Simple Simon
Novice Class
Posts: 94
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posted May 21, 2006 05:16 PM
ZX11 Experiences
I was thinking about getting a second bike that is a better bike for a passenger. I am thinking about getting a ZX11 or a VFR750. Does anybody have any advice about either of these bikes? The only bad thing that I have heard about the ZX11 is the charging system. I heard that they tend to fry the batteries. There is a 98 that I am going to look at tommorow. I would like a ZX12 but I didn't want to spend that much money. Any advice would be greatly appreciated!
   
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swft
Needs a life
Full throttle!
Posts: One MEEEEEELLION
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posted May 21, 2006 06:36 PM
Oiling system is at issue in the ZX11. #3 tends to go first.
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BROOKLYNNYZX12
Zone Head
Posts: 520
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posted May 21, 2006 07:48 PM
My 90 ZX-10 used to cook the battery...if you didn't keep an eye on it the bike would cook the batteries dry.I made a few extra ground straps and kept a close eye on battery water...never had a problem.Great bikes!
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Orient Express Top Street Bike Winner 8-4-07
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brobin01
Novice Class
Posts: 66
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posted May 22, 2006 05:12 AM
 Edited By: brobin01 on 22 May 2006 06:14
GREAT BIKE ... I had one and put 10,000 miles on it racing from street to stree. Mine was maron, Vance & Hinse, Jet kit, k&N, AirTech Rear, removed all weight, Olhins Shock and Fork Valves, and so on. She would crusie at 125 MPH like a Rolls Royce but still Wheelie out of the hole. I could burn the tire for a 1/8th mile with no issue. Had to have the front end brackets reweleded because the all broke from wheeling out of the hole but it was SICK BEAUTIFUL !!!!
Guys wheeling the bike would burn #3 bearing all of the time. Spend $200 at Super Bike Mikes (tell then brian from boca sent you) and you will have a bullet proof ride !!!
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salsa1
Needs a life
Posts: 5971
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posted May 22, 2006 05:39 AM
I still have my 92 ZX-11 ; have owned ZX-11's (two) since 1990.
far better for passenger than the ZX-12. Keep oil level up on the sight glass and should have no bearing starvation ; plus I think bearing starvation normally occurs when pushing the machine hard ...not cruising with a passenger ...
Great Bike; heavy and spacious compared to current liter bikes ... one of the best all around bikes ever made In my opinion. Bigbike world can get ya any info as this forum is filled with ZX-11owners who appreciate this great Kawasaki...My batteries usally last a few years and there is a way to get a lighter busa battery in there .. forum guys at bigbikeworld can give you details.. seldom is the battery an issue voiced out...not a known big problem..
for max comfort get bar risers "Claude" at bigbike.world world fabricates them 2" higher..
Much better on power and torque vthan a VFR as well....
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Salsa1
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supra5677
Pro
Posts: 1279
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posted May 22, 2006 01:32 PM
Make sure the glass is full in the zx11.. Go for it.. Very comfy "truck like" bike
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Simple Simon
Novice Class
Posts: 94
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posted May 22, 2006 04:43 PM
I went and looked at a '95 VFR tonight. The guy told me it had 15,000 miles and he bragged about how nice it was and that it was a "fast fast bike". Well, he must have ridden it an awfull lot since last night because now it has over 22,000 miles. At first it looked good but the more I looked the worse it got (cracks in the body work, scratches were it tipped over, a bald rear tire from burn outs, a kick stand that was mysteriously too short, etc). I took the bike for a ride and I realized how spoiled my 10 has me. That bike was a turd. When I got back the guy asked me if my ZX was that fast and I told him that my bike makes his feel slow. He didn't have much to say about that. Needless to say the VFR stayed where it was. I think that I am going to stay away from any VFR's. There is a ZX11 that I am going to look at tommorow. It looks good in the pictures that I have seen. We'll see how that goes. Thanks for the input so far!
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IGO186
Parking Attendant
Posts: 5
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posted May 27, 2006 06:45 AM
Simon,
I bought my ZX-11D2 new in 1994 - I have roughly 50,000 miles on the bike, and love it (obviously). I've ridden it for more than 20 hours straight many times, and can't complain about the comfort level (for a sportbike).
My wife has ridden with me, but vows not to get on it again because it's so uncomfortable. On the other hand, this bike was voted as having the most comfortable sportbike passenger accommodations by Motorcyclist magazine back when tested against the bikes of it's time. Off hand, I'd say my wife was expecting too much out of the bike on a 6 hour ride.
The power is addicting, and will be enough for what you'll use it for, but obviously not the same as a new ZX-10. It still goes 0-60 in under 3 seconds, so you know there's enough power for a thrill when you need it.
