nice review. thank you for giving a better review than motorcyclenewsdotcom does. They keep worrying about how to rate bikes rather than just giving a good review for motorcycles.
It's a shame that the U.S. spec ZX10 comes pretty much handicapped power wise. The Euro spec puts down 175-180 horse at the rear wheels stock. However you can get the U.S. ECU flashed to Euro specs for around $400. It would be a much closer battle on the track if you were to test a Euro spec ZX and the Bimmer.
For viewer enjoyment I would like you to. 1. do a little homework on mic placement for motorcycle sound , on and off the bike. 2. Film Bikes completely really showcase them the more eye candy the better. 3. Record voices indoors for scripted voiceover where you can edit in more bike content and have a chance to get info complete. I personally am not subscribing to see You, but the Bikes. Your Info and opinions are great but this would Improve the quality Tons.
First of all MotoUSA does not have aesthetic transcendance or sensorial elation as their main test criteria. Second: The F4 AGO was only produced in 2005 (300 units). I doubt they might have wanted to compare one in 2012 and least that they could have found one if they did...
I am 6'1" and 200lb (92kg) What is most comfortable 1000cc bike? I know there are not built for comfort, but i do a lot of city riding and want a reasonable amount of comfort on my daily ride. Also have my lady on the back sometimes too!!
Here in Europe the horsepower-thing is not an issue. Kawa is just as fast, if not faster, on the track. So, this shouldnt be an argument in the US either. Do some remap, and you have a better/more user-streetfriendly bike in the ZX10R that probably wont high-side you that quick as the bimmer.
The horsepower-difference is no issue in Europe. The difference is very small, and either in disadvantage for the BMW because the ZX is far better to control on the street.
The Kawasaki is just one ECU-reflash away from owning the BMW on the track, as well as on the street. And btw the ECU-reflash only costs $375 which still makes the Kawi a much better deal. Still appreciate the BMW though.
@gazeupthesky I take u mean in modern hyper bikes ... BMW was the first making MC going 100mph+ 1937 a BMW bike hit 173mph ... that's let's see more than 8 years ago :) 1921 first boxer MC 1928 750cc bike 1936 BMW dominated MC racing They fell behind in the 80's as they stuck with the volunteer 100hp limit on their bikes till around 1990 (which is why they lost to Japanese bikes for 20 years).
The extra 5-10 horsepower isn't worth the $8k more you have to pay for the BMW in my opinion. Any litrebike has more than enough power and anyone who thinks different needs to have there head examined!! Besides the horsepower difference is at about 13k rpm, other than drag racing or if your a straight line junky your not gonna notice the difference. For mountain and canyon carving ill take the reliability of the Kawi all day. I just bought the zx10r last week and i must say its a BEAST!!
@goguhu Harley-Davidson did 128mph in 1920. So BMW is not the first to excede 100mph. At that time Harley-Davidon had the crown for the fastest motorcyle in the world.
I am 6'4" and 265 lbs and I ride a zx6r and I'm comfortable riding it. It is my first bike and I have no regrets. Also, I wouldn't recommend having your girl on the back for a while. It changes the dynamics of riding significantly. The weight transfer is drastically different. How old are you? Bc the insurance on a literbike will be much worse than a 600. I'm 20 and on a 600 it would've been $160 a month if I hadn't bundled with my parents
have you bought a bike yet..../:"? and if so which one,, i have owned r ones and second gen hayabusa, i m six foot two , now im moving towards ninja all the way, one look at the dash sells, me by the way look at the tach, its a trip seeing it red line.
@JacquesZupp That's not really the truth ... K100 was I4 from 1983 (30 years ago). What they have not done is make traditional MC with latitudinal placed engine, and only 10year+ experience with super bikes (but never in the top 10). However a LOT of F1 knowhow, why they got so much out of the engine so quick. No doubt they looked closely at all competition (as all does) when they designed the S1000R that's no secret / new (Nissan GT-R got a lot of 911's, Suzuki got CBR-1100XX, etc.)
I like the looks of the bmw better. It just overall looks more expensive and sharper(my opinion of course). The 10r looks too much like a kids toy to me. Perhaps it looks much better in person than it does on video.
as long as your an active learner and not a doucher get the literbike i started on one. 10 years later i track and im still alive, so get the liter bro.
@THEOZ2106 ya at first I didnt like the lights on the beemer but now that I've opened my mind it looks badass. And after watching the video by gizmag. The S1000RR is the best bike you can buy.
After watching this,it was not very helpful to me,I have ridden both bikes and while the ZX10 is old tech the BMW is all new...The S1000RR wins in all area's,the handling,the ride quality,and performance,BMW bikes are generally meant for people who are at least 5'10 in height,kawa is meant for shorter people,as someone who is 6'0ft it fits me perfectly,when my local dealer gets a Black one in I will make a purchase,I'm a BMW man,car's and bikes.They are superb quality.
