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Wednesday, 08 September 2004 |
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Page 4 of 4
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That stiff and stable chassis featured some really nice feeling suspenders, the front in particular. The forks on the 10 were very plush and offered the type of feedback usually reserved for those gold Swedish-made forks featured on only the best of the best superbikes. I don't think I've ever felt such great feedback from the front end of a bike before. Big words, so I best back them up. I'm quite sure all the extra time I was making up within the track was due to the front end feel.
I care not about the arse end of a bike, if that comes around on me natural riding instinct dictates that I (and you too) can correct that problem with a little butt and throttle input. If the front end goes, your brain screams at you to close the throttle and go die a painful death in the weeds somewhere nearby, when in fact a little throttle will save your butt (almost) every time. I felt that I could push the front on this bike further than previously done and without fear. You can't beat that for confidence and the consequent lower lap times.
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Another aspect helping with those same lower lap times were the front binders, they were outrageous in both power and feel. Again I'm braking later and deeper than ever before, without fearing the worst (because I'm a closet wuss) and all whilst offering exceptional feel. Look for radials on your next bike purchase.
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So what was not to like? The gearbox. Quite bluntly, it sucked. It all starts nicely with a not too unreasonable tall first gear. Close ratio shifting saw you rowing through the gearbox as happy as a pig in poo, until you got to fourth, then it stopped. Ok, so it didn't stop, but it wouldn't continue its previously slick path without some coaxing with a heavy boot, a heavier clutch hand or in some cases a complete shut off of the throttle; not good.
To their credit Kawasaki came to the rescue with some over-nighted parts, namely a thicker gear shift lever rod. It did improve somewhat, proving that the original piece was flexing, but I feel a stronger detent spring would cure everything. I'm surprised that slipped through for the press intro, especially as all the bikes suffered the same in varying degrees. Some poor little Japanese engineer is probably being garroted as I type. Rest assured this problem will be fixed by the time you take delivery.
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The sum total of this package? As mentioned, I rode faster on this bike than I have ever ridden before, whooping up on a journo or two that I wouldn't normally see, yet alone deal with.
Me on my game? I don't think so; I've been back in FL for a little more than seven weeks with one track day throw in a month ago - so I was a little ring-rusty. The bike just did what I wanted and more importantly gave me the feedback to ease any concerns I might traditionally be aware of especially under hard braking and on fast exits. |
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We'll have to see how it stacks up to the big Suzuki, especially with some stock or DOT rubber. But with that Gixxer as the benchmark, Kawasaki has pulled out all the stops on this bike, and (outside of the gearbox) it showed.
Mike Emery
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| 2004 KAWASAKI NINJA® ZX-10R SPECIFICATIONS |
| Engine: |
998cc Four-stroke, DOHC, inline four, 16 valves |
| Bore Stroke: |
76.0 x 55mm |
| Compression Ratio: |
12.7:1 |
| Fuel System: |
Fi with four 43mm throttle bodies |
| Lubrication: |
Wet Sump |
| Ignition: |
TCBI with digital advance |
| Transmission: |
Six-speed, close ratio with multi-plate wet clutch and back torque limiter |
| Final Drive: |
#525 chain |
| Overall Length: |
80.5 in |
| Overall Width: |
27.8 in |
| Overall Height: |
43.9 in |
| Seat Height: |
32.5 in
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| Wheel Base: |
54.5 in |
| Ground Clearance: |
4.9 in |
| Rake/Trail |
24 / 102mm |
| Dry Weight: |
374.9 lbs |
| Suspension Front: |
43mm forks with 16-way compression and rebound damping, fully adjustable preload |
| Suspension Rear: |
Gull-type aluminum swingarm, UNITRAK ® linkage system, fully adjustable gas-charged shock with stepless compression/rebound damping, adjustablespring preload, adjustable ride height |
| Brakes Front/Rear: |
Dual 300mm hydraulic petal disc with radial-mounted, opposed four-piston caliper/ Single 220mm hydraulic petal disc with radial-mounted caliper |
| Tires Front/Rear: |
120/70-ZR-17/190/50-ZR-17 |
| Fuel Tank Capacity: |
4.5 gal |
| Color: |
Candy Thunder Blue, Lime Green, PearlBlazing Orange, Black |
| Price: |
MSRP TBA |
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