ZX10R questions

Since Christmas I kept telling myself that even with the 0% finance and
akrowhatsits I would keep the ZX9 for another year, but then they
extended the offer and I finally gave in and collect one next week. The
bike is an unregistered 06 model, are there any significant differences
between last years and this years bikes?

As there seem to be quite a few owners on here perhaps someone might
answer a few other questions for me:-
Are there any worthwhile mods, such as double bubble screen, hugger
etc.?
Some of the magazines say to ditch the 55 profile rear tyre and go for a
50, is this worthwhile? Anyone tried it?
Any tyre recommendations? I won't be doing huge mileages on it as the
Tiger is my commuting bike, so I'm looking for grip rather than mileage
but I don't want something that will only last 1000 miles either. I've
been quite fond of Bridgestone 01's on the ZX9, how are they on this
bike?

TIA

 

I keep hearing this, and from people who's judgment I'd trust - but
are they really that much different to any of the other big bikes or
even the previous generations? If so, what was the leap that enabled
this revolution?

Everyone raved about 9R's but when I rode Bonwick's[1] I was pretty
ambivalent. sure it was fast, but it wasn't scary when cracked on in a
straight line.

I wonder how badly crippled a Californian one would be...


[1] admittedly not exactly pride of marque.

 

This bike has an Ohlins steering damper - I believe they are now
standard. I will probably get a double bubble screen as I'm a 5'9" fat
bastard.

Yeah, I sort of thought so too, I'll leave it as standard.

Ho yuss, I've got a track day booked at Mallory on the 18th of May, just
time to get the 600 miles racked up for the first service and loosen it
up a bit. I'm looking forward to it in a scary sort of way

Thanks for the feedback Champ, much appreciated.

 

Not so much revolution, just the steady march of progress I think. I
tend to keep bikes for about five years or so, I went from a GPZ900 to a
ZZR1100 to a ZX9 and each bike was at first intimidating and then became
comfy. I think the same thing will happen when I get the ZX10 and I'm
really looking forward to it.

I really loved my ZX9, I think it is an excellent road bike and if they
were still in production I would seriously have thought about buying a
new one. I'm going to miss it but I will probably think the same thing
when the time comes to let the ZX10 go, although at 55 I'm probably
getting on a bit for sports bikes now so I may settle for something a
bit more sedate next time.

 

i did the same.. but pre-reg'd 56 plate.. There are no mechanical
differences at all, just subtle changes in the paintwork.

Double bubble screen is essential. I got the MRA one, which was a bit
pricey, but is excelent. I think Ben has the Airflow one on his bike.

Not yet, the bike is 3 weeks old.

Remember if you change down a tyre size the speedo will over read by a
small margin, as wil your odometer... unless you fit somet gadgerty like
a speedo healer.

Diameter of a 190/55 = 642mm
Diameter of a 190/50 = 622mm (3% less)
Diameter of a 180/55 = 630mm (2% Less)

The folks on ZX10R.net seem to rate Michelin Pilot Power 2CT's, and also
the Pirelli Corsa III's Both of which come in 190/55 too...

The above should wear well, from what I've been reading.. I think I'll
give the 2CT's a try at new tyre time, 'cause Mr Bonwick should be able
to report how they faired on his older 10...

 

Not the 06 they don't.. Ohlins as standard.

 

Only colour.

I'm 6'3" and found I absolutely had to have a double bubble screen.

 

You mean like the Ohlins one that's fitted as standard?

 

You know that bit in star wars, where the Millenium Falcon goes into
hyperspace and all the stars blur into lines. Winding the 10R on in 3rd
from about 6K is very similar, then it just keeps going through all the
other gears.

Not a lot, looking at the numbers in the handbook..

Euro III emissions compliant, dontcha know.

 

Using the patented Mavis Beacon "Hunt&Peck" Technique, Alan

Clit bike, innit?

Super-absorbent underwear.

