I am a new member of this forum, as well as a recent buyer of a 1997 ZX11. I have wanted one for about 10 years or so now and finally have one in my garage. I hope this rant doesn't end up sounding too much like Dennis Miller, but I need to vent!!!
In terms of racing, can someone please explain to me what it means to "whip the pants off of" or "completely spank" a ZX-11. I find myself laughing when I read about guys talking about how they tore up a ZX on their busa or XX or gixxer. Then when I get some specs on each, it turns out that test riders for each have only been able to post numbers just barely better than that of a ZX11. For example, in '97 the Blackbird could only edge a ZX11 by less than .10 in a 1/4 mile. Top speed depended on wind direction, but the 'bird only did one mpg better. The busa now is obviously faster at the top, but still is only about .10 or .20 better in the 1/4 mile. The figures I have on each are something like these: ZX11 1/4 at 10.2-10.5 w/top at 175 on radar, 'bird 1/4 at 10.2-10.4 w/top at 176, busa 1/4 at 10.2-10.3 w/top at 184 on radar. Is it just me or can't any of these "spank" the other? We're talking about a blink here!
Then there are the gixxer 1000 owners claiming that they've seen 191 mph. BS! They may have seen it on the speedo, but radar guns have only clocked a range from 174-178. Gixxer 1/4 mile is rated at 9.99. Don't talk too much smack, because anyone that pulls up on a 1998 ZX-9 can do the same thing on a four-year-old bike that looks better and is far more comfortable anyway.
Why is .1-.2 seconds considered a spanking? The 10 second range to begin with makes most people think "holy s&%t" anyway. And what's more, if you are doing an honest 175 mph, then you damn sure aren't going to notice the difference between 2 or 3 mph.
None of these bad boys can truly "spank" the other, at least not until you get on the track. However, I know if I had to ride a gixxer for more than 50 miles at a time, I'd be taking it back.
In terms of racing, can someone please explain to me what it means to "whip the pants off of" or "completely spank" a ZX-11. I find myself laughing when I read about guys talking about how they tore up a ZX on their busa or XX or gixxer. Then when I get some specs on each, it turns out that test riders for each have only been able to post numbers just barely better than that of a ZX11. For example, in '97 the Blackbird could only edge a ZX11 by less than .10 in a 1/4 mile. Top speed depended on wind direction, but the 'bird only did one mpg better. The busa now is obviously faster at the top, but still is only about .10 or .20 better in the 1/4 mile. The figures I have on each are something like these: ZX11 1/4 at 10.2-10.5 w/top at 175 on radar, 'bird 1/4 at 10.2-10.4 w/top at 176, busa 1/4 at 10.2-10.3 w/top at 184 on radar. Is it just me or can't any of these "spank" the other? We're talking about a blink here!
Then there are the gixxer 1000 owners claiming that they've seen 191 mph. BS! They may have seen it on the speedo, but radar guns have only clocked a range from 174-178. Gixxer 1/4 mile is rated at 9.99. Don't talk too much smack, because anyone that pulls up on a 1998 ZX-9 can do the same thing on a four-year-old bike that looks better and is far more comfortable anyway.
Why is .1-.2 seconds considered a spanking? The 10 second range to begin with makes most people think "holy s&%t" anyway. And what's more, if you are doing an honest 175 mph, then you damn sure aren't going to notice the difference between 2 or 3 mph.
None of these bad boys can truly "spank" the other, at least not until you get on the track. However, I know if I had to ride a gixxer for more than 50 miles at a time, I'd be taking it back.
