Glad to see another sportbiker who loves to log miles.
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