04-05 Kawasaki zx-10r

[Fire99]

Morning Chaps and Chapesses,

Have been toying with a bike change.. No particular reason other than my fickle mind

I've been rather drawn to a rather nice 05 Black zx-10r. I know they are a bit mental but have ridden some fairly bonkers bikes in my time and the TL with all its mods is no pussycat (in a different way of course)

I like the idea of a tiny bike with big HP as it suits my riding rather well

Anyway, does anyone have any thoughts on this little mental bag of HP?

cheers,

Nik

ps.. fingers crossed Mr Sun pulls his finger out and makes an appearance soon..

[The Tramp]

Just Do it......

Would love one, but with my riding history i'd have to get a wooden box measured up at the same time!!!

[Fire99]

The Tramp said:

Just Do it......

Would love one, but with my riding history i'd have to get a wooden box measured up at the same time!!!

tis mucho tempting.. and in black it looks like Ghost-Rider hits Essex

I think a test ride may be in order...

oh and make sure my Will has been written..

[Biker's Nemesis]

Two of my mates have the 04 ZX10. They are really good bikes, both have tried the twin pipe one, and decided too keep the one's they have now.

I ridden both quite a lot and think that the "nutter" tag is over the top. They have a great bottom end, just what you need for the road, and for me are really comfortable.

Now, if it had "Yamaha" on the tank...

Get one you wont be dissipointed. Shouldn't compare the Suzuki Tl 1000 too a ZX10, as the ZX10 would "spit it out baldy".


HTH.


John.

[YamR1V64motion]

i test rode a 2004 ZX10R when they came out and foolishly bought an R1 over one, thought it was a great bike loved the side exit exhaust which was out of fashion back then and much prettier than the current model, the only thing i didnt like was the rev counter, but thats just been picky.

[The Pits]

I test rode one a few years ago and was very impressed. The scary power only comes in pretty high up so you're braced and ready for it when it does. The whole thing handled very sweetly with the right hand showing a bit of respect. The way it corners is stunning, it's going straight that it doesn't like. Yes the front wheel did leave the deck but it floated up nice and balanced and felt progressive and not scary at all (and I'm no wheelie king either). Some say the bike's only a steering damper away from perfection.

Personally I'd have a ZX10 if I didn't need to carry the mrs occasionally, even though at my size and weight I look ridiculous on it.

[The Pits]

I test rode one a few years ago and was very impressed. The scary power only comes in pretty high up so you're braced and ready for it when it does. The whole thing handled very sweetly with the right hand showing a bit of respect. The way it corners is stunning, it's going straight that it doesn't like. Yes the front wheel did leave the deck but it floated up nice and balanced and felt progressive and not scary at all (and I'm no wheelie king either). Some say the bike's only a steering damper away from perfection.

Personally I'd have a ZX10 if I didn't need to carry the mrs occasionally, even though at my size and weight I look ridiculous on it. Hence the ZZR 1400.

[Fire99]

Thanks guys for the insight.
I'm really surprised Kawasaki changed the ZX-10 to the twin pipe model since nearly everyone who has commented prefers the 04/05... to the 06

I'm no giant.. around 5'10 so the small dimensions may suit me. Plus i quite like little bikes (physically)

I'll try and have a little go on an R1 and Gixxer 1000 too to compare. And no doubt a 'blade.
Don't know what it is with the 'blade. Its probably a great bike and i may even ride the best on one but for some reason it leaves me cold.. bit odd eh?

[Mad Dave]

I really fancy a 10R, not sure why - probably BECAUSE of its reputation! My R1 used to lift the front all the time until I setup the suspension and fitted a damper. Maybe the 10R just needs the same treatment.

[mc101]

I've got the 04 model 10R and have been tracking it for a couple of seasons. Its definately a bit more aggressive that the R1/ CBR of the same period and it does need to be treated with respect.

The "must have a steering damper" view is over embelished in my opinion, yes it will try and kill you if you treat it badly - so dont !

Horsepower is stil there today, rwhp is 160+ with a PC and slipon, get a TRE and all that is available all of the time :-) Get the suspension sorted by someone like MCT / Racelab and you'll be good to go - theres not much that can liver with it above 9k rpm for sure ... tyres -- I do a rear per trackday and a front lasts three.

[scobby17]

mc101 said:

I've got the 04 model 10R and have been tracking it for a couple of seasons. Its definately a bit more aggressive that the R1/ CBR of the same period and it does need to be treated with respect.

The "must have a steering damper" view is over embelished in my opinion, yes it will try and kill you if you treat it badly - so dont !

Horsepower is stil there today, rwhp is 160+ with a PC and slipon, get a TRE and all that is available all of the time :-) Get the suspension sorted by someone like MCT / Racelab and you'll be good to go - theres not much that can liver with it above 9k rpm for sure ... tyres -- I do a rear per trackday and a front lasts three.

Agree with most of the above, it is definitly the most talkative bike in the 1000's. I tried R1, Gixers, fireblade, and the 06 kwak. The 04/5 was the most fun by a mile, worthwhile mods - 20 or 25mm front fork kit, the rear shock is ok if revalved, by will lose pressure eventually so ohlins or white power is the way to go. A really good mapping willl lose the ugly throttle response at 5k which caught a lot of people out. Mine now has 171 atthe rear wheel, with a nice smooth step up at 8k. Lovely. The only gripe is that it eat its gearbox, but I think I was just unlucky.... Go on buy it...