Fasta
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posted April 29, 2006 01:20 PM
My impression on 06 10 vs. K6
I've read one to many bullshit reviews slash comparison tests with the new Kawa finding itself "to the bottom of the pile" according to these testers, so having owned the 05 10 (4000 km), the new 10 (2000 km) and the GSX-R1000 K6 (6500 km) I thought I'll share my point of view and give you some hard facts:
I had all of these bikes on the track, commuted with them and covered significant distances with them in long hauls.
The Suzuki GSX-R1000 K5/6 is an awesome bike. I had a Yoshi slip on the bike with a PCIII with a complete remap done by the local Dynojet guys. Dyno'd just shy of 170 hp on the back wheel. It has a lot of grunt down low and has that Battlestar Galactica thing going for it, especially in the black colour scheme. It sounds like a banshee trying to escape from hell with that Yoshi slip-on.
- The bike generates a lot of vibration that can be felt through the frame and pegs.
- Riding position is fairly cramped if you are tall (I'm approx 6.3 feet). Dropping the pegs is not really an option because clearance is already an issue.
- The suspension is very stiff and unforgiving on anything other than the smoothest of road surfaces. Setting it softer is not an option because that compromises handling (believe me, I spent many hours with suspension experts trying various settings) and because the bike has so much grunt we actually ended up setting the pre-load at the back higher to prevent the bike from "squatting" (introducing front end instability issues) under hard acceleration.
My new 06 now has done just over 2000 km (1200 miles) and is still completely stock except for the MRA screen.
- It does not have as much grunt as my Suzuki had and the engine modifications the Kawa guys made makes it feel a little sluggish from pull away.
- It feels quicker than the Suzuki in the twisties. (5 - 10%). I attribute this to a combination of more stability into and out of the corners due to geomatry changes + the engine power delivery changes + the insane amount of lean I can get and still crack it open (55 rear tyre?).
- The bike is as flickable as you need it to be. Picking it up off the stand and taking it around a track it still "feels" a lot lighter than even the new GSX- R750. I had to make quite a few quick direction changes with the bike today going over a mountain pass in damp weather with a pillion and the bike was pure magic...I nailed it and it was more like flying than riding.
- There is a slight steering offset (see my related posts) which is really annoying, but the dealership has not given up on this yet so they may still resolve this.
- The styling grows on you and believe it or not I actually prefer the new styling over any of the other litre bikes, even the sexy R1. The bike just looks fast. 
- I think with some mods this bike will kick ass. Texas Ranger style. 
Both bikes exhibit headshakes under hard acceleration regardless of steering damper settings. Maybe the stock dampers are just for show? Oh well, what is life without a little excitement.
Both of these bikes have flaws. From a handling point of view I think the Ninja is the better bike. If you plan on winning roll on tests then get something like a 14 cause you're not beating the Gixxer. Going fast in a straight line is not my thing, so the Gixxer can try and keep up with me in the twisties.
That said, if the dealership cannot resolve the issue with the front alignment (this is my second 06 10 with this problem) I may very well decide to go back to the Suzuki again without feeling that I'm sacrificing or gaining huge amounts of anything....but I'd prefer to keep the Kawa.
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Currently:
2007 ZX-14 (stock)
2007 ZX-6 (stock)
Before:
2 x 2006 ZX10-R (stock)
2006 GSX-R1000 K6 (Yoshi + PC)
2005 ZX10-R (HyperPro damper)
2007 Versys (stock)
  
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lizard
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posted April 29, 2006 02:50 PM
 Edited By: lizard on 14 May 2006 07:37
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Gary B
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posted April 30, 2006 05:39 PM
I rode an 06 10r today...not bad. Smooth power, but very buzzy compared to my Honda.
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Rubber Pants
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posted April 30, 2006 06:45 PM
I've heard before those 1K Gixxers are buzzy too.
Whats the deal Lizard? Do you have a buzz????? 
I had my 04 out yesterday for a bit........... man shes loud! I had a headache after. Time for earplugs. But what do you expect with an Evo 2 muffler. She still makes me giggle thou.
Goin to court Tusday to fight a ticket I got last year!
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TurboBlew
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posted April 30, 2006 07:15 PM
That "buzz" you feel is called HORSEPOWER..... something Hondas generally dont come with.....lol
quote:
I rode an 06 10r today...not bad. Smooth power, but very buzzy compared to my Honda.
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TurboBlew
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posted April 30, 2006 07:21 PM
Edited By: TurboBlew on 30 Apr 2006 20:24
I just bought a 2006 GSXR K6. I couldn't be happier. Now thats not to say I hate the 06 Zx10... but I really do like the 04-05 models. Just the money difference made me go with the newer bike. Had I found a nice 05 for $8000 or less.... itd be parked in my garage. I wasnt paying $9000 plus fees for a 1yr old leftover bike thats stock and barely visible instrumentation. I have room for another purchase this year... but I can't see duplicating the purchase unless its special or really cheap.
