[Cliff Secord]

I love ill-informed internet judgement almost as much as I love being the underdog. Any favorites? So far I LOVED these:

Of the people who are buying these super elite machines, I'd say most of them are collectors, not gear heads.

I have a feeling that anyone ballsy enough to do some street scrapping with their revolutionary new H2 is going to spend some quality time with their tail between their legs afterwards.

Most people who have the skill to ride the H2 proficiently already have a bike that's as fast, because this performance level on a sport bike is neither new nor revolutionary. That leaves only people with more money than skill left to buy it, and the ones who choose to show off with it probably won't end well.

I'm just talking out my ass here, but my assumption is that 9 out of 10 people who buy the street version H2 (if they ride it at all) will be riding it as a poser, not as a skilled enthusiast.

I can't wait for someone around here to buy one though... so i can smoke the dogshit out of it on an old, analog 10r.

The real world numbers are going to be lower than the advertising claims.

 

[edinlr]

A lot of modified bikes will be able to beat a stock H2. Maybe these big mouths will run into Ricky on his "slightly" modified bike and can "show" him.

 

[Cliff Secord]

A lot of modified bikes will be able to beat a stock H2. Maybe these big mouths will run into Ricky on his "slightly" modified bike and can "show" him.

Maybe at the strip, but out roaming around? There's an old racer saying 'There's always somebody faster'.

 

[SilverbirdH2]

"out roaming around"...LOL...seeking our prey?This thing is gonna kill ANY regular streetbike...being able to use all it has...that's gonna be the challenge.

 

[SilverbirdH2]

Just imagine when we get ours...and get out there...and start our own R&D...all the talk is gonna be but a mosquito trying to buzz in our ears...we'll finally know for ourselves...this is gonna be cool...and I have the perfect roads for rockin the casbah right cheer

 

[OKH2]

I believe after breaking mine in and riding it for a while I will be of good authority to tell someone whether Kawi filled us full of hype or not. For the last three years I've been running a 2011 ZX-10R with full exhaust, Guhl flash, PCV with Autotune, etc. on the track only (not racing). And I can tell you the ZX-10R is pretty **** fast and a lot to handle when she in the power band. Thank God for KRTC!

 

[Turtle1000]

^^^ he ain't lyin I have a '13 that's not even flashed and without the tc I most likely wouldn't be here typing this. It's that fast. The fact that it's 437 wet don't hurt. Without abs anyways

 

[SilverbirdH2]

That's some great info there...I was wondering about the performance of the 10R...let me ask you guys...how does your 10R FEEL when you're out riding?Edgy and vibey?Or smooth and refined?I've never ridden a literbike...ever.Have NO idea how one feels or rides.

 

[Cliff Secord]

That's some great info there...I was wondering about the performance of the 10R...let me ask you guys...how does your 10R FEEL when you're out riding?Edgy and vibey?Or smooth and refined?I've never ridden a literbike...ever.Have NO idea how one feels or rides.

I had the 04 10R and it was the first bike, when it came out, no one was trying to figure out how to get more power out of - they were all mostly trying to figure out how to keep it on the ground. I've been looking for months to buy another and I'd say nearly 40% of them have salvage titles now or are just gone. They're extremely rare in good shape (understandably).

That said, after you put a steering damper on it, easily one of the greatest bikes ever made. It was edgy and vibey. The aluminum in the motor was so thin you could hear all the inner workings of the heads. It would pull the front wheel up in 5th unintentionally. It would go 106 in 1st gear. It destroyed the canyons. It never lost a race. It made this noise I'd liken to the start of war (thanks Area P!). It was an analog apocalypse. It was the first bike that ever made me understand what being a large bird of prey must feel like; I could stop, start, turn or attack as an extension of my body. It took a couple years before I could figure out how to use all that bike had to give and become comfortable with it.

I rode that 10R near weekly for almost 8 years (minus the time it put me in the hospital). It was like heroin. No matter how steely my nerves, I always got a little sweaty right before a ride - well, right up until my leg went over and the motor started - then I turned into that old Goofy cartoon where he's Mr. Nice Guy until he gets behind the wheel and turns into the devil. In those 8 years I rode other bikes - but they were all black and white compared to that 04 10R. (It did freak me out a little that the shift light still came on in 6th. C'mon Kawasaki - if it's gonna do that, give me another gear


In the 10R's defense - the time in the hospital - I got rear ended by an illegal alien on the freeway who was changing lanes while on the phone. It wasn't the bike's fault at all. In fact, while cosmetically hosed, it took a 70MPH hit (thank God for frame sliders which also saved my leg from getting broken) and picked right back up and rode again for another 4 years at 9/10ths without needing anything other than some minor repair. Another note - don't overlook un an underinsured motorist coverage. Without it I'd still be paying for staples and screws.

 

[Cliff Secord]

After reading my own post, Jesus. Time to start looking again. Hey, if anyone has a nice 04/05 10R for sale on the east coast, I'm interested.

 

[Turtle1000]

H2r
Have you ridden a gen 4? You probly know but it's years 11-15?

 

[Turtle1000]

That's some great info there...I was wondering about the performance of the 10R...let me ask you guys...how does your 10R FEEL when you're out riding?Edgy and vibey?Or smooth and refined?I've never ridden a literbike...ever.Have NO idea how one feels or rides.