@BeansOnGhost Kawa have NEVER focused on fit and finish (that's Honda), Kawa always been about 'riders bike'. Have not had a BMW yet, but after 18 bikes, Honda always have the quality and 'smoothness', Kawa the power, and Suzuki the fanbois :) ... Yamaha being a Kawa/Honda mix. Even if Euro version would be closer ... imaging you can do the same for the S1000R putting it over 200 (but not US legal) ... BMW just pushed the bar, and all are scrambling catching up (not long since BMW was max 100hp
Zx10r maybe great bike but not going to buy it cuz of the looks. It has to have looks and all performance. The bmw has that. Just fix that flat tailend kawi and you got a beemer beater.
Well done! When I am dropping $12K+ out of the door I want a bike that I want to "cheat on my wife in the garage with often" so she MUST look hot... and my wife is very hot by the way... My guppies like the 180 HP from the BMW but my sea weed stays stiff for the ZX10R styling! But I must say that I am a bit biased... I own a 2006 ZX10R. She has been my mistress for 5 years! :)
R u guys for real? Kawi has less hp . Which makes it better . Ha stop the bs. People will and do use the power of the BMW to the max on and off the street.
I love the looks of the new zx-10r. lean, sharp, and aggressive. can't wait to get one!
Still, no bike will ever be as gorgeous and exciting as an MV Agusta F4 AGO...
...never.
nice review. thank you for giving a better review than motorcyclenewsdotcom does. They keep worrying about how to rate bikes rather than just giving a good review for motorcycles.
kawasaki is the new king on the street!
It's a shame that the U.S. spec ZX10 comes pretty much handicapped power wise. The Euro spec puts down 175-180 horse at the rear wheels stock. However you can get the U.S. ECU flashed to Euro specs for around $400. It would be a much closer battle on the track if you were to test a Euro spec ZX and the Bimmer.
For viewer enjoyment I would like you to. 1. do a little homework on mic placement for motorcycle sound , on and off the bike. 2. Film Bikes completely really showcase them the more eye candy the better. 3. Record voices indoors for scripted voiceover where you can edit in more bike content and have a chance to get info complete. I personally am not subscribing to see You, but the Bikes. Your Info and opinions are great but this would Improve the quality Tons.
With just a full exhaust and ecu flash the kawi has over 200bhp its not the weaker bike its just more restricted coming from the factory
So why did it come last in the 2012 motousa superblike shootout then ?
Love 'em both.
First of all MotoUSA does not have aesthetic transcendance or sensorial elation as their main test criteria.
Second: The F4 AGO was only produced in 2005 (300 units). I doubt they might have wanted to compare one in 2012 and least that they could have found one if they did...
I am 6'1" and 200lb (92kg) What is most comfortable 1000cc bike? I know there are not built for comfort, but i do a lot of city riding and want a reasonable amount of comfort on my daily ride. Also have my lady on the back sometimes too!!
Here in Europe the horsepower-thing is not an issue. Kawa is just as fast, if not faster, on the track. So, this shouldnt be an argument in the US either. Do some remap, and you have a better/more user-streetfriendly bike in the ZX10R that probably wont high-side you that quick as the bimmer.
Love both bikes,, but I've just sold my 08 ZX10,, think the Beemer is for me this time around.
i have the euro version which has a lot more power, and mine also flashed adding a ecu quick shifter launch control etc
The horsepower-difference is no issue in Europe. The difference is very small, and either in disadvantage for the BMW because the ZX is far better to control on the street.
The Kawasaki is just one ECU-reflash away from owning the BMW on the track, as well as on the street. And btw the ECU-reflash only costs $375 which still makes the Kawi a much better deal. Still appreciate the BMW though.
@gazeupthesky I take u mean in modern hyper bikes ...
BMW was the first making MC going 100mph+
1937 a BMW bike hit 173mph ... that's let's see more than 8 years ago :)
1921 first boxer MC
1928 750cc bike
1936 BMW dominated MC racing
They fell behind in the 80's as they stuck with the volunteer 100hp limit on their bikes till around 1990 (which is why they lost to Japanese bikes for 20 years).
de-restriction of the Kawi = BMW's power advantage gone =)
wait for the bmw s1000rr ///M version !
The extra 5-10 horsepower isn't worth the $8k more you have to pay for the BMW in my opinion. Any litrebike has more than enough power and anyone who thinks different needs to have there head examined!! Besides the horsepower difference is at about 13k rpm, other than drag racing or if your a straight line junky your not gonna notice the difference. For mountain and canyon carving ill take the reliability of the Kawi all day. I just bought the zx10r last week and i must say its a BEAST!!
I would take both bikes! Kawai is a beast. but I'm buying a BMW! Already put down on it.
