[notabiker]

from the 1960s until now speed sold. every year bikes got more powerful and lighter. well i think it has finally peeked out. top shelf sport bikes are so track ready they just do not make nice bikes to have a nice ride on. kawasaki was smart to come out with the Z 1000 and now the ninja 1000. the avg motorcycle owners age keeps going up. their will always be a market for all out race bikes ,but not like in the past. i bet the profit for kawasaki is greater on a Z 1000 than a zx10r. all that titanium and trick parts costs a lot .
when you get down to it a bike that can do 160 mph is just as much fun as a bike that can do 186 mph. i bet not 05% of the busa and zx14 owners have ever been over 170 MPH. what do you think

 

[zephyrboy738]

True so True!!!!! heck Ive only been over 130mph twice

 

[tomohawk]

Anything over 99 mph here in Minnesota is an automatic 6 month suspension of your license. I know this from experience. I wouldn't change a thing overall about my Z. Of course I'm changing almost every little thing I can, but that's just tinkering. Couldn't tell you about profit margins, but I can tell you that most dealers around here only order the required amount of Z's because they don't sell. Usually two to five. I think people just want to know they COULD go 190mph if they wanted to, but they're just wasting their money if they never actually do it. They're not enjoying the ride as much either.

I'm glad that very few people around here have Z's. Makes mine get all that much more attention.

 

[zephyrboy738]

I have heard it said. I would rather ride a slow bike fast, than ride a fast bike slow

 

[jrick56]

most of the rocket's i ride with have been to the rev limiter in 6th. i very seldom go over 100 on mine. but do like the rush of getting there. also like the light feeling of the front tire at wil in first.

 

[RobG]

Kawasaki is smart. They recognize that the Baby Boomers, which is the largest segment of the population, is getting older, and isn't into Ultimate Speed. I think we'll see a shift away from the supersport type bikes and more towards comfortable power, i.e. the Z1000, Honda's CB1000R, etc. Suzuki might even be bringing their GS1000 or whatever they're calling it (a naked GSX-R1000) over here.

Triumph redid the Speed Triple and it looks really good. Aprilia has several "standards," and there's that new Ducati Diavel (which I REALLY like -- and I despise cruisers).

Then there's the dual sport category. That's taking off like SUVs did in the 90's. Triumph has a new Tiger 800 that I saw at the show a couple weekends ago and really like.

I hate to admit it, but my DR650 is my favorite. It's more comfortable than the Z, lighter, more agile, can carry more, and gets 50 mpg (compared to lower 30's). I still love the Z, but the DR650 is more practical in every way.

Rob

 

[notabiker]

I understand duel sport bikes, i just do not like them. Motard etc. Saying that i really like the dr 650. I just might get a used naked one down the road.

 

[RobG]

Motards and dual sports are two very different bikes, but you probably know that.

The DR650 is a great bike. The best part is that it hasn't changed since 1996, and is darn simple to work on. And you can buy them used for $2500 all day long. I was just looking at Craigslist today and counted 3-4 in the $2500 range, and several for a grand or so more.

I'm really anal about my Z1000. It's so pretty and perfect, and I want to keep it that way. The DR, on the other hand, is meant to be dropped, so I don't worry about it nearly as much. I rode it to work again today in the pouring rain. Had a blast.

Rob

 

[notabiker]

i am so lame i confused a DR 650 with a SV 650. i do not like adventure bikes cuzz i never would be on a dirt road. i do like the SV 650. kind of a poor mans MONSTER

 

[Curtie223]

Coming from the SS bikes, I cna't see myself getting another one after my Z for riding on the street. JMO I would only use it for track days

 

[Dan]

I'm stuck with a ZX10R at the moment. I was looking to trade for an upright sportbike like the Z1000 and this bike came on the market. I wish I would have passed.

Its the most ungodly fast bike I've ever ridden but I can only manage about 30 minutes before my joints give out. Plus I will never use half of what this biike is capable of. Besides a healthy dose of fear for my personal safety I live in Nebraska and curved roads are few and far between.

If I can convince the wife to let me, I'm going to sell or trade for a new Z1000 or Ninja 1000 this spring. I'll still probably be using less than half of what the bike is capable of but I'll be comfortable during the process.

 

[notabiker]

I'm stuck with a ZX10R at the moment. I was looking to trade for an upright sportbike like the Z1000 and this bike came on the market. I wish I would have passed.

Its the most ungodly fast bike I've ever ridden but I can only manage about 30 minutes before my joints give out. Plus I will never use half of what this biike is capable of. Besides a healthy dose of fear for my personal safety I live in Nebraska and curved roads are few and far between.

If I can convince the wife to let me, I'm going to sell or trade for a new Z1000 or Ninja 1000 this spring. I'll still probably be using less than half of what the bike is capable of but I'll be comfortable during the process.

a very honest answer, a lot of SS riders feel just like you do but will never admit it.
my older 2004 Z 1000 makes about 125 RWHP and now weighs about 460 LBS. it can do things i cant. this is hands down the best handling bike i ever owned. i have been on freinds BUSA,ZX14,B KING. no thanks.
i can ride the Z 1000 for 200 miles and feel good the whole ride.REALLY

 

[ridingswitch]

I think most of people who buy the SS bikes do it for the overall speed not comfort and or bragging rights. Most people I talk to are concerned with the sporty looks and being able to brag about their bikes top speed. Personally most of these people are not real riders, I use to take them up in the twisties with my Buell and leave them miles behind. Ah yes good times! I think their will always be a strong market for the SS bikes since most of the buyers care more about speed and looks than comfort.

 

[zephyrboy738]

I had a 1971 Honda cb100 use to take it to deals gap and smoke sport bike not all, but most. go on you tube look up fastest bike on the tail of the dragon and you will see my son and I riding the gap, there are three parts

 

[notabiker]

super sports look ok, but not better in my book. i am old school and think you should be able to see the engine. i helped my friend change the oil on a BUSA. what a joke. you have to remove flimsy body work to get to the oil filter. it took about 1 hr . i could do the same job on my ZED in 15 MIN. all super sports look so much the same . booooring.

 

[GundamNitPete]

I'm just coming off a SS (03 Zx-6r), and the Z1000 is a much comfort ride. It's comfy, yet fast and handles well. IMHO a great rider on a Z would be faster than a good rider on a SS.

That being said, I will be getting another SS. They are great track bikes or for quick trips to the twisties. They are some if the fastest accelerating, fastest cornering, and fastest braking bikes on the planet. And sometimes you want uncompromising performance.

The Z has outstanding performance, but it is compromised slightly for ease of manufacturing and rider comfort. Although most riders won't come close what this bike is capabale of.