I third.

The Honda does have a nice paint job but I find the roundness of the front fairing to look a little outdated like some kind of egg shell race fairing from the 70s. <<It's not all that bad but it does remind me of that. I like the pointy, muscular look of the ZX10. The Beefy swingarm and thick, exposed frame with leg grips on the sides are just a couple things that make the 10 look like it is meant to haul ass instead of sit and be admired in a parking lot.

Romans, I really wanted that same 09 green 6r earlier this summer.
The only deal breaker was the offer I couldn't refuse with the 750.
Kawi really stomped the 600 class and 2010 brings no real competitor.

Kruz, that Hotbodies tail looks great in person but the tabs on my friend's
black tail keep braking (same bike/year/color as yours).
I remember him removing the seat cowl that covers the passenger seat and showing
me the home made brackets he had to rig to get ample support.
I would recommend you run a search on the 10r forums and make an educated decision.
BTW I'm shocked that you are not aware of the brake lights with integrated turn signals
as they have been around for longer than my 10 year fascination with sports bikes.
Get a clear one too (oem color lense), smoked will probably not pass inspection.

* Last updated by: masszx14 on 12/20/2009 @ 5:44 PM *

Hotbodies tail looks great in person but the tabs on my friend's
black tail keep braking (same bike/year/color as yours).

More info Please.... Is it the same one as I have shown here ? What happens when the tabs brake? Please don't tell me it beats itself up on the wires then disappears into the ditch ? If this is the case then everything I have bought from Hotbodies has major f..king issues. Oh ya, Looks Awesome But ? I'm going to check right now. Mass, Thanks 4 the info.

BTW I'm shocked that you are not aware of the brake lights with integrated turn signals

Hello Mass, I'm very aware of them but a bit leery. I love the clean look of the integrated tail but question the visibility. I considered going with one on my CBR but changed my mind at the last second and stuck with the OEM blinkers. They're not very attractive, kinda got a DOT approved look about them but folks behind know your turning and it might just save your life.

Kruz, that Hotbodies tail looks great in person but the tabs on my friend's
black tail keep braking (same bike/year/color as yours).
I remember him removing the seat cowl that covers the passenger seat and showing
me the home made brackets he had to rig to get ample support.

Thanks for that tip Mass. I was looking at Romans and thinking that was the clean look I was after with a little more visibility on the blinkers. May reconsider, I have heard enough bad things about Hotbodies to be wary of anything they make.

Kruz, The Black Carbon Akrapovic would complete that clean look you are after. Silver,stainless steel looking Pipe on that bike just won't do. IMO of course.

Agreed, that's the direction I'm leaning, gotta stay with the stealth fighter theme.

Kruz. It will be interesting to hear what exhaust you pick out for the ZX-10 and why. The dyno graphs were nearly identical for each of the systems I considered for the 14.

I'm a sucker for the look of the carbon fiber Yoshimuras, I have 'em on just about everything I own but I have been underwhelmed by quality control and performance issues. The fit on my CBR's RS-5 header system was so bad I thought they'd sent me the wrong pipe.

Akropovic spends a lot of development time getting their pipes performance right and the quality is unsurpassed. Yoshimura reminds me of Hotbodies, looks good but not put together as well as some of the others.

I hope this doesn't offend anyone with Yoshi's, they look great but after two sets having issues I think I'm done.

I guess Im the odd ball out here. I think the black zx10 is awesome looking. Nicer than the hondas, especially the new ones. I cant warm up to it.

I'm not disagreeing with you here Hoopie or I wouldn't have bought one, I think there is a really nice bike lurking in there. It just seems to me that KHI built a race bike with the 10R and all the street legal stuff kinda looks like an afterthought. I think after I get a pipe and tail tidy on there she's going to look awesome. Yu'r right about that new Honda, couldn't they have figured out a way to centralize the mass without making it look like it's had the front end smashed in? But go sit on one, man that thing feels light!

