Just bought a bike today : Kawasaki ZX Forums: Kawasaki Ninja Forum

JBearSVT · 07-03-2008, 08:38 PM

This is my first post here, figured I'd say hello and introduce myself. I really don't know jack about bikes, and this forum looks like a pretty great place to learn so I joined up.

I learned to ride over half my life ago, on a Honda CR80. Haven't ridden regularly in over 15 years. Started thinking about it again when filling my Mustang (with 87!) started costing over $50; saw this bike for sale a few weeks ago and couldn't pass it up. Not the best choice for what's essentially my first bike, but it seemed like a hell of a deal and I fell in love with it, so as of tonight it's mine.

2005 ZX10. All stock, red, 2663 miles on the clock. Bike, cover, two helmets, gloves, $5500. It's not perfect, but pretty damn close from what I can see.

I'll probably focus on lurking for awhile, with some really stupid questions to drop every now and then if you folks can stand me. This looks like the place to be, so I'll give it a whirl. Now I'm off to bed, to look at the ceiling and think about what's out in the garage.

Jess

Vertigo117 · 07-04-2008, 12:11 AM

a liter bike isnt exactly a good starter bike (i mean after 15 years of not riding) and kawi doesnt make the friendliest bike to begin with... but thats why were here! cuz we love our bikes brutal! welcome to the forum.... name's dave. Just be careful...

JBearSVT · 07-04-2008, 05:23 AM

Thanks Dave. I'm confident that I can handle this bike, but I'm not too pretentious to admit that I'm pretty scared of it.

CUCULANDRA · 07-04-2008, 11:02 AM

Good Choice On The Bike, You Will Love The Bike.. Fast As Heck 2

JBearSVT · 07-04-2008, 11:48 AM

Indeed. The only other bike I've ridden (besides the little dirtbike) was a CBR600; back in '99ish, and that was just around my buddy's yard. This ZX10 is much easier to ride in every way, but a lot more power to get used to. For all practical purposes, this really is my starter bike and I can tell it's no joke when I'm on it. Ima gonna have to be pretty careful to stay alive on this thing.

CUCULANDRA · 07-04-2008, 11:58 AM

Just Have Respect For The Power And She Will Respect You Back... Just So You Know An 05zx10 Is The Bad Boi. It's Light And Has Alot Of Power. I Own A 07 Zx10 But I Love The 05.. My Buddys Got A Green One And I Love Riding That Bike. You Should Post Some Pictures Up...

JBearSVT · 07-04-2008, 12:04 PM

Sure. Here it is in the garage next to my Cobra, which, coincidentally, is a pretty close color match:

Painfully obvious missing left mirror in this one. Have to do something about that asap:

CUCULANDRA · 07-04-2008, 12:14 PM

NICE VERY NICE. HERE IS A PHOTO OF MY BUDDYS GREEN ONE

AND THATS MY OTHER FRIEND ZX10IN SILVER

NOTICE HE PAINTED THE FENDER FRONT AND REAR AND THE UNDER BELLY

THATS ME ON MY GSXR600

THREE MORE ZX10 4 YA

CUCULANDRA · 07-04-2008, 12:16 PM

You Gotta Change Out The Front Turn Signals 2..

CUCULANDRA · 07-04-2008, 12:22 PM

THIS IS MINE JUST BOUGHT IT IN NEW YORK, RODE IT TO MICHIGAN WHERE I WAS ON VACATION.. I GOT 720 MILES ON IT... IM BACK IN FLORIDA NOW WAITING ON IT TO GET HERE... I SHPPED IT DOWN

JBearSVT · 07-04-2008, 02:07 PM

Sweet... I REALLY like the looks of that painted underbelly and fender. Also, what pipe is he running? Your new one looks great too, that must have been a helluva ride. I was on mine an hour today and I'm exhausted, and I'm in pretty good shape.
As for the front signals, I'm more than open to any ideas like this. As I said, I don't know jack about these and I'm more than a little OCD so I want to. Where should I look for some flush units like those?

While I'm asking, where should I look for a mirror? I've seen a butt ton of different ones on ebay, but I don't want to put any cheep crap parts on it and don't really know what my options are. Using the search, I've discovered that the stock ones actually do suck- it isn't just my imagination. What I don't see are many ways to improve the situation. Right now I just need one on each side though- lol!

BayRider · 07-04-2008, 02:22 PM

Nice bike, enjoy her. Just be sure you don't ride outside your abilities thats when she'll bite ya. If your riding with more experienced friends there is no shame in telling them you will catch up to them when they stop. As far as the turn signals go, just Google 05 ZX10 flush mount signals, a ton will show up just find the ones with the best price. I think I paid about $100 or $150 for them for my '05 636 and the install only took about 10 minutes (and i'm not the most mechanically inclined person in the world.