My front fairing bracket broke many years ago - I don't remember how or why - but I had it welded and it's been fine. My center stand also bent in half because I overloaded the bike on a trip to Indiana one time - that was my fault. I had 3 Givi 50 litre hardpacks on and more at the time.
Keep the oil level up as others have said and you'll be fine. The #3 cylinder mod is a good idea if you plan on combining A) not monitoring your oil sight window at all and B) Stomping on it on a regular basis (hopefully solo). I've never had any actual problems with the bike that were'nt my own fault, and would highly recommend one.
After owning the bike for 12 years since it was new in 1994, I've finally decided to try something different with an '07 ZX-10R next year. The only downside to the whole passenger/ZX-11 issue I've seen is getting married! This has positively killed my mileage since getting hitched 6 years ago!
Right now I don't see myself selling my ZX-11. I bought the bike in 1994 because of it's looks, and I'm still in love with it today. I didn't buy the bike because it was the Kawi flagship, made more horsepower, or all that - I read an article in Cycle magazine on the 1992 ZX-11 (slightly different model), went to the dealer, saw exactly what I wanted, and bought it right then. I went home, sold my FJ600 and have never looked back. Hope you feel the same, no matter what bike you buy.
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Simple Simon
Novice Class
Posts: 94
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posted May 28, 2006 06:23 AM
I went and looked at a '92 model this week. The bike was in pretty good shape for the year. I took it for a ride and it ran good. It had plenty of power for what I was going to do with it. The worse part about the bike was the handling. It felt like the suspension was worn out and the steering was really heavy. I didn't expect it to handle like my 10 but I really didn't care much for the way that it handled though.
I was going to get the bike anyhow but I got the cheapskate syndrome and felt guilty about spending the money. I decided that I am not going to get a second bike at this time.
We are going to the Honda Hoot in June and I plan on doing a good bit of riding. That is the main reason that I was looking for a second bike. There is a place near Nashville called Sloan's Motorcycle that rents bikes. I thought the rental price was reasonable ($100/day). I figured that we would rent an FJR1300 for 2 days and ride down to Birmingham Al. to check out Baurber motorsports park and the museum. The rest of the week we will spend near Knoxville at the Hoot and Deal's gap where I would rather have my 10. We'll see how my wife likes riding on the more comfortable FJR and maybe next year I will get a second bike.
Thanks for the input on the ZX11!
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brobin01
Novice Class
Posts: 66
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posted May 28, 2006 11:52 AM
yep ... ur crazy to buy a 92 ... the 98 are the exact same bike with some refinements !!!!! spend a $1000 on revalving the forks and re springing the shock with Ohlins and u wont be sorry ... i did the same on mine then put 10k miles on it .... PERFECT and FAST !! I upgraded to the ZX9r in 2000 (dual head light version) and that is about 10 times better ... i then went through a few R1, CBR and so on and now have a ZX10R 2006. The 00 -02 zx9r is by far the BEST SPORT CRUSIER OUT THERE ... TAKE IT FOR A RIDE AND U WILL AGREE.
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brobin01
Novice Class
Posts: 66
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posted May 28, 2006 11:54 AM
by the way ... #3 bearing is a simle no brainer to resolve .... just cal SUPER BIKE MIKES out of Florida. They have the PAN FIXED !!! They moved the pick up tube ... WORTH EVERY PENNY AND GREAT GUYS !! SIMPLE SHIT
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ZXLNT
Needs a job
Kawpuke Extraordinare
Posts: 2853
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posted May 29, 2006 10:31 PM
Simple Simon, I owned a 96 ZX11 for 4 years and put around 17,000 trouble free miles on it. I have never ever heard of any charging problems with the ZX11's.
I would recommend some braided brake lines and a corbin seat, and of course the Mr. Turbo oilpan bypass kit. If your gonna do alot of highway riding it will eat up miles like crazy and still give you good gas mileage. If you gonna alot of twisty riding then you will find that it is a heavy bike and the brakes will fade after a while if you really push it. Other than that, I really really like my ZX11 and would love to have another one. Even though I have a 12R and now a new 14...
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Simple Simon
Novice Class
Posts: 94
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posted May 30, 2006 05:08 PM
Hey Brobin, how are the passenger accomadations on the ZX9? A person that I work with has a nephew that unfortunately was killed in Iraq. He had a '01 ZX9 that his dad is selling. He only wants $3000 for the bike. I checked the blue book value on it and it is around $5500 so it is a heck of a deal. I was going to wait till next year to get another bike but deals like this don't come around often.
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MAXIMUS
Needs a job
Posts: 4156
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posted June 04, 2006 12:20 PM
I have a 91 zx 11,i decided to keep it after i bought my zx12r, my zx11 has 32k on it and it has had no problems at all. I feel it is a great to have, Its comfortable, also it still has a great deal of speed and pick up.
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