2005 ZX10 vs 2007 ZX10

TYEster · 05-17-2009, 10:02 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by wideopen1

I ALMOST bought an 08, cause at the time they were almost giving them away. But my God it's really ugly!! I mean it is really ugly in person and even my wife said so. So instead, I decided to go with what I knew I liked which was this 05.
I hear guys are winning races right and left on the 08 model, does anyone know if this is true? I've not actually raced for a few years now and don't keep up on it like I used to.
I don't ever remember reading anywhere that that the 06/07 was a bad handling bike back when it came out, but I sure don't get along very well with mine. A guy is supposed to come and get it tomorrow....says he has the money. I been trying a good many weeks to sell it. Hopefully he shows up.
I plan on getting this 05 dynoed as it is. My 04 dynoed at just short of 159 HP. I'm sure this 05 is somewhere around there too. I think the 07 probably has a couple more than that, but it's more evenly spread. Seems to have a bit more grunt than the 05, but doesn't bust out on top like the 04/05, and that's what I like.

LOL the only people winning on Kawasaki's ride dirt. Seriously, some guys might be winning at the local race club level, but the only professional I see near the podium on a Kawasaki is Hacking, and he's on a ZX6R.

The 3rd gen is an ok looking bike in track skins(removed lights) but ya it looks like a bugeye'd freak in street trim.

Homeslice · 05-17-2009, 11:10 PM

Handling, shmandling...........Change the tire size and the suspension setup to suit your preferences, and any bike can improve.

Antwanny · 05-17-2009, 11:40 PM

i don't haev the shifting problem with my 04. It runs like a raped ape on crack I LOVE IT. -1 on the front sprocket and it takes off. Only complaint is the calipers little squishy, i wanna get some nissins of a newer zx14 for little more bite.

I rode an 05 before i bought mine and loved it, but this one was black : ).

The newer zx10s dont do much for me 2nd or 3rd gen

wideopen1 · 05-18-2009, 07:27 AM

Ya know my buddy had an 04 too. It was a later build date than mine and it shifted fine. Mine was terrible and the hotter the engine/trans/clutch got the worse it got. Other than that, no complaint about that bike. I think the 04/05 are one of, if not the best looking sportbikes ever made. Kaws don't need graphics all over them to make them look good. The lines of the 04/05 gen are just about perfect.
And Homeslice, you're right that you can change tires, bike geometry and whatever to improve handling. But some bikes just don't work for some riders no matter what you try. I did a lot of tweaking on suspension settings, spring rates, tires and ride heights, etc and it just never felt good. At the moment it's the best it's ever been though, for me.

Banana Hammock · 05-18-2009, 07:55 AM

If you big boys cant handle to power beween your legs then maybe you should gize up the bikes and leave it to the real boys like me

Antwanny · 05-18-2009, 11:19 AM

does your gen 1 run hot in town, mine heats up whenever not doin 50+
Imma add some engine ice or water wetter

jtemple · 05-18-2009, 12:12 PM

I liked my Gen 1 a lot, except for the cracked engine block (got screwed by the dealer and Kawasaki both, long story). I wasn't even going to buy another Kawasaki, but I got a good deal on my Gen 2 that cut some of the sting out of the cracked Gen 1.

To avoid the costs of cans, I went with A&R baffles. That is the cheapest way to get a good sound out of a Gen 2.

The Gen 1 was a bit more "raw" feeling. The Gen 2 feels a little more refined. As far as weight is concerned, I can't really tell the difference. Maybe it feels heavier just because the power delivery is smoother? I dunno.

In a nutshell, I'm happy with either bike. But, I'm still pissed off about the raw deal I got on my Gen 1, and wish that bike ended up being a keeper. It is better looking, IMO.

deals gap dragon slayer · 05-18-2009, 01:06 PM

comfort is more of a personal preference than anything.. some will like the feel of the 04/05, some will like the 06/07... my last track bike was a ZX7R... you want to talk about PIG...

when I purchased my 07 Zx10 in april of 08, I was happy with it.. or else i wouldbt have bought it... I had ridden plenty of other bikes in comparison including an 05 model... for me... the 07 actually feels more comfortable.

