Motorcycle.com

rsalas · 03-25-2002, 07:08 PM

i would just like to know why the zx9r wasn't included. its stock horsepower is just as much as the 954 but with 54 less cc's. with the $1100 dollars you save on the 9r you could easily drop 20 or more pounds, add an extra 7 or so horsepower and have money to spare. You would also have a comfortable bike. And if you REALLY wanted to level the field. add a 98 cc MUZZYS big bore kit and you will smoke em all. By the way I own a '02 9r and the 954's and R1's still cant hang light to light!!!!!

rsalas · 03-25-2002, 07:10 PM

i would just like to know why the zx9r wasn't included. its stock horsepower is just as much as the 954 but with 54 less cc's. with the $1100 dollars you save on the 9r you could buy an exhaust and easily drop 20 or more pounds, add an extra 7 or so horsepower and have money to spare. You would also have a comfortable bike. And if you REALLY wanted to level the field. add a 98 cc MUZZYS big bore kit and you will smoke em all. By the way I own a '02 9r and the 954's and R1's still cant hang light to light!!!!!

hackfu · 03-25-2002, 07:58 PM

As indicated within the context of the story, the Kawasaki ZX-9R was not included in the test due to scheduling conflicts. We have no doubt that the ZX-9R is the ultimate motorcycle for your needs. However, to reiterate, the Kawasaki ZX-9R could not make our test due to scheduling conflicts.

Understanding this, stay tuned for when we finally do get our hands on the new ZX-9R as we'll be doing exactly what you stated. We'll hopefully be fixing it up and seeing what it'll do.

bluedot · 03-25-2002, 10:40 PM

IMO, you should just call this test 1 liter sport-class MOTYÂ…

Honestly .. I don't see why you don't just include the Bimmer or the VFR ...

Yes, motorcycling is bigger than 0-60 times or how long a wheelie you can ride. However, must you now be judging all bike tests on the "mystique of motorcycling" scale ?

Is there still a place for a category where the bikes sole purpose for being, itÂ’s lineage and the uber technology that we are all lucky to have access to can be appreciated over windscreen height ? Where a thickly padded seat is a bonus rather than a requisite ?

Alas Â… obviously IÂ’m alone in my version of the "open-class" world.

Last year you crowned the R1 as winner because it was not too fast (Suz) or not too slow (Hon) but just perfect ... with this years quicker R1 and same Gix it pretty much HAS to be the Honda ... lets just hope they don't make the CBR faster for next year or Kawi might just have a chance to win one of these after all.

RonXX · 03-26-2002, 02:44 AM

Maybe you guys could include an actual measurement of wet weight in future spec sheets.

BBD_Racing · 03-26-2002, 02:58 AM

Now, now, Ron. Go easy on them, a couple of bathroom scales add up to a serious financial committment.

Haru · 03-26-2002, 02:59 AM

<blockquote> >>I don't get to write these news thingies very much so bare with me. </blockquote>

bare with you? Please forgive me if I decline your invitation.

granny · 03-26-2002, 03:01 AM

So, you were able to dyno the bikes but not able get a "ready to ride, full tank of gas" weight in the comparison chart? Neither are there measurements of the seat, bars, pegs triangle nor the seat height (all typical of the specs usually provided e.g., by RoadRacing World). Considering that this test is likely not to be decided by power, one would think that first measurements would be the ergonomic factors shown in a convenient side by side comparison chart. Gosh, what's the world coming to?

granny · 03-26-2002, 03:19 AM

Any performance difference between any of these bikes in the real world is most likely to come down to the riders. You should be happy in any case. Incidentally, every change made to the bike dings away at the warranty - I'd expect the warranty to essentially evaporate if a big bore kit is installed. You might not care, I would. I'm bored with fiddling with bikes, I just want to ride them. If I have to change a given bike to make into the bike really I want then it's the wrong bike for me. YMMV...

sherm · 03-26-2002, 03:28 AM

Exclusion of the ZX9R is the height of moto-elitism. The latest Cycle World takes the same path as you do. But look at their own numbers for the 954 and the 9R. The 9R weighs 34 lb more, has 7 less hp, yet BEATS the 954 in 1/4 mile, 0-60, and top speed.

When you add in better ergonomics, wind protection and lower price, the only conclusion that makes any sense is that the 9R is not in your shootout because you don't want it to show up the three track pigs that its stylish to rave about.

03-25-2002, 07:08 PM	#1
rsalas Founding Member Join Date: Nov 2001 Posts: 6	Re: 2002 Openclass Shootout, Part I i would just like to know why the zx9r wasn't included. its stock horsepower is just as much as the 954 but with 54 less cc's. with the $1100 dollars you save on the 9r you could easily drop 20 or more pounds, add an extra 7 or so horsepower and have money to spare. You would also have a comfortable bike. And if you REALLY wanted to level the field. add a 98 cc MUZZYS big bore kit and you will smoke em all. By the way I own a '02 9r and the 954's and R1's still cant hang light to light!!!!!

