Hmmmm.....do I really need a hyper-sports bike?

Discussion in 'Australian Motorcycles' started by MrBonk, May 23, 2004.

  1. MrBonk

    JustAL Guest

    You need a big bike?
    What riding position?

    How about the following for a thought?
    Suzuki Bandit 1200s
    Honda CBR1100XX Blackbird
    CBR1000RR
    Suzuki SV1000S
    Aprilia SL-R
     
    JustAL, May 23, 2004
    #21
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  2. MrBonk

    Richard Fay Guest

    Well, it would like having to choose between a porsche (ZX10R) and a minivan
    (ZZR1200).

    THe ZZr1200 is just as extreme a choice as the ZX10R but at the other end of
    the spectrum. I can't see how a ZZr1200 could make you feel good about it
    or invoke even the slightest bit of excitement when you rode it. IT is
    another one of those stuck in the 80's/90's timewarp bikes (GPX250,
    ZZR600).

    The current crop or 600s/1000s really are exciting to ride. And I reckon
    that is what a MODERN bike should be all about.

    Richard
     
    Richard Fay, May 23, 2004
    #22
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  3. u've gotta change gears alla time
     
    fulliautomatix, May 23, 2004
    #23
  4. Heres an extract taken from a bike review in 2002:

    The ZZ-R1200 is an updated, even more powerful incarnation of the dearly
    beloved ZX-11. Which, you'll no doubt recall, reigned as the world's
    fastest streetbike for nearly a decade, before the new sheriffs in town,
    the Honda CBR1100XX, the Suzuki Hayabusa and Kawasaki's own ZX-12R
    muscled it out of the spotlight.

    Our last, best ZX-11 pumped out 134.4 horses. This, safe, sane,
    soul-of-maturity ZZ-R churned out an entirely adequate 145.2 horsepower
    at 9750 rpm, an 8 percent gain. And 87.1 foot-pounds of torque, exactly
    the 9 percent gain we were led to expect.

    Which means, dear reader, this ZZ-R, which weighs less than 10 pounds
    more, can rip a ZX-11 a new one, all the while exuding its new-found
    aura of taste, innocence and restraint. It also means the ZZ-R conceives
    more ponies than anything short of a ZX-12R or Hayabusa. It out-studs
    the Honda XX or any of the liter-class sportbikes, including the mighty
    GSX-R1000. And don't forget that those 145 horses were not energized by
    the ZZ-R's ram-air system, lifted straight from the ZX-11.

    snip some stuff about suspension - which is the only let down on it.

    It takes full choke to get it fired on a cold morning, and a few blocks
    before it wants to run without. After that, this motor gives us one big,
    goofy happy face for the rest of the day. It's obviously
    hell-for-strong, from idle all the way to the ignition cutoff, and yet,
    for all its urge, it manages to feel friendly, eager, almost puppylike
    in its willingness to please. There's a slight buzz in the bars and the
    mirrors between 4500 and 5500 rpm, which migrates to an equally slight
    sizzle in the seat as the revs rise. But overall, vibration is admirably
    controlled. The powerband is as wide as Texas, Oklahoma and New Mexico
    lined up end-to-end. You could stay under 6000 rpm forever--and still
    leave anything with four wheels way behind you. And when you want to
    simply disappear, just drop the six-speed down a couple, let 'er spin up
    past 8000 or so, and hangeth thou on. You get a great moan out of the
    intake system and a determined launch into the middle distance. There's
    no dramatic burst of power as the revs rise--like an F-18 on
    afterburner, it just keeps pulling. And pulling. And pulling.

    My own comments after owning one for 18000km and counting:

    Cant get excited about a ZZR1200? How does around 140 rwhp and about
    11.4kg/M of torque at 6000 rpm sound? If that bores you then get a jet
    kit and tune it up to about 145 - 150 rwhp. You can also drop a fair bit
    of weight off them, like about 15kg no problem... puts them into the 221
    kg dry category....hmmm like having a VFR800 or wait... a ZX12R - only
    more comfortable (albiet lacking around another 20 ps too but hey). At
    times Ive had trouble with the weight of the bike but in hindsight it
    was trouble with tyre selection and poor suspension settings. This has
    been fixed.

