ZX7R Vs ZX10R

[-df-]

Well, I've been thinking of upgrading my ZX7R and decided to take a 2004 ZX10R for a test ride to see how it went and figured I might as well let people know how it went if they are also thinking of the same thing.

Straight line performance:
Ok...lets not kid our selves, the difference is "HOLY SHIT"....period. 150hp at the wheel vs 100-110hp at the wheel, its huge! The 7R will pull fine from 4k upwards, and really come into its own at around 8k+ where the 10R will pull from 2.5-3k fine and then SCREAMS to the redline (not that I took it all the way, front wheel was in the air at 120km/h even with all my wieght over the front handle bars). Strangly though, the "pull" factor of the bikes felt the same, I didnt get back on my bike thinking damn this is a slow POS. I was rather surprised, the difference came when you looked at the speedo and realised you were at about 2/3s the speed of the 10R.

Handling:
Note: I didn't push the 10R all the way as I was test riding a bike with a $2500 excess!!
The 10R felt alot more unstable then the 7R, this I guess is because its alot lighter of a bike, and the one I rode had VERY hard suspension and seemed to jump all over the place...even in a straight line on the motorway...lets just say I took it to a very nice pace of speed (fastest I've ever gone on the 7R) and dropped nuts, not from the speed, but becuase I swear I felt like I was going to get thrown from the bike (note its windy today and had cross wind, although riding my 7R home I felt fine on the M/W). With saying this, I'd be a LOT happier taking my 7R faster around courners (and its still not setup for my wieght/driving style).
The 10R felt more "flickable" around the courners and would be happier changing direction on that bike more then mine, but then knowing how to ride the 7R I think I could flick it just as well...but would take more time to get it right then on the 10R...but when done right I think the 7R would just do that part better, waybe the weight actually helps once you have a dedicated line to follow around a courner...not sure on this one.

Riding position:
I like the 7R alot more then the 10R, maybe its just because I'm used to my bike, I can't really say...everyone is different in this so its a make your own mind up I guess.

Instrument panel:
REALLY dont like the 2004 panel, rev counter sucks, can't easily see what you are doing when going hard...although I love the digital speedo. Again, personal preference, where the 7R has the tried and true analogue rev/speed that you can't go wrong with.

Looks:
I love the look of the 7R, its the main reason I purchased my bike...So I'm totally biased on this one and wont go any further

over all, I think I want a 7R with the power of the 10R as I enjoyed the ride home alot more on the 7 then the 10, but missed looking down at the speedo thinking to myself... License after a small twist of the throttle.

Thats about it I think, I'll add more if I have forgotten anything.

Cheers for reading the long post

[kiwifruit]

good review
they do give the feeling of "im gonna spit you off in a sec", but some people like that

[-df-]

good review
they do give the feeling of "im gonna spit you off in a sec", but some people like that

Do you mean that in a straight line performance way or a cournering way? Just wondering what you ment exactly

Cheers.

[kiwifruit]

Do you mean that in a straight line performance way or a cournering way? Just wondering what you ment exactly

Cheers.

i mean at high speeds,
my gsxr1000 felt much more stable at say 280kmh, the zx10r feels like its flying

they are less stable cornering too, more of a knife edge ride

[-df-]

i mean at high speeds,
my gsxr1000 felt much more stable at say 280kmh, the zx10r feels like its flying

they are less stable cornering too, more of a knife edge ride

Ahhh, fair enough...I guess I like my ride nice and smooth at high speeds...although my backpack wasn't helping as it felt like it was half pulling my off the bike (although get that with the 7 as well) .

Also, something I forgot. The wind protection onto the face is a lot less on the 10R, but thats just because it has a smaller screen (well, I presume so anyway)...again, nothing that would turn me off the bike as it was the most fun I've had in a long time!!

[saul]

i mean at high speeds,
my gsxr1000 felt much more stable at say 280kmh, the zx10r feels like its flying

they are less stable cornering too, more of a knife edge ride

Ha that is flying lol

[kiwifruit]

just guessing saul, wouldn't REALLY know

[Karma]

Can't really compare the two as they are totally different, the 7r is a total whale, over weight for it's power, whereas the 10r is a lot smaller and nible.

Chalk and cheese really.

[-df-]

Can't really compare the two as they are totally different, the 7r is a total whale, over weight for it's power, whereas the 10r is a lot smaller and nible.

Chalk and cheese really.

Not really, it shows the evolution of Kawasaki's race bikes over the years.

[SPman]

just guessing saul, wouldn't REALLY know

......................

[N4CR]

i have pretty much same feedback after riding a modded 7r. my shocks were way too hard stock on teh 10r and it bounced around everywhere too made the 7r feel more planted. remember the 7r is renowned for having one of the best front ends ever.. so damn planted. i've got shocks almost right now but they are a tad too soft now.. balancing act. the 7r feels like a joke with power now.. hahahaha. can ride the 10 round in 6th everywhere pulling 2 up 34kmh and acceling up a steep hill nuff said, 7r ya clunking around the box all the time :/

[R6_kid:Me]

gremlin rides a 7R, thats reason enough for me to go for the 10R, just gotta get my 04 back off of kiwifruit.

[Clivoris]

df. Performance Bike Magazine have recently run a series of articles on upgrading a ZX7R. If you have the money some serious improvements are possible.

they do give the feeling of "im gonna spit you off in a sec", but some people like that

Aaah. Reminds me of an old girlfriend. Didn't like me talking about how hot her sister was.

[Karma]

df. Performance Bike Magazine have recently run a series of articles on upgrading a ZX7R. If you have the money some serious improvements are possible.

Have you called Jenny yet?

[-df-]

df. Performance Bike Magazine have recently run a series of articles on upgrading a ZX7R. If you have the money some serious improvements are possible.

Do you have an online link to these articles? or the issue number?

I'd probably be better off either getting a ZX7RR as I've read those engines can make some nice power with a few mods or putting a ZX9R engine in.

Have you called Jenny yet?

I think the weight is half the reason the bike handles so well around courners, you just have to know how to throw the bike around...Why would I want it to lose any weight?? As I said before, I want a ZX7R with the power of a 10R...now thats a bike I'd be keeping for a long time.