2008 ZX10R Track Bike Build Up and Test Ride !!

[Maccarocks]

Hi all,

Well I have been flat out over the past couple of weeks after picking up my 08 ZX10R, stripping it down and rebuilding it up into another awesome track weapon. As I had put all the required spare parts away, it really didn't take that long, just a few small custom parts, exhaust link pipes, cat elimination (already done), rear sets to install, re-valved steering damper installed, DNA high flow air filter (already done), disconnect / block off the air valve solenoid, a basic triple check over the whole bike, and it was ready for the race glass...!! This time I am using 'Armour Bodies' from the USA.. they use this stuff in the AMA, and it looks awesome and fits perfectly... Very light and comes with an undercoat already on..!!

Anyway, did the whole rubber mount for the glass (helps to elminate cracking under vibration) and I was ready to hit the track. This week I was lucky to be at Phillip Island on Monday and Tuesday. Spent Monday swapping the tyres over for Dunlop 'GP Racer' Slicks, and then had the suspension, sags etc set up by Stewy Winton (legend..!!) Unable to test the bike on Monday due to it being so busy, AND there being so many crashes, I had to wait till Tuesday for the track debut. Of course it was as windy as Antarctica on Tuesday, but that still didn't stop me from getting out there... wow what a ride !!

My first impressions of the 08 ZX10 are unbelievable power !! I mean coming onto the straight it just pulls, the new 4th and 5th gear ratios are perfect, and with the help of the huge tailwind (well I really dont think it would matter really) the stock gearing took the speedo to 299 almost everytime..!! Now I know this is not correct, but it hits the 299 mark and the revs are still rising..!! My glance was only for a milli second, like eyes down - eyes up without moving my head.. I was amazed..!! But I wont be looking anymore as turn 1 approaches so quickly with more 'G' forces as you go around it..!! Much fun also..!! This bike is so easy to flick around, and after a few suspension tweaks, I felt right at home.. Much better than my 07 model, but I did love that bike too..!! It just goes to show that the designers and engineers at Kawasaki do make changes that are for the better...

Anyway, after a few sessions and more tweaks on the suspension and lever adjustments, I came home with a big smile on my face..!!! Feeling like I can go much faster on this bike.. just have to wait for a less windy day to do more suspension testing.. Here are a few pics of the bike getting ready and a couple at the island this week...

Macca

[merovingian]

Looks the goods

Prime is not a crime

[TITANIUMBULLET]

mate i was there on the mon/tues on my 08 in black fairing/green stickers. i didnt see your bike once. what group were you in??

[Maccarocks]

Ahh .. I did see your bike there, but as I work at the Ride Days, you would have seen the huge amount of crashes we had to deal with on Monday (even though it was perfect weather..!!) and we lost a few hire bikes.. so I didn't get to hit the track at all on Monday, I was just able to swap the tyres over and get the suspension set up.

Tuesday I started in the Green Group for the first test ride and to get the feel for the new bike. Ended doing the next 2 sessions in the Green as well, but I was coming in to get Stewey to make some small adjsutments, as the front felt very firm.. (too firm) especially gong around turn 3... but of course it was too hard to gauge as the wind was so strong and gusty at times, it could have been me hanging onto the bars a bit too tight..??

Still after the 3rd session, both Mark (Triway) and myself where Red Flagged and told to move up to the Red group.. I was having a bit of trouble getting on with the wind and had a few very close and very fast passes, and another moment going into Turn 1 with the extreme wind pushing.. so I decided to call it a day and start again on the 16th and 17th.... Sorry I missed you, but when it goes off, it goes off..!!!! So much work and paperwork to get done after a crash..!!

Macca..

[MadKaw]

Nice one... I'm guessing it will be green.?

We'll bring some KSRC stickers to spruce it up a bit.

We'll see it in person in a bit over a week then ..?

[Maccarocks]

Hi MadKaw,

Well actually this one is going to stay metallic black...!! BUT I am definitely going to have some lime green on it for sure..!!

And yes it should be painted and looking very stealth by next week..!! Ready for stickers..!!

See you in a week or so..!!!

Macca

[Blurr]

Nice mate it looks great.

You coul always go Orange

I have to agree with the stock suspension set up ion the )8. Even after I have had my front forks set up on the trackie i still find the front on the 08 much better under a bit of push.

Look forward to seeing you in a couple of weeks for a proper test ride.

[timmyrocks]

very nice like the front fairing
will look hot in black

[danzx10r]

i have to agree with you mate the bike is brilliant!!!! huge power!!!
i have got an ohlins shock coming for mine prbz in bout 3weeks.
ill let you know how it goes.

[Wattie]

fark, 299 on the speedo at PI, say 10% out thats 270!

last year my crim only getting about 255 on GPS

might need to get in your slipstream next week Macca!

[Maccarocks]

Wattie, I am serious..!! It was unbelievable.. huge top end and it keeps going..!!

I must admit I can carry a good corner speed around turn 12, I am always rounding the slower guys up on the outside and pulling away... remember that extra 10 or so k's at turn 12 equals about 30 more at the end of the straight if you get it all right..!! and on this day we had a massive tailwind... BUT the times I looked at the speedo, and as I mentioned above, it was only for a milli second and not moving my head, just eyes up - eyes down.. the speedo reading 299, but the tacho still climbing slowly..!! and yes this is stock gearing..!!! You all know that the kwakas are always the fastest in a straight line..!!

I hope to get the front a bit more settled next run.. it was so firm, and again that was at stock settings.. Stewy has had to back off the compression a full 2 turns..or 1 ring.. I am still only using just over half my travel.. but the day was not that good to set up with the gusty wind.. Next one hopefully will be better..?? I am planning to probably get my front properly re-valved and sprung by Stewy for this bike. Doing the front first, then save up for the back...

So in answer to your question Wattie, sure you can use my slipstream.. if you can get there and keep up... !!

See you there...

Macca

[greenman43]

So Macca, can you pinpoint exactly what is better than the 06-07 ?

Cheers,
Brian

[Wattie]

So Macca, can you pinpoint exactly what is better than the 06-07 ?

Cheers,
Brian

by the excitment in his tying, i'd say his answer would be everything except the hand grips...

[greenman43]

LOL, A few of the keys might even be stuck together ...

[robracer]

So in answer to your question Wattie, sure you can use my slipstream.. if you can get there and keep up... !! Macca

Can't wait to watch