what's up fellas.....I've had my Z for 2 years, and I absolutely love it. It's my first sport bike and I've really, really taken to ridin' the twisties.
I've been kicking the idea around of maybe looking for a supersport bike and I wanted to see if anyone had any insight/feedback from SS bike owners (past or present). Here is where I'm at:
Z Pros:
-Comfort - a big issue for me, I'm 5'11", 270lbs, and yes I love steroids.
-Power - the Z still pulls pretty good to me!
-Comfort - I put a corbin on it, it's very comfy Z Cons:
-Suspension is soft, I know I need to get it dialed in b/c of my weight, but I'm wondering if I need to have the full-on SS bike posture to really kill in the curves? Now I can hang w/ my buddies on their full-on sport bikes, but IMO it just looks like the SS bikes are easier to ride in the tight twisties.
SS Pros:
-Power, power, power. if I get a bike it'll be a CBR1000RR, maybe a ZX10 or S1000RR but I'm a huge CBR fan. Not sure why?
-Suspension SS Cons:
-The biggie, comfort. I put about 15k miles/year on my bikes, I like something that I actually enjoy riding. I don't want every muscle in my body to ache after a ride. It's nothing for me to do 500 miles on a Saturday cruise to the mountains.
-Insurance costs. My Z is very reasonable since it's technically considered a standard to my insurance company.
What do y'all think?
My other idea was to take the money I'd spend on a SS bike and maybe upgrade the suspension on the Z. Then I think I could have the best of both worlds...any insight is VERY much appreciated.
I started with a '02 FZ1 then moved on to an 04 zx10r for many of the same reasons you listed. Back to a nekkid now. Most of my riding these days could fall into long all day trips riding all over the N.GA mountains, whereas the rest is that occassional ride to work or bumming around town. I had actually considered another SS before the Z....but, even though I want to hit up a track day, I still haven't haha. Even if I did, it wouldn't be an all the time thing...which for me would be the best place to fully enjoy another SS.
I'm glad I didn't pick up a SS honestly, a slew of my coworkers have picked up bikes ranging from sport tourers, nekkids, cruisers, etc. Keeping up with their range physically would be a nightmare haha. Plus, the way the Z is geared...all the power is within speeds I can actually have fun with on roads. I won't lie...that 10r was badass, but I'm much happier with my Z.
I own an '08 CBR1000RR and '10 S1000RR in addition to a Ninja 1000 and a few other bikes.
It is a mistake to assume an SS is easier to ride in tight twisties.
One issue with SS bikes is their hunched over riding position and stubby bars can make it more difficult to handle twisty uphills sections where you need to crane your head sharply to one side or the other and look up. The lack of bar length and hunched over position also makes it tougher to deal with really tight slow switchbacks. Follow a super motard through a tight twisty section and you'll see how much an up right riding positions and wide bars can give a rider negotiating these kinds of sections and you'll quickly understand what I'm talking about. A more upright and wider bar, can be a tremendous asset in the tight twisty stuff.
Assuming we're talking street riding where pavement imperfections are common quick steering short wheelbase bikes are simply not as good at soaking up and maintaining a line with bumps as a heavier longer wheelbase bike.
Lastly, the powerbands and torque curves of SS bikes tends to be biased towards higher RPMs. This can make them a bit more difficult to use when it comes to using the throttle to help steer. Where a torque rich bike like a Ninja 1000 can be left in 6th, to get the same kind of grunt to lift a bike off of full lean to upright to speed transitions, an SS bike sometimes has to be run in a lower gear. So even though the SS bike may be more powerful to access the powerband may require more work.
Where an SS bike will run away from a bigger heavier, longer bike like a Ninja 1000 is when the road is smooth and corner speed is limited by cornering clearance. There is one section of smooth switchback road I ride where the marked speed is 30-40 mph. On the Ninja cornering clearance becomes the limit at around 70 mph through these turns. On the SS, allot more speed is possible and the limit is more one of what is prudent for street riding. An SS bike is also easier to ride down a smooth unfamiliar twisty road. Steering precision and quickness makes it easier to fix and adjust your line which is a big plus when your on an unfamillar road.
For all practical intents and purposes though, on the street properly ridden there isn't allot of difference in what is possible between an SS and a properly set up standard. The big difference between what is possible on the street, just like on the track, generally boils down to riding ability in my opinion.
Getting your suspension setup or improved probably makes allot of sense. Frankly it makes sense to do this on any bike and all too often is something riders fail to do.
Just my two cents. Others may have different opinions...
I forgot to mention one thing that very clearly distinguishes an SS from a standard. With anywhere from 30-50 more horsepower than the Z1000 or Ninja 1000 and less weight, the SS bikes have OMG thrust.
Given your weight, this alone may make an SS worth it to you.
When it comes to OMG acceleration, nothing beats a liter SS or a ZX14 or Busa and in my opinion no matter how long you've ridden OMG acceleration is part of the fun of riding motorcycles.
well u could put stiffer springs in ur front forks & get a different rear shock. i know the 636 rear shock & front forks are bolt on mods for the 03-06 z1000, not sure about 2nd gen zs. but then all that would hold u back is footpeg clearance.
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03 z1000 stock header, muzzy y pipe & muffler, pc3 usb, k & n filter, airbox top cut out, disabled secondaries, accel pump on, custom map by F.A.I.C, factory pro ignition advancer, lightened flywheel, crg barend mirrors, undertail kit, blacked out side, radiator, & frame covers, skull engine covers, rideitmoto black shorty adj. levers & grips, smoked integrated led tailight, brass knuckle fuel injector covers,more to come soon
I think I'm gonna stick w/ the ol' Z for now. I do love the way the Z pulls at (semi)legal speeds.
I do think some suspension upgrades are in order, a steering damper is needed, and maybe i'll play w/ the gearing just for goofs.
Ray, the acceleration is something I do love...I see a big bike in my future just for that (14 or a hayabusa). The Z really isn't a slouch, but nothin feels like it's going to rip your arms out like 180hp and 430lbs......
Assuming we're talking street riding where pavement imperfections are common quick steering short wheelbase bikes are simply not as good at soaking up and maintaining a line with bumps as a heavier longer wheelbase bike.
Lastly, the powerbands and torque curves of SS bikes tends to be biased towards higher RPMs. This can make them a bit more difficult to use when it comes to using the throttle to help steer. Where a torque rich bike like a Ninja 1000 can be left in 6th, to get the same kind of grunt to lift a bike off of full lean to upright to speed transitions, an SS bike sometimes has to be run in a lower gear. So even though the SS bike may be more powerful to access the powerband may require more work.
Where an SS bike will run away from a bigger heavier, longer bike like a Ninja 1000 is when the road is smooth and corner speed is limited by cornering clearance. There is one section of smooth switchback road I ride where the marked speed is 30-40 mph. On the Ninja cornering clearance becomes the limit at around 70 mph through these turns. On the SS, allot more speed is possible and the limit is more one of what is prudent for street riding. An SS bike is also easier to ride down a smooth unfamiliar twisty road. Steering precision and quickness makes it easier to fix and adjust your line which is a big plus when your on an unfamillar road.Yes!I agree this,And thank you for your share!
I'm at a crossroads, need help!
