The Soul of Tony Soprano In A Sportbike
Written: Jun 03 '00 (Updated Jun 03 '00)
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Product Rating:
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Pros: Engine O'The Gods, Visceral Feel, Great Styling, Comfortable For All-Day Rides
Cons: Fit and Finish Not Up To Par, Suspension Begs For Upgrades, Insurance Is Hideous
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| Brian_Igo's Full Review: 2000 Kawasaki Ninja ZX-11 |
The ZX-11 Ninja should be shipping off to the Old Sportbike's Home any day now. Never mind the Honda CBR-1100XX ("Dos Equis") and the Suzuki Hayabusa-it's not even the fastest bike in the Kawasaki lineup anymore. It only goes 174 mph. This is the 21st Century, gang. If a bike can't crack 180, well-what good is it?
As Keith Oberman says, if you're scoring at home or if you're by yourself-that's not a note of sarcasm. It's the whole band.
The once-maximum Ninja remains one of my all-time favorite motorcycles despite it's slacker top speed. Styling is subjective, of course, but seven years after it's debut I think the ZX-11 is one of the best looking sportbikes ever made. It has a visual presence that the newer bikes lost in their trip through the wind tunnel (Speaking of which-did the Suzuki Hayabusa have to hit every branch when it fell out of the ugly tree?) and the absence of boy-racer graphics give it an understated elegance. If the newer bikes are slammed day-glo Honda Civics the ZX-11 is a Jaguar XK-R or BMW Z-8. You don't have to be older to appreciate this, though it might help. But even the kids on the 600's pay attention when a ZX-11 pulls into a sportbike hangout. It's the difference between getting attention and commanding respect.
For the subtle qualities of the ZX-11 at rest, there is nothing subtle about riding this bike. It's not nearly as smooth as the CBR-XX (the other hyperbike I've ridden). Engine vibration isn't excessive but unlike Dos Equis you always know there is an internal combustion devise working below, and there is a noticeable level of driveline lash if you look for it. I wouldn't want these qualities in a tourer but for a bike like this I think a little unrefinement adds to the appeal. Compared to the XX it makes the engine feel bigger than it is even when you aren't testing the top speed and in my book that makes it more fun to ride.
About the engine...this is hands-down the most incredible engine I've ever experienced. What can 127 honest, to-the-road horsepower do with 650 pounds of bike and rider to move? Anything you ask it to. Handle the throttle like it's the last wire on a bomb you have to defuse and it is as benign as any bike you can ride. Rip it open in first gear only if you want to risk being cracked in the mouth by 500 pounds of motorcycle. If you're really stupid it can flip over backwards and turn into a human pile driver. Search out that pedestrian top speed and your time will react to anything that might create a problem is reduced to milliseconds while the time needed to slow down or evade grows exponetionally. I don't think the ZX-11 is more inheritly dangerous than any other bike you can ride but the opprotunities to get in over your head are always closer. This is not a bike for beginners and even with experience, if you don't have the self-disipline to say "this isn't a good idea" you should look elsewhere.
Disclaimers said, what can you do with the fourth-fastest motorcycle on the planet? Roll on the throttle hard in third gear from 60mph or so and feel the bike try to pull itself out of your hands. Or shift hard into third and feel the front tire rotate skyward like a F-16 taking off. Find the kind of empty desert highway I rode on in Arizona and shift into fifth gear at redline and stay on the gas, glancing at the instrument panel as the speedometer sweeps past 150mph as easily as most bikes accellerate through 70. You can't justify this kind of performance and since girls are only interested in guys who ride Harley's it won't even help you look cool. But if you have the addiction Kawasaki has a great fix.
The comfort of the ZX-11 is surpassed only by the perfect ergonomics of the Honda VFR Interceptor. The saddle is broad and well padded, and the reach to the controls is sporty without being too severe. You can tour on this bike without financing your chiropractor's mistress but you'll also find that the best engine isn't enough to make a perfect bike. The ZX-11 is a big sportbike and the suspension pieces chosen by Kawasaki do nothing to hide it's bulk. The bike wallows when pushed through corners and under hard braking. The best money you can spend on this bike is for an aftermarket shock and fork tuning by Race Tech. One of the ZX-11's I've ridden had this done and the difference is night and day. It feels a hundred pounds lighter and generates much more confidence when leaning the bike into a corner. If you have a ZX-11 do this now.
The brakes could also be better. They don't fade easily but are lacking in initial bite and feel. EBC pads help somewhat but don't deliver the performance of the brakes used on the recent Yamaha's. On a bike like the ZX-11 not getting the brakes right from the factory is inexcusable. Anyone who can afford a ZX-11 could afford paying $500 more for Brembo's.
For a $10,000 motorcycle the fit and finish of the ZX-11 also leaves something to be desired. Nothing is really bad, but parked next to a Honda XX the differences are impossible to overlook.
I can't even remember how many different bikes I've worked on in the last ten years. But only a few inspired the blow-your-paycheck-on-lottery-tickets kind of motolust the ZX-11 has. One day I will either have one in my garage or I'll bore the hell out of my grandkids trying to tell them what it was like. Hopefully both.
-Brian Igo
Recommended:
Yes
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