Besides.... the gixxer wont be difficult to unload should that time come.
The thing about Kawis is this..... you gotta buy them cheap and you wont have buyers regret.
Kinda like taking a trashy woman to a nice restaurant.... when you should be rolling through the drive thru at Sonic or McDonalds..
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TurboBlew
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posted April 30, 2006 07:22 PM
Oh yeah.....
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TurboBlew
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posted April 30, 2006 07:26 PM
Edited By: TurboBlew on 30 Apr 2006 20:27
Oh... and why dont literbike riders like to race???
They all gimme the same "all it does is wheelie" excuse.
Christ.... Im not asking to go froma dig. Lets roll!!!!!!
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lizard
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posted April 30, 2006 09:04 PM
Geeze turb that looks like alot of bike for a little guy like you at least you shirt matches your bike. Get rid of your passenger on the back and go have some fun.
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TurboBlew
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posted May 01, 2006 03:24 AM
fits better than this one....
Or this one
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swft
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posted May 01, 2006 05:31 AM
Nah, that looks like perfect posture for Land Speed Record!
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ninerrider01
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posted May 01, 2006 06:57 AM
Hah! Those are some great pics!
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lizard
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posted May 01, 2006 07:09 AM
It must be hard for you little guys to find gear.
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Gary B
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posted May 01, 2006 08:31 AM
No power? I would've ran ya from the dig ANY day on my Honda....and I weigh over 250! Lucky for you I just sold it.
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TurboBlew
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posted May 01, 2006 07:21 PM
Lucky for me? The only fast Honda there ever was is Kent Stotz blackbird.
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Gary B
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posted May 02, 2006 04:18 PM
Have you ever even dragraced a bike at a track?
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D
Needs a job
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posted May 02, 2006 05:49 PM
Edited By: D on 2 May 2006 18:50
That guy, pffft - Starbucks posuer alla way but damn if he don't think he looks good doin it 
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TurboBlew
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posted May 02, 2006 06:56 PM
Ah...... NEVER. .
And you bet your ass I look good D......lol (must be all the Pantene Im going through lately....lol)
quote:
Have you ever even dragraced a bike at a track?
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D
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posted May 03, 2006 12:47 PM
And here I thought it was Herbal Essence all this time 
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Rubber Pants
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posted May 03, 2006 01:00 PM
Edited By: Rubber Pants on 4 May 2006 10:14
Cycle World's test said it was the Bee's Knees and in their opinion LOVED it to death! Weird. It will still probably win the prestigous "Masterbike" Award again thou too!!
Anyhow......... the most wicked thing I've ridden most of my biking career! Aside from my 300 HP Turbo ZX11
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TurboBlew
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posted May 03, 2006 05:28 PM
So what are you saying rubber?? You like the 10r better than the GSXR?
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Rubber Pants
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posted May 04, 2006 07:17 AM
quote:
So what are you saying rubber?? You like the 10r better than the GSXR?
No..... I'm saying "they" Cycle World & Masterbike does?!??! I like all bikes really , but partial to Kwaks thou cause I HATE being like everyone else, (I've always beaten to my own drum) and the 10R is not too bad really IMHO????
But actually I might try the illusive ZX14 as I'm getting old and need more comfort and such.
What are you saying?? Suzukis are the only thing you will buy now because of?????
Let the secret out! Let us in on it.
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TurboBlew
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posted May 04, 2006 08:30 PM
Actually I like the 04-05 Zx10s. Rode a friends tonight.. felt like an old friend.
Of course the gixxer drug its ass down the highway on rollons. But the 10 felt more planted than the gixx.
I bought the K6 this year cause of the price. It was $500 cheaper than the best deal I could strike on a 10.
Im keeping my eyes peeled for a used ZX10. I wanna good deal with some mods.
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CrotchRocket
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posted May 05, 2006 06:01 AM
Nice pics Steve...The red/blk 1000 looks good too...What made you really buy it though???
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TurboBlew
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posted May 05, 2006 09:46 AM
Well Rick... after impatiently waiting on the 14... Dino and Stuman made me lust after the black 06 10R. So I shopped around and found some decent deals in FL. Had 2 buyers orders faxed to me.... ready to go. Then I found the gixxer for alot less than the best 10R deal. I also shopped for some 05 ZX10s with lower miles or mods. Nothing on the market was "spectacular" and the buyers were firm on the prices.
So in the end it was a few hundred dollars either way between the bikes.
I like the 05 10r though. And riding one last night made me realize Ive got to keep my eyes peeled for one now....lol.
you'll get to ride it in september...and anyone else that wants to.
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