Yesterday it got up to 60 degrees in sunshine here in Dallas so I took all four of the bikes out and rode them back to back for comparison. I don't know if it's "New Bike Syndrome" but I liked the ZX-10 the best. I can't get over how perfect this bike fits me. The reach to the bars is longer than on my CBR and I don't feel cramped. I love the ergos except for wind protection. The suspension is the best of the bunch, stiffer but offering more control over the bumps and less nose dive under hard braking. So far I have to give the edge in handling to the CBR, it just feels more flickable and it's turn in is super fast. This could also be tires as the 10 has an OEM variant of the BT-016 which offer higher stability with heavier steering input. No headshake issues thus far on the 10 although under hard acceleration the front end does start to feel a little light and sketchy. Powerwise this thing has a monster motor or maybe it's just how the power comes on that makes it feel so freakin fast. When it hits, it stretches your arms in a way not even my 14 can match, the CBR felt almost boring by comparison. The CBR has a full exhaust system and PCIII and the stock 10 still feels faster. The 10 is a hoot to ride, very smooth and civil until you twist it hard then it becomes thrilling. I rode the 14 after the CBR and 10 and it felt like I was driving a Panzer tank by comparison to those two. You can really feel the weight especially on the transitions. The 14 is definitely the smoothest and msot vibration free of the bunch. There is no hicccup anywhere in the power curve, it just pulls hard everwhere and turbine smooth. Both the 10 and the CBR have vibrations, mostly from 4000 to 5500 rpm. The CBR has the 10 beat down low with a big hit right off the bottom but then flattenig before taking off again with a strong midrange. The 10 has much smoother but weaker low end response with a bit of a midrange flat spot at 6000. Around 8000 rpm you're cleared for takeoff and this thing takes off like a bottle rocket!

I rode my cruiser last and believe it or not it was a lot of fun puttin along with that big ol V-twin shakin around in the engine room. It was a nice change of pace after the riding the pocket rockets, you could slow things down and enjoy the scenery.

Rook, buy the 10....now! that is a direct order!

I want one. I really want one. But not quite bad enough to jump on it right now. With my legal situation, it might not cast the most favorable light on me down the road to be buying up a bunch of motorcycles right after the divorce....as in "this guy spends money too much like a drunken sailor to raise his own kids" ......and child support can easily cost me double what the real cost of raising children is .........and there's more but I won't even go into it.

See, it went something like this:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l_v22zPL86s&NR=1#watch-main-area

So I could drop the money but I'd have to think that one through pretty hard. These bikes are a little more costly than pets.

* Last updated by: Rook on 12/21/2009 @ 11:30 AM *

That was pretty funny Rook, reminds me of that scene from Family Vacation where they forgot the dog was tied to the back bumper! I understand your situation, been there and done that. Trust me I wasn't buyin motorcycles at the time.

.....but you have scooter fever..no denying it!

Which Gen looked best, 04/05 on top, 06/07 middle or 08/09 on bottom? Y'know, they all look good but I think teh new one is the best.

Guys, the mounting points of the Hotbodies tails put too much stress on the oem tail plastics,
either vibration or weight (or both), it's just poor design.
My buddy already had to buy replacement tail plastics and the new one developed cracks too. He now
has some aluminum braces on the inside to offer more support for the tail and to distribute the weight
more evenly. He bought the bike with it already installed, he's been looking at other options for the undertail.
Hotbodies is not known for great quality, poor design doesn't help much either.

Turn signal visibility is good though, his bike has both the brake light that indicates
split half and half as a directional and the small signals on the Hotbodies tail, can't miss it.

Mass,Kruz, I went and pulled the bike out and went all over the tabs. Shes Solid. If you look at the photo shown above you can see where the two licence plate bolts are now located. The two 8/32 bolts that I have installed into the chair rail have given the under tail added support. This thing is going no where. Scared me though. If you guys are mounting a plate don't worry. If not ...? Believe me, I'm not a Hot bodies flag waver by any means. I expected the worse. U know, Par for the course with them. Still looks the best IMO. If there is a cleaner look please post it and if you see mine in the ditch, Please mail it home LOL.

Kruz, how about the Transmission ? How did it compare to the Honda ? The 6R transmission is 5 star all the way.

No complaints about the tranny. No big "Clunk" when droppng into first like my 14 does and the box seems very smooth as a whole. You cannot get into nuetral while you are rolling however, I've tried and failed, you have to come to a complete stop before selecting nuetral. Not a big deal though and you don't have to worry about missing the first to second upshift. The Honda and the 10 are too close to call in the tranny department, both are excellent. The Honda does have the annoying "clunk" when you drop into first, just like the 14.

