Snjur

I'm close in parting my ways with Ducati's after 13 years of "partnership" which started with 848 model and continued throughout 1098 base model which with time was heavily modified with Ohlins suspension, ECU exhaust etc....

Although it was a joyful ride with a lot of thrill's mostly positive ones Im looking to switch to Japanese "boring" inline 4 motorcycles. Todays bikes have evolved drastically with a tons of riders aid throughout traction controls, cornering abs, quick shifter etc. Price tag on Italian bikes have always been way higher than rest and again after 13 years of v2 i would like to try inline 4 instead of upgrading to Panigale 1299S which I test drove last night and it's a real stunner with looks and performance. Financially I cant afford leaving my present Ducati 1098 and I have a really good deal set on it

Bike which caught my mind is Kawasaki Gen 5 Zx10RR Ninja which is homologation bike for next year superstock competitions. It's coming with forged aluminium Marchesini wheels, auto blipper, single seater, Brembo M50 calipers, improved cylinder heads to accomodate higher lift cams, reinforced crankcase cover and carisma of 1000 units being produced worldwide and is in black liveries

Although on various test which are available Ninja isn't on top of the sheets I reckon with last 3 world superbikes titles by Jonathan Rea that bike must have something in it

I never had a soft spot for Yamaha, present Gixxer is ugly as hell and surprisingly Honda CBR SP2 had a lot if issues which are well know. Bmw S1000Rr and Aprila are already 10 years on market so new models are expected in following years which rule's them out too

With all of the above that leaves me with Ninja.

Looking for owners around here of Gen 5 Zx10 or anyone who has rode one and can share some feedbacks bearing in mind heritage of motorcycles sports in UK. Even more better would be if someone has drove or experienced more than one of these 1 liter bikes of recent generation and can share theirs viewa.

I couldn't find a single owner of Gen 5 zx10r in Croatia to arrange test drive or ask any questions.

Semifinals yes !

Going to semies with all European teams believe

Coast down calculation

Few recent shots from 1/4 mile event

Insane!!

I stumbled upon this solution too

Let me write up a small review after some 800 miles of driving during last week in mix road conditions. 

Major changes to car where Kelford Cams (Turbo) stage 1, Vibra-technics engin and gerbox mounts, Whiteline sway bars front and rear plus few new bushings on rear end and different Geo settings.

After a chat with member RobS and 350z Butcher I decided to go with 2° of negative camber on front and rear, with parallel toe on front and bit of toe in on rear.

This has shown to be a massive game changer on how the car feels and steers now, minding as well above mentioned changes.

I thinks ARB plus engine mounts have been the best upgrade I've done so far.

The most noticeable things is sharpness of front end and how car stick to the given line. It really wants to tuck into cornes without any delay or understeer and the lines are sharp and precise.

Rear end was alway nervous before and was unsettling car on accelerations quite a lot. This problem is now behind us.

I did a drive with a buddy whos has a dream job of driving and maintaining few fancy rides such as 911R, 1M etc...

Comparing Z with 911 is pointless but he was positively surprised what progress we done with car stability and how does car behave and stick's to road now. Getting words of praise from him is always a good reference.

On a winding country roads car is awesom. Very precise very easy to control. Exit corners are a lot of fun since rear end has been settled now.

Only down side I would dare to say is shear power of car.

Since most of the driving is done from 4500 rpm above reaction of car on gas pedal is immediate. Transition from vacuum to boost is not noticable at all but a power that comes with boost is abnormal. 

Overtakes or fast exits really keep you busy as kick in the back and how car feels that is airborne on acceleration in 4 gear above 5k rpm really give you something to think about. Good control of rear foot is key.

All in all very very fast car and dangerous if not respected.

This isn't definitely my week. After hanging out last night with buddy's prior parking on a public parking lot I've noticed I can't close driver side window. I was mad, mad.

Of course to make things more fun heavy gusts of wind and rain where expected over night and during morning.

At 0200 am and couple of drinks after there was no point bothering anybody I've just left if over night on parking lot and hope for the best.

This morning i asked a buddy to open a garage (public holiday in Croatia) so we took door card and start investing. After giving a kick to a motor with wrench window woul go up and work. If we lower it all the way down it would stuck.

So bit of Google and Youtube and we went with this turitorial and problem was sold. Unlike on video we took all motor out and thoroughly cleaned it

Napalm 

Massive thanks to friends, yesterday I've sent damaged spring via bus to capital, this morning by noon new springs where fabricated and I'm expecting them this evening again around 7pm by bus. Tomorrow morning should be ready for the road

Again bit of bad luck has struck upon Z.

RJM upgraded clutch pedal has failed 400 km away from home. Not something you expect on a road trip

Spent few hours this evening on doing clay and wax treatment.

Looks shiny 

Replaced few bushings on rear end, Energy Suspension Out Strongflex In.

Also replaced polyurethane bushings from Kinetix camber arms (Energy Suspension only available for this). 

I was having issues in getting rear geo settings right.

Rear fender arches have been rolled out, in order to eliminate rubbing from rear wheels. Need to test result but I think during winter I will do a proper extension or rear wheel arches as well as front ones and paint job of fenders.

Xeonon washer caps glued.

Aluminium center rings for Work Emotion wheels fabricated.

Downside i have noticed crack on right side exhaust manifold. So far is not leaking but still.... Makes me feel dull

West vs East

2 minutes ago, EzeePzee said:

Excellent! Thanks! Do you have a link to the rails your purchased?

Unfortunately no, I've just searched e bay I reckon Sparco R100 seat rails

58 minutes ago, EzeePzee said:

Do the seats slide back and forward or are they fixed in position? 

Slide back and fore with folded back rest

1 hour ago, EzeePzee said:

Which rails did you get? And are they adjustable? I’m 6’3’’ and have always been interested in the r100 seats. 

I can't recall i just went with cheapest solution eBay or something similar. I'm 6.1" and i do not have issues with height except on track day's with helmet on. Than i could use inch or two of clearance

10 minutes ago, wizard said:

Nice seats - which ones are they. Were they easy to fit on the rails?

Sparco R100. Not too much hustle to get them on rails. I got aftermarket low mount base and rails

1 hour ago, StevoD said:

Looks so good

Yeah but still I'm having headache tucking in rear wheels. Still have rubbing. I think I will need to roll bit rear fenders.

Fronts are in 

Mot done

 To be honest I like firm and stiff ride, and although majority of car has been changed and upgraded I can't say that Vibra-technics mounts have contributed in any negative way. I can only say positive comments on this upgrade and no any negative side on comfort or anyg unpleasant vibrations or noise

1 hour ago, nissanman312 said:

Good geo will change things again 

 

Is there much  extra vibration from the mounts 

No vibration at all. Excellent product.