Some may disagree but for a bike that handles sooo good it's very stable at speed. Attaining good handling and good stability is about impossible since they are opposing forces but to be honest my 10r is why I didnt get the h2. I got on it the last couple months and was just so happy with it. Accelerates like a 14 or busa, handles like a Ducati and has the reliability of a Kawi. To be honest other that a new design 10r I like the new r1 and bmw. They are going to haul the mail imo. But back to the 10r, it just inspires confidence. I had a 05 cbr1k which was known as a good handling bike and this 10r can take every corner faster and safer without drama. And I LOVE the way the gen 4 looks. My little green and black praying mantis lol

 

[Cliff Secord]

H2r
Have you ridden a gen 4? You probly know but it's years 11-15?

I rode a 2012 when I was considering that or a new Z1000. It felt portly compared to my 04, beauty is in the eye of the beholder - but I haven't been a fan of the looks since 06, and it was way too stable in comparison. I'm not big on electronics. I've spent decades honing my skills. To have them interfered with by a computer...I'm just not into digital nannies. It's like a Countach vs the Aventador. One is a refined, technical marvel - the other is like being thrown in a cage with Lions. I just couldn't fall in love with the newer versions. It's a better, safer bike for sure but it just didn't have the 'I could be killed at any moment' edge that made me fall in love with the original.

Have you ridden the 04/05? It was lunacy perfected. It had all the power you could want, weighed nothing and looked t i t s.

 

[Turtle1000]

I rode a 2012 when I was considering that or a new Z1000. It felt portly compared to my 04, beauty is in the eye of the beholder - but I haven't been a fan of the looks since 06, and it was way too stable in comparison. I'm not big on electronics. I've spent decades honing my skills. To have them interfered with by a computer...I'm just not into digital nannies. It's like a Countach vs the Aventador. One is a refined, technical marvel - the other is like being thrown in a cage with Lions. I just couldn't fall in love with the newer versions. It's a better, safer bike for sure but it just didn't have the 'I could be killed at any moment' edge that made me fall in love with the original.

Have you ridden the 04/05? It was lunacy perfected. It had all the power you could want, weighed nothing and looked t i t s.

Yeah I mentioned I've ridden both.^^^ said what I thought up there I thought but anyways I think the gen 1 isn't nearly the bike as the new one but that's just me. And yes beauty is in eye of beholder for sure. It's funny I'm not a huge fan of the looks of the gen 1 but it's got a lot of hp for back then and now if your some brands.. And it's mad light. As for electronics I hear you, you can just turn them off though so it's not an issue at all imo. but the being killed at any moment thing can apply to gen 4.. When you rode it, I have to ask was it flashed and did you really get on it or was it a demo bike? If it wasn't flashed it's still mad fast and fastest jap bike but flash it and holy ****.. I'm not a huge fan of shady bikes, imo they are shady enough now in '14 going on '15. Never mind '04 '05 that's just my .02 though. If I was you I would try a flashed, non abs 11+ 10r and shut all elect off. If you've done this and wasn't impressed than you do like the gen 1 lol

 

[OKH2]

That's some great info there...I was wondering about the performance of the 10R...let me ask you guys...how does your 10R FEEL when you're out riding?Edgy and vibey?Or smooth and refined?I've never ridden a literbike...ever.Have NO idea how one feels or rides.

Since installing the exhaust, tuning and all the bike is a bit edgy, but I rode it on the track only. When new and riding it around on the street before converting to a track bike the whole bike was smoooooooth. It was actually quite deceiving on how fast it was because it was so smooth. Like when entering onto an on ramp and moderately accelerating you would look down and think "Oh Crap!" because you going 100 mph without even trying.


I remember thinking to myself after that happened that it was good thing that I was converting the 10R to track bike so I would not get myself in trouble. And then look what I have gone and done, purchased an H2. DOH!

 

[SilverbirdH2]

Just went through a 'phase' myself(several months ago now)...trying to somehow slow myself down with my 14R.Went and bought a harley 2014 RoadKing.Rode it one day...back from the dealer...which was almost 500 miles.It was sold by me next day(terrible bike)....funny thing is...I rode it home at an average of 90 MPH...going higher(as high as it would go...110)for some open mileages trying to get back.

After getting rid of it...I got back on my 14R(thank God I didn't sell it as I kinda toyed with)...went out for a nice ride...an odd thing happened...my 'quest' to lower my riding speeds happened without even thinking about it...doing the speed limit almost everywhere became pretty cool.Then I go and get THIS bird....SHEESH...guess I'll NEVER grow up....at least that Iron Anchor aint around...that's a plus

 

[Bazza]

You've forgotten the BEST...

$25k is a joke. They need to get the price down somehow. If they could do a ZX-10 "RR" with a blower, less power, and a price closer to a ZX-10 ABS, I might be in for one. But, at $25k, the H2 is a sales failure.

Or a thinly veiled variation of such, some of you may recognize the tone

 

[Titan]

You've forgotten the BEST...

$25k is a joke. They need to get the price down somehow. If they could do a ZX-10 "RR" with a blower, less power, and a price closer to a ZX-10 ABS, I might be in for one. But, at $25k, the H2 is a sales failure.

Or a thinly veiled variation of such, some of you may recognize the tone

I mean I think that its too early to say anything too conclusively about the H2/H2R. I'm sure it will be an amazing bike, but we will have a better picture of all the details once people actually have it in their hands. The pricing really isn't that crazy in my opinion though. If you want to spend less, there are plenty of options for you to choose from.

 

[Cliff Secord]

I concur. Judging from round one it looked like they were going to price it at 30K but then cut it. I'd say 25K is a screaming bargain for what's about to be in our hands. H e l l, 25K is a set of tires on a Veyron. 25K wouldn't even cover a quarter of the taxes on a P1. I can destroy both of them for pennies on the dollar and have more exclusivity? Where do I sign up? (Oh, wait, I already did.)