Same here Kruz. Neither of us do. Plus my wife won't put a contract out on you this way:) I will still say though, for whatever reason, the moment, road, weather or a zen moment that ZX-10R spoke to me that day. And that's no dis to the awesome S1000RR. Riding the 10R just made me remember how much I love that bike. You remember when we pulled over to swap back and I told you "I think I'm in trouble"? You looked at me like, "Oh crap, what's up with this dude"?:)

No, I get it, it looked like you were gellin with the 10. There is nothing wrong with two literbikes in the stable, believe me. If the 10R is talking on your wavelength, get one! I just have to settle down and ride what I have, like Drag said maybe it's time to start modding, stainless steel brake lines, Galfer rotors, maybe some Carrozeria or Marchesini wheels and suspension upgrades.

Let me talk to a couple of guys and see if they can exactly match the color and how much, they're going to charge.

Yea, $145 + shipping and then paint. It might be better to buy a black one for a perfect match of the factory paint.

Come to think of it Jagmeister, if you're bonding to a machine that quickly it might be worth having, most bikes take a little time to adjust to.

Yea, $145 + shipping and then paint. It might be better to buy a black one for a perfect match of the factory paint.

Come to think of it Jagmeister, if you're bonding to a machine that quickly it might be worth having, most bikes take a little time to adjust to.

stainless steel brake lines, Galfer rotors, maybe some Carrozeria or Marchesini wheels and suspension upgrades.

* Last updated by: dragking on 11/29/2012 @ 11:26 PM *

Where were all the japanese and engineers when this was happening? lol

@ Jag: How's that fairing on the 1000RR does it come off easy. What about the fit once every thing is put back together?

I predict Jag is going to own a new 10R by tomorrow afternoon, that bike bit him hard. He'll get either the red/black or white/black, most likley red/black since the white/black would be close to what he has now.

Jag, if you do get the 10R, my advice is to buy the wife a nice bauble or trinket, preferably 24K gold and diamond studded to keep the peace....lol!

I predict Jag is going to own a new 10R by tomorrow afternoon, that bike bit him hard. He'll get either the red/black or white/black, most likley red/black since the white/black would be close to what he has now.

Jag, if you do get the 10R, my advice is to buy the wife a nice bauble or trinket, preferably 24K gold and diamond studded to keep the peace....lol!

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Come to think of it Jagmeister, if you're bonding to a machine that quickly it might be worth having, most bikes take a little time to adjust to.

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Very true, but as I've said, I did ride that machine several times for close to an hour at a time. It was a green 2011 that they were practically giving away before I bought my BMW. There was one particular day that I had all but written them a check and for some reason I didn't. I just know I kept coming back for more on that bike. I had ridden the 2012 Yamaha R1 Crossplane and an 08 Honda CBR as well during my liter bike shopping days. I didn't like the R1 at all...heavy as hell and hot. The CBR was nice but felt a little bland. The ZX-10R just felt special, smooth and very refined. If I hadn't have bought 2 bikes from them in the past 24 months, (2011 Concours 14 and the ZX-14R), I wouldn't have felt right riding it so much but everytime I went in there they practically threw me the keys. In any event, I think a bit of bonding had already started to take place:)

:) Yes I will be there tomorrow morning dropping off the 14R and while I'm sure I will have to do a little tire kicking, I doubt that I pull any triggers tomorrow though, but if I do, you're right...it won't be the only large expenditure I'll be forced to make:) That's the part about being married that costs so much:)
BTW--it would def be the 12 Red/Black.

Where were all the japanese and engineers when this was happening? lol

@ Jag: How's that fairing on the 1000RR does it come off easy. What about the fit once every thing is put back together?

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VERY cool video...haven't gotten a chance to watch it all. Gotta acutally work at some point:)
I really don't know details on the fairing attachment or fit. I went ahead and ordered BMW OEM Alpine White touch paint, clear coat and primer all in pen forms.

I don't pretend to know your financial situation Jag but I assume you're not hurting living out in Colleyville. If you decide to pull the trigger I don't think you'll be disappointed ...... now your wife, that might be a different story!

Good luck with your touchup, let us know how the... errr... shopping trip turns out tomorrow!

Had the 10 out tonight after riding the rest of the bikes all week and I have to tell ya, it's a class act. Fluid and ultra-refined are the words that come to mind here, does everything well with no bad habits at all. It's got the light, accurate turn in of the 6R but with greater stability and is just so smooth everywhere. The CBR has more low end punch but ties the suspension up in knots while the 10 just flat goes with no fuss. The Honda used to be the refined one but the 10 has stolen all of it's thunder. Brakes, corner entry, corner exit, ergos, stability and transitions it's a notch above the Honda. Buy one Jag, just do it!!

Wow, the title of this thread was prescient to say the least, I really do need another motorcycle like I need a hole in the head. After this weekends run in with LEO, I have serious doubts whether I'll ever buy another motorcycle again, you talk about a buzz killer.......!