Power is decent... smooth delivery.. but a little flat under 6k...

and handling??? well I don't see any problem with that...I've had the stock suspension set for me, running good rubber... and it handles just fine... i have no problem puttin thr screws to the 600's in the tighter sections of the tracks at trackdays...

05-17-2009, 11:40 PM	#3
Antwanny WERA White Plate Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Maryland Posts: 1,047	i don't haev the shifting problem with my 04. It runs like a raped ape on crack I LOVE IT. -1 on the front sprocket and it takes off. Only complaint is the calipers little squishy, i wanna get some nissins of a newer zx14 for little more bite. I rode an 05 before i bought mine and loved it, but this one was black : ). The newer zx10s dont do much for me 2nd or 3rd gen Last edited by Antwanny; 05-17-2009 at 11:43 PM..

05-18-2009, 07:55 AM	#5
Banana Hammock Chopdix / \ Join Date: May 2009 Posts: 61	If you big boys cant handle to power beween your legs then maybe you should gize up the bikes and leave it to the real boys like me __________________ They're smiling... I'm busting out the NaCl

05-17-2009, 11:10 PM	#2
Homeslice Elitist Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: SF Bay Area Moto: Gix 750 Posts: 11,351	Handling, shmandling...........Change the tire size and the suspension setup to suit your preferences, and any bike can improve.

05-18-2009, 07:27 AM	#4
wideopen1 Trailer Queen Join Date: May 2009 Posts: 12	Ya know my buddy had an 04 too. It was a later build date than mine and it shifted fine. Mine was terrible and the hotter the engine/trans/clutch got the worse it got. Other than that, no complaint about that bike. I think the 04/05 are one of, if not the best looking sportbikes ever made. Kaws don't need graphics all over them to make them look good. The lines of the 04/05 gen are just about perfect. And Homeslice, you're right that you can change tires, bike geometry and whatever to improve handling. But some bikes just don't work for some riders no matter what you try. I did a lot of tweaking on suspension settings, spring rates, tires and ride heights, etc and it just never felt good. At the moment it's the best it's ever been though, for me.

05-18-2009, 11:19 AM	#6
Antwanny WERA White Plate Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Maryland Posts: 1,047	does your gen 1 run hot in town, mine heats up whenever not doin 50+ Imma add some engine ice or water wetter

05-18-2009, 12:12 PM	#7
jtemple Geek Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Papillion, Nebraska Moto: 2011 Husqvarna TE630 Posts: 1,437	I liked my Gen 1 a lot, except for the cracked engine block (got screwed by the dealer and Kawasaki both, long story). I wasn't even going to buy another Kawasaki, but I got a good deal on my Gen 2 that cut some of the sting out of the cracked Gen 1. To avoid the costs of cans, I went with A&R baffles. That is the cheapest way to get a good sound out of a Gen 2. The Gen 1 was a bit more "raw" feeling. The Gen 2 feels a little more refined. As far as weight is concerned, I can't really tell the difference. Maybe it feels heavier just because the power delivery is smoother? I dunno. In a nutshell, I'm happy with either bike. But, I'm still pissed off about the raw deal I got on my Gen 1, and wish that bike ended up being a keeper. It is better looking, IMO.

05-18-2009, 01:06 PM	#8
deals gap dragon slayer Addicted to Track Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: McKinney, TX Moto: 2007 Kawi ZX-10R Posts: 147	comfort is more of a personal preference than anything.. some will like the feel of the 04/05, some will like the 06/07... my last track bike was a ZX7R... you want to talk about PIG... when I purchased my 07 Zx10 in april of 08, I was happy with it.. or else i wouldbt have bought it... I had ridden plenty of other bikes in comparison including an 05 model... for me... the 07 actually feels more comfortable. Power is decent... smooth delivery.. but a little flat under 6k... and handling??? well I don't see any problem with that...I've had the stock suspension set for me, running good rubber... and it handles just fine... i have no problem puttin thr screws to the 600's in the tighter sections of the tracks at trackdays...