Anyone thinks Kawasaki's quality is slightly lower compared to other bikes?

Homeslice · 06-16-2009, 01:33 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by zed

and second gear on the Yamaha.

on one model (the R6 - speaking of which, mine and most other owners I heard from were fine). Best shifting bike I've ever owned, in fact.

and speaking of clutch baskets, Suzuki v-twins had that problem. Many were unbalanced from the factory.

nhgunnut · 06-16-2009, 05:41 AM

As a fellow Busa Owner (05) I am curious about the Zx14 have you got saddle time on them both? I have about an hour on a ZX14 and the ergos felt a bit off but I suspect that may be because I have altered the ergos on the Busa to fit me. The brakes seemed to have a better feel than my Busa did when it was stock (I did the lines and pads) but not a Huge difference to its current state. Is there anything you notice that puts it ahead of the fist or second gen Busa's. They seem like nice hyperbike and I wish Honda and Yamaha would come to the table with something in the Hyperbike class BMW has but it is priced like a BMW.

umairhashmi · 06-16-2009, 08:52 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by nhgunnut

As a fellow Busa Owner (05) I am curious about the Zx14 have you got saddle time on them both? I have about an hour on a ZX14 and the ergos felt a bit off but I suspect that may be because I have altered the ergos on the Busa to fit me. The brakes seemed to have a better feel than my Busa did when it was stock (I did the lines and pads) but not a Huge difference to its current state. Is there anything you notice that puts it ahead of the fist or second gen Busa's. They seem like nice hyperbike and I wish Honda and Yamaha would come to the table with something in the Hyperbike class BMW has but it is priced like a BMW.

I dont like the stock brakes on the busas (either first or second gen) but most people tend to upgrade brakes anyway after a while. I just felt overall the bikes are VERY similar in terms of performance and its just a matter of personal preference. I am just not a big fan of the way the zx14 looks (especially the front headlights).

z06boy · 06-16-2009, 09:18 AM

In my experience and all that I have "heard" is that Honda has the highest quality followed by Yamaha with Kawasaki and Suzuki fighting for 3rd.

I've owned 2 Honda's...3 Yamaha's...and 3 Kawasaki's. I've never had trouble with any of them.

I've never owned a Suzuki and never really wanted one HOWEVER I think Suzuki has gotten better and they definitely kick azz these days and yes I now would consider one.

I've only ridden one Suzuki...an 05' Busa and must say that I liked it better than I thought I would have.

zed · 06-16-2009, 11:24 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Homeslice

on one model (the R6 - speaking of which, mine and most other owners I heard from were fine). Best shifting bike I've ever owned, in fact.

and speaking of clutch baskets, Suzuki v-twins had that problem. Many were unbalanced from the factory.

not just one model, the FZR's, YZF600R that I remember but had heard about second gear problems long before I started riding 20 some years ago.

nhgunnut · 06-16-2009, 02:52 PM

Its funny it is the ZX14 appearance that has put me off but as you note that is matter of personal taste. The only other place the busa seems to come out ahead is in after market options but then they have been here longer. I am running one of a dozen plug and play turbo set ups on my busa I am only aware fo one for the ZX but that doesnt mean they arent coming.
in terms of quality in the Since 03 I have owned 3 Suzukis 3 Hondas 1 Kawasaki 2 Victorys and 1 Ducati. 3 of these were more than 10 years old GS550 Suzuki a CB750f and a Vulcan 750 oddly enough the Vulcan was the most reliable of the bunch. The Honda 77 CB750 F was a pain to bring back to running condition but once back was a good machine the GSI could bever get to run soa I traded it for gun parts.

Rangerscott · 06-23-2009, 11:18 PM

I've never ridden a yammy so I can only go by what I've hear. I'm a rider, not a racer and it seems like Yamaha makes all their engines just racing. I dont need my power at high rpms going through town. I need low and med power cause I dont go 100mph through town.

I'm sure someone will chime in and call me an idiot but until I get a chance to ride one I'll go with comments from riders that have more experience with bikes than I'll ever have.

umairhashmi · 07-17-2009, 11:25 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rangerscott

I've never ridden a yammy so I can only go by what I've hear. I'm a rider, not a racer and it seems like Yamaha makes all their engines just racing. I dont need my power at high rpms going through town. I need low and med power cause I dont go 100mph through town.

I'm sure someone will chime in and call me an idiot but until I get a chance to ride one I'll go with comments from riders that have more experience with bikes than I'll ever have.

In terms of literbikes on the street NOTHING is more powerful or torquier than the zx10. I understand all the reviews say the best bikes are the gsxr1k and the cbr1k but the down low torque that the zx10 makes is pretty much insane compared to the other three. Im talking in terms of street performance here for an average person. Not a pro racer on the track.

