A quick ride on a firey Italian

[LeftmostAardvark]

[quote]

I wanted a go on a ZX-10R but it probably won't happen, Kawasaki don't even have a "book a test ride" button on their website. Fleegle might be able to offer an opinion on how it would be as road bike, does it really lack midrange - could any litre bike really be found lacking on a decent road?


[/quote]

Www.kawasakitestride,co,uk should sort you out. Been shopping for the wife's next bike and it took me a while to find it, but fairly certain there are zx10 demo bikes about.

[clen666]

anonymous said:

[redacted]

I agree, not a fan of the headlight either.

Edited by clen666 on Sunday 26th July 17:41

[spareparts]

Termi make the race pipes on the F4 RC...

[bogie]

Wow, they've really cranked up the bling levels for the F4 RC version

[LoonR1]

I'm going to get hammered for asking this, but how are you giving such an indepth review of two bikes and the way they handle etc. you're still a new rider IIRC and being nice, you're not the quickest or hardest rider around unless you've come one in leaps and bounds since we all had that ride. I've ridden an S1000RR or derivative on track and road since 2010 and my review would consist of "it's way better than I'll ever be and I can't even get close to using any of its power on the road. On track I'm starting to get quicker on it, but then someone overtakes me and shows me how it's really done"

I know I sound like a tt writing this, but I had to ask.

[clen666]

LoonR1 said:

I'm going to get hammered for asking this, but how are you giving such an indepth review of two bikes and the way they handle etc. you're still a new rider IIRC and being nice, you're not the quickest or hardest rider around unless you've come one in leaps and bounds since we all had that ride. I've ridden an S1000RR or derivative on track and road since 2010 and my review would consist of "it's way better than I'll ever be and I can't even get close to using any of its power on the road. On track I'm starting to get quicker on it, but then someone overtakes me and shows me how it's really done"

I know I sound like a tt writing this, but I had to ask.

I was waiting for this

[clen666]

spareparts said:

See, that looks great. I think it must be the headlight that doesn't do it for me, plus the addition of the race graphics really suit it

[Mastodon2]

LoonR1 said:

I'm going to get hammered for asking this, but how are you giving such an indepth review of two bikes and the way they handle etc. you're still a new rider IIRC and being nice, you're not the quickest or hardest rider around unless you've come one in leaps and bounds since we all had that ride. I've ridden an S1000RR or derivative on track and road since 2010 and my review would consist of "it's way better than I'll ever be and I can't even get close to using any of its power on the road. On track I'm starting to get quicker on it, but then someone overtakes me and shows me how it's really done"

I know I sound like a tt writing this, but I had to ask.

I'm pretty sure I've stated explicitly in both reviews that I didn't even scratch the surface of what either bike can do, I didn't fiddle with any settings, I didn't ride like I was going for a lap record at the TT, but I did ride these bikes on roads I know, where I know as a reference what my GSX-R feels like. I've also stated my old SRAD isn't the best reference, in that the technology is massively outdated compared to these new bikes. Both of the bikes I've tested so far can be incredibly powerful and completely unflappable on the roads, but there are definite differences in the ride that even I could point out. You'd have to be an incredible rider to reach the limit of Supercorsas and current-generation traction control systems on the road, combined with the gearing and power from the engine you can ride even a fast, open and flowing road 2nd, 3rd and occasionally 4th gears. Where my SRAD feels busy, the engine and suspension working hard, I found these newer bikes to be faster despite being feeling more relaxed in a sense, I suppose I was just trying to put that point into words in an interesting way. Again, it's not an entirely fair comparison where double the power, the best tyres on the market and fresh, new suspension is concerned, but even without riding them close to their limits you can feel differences in the bikes that are worth pointing, I thought.

I feel like I have come on a long way since last season, my bend assessment has improved, I'm more comfortable with higher lean angles, later braking and more throttle on the way out of corners, the bike feels more settled this year and if you measured my average speeds over bits of road I think I'd be a fair bit quicker than I was last year, but still nowhere near as quick as some people I've seen on the roads. I still make no claims about being fast, or even quick on the road and I'm certainly not trying to big myself up, just trying to provide something interesting to read with an average joe road test of some of the latest bikes. To someone with years of fast road experience on the fastest bikes of their day, I wouldn't expect my opinion to mean much at all, though with regard to things like practicality, rideability, ergonomics etc, I think I can give a reasonable opinion - though I'd expect anyone could if they had a go. I'm just putting my thoughts down with some stty phone camera pictures in case anyone is interested.

Some of the differences in the bikes you can feel just by sitting on them, some you can tell even just riding slowly and others become apparent once you ride quickly. No doubt someone could really give them a hammering on the roads and tell you a lot more than I could. The ultimate difference in these bikes could really only be found on the track, or with John McGuinness on a closed road.

[Esceptico]

D

LoonR1 said:

I'm going to get hammered for asking this, but how are you giving such an indepth review of two bikes and the way they handle etc. you're still a new rider IIRC and being nice, you're not the quickest or hardest rider around unless you've come one in leaps and bounds since we all had that ride. I've ridden an S1000RR or derivative on track and road since 2010 and my review would consist of "it's way better than I'll ever be and I can't even get close to using any of its power on the road. On track I'm starting to get quicker on it, but then someone overtakes me and shows me how it's really done"

I know I sound like a tt writing this, but I had to ask.

You come across as grumpy and argumentative sometimes in your posts,
although you often talk sense too. I do feel you are being unnecessarily harsh here though. The reviews seem pretty harmless, didn't claim to have pushed the bikes and must have taken quite some time to write. We all know what really
competent riders think of the top bikes because we read magazines and reviews so it is interesting to hear what people of average experience and ability think (let's be honest for most of us their review might be more relevant to how we use and ride such bikes). There have been a few posts about how BB is getting worse recently. Having a go at someone that has made the effort to do a full review seems counterproductive to me.

