In February 04 Issue of Ride, they let 5 reader out on the bike and let them judge for themselves - Read on
Name: Matthew Markinson
Age: 28
From: Leeds
Occupation: Sales rep
Current bike: Kawasaki ZX-9R
Why are you here? I want to see how it
compares
with my Kawasaki.
How's the engine? Clear, crisp, fast: everything
you'd expect it to be. It's very smooth on the
power, even low down, and there's more than enough
midrange and top end there too. Strong engine
braking when you want to slow down as well.
The gearbox? Nothing out of the ordinary. My
Kawasaki's clunky, but I don't mind that because at
least you know when its in. Solid.
The brakes? Very good. Very similar to my old
Honda CBR400 track bike.
The handling? Fantastic, but it helps if you're
used to riding bikes like this. Get focused and the bike
will do the rest. It was great in both fast and slow
corners. The handling, along with the suspension
and power, really inspires confidence.
What about comfort? The seat's fine, but I'd be
asking for a double bubble screen before it even left
the factory. I was riding for about 45 minutes and
I can already really feel it in my neck.
Equipment up to the job? The speedo's good,
with a large, digital display. The mirrors are an absolute
joke. You sit there and just look at your elbows. How
crap is that? It makes it very difficult to ride in town.
Compared to your ZX-9R? Anyone who was
expecting this to be an update of the ZX-9R is in for
a shock. They're like chalk and cheese. This is an out
and out sportsbike.
Anything else? Youve got to get into the mentality
of how it wants you to think. You need to be
experienced at riding quickly around corners to get
the best of it. I loved my CBR400 and riding the ZX-
10 was like being back on it, but with more power.
Verdict: It's fast and comfortable (if you're used to
sportsbikes). Big bike power with small bike
Name: Stephen Wright
From: Leicester
Occupation: Estates mana(
Current bike: Kawasaki ZX-6R
Why are you here? I just fancy trying it out.
I'm quite brand loyal to Kawasaki so it'll be
interesting to see what it's like... I saw it at the NEC and, while
I can't afford to buy one new, there's always the
possibility of a used one next year.
How's the engine? It's probably got three
more gears than I'll ever need. It sounds beautiful, just
an engine should sound. The acceleration?
[Gasp]
Gearbox suit you? Its fine. Especially good on
down-changes. And first gear is much more
useable on this than on mine.
Brakes OK? When I tried the front, the back end
lifted just a bit. So pretty effective, yeah! Smooth
and reassuring.
What about the suspension? Like my 636: a bit
bouncy at the front end. The rear suited me well.
And the weight? Frankly, it could have been my
bike, its so small.
The handling? Very fast through the country
lanes comfortable, flickable and smooth. The handlings
better than on the 636. You really feel like you're
on it too over the front of the bike, rather than in it.
Comfortable? Not great. In the last 15 minutes my
shoulders started to ache.
Like the looks? I love them.
The equipment? The mirrors aren't great and you'd
be needing them on a bike like this!
Anything else? Initially I was quite nervous about
the power, but needn't have been. It's easy to ride,
comfortable and user-friendly.
Even being brand loyal, I'd like to see what the
Fireblade and GSX-R could do, but I can't imagine
wanting one of those in preference.
Verdict: I'll stick with what I've got: it would be a
waste for me to buy one. Its a cliche, but the ZX-1B
will always be that much better than me...
Name: Paul Bai-nes
Age: 7
From: Wisbech
Occupation: Shop assistant
Current bike: Ducati 916 and a
HondaVFR400(NC30) track bike
Why are you here? Just to see what it's like. I've
ridden loads of Japanese fours before and, while
I they're efficient and reliable, I still prefer my
Ducati.
How's the engine? Wow. It doesn't matter what
gear you're in, it'll go: it pulls from nothing. And I went
the fastest I've ever been on the road but it was still
going strong. Whats more, you don't have any
idea it's happening. I just looked down at the speedo
and was stunned! I couldn't get near the red line on it
either. And in town you can't fault it: it'll do exactly
what you want it to do.
How's the gearbox? Its a bit notchy for me.
Like the brakes? They're as good as I expected. They
don't give me much feel for what's happening.
