Kawasaki Sportsbike Riders Club - Australia - Online Forum

I took Cath's new 6r to Narellan Kawasaki today for its first service. Richard had told me he'd have a loaner that I could ride .... so I decided I might see about riding a couple of demo's, you know, just to see what they're like.

It turns out Richard had a 0km z750 that needed a few km's on it, and a 2km old zx14 which also needed some miles.

I took the z750 first and thoroughly enjoyed it.
Pro's:
- Light
- Neutral
- Nimble
- Great mid-range
- That little cowl around the light really works

Con's:
- Front brakes are pretty ordinary
- You get what you pay for with the suspension
- Mirrors were a bit ordinary
- Green tyres at both ends still scare the sh!t out of me

Bearing in mind that the bike started out with 0km, and I didn't rev it over about 5-6k rpm it's hard to say how hard it would go when pushed, but I was quite impressed with the torquey mid-range and I could really see myself owning one of these.

With about 50 km on the z it was time to head back and see how the service on the 6 was going. Fortunately it still needed more work, so we bunged the trade plate on the zx14 and off I went.

The bikes ergos were nothing like I expected, much less upright and with a longer reach to the 'bars. I wasn't surprised, however, to find it was sublimely powerful and had brakes to die for (straight from the 06 10r). Sitting on the bike you could be forgiven for thinking it was really no larger than the 9r, and it actually carries its weight really well, never feeling too heavy. The zx14 was also really quite easy to ride.

My only gripe with the zx14 was that my feet kept knocking against the front of the cans, but this may well be my mongy riding style.

Being new I didn't rev this one hard either, but a couple of overtaking manoeuvres were executed with utmost grace, poise and mind blowing acceleration

I don't think I'd ever buy one of these big fuck-off monsters, but I'm glad I've ridden one

What about Cath's bike

Pabs wrote:What about Cath's bike

they left it for the 14.....

dave #3 said "I didn't rev it over about 5-6k rpm"
I am assumng this was on the 14? You do know the 14 is rectricted below 5k eh? that wasnt the mid range buddy, taht was the restricted bottom end. [/i]

Good Reviews "Littl' Mate". I reckon the Zeds are a "Barrel of Monkeys" Simple concept based on a good design, cheapish, always entertaining, no one's going to cry too much if one hits the ground & some skill is rewarded to get the most out of them.

As for 14r i still reckon they are easier to move around then the 06 6r but i'm yet to ride one.

I wouldn't mind giving a 12 and a 14 a go actually...

I rode Stompy's old, now Robracers new Z750 and it was pretty good for the short blat i had on it...

Good on ya dave
Lot of shit written here and elsewhere written by ppl whose closest contact has been the test someone ELSE wrote.

Even when you do get a testride on anything your opinion is only relevant when others take into account your experience and riding style etc.
Doesnt mean its not valid but a harley rider might have a bit different opinion on a ZX14 to an A-Grade '06 ZX10R racer...
You dont take financial advice off a bum in the street

frogzx12r wrote:dave #3 said "I didn't rev it over about 5-6k rpm"
I am assumng this was on the 14? You do know the 14 is rectricted below 5k eh? that wasnt the mid range buddy, taht was the restricted bottom end. [/i]

Hey froggy, I was actually talking about the z750 when I mentioned mid-range, the zx14 just has a "fat farking truckload" of torque everywhere

Pontikat wrote: I reckon the Zeds are a "Barrel of Monkeys" Simple concept based on a good design, cheapish, always entertaining, no one's going to cry too much if one hits the ground

i cried

Nice report Dave, so, what did you think of the 6 ?

Cheers
Matt

matchan wrote:Nice report Dave, so, what did you think of the 6 ?

Cheers
Matt

The what ... just joking, it's a sharp edged weapon, but a pleasure to ride along a twisty bit of road ... I want one for the track !