Kawasaki Zx10r 2010

[Donat Ruel]

Followingthe disappointment of the Cagiva, I decided it was time to get something half decent. After some groveling and flowery words I had convinced Mrs. OnTheBackWheel that it was high time to hit the track! I mean, life begins when you are coming out of a corner sideways, tyre struggling for grip then punting it down the straight at 270+km/h right? And what does one need to hit the track (well, and look the business too)? Why, a sports bike of course! Let the games begin.

Initially, I tried to swap the Raptor for a sports bike. Being in a money challenged situation this was my best option unless someone came along and decided to buy it. Surprisingly, I got some decent swap offers, but eventually I was able to sell the bike. This proved to be a much better option in the long run as it gave me the freedom to buy the bike I wanted.

The accompanying engine note is fantastic. It starts off as a snarl and then you can actually hear the air box filling with air. As the revs increase the engine whines and howls. Fueling is also great overall and if you are lucky you get the odd pop on deceleration. The gearing is pretty bloody tall. I ended up adding 2 teeth to the rear sprocket which has helped around town and on the track.

The brakes are good, but do fade at the track. It was a great experience coming down the back of QLD Raceway and having the brakes fade so much the lever come all the way back to the bars! This can be helped somewhat but making sure the brakes are bled but at the end of the day this is down to the stock calipers. The pistons cook the brake fluid and subsequently you get brake fade. After doing a little bit of research I discovered that later model ZX6R or ZX14 calipers bolt straight on and alleviate this issue (and give better braking performance). People have also had good experiences with Brembo master cylinders too.

ive got the 04 zx10r , in nebula blue, fantastic bike, ive gone for revalving the suspension, and one spring softer on the back, I ride it pretty hard, and its never shaken its head, the ktec suspension guru has raced all the zx10r , and reckons its suspension set up is the key, not steering dampner, they were set up 2 hard from new, ive also gone for 1 inch risers on the bars, and its now my most comftorble bike for riding back country roads, I think in time these will become very collectible so will hang on to mine, cheers.

Have this bike for 6 years and probably want to keep it forever. Driven a lot of different bikes compared to other 1000cc superbikes, but you can call the gen1 zx10r an absolute beast! Low and medium rev its also stronger then most 4cylinder bikes. Love the brutal gas reaction. Upgraded brakes and steering damper is advisable btw.

Bonkers, absolutely mental, bonkers bike! I have had more bikes than I have fingers and toes to count them on, including 3 Hayabusas, a K7 Gsxr 1000, a 1000 Fireblade, etc etc. Nothing comes close to this wild animal! The top-end rush is nothing short of sensational, kinda like warp drive on Star Trek. I bought the bike from a dealer, it had an Akropovic pipe on it as well as an Ohlins Steering damper on it. When I got the bike home, I was pleasantly surprised to find a Power Commander under the rear seat pod which the dealer had not mentioned, I also found a traffic fine and summons to court in the name of the previous owner, he had been caught doing 237 km/h (147 mph). If you're looking for a superbike with character, look no further. This bike will give any modern superbike a run for it's money and then some! It has a visceral quality to it and has kind of turbine like whine sound to it when pushing on. Will make your hair stand on end!

This is an absolute lunatic's bike. I have had several litre bikes - Also RSV/996/1199 Panigale and, for the money, the Kawasaki is a genuine weapon. This bike is certainly not for a novice as it is brutal and lives up to all the hype. It's still an ace tool by today's standards.

MY BABY IS A BEAST FROM HELL! While there are skeptics or haters let me just say that my baby is 12 years old and still destroying modern streetbikes!!! Haven't been beat by any busa, R1, not even any of her sisters. Wouldn't want any other bike! She is the ultimate WIDOW MAKER."

Fantastic superbike and great value. Three years ago after having a go on a friends 08 model I had to trade up to one. I went looking for zx10s and plumped for a mint C1 (thought 06/07 was ugly). How glad am I. It feels raw like a race bike, you can really feel the road, the air screams in the box and you're totally involved in the whole riding experience. Newer superbikes will get you round a race track tenths quicker, but you'll have so much more fun.As journos have mentioned it does need respect, but only in the top half of the tacho. It's a great road bike and not restricted to the track. You can also ride it slowly as it's a real pussy cat. I'm 6'2" but still find it comfortable, can potter through town and have toured Europe only having a little discomfort on long motorway stints. The bike has been 100% reliable the finish has surprised me, being really good and par with my Honda before.It does like tyres and my mechanic says it's a pig to work on, but they are the only downsides.Really struggled with what to replace it with but fate interferred and due to a neck injury I've now joined the sit up and beg brigade, getting a sensible Superduke! This is a great bike but I preferred my 10.Go on, get yourself one, you won't regret it.

Love my 05 zx10. Got it because it was closest thing to a GP bike for street. !3,00 miles on it now and only problem is lower case cracking. had it fixed by kawisaki 1.5 urs ago, cost 4,500 buks. Now it looks like it has done it again. They said it has weak spot in case right above the water pump. it cracks right where a bolt hole is and oozes oil. Small amount but any is too much. Kawasaki corp accused me of rough riding and refused to pay at 1st. I ride curves and wheelies, no drag strip or stetched BS. I love this bike and treat it like my kids but I cant see keeping it if i keep having this issue. Taking it to get it looked at sat-6-13-09. maybe they will fix again. if not they can have it and am done with kawasaki. Only bike I have ever owned and think they have engineering issues with the lower motor casing. Any repies would be appreciated.

I love this machine to bits. The seating position is excellent for my 5ft 10" frame. The power deliver is smooth and abundant till around 6000 revs, that's when the demons from hell really get out of their cage. Crack the throttle open too quickly and the front wheel will be heading skyward in most gears. It's nibble and efficient at what it was designed to do on the track. It's also reliable and smooth around town. However you'll need to give it a little respect or you'll be in a lot of trouble really quickly. The only bike you'll ever need!

What a beautiful, amazing bike.Performace is great with enough power to do whatever you want.It's a shame Kawasaki ruined the looks of the bike with the updated version because the 2004 model looks better than the new one.In 18 months I've covered over 12,000 miles, been through several sets of tires and have enjoyed everthing about the bike.Servicing costs a fair bit but there are far less ZX10R's on the road than R1s, Fireblades and GSXR1000's so you feel unique and happy.

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