2011 ZX 10R v BMW S1000RR feedback | GTAMotorcycle.com

2011 ZX 10R v BMW S1000RR feedback

poukali

poukali

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I am in the market for a new litre bike and have narrowed it down to the above two choices and have read numerous articles reviewing both. The BMW always seems to finish ahead due to its raw hp advantage. However I am looking for real world street riding review, as I don't go to track I want to know which one is the most comfortable and most user friendly out in the street. Hoping we have a few owners of both bikes on the forum.

Thanks for the feedback.
 
Both are pretty good. Both are hard to use more than 80% of. Neither interest me much.

If you want a very cool bike for the same kind of money, and one that is constantly involving and exciting, get an Aprilia RSV4-R. Seriously. Who rides litre supersports to be comfy and serene?

Or if these are the only two bikes you could live with, the BMW is probably the better bike but only because of the standard equipment - Brembo calipers, etc. The ZX-10R is probably a bit more comfortable, and is physically smaller to my impression.

You could also do what I would do (if I wasn't going to get the RSV4-R)... get a 2009 CBR 1000RR, and just ride the damn thing. It's a better street bike than either of those, in my opinion. You can even get it with ABS if that's a concern for you.
 
I've rode my buddies S1000rr a few times, pretty amazing bike. I've only sat on the new ZX10R at the dealership, but instantly felt a lot more comfortable. Seems to be dimensionally smaller and better suited for me ergonomically.
 
Shaman said:
Both are pretty good. Both are hard to use more than 80% of. Neither interest me much.

If you want a very cool bike for the same kind of money, and one that is constantly involving and exciting, get an Aprilia RSV4-R. Seriously. Who rides litre supersports to be comfy and serene?

Or if these are the only two bikes you could live with, the BMW is probably the better bike but only because of the standard equipment - Brembo calipers, etc. The ZX-10R is probably a bit more comfortable, and is physically smaller to my impression.

You could also do what I would do (if I wasn't going to get the RSV4-R)... get a 2009 CBR 1000RR, and just ride the damn thing. It's a better street bike than either of those, in my opinion. You can even get it with ABS if that's a concern for you.
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I can't say anything about the Kawi. I sat on the Aprillia and it doesn't fit me at all (I'm 6'4"); far too small.

I love my BMW. I find it very comfortable. I've toured on it as much as 12 hours in the saddle with stops for gas only and only had slight tightness in my hamstrings. The seat has a fair bit of move around space so it's easy to change your perch with some affect on the angles of your body to the bike, if that makes sense.

Pegs are high as they are on any sportbike. Only thing I may look into (but probably won't bother) are rear sets to put my feet further back about an inch.

Only thing I've changed from stock are Piezzo (sp?) levers and a dark smoke windscreen, oh, and a rear seat cover.

Performance is amazing. Tons of power. Has good grunt from about 3k rpm and above 9k rpm is lift off. You do need to be ready for that or it will throw you off your balance. Traction control is good and provides additional confidence although most of my confidence is inspired by the precise handling and amazing brakes. Only time I really notice it is if I'm really winding it out the DTC interrupts power delivery to keep the front wheel on the ground. Feels a bit odd when you aren't ready for it. ABS is good. I've not noticed it other than hard braking with the rear brakes. Front brakes just drives me into the tank and I've not yet had ABS kick in on the fronts, even braking fairly hard in rain. I use Race mode almost exclusively and the electronics are on low intervention in that mode.

Edit - added last paragraph.
 
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STARSHIP said:
The new litre sport bikes are not really street bikes, Sounds like you are looking for a BMW K bike or Busa, riding comfiort and lots of go.
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Shaman said:
.. get a 2009 CBR 1000RR, and just ride the damn thing. It's a better street bike than either of those, in my opinion. You can even get it with ABS if that's a concern for you.
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There's some great advice right here.... ^^^^^
 
Great feed back from everyone, much appreciated. i need to also add i am looking for a little more end grunt as i have a gsxr 600 which I love but does it ever need to get high in the rpm band to get any power. Also, when i say comfort i mean aldo flickability in agility in a street enviroment. I am leaning twoards the bmw
 
poukali said:
Great feed back from everyone, much appreciated. i need to also add i am looking for a little more end grunt as i have a gsxr 600 which I love but does it ever need to get high in the rpm band to get any power. Also, when i say comfort i mean aldo flickability in agility in a street enviroment. I am leaning twoards the bmw
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There is no comparison between my BMW and my wife's ZZR600 when talking about acceleration from low rpm. I realize the ZZR is not as highly tuned as the GSXR. The handling of the S1000RR is sublime. Changing lines is a matter of thought, not action. The bike flows into corners and can change lines precisely and smoothly. But, again, I have no comparative information with regards the Kawi and it's probable that any decent superbike that fits me would handle similarly well. Fit was a major challenge for me. The GSXR was the only other superbike that fit my ergo needs and I really have a bias (completely unfounded but there ya go) against Suzukis.

The S1000RR pulls hard from about 3k and you don't really need to get into the powerband to accelerate. But, if I want to pass quickly or really take off then I do drop a gear or two to get the rpm to 7k or so for VERY quick acceleration.

Handling is a major difference between the S1000RR and the K1300S. That and the riding position. I'm not fond of the more vertical riding position of the sport tourers and I find them to be significantly less agile in corners. Can they be ridden hard and well by a good rider in tough corners? Absolutely. But for me, I notice the difference. Probably because I'm not such a good rider I prefer a superbike to a sport tourer for cornering confidence.
 