[Baryonyx]

Yeah, don't bother with any more of these interesting posts unless you're as quick as Kevin Schwantz.

[legzr1]

I managed to find the limit of Yamaha's traction control, slide control and steering damper technology on the '15 R1 last week without having to qualify in the top three places for the TT, BSB or WSB.

All you need is a fair amount of lean, full throttle and third gear - simply add a rear puncture which loses around 35psi of pressure in less than a second and no amount of electronics will help.

Luck matters more.

Thanks to Tight5 for arranging the replacement tyre.
Thanks to Mrs Legz for arranging change of underwear.

[bass gt3]

legzr1 said:

I managed to find the limit of Yamaha's traction control, slide control and steering damper technology on the '15 R1 last week without having to qualify in the top three places for the TT, BSB or WSB.

All you need is a fair amount of lean, full throttle and third gear - simply add a rear puncture which loses around 35psi of pressure in less than a second and no amount of electronics will help.

Luck matters more.

Thanks to Tight5 for arranging the replacement tyre.
Thanks to Mrs Legz for arranging change of underwear.

And you kept is shiny side up??

Result

[Biker's Nemesis]

legzr1 said:

I managed to find the limit of Yamaha's traction control, slide control and steering damper technology on the '15 R1 last week without having to qualify in the top three places for the TT, BSB or WSB.

All you need is a fair amount of lean, full throttle and third gear - simply add a rear puncture which loses around 35psi of pressure in less than a second and no amount of electronics will help.

Luck matters more.

Thanks to Tight5 for arranging the replacement tyre.
Thanks to Mrs Legz for arranging change of underwear.

My hero....I love you man.

[LoonR1]

Esceptico said:

D

LoonR1 said:

I'm going to get hammered for asking this, but how are you giving such an indepth review of two bikes and the way they handle etc. you're still a new rider IIRC and being nice, you're not the quickest or hardest rider around unless you've come one in leaps and bounds since we all had that ride. I've ridden an S1000RR or derivative on track and road since 2010 and my review would consist of "it's way better than I'll ever be and I can't even get close to using any of its power on the road. On track I'm starting to get quicker on it, but then someone overtakes me and shows me how it's really done"

I know I sound like a tt writing this, but I had to ask.

You come across as grumpy and argumentative sometimes in your posts,
although you often talk sense too. I do feel you are being unnecessarily harsh here though. The reviews seem pretty harmless, didn't claim to have pushed the bikes and must have taken quite some time to write. We all know what really
competent riders think of the top bikes because we read magazines and reviews so it is interesting to hear what people of average experience and ability think (let's be honest for most of us their review might be more relevant to how we use and ride such bikes). There have been a few posts about how BB is getting worse recently. Having a go at someone that has made the effort to do a full review seems counterproductive to me.

In my defence, I did say I expected to get hammered and will come across as a tt though. I'm also not "having a go".

I just think there's a lot of overthinking at times on here about bikes and not enough fun anymore. it seems to be heading down a theoretical route rather than a real route now. I'm not criticising though, I wanted to ask a question and I would ask it of anyone. There does seem to be a lack of thick skin though at times. I'm happy to take stick about my posts and the posts are all that I'm passing comment on.

[Mastodon2]

LoonR1 said:

In my defence, I did say I expected to get hammered and will come across as a tt though. I'm also not "having a go".

I just think there's a lot of overthinking at times on here about bikes and not enough fun anymore. it seems to be heading down a theoretical route rather than a real route now. I'm not criticising though, I wanted to ask a question and I would ask it of anyone. There does seem to be a lack of thick skin though at times. I'm happy to take stick about my posts and the posts are all that I'm passing comment on.

I'll be the first to defend you Loon, I know what you're getting at and wouldn't want anyone to accept my word as gospel. I take your point about overthinking the bikes, the truth is they're all so good you could ride any of them quickly and which is best for an individual rider is down to which one gets their blood flowing and which one they fit best - and even that can be changed to a degree with aftermarket parts. I just wanted to add a bit of colour to the proceedings.

Riding both of those bikes, and no doubt the Fireblade too will help me better understand how massively better these bikes are than I am, or could ever hope to be. The difference between say, a K5 GSX-R1000 and a brand new R1 may never be apparent to me on the road, which in itself is a useful consideration as to whether or not I want to buy a new bike or save myself a wedge I could spend on other hobbies by getting an older used one which I'll still never give too much of a workout on the road, even if I am quicker than I was when we last rode together and still feeling like I make improvements in confidence and control on a regular basis.

[Biker's Nemesis]

Mastodon2 said:

The ultimate difference in these bikes could really only be found on the track, or with John (aka Bikers Nemesis) on a closed road.

Because I am Absolutely fabulous darling.

[Yazza54]

Keep it real duuuuuudes

[Mastodon2]

Biker's Nemesis said:

Because I am Absolutely fabulous darling.

Yes, that is what I meant.

[gwm]

I like these non-racer and real world reviews.

I was told the S1000R was too fast for me, but that's not what it is all about! Though for fairness I wouldn't have the RR on the road. Loon just thinks he's a racer cos he's grumpy and had a sticking throttle like CASSEEEEE

Would be good once you've done all your test rides if you give a quick summary of each bike (pref with pictures )

[fergus]

Mastodon2 said:

....they're all so good you could ride any of them quickly and which is best for an individual rider is down to which one gets their blood flowing and which one they fit best...

nail.head.