03-25-2002, 07:10 PM	#2
rsalas Founding Member Join Date: Nov 2001 Posts: 6	Re: 2002 Openclass Shootout, Part I i would just like to know why the zx9r wasn't included. its stock horsepower is just as much as the 954 but with 54 less cc's. with the $1100 dollars you save on the 9r you could buy an exhaust and easily drop 20 or more pounds, add an extra 7 or so horsepower and have money to spare. You would also have a comfortable bike. And if you REALLY wanted to level the field. add a 98 cc MUZZYS big bore kit and you will smoke em all. By the way I own a '02 9r and the 954's and R1's still cant hang light to light!!!!!

03-25-2002, 07:58 PM	#3
hackfu Founding Member Join Date: Nov 2001 Posts: 99	Re: 2002 Openclass Shootout, Part I As indicated within the context of the story, the Kawasaki ZX-9R was not included in the test due to scheduling conflicts. We have no doubt that the ZX-9R is the ultimate motorcycle for your needs. However, to reiterate, the Kawasaki ZX-9R could not make our test due to scheduling conflicts. Understanding this, stay tuned for when we finally do get our hands on the new ZX-9R as we'll be doing exactly what you stated. We'll hopefully be fixing it up and seeing what it'll do.

03-25-2002, 10:40 PM	#4
bluedot Founding Member Join Date: Nov 2001 Posts: 65	Re: 2002 Openclass Shootout, Part I IMO, you should just call this test 1 liter sport-class MOTYÂ… Honestly .. I don't see why you don't just include the Bimmer or the VFR ... Yes, motorcycling is bigger than 0-60 times or how long a wheelie you can ride. However, must you now be judging all bike tests on the "mystique of motorcycling" scale ? Is there still a place for a category where the bikes sole purpose for being, itÂ’s lineage and the uber technology that we are all lucky to have access to can be appreciated over windscreen height ? Where a thickly padded seat is a bonus rather than a requisite ? Alas Â… obviously IÂ’m alone in my version of the "open-class" world. Last year you crowned the R1 as winner because it was not too fast (Suz) or not too slow (Hon) but just perfect ... with this years quicker R1 and same Gix it pretty much HAS to be the Honda ... lets just hope they don't make the CBR faster for next year or Kawi might just have a chance to win one of these after all.

03-26-2002, 02:44 AM	#5
RonXX Founding Member Join Date: Nov 2001 Posts: 273	Re: 2002 Openclass Shootout, Part I Maybe you guys could include an actual measurement of wet weight in future spec sheets.

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03-26-2002, 02:58 AM	#6
BBD_Racing Founding Member Join Date: Nov 2001 Posts: 337	Re: 2002 Openclass Shootout, Part I Now, now, Ron. Go easy on them, a couple of bathroom scales add up to a serious financial committment.

03-26-2002, 02:59 AM	#7
Haru Founding Member Join Date: Nov 2001 Posts: 154	English refresher needed? <blockquote> >>I don't get to write these news thingies very much so bare with me. </blockquote> bare with you? Please forgive me if I decline your invitation.

03-26-2002, 03:01 AM	#8
granny Founding Member Join Date: Nov 2001 Posts: 149	Virtual weigh-in indeed. So, you were able to dyno the bikes but not able get a "ready to ride, full tank of gas" weight in the comparison chart? Neither are there measurements of the seat, bars, pegs triangle nor the seat height (all typical of the specs usually provided e.g., by RoadRacing World). Considering that this test is likely not to be decided by power, one would think that first measurements would be the ergonomic factors shown in a convenient side by side comparison chart. Gosh, what's the world coming to?

03-26-2002, 03:19 AM	#9
granny Founding Member Join Date: Nov 2001 Posts: 149	Re: 2002 Openclass Shootout, Part I Any performance difference between any of these bikes in the real world is most likely to come down to the riders. You should be happy in any case. Incidentally, every change made to the bike dings away at the warranty - I'd expect the warranty to essentially evaporate if a big bore kit is installed. You might not care, I would. I'm bored with fiddling with bikes, I just want to ride them. If I have to change a given bike to make into the bike really I want then it's the wrong bike for me. YMMV...

03-26-2002, 03:28 AM	#10
sherm Founding Member Join Date: Nov 2001 Posts: 22	Re: 2002 Openclass Shootout, Part I Exclusion of the ZX9R is the height of moto-elitism. The latest Cycle World takes the same path as you do. But look at their own numbers for the 954 and the 9R. The 9R weighs 34 lb more, has 7 less hp, yet BEATS the 954 in 1/4 mile, 0-60, and top speed. When you add in better ergonomics, wind protection and lower price, the only conclusion that makes any sense is that the 9R is not in your shootout because you don't want it to show up the three track pigs that its stylish to rave about.