KAWASAKI ZX-10R (2006 - 2007) Review

Year: 2007

Ok! I've owned this super low (8000) km example for 12 months and I'm of two minds about this bike. The engine is a ripper, decent amount of grunt and a psycho top end. It feels planted in a corner and pretty stable on the gas. (Ohlins steering damper nothing more than a marketing exercise, does nothing !) But like most litre superbikes, road manners are a compromise. Close ratio (supertall 1st gear) is great on track but makes stop start low speed commuting a pita. Also makes a mockery of speed limits. The bike runs hot in traffic and can cook your goolies. The mirrors are useless and too small. The gearbox is ok but not as slick as my 9r and not in the same league as the Fireblade or Gixer. The fuel economy is poor especially when your on it and the lack of fuel gauge can catch you out. Kawasaki engineers must have been smoking the hoochy when they designed the front brakes. They stop ok but the lever travel is something else. Very disconcerting until you get used to them. Not good enough and definitely not on par with the competition. The bike does vibrate a bit but I wouldn't say its excessive or at least not as bad as some others have claimed. The styling is, well of course subjective but the front end grows on you. In profile it's a smart looking machine. The twin underseat pipes arenot as ugly as the modern incarnation of manga inspired cartoon exhausts that seem to be in vogue atm. So am I going to keep it. Sadly probably not. While it is a joy to ride on the fast stuff, getting there, not so much.

Year: 2006

Use for track days only, great power and a great positive front wheel feeling.

Version: D6F

Year: 2006

Annual servicing cost: £1,200

Worst: - Not the best looking but can be improved. Best: - Unbelievable value for money. Highly recommended mega and the cheapest 1000cc weapon for the money.

Buying experience: Bought from a Hinkley Kawasaki (excellent) who had it up for £4400 but ended up doing a part-ex deal with an SV1000S meaning I spent £1100 and got it for £3100. The deal was based on me buying it without being Valeted, Serviced, Mot'd or Warranted as it was always going to be a track bike.

Year: 2007

Its a ZX-10R LE in Red, and thats what really makes it stand out. Bike is very reliable as a daily rider, its much cooler in terms of engine temp compared to my other bikes. Engine is balanced and smooth.

Year: 2007

silky smooth acceleration

I said after going to Ducati I would never get an IL4 again. I doubt I'll go back to Ducati now! The engine on this thing is astonishing, there is fantastic torque at a reasonably low rate of revs and the top end I haven't got near yet scares me half to death! Handling is great, nice and light after manhandling the Duke around. I've sorted the crap standard brakes with Goodridge lines, Brembo pads, new fluid and a good clean of the calipers so now she stops which is good because this thing is fast.Looks like the previous owner has ridden in winter so a few of the fasteners and parts are a little discoloured but nothing bad. Fantastic bike if your thinking about it.

Just got One of these in January'09, love it...the performance is just mind blowing, handling is on the right side of light/ sharp. gives a little shake on the fast bumps but nothing that would scare you. Engine picks up from nothing...and is silky smooth, I love it, nice and comfy too....well compared to my old 748 I had it is!!And in black will the carbon cans it just looks mean and screams get out of the way!!Go and get one, I did...and I'm grinning from ear to ear everytime I turn that key !!

The main difference between my old '98 ZX-9R and my new 2006 ZX-10R is the handling and engine. The ZX-10 is so much more powerful, and it has midrange that even the grunty ZX-9R can't match. The chassis' USD forks are class and it even takes pillion in comfort! The brakes are perfect and I think its the best looking 1000cc ever! Mods: Akrapovics, DHM crash bungs, Kawasaki screen, braided lines. (Metallic Raw Titanium is the best colour ever!)

