any zx10r riders out there who were previously 9 riders?

Yes, own 9r still, have a 10 and 12 as well.
10's are not made for comfort, if you want a 9 with more grunt go a 12 or zrx mate.

The grunt hasn't been an issue at all. The 9 is already much more bike than i am rider. The zrx is a great bike. Have had the pleasure of riding one, but in the end, i still favoured the 9.

All in all, the bike has done everything i have ever asked of it. It's got plenty of grunt (for me), is comfortable, has pretty decent weather protection, is comfortable enough to take the Mrs on....... I mean, they are known as a great bike for a very good reason.

More than anything else i guess it's just curiosity. For example, if i take my old car (2003 model) and compare it to my new car (2007 model) i see massive improvements in the technology between the two and although i never had an issue with my old car, as soon as i got my new one there are all these funky new features i never realised i couldn't live without until i had (yes, i do realise that means that i actually can live without them - they just make the drive that little bit more enjoyable).

Yes, i sound like a sap. According to the marketing material Kawasaki sends me and the magazines it would appear as though each new model is a revolution in motorcycling.... Now generally i'm not that naive, however i will admit seeing a lot of new shiny bikes has been somewhat tempting... Having friends shopping for new 6's also hasn't helped.

On another note my wife has consistently stated that she is very impressed with my loyalty to my tried and true, older model bike and my ability to say no to new temptation... not sure what will think when i eventually do trade it in...

If it helps at all Gumbys feel a lot less compact. Seem to have much more room between the tank and the bars, but also fell much heavier. The Crim is a bit like a 6 on Steroids.
Russ (Blurr) did a pretty impressive trip on a Gumby a few years back and he's a big lad (height wise)

Forgive my ignorance.. difference between Gumby's and Crim's is??? I just assumed a Crim was a term used for a zx10....

Ahh sorry. Crim = 04/05 ZX10, Gumby = 06/07 ZX10, Bug = 08/09/10 ZX10. Little nicknames we came up with here a while ago.

Ahh sorry. Crim = 04/05 ZX10, Gumby = 06/07 ZX10, Bug = 08/09/10 ZX10. Little nicknames we came up with here a while ago.

Ahh that makes a lot more sense... i was just assuming they were different nicknames used for the same thing...

From my copious internet researching (read: avoiding of work) i did very quickly rule out the 04 / 05 models. The 06 / 07 sounded promising as they seemed to be a little toned down from the originals... cant believe everything you read on the internet though.

Ahh sorry. Crim = 04/05 ZX10, Gumby = 06/07 ZX10, Bug = 08/09/10 ZX10. Little nicknames we came up with here a while ago.

Ahh that makes a lot more sense... i was just assuming they were different nicknames used for the same thing...

From my copious internet researching (read: avoiding of work) i did very quickly rule out the 04 / 05 models. The 06 / 07 sounded promising as they seemed to be a little toned down from the originals... cant believe everything you read on the internet though.

I've got an 05 roady and an 06 tracky and I much prefer the 05. It feels a lot lighter and just has more "character". The 06 though has a lot more poke down low. I guess it's a matter of personal preference. The 06/07 probably makes a better road bike if you can live with the looks

I went from zx7r to zx9r to zx10r. there all better than the one before...
You have to move with the times..




Says the guy with the 6 year old 10..

I went from zx7r to zx9r to zx10r. there all better than the one before...
You have to move with the times..




Says the guy with the 6 year old 10..

Clearly they haven't made a better one yet

If your worried about the comfort factor on the crim then dont

Just motard it.
Thats what I did to my crim & haven't looked back since.

P1010663.JPG (180.95 KiB) Viewed 2023 times

The grunt hasn't been an issue at all. The 9 is already much more bike than i am rider. The zrx is a great bike. Have had the pleasure of riding one, but in the end, i still favoured the 9.

All in all, the bike has done everything i have ever asked of it. It's got plenty of grunt (for me), is comfortable, has pretty decent weather protection, is comfortable enough to take the Mrs on....... I mean, they are known as a great bike for a very good reason.