Brakes wise, I think the 14 is best, good initial bite and then very progressive. I'd rate the CBR and ZX-10 very close, good brakes on both.

I was studying those pics of the three generations of 10s and that new pipe is starting to grow on me. Yea it's still ugly but I think I can live with it for awhile.

Anyway, I'm splittin hairs here, any of these bikes is better than I am so it's all good.

Who wants to take a bet on when Rook brings home his new ZX-10? He's been kinda quiet lately, that usually means he's puttin some kind of a deal together.

Rook, that 10 will complete the set and then your done!

* Last updated by: Kruz on 12/22/2009 @ 7:19 AM *

Good to know your Hotbodies is OK Romans. Did you know Ivan has a tuners package for the '08/'09 ZX-10R? Akro Race pipe, PCIII, ignition module, his own map and of course a TRE. This time the TRE disables the KIMs traction control system and puts the rider "in direct control" whatever that means.

Brakes wise, I think the 14 is best, good initial bite and then very progressive. I'd rate the CBR and ZX-10 very close, good brakes on both.

The 6R Bakes are Amazing. Make the 14 feel like a Tanker. Same brakes I know, but the weight difference plays a big role. Stoppies happen by accident.....You must Try.

I thought about a 600 but I'm just too big Romans. I would kill the straight line performance, sure would be fun in the corners though.

Did you know Ivan has a tuners package for the '08/'09 ZX-10R? Akro Race pipe, PCIII, ignition module, his own map and of course a TRE

Yup, I just need to Ride one for the hook to set. Same kit that he sold me 4 the 14. Minus the traction lol.

Who wants to take a bet on when Rook brings home his new ZX-10? He's been kinda quiet lately, that usually means he's puttin some kind of a deal together

I'll take that bet, put me down for 25...on the NO side. What you say Rook. You get one more Toy and your X-blister will show up at your house and leave with all three bikes. Cost is high. Change my bet 50$

Kruz wrote:

Who wants to take a bet on when Rook brings home his new ZX-10? He's been kinda quiet lately, that usually means he's puttin some kind of a deal together.

Rook, that 10 will complete the set and then your done!

Oh how I wish. I know I want that bike but the mood just is all wrong right now. There could be a new job on the horizon and if that be the case, I would probably get a ZX-10. You know how it goes with things are if they aren't even quite on the horizon though.

It's really hard to pick a clear best looking 10 out of the last three gens because I have looked at the 08-09 for so long. The 08-09 can't help to win my eye but if it were an impartial viewing, I think they would very close on looks. I like the painted motor, and front fender and brakes on the last two gens but that's all stuff anyone could do to any model. What really gets me about the 08-09 is the hugger and the skinny seat. Looks like they have just about reached the limit on how skinny they can get on the midsection. The openness all around the back wheel is very appealing on the 04-05. The best solution for directionals was used on the 06-07.

* Last updated by: Rook on 12/22/2009 @ 8:32 AM *

I thought about a 600 but I'm just too big Romans. I would kill the straight line performance, sure would be fun in the corners though.

I'm 6'1 230lbs. I look stupid on the 6R and feel like a Giant. But wowwwwwww fun to ride. ZX-14 is where we need to be. The 14 just needs a 6000 dollar diet. We got the motor and the 10's have everything else. All threee would be nice.

Rook.... repeat after me...... I must have the 10, I must have the 10....... J/K big guy but it would round out the set quite nicley! I hope the X-blister doesn't come by and try to take those bikes, I'd have to lay some serious smackdown on her for dat!

Romans, Ivan's the only way to go, I fingered that out when I got the 14. He does the homework and gets all the kinks worked out...the complete package. The CBR, I tried to go it alone and it's been a frustrating experience. When the time comes, I'll cut Ivan a check and get the whole shebang at once.....done!

* Last updated by: Kruz on 12/22/2009 @ 9:23 AM *

I'll wait for the 2010 10r reviews and liter shootouts
and then decide which one I want.
New 2010 or well modded 09 for me for street and track duties.