You will. You lost your mojo but we got to nurse you bike to full recovery. Here is some porn for you. After seeing the video, I told myself, I don't care if I'm too big etc I have to get one of these one one of these days. Maybe for my 40th B-day. Early middle life crisis lol
F4

*link fixed!

* Last updated by: dragking on 12/7/2012 @ 12:59 PM *

You lost your mojo but we got to nurse you bike to full recovery.

Lol, you got that right I did lose my mojo.

Take it to the track and NEVER have to worry about tickets!

Agreed but that's one, maybe two days a month, I try to ride everday all year around if the winter weather cooperates.

I just got done watching a video about a mega liter test and I agree with the order the bikes were rated. I rode the ZX-10 and I agree with the lack of mid, I wasn't impressed with the Beemer mid as well but it was better than the ZX-10's.
I'm not familiar with the roads you guys tested the bikes on but it may have been not tight enough. On big sweepers, lack of mid range is not an issue, it's when you gotta go low rpm in 1st gear and dig back out that you notice it the most in my opinion. Again, I'm not familiar with the roads you were on so I'm just guessing. In all the test I have seen (Euro and American), the riders said the ZX-10 would have scored higher with better mid range.

So here is the list:
1. Aprillia RSV4 Factory
2. Bmw S 1000RR
3. ZX-10
4. CBR 1000
5. Yamaha R1 and GXSR-1000

The Panigale, RC8 and MV Agusta didn't make the top 5 from lack user friendliness.

What do you guys think?

I think you could probably throw a blanket over the first four, they're that close. Each has it's own strengths, weaknesses and individual idiosyncracies. At the end of the day it comes down to individual preference, setup and above all....the rider. I talked at length today with Jag, he's waffling between the 10R and a 2011 Repsol. Tough choice IMHO but either will be fun.

* Last updated by: Kruz on 12/18/2012 @ 6:24 PM *

Wish I had my mojo back, I just can't get interested in new bikes anymore. That's really half the fun of owning these things, shopping, reading test results, shootouts and spec sheets.

Maybe someday I'll be back but for now the desire is gone.

* Last updated by: Kruz on 12/18/2012 @ 6:20 PM *

That red//black 10R is my screen saver!!! Just have to wait a while till I get one. Firm believer in buying gently used bikes. I'm gonna wait till someone buys one scares the heck out of themselves with it and wants to unload it CHEAP!! Then I'll snatch it up hopefully with some goodies already installed.

This is what I have on my screen saver:

Bam!!!! lol

I'm signing up for the ridesmart Track sessions on the 1st and 2nd of June.
You should sign up Kruz. Dallas is not far from Austin and Circuit of the Americas is a motoGP track.
If you still can't get your mojo back, I'll make you an offer you can refuse on your sweet ZX-10!

Unless the 'new' bike is dramatically 'more' than any you have now Kruz...you won't even notice any real ride difference...and it'd be a waste (IMO) to get another one that pretty much equals your bikes now...which are pretty darn good.

Unless the 'new' bike is dramatically 'more' than any you have now Kruz...you won't even notice any real ride difference...and it'd be a waste (IMO) to get another one that pretty much equals your bikes now...which are pretty darn good.

True, True Grn, I overindulged a bit. I was trying to figure out how I got to here from there and it's not like I set out to create a collection of bikes....it just happened. I think a lot of it comes down to what I call "New Bike Fever" on the forums. We start a new thread, everyone get's foaming at the mouth about some new machine and the next thing you know you're down at the dealer "just lookin" and then the checkbook comes out and it's all over. This happened to me over and over, the "grass is always greener somewhere else" scenario applied to motorcycles. It almost happened again on the F3, I was trying to figure out how to pay for one when I suddenly came to my senses. That bike is a crude joke, MV should buy everyone of them back and run them through the crusher ....lol!

I am done though with new bikes, the changes from here out are going to be evolutionary I think, incremental changes where it will take time to see the differences between generations. A good rider on a 2000 R1 could still kick butt on a lesser rider on a 2012 R1 for example, the changes are significant but not overwhelming in the last twelve years and some are tradeoffs. Example, the sportbikes today have more power but it's way up high. The manufacturer's figured out a long time ago how to make all of the torque you can get out of the basic 1000cc four valve arrangement, nothing new to see here. All they've done is increase the RPM limits with new metal technology and voila, big HP numbers but not necessarily better on the road or on a given track. Witness the Honda Fireblade, perenial backmarker on the dyno at about 148 rear wheel but it still manages to kick butt on the track, even against bikes with 20 to 25 HP advantage.

That red//black 10R is my screen saver!!! Just have to wait a while till I get one. Firm believer in buying gently used bikes. I'm gonna wait till someone buys one scares the heck out of themselves with it and wants to unload it CHEAP!! Then I'll snatch it up hopefully with some goodies already installed.