And the suspension? I'd soften it up. It's very hard and
doesn't seem to recover as quickly as mine.
Sharp handling? It turns well and seems to flick easily
from side to sider but it's difficult to tell in these damp
and slippery conditions.
Comfort any good? It feels quite high up when you sit
on it. And there's no protection at all: anything over BOmph
and you take a battering.
What about the styling? I like it from all angles except
the front. It would look a lot better without that big air scoop.
And the rider equipment? Well, compared to mine, the
mirrors were good! Mine may as well not be there. I'm
notkeen on the digital clocks though -1 found the rev
counter hard to read.
Worth the cash? Without a doubt. And 'it's got to
compare favourably with the likes of the R1, GSX-R1000 etc...
Anything else? A lot of people will lose their licences!
Verdict: It's fast, looks nice and is well-priced but I
wouldn't buy one, because I prefer the character of twin-cylinder
engines. I'll keep my 916 only until I can afford a 998.
Name: Gav Person
Ag26
From; Worcester
Occupation: Consultant engineer
Current bike: HondaCBR600
Why are you here? Because I'm going to buy a brand
new, litre class bike this year.
Enough power for you? Oh yes! The acceleration just
throws you back; I was glad of the staggered seat or I
would have flown off. The power's easy to feather in, which
makes it good in town, as well as on the open road.
Gearbox any good? It's pretty clunky. My Hondas
gearbox is much smoother.
And the brakes? I was expecting them to be hard and
graspy but they're not - there's a lot of feel.
Suspension OK? I think maybe it's set up for a heavier
rider than me. I found the front nice but the back end
kicked me around a bit It needs softening up far my
weight. Not too much, though: my bike's a bit squidgy and boat-
like.
Does it handle? Mine isn't bad but, in comparison to
the Kawasaki, it goes into a corner and, five months later, is
still rocking from the effects.
Comfcrtable? Not too bad but I reckon it might make
me ache after a couple of hours. I'm only 5ft Sin and was on
tiptoes. At least it means the aerodynamics weren't a
problem for me, whereas the others suffered a bit
Smart looks? I love it! Shame it's green though; I'd
prefer black. And underseat exhausts like on the new Blade
don't do it for me so I'm happy with the ZX-IOs traditional
design. I can see the shock being a pain to clean though...
Equipment any good? The dials took a bit of getting
used to and I didn't like the mirrors. No matter how
much I moved, I couldn't see behind me.
Anything else? It's basically the size and weight of my
bike but with double the power. Not half as in-your-face as I
thought it might be though,
Verdict: Its just as well my girifriend wants to pass her
test because she doesn't like the look of the pillion seat at all
and 1m seriously thinking of getting one.
Name: Tony Pfenry
Age:49
From: Stevenage
Occupation: Telecoms manager
Current bike: Kawasaki ZX-9R
Why are you here? Because I'm going to buy a new
bike this year and it's between the ZX-10R and the new
Fireblade.
Hows the motor? Amazing! An incredible engine. Even
if you're only doing 50mph in top, if you open it up, it just
goes. Superb.
Gearbox OK? Clutchless up-changes were very
smooth but I found it lacked feel going down. No clonking though.
And the brakes? I liked them. They're progressive,
rather than throwing you over the bars.
Suspension suit you? Definitely a bit hard...
What about the weight? Beautiful. So light.
Like the handling? Its really confidence-inspiring. I
imagine it would be awesome on a track.
Comfortable? Alright except for the mnd getting me in
the chest [Tony's Eft 2in]. I tucked right down but it was still
a problem, and then my neck ached as it was at too
much of an angle. It just needs a double bubble screen. It's
less cramped than the ZX-9R on the legs.
Sold on the looks? They're absolutely superb. I think
it looks gorgeous. But I wish they'd do it in orange.
Value for money? I think so, yes. It's an awesome
machine. A racing bike for the road. A warning though.
Anyone who's just passed their test shouldn't be
allowed to go near one for at least two years.
Verdict: I want a responsive, confidence-inspiring bike
and this certainly meets those criteria. It's very raw, with
raw power and a sort of edgy unfinishedness compared to
some bikes out there. And despite its foibles, I still think
you could tour on it. It's definitely in the running for when I
buy.