Sold my 22 year old VFR and test rode a new Kawasaki Z 1000 SX today. Wow. No desire to own a sports bike and don't think I need to, really impressed with modern electronics, super smooth quick throttle response etc. 

Good man! 

 

Get good write ups dont they. 

 

Ive gone off sports bikes too. Cant see a real need on the road tbh

 

enjoy!

4 minutes ago, fabiamk2SE said:

Good man! 

 

Get good write ups dont they. 

 

Ive gone off sports bikes too. Cant see a real need on the road tbh

 

enjoy!

 

 

Cheers, I can't wait for it to arrive. 

Good choice Sir, just got a 2014 model. Excellent all round bike with good looks. Although I fancied some thing sporty, my wrists said no. 

One complaint....arse gets a bit numb after hour or so

10 hours ago, jerbear said:

Good choice Sir, just got a 2014 model. Excellent all round bike with good looks. Although I fancied some thing sporty, my wrists said no. 

One complaint....arse gets a bit numb after hour or so

Cheers I have read the same comment. Gel seat perhaps. I was going to go for an all green 14 ABS model with 1200 miles and touring panniers at a very competitive price but SWMBO kindly suggested I look at a new one, which has some minor improvements. I test rode it to verify (in my mind) a comment that it was buzzy at 70-80 but it seemed smooth. It was a toss-up between Suzuki GSX S1000F, which is sharper. The SX1000 seemed sharp enough to me and doesn't have the Suzuki's stuttering throttle response around town. 

59 minutes ago, Redboy said:

The SX1000 seemed sharp enough to me and doesn't have the Suzuki's stuttering throttle response around town. 

 

Quite a few bike manufacturers are struggling with the low throttle response due to running the engines so lean to comply with the latest Euro emission standards. Dropping cable in preference to electronic throttles seems to be the current work around to avoid slight movements on the hands been translated to throttle inputs and the revs hunting at steady low speeds.

 

Also too old and stiff for sports bike now. I'd like to arrive at a destination and be able to stand up straight again.

I've got fly by wire on the Harley (yes on a Harley) and I think that I'd prefer the smoother response of a cable tbh, maybe its just the H-D set up though! 

Cable is more direct. Electronic is a case of you can twist as much as you like but the computer will work out what is wants to do not you. I prefer cable too but their is no doubting that the hunting at low revs is much reduced.  

6 hours ago, CWARD said:

 

Quite a few bike manufacturers are struggling with the low throttle response due to running the engines so lean to comply with the latest Euro emission standards. Dropping cable in preference to electronic throttles seems to be the current work around to avoid slight movements on the hands been translated to throttle inputs and the revs hunting at steady low speeds.

 

Also too old and stiff for sports bike now. I'd like to arrive at a destination and be able to stand up straight again.

 

I saw a GSX S1000F for sale with a Power Commander which I think could be used to make it richer to avoid the stutter. The SX1000 is very smooth and instant acceleration even at low speeds in 6th. 

My current KTM wasn't too bad but now running a much more free flowing air box and Wings shorty exhaust but with O2 sensor eliminators and it is butter smooth with instant response to boot. I was expecting the MPG to drop running it richer in the lower revs but surprised to getting 56mpg on the computer which is a first. 

Previous KTM, 990 SM, was terrible for hunting. Lots of tuning and tinkering and that become much smoother but not perfect. It was a complete riot though and whoever has it now will be having fun on it.