z900/zx9 wrote:Being a nine addict just for kicks i went and sat on a 2011/12 zx10 last week and was surprised that it wasnt as aggresive as i thought.
That's because they are made for short-arses. Us normal sized people struggle immensely to fit on them.
Define Normal
Anything around the 6 foot mark is normal.
Green '08 ZRX1200 Road bike Green 2012 ZX10 Track/race bike Green '89 H1 ZXR750 race bike
'89 RMX250 motard race bike
2015 YZ450
2017 KTM EXC300
my dad bought a 12 last night, i rode it back for him an now i want one aswell.
great power, wheelies nice, i have a zzr11 an the 12 feels small an light in comparison as it should.
i took it through chain of ponds today an it bucks an wollows through the corners when pushed but in saying that on last service record the previous owner had the suspension set up for a softer ride, it has the 190/55 rear tyre, so i think with some tweaks it should get sorted.
but i am going to definatley get a 12 now, ride one an you'll want one.
Mine bucked and wallowed too until I got it firmed up, great now, still on the soft side compared to say a crim but it holds a line good.
True re seat of the pants right? Some newer bikes are better in different ways, but you can't go past a 12 for the sheer presence, awesomeness, and the gigantic smile it puts on your dial. They also turn a lot of heads, truly a beautiful bike, much more so than that fat tourer thing that superceded it.
z900/zx9 wrote:I agree with Marti Yep i reckon that a late model 9 would definitly outsteer a 12 through the twisties
Yep, a late model 9 would almost outsteer a ZRX through the twisties. But, I have a sneaky suspicion that the new Versys 1000 might be a bit of a tight roads weapon.
"I hate to advocate drugs, alcohol, violence or insanity to anyone, but they've always worked for me" Hunter S. Thompson.
There are really only two questions in life. 1.Which way do i go? 2.What is the lap record?
well with the kindness of one of the guys here (thanks Dave) i got out today for a quick run on a zx12r.. and i have to say it was different than expected.
First things first, these bikes have presence... stupid amounts of it.. The only thing i could think when Dave was pulling up was "wow.. that bike is huge", Sitting on it didnt change that perception. In fact I was pretty much convinced that riding it was not in my interest as it seemed WAY too much bike for me. Im not huge, but not small either (just shy of 6 foot) but the bike had me on my toes (something i haven't experienced since sitting a on Ducatti 1198). Straight away i was wondering how on earth I was going to muscle this bike around, especially considering the fact that my new bike leans much more towards the compact end of the spectrum.
As everyone said though (rightfully) once the bike starts going you don't notice the size of it. In fact much like I had hoped it just felt comfortable once moving. Wouldnt want to ride one of these in stop start traffic though. For me, this would definitely be a bike for nice long rides with few stops..
It steered better than i expected it to. I think Dave's is setup an awful lot better than my 9 was but i actually found corners much less of a struggle on this than I used to on mine. With this setup (190 rear tyre) I thought it actually made a rather nice bike. How much of that was he setup of this particular 12 though I dont know.
I didnt get to get much of a taste of the power of the bike but you can feel its there. That having to hold on to not fall off the back of the bike feeling a 750 just doesnt give you when hitting the midrange was enough to bring a smile. Also, I was on someone elses bikes which meant I rode more like a grandmother than I usually would.
So to answer my own question, it wasnt quite just a bigger 9, but at the same time it was. I felt at home on the 12 almost immediately apart from a few things which caught me off guard (short levers, high rearsets). With the stock pieces it would have felt more what I am used to im sure. I'll take a 14 and a zrx out in future to see if they have that feeling as well, it's not something I have felt on any other bike.
I love when people who actually have no idea make comments about the handling and steering of bikes. You're kidding yourself mate. I've ridden some of the best set up 12's on the planet and while they are an awesome bike, they don't steer anywhere near as well as a C or E model ZX9R. You're delusional!
"I hate to advocate drugs, alcohol, violence or insanity to anyone, but they've always worked for me" Hunter S. Thompson.