I have the 2013 Red/Black ZX-6R 636 as my current screen saver, that would make a really nice backroad bike and the extra 36 cc should put it back on top of the tiddler class. won't happen though, I have the '09 version that is more than enough bike for most occassions.

I always tried to find one of those deals you describe, mid-life crisis bike for someone, maybe one year old, 360 gentle miles, not a scratch on it, hadn't even had the first service yet and most important ....no mods!!!!

I don't even want a fender eliminator on a used sportbike, nothing , nada, zip, wanna do it all myself!

I found a couple like this on Craig's List but never was able to close the deal at the right price so always bought new.

One area the sportbikes have been steadily losing ground in is the weight arena. Some of these bikes have gained 20 to 25 lbs over the years. The new ZX-10R happily reversed that trend at a svelte 438 with full fuel. I understand the new BMW HP4 is down in ZX-10r territory now...for a price.

Look for lightweight, improved TC and active suspension to be the emerging technologies on the new sportbikes. For now, they have more than enough raw HP for most riders. I haven't even done the ECU "wire mod" on my Gen 4 ZX-10R yet to pick up the free 24 HP, it's got plenty already!

Hear ya Kruz I've gotten to the point were I am content with my stable just want a 1k to make it complete. I've owned all of the big 4 only suzuki did me dirty so never will I give them another penny. What I look for is the best performing bike in the category I'm shopping in. Hyperbike 14 was it, Supersport R6 is the bike to beat, 1k's 10r seems to be the way most of the teams are gravitating to. Actually selling S1Kr's in the process thats lets you know something. Just left the BMW dealer they had an HP4 on the showroom floor, gorgeous bike $24k they have completely bumped their heads. Didn't pay that much for my Silverado and I bought that new. A regular s1k was $16,7 way too rich for me blood, didn't pay that much for my 14,R6 added together. My bike dealer of choice has a 2012 red/blk w/abs for $12,7. $375 for Guhl Reflash. Right there with the S1k and you save $2500. Something tells me it's better to beg forgiveness than ask permission!!! For us married guys

Example, the sportbikes today have more power but it's way up high. The manufacturer's figured out a long time ago how to make all of the torque you can get out of the basic 1000cc four valve arrangement, nothing new to see here. All they've done is increase the RPM limits with new metal technology and voila, big HP numbers but not necessarily better on the road or on a given track. Witness the Honda Fireblade, perenial backmarker on the dyno at about 148 rear wheel but it still manages to kick butt on the track, even against bikes with 20 to 25 HP advantage.

Extremely well said! Like we discussed yesterday, after riding the 12 Fireblade last Saturday, I'm not sure how you imnprove on a street bike. The power is right where you want/need it, it's light and for 12 pretty good looking. No electronics, save ABS as an option, but @ around $14K retail, (can be had around here OTD for around $11.5-$12K), it's not like Honda is also stating they are the value buy. For example, 2012 Kawi ZX-10R's can be had for less or the same as the CBR with all the the goodies. I love both of them, still being an owner of a BMW S1000RR, I believe I will own a Fireblade within the next 18 months in addition to the Bimmer. Possibly wait to see if anything happens with Honda in 14, cause it didn't for 13. What I do know is that for a true contrast in liter bike at this point, it's gonna be the Blade vs the 10R. The Kawi and Bimmer are to close in gearing and setup IMO, although still different in other ways than gearing and engine. It's just that the Fireblades gearing and mid range is stunning!!! I had only ridden one once before and for some reason I didn't get the same feeling from it. Now it's like...ok I totally get the mystique and admiration this bike brings almost universally. For the fun to ride and comfort factor...THAT is the bike.

Not to say I don't love my Euro liter ala the S1000RR. VERY different pedigree and it shines in areas that one has to uncover after you really ride it, vs the Honda's hop on it and feel like you've owned it for 5 years. There are honest to God moments when a a spirited pace, away from the city and any stop and go that the BMW S1000RR truly starts to speak to you. It feels like, only what I can imagine, a dedicated track or race bike might feel and sound like. Pure precision with a power band that is very smooth yet will scare the crap out of you when pinned. It just feels very, well, very German. All business. No cozy, friendly, amiable, submissive stuff. It will allow you to be the master, but you have to earn it and then learn it. That said, that makes it SO much fun and is very rewarding! I don't see ever parting with it and I get why it's the darling of the industry today. Others would too if they owned one of rode one with any regularity.

So while the fever has subsided somewhat, (a lot of it due to the fact that both of my daughters need help with some new wheels right now and I just can't be that selfish:)), I will own a Fireblade as well for that friendlier and more amiable liter. I know I'm late to the Fireblade party, but I'm glade I finally got there. What a bike!

* Last updated by: Jagman on 12/19/2012 @ 1:02 PM *