'08/'09 ZX10 opinions?

[Unit:Me]

Go on you know you want one.....

Pretty high on the 'got to test own one' list

Certainly on par with Yamaha on the high build quality front.

Now that I find an interesting comment, care to qualify?

Is this code for "I am now working for a Kawasaki dealer and my new boss will kick my arse back onto the dole if I keep riding a Yamaha to work"?

Nice try but.....no. He's a Kawazaki man, simple.
We are just looking for something with a little less money tied up in it, but still interesting to own/ride. Thats a big ask given the bikes he's had in the garage past four years, but this model may be really worth considering, unless anyone has any other better suggestions....

[Owl]

If you get an 09 ZX10, ditch that horrible looking exhuast and get a performance pipe put on.

Tact 101

[NZsarge]

We are just looking for something with a little less money tied up in it, but still interesting to own/ride. .

What about buying the SD-R back from Boomer.

[beyond]

Errrmmmm, thinking out loud here.... what about a GSX1400... brand new cheaper than a second hand ZX10 and lots of fun, comfortable, friendly on boots
Nudge nudge

[boomer]

What about buying the SD-R back from Boomer.

he wont give me a reach a round..

[AllanB]

They look pretty good from the rear ... that's all I see of them when they are moving.

ZOOMMMMMMM

[jtzzr]

Errrmmmm, thinking out loud here.... what about a GSX1400... brand new cheaper than a second hand ZX10 and lots of fun, comfortable, friendly on boots
Nudge nudge

You do know he has shares in a boot company mate.

No toe plates , just 3inches of boot.

And why would you want to do that to a perfectly good bike? ( I mean give it to him).

[Gremlin]

Unless you want the 04-05, you're blind...

Go awn, giv boomer a reach around, and buy your bike a third time

[Unit:Me]

What about buying the SD-R back from Boomer.

Errrmmmm, thinking out loud here.... what about a GSX1400... brand new cheaper than a second hand ZX10 and lots of fun, comfortable, friendly on boots
Nudge nudge

We already have a couch (the 14), looking for more of a sports fun bike to add to the garage. Its just, what comes after a 09 R1 and 1098s? Seriously

[slowpoke]

he wont give me a reach a round..

So I'm guessing he won't be keen to play the rusty trombone then....?

[mister.koz]

Really liked mine,did 19,000 kms in 9 mths on it an loved the lot...
Definate steering damper issues,hear RT could sort that.
Just wtrecked the new 10 they gave me so have the next 3/4 months laid up to think what i'll jump on next.
Go on you know you want one.....

yeah the steering damper has been "fondled" because some American idiot wound the bastard right up and couldn't go round a round about.. You can get the valve replaced and a hole filled and they are just like the track ones - doing that soon.

If you get an 09 ZX10, ditch that horrible looking exhuast and get a performance pipe put on.

Amen to that... its horrendous although its nice going nuts out and not alerting the cops in the next 3 towns..

I've had mine for a few months and done about 4000k on it, I've come from a tracked 05 zx6rr and the 08 is completely different. It turns like you wouldn't believe, just about binned it on the 1st corner because i was hanging way too far (used to the 6) The brakes are excellent and the acceleration is ridiculous but really smooth.

I'm not the most experienced rider but this beast is the perfect mix of fun and terror with precision and handling lumped in.

A mate of mine has the 04 and he reckons the 08 is a little boring because its so smooth and doesn't get all angry at you and want to throw you off

horses/riders really.

[Unit:Me]

I've had mine for a few months and done about 4000k on it, I've come from a tracked 05 zx6rr and the 08 is completely different. It turns like you wouldn't believe, just about binned it on the 1st corner because i was hanging way too far (used to the 6) The brakes are excellent and the acceleration is ridiculous but really smooth.

I'm not the most experienced rider but this beast is the perfect mix of fun and terror with precision and handling lumped in.

A mate of mine has the 04 and he reckons the 08 is a little boring because its so smooth and doesn't get all angry at you and want to throw you off

horses/riders really.

Interesting to hear. Chris has had the '06 and SE '07 (means fancy paint job) ZX10s plus the ZX6r race bike. I test rode the '08 ZX10 and '08 R1 back to back in the same day last year. Chris has never ridden the '08 ZX10. Now the '09 R1 is a COMPLETELY DIFFERENT BIKE which is the one about to leave this garageland. When I test rode the two bikes last year, I put the '08 ZX10 ahead of the '08 R1. Mainly, I know Kawa's having owned a few myself over the years. I know they can be livened up, just look at what we have done to my 14 which is a very boring bike out of the box.
What I liked about the '08 10 is the higher seat (30mm higher than the 14's at 830mm), giving a greater tip/lean angle. We both love the flightiness of the Kawa's once sorted (simple things like 1 off front sprocket, quick turn throttle etc), and hey, they are generally a cool looking bike. Tail tidies, rear huggers, tinted double bubbles a must of course, anyone have a peference on tyres with these bikes? Feels smaller than the '09 R1, and of course is lighter, but I can imagine in the twisties this bike will be a pleasant handful. Cheers for the feedback.

[hospitalfood]

in think you should test ride some others before you get a zx10, not that different from a r1 really. and do you really want super high performance over cool ? and 4s suck dirty cheese cock!

getting a touring bike has changed me, comfy and dry for hours on end. not that im getting rid of my buell.
don't test ride a R1150RT bmw if you don't want to buy one.

[Unit:Me]

in think you should test ride some others before you get a zx10, not that different from a r1 really. and do you really want super high performance over cool ? and 4s suck dirty cheese cock!
getting a touring bike has changed me, comfy and dry for hours on end. not that im getting rid of my buell.
don't test ride a R1150RT bmw if you don't want to buy one.

Have you ridden the '09 R1? Completely different beast and out on it's own this year, even though compared to the '08 ZX10 development is a year late but still way bettererrrrrr.
Super High performance and Cool both carry a weighting factor on the would like to have list, there's always a bit of balance involved in all desired requirements.
As for 4s suck dirty cheese cock! Yes Mr Buell rider (I love Buells by the way), I'll keep my four thank you very much and ask Mr D to shower more often
Lastly, would be interesting to actually test ride a BMW. They do have a good variety of bikes and some local crew members absolutely love theirs.

[mister.koz]

I reckon you are best to take your options for a ride.

There's been a MASSIVE amount of r&d sunk into both the zx10r 08/09 and the new r1.

Before i bought my 10r i was talking to a couple of mates (who really are quite exp) they tell me that with the fast 4's of the same year(ish) the performance differences between them are not something you will really be able to find on the road. The handling, breaking and throttle response characteristics are different. These differences don't come down to better or worse, its all about preference

Me, i'm all about green and the 10r is just... well, i could blither on about it all day, my lady would testify to that lucky she's not threatened!

My biggest complaint with my bike is the steering damper which i will be fixing soon.