08 zx10r - first ride

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2008 Kawasaki ZX-10R first test update

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December 3, 2007 - JP

Here's what the rest of today's ZX-10R launch told JP, who's supping a cold beer in the bar right now... ... Scroll down for the full story

"The new 2008 ZX-10R? It looks as good as it feels is my short summary after three 20-minute test sessions here at Losail circuit in Qatar. We've got three more tomorrow but I'm more impressed with each ride on the new ZX-10R.

The 13hp stronger new motor has given the rest of the bike even more of a challenge to match it but it seems to me it's much more of a complete package than the outgoing model. More like the original ZX-10R in that it feels fierce, a little flighty maybe and definitely very fast. The chassis and styling (muffler and bug-eye mirrors aside) looks like the bike feels, damn aggressive and bleedin' fast.

That motor lacks some of the trademark bottom end drive of the 2007 bike but what it loses there it gains twice over up top, making this fast and featureless circuit seems much smaller than it is.

The new chassis blends some of the exciting feeling the original ZX-10R had four years ago with a clearly greater competence. It's definitely more agile than last year's model and, if my memory serves me well, is easier to haul about than my long term GSX-R1000 or the existing R1 (which was launched here a year ago).

A Kawasaki with traction control you ask? Not really. The 2008 ZX-10R's KIMS system is designed to work when the rear wheel speed suddenly rises out of proportion (say when you ride over a diesel patch) with the throttle opening. That ain't happening here in the desert so it's normal drifting back wheel all the way if you're brave enough to open the throttle fully out of corners."

buy one dave, and when you dont ride it, sell it to me

whats a great idea


sounds like a beast to me. if i was in the market i'd be looking real hard at it.

The report then goes on to say that the new 10 is almost as powerful as the old ZX9, especially in the mid range.

...... a little flighty maybe....

HA - I been sayin' this for *years* !!! pick a 10, any 10....

I am looking forward to a test-ride on this baby next year

Looking Good.......

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HnUEjb4dips

Damn...

now where are the tissues...

...... a little flighty maybe....

HA - I been sayin' this for *years* !!! pick a 10, any 10....

I am looking forward to a test-ride on this baby next year

You're better off test riding a 9. More poke around the middle is what I heard.

Looking Good.......

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HnUEjb4dips" target="_blank

Just going off track for a second ... that's a GREAT video, how do they do the kind of wrap around filming that occurs at about the 1:10 mark? it's the kind of thing "Top Gear" does so well, the filming on that show is superb!

Note to Kawasaki Australia: Use 30 seconds of that video during the Bike racing telecasts and you might sell some bikes.

Better than having to pretend the yamahas are green

http://www.motorcycle.com/manufacturer/kawasaki/2008-kawasaki-zx10r-70426.html

Motorcycle.com's review of the 08 ZX-10R

I want one

That report says its heavier than the previous model... Which I believe was also heavier than the previous model...???