If you want ballisctic speed this is the bike for you! Pure grin factor

hi had my 10 for nearly a year now only fault is the stand BEWARE theres not enought lean angle kawasaki said theres not a problem with them bollocks mine fell when it was 3 days old apart from that its awsome ive just fitted a powercommander ill let yous know how i get on

I have had litre bikes and two busa's. I bought a black 10R brand spankers and only had it two weeks after running it in and it got blown over on my drive. Don't ask me how, i've lived here for 11 years and the sidestand marks are evident for all the previous bikes but it still blew over. Dont get it. anyway, £655 later and it's back to its original beauty! Love the bloody thing, cant wait for some dry weather to thrash the tits off it.

BOUGHT BIKE MARCH 16 2006 SUPERB SPEED MACHINE COVERED 12000 MILES THIS IS A PROPER MANS BIKE WHICH MIGHT VIBRATE A BIT ARE THEY MEN OR MICE TRY BTO14 TYRES ABSOLUTELY STUNNING GRIP & 4000 MILES NOT HANGING ABOUT EITHER SUPERB BIKE BRING ON THE ZX10RR

I purchased my 2006 zx-10r about 2 months ago after my zx-6r was stolen. This bike is awesome. Handles like a dream ( I actually think it holds a line better than the 6 ) and is fast as hell. I dont have any of the vibration problems that others are talking about, and I love the looks (mine is black). Strengths: Power, Its comfortable for a sport bike, Handling, Looks, Sounds good. Weaknesses: Fuel mileage isnt near as good as the 6r. Insurance is high.

WHAT A SHAME KAWASAKI HAVE RUINED THIS BIKE. GREAT POWER, SUPERB HANDLING, EXCELLENT BRAKES, O.K LOOKS. IS A SHAME I CAN'T USE IT. WHY! BECAUSE OF AN AWFUL VIBRATION THAT SEEMS TO BE A COMMON PROBLEM WITH THE 06 BIKE. 'WHITE FINGER' WITHIN 30 MILES. YES THAT BAD. I'VE NOW P.X IT. AS I SAID 'A GREAT BIKE SPOILED'. Strengths: EVERYTHING (APART FROM VIBES) THE FASTEST BIKE I'VE RIDDEN. INCLUDES R1, GIXER 1000, FIREBLADE E.T.C. HANDLES TOO. NOT THE BEST LOOKER, BUT BETTER WITH END CANS AND TAILTIDY. Weaknesses: VIBRATIONS, VIBRATIONS, VIBRATIONS. FAILED TO START DUE TO KEY IMMOBILISER, WHAT A SHAME THAT VIBES SPOILED THE FUN.

Bought the bike 1st of April, have done 2000 miles on it &amp; won't be doing anymore. It has been back to the dealers due to the awful vibration through the whole bike that results in your arms &amp; legs going numb after 30 miles on it. Have been told it the way the bike is made. Well they want to make it some people can enjoy riding it. Went on an R1 today to compare, did 100 miles, what a dream. I would steer clear of this bike unless you like having 'white finger'. Strengths: It's looks.&nbsp; <br>Weaknesses: That it has a design fault which results in the air box resting on the throttle bodies which causes the whole bike to vibrate.

Bought the bike brand new back in May, ran it in nice and steady and it's now covered 1300 miles and is getting stronger and faster every time I ride it. Haven't had the chance to 'play' with any other bikes as of yet, will have to wait my chance! Had a ZX9RE1 before, which was and still is a fantastic bike, but doesn't have the power this thing has, the 10 just piles on speed so quickly, it's staggering. 9 is easier to get off the line as the 10 just wheelies through all the gears until your doing about 120, (2nd) but even then the front wheel is very light. As for power and speed, well lets just say 160 in 4th is only just at the red line......half revs in top equate to 101mph.... Handling is very light, turn in is much quicker than the 9. Just about to change the tires from Dunlop Qualifiers to Diablo Corsas which have a different profile, will have to wait and see if it changes the handling characteristics that much. Strengths: Turbine like power, massive amounts of it, looks, (well Iike it), colour (looks best in Ti) Handling. Go buy one!! Weaknesses: Mirrors, getting very used to looking at mu elbows, original screen (need a double bubble) tank range compared to the 9. Why oh why do Kawasaki not put a cat1 alarm on as standard instead of just an immobiliser.