More than anything else i guess it's just curiosity. For example, if i take my old car (2003 model) and compare it to my new car (2007 model) i see massive improvements in the technology between the two and although i never had an issue with my old car, as soon as i got my new one there are all these funky new features i never realised i couldn't live without until i had (yes, i do realise that means that i actually can live without them - they just make the drive that little bit more enjoyable).

I can read between the lines and can see you are budgeted out of a new bike and your justifying keeping the 9R, I dont blame you

The 12 to ride is just like a 9, same comfort and protection, probably more for both pillion and rider, easier low down power as well, remarkably simular however the 12 has FI.
The smooth linear power is there if you want it from 3-4k rpm , it is all in the wrist and brain pleasure center that dictates how you use it, you can ride around like a pussycat if you like.

Go test ride 2004- 06 models, exactly the same bike except color schemes and can be picked up for less than$10k and many have low kms, I think you will be pleasantly surprised

I have the 14 and would definately NOT recommend for city commuting, especially
in heavy traffic, they run hot and cook you where you sit
As for the 10.........................

I can read between the lines and can see you are budgeted out of a new bike and your justifying keeping the 9R, I dont blame you

The 12 to ride is just like a 9, same comfort and protection, probably more for both pillion and rider, easier low down power as well, remarkably simular however the 12 has FI.
The smooth linear power is there if you want it from 3-4k rpm , it is all in the wrist and brain pleasure center that dictates how you use it, you can ride around like a pussycat if you like.

Go test ride 2004- 06 models, exactly the same bike except color schemes and can be picked up for less than$10k and many have low kms, I think you will be pleasantly surprised

Now that is extremely astute Jonno I dont have much to say to that.. apart from... you are probably right.... basically my riding history goes like this.. got my lisence in 2000, went to Sydney city motorcycles to check out a gpx they had for sale.. middle of the showroom floor is a brand new, hot off the press shiny E1 model ZX9R (yes.. they one i now have.. well not the exact one but..). Looked in the wallet and unfortunately although the guy claimed to be negotiable would not sell me this $19k bike for the $3,500 i had...

Wanted the bike ever since that day.. built it up to be the ultimate bike in my mind.... After a couple of zxr250's (yes, i was 20, i wanted to be a boy racer) i went to was a 96 zx7.. which for the kind of money i had to spend was in less than ideal condition... ended up spending enough in upkeep on the bike that i could have bought a well cared for one in the first place. Learned an important lesson with that one. Then, after a year of looking i finally found a mint condition zx9 with 9,000km's on the clock.. which i proceeded to have shipped from WA... something i would once again not do again.

Now the bike has been pretty amazing... and i really do love it.. hence, as you said im rather attached to it. The new ninja 1000 seems to be what im after in a lot of ways.. except for the fact that it would be a $13k upgrade from my current bike... and... well.. to me.... im not so sold on the look.... then again motard 10 is definitely a look as well Gazza... that seriously is an awesome photo.

now that im thinking it though... I think i might have to consider the 12 again.. similar to the 9.... fuel injected... OMG fuel guage! i swear when i was originally looking at it there was a reason to go the 9... but for the life of me i cant remember what it was.

Last edited by maraach on Tue Feb 01, 2011 8:23 pm, edited 1 time in total.

The 06/07 probably makes a better road bike if you can live with the looks

hmm im beginning to think there is something wrong with me... the 06 / 07 was actually my pick of the bunch looks wise... perhaps i have weird taste.

Humans are strange beasts. I think Gumbys do that, you either love them or hate them. When I got my tracky I hated it, but after ditching the double under tail exhausts and doing the suspension it's now tolerable. I'd much rather ride the crim though,it's a lot more fun and shitloads lighter.

That seems to be the consensus out there... those who loved the crim's (man it sounds weird when i say it) werent overly fond of the gumby.... the crim is meant to be a much livlier ride and meant to feel super nimble.. the later models were heavier and much more toned down...

once again im speaking from all my experience... of searching google...... the more obvious solution would be just to go out and ride one.. but, alas the 10 min test rides dont generally extend themselves to giving a good feel of the bike.. except for the ducatti 1098S i rode once.. 10 mins was enough to know i never wanted one.

I don't think you'd be disappointed with either. Gumbys go like freight trains and the Crims just go where you point them really quickly. They are a heap lighter though even when you're just pushing them around.