BobTheBiker · 07-17-2009, 11:39 PM

Now I"m seeing what an engineer has told me before. kawi is dead last in quality. side by side with my 1978 Honda my 86 ninja is just terribly engineered and the product is shit compared to the Honda's design.

simply put, kawi sucks quality wise, Honda and Yammi are the top 2 jap brands in this respect IMO.
Kawi just lacks a lot of good design ideas. while Honda and yamaha were using rigid perimiter frames, kawi was still using a very shitty double cradle box steel frame that flexes like a limp dick, or in the earlier ZX600's from the 80's what amounts to a cruiser frame pretty much.
sorry but any brand where frames breaking with no previous abuse or crash damage just puts the gsxr into the piece of shit level for me.

pauldun170 · 07-18-2009, 01:18 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BobTheBiker

Now I"m seeing what an engineer has told me before. kawi is dead last in quality. side by side with my 1978 Honda my 86 ninja is just terribly engineered and the product is shit compared to the Honda's design.

simply put, kawi sucks quality wise, Honda and Yammi are the top 2 jap brands in this respect IMO.
Kawi just lacks a lot of good design ideas. while Honda and yamaha were using rigid perimiter frames, kawi was still using a very shitty double cradle box steel frame that flexes like a limp dick, or in the earlier ZX600's from the 80's what amounts to a cruiser frame pretty much.
sorry but any brand where frames breaking with no previous abuse or crash damage just puts the gsxr into the piece of shit level for me.

If my only experience with Kawi were the 900r\1000\1100's I'd have a few choice words.

Had my only experience with Honda been 80's and early 90's bikes I curse them as electrically fucktarded.

However ZX-9 going from the porker in the 90's to late Zx-9r are, from what I know solid bikes that will rack up the miles. I thought 636 was supposed to be well designed as well.

06-16-2009, 05:41 AM	#2
nhgunnut gun totin redneck Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: South West New Hampshire Moto: turbo busa 999 Duc Goldwing & Victory Posts: 1,130	As a fellow Busa Owner (05) I am curious about the Zx14 have you got saddle time on them both? I have about an hour on a ZX14 and the ergos felt a bit off but I suspect that may be because I have altered the ergos on the Busa to fit me. The brakes seemed to have a better feel than my Busa did when it was stock (I did the lines and pads) but not a Huge difference to its current state. Is there anything you notice that puts it ahead of the fist or second gen Busa's. They seem like nice hyperbike and I wish Honda and Yamaha would come to the table with something in the Hyperbike class BMW has but it is priced like a BMW. __________________ Evolution requires a body count, Count or be Counted! Last edited by nhgunnut; 06-16-2009 at 05:43 AM..

06-16-2009, 02:52 PM	#6
nhgunnut gun totin redneck Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: South West New Hampshire Moto: turbo busa 999 Duc Goldwing & Victory Posts: 1,130	Its funny it is the ZX14 appearance that has put me off but as you note that is matter of personal taste. The only other place the busa seems to come out ahead is in after market options but then they have been here longer. I am running one of a dozen plug and play turbo set ups on my busa I am only aware fo one for the ZX but that doesnt mean they arent coming. in terms of quality in the Since 03 I have owned 3 Suzukis 3 Hondas 1 Kawasaki 2 Victorys and 1 Ducati. 3 of these were more than 10 years old GS550 Suzuki a CB750f and a Vulcan 750 oddly enough the Vulcan was the most reliable of the bunch. The Honda 77 CB750 F was a pain to bring back to running condition but once back was a good machine the GSI could bever get to run soa I traded it for gun parts. __________________ Evolution requires a body count, Count or be Counted!

06-16-2009, 09:18 AM	#4
z06boy Letzroll Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Lake Norman area, NC Moto: 07 Red R1 & 07 Blue R6 Posts: 5,265	In my experience and all that I have "heard" is that Honda has the highest quality followed by Yamaha with Kawasaki and Suzuki fighting for 3rd. I've owned 2 Honda's...3 Yamaha's...and 3 Kawasaki's. I've never had trouble with any of them. I've never owned a Suzuki and never really wanted one HOWEVER I think Suzuki has gotten better and they definitely kick azz these days and yes I now would consider one. I've only ridden one Suzuki...an 05' Busa and must say that I liked it better than I thought I would have.

06-23-2009, 11:18 PM	#7
Rangerscott Viff6N Mutated Warrior Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Texas Moto: '01 Honda VFR 800 & '09 ER-6N Posts: 8,704	I've never ridden a yammy so I can only go by what I've hear. I'm a rider, not a racer and it seems like Yamaha makes all their engines just racing. I dont need my power at high rpms going through town. I need low and med power cause I dont go 100mph through town. I'm sure someone will chime in and call me an idiot but until I get a chance to ride one I'll go with comments from riders that have more experience with bikes than I'll ever have.

07-17-2009, 11:39 PM	#9
BobTheBiker too much time on my hands Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: the northern district of god damn Moto: 01 ZX6R, looking for more now. Posts: 1,802	Now I"m seeing what an engineer has told me before. kawi is dead last in quality. side by side with my 1978 Honda my 86 ninja is just terribly engineered and the product is shit compared to the Honda's design. simply put, kawi sucks quality wise, Honda and Yammi are the top 2 jap brands in this respect IMO. Kawi just lacks a lot of good design ideas. while Honda and yamaha were using rigid perimiter frames, kawi was still using a very shitty double cradle box steel frame that flexes like a limp dick, or in the earlier ZX600's from the 80's what amounts to a cruiser frame pretty much. sorry but any brand where frames breaking with no previous abuse or crash damage just puts the gsxr into the piece of shit level for me.