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From this thread...
http://zx-10r.net/forum/showthread.php?t=77785
So, pull it I did! Friday, Aug. 7th I picked up my brand new '08 Candy Plasma Blue ZX-10R for $7999 locally. IMHO, you can't beat that with a stick!
So after almost a week and a half and lots of riding and breaking in, here's my take. I'm coming from a modded '95 GPZ1100 so my thoughts are sometimes relative to that, and I've never ridden a true sportbike before this. I'm 27 years old, 5'8", and 160 lbs (about 180 geared up).
If you don't want to read my long review, skip to the (low-res so far) pic instead.
First impression- Okay, throttle is controllable, but touchy. Ouch my wrists and hands hurt. This sucks. Of course I was being easy on the throttle so I didn't have thoughts on power, other than that the torque was not lacking from the 1100, which is GOOD.
Ergonomics - Well it is a race bike, afterall. I got what I expected here. Helibars or the like are DEFINITELY on the short list. #1 pain was in my wrists and hands, but after a 260 mile ride yesterday (combination of highway and moderately curvy country roads), my #1 pain was by far in my neck (OUCH OUCH OUCH), and #2 was my hands/wrists, #3 was a sharp pain in my right ankle which isn't used to being cramped up like that, #4 was my butt from that rock hard seat.
I had to take plenty of Motrin afterward to stop moving around like I was 70 years further down the road.
If I'm going to be happy with this bike, I need higher clip-ons and a softer seat (the new 08-09 Corbin) at minimum. I think I'll be okay eventually.
Suspension - Stock settings are still set, I need to experiment. I did soften the fork rebound and compression two clicks for the ride yesterday though, it helped smooth things up a little.
Overall, I love the adjustability and I think it'll feel great once I get it dialed in for me, though it's still a rough ride. Again, it is a racebike...
Handling - I'm still getting used to it, but it feels very precise and wants to go where I point it, though it doesn't seem to want to fall in quite as easily as the GPZ1100, oddly enough. I think that's because that bike has Metzeler M3's and they have a much pointier profile than these Bridgestones. When these wear out I'll go with a pointier tire I think. I'm not lacking confidence with the grip so far, though.
Of course I'll be able to push it harder once I set up the suspension for me and get even more miles on it, and a trackday or two is a must. :thumbsup:
Power - HOLY HELL. As in, I saw a flash of heaven and a flash of hell all in the same instant. :eyecrazy:
I opened it up for the first time yesterday, and upon returning home I promptly dis-assembled the entire bike looking for the hyper-drive that kicks in beginning at 6000rpm, but I can't seem to locate it. Does anyone know where they installed that thing?
First time was in second gear on a long, straight, empty road. I half expected to flip over, but it stayed down. I just ended up having to un-glue my eyeballs and brain from the back of my helmet after I slowed back down. JEEZUM, WHAT A RUSH!
I then went for first gear, from 70mph. About .2 seconds and 10mph or so later, it came up so I let off quick, then giggled like a drunken schoolgirl. I can honestly say that I never thought I'd ever be on one wheel at 80mph until yesterday. :lol: This thing will rip to any illegal speed at any given instant. Definitely requires tons of respect, which I've been giving and will continue to give it.
Realistically, this would still be a fast bike if it redlined at 6000rpm!
I like the low-end torque. Sometimes it feels softer than the 1100, sometimes stronger. Weird. It's very comparable overall, and not lacking one bit.
Appearance - Some love it, some hate it. I personally love it. To me the front looks like a cross-eyed cat, but very aggressive at the same time. I like it. The exhaust can leaves something to be desired, just because I feel that it's out of place on this bike. I like this style on the Z1000, though.
That Candy Plasma Blue... yummy sweetness. It had me from day one in 2006 (saw it on the ZX-14), and plays no small part in my getting hooked on this bike. My only complaint is that there isn't nearly enough of it. In fact, I'm going to paint more of it this beautiful color. I like the smooth one-color look of bodywork, and I think this will look darn good like that. I'm going to paint my project '85 750 Turbo the same color.
My future improvements - Some mentioned already, and in no particular order...
1) Helibars or equivalent (more research needed for which)
2) Corbin seat
3) frame sliders (Champs I think)
4) homemade rear fender eliminator
5) slip-on... haven't decided which, but I don't need more power, just want sound, looks, weight reduction. The stock exhaust is too quiet for me (though I don't like them deafeningly loud either)
6) Paint - More Candy Plasma Blue please!
That's about all I can think of with my limited experience thus far. All and all, I love this bike, it just needs slightly less 'race' for the street for me. If it hurts a lot to ride, I won't enjoy riding it.
Here's a lake in PA that we stopped at, unfortunately I didn't think about bringing the real camera. DOH! So this is from my cell phone (don't you hate that?) It's better than nothing, though. :dontknow: I'll have real pics before too long.