@goguhu Harley-Davidson did 128mph in 1920. So BMW is not the first to excede 100mph. At that time Harley-Davidon had the crown for the fastest motorcyle in the world.
I am 6'4" and 265 lbs and I ride a zx6r and I'm comfortable riding it. It is my first bike and I have no regrets. Also, I wouldn't recommend having your girl on the back for a while. It changes the dynamics of riding significantly. The weight transfer is drastically different. How old are you? Bc the insurance on a literbike will be much worse than a 600. I'm 20 and on a 600 it would've been $160 a month if I hadn't bundled with my parents
Isn't the ZX significantly less expensive - seems like that's worth mentioning
have you bought a bike yet..../:"? and if so which one,, i have owned r ones and second gen hayabusa, i m six foot two , now im moving towards ninja all the way, one look at the dash sells, me by the way look at the tach, its a trip seeing it red line.
@JacquesZupp That's not really the truth ... K100 was I4 from 1983 (30 years ago). What they have not done is make traditional MC with latitudinal placed engine, and only 10year+ experience with super bikes (but never in the top 10). However a LOT of F1 knowhow, why they got so much out of the engine so quick. No doubt they looked closely at all competition (as all does) when they designed the S1000R that's no secret / new (Nissan GT-R got a lot of 911's, Suzuki got CBR-1100XX, etc.)
@tommy120482 it doesn't cost 8k more. maybe a 1k difference between both basic models.
I think the BMW needs to pitted against the Euro bikes.....MV, KTM, Aprilia, Ducati.
I like the looks of the bmw better. It just overall looks more expensive and sharper(my opinion of course). The 10r looks too much like a kids toy to me. Perhaps it looks much better in person than it does on video.
as long as your an active learner and not a doucher get the literbike i started on one. 10 years later i track and im still alive, so get the liter bro.
@alehax27 Agreed. Kawasaki doesn´t know what proportions are.
BMW knows this exceptionally.
@THEOZ2106 ya at first I didnt like the lights on the beemer but now that I've opened my mind it looks badass. And after watching the video by gizmag. The S1000RR is the best bike you can buy.
Fact: The Kawasaki is 17-18 lbs lighter than the BMW and it has better brakes.
After watching this,it was not very helpful to me,I have ridden both bikes and while the ZX10 is old tech the BMW is all new...The S1000RR wins in all area's,the handling,the ride quality,and performance,BMW bikes are generally meant for people who are at least 5'10 in height,kawa is meant for shorter people,as someone who is 6'0ft it fits me perfectly,when my local dealer gets a Black one in I will make a purchase,I'm a BMW man,car's and bikes.They are superb quality.
@BeansOnGhost Kawa have NEVER focused on fit and finish (that's Honda), Kawa always been about 'riders bike'. Have not had a BMW yet, but after 18 bikes, Honda always have the quality and 'smoothness', Kawa the power, and Suzuki the fanbois :) ... Yamaha being a Kawa/Honda mix. Even if Euro version would be closer ... imaging you can do the same for the S1000R putting it over 200 (but not US legal) ... BMW just pushed the bar, and all are scrambling catching up (not long since BMW was max 100hp
In person, it's the other way around.
anything looks better than that beamer with its Igor face.
they didn't even film the bike WHEN THEY WERE TAKING ABOUT STYLING. bad..
ZX-SnowploughRR
@gonzosc1 its the dims, if u turn ur brights on both come on.
No ABS, traction control or fancy clutches, keep bikes light and quick not rammed full of overpriced unwanted tech.
@neiljitsu go to a dealership and sit on them.
atleast the kwakas dont blow up the gearboxes and over heat like the beemers
@youngx415 +1 not faster but to them its better on the streets...
Zx10r maybe great bike but not going to buy it cuz of the looks. It has to have looks and all performance. The bmw has that. Just fix that flat tailend kawi and you got a beemer beater.
Well done! When I am dropping $12K+ out of the door I want a bike that I want to "cheat on my wife in the garage with often" so she MUST look hot... and my wife is very hot by the way... My guppies like the 180 HP from the BMW but my sea weed stays stiff for the ZX10R styling! But I must say that I am a bit biased... I own a 2006 ZX10R. She has been my mistress for 5 years! :)
@alehax27 ya the BMW looks expensive and badass. the ninja looks like a bike for a 18 to 24 year old kid. as you said a toy
@gonzosc1 uhhh....all cbr's do it. not all bikes do it lol.
@zex10r kawi fan boy ? i can see on your username
R u guys for real? Kawi has less hp . Which makes it better . Ha stop the bs. People will and do use the power of the BMW to the max on and off the street.
Both bikes look ugly. As for "this is the best looking zx10r Kawasaki has made" is bs. 2006-07 zx10r aka 2nd gen take that trophy.