2008 Kawasaki Ninja ZX-10R
User Reviews
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Deceptively Amazing Bike
By (I am an Owner) on Apr 24, 2010I bought this bike in February of this year, straight out of the crate for $7500. What a great buy! This is an amazing bike, and at a $5000. savings over the 2010 model grab one! I stepped up from a 1993 zx-7, and have had a really comfortable transition. This bike is so easy to ride and is truely ... deceptive when it comes to its power. This bike has a massive amount of power! The handling is great as well, really easy side to side transition. Easy to ride around town, you won't find yourself too fatigued.
Buy this bike. . . you won't be disappointed.
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Perfect bike with a few mods!!! READ HERE =)
By (I am an Owner) on Jan 22, 2010I wanted to give serious potential buyers a good review of this bike.
First, we all know the bike is awesome. But let me point out a few of it's faults, all of which can be corrected. Basically, the bike is neutered from the factory in 2 ways.
1)Problem: The gearing ... is way too tall, causing the rider to need to slip the clutch to get the bike moving. It'll go approx 100mph at the top of 1st gear...way, way too tall. This was done presumably to keep newer riders from getting into trouble.
Solution: I went -1 tooth on the front sprocket, rode it for a bit. This helped with not need to slip the clutch, but still left the bike just outside of it's power surge(6k rpm and above). So I then went +2 teeth on the rear sprocket. Now at about 75-78mph, I'm rolling along in 6th gear at freeway speeds here in SoCal and can roll-on the throttle and get scooting along very well! Noticeable improvement over stock gearing. Total cost, $55 for two sprockets.
2) Problem: The bike's ignition timing is retarded in the first four gears. When "whacking" the throttle open, the timing instantly pulls back and then the engine's CPU feeds timing back in over the next 1.5 seconds or so. Makes the bike feel anemic. I.e., less than expected performance from a near 160hp machine.
Solution: Installed a healtech X-TRE. A timing retard eliminator. Costs $130, and takes about an hour to install taking your dear sweet time =) Elminates the hesitation, or delayed, subdued response when opening the throttle. Others have simply removed the secondary throttle butterflies and achieved and even greater improvement in throttle response. But this mod can be somewhat irreversable since many have struggled to remove the screws that are loctited from the factory, and have had to drill them out, risking getting metal shavings inside the engine.
A sidenote, without the X-TRE, 3rd gear wheelies with the gear change were difficult because when dropping the clutch and opening the throttle, the bike's ignition timing would pull back the very moment you need the thrust to loft the front wheel. The X-TRE solved this issue.
3) Problem: OEM Ohlins damper has additional orifice inside lessening the amount of full damping available.
Solution: Many ZX-10R riders(myself included) have sent their OEM dampers off to www.kyleusa.com to be rebuilt with REAL Ohlins internals that supply the expected damping =)
4)Problem: the exhaust. It's ugly, too quiet, etc.
Solution: I purchased a Hotbodies MGP growler(slip-on) for $249. If used in concert with the resonator that it attatches directly to(which many people confuse or assume is the catalyzer), it produces a very deep, beautiful tone that is the envy of all my riding friends. To actually remove the catalyzer in the headpipes, you need to replace or modify the headers. I personally find that with the above modifications, that the bike is just fine and has enough power for my 145lb frame.
Suspension: Very harsh from the factory although it is setup for an aggressive rider. I took 2 turns off the rear shock preload, and made some very minor adjustments to the rebound/compression damping on the rear shock and voila! Bike is perfect for me.
Anyway, enjoy the bike if you get one. And be sure to go to www.zx-10r.net for support and info from other ZX-10R riders =)
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2008 ZX-10R
By (I am an Owner) on Jun 25, 2009Stepping up from a 2006 ZX-6R to a 2008 ZX-10R was a big step for me. The monstrous power and the futuristic styling made this my bike of choice. After two weeks of riding I still grin ear to ear every time i throw a leg or even look at it. It has the power of a ZX-14 and the flick-ability of a ... 600. I highly recommend this bike to anyone even considering it.
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"SEXY MONSTER"
By (I am an Owner) on Apr 14, 2009I bought, I road and I fell in love! I've owned many many bikes in my life and the ZX-10R tops them all! I put on a GP style pipe on it which upped my horsepower to over 160hp (rear wheel)and gave me great sound (pure music to my ears!). If this bike was a woman it would be a billion dollar super ... model!!! LOVE IT, LOVE IT, LOVE IT.
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The BEAST
By (I am an Owner) on Mar 05, 2009This is a great bike. I've been riding a Honda CBR F4i for the past 5 years and I wanted an upgrade. And this is a major upgrade. Surprisingly the throttle is very smooth on this BEAST. It truely has an off and on switch. But watch out. It handles like a 600 because it feels very light. It wants ... you to drag your knee. You will have to ride using your thighs and stomach muscles to keep your hands from turning white. It's a great workout.The looks of this bike speaks for iteslf. This is the best bike ever!
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She makes me smile....
By (I am an Owner) on Sep 23, 2008From one rider to another, this bike does it for me on and off the track. Regardless if I'm taking a nice cruise around the city, enjoying scenic twisties or blasting around the nearest track; she always makes me smile.
The '08 ZX-10 is a well balanced machine. Of course the looks ... are in the eyes of the beholder, but no one can dispute that this bike performs.
My previous bike was a '06 GSXR 750 and I have no regrets. Although the ZX-10 is heavier, the handling is just as light as the 750's. The throttle control is much smoother on the ZX-10, so this beast is easily tamed. She only responds when commanded.
My only gripe is that Kawi did not offer this beast in Titanium........
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my 08 zx10r
By (I am an Owner) on Sep 18, 2008i originally had a 2007 zx6-r, but im a big guy so i upgraded to the '08 10r. the first thing that drew me to it was its size. the 07 looked so big with is wide tail. when i finally got it and took it on the road i was very impressed on how much it handled like a 600. I think it was the best purchase ... i have ever made
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