After 3 years with the zx10r 2004 and 2.5 years with the 14 I am considering going back to the 10r, 2009 this time.
What do I have to expect in regard to the differences in handling etc. compared to the 2004?
I am going to take the 2009 for a long test ride during the weekend.
BTW, another factor to consider: I am nearly 65! still fit and focused, but... Am I crazy or what?

Yes, you are crazy but that's the kind of craziness I'd like to see more of in this world! I hope I'm still riding a ZX-10R at 65! Enjoy!

BTW, they tamed it down for 2009 compared to your old 2004, not as wheelie prone or tank slapper fettish but still plenty faaaaaaaast!

Kruz

What do you miss about the 10 compared to riding the 14? Is it purely for the handling differences?

BTW, they tamed it down for 2009 compared to your old 2004, not as wheelie prone or tank slapper fettish

Not even remotely true!

The 14 is a great bike And I find its sport abilities very impressive and enjoyable, but yes, sometimes I need the handling capabilities of the 10

Put BST wheels on the 14 and respring/ revalve your suspension and you'll get razor sharp handling from the big girl!

On the other hand the current 10r lays down more rwhp than any other japaneese 1000 cc- no exceptions whatsoever!

I'm thinking about the 10 too. For me, I like a lithe and light bike, handling to dance with, etc. The 14 is big, smooth and like a freight train, to me, it needs bags and a bit of more upright bar to be a balanced machine.

I have an '05 zx10 and my buddy has an '08.
Both of us prefer my bike, but it has some mods, and his is still stock.

Stock vs. stock?

The gen 3 has more aggressive ergos. The pegs are set higher and further back and there is less room in the saddle.
The gen 3 has better suspension, comes from the factory with better tires, better brakes, Ohlins damper (cheap one though), a smoother tranny with a slipper clutch, and although Kawi won't call it what it is, (I'm guessing due to liability) the gen 3 also has traction control.

BTW, they tamed it down for 2009 compared to your old 2004, not as wheelie prone or tank slapper fettish

Not even remotely true!

LOL......... I have never ridden a 04 but I have ridden and 08 and there is nothing tame about that bike that’s for damn sure. Anyone know of a stock 1000s thats not wheelie prone??? LOL

I love my 10 and it seems to pull harder than my 14, but maybe because how much the 10 weighs. I can ride all day on my 14 with no problems.

Well, I have a deposit on a new 2010. Everyone says the 14 loafs along in a turn. Figure I'll toast your ass is soon enough with this one...

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2043/2309127220_2ea04cab43.jpg

(I needed a morning laugh, Kruz... Thanks!)

* Last updated by: Hub on 11/23/2009 @ 10:52 AM *

Hub,
Let me help you.

* Last updated by: Tuneit on 11/23/2009 @ 11:00 AM *

It's called throttle control Willie, if you don't have it you have no business being on a liter bike. Try a Katana 600 or maybe a cruiser.

No thanks man cruisers are for Fags....... sorry thats wrong I mean guys with alternative life styles. Kruz if I got a Katana 600 I would still ride circles around you street,track or strip. Throttle control for you must be part throttle all the time if your 1000 is not trying to wheelie in the first three gears hell even the zx14 for that matter.LOL you read to many magazines get out and ride a few bikes from time to time buddy you might learn something you can't read in Sport Rider.

Not a 10 but I prefer the handling of my literbike, you can fling it into the corners where you have to tread more carefully with the 14 because of it's greater mass.

Thanks Captain Obvious the rest of us mere mortals we would have never figured that one out without your great wealth of “magazine bike knowledge”.

* Last updated by: willidx4 on 11/23/2009 @ 3:21 PM *

Shoulda got that zx10. I can wait. I can. I have to. I can't have 3 bikes. It's just not allowed.

I love my 10 and it seems to pull harder than my 14, but maybe because how much the 10 weighs. I can ride all day on my 14 with no problems.

LOL it’s not your imagination it is pulling harder

"Let me help you," Coldwater? You had to chase the punchline!

I fingered it was time for me to come back on here and start stirring things up again.

No thanks man cruisers are for Fags

So did I laugh once again this morning, Kruz? I sure did!

You sure know how to bust some balls........ http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CNf9t8R-ZWo ..... It takes balls to handle a 14. Deep into the turns, and then chew them up. Hap Pee Thanks A Lot!

Hub, "Let me help you," Coldwater? You had to chase the punchline!

Man things get heated around here really fast. I've never had a liter bike, but I have been curious for a while. It seems like every time, it's time for a new bike I always go for the bigger one. I feel like I would be missing out on sometime by getting a liter bike. I think they can be a lot of fun, but I commute to work on the 14 I don't know how much fun that would be on a liter bike.

Only 4 current or former 10r owners posted in this thread.

Tons of opinions about bikes, suspension and lightweight wheels from people who have experienced none of the above.

I'm just saying...

* Last updated by: masszx14 on 11/24/2009 @ 8:37 PM *

not to get off topic but this may be good news for the zx10 in 2010

http://hellforleathermagazine.com/2009/11/no-2010-suzukis-planned.html

I love my 14, but liter bikes are extremely fast!
Don't know why the youtube video embed not working, anyways here's a good link. 8.88 1/4 mile on zx10

[Youtube link fixed... -bg]

* Last updated by: bgordon on 11/25/2009 @ 7:41 AM *

My impressions after a weekend with the 10r 2009:

1. It may be a bit more powerful than the 2004, but on the street you don't really feel it very much
2. The power delivery is more linear and less "jumpy"
3. Riding the 2004 feels more like riding on the back of tiger than on the 2009. Therefore, for me the 2004 was more fun to ride ( I must mention though that I sold the 2004 2.5 years ago and maybe it is the nostalgia:) ).
4. In mid range the 14 2006 seems to me more powerful
5. compared to the 14, the 10 was much better and easier to handle in the tight twisties which is obvious.
However, on fast sweepers I liked the 14 better, this also will not come as a surprise to many of you.
6. Overall, it comes to trade-offs: comfort and good performance most of the time on the 14 vs. better handling and bigger smile in the twisties on the 10.

I must say though that after this weekend I appreciate my 14 more! and I still have no decision here.

arizx wrote:

. Riding the 2004 feels more like riding on the back of tiger than on the 2009. Therefore, for me the 2004 was more fun to ride

Kruz wrote:

BTW, they tamed it down for 2009 compared to your old 2004

Mass wrote:

Not even remotely true!

* Last updated by: Kruz on 11/25/2009 @ 7:45 AM *