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[craig_]

Hi guys

n00bie to the forum, and n00bie to zx10s

Had a 5jj R1 before that i used both on road and track, ohlins kit etc. Loved that thing but it got a bit heavy and old skool feeling to haul around tighter tracks like cadwell.

Was looking to replace it and wanted something similar, but with lighter more agile handling.

A litre bike, with midrange and light, agile handling.... it could only be a gen 1 zx10. Add to that the reputation of being a bit of an animal to tame and it sounded like too much fun.

Found a green one with 14k miles, ohlins shock and fpk kit. Perfik. Loving it so far - ticks all the boxes.

So, hi there!

[r1flyguy]

G'day Craig & welcome

Gen1 is feckin' awesome, wish I still had mine, where in the midlands are you from?

I'm originally a Cradley Heath lad and use the local Kawasaki dealers for all my needs 

[craig_]

Cheers mate,

Much more east midlands to you - other side of Leicester!

Yeah, i am loving the gen 1 although i have to say even with the ohlins kit on it seems a very fussy bike to set up suspension wise. Some days i love it, other days it feels terrible, very strange! Starting to think the gen 1 is the kind of bike that's great when you're in the mood to ride like a loon or on track, but a real pain to live with at other times.

How did you find it in that respect?

[davemfox]

Welcome mate 

Dave

[r1flyguy]

Hi Craig

I covered 23'000 miles on mine before I sold it, toured & trackdays and just found it so competent.

It's kind of like a do everything bike without the compromises, not the fastest but still mental, not the lightest but sure footed!

Best extra is a damper! Other than that it's the best of both worlds

[craig_]

Hi Craig

I covered 23'000 miles on mine before I sold it, toured & trackdays and just found it so competent.

It's kind of like a do everything bike without the compromises, not the fastest but still mental, not the lightest but sure footed!

Best extra is a damper! Other than that it's the best of both worlds

Thanks for that mate!

Gives me some faith in the bike then. I think basically my ohlins shock and forks need a good service and set up, cos sometimes it just isn't right. The other thing is though that the ohlins and k-tech kit on my old R1 was so damn good i've been a bit spoilt before. And now i'm being too fussy and a diva!

The gen 1 is amazing in terms of how light and agile it feels for a litre bike though, awesome. Like you said about yours - i really want to make it a total all round toy.

[r1flyguy]

Were they on the bike when you purchased it? Are they set for your weight?

Best money I ever spent when I had suspensions mods was at a trackday and had the suspension gurus fettle the bike after each session. Made a huge difference.

What tyres are on it, sometimes I've found they tyre didn't suit me more than the bike.

[craig_]

They were on the bike when i got it yeah, but i have changed the springs both ends to suit my weight.

I think/hope it just needs a good service/set up tbh. It just either feels a bit loose and bouncy or a bit harsh. I can't find a happy medium, whereas my old r1 felt rock solid. But then other days it feels much better so maybe it's me!

cheers mate

[r1flyguy]

Hope you get it sorted 

Have a safe riding weekend

[michael4012]

Hi buddie welcome the knowledge is here to help with your set up 

[Jak]

Welcome 

I still have fond memories of my gen1, it was an 05 model, but suspension was bone stock. Definitely the most fun bike Ive ever ridden and not so mental as the press made out. Just a really good bike 

[craig_]

cheers guys,

yeah i definitely agree about the press talk on the gen 1. I mean yes it will wheelie - but not every time you tickle the throttle like they make out. You have to snap at it a bit, it'll do it easily but not with a smoother roll on.

Other thing i've noticed is that having ridden a couple - and now owning one with an ohlins shock - the better suspension, combined with a reasonably high sag figure on the front seems to keep the front wheel much more planted under power. Very few of the crazy headshakes the press talked about.