zx10r question

[Exitwounds]

First off, thanks for reading this and hopefully you can give some constructive input.

I am looking to buy another bike here in the next couple of weeks, and I have 5 that I am looking at. 07 GSXR 750, 07 GSXR 1000, 07 CBR1000RR, 07 zx-10r and an 05 zx-10r. Price is negligible at this point because the market for bikes has absolutely crashed and burned, so I have free reign in a way.

With that aside I am more interested in opinions about the 05 vs the 07 zx-10r. I have poured over reviews from magazines and websites and the few owner reviews I could find, but there's little direct comparison between the 05 and 07. The only really solid stuff I can find is this:

05 zx-10r
-Massive engine and torque, still considered one of the best liter engines built.
-Great handling, coupled with a 600 like feel and weight.
-Strong brakes mated with a well designed slipper clutch.
-Transmission issues on the 04' model, but supposedly fixed on the 05.
-Highly susceptible to head shake under a lot of throttle.
-Poorly designed gauge cluster.

07 zx-10r
-Retains the brute engine, but has been toned down and is smoother across the power band. I get the impression its a little bit less overall engine than the 05.
- Heavier and wider than the 05.
-Much better cluster.
-A lot of complaining over brake fade, but I think that's under track settings/performance only.
-Debate over the steering and handling, seems to be partly a design issue and partly the stock tires.

This is all what I have read in publications and general reviews. Owner reviews pretty much all revolve around "OMG THIS THING IS SO FAST AND WHO WEARS A HELMET?" - Pretty much useless information.

Can anyone give some useful day to day information about these two models? The 05 smashed the rankings for the most part, only being challenged by the gixxer. The 07 wasn't highly regarded by the major reviewers, but the stuff they really test is at the end of the spectrum most of us never reach.

My overall impression is that the 05 is kind of a legendary bike that did everything right and very well. I also get the feeling that the 07 was a better bike than it was given credit for.

I owned an 07 zx-6r prior to whatever I buy next. Don't ask me why, it had the lowest marks for engine by a significant amount, but I loved that bike. Its handling and brakes were so good that the guys I ride with had trouble making up time on me through twisties on their liter bikes.

Something about Kawasaki's draws me to them, I was just really impressed with the ones I have seen and ridden. If you have any useful information about the other bikes I am looking at, please post it up.

Thanks guys and gals.

[4thkawa]

You ever consider a 3rd gen? 2008 and up. I love mine.

[Exitwounds]

Originally Posted by 4thkawa

You ever consider a 3rd gen? 2008 and up. I love mine.

To be completely honest I haven't looked at them really because the 08 CBR's are so well built and so over stocked that I doubt I could get an 08' 10 for $7000 OTD.

[JBearSVT]

Probably not, but they are the best engineered from a mechanical standpoint. The brakes, suspension and drivetrain are the best out there, and not just amongst other gen 10R's. Ugly, but pretty damn spectacular otherwise.

Most people who've ridden both will say the second gen 10R stops and handles marginally better than the first gen, but it is heavier and slower. The engine and tranny are almost completely unchanged though, so between the two get the one you like the looks of better. Ride both and decide for yourself if possible, they're both great bike that can still hold their own on the street alongside the new rigs.

[4thkawa]

I wouldn't say ugly. Different is a better word. By the way I'm glad I got on to the zx10r.net, a great bunch of guys there. 99.9% anyway.

[JBearSVT]

Too bad the other .01% are almost all in positions of authority.

[2WheelWillie]

on the 08 10R. I just got mine last week and I am still in disbelief in how much I love this bike. It is amazing IMO. It literally inspires confidence in your ability as a rider. However I do see wher you are coming from on the 08 CBR. The dealer here has both Kawi's and Honda. And he tried to force feed a 08 CBR on me going as far as to offer it for the price odf an 08 600. But I was in love with the 10R and paid the extra 2G's over the CBR to get it. Not disapointed a bit. 2WW

[Squid]

Yeah i love my 08!

Just suck it up and buy one already Exit

I have an M4 exhaust waiting for you when you do :)

[4thkawa]

Originally Posted by JBearSVT

Too bad the other .01% are almost all in positions of authority.

Hmmmmm........now why would you say that. Just a newbie asking, that's all.

[JBearSVT]

I don't like oppressive, totalitarian regimes.
I believe in freedom of speech, personal responsibility and the sanctity of the dissenting opinion.

Don't get me wrong, there's a wealth of knowledge there and I've been a member almost as long as I've been here; usually when I have 10R tech questions I actually go there for answers before trying here, and I typically find out what I need to know in a quick search without ever even posting. The only place I really post there is in the marketplace (something we have too, but ours sucks), and I'm not remotely interested in joining that community in any other capacity.

[4thkawa]

Originally Posted by JBearSVT

I don't like oppressive, totalitarian regimes.
I believe in freedom of speech, personal responsibility and the sanctity of the dissenting opinion.

Don't get me wrong, there's a wealth of knowledge there and I've been a member almost as long as I've been here; usually when I have 10R tech questions I actually go there for answers before trying here, and I typically find out what I need to know in a quick search without ever even posting. The only place I really post there is in the marketplace (something we have too, but ours sucks), and I'm not remotely interested in joining that community in any other capacity.

I don't about the 1st para since I haven't there that long yet. Will keep that in mind. I agree with you on the 2nd para. Tks for ur insight.

Sorry Exitwound, wasn't trying to steal ur tread. It just kinda drifted a bit, that's all.

[cholojr24]

i have an 06 and ive ridden and 04 and 05 and 07. there basically the same bike. imo id get the 07 cause of looks the 04/05 is like a chick with a nice body but with a butta face

[bluedevil10r]

I don't know where you get your information from but basically it's shit, sorry.
05 chassis is not that great, only on smooth tracks.
Brakes are ok, but not all that great.
Be careful what model you buy. Some are California models having all the smog b.s.
Yes they had head shake issues.
0607
Brakes SUCK!
Chassis is a bit better.
Stabilizer needs to be rebuilt. 40 fix.
Tranny good.
Handling, stock tires blew monkey balls. Get the right set up. I had to stiffen the suspension a butt load because I weigh 200lbs.
Engine has big balls, gixxer ain't shit.
Ergoes are some of the best I have ever ridden!
Hope this helps.

[uzimon]

love my '07
no brake issue, but if i saw some zx14 cals cheap i'd grab them just bc...
the 04 i heard has a alternater/rectifier that can come apart and trash the motor. just fyi