JBearSVT · 07-04-2008, 02:27 PM

Indeed. The sooner I can get my ass into the safe rider course the better, as far as I'm concerned. With gas going through the roof around here, bikes are really getting popular and getting in is a little tougher than it was a few years ago. That being said, I was pretty psyched when the low fuel light came on today and filling it took just under three gallons.

CUCULANDRA · 07-04-2008, 02:43 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JBearSVT

Sweet... I REALLY like the looks of that painted underbelly and fender. Also, what pipe is he running? Your new one looks great too, that must have been a helluva ride. I was on mine an hour today and I'm exhausted, and I'm in pretty good shape.
As for the front signals, I'm more than open to any ideas like this. As I said, I don't know jack about these and I'm more than a little OCD so I want to. Where should I look for some flush units like those?

While I'm asking, where should I look for a mirror? I've seen a butt ton of different ones on ebay, but I don't want to put any cheep crap parts on it and don't really know what my options are. Using the search, I've discovered that the stock ones actually do suck- it isn't just my imagination. What I don't see are many ways to improve the situation. Right now I just need one on each side though- lol!

HE IS RUNNING A TWO BROTHERS SLIP ON, SOUND GREAT, IT IS CARBON FIBER CAN SO IT RUN MUCH COOLER TO THE TOUCH IF YOU EVER HAVE ANYONE ON THE BACK. YEAH THAT WAS A LONG RIDE 14 HOURS LONG.. NICE I WILL DO IT AGAIN ONE DAY, JUST NOT ANYTIME SOON..LOLOL AS FAR AS THE MIRROR TRY TO GO WITH OEM, THEY LAST ABOUT 2-3 YEARS DEPENDING ON THE TIME THEY SPEND IN THE SUN/RAIN/ETC. THE TURN SIGNALS HE GOT AT A LOCAL SHOP HERE FOR 45 BUCKS CANT BEAT THAT. ITS CALLED COMPETITIONCYCLE I THINK THEY HAVE A WEB SITE.. TRY GOOGLE...

Slydog76 · 07-04-2008, 05:20 PM

Glad to have another Zx10R on the road!! As long as you use your head you will be fine. The bike has power but you can cruz around. Before I got mine I had people telling me the bike was over powered and it was a wreck waiting to happen. After I bought it I got out on the road and cruzed around a few miles to get the feel, then I opened her up and hit 174 MPH, so the power is there too. Keep in mind I have been riding for years and speed is where it's at for me, so please don't try the same if your not sure off yourself. I just wanted to give you facts about the bike, you can "putt around" or become a "bullet". Have a blast, keep her on at least one wheel and ride on!!!!

JBearSVT · 07-04-2008, 06:51 PM

174?! Xit... I think I hit 50 once today.

I think I'm lugging it too much. It's got so much low end torque that it'll easily zip up any hill under 2000 rpm, so I find I almost never go over 3K. Considering my excuse to buy this thing was economy, what rpm should I be cruising at? Since it doesn't red line till like, 13K, what's normal? 5k? 6? 4? I want to get decent mileage, but I don't want to be loading up the plugs with crap from lugging it everywhere or anything. Every engine has a sweet spot, and I have no idea where this bike wants to run. Suggestions?

Vertigo117 · 07-05-2008, 01:31 PM

Well I have an 06 but the engine is supposedly the same as an 04-05... 6k seems to work, just about 5k where the timing retard stops... As for being scared, i've been riding 2 years and i got this zx10 in feb, and ill admit it too. Being scared beats being dead... see cuculandra's high speed crash thread...

CUCULANDRA · 07-05-2008, 10:06 PM

VERTIGO THE PICTURE ARE GONE Spliffyaid GOT OFFENDED SO I REMOVED THEM. HE SNITCHED ANYWAYS. LOL ITS FUNNY CAUSE I GOT ALL THOSE PICTURE FROM GOOGLE...

Shifty1 · 07-05-2008, 11:23 PM

OEM mirrors on pretty much any bike nowadays are only good for looking at the inside of your elbows, so yeah, find an OEM from a bike someone is parting out and call it a day.

ClearAlternatives.com is a good place to find some flush mount signals and, if you want, you can go with a different lense color to match the bike.

As for paint, if you are wanting to do your lowers and hugger, I hear colorrite.com is pretty good at matching OEM paints.

MotoVegas · 07-06-2008, 12:11 AM

Welcome!