I have the opportunity to get myself a newer bike, a 2008 58 plate zx10r ninja in orange. I must say, it's a cracking looking bike and I have read some reviews that seem to say only good things about them and the equipment level is good. Come standard with an online steering damper, this one has a scorpion end can and only 13k on the clock. Has anyone had one and can they give me anything that should really make me steer well clear, or are they as good as I have heard. People say they handle really well and the power is huge, and no reliability issues. Please help me decide.
I've got a 2010 ZX10R as a Track Bike, it's got a fair bit on the top end over my 2012 Blade. Not as good low down in the torque dept which is why the Blade is a better road bike, but the Banzai top end of a ZX10 is hard to beat outside of an S1000R Standard Ohlins steering damper is shyte but a cheap re-valve by any decent suspension firm will transform it. Maxton GP10 suspension unit at the rear is good value at £750 plus a re-valve and spring change at the front. Engine is BULLET PROOF! The BSB grid is DOMINATED by ZX10's so what more proof do ya need?
the BSB s/stock grid is dominated by 2011/12 kwaks though,they are very different to the 2010/9/and even more so than the 08. is this the wheel barrow exhaust 08,or the next gen one? there was alot of disappointment in the earlier wheel barrow stlye zx10r as it had a lot to live up to against the 1st gen zx10r and didn't quite have the same edge or feel as the previous gen (still got my 05 road bike,and had 1 on track for about 2 yrs,awesome bikes,but a bit leary). ,but the next gen was good step up,it was the 1st kwak to come with a sort of TC system,although it works more like the bazzaz systems (gear,engine speed,road speed)as opposed to the full blown systems we have now (lean angle,throttle position,front+rear wheel speeds),and was seen as a bit of gimmick tbh. personnaly,it's always worht a punt to change a bike,that way you can see for yourself,and if you dont like it,then sell it on,thats the joy of older bikes,once they get to a certain age/price they tend to stick around there for a good while,so you wouldn't lose much,if any if you decided to sell on quickly.
this is the bike, and after reading up on them, they seem like a good choice. does anyone know how badly these depreciate as my blade is probably worth not much less. this guy has asked me if i want to swap as he says he just can't get on with it. he's used to a k7 gixxer thou, which is also a great handling bike and i asked him why he would want to swap for a bike 4 years older and he said age doesn't bother him. looking at it, it's a tidy bike and the standard equipment on them is pretty impressive. i wanted to fit a slipper clutch to my blade but the zx already has one, and is fitted with what i can only describe as some sort of traction control, although it's not a full on traction control system. it doesn't bother me if it's a bit lairy but obviously I don't want to get a bike that simply doesn't handle. i love the look of it and really want some help to decide. WOULD I BE DISAPPOINTED?
A mate of mine had an 09 one and it was a good bit of kit. Some of the fittings (nuts/bolts/etc) were prone to corrosion unless you kept on top of them, but that aside it was a great bike. Did go well too! He had no issues with reliability at all, so sounds and looks like a good un.
if you like the way the blade handles you wont like that Kwak. and that is why e wants rid, because they simply don't turn I had a very very well specced 2009 race bike, and spent a lot of time working on chassis set up, they only work in a 25% window of set up, and if you can't find that sweet spot you'll hate it fella. the engines are pretty robust as are Kwak's, they did have a recall on the rectifiers as they are renowned for overheating and some of the frames were cracking at the head stock welding, mine did and had to be replaced with a brand new frame. The Tc you mentioned doesn't do anything on this model, so don't go honing it around expecting it to save you as it wont, the power is great, mine was running close to 190atw but it did have a lot of head work to get that. if I were you i'd leave well alone matey, put your cash towards a newer blade
Well I decided against it in the end, went and had a test ride on it an yes, it's quick but handling was nothing like the blade. Looked good, and is a real wheelie monster but a bit too lairy for my liking. At least with the blade you can have fun and feel confident. The short ride was enough to make me realize the thing just wants to kill you, lol.