--
Wicked Uncle Nigel - Podium Placed Ducati Race Engineer as featured in
Performance Bikes and Fast Bikes

WS* GHPOTHUF#24 APOSTLE#14 DLC#1 COFF#20 BOTAFOT#150 HYPO#0(KoTL) IbW#41
SBS#39 OMF#6 Enfield 500 Curry House Racer "The Basmati Rice Burner",
Honda GL1000K2 (Falling apart) Kawasaki ZN1300 Voyager "Oh, Oh, It's so big"
Suzuki TS250 "The Africa Single" Yamaha Vmax Honda ST1100 wiv trailer

 

I'm not sure about that.. As I was discussing with Mike Buckley the
other day, it's quite possible they'll start crippling newer bikes with
further emissions regulations, and things like the new gixxer thou's
"gay button"[1].

[1] 3 different user selectable power curves, one of which leaves the
bike no more powerful then a gixxer 600.

 

Getting one isn't exactly easy. Current ETA is "don't know".

FFS.

 

Using the patented Mavis Beacon "Hunt&Peck" Technique, ginge

Surely that's OK, so long as it goes up to 11?

--
Wicked Uncle Nigel - Podium Placed Ducati Race Engineer as featured in
Performance Bikes and Fast Bikes

WS* GHPOTHUF#24 APOSTLE#14 DLC#1 COFF#20 BOTAFOT#150 HYPO#0(KoTL) IbW#41
SBS#39 OMF#6 Enfield 500 Curry House Racer "The Basmati Rice Burner",
Honda GL1000K2 (Falling apart) Kawasaki ZN1300 Voyager "Oh, Oh, It's so big"
Suzuki TS250 "The Africa Single" Yamaha Vmax Honda ST1100 wiv trailer

 

It just seems wrong to me.

 

Thanks for the info, I think I'll get a double bubble and wear out the
OE tyres first but stick with the 55 profile. The 2CT's sound good so I
may give them a go.

 

Yes they are.

The GS500E is a limp handshake
The GSXR1000 is a very firm handshake.
The ZX10R is a slap in the face.

The 10R is a different animal.

 

Frankly the GSXR1000 K6 is in another league again. I rode Christo's 10R at
Snett then Monz's K6 on Sunday. I find them night and day, the bottom and
mid range of the K6 is mind bending. Riding the roads around Hulland in 3rd
had me grining like a loon (and remembering why I sold the K2). The 10R felt
smaller, lighter, more flighty but it takes a lot more revs before it picks
up its skirts.

 

Monz was kind enough to let me have a little play on it too. I took it
along the same short route as Bonwick's 10R, but felt slightly
disappointed.

Andy's twiddled with the suspension, and it felt happier to turn than
mine, less flappy[1], more composed but still with the "flighty" front.
Accelerating over the bumps and humps had the front wheel hopping, and
me grinning.

The GSXR seemed glued to road in comparison. It did everything very
well - it was fast, it turned and I loved the brake[2], but it didn't
seem to have the same excitement about it. I think I either had it in
one gear higher, or was being soft with the throttle. If the engine is
that much stronger in the low/midrange then the gear higher might
explain it. I'll have to see if I can have another go and ride it
properly.

[1] it also has a steering damper, which I don't at the mo
[2] didn't use the back one

 

Being more use to Gixxer power (perhaps) I put it in 3rd and kept the revs
in the upper third. It was pawing the air over small bumps. In 1st and 2nd
it would rise unprovoked.....and it isn't my bike.

Did you notice the large boy's 89.99deg vertical minger on the way to
Matlock? I think he had to bring that one down on the rear brake )

Have to say that the ride back to Hulland to catch lunch was approx half the
time of the ride out. WTF was that 850yd "No Overtaking" zone about )

We came upon the retired policeman BMW club outing just before Ashbourne,
cunts the lot of them, worse than a Glodwing club run. Took them on the
double white lines in the face of the oncoming Caravan Club rally, their
left handed gesticulations of disapproval were only drowned out by Blondie's
cackling.