ZX-10Rs

[ChrisW]

We parked up next to this at Morrisons this morning.

I've not had a sports bike for years, they've not really featured for various reasons. This however took my fancy, firstly because it looked good but then because the ergos actually looked to be a little less extreme than most? I'm tempted to go and have a look at a couple.

Anything to look out for, or reasons not not bother? It was a 2006/7, but then I assume you already know that.

Rubbish photo, youngest daughter to blame again.

[Noggin]

I had a 2004 (I think) version - sorry @Couchy chy!!

I bloody loved it. Would have another in a shot. But I'm not technical and have no idea what to look our for!!

But track or road it was aces

[KungFooBob]

I liked the look of the underseat pipe model, but all the reviews reckon they were the worst of the bunch.

[Couchy]

I had one that year, full system and remap and it made 176 at the wheel on xbikes dyno. Added an ohlins shock and it was ace…and fast

[Skub]

I've only ever ridden the Gen 1 ZX10R,but I did keep it for 14 years. In some ways I was very sorry to see it go,but I have to acknowledge I'm getting older and I still possess a remarkable lack of restraint for such a bike.

It was a bike which fitted me perfectly,just one of those happy accidents.

Mine was an 04 C1,in it's day it was the lightest and that combined with plenty of power,highlighted the immediate need for a decent rear shock,or at least one which wasn't a rock. Don't throw the old shock away,the 03 Z1000 owners love them,the mad fools!

The bike weighed 180kgs wet and with a good exhaust and set up you will see 170 odd bhp. I had a graph for mine showing 180,but sometimes dyno operators like to tell you what you want to hear.Although modern sportsbikes are in excess of 200bhp now,they are 30-40kilos heavier than that 10R. That's a very noticeable difference.

It's a lively bike to ride,no ABS,no electronic rider aids of any kind,but it's reputation came from that hard rear shock,replace that and it's a great bike. The forks are pretty good as stock. There is no steering damper as stock,but you'll not find many with none fitted.

Super reliable,good on the juice,if you are behaving and looks killer.

Makes me want another one,but that ship has sailed.

If you are looking at a C1 or C2 check all the plastics,particularly the tail unit. Because Kawasaki made the bike so light,they also compromised on strength. I replace/repaired the lugs on the tail piece several times. If the tail light flaps about,then the lugs are broken. Servicing is a prime ballache,getting at the plugs/valves is well worth having a tame spanner monkey.

I don't think there is much fundamental difference between the 04/05 an 06/07 wheelbarrow model,lots of folk converted the underseat pipes to a regular 4-1 with little modification.

[ZRX61]

I passed one on the freeway this morning like he was parked...

which technically it was.. in the back of a pick up...

[Dodgy69]

I went looking at these and the 6 a few months back. Didn't like riding position. Track only wouldn't matter, but for a run to the coast, not for me. All depends though of course.

I much preferred one of these and I found it much more comfy.

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/165862714136 ... media=COPY

[ChrisW]

I've only ever ridden the Gen 1 ZX10R,but I did keep it for 14 years.....Makes me want another one

Thanks for that, makes me think that It's well worth at a couple. Most of them seem to be owned by Superbike Factory at the moment so I'll take a trip across at some point.

I went looking at these and the 6 a few months back. Didn't like riding position. Track only wouldn't matter, but for a run to the coast, not for me. All depends though of course.

I much preferred one of these and I found it much more comfy.

...although this does make me think i might not get on with one. I'd probably find a GSXR a bit cramped these days & thought the ZX10 looked a little more relaxed. Will have to have a look.

Thanks for all the replies, much appreciated.

[Noggin]

I went looking at these and the 6 a few months back. Didn't like riding position. Track only wouldn't matter, but for a run to the coast, not for me. All depends though of course.

I much preferred one of these and I found it much more comfy.

...although this does make me think i might not get on with one. I'd probably find a GSXR a bit cramped these days & thought the ZX10 looked a little more relaxed. Will have to have a look.

Thanks for all the replies, much appreciated.

It's probably worth trying one. I did find it big and comfy - but I'm not tall!! Equally, a '98 (I think) Fireblade was cramped and hurt my back!!

Gotta be worth a try

[Supermofo]

The bike weighed 180kgs wet and with a good exhaust and set up you will see 170 odd bhp. I had a graph for mine showing 180,but sometimes dyno operators like to tell you what you want to hear.Although modern sportsbikes are in excess of 200bhp now,they are 30-40kilos heavier than that 10R. That's a very noticeable difference.

That sounds batshit mental

[Slenver]

I had an '06 like that one for many years. Loved it. Mine was black though, so obviously a little faster than that one.

I never rode the '04/'05 model so, in the reverse of Skub, can't compare that way round, but as mentioned above, the '06 took a bit of flak when it came out. My understanding is that they tried to soften the wild nature of the previous model by making the gearing very tall, plus the obvious physical changes to the exhaust. The gearing made it less prone to wheelies, and also gave it a top speed of 104 in first so, like many people, I just changed the front sprocket. This gave it a lot of zest back, and also made it nicer pulling away from standstill, whereas before you almost had to slip the clutch a bit to get away smoothly.

Looks are always subjective, but I loved the updated swoop look and underseat pipes, plus mine came with the Akras that they did with a deal and so sounded superb.I even got a compliment off a policewoman once who'd stopped me for a random licence/MOT check, but luckily wasn't clued up enough to recognise an illegal exhaust, or visor, or plate.

End result was a bike that was as loony-quick as all litre sportsbikes but very comfy. I used to commute mine through London all year round and it was never a chore. Mind you, I was younger then! I might think it was like a torture device now, I don't know, but coming from a previous ZX-7R it felt significantly less extreme as well as twice as fast. I saw 183 on the clocks once, which obviously wasn't accurate given the sprocket change, but was still pretty brisk for an uphill section of the A25.

TBH, although probably a mistake, I'd consider buying another. Mine was stolen which was the only reason I don't have it, I had no plans to get rid of it at all at the time.

[ChrisW]

I'd consider buying another.

Thanks for that, I'll definitely be having a look.