    The ZZR can tour in reasonable comfort and it will pull harder than a
    10R from just 3000 rpm - whereas you will have to be sitting around
    8000rpm to get the 10R to actually wake up. It delivers real power in
    all gears and will hit 300 km/h without too much fuss.

    You can put panniers on the ZZR too. And you can commute in reasonable
    comfort, have pretty good weather protection and a centre stand for
    those orrible days or shitty parking spots.

    If you want to go cornering on it, it handles it pretty well and can
    dish out more than most riders can give it. It has excellent ground
    clearance and unless your 250lbs you wont bottom it out. The only
    problem is a lack of front end adjustability, but like the 10R you would
    have to modify it to your bodyweight to get the most out of it... and
    even then... you should ask yourself whether your pushing the bike hard
    enough to warrant it.

    It can wheelstand like jesus christ himself.

    It will sound awesome with a set of cans.

    It has big 'get the **** out of the way' headlights on it, with an
    excellent spread of light.

    It has clear to read dials, a fuel gage, temperature gauge odo and trip
    meter.

    You can add things to it like heated hand grips, GPS nav systems, radar
    detectors, a bag for carrying little marbles to throw at cars or plastic
    astronauts on ZX10R's. etc etc. And you can pillion in reasonable comfort.

    The Zed 12 is both pussy cat and devil, depends entirely on how you
    treat it. The Zed10 R is all devil, its all or nothing, when doing
    nothing you will be uncomfortable. Not so on the ZZR1200, you can punt
    along at 100km/h and still enjoy it.

    Richard you said a modern bike should be really exciting to ride - have
    you ridden a ZZR1200? Ive ridden the current crop of 600's and they are
    asthmatic pathetic little things when lined up against the power of the
    Zed. The ZZR makes the respectable performance of a VFR800 seem piss
    weak. A ZZR will eat a fireblade 954 alive, and it will beast a
    GSXR1000. It will pass a sports twin like its standing still. In fact it
    will beast a Hyabusa up to about 180km/h - then the busa will reel it in.

    For all round riding, whether thats cornering on the weekends or
    commuting to and from work, the ZZR is a very versatile and highly
    underestimated steed. Highly recommend them.
     
    Baron Von Rotter, May 23, 2004
    #24
  5. MrBonk

    Rural QLD CC Guest

    I remember how nice it was on the 1100, cruising down the highway without
    the engine screaming it's tits off all the time. On the highway on my ZX7,
    I was always thinking "Geez, an overdrive gear would be good right about
    now." A 600 would be even worse than that. I'm just not sure I want
    another bike I have to 'ride' the whole time, particularly on the highway.

    MrBonk
    www.mrbonk.com
     
    Rural QLD CC, May 23, 2004
    #25
  6. MrBonk

    Rural QLD CC Guest

    Richard,
    I've owned a few bikes over the years. The list being (in no
    particular order):
    Z200 (bought for the GF as her first bike)
    KR250
    GPZ900
    ZZR1100 (times 2, first one written off in a rear-ender crash)
    ZXR750
    ZZR250 (GF's second bike)
    ZX7R

    Sure, the ZXR and the ZX7 were great fun to ride, but to go any distance at
    all resulted in me having to reach over my shoulder to get my wallet out of
    my back pocket. Comfortable? Hell no. Good for short blasts on the
    weekends, but not something I think I could have used as a commuter. Ditto
    the ZX10R. My original decision to get one of these was the typical
    'gottahaveoneitis' thing, based purely on aesthetic value and the thought of
    a balls-out, weekend blast-o'-rama. However, in speaking at length to
    several people who use their bikes for much more than this (ie. commuting to
    work and doing regular highway travel), it got the thought processes working
    properly and reminded me of just how uncomfortable a 'full-on' sports bike
    can actually be. I even remember commenting to the bike shop guy about the
    amount of vibration in the ZXR750, compared to the ZZR1100 (which was so
    smooth it was like sitting on a turbine). His explanation was that I'd been
    'spoiled', having stepped off the ZZR to get onto the ZXR.

