New to me Kawasaki ZRX1100... thoughts....

[scottieducati]

So I finally sold the CB-1 I'd been hanging on to for quite some time, and turned around and picked up a bike that's actually about right for my size. My friend happened to have a '99 Kawasaki ZRX1100, in the gorgeous metallic racing green / white / purple Eddie Lawson replica colors. I've always been a big fan of "standards" but up until now, my experience was primarily with Ducati Monsters.

I've only had a chance to put perhaps 25 miles on the bike, but thus far here are my impressions...

- Incredibly comfortable, the Corbin Seat that's on it likely aids in this, but I get the feeling I could ride this bike for hundreds of miles in a day easily.

- Silky smooth, almost electric motor-like power delivery, it starts way down low and keeps on building, very linearly. It has a Kerker pipe and Stage 2 jet-kit in it, which may help smooth out any hiccups there might have been prior.

- Suspension is great for riding around Boston, although for faster stuff and smoother pavement I get the impression she may wallow a bit. But then again 550 lbs for a bike you can't expect it to handle like a Super Sport 600. I've heard there are options to improve the suspension, including dual Ohlins out back... but I'll likely leave it alone or do a simple re-spring and re-valve if anything.

- Brakes are well, descent at best. It has 6-pot calipers straight off the ZX-9R (and 12R I believe), but for the life of me I have no idea why they use rubber lines. This is the first thing to go, gotta get some SS lines on there and I reckon she'll stop with the best of em.

- Wind protection, I can't really comment on this, but from what I've gathered around town, the little bikini fairing does an admirable job deflecting the brunt of the wind blast.

- Misc. - Mirrors are so so, will look into improvement options including bar-end setups. They're not bad, but do buzz and are somewhat in tight and have a limited range of adjustment... so I end up seeing what's behind me, but it's kinda pointed down at the road... minor niggle there.

Otherwise I'm pretty pleased so far, for a bike of it's size it's surprisingly nimble, and has a nice low center of gravity which makes for a very stable ride. I'm looking forward to having something that's as comfortable for me as it is for a passenger, a nice change from the Aprilia / 848 / 675's I've had in the past.

More to come perhaps!

[DaSarge]

Sweeet congrats man, pics?

[scottieducati]

I'll have to work on takin some, literally bought it yesterday, rode it to work (semi... ok, not legally at all) today. Gotta register it tomorrow.

Best part, was the price. Damn good time to buy a used bike!!

[Jim]

ScottieKawasaki

[scottieducati]

Haha, was waitin for it. Good thing my Ducati's out number any other brand of moto I currently own!

[GixerJockey]

[tls25rs]

If I am not mistaken wasn't it Steve Nogueira (sp?) from Penguin that used to run a ZRX? I would think he would know a thing or two about making one handle a little better than stock.

[JohnnyV]

Could be a fun toy to play around with...

[highsider]

It's got a Kerker, dude.

[TheIglu]

I had PK do the racetech valves/springs on the back of my Rex last winter. He also revalved/sprung the front. She handles much better now.

Up front, go with the dual braided lines and pick up two sets of Gafler Green pads. Incredible transformation!

Is it a full Kerkah system or a slip-on?

Stock airbox or pods?

[scottieducati]

Yeah I'm definitely thinkin of handing it off to PK this winter, takin advantage of winter specials and what not. Dual SS lines and new pads are in the works as soon as my wallet's cobwebs disappear.

I think it's just a slipon, and it's got the airbox still in it.

[TheIglu]

If it's a slip-on, then just go back to stock. The entire weight of the exhaust system is in the headpipe. It's a double-wall deal.

Find a full Muzzy system. Then toss in an Ivans "PODS" kit, pull out your airbox and toss on 4 pods. You'll be looking at a 25hp increase with the same driveablity.

Oh, btw:

www.zrxoa.org

TONS of good info out there.

Keep in mind, if you need any stumps pulled in your yard, she's up for it.

[scottieducati]

hehe, well for now she runs sweet. The ppipe looks bolted to the exhaust, any way I can tell if it's a full or slipon?

I doubt I'll be going crazy with it, at least not for power right now. Suspension first, then pile the miles on is the name of the game.

[kb1]

Good stuff! Naked is the way to ride!

[TheIglu]

That motor has so much reliable usable power potential, don't leave it corked up!

She is a sweet handling bike too. Turns in far better than more higher-end nakeds I've ridden.

Save yourself a headache and pick up a shim kit before you open it up to do the valves.

[TheIglu]

If the header bolts to the pipe using 3 bolts, it's a stock header and a slip on. If that's the case, good for you, you are making more noise with practically no gain.

[schleppy]

One of my favorite looking "square" bikes. I've always wanted to throw a leg over one of those...

[hqp921]

I like 'em -- cool lookin' bikes! Considered one while I was checking out other nakeds, and before settling on the VFR instead. :-p

HP

[Nikon]

you're making me miss my 1200

[DuncanMoto]

ME ME ME I wanna ride it Scottie. I'll show you my bewbies ;-)

[csmutty]

Nice choice.

[Ninjajim]

Could be a fun toy to play around with...

I have been looking for a Naked bike that is worth the swap from my ZX-14.... This bike with the blower would do it for me:-)


BTW Great pick even without the blower. I love the bike. Kawasaki makes a nice inline 4 with a great transmission. In my opinion they have one of the best clutches as well.

[Uncle Snake]

you're making me miss my 1200

+1

[rg500]

I have always wanted one of those. Good choice Scottie.

[Uncle Snake]

So I finally sold the CB-1 I'd been hanging on to for quite some time, and turned around and picked up a bike that's actually about right for my size. My friend happened to have a '99 Kawasaki ZRX1100, in the gorgeous metallic racing green / white / purple Eddie Lawson replica colors. I've always been a big fan of "standards" but up until now, my experience was primarily with Ducati Monsters.

I've only had a chance to put perhaps 25 miles on the bike, but thus far here are my impressions...

- Incredibly comfortable, the Corbin Seat that's on it likely aids in this, but I get the feeling I could ride this bike for hundreds of miles in a day easily.

- Silky smooth, almost electric motor-like power delivery, it starts way down low and keeps on building, very linearly. It has a Kerker pipe and Stage 2 jet-kit in it, which may help smooth out any hiccups there might have been prior.

- Suspension is great for riding around Boston, although for faster stuff and smoother pavement I get the impression she may wallow a bit. But then again 550 lbs for a bike you can't expect it to handle like a Super Sport 600. I've heard there are options to improve the suspension, including dual Ohlins out back... but I'll likely leave it alone or do a simple re-spring and re-valve if anything.

- Brakes are well, descent at best. It has 6-pot calipers straight off the ZX-9R (and 12R I believe), but for the life of me I have no idea why they use rubber lines. This is the first thing to go, gotta get some SS lines on there and I reckon she'll stop with the best of em.

- Wind protection, I can't really comment on this, but from what I've gathered around town, the little bikini fairing does an admirable job deflecting the brunt of the wind blast.

- Misc. - Mirrors are so so, will look into improvement options including bar-end setups. They're not bad, but do buzz and are somewhat in tight and have a limited range of adjustment... so I end up seeing what's behind me, but it's kinda pointed down at the road... minor niggle there.

Otherwise I'm pretty pleased so far, for a bike of it's size it's surprisingly nimble, and has a nice low center of gravity which makes for a very stable ride. I'm looking forward to having something that's as comfortable for me as it is for a passenger, a nice change from the Aprilia / 848 / 675's I've had in the past.

More to come perhaps!

When you're ready to start modding, let me know as I've been there and done that. Regards, Jake