Test rode some new Kawasakis yesterday.
Posted: Fri Jul 15, 2011 9:55 am
Nearby dealer here has 4 bikes for test rides at the mo- ZX10r, Ninja 1000, W800 and 1700 Vulcan.
Had a ride of all of them and was kinda surprised at what they were like.
ZX10r bloody uncomfortable for a fat man. Didn't feel like a 209Hp bike coz the power is very linear. Got 161km/h out of first and there was still some way to go to redline. I didn't particularly enjoy the bike coz you have to go so fast to enjoy it. Norty. Would be awesome on the track though. If you were 5ft6 and weighed 60kg it would be great.
Ninja 1000 was very impressive. Wheelied like a bastard in first- caught me by surprise overtaking in a 60 zone. Did it on one wheel. Does everything well, bloody fast and pretty comfy too. Both me and my mate who rode it were really impressed by it. Needs a centrestand and it would be perfect.
W800 was kinda kewl but dissapointing. Slowish, but faster than the Trumpy Bonneville I rode a while ago IIRC. Bloody wobbly frame (worse than my old GT550 by FAR) and very average brakes. Guess they are better than Hyosung brakes tho. Nylon tyres (not steel belted) crap shocks and thin frame make for a wobbly handler. I still had fun on it but I am used to riding wobbly bikes. Got a shed full of GN250s... Might put the wind up someone used to modern bikes. Got 165km/h out of it and it may have had a little more to go.
Vulcan 1700 was nice for a cruiser. Big heavy behemoth but comfy as and better than any Harley I've ridden.
Ninja 1000 is a much more modern and better than my ZRX in many ways but not enough for me to trade. Still happy with ZRX.
Had a ride of all of them and was kinda surprised at what they were like.
ZX10r bloody uncomfortable for a fat man. Didn't feel like a 209Hp bike coz the power is very linear. Got 161km/h out of first and there was still some way to go to redline. I didn't particularly enjoy the bike coz you have to go so fast to enjoy it. Norty. Would be awesome on the track though. If you were 5ft6 and weighed 60kg it would be great.
Ninja 1000 was very impressive. Wheelied like a bastard in first- caught me by surprise overtaking in a 60 zone. Did it on one wheel. Does everything well, bloody fast and pretty comfy too. Both me and my mate who rode it were really impressed by it. Needs a centrestand and it would be perfect.
W800 was kinda kewl but dissapointing. Slowish, but faster than the Trumpy Bonneville I rode a while ago IIRC. Bloody wobbly frame (worse than my old GT550 by FAR) and very average brakes. Guess they are better than Hyosung brakes tho. Nylon tyres (not steel belted) crap shocks and thin frame make for a wobbly handler. I still had fun on it but I am used to riding wobbly bikes. Got a shed full of GN250s... Might put the wind up someone used to modern bikes. Got 165km/h out of it and it may have had a little more to go.
Vulcan 1700 was nice for a cruiser. Big heavy behemoth but comfy as and better than any Harley I've ridden.
Ninja 1000 is a much more modern and better than my ZRX in many ways but not enough for me to trade. Still happy with ZRX.
haha perhaps it would be best to insert some "apparently"-s in there? 