There are really only two questions in life. 1.Which way do i go? 2.What is the lap record?
Strika wrote:I love when people who actually have no idea make comments about the handling and steering of bikes. You're kidding yourself mate. I've ridden some of the best set up 12's on the planet and while they are an awesome bike, they don't steer anywhere near as well as a C or E model ZX9R. You're delusional!
Wow. That was a bit rough. I am the first to admit it Strika, I do have no idea. I'm a pretty average rider at the best of days. Sorry mate, didn't mean to say something to upset you. Like I said I think a lot of it was the way this one was setup, or more so, perhaps due to the fact that my one wasn't setup very well at all. I had an E1 as you know.
Or like you said, it might just be that from reading this thread previously I expected it to steer so badly then when it actually did turn I thought, 'oh, that's not so bad at all'.
I never categorically said the 12 steer's better than the 9. I was just giving credit where it was due that to my extremely inexperienced self that I thought the 12 steered fairly well, and when comparing it my old 9 it didn't seem all that bad at all. It wasn't an attack on the 9 in any way shape or form and I have no doubt that you are probably right in saying that a 9 will generally outsteer a 12.
Strika wrote:I love when people who actually have no idea make comments about the handling and steering of bikes. You're kidding yourself mate. I've ridden some of the best set up 12's on the planet and while they are an awesome bike, they don't steer anywhere near as well as a C or E model ZX9R. You're delusional!
The one thing you have to remember mate,is not everbody can ride like you!were you find a problem(witch you will allways have riding a "bigger bike")other people don't.all i am trying to say is the bike is great for what it is/shoping trolly yes your write it likes getting the back wheel out big time!!PS have you ever herd of power steer Marcus great to meet you mate you are a true good person and very welcome to come on any ride with us!!!!!!!!!
All the sugar and candy doesn't change the facts. Apologies if I offended you, but that's the truth. Would you rather I just piss in your pockets? I have never said they are a shitbox, or don't steer, just that they do not steer as well as a 9. I couldn't give a flying fuck what you buy or ride. FFS, I ride a ZRX, apparently a slow steering heavy barge??? It's my choice. But it doesn't steer like a 9 or a 6 does it? Sure it goes OK, but I couldn't punt it through a corner as fast as a 9 6 or a 10 even.
All this has nothing to do with how good a rider I think I am. If you take it that way, it's your insecurities. All I am doing is pointing out facts. He asked an opinion, I gave it.
"I hate to advocate drugs, alcohol, violence or insanity to anyone, but they've always worked for me" Hunter S. Thompson.
There are really only two questions in life. 1.Which way do i go? 2.What is the lap record?
Strika wrote:I love when people who actually have no idea make comments about the handling and steering of bikes. You're kidding yourself mate. I've ridden some of the best set up 12's on the planet and while they are an awesome bike, they don't steer anywhere near as well as a C or E model ZX9R. You're delusional!
Wow. That was a bit rough. I am the first to admit it Strika, I do have no idea. I'm a pretty average rider at the best of days. Sorry mate, didn't mean to say something to upset you. Like I said I think a lot of it was the way this one was setup, or more so, perhaps due to the fact that my one wasn't setup very well at all. I had an E1 as you know.
Or like you said, it might just be that from reading this thread previously I expected it to steer so badly then when it actually did turn I thought, 'oh, that's not so bad at all'.
I never categorically said the 12 steer's better than the 9. I was just giving credit where it was due that to my extremely inexperienced self that I thought the 12 steered fairly well, and when comparing it my old 9 it didn't seem all that bad at all. It wasn't an attack on the 9 in any way shape or form and I have no doubt that you are probably right in saying that a 9 will generally outsteer a 12.
Yep...you're right it was a bit rough now I reread it. Wasn't really meant to be. Sorry mate.
"I hate to advocate drugs, alcohol, violence or insanity to anyone, but they've always worked for me" Hunter S. Thompson.
There are really only two questions in life. 1.Which way do i go? 2.What is the lap record?
Yep i reckon that a late model 9 would definitly outsteer a 12 through the twisties
