ZX10R 2008 track bike gearing

[mmamster]

All

Have just bought a zx10R 08 as a track bike and looking at changing stock gear ratios. Any tips? Thinking of 16/43, another guy at broadford suggested 15/44. Will maily use it at Phillip Island.

Cheers
MMAMSTER

[born green]

I have a ZX10R trackie, do broady, P/I ect.
All ive done is drop one on the front to 16, rear standard, but having said that, i run 200/55 at broadford, and have run 195/65 n/tec,so evens out, sort of.
When i replace chain and sprockets prob will run 16 and go up two on the rear, but i spend most of my time at broadford. and that will just make it want to wheelie everywhere!! like it dont do that now!!
Now that i dont use 65profile anymore, will only be 190/55 or 200/55 so profile wont change.
For P/I prob stick to 16 front, standard rear, or only up one on the rear. hope that helps, cause i think i just confused the hell out of myself

[mmamster]

thanks

Think I will go 16/43 as I am changing chain as well, the existing one is almost had it.

I will run 190/55 tyres. Much difference with 200/55? Never tried them....

Any tips on tyres. I had Pirelli Supercorsa SC treaded tyres on my 600 track bike which were great and were thinking of them again, but I hear OK things about Dunlop GPRAs which are cheaper.

[Maccarocks]

Hi Mamaster,

I have had 3 of these 08 models, built 2 up for the track and the other as my road bike, so I know them very well...

For PI, all you need to do is drop 1 tooth on the front to a 16 tooth.. leave the rear as it is stock at 41 tooth. This is a very balanced set up, and the bike will handle it perfectly. I did a 1.47.4 with this set up. It is very stable as the rear axle will move back slightly adding to the extra stability...!! But make sure you drop your forks through the triple clamps 5mm to assist with the better turning. And also make sure you get the fork cartridges changed or at least fit the correct Ohlins springs for your weight, as the front end is very harsh...

As far as the 15 / 44 set up goes...!! That would make this bike a frigging wheelie monster and would be way too peaky to ride with any confidence around and exiting corners. It might work for other bikes, but the ZX10 would be to hard to control, you would have to have perfect throttle control trying to exit corners whilst leaned over..!!

I know this for a fact as I tried out the 16 / 43 tooth set up at Broadford, and I had trouble keeping the front wheel down.. it was unstable, too peaky which resulted in my crash, getting knocked out and breaking my thumb.. Remember too much acelleration is not always good..!!

Hope this info helps..

Macca

[mmamster]

Thanks Macca. I want to keep the suspension expenditure to a minimum, do you think redoing the front springs for my weight and keeping the rear suspension intact will be OK (after adjusting it). Also any tips on tyres - I want to run a treaded race tyre so I can run in wet or damp sessions.

[born green]

200 prob not the go forP/i
190 seems the prefered choice, turn in better ect.
200 good for broadford, because u will use the extra grip.
Macca's right about the gearing, the 10 doesnt lack punch off the turns, and u will just hit the rev limiter everywhere, and spend all day trying to keep the front wheel down, good for photo's tho, bad for lap times!!
As macca said, getting the suspension sorted is one of the best things u can do. food for thort later.

[Maccarocks]

Yes mate,

You can just swap the stock springs for a set of Ohlins linear springs for your weight as well as drop the oil level and the front will handle fine.. this is only a $200 - $250 mod. The rear shock is ok, you could get away with that if you didn't want to really start pushing for lap times...!!

If you move to NTEC treaded tyres, you will need tyre warmers and remember they only have so many heat cycles, AND they are very expensive..!! So depending on your skill level and how fast you will be, it might be best for you to start on something simple like a Dunlop Q2, which is a tyre desigend with the track rider in mind, softer on the sides but harder in the centre for road riding.. Our ride coaches use these tyres on the GSXR 750's and they are all doing sub 1.50 laps..!!

Dont go spending shitloads on tyres if you are just starting, but dont ride on shit either.. What I am syaing is Tyres and suspension are the most important thing for a track bike, but when you are starting off you dont want to waste money on tyres that are very expensive if you are just putting around and getting used to the new bike...

Sorry if I am sounding crazy here..?? I just am not sure what level of riding you are up to, but I can tell you that riding a ZX10 will open your eyes to power, that is for sure...!! Hope you understand my waffling..!!

Macca

[born green]

200 prob not the go forP/i
190 seems the prefered choice, turn in better ect.
200 good for broadford, because u will use the extra grip.
Macca's right about the gearing, the 10 doesnt lack punch off the turns, and u will just hit the rev limiter everywhere, and spend all day trying to keep the front wheel down, good for photo's tho, bad for lap times!!
As macca said, getting the suspension sorted is one of the best things u can do. food for thort later.

O, sorry mate cant help with treaded tyres, i dont use them.
But u will get plenty of good advice here tho.

[mmamster]

Thanks for the advice on suspension. When you say dropping the forks through the triple clamps what do you mean - lifting the triple clamp 5 mm? I'll get Brighton Kwaka to do the mods but I just want to know what I am talking about when I ask them to do it!

I am a pretty slow rider to be honest, never pushing hard but have done a lot of track days over past 5 years, best times are around 2:10 at PI. I have been riding my road bike (cbr1000rr) for the last few days at PI since selling a gsxr600 track bike I had, so just getting use to the litre power. MADAZ have a deal $400 for a pair of Dunlop GPRA tyres fitted, was going to get those as a substantial saving on the Pirellis.

[Maccarocks]

Hey Mamaster..

I work for 'MADAZ performance' and I am at the island every ride day.. so come and ask for 'Macca' there..

The GPRA-11's are a great start for you.. excellent track tyre... Dont worry about slicks or NTECS until you are into the low 50's or high 40's..!!

The GPRA-11 sale is now over, but I can do you a set fitted and balanced for $450.. just make sure you come and see me at the track first.. You can miss me as I do part of the rider briefing in the mornings..

Retail proce for the GPRA=11's is around the $560 mark, so you are still getting a great bargain.. !!

And with the forks, yes I mean sliding them through the triple clamps so only 5mm of fork is sticking up through the top triple clamp. They come set flat at the top from stock...

I am located in Hoppers Crossing.. so if you ever need any advice or concerns about your bike, let me know, I can pull them apart with my eyes closed..!!!


Macca

[born green]

Threre's been some debate about brighton kawasaki, as in weather mick's still there??
But if he is he should steer u right. he's a ex racer, been around kawasaki's a long time.

[Blurr]

Agree with Macca, Ntecs are a waste of money if your not pushing them. I mean no offense but if your not sliding around on your current tyres then Ntecs aren't for you as you probably won't tell the difference.

The tyres macca is suggesting are very good. Offer good grip on road and track, they provide good feedback when they do start to slide which pirelli and michi's don't plus they provide good wear.

[mmamster]

Yes Mick is still there I spoke to him yesterday for 10 mins or so. He made suspension suggestions similar to Macca.

I need new tyres because the ones on the bike are shot - the bike is a recovered stolen bike and the thief thought it fun to do burn outs to the canvas!

[Blurr]

Oh and I have been around there on the same bike and I found 16 f and 40or 41 rear to be the best.

[Maccarocks]

There you go mmamster,

No shortage of honest info here for you.. great forum members..!!

Macca