New Member...new used ZX-10r : Kawasaki ZX Forums: Kawasaki Ninja Forum

Nungboy · 09-23-2009, 03:29 PM

Hello! I am just about ready to pull the trigger on a used 2006 ZX-10r from my local dealer. It has 6200 miles on it and appears to be stock. No obvious signs of crash damage (just small scratches on the handlebar weight/end cap on the right grip so if it was down everything has been replaced...several small scratches on the right muffler but they look like something rubbed up against it in a garage or something). It seems to perform very well, sound good, etc. Here is something odd...the steering damper is missing. Why would someone remove it? Oh, it also has some dopey looking silver mirrors with built-in turn-signals (that are not connected). It will be stock mirrors as soon as I can manage it.
What else shall I eyeball before saying yes to the deal?

My history: Kawasaki KLR, Kawasaki Z750S, Honda VFR Interceptor (trading out for the ZX), and currently also a Triumph Daytona 675 (what a machine!). I also have spent time on various KTM's (950, Super Duke, RC8) my friend owns.

JBearSVT · 09-23-2009, 03:37 PM

Welcome! Be sure to post pictures when you get it. They didn't all come with steering dampeners, yours may not have ever had one. I wouldn't worry about it, the stock one is pretty much useless anyway unless you get it re-valved. As for mirrors, check the classifieds over on zx-10r.net there's a guy selling a pair of stock repros new in the package pretty cheap. How are the tires?

ca_la_g · 09-23-2009, 03:45 PM

welcome, i didn't know the 06 10r have a steering damper, previous owner probably thought dealer won't notice and sold it off for a little extra money

Nungboy · 09-23-2009, 03:53 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JBearSVT

Welcome! Be sure to post pictures when you get it. They didn't all come with steering dampeners, yours may not have ever had one. I wouldn't worry about it, the stock one is pretty much useless anyway unless you get it re-valved. As for mirrors, check the classifieds over on zx-10r.net there's a guy selling a pair of stock repros new in the package pretty cheap. How are the tires?

Interesting! I thought all 06's had them. What brands/models of dampers are best?Thanks for the tip on the mirrors. I think I can get the dealer to replace them...they are an authorized dealer. And tires? Ah, that is the great thing...they just spooned on a fresh set of Pilot Powers. Yee hah!Thanks for the welcome!

JBearSVT · 09-23-2009, 04:06 PM

Nice, you'll love those tires. For dampeners, most people are happy with GPR. If you're a real anal retentive freak, go with the Scotts... but a GPR v4 is better than most people know how to use. If you can get the dealer to replace those mirrors that would rock... OEMs are friggin' pricey.

**Shifty1** · 09-23-2009, 04:37 PM

See if the dealer will throw in a 30 day warranty for you. Just so you can burn it up for a few days to make sure everything checks out. Congrats...you know...if you buy it.

Nungboy · 09-23-2009, 04:47 PM

All great ideas. Thanks, chaps!
I'll give you the report tomorrow...I get to take a second test ride tonight.

Nungboy · 09-24-2009, 10:16 AM

So of course, my test ride was wonderful and unless something bizarre stops me I will purchase this bad boy tonight. But, I have the usual questions:

What tire pressures (Pilot Powers)?
What rating of fuel? 87? 89? 91?
How do you agjust the angle of the headlights?

I would check the manual but I cannot seem to properly download one (yesterday it took about 3 or four tries with various links and then I finally was succesful...it was all there in English but this morning when I tried to open the Word document it was all in Japanese and the translation window doesn't make anything happen. BIZARRE!)

JBearSVT · 09-24-2009, 01:10 PM

Stand there with your arms crossed tapping your foot until the dealer coughs up an owner's manual, there's no excuse for them to not provide it if they're a Kawi dealer. It will have all that info. That said, there should be tags on the bike with most of it too, like premium fuel only (91+) and 36/42 psi for the tires. That's a cold baseline, since you're down in AZ you'll probably want to go a few psi lower because they will heat up a lot more than up north. The headlight adjustment is right on the back of the headlight panel, you should see the adjuster nut if you look down the fork tube it's right in there. You shouldn't need to mess with it though?