    Exciting or not, the thought of a numb arse and sore body parts (namely
    wrists, legs, back and neck) has made me consider all my options carefully
    before I make my final decision.

    MrBonk
    www.mrbonk.com
     
    Rural QLD CC, May 24, 2004
    #26
  7. MrBonk

    Biggus Guest

    I remember how nice it was on the 1100, cruising down the highway without the engine screaming it's tits off all the time.
    Did the same on the VFR, never screamed its tits off, not even 200
    would. My old FZ750 was a perfect touring bike, semi upright posi, and
    very capable.
    Race based one yes. without doubt.
    Yup. Bikes are becoming more narrow focused by the day.
     
    Biggus, May 24, 2004
    #27
  8. MrBonk

    Garry Pearce Guest

    Try a BMW K 1200 LT and then you will understand what a "real" bike is all
    about! Smooth, comfortable and great for chicks.
    Garry
     
    Garry Pearce, May 24, 2004
    #28
  9. MrBonk

    Rural QLD CC Guest

    My ZXR and ZX7 didn't scream their tits off so to speak, but after riding
    the ZZR1100, they both felt like they weren't 'doing it easy' as such. The
    ZZR was a really easy bike to ride on the highway......no need to worry
    about the gearbox, just wind the throttle on and go.

    MrBonk
    www.mrbonk.com

    the engine screaming it's tits off all the time.
     
    Rural QLD CC, May 24, 2004
    #29
  10. MrBonk

    Rural QLD CC Guest

    Yeah.....*real* expensive. I'm not even going to entertain parting with
    $30K+ for a bike. Nice thought, but I certainly don't need something like
    that for commuting to work on!

    MrBonk
    www.mrbonk.com
     
    Rural QLD CC, May 24, 2004
    #30
  11. MrBonk

    Biggus Guest

    I was thinkin the same thing!
     
    Biggus, May 24, 2004
    #31
  12. MrBonk

    Rural QLD CC Guest

    It's a nice looking rig, for sure. If I was in the market for a
    'super-tourer', I might even be tempted, but it's well in excess of what I
    need at the moment.

    MrBonk
    www.mrbonk.com
     
    Rural QLD CC, May 24, 2004
    #32
  13. On the other hand, A K1200LT is cheaper per kilo of bike you get than a
    litre-class sportsbike.
     
    Intact Kneeslider, May 24, 2004
    #33
  14. Baron Von Rotter said....
    What about comfort? My ZZR11 wasn't bad. It was better than my current
    bike, a CBR1000. I'll be looking at a new one soon, and I've pretty well
    narrowed it down to the ZZR12 and the Blackbird.
     
    Martin Taylor, May 24, 2004
    #34
  15. MrBonk

    Vulture Guest

    Not quite. More like choosing twix a 911 GT3 and an AMG Merc sedan.
    S.
     
    Vulture, May 24, 2004
    #35
  16. MrBonk

    John Littler Guest

    <gobsmacked>

    OUCH !!

    JL
    (harsh week is CLEARLY not over !)
     
    John Littler, May 24, 2004
    #36
  17. MrBonk

    TB Guest

    I second paulh
     
    TB, May 24, 2004
    #37
  18. MrBonk

    John Littler Guest

    Ummm but there's about 150Kg difference between the ZZR and the LT. And
    besides since when was a "real bike" a car with 2 wheels missing ?

    JL
    (I guess you could call an LT an anaemic Goldwing ? If you're gunna do
    it you might as well buy the original.)
     
    John Littler, May 24, 2004
    #38
  19. MrBonk

    John Littler Guest

    Heheh he should buy Hammo's Zed then - That's a whole lot of kilos for
    your dollars !

    JL
    320Kg for what, a grand or two ? Bargain !
     
    John Littler, May 24, 2004
    #39
  20. MrBonk

    John Guest

    On Mon, 24 May 2004 00:30:49 +1000, Baron Von Rotter

    Deleted shitloads.....
    bloody leg-rooting spamming bitch~
    Almost sounds like you own one ;)

    John
     
    John, May 24, 2004
    #40
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