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My GPZ1100 is for sale for $1500 btw, if anyone wants a good, though older, sport touring bike. Still fast, and WAY more comfortable than a 10R.
http://baltimore.craigslist.org/mcy/1326486589.html
http://zx-10r.net/forum/showthread.php?t=77785
So, pull it I did! Friday, Aug. 7th I picked up my brand new '08 Candy Plasma Blue ZX-10R for $7999 locally. IMHO, you can't beat that with a stick!
So after almost a week and a half and lots of riding and breaking in, here's my take. I'm coming from a modded '95 GPZ1100 so my thoughts are sometimes relative to that, and I've never ridden a true sportbike before this. I'm 27 years old, 5'8", and 160 lbs (about 180 geared up).
If you don't want to read my long review, skip to the (low-res so far) pic instead.
First impression- Okay, throttle is controllable, but touchy. Ouch my wrists and hands hurt. This sucks. Of course I was being easy on the throttle so I didn't have thoughts on power, other than that the torque was not lacking from the 1100, which is GOOD.
Ergonomics - Well it is a race bike, afterall. I got what I expected here. Helibars or the like are DEFINITELY on the short list. #1 pain was in my wrists and hands, but after a 260 mile ride yesterday (combination of highway and moderately curvy country roads), my #1 pain was by far in my neck (OUCH OUCH OUCH), and #2 was my hands/wrists, #3 was a sharp pain in my right ankle which isn't used to being cramped up like that, #4 was my butt from that rock hard seat.
I had to take plenty of Motrin afterward to stop moving around like I was 70 years further down the road.
If I'm going to be happy with this bike, I need higher clip-ons and a softer seat (the new 08-09 Corbin) at minimum. I think I'll be okay eventually.
Suspension - Stock settings are still set, I need to experiment. I did soften the fork rebound and compression two clicks for the ride yesterday though, it helped smooth things up a little.
Overall, I love the adjustability and I think it'll feel great once I get it dialed in for me, though it's still a rough ride. Again, it is a racebike...
Handling - I'm still getting used to it, but it feels very precise and wants to go where I point it, though it doesn't seem to want to fall in quite as easily as the GPZ1100, oddly enough. I think that's because that bike has Metzeler M3's and they have a much pointier profile than these Bridgestones. When these wear out I'll go with a pointier tire I think. I'm not lacking confidence with the grip so far, though.
Of course I'll be able to push it harder once I set up the suspension for me and get even more miles on it, and a trackday or two is a must. :thumbsup:
Power - HOLY HELL. As in, I saw a flash of heaven and a flash of hell all in the same instant. :eyecrazy:
I opened it up for the first time yesterday, and upon returning home I promptly dis-assembled the entire bike looking for the hyper-drive that kicks in beginning at 6000rpm, but I can't seem to locate it. Does anyone know where they installed that thing?
First time was in second gear on a long, straight, empty road. I half expected to flip over, but it stayed down. I just ended up having to un-glue my eyeballs and brain from the back of my helmet after I slowed back down. JEEZUM, WHAT A RUSH!
I then went for first gear, from 70mph. About .2 seconds and 10mph or so later, it came up so I let off quick, then giggled like a drunken schoolgirl. I can honestly say that I never thought I'd ever be on one wheel at 80mph until yesterday. :lol: This thing will rip to any illegal speed at any given instant. Definitely requires tons of respect, which I've been giving and will continue to give it.
Realistically, this would still be a fast bike if it redlined at 6000rpm!
I like the low-end torque. Sometimes it feels softer than the 1100, sometimes stronger. Weird. It's very comparable overall, and not lacking one bit.
Appearance - Some love it, some hate it. I personally love it. To me the front looks like a cross-eyed cat, but very aggressive at the same time. I like it. The exhaust can leaves something to be desired, just because I feel that it's out of place on this bike. I like this style on the Z1000, though.
That Candy Plasma Blue... yummy sweetness. It had me from day one in 2006 (saw it on the ZX-14), and plays no small part in my getting hooked on this bike. My only complaint is that there isn't nearly enough of it. In fact, I'm going to paint more of it this beautiful color. I like the smooth one-color look of bodywork, and I think this will look darn good like that. I'm going to paint my project '85 750 Turbo the same color.
My future improvements - Some mentioned already, and in no particular order...
1) Helibars or equivalent (more research needed for which)
2) Corbin seat
3) frame sliders (Champs I think)
4) homemade rear fender eliminator
5) slip-on... haven't decided which, but I don't need more power, just want sound, looks, weight reduction. The stock exhaust is too quiet for me (though I don't like them deafeningly loud either)
6) Paint - More Candy Plasma Blue please!
That's about all I can think of with my limited experience thus far. All and all, I love this bike, it just needs slightly less 'race' for the street for me. If it hurts a lot to ride, I won't enjoy riding it.
Here's a lake in PA that we stopped at, unfortunately I didn't think about bringing the real camera. DOH! So this is from my cell phone (don't you hate that?) It's better than nothing, though. :dontknow: I'll have real pics before too long.
My GPZ1100 is for sale for $1500 btw, if anyone wants a good, though older, sport touring bike. Still fast, and WAY more comfortable than a 10R.
http://baltimore.craigslist.org/mcy/1326486589.html