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The BMW and ZX-10R are both top-end oriented. Meaning, they need lots of revs to really move, and once you get up in the revs, they have more power than you can really use (and be anything like legal). That's why what you really want is one of the other two bikes I recommended. The CBR is a midrange monster.
 
Shaman said:
The BMW and ZX-10R are both top-end oriented. Meaning, they need lots of revs to really move, and once you get up in the revs, they have more power than you can really use (and be anything like legal). That's why what you really want is one of the other two bikes I recommended. The CBR is a midrange monster.
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This is the first time I've seen someone who doesn't ride a Honda recommend one. The CBR has great power, way more than anyone could ever need on the street. Steering damper, slipper clutch, it's light, it really is a great bike. I have a bias against Kawis, not a big fan but between the RSV4 and the S1000RR, I think the BMW is probably the better street bike. That being said, Every time I see the RSV4 I want it more. It's supposed to be more track oriented than the BMW but it's the best looking sportbike out there in my opinion.
 
Shaman said:
The BMW and ZX-10R are both top-end oriented. Meaning, they need lots of revs to really move, and once you get up in the revs, they have more power than you can really use (and be anything like legal). That's why what you really want is one of the other two bikes I recommended. The CBR is a midrange monster.
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Well okay then. Thanks for clearing that up for me.

OP please disregard all my posts as I clearly don't know what I'm talking about.
 
redridernl said:
This is the first time I've seen someone who doesn't ride a Honda recommend one. The CBR has great power, way more than anyone could ever need on the street. Steering damper, slipper clutch, it's light, it really is a great bike. I have a bias against Kawis, not a big fan but between the RSV4 and the S1000RR, I think the BMW is probably the better street bike. That being said, Every time I see the RSV4 I want it more. It's supposed to be more track oriented than the BMW but it's the best looking sportbike out there in my opinion.
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Any litre bike has more power than you NEED.

The Ape is a beautiful bike indeed. The BMW you either love the look of or hate it. I love it. They are very different in ergos though. The Ape is far smaller geometry.
 
I can't stand the "more power than you need" crowd. If you are looking at it that way, then no bike should have larger displacement than let's say 250cc's. You don't even NEED a motorcycle to begin with, you can just take the bus where it is you are going.

Jeez.
 
You can't compare a zzr to a gsxr.

OP, any newer 1000 will be agile or flickable and much more powerful than your gsxr below 10,000 rpm.
 
The Road Warrior said:
I can't stand the "more power than you need" crowd. If you are looking at it that way, then no bike should have larger displacement than let's say 250cc's. You don't even NEED a motorcycle to begin with, you can just take the bus where it is you are going.

Jeez.
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I meant that regardless of the fact that the BMW has more power the performance is similar and the top end of that power will rarely be used by anyone and therefore, not noticeable.
 
dricked said:
You can't compare a zzr to a gsxr.

OP, any newer 1000 will be agile or flickable and much more powerful than your gsxr below 10,000 rpm.
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That was the point I was trying to make. Thanks.

redridernl said:
I meant that regardless of the fact that the BMW has more power the performance is similar and the top end of that power will rarely be used by anyone and therefore, not noticeable.
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Another post I agree with. What the hell is going on today? I find the arguments about which bike is "fastest" or "most powerful" to be inane. I can't believe anyone riding on the roads is really going to notice the difference. Of far more importance in buying YOUR bike is how it fits you and how it moves you (or not). If it fits, and fits your needs, buy the one that makes you giggly.
 
Griffin said:
Another post I agree with. What the hell is going on today? I find the arguments about which bike is "fastest" or "most powerful" to be inane. I can't believe anyone riding on the roads is really going to notice the difference. Of far more importance in buying YOUR bike is how it fits you and how it moves you (or not). If it fits, and fits your needs, buy the one that makes you giggly.
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Sorry, I never was good at fitting in. I'll try harder. :D
 
FYI, there's s good long video comparison of the various new litre bikes here: http://www.bikechannel.com/

Of the bunch that I have ridden (or ridden with), I am bloody in lust with the RSV4 for its balls-out arrogance and wicked chassis, and my second pick would be the CBR for its ease of riding, along with its wicked real-world power delivery. Seriously, if you pick the ZX-10R or the S1000RR over one of those two bikes, it's ego making the choice for you... or you're going into a superstock/amateur racing series.
 
poukali said:
I am in the market for a new litre bike and have narrowed it down to the above two choices and have read numerous articles reviewing both. The BMW always seems to finish ahead due to its raw hp advantage. However I am looking for real world street riding review, as I don't go to track I want to know which one is the most comfortable and most user friendly out in the street. Hoping we have a few owners of both bikes on the forum.

Thanks for the feedback.
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Having ridden both bikes Id say neither, if it was my personal choice the decision would be between the cbr1000rr or ducati 1198. Kawi feels heavily underpowered due to its wide gearing, I had the chance to keep the bike overnight, and returned it to the dealer within 30 min. So far out of the Jap. liter bikes my favorite is the fireblade. I am also in the market for a liter bike, and am waiting until november to see what honda has to offer for its 2012 overhaul.
 
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Already mentioned but worth reiterating: the ZX10 and BMW are both highly strung liter bikes. The power is up top. Now thats not to say they're weak down low... because if you're coming from a 600, any liter bike will blow your nuts off. But comparing apples to apples, there are better street bikes out there. If midrange power is a priority, then the ZX10 and S1RR aren't for you.

The CBR1000 has midrange power in spades... it's noticeably more powerful (where it counts) than the other two bikes. Alternatively, you can grab a Ducati 1098/1198 which will completely obliterate your brain down low, but they're not comfortable at all for most people.
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