Nungboy · 09-24-2009, 01:31 PM

JBearSVT, you are the man...thanks for taking all the time to answer my basic questions! 36/42 was what was required on my VFR so that sounds normal. A search of the Forum here showed the 91+ octane. And I thought I did see the adjustors...they look much easier to access than on my VFR, my 675, and my old Kawasaki Z750S...they are/were hard to get to. (I have never had a bike that wasn't too low or too high out of the factory. Of course the previous owner probably set it up reasonably close...I'll check it tonight.)

JBearSVT · 09-24-2009, 01:34 PM

Yeah, these 10Rs are VERY easy to work on. Like I said about the tires though, it's hot down there. You probably don't need the cold psi that high. Eventually one of the AZ boys will chime in with what they're running, I'm sure.

Nungboy · 09-24-2009, 01:47 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JBearSVT

Yeah, these 10Rs are VERY easy to work on. Like I said about the tires though, it's hot down there. You probably don't need the cold psi that high. Eventually one of the AZ boys will chime in with what they're running, I'm sure.

Well, that will be a refreshing change!
I know what you mean about the heat...we are expecting another hot spell this weekend...102 or so!

Nungboy · 09-25-2009, 08:50 AM

Done Deal! Official! It is MINE!
The first thing was to strip off the tacky tank protector (and order some Snake Skins from Tech Spec for the sides and the center). Then, it was ordering the OEM mirrors to replace the ghetto-bling chrome mirrors. And lastly, some PIAA Xtreme White bulbs to light up the scary night. Oh, and I was lucky enough to end up with an Owner's Manual that appears to be for the 06-07.
The silver plastic heat shields over the mufflers are scratched up...can one simply remove them and use a rattle-can to repaint?
Another question: didn't the front wheel originally match the back wheel in the dark-bronze anodization? (Remember, my bike is all-black.) I think the previous owner was going for more of the chrome-bling blitz effect because the outer edges on both sides are stripped down to the bare aluminum. Cheesy! (The air-intake screen is also chrome...wasn't it black from the factory?) But, I have a rocket for a great price...I guess some goofy crap is tolerable until I can buy a used wheel from someone's crashed bike!
And one more thing, why doesn't the tach simply eliminate the numbers past "9" and simply have a yellow section marked "Light Speed"? I swear I saw streaking stars, Chewbacca, and Han Solo next to me when I twisted that thang!

JBearSVT · 09-25-2009, 01:26 PM

Snake skins are awesome, you're going to love them! Sounds like you made out well. Don't forget those pics

Nungboy · 09-25-2009, 02:08 PM

Yes, I have the Snake Skins on my Triumph and they really help grip that rascal!

I will post pics as soon as I get that chrome bling off!

stelios10 · 09-26-2009, 12:45 AM

welcome....!!!!!to the club.......

Nungboy · 09-28-2009, 09:02 AM

Thanks for the "welcomes"
I was very successful using some hi-quality plastic-adhering spray paint to paint the heat shields on the stock mufflers...a nice metallic paint that is very close to the original paint.
But I am still wondering what the deal is with the front wheel. (See my post above.) Does anyone know if that "two-tone" effect was stock on some of the black bikes?

kdankenb · 09-28-2009, 07:57 PM

Welcome Nungboy, i'm in az too...and have an 06...

Nungboy · 09-29-2009, 08:43 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kdankenb

Welcome Nungboy, i'm in az too...and have an 06...

Thanks! I do get up to the Valley on occasion. Looks like you have a motorcycle store up there, yes? What is the focus?

kdankenb · 09-29-2009, 08:59 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Nungboy

Thanks! I do get up to the Valley on occasion. Looks like you have a motorcycle store up there, yes? What is the focus?

Yes I do... my focus is sportbike and road racing.. I have a business partner that takes care of the dirt/sand discipline... check us out online if you got time....