Daily Rider Bike Reviews

<body topmargin=0 leftmargin=0 marginheight=0 marginwidth=0> <table cellpadding=0 cellspacing=0 border=0><tr> <td valign="top" colspan=2 height=90 BGCOLOR="#006699" TEXT="#080000" background="0cbfd5a3.jpg"> <div> <FONT SIZE="7" COLOR="#CC0000" FACE="Copperplate Gothic Bold" ><B>Motorides</B></FONT><B>    </B><B> |     </B><A HREF="index.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE=" "><U><B>home</B></U></A></div> <div> <A HREF="id17.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Motorcycle Trips"><U>Motorcycle Trips</U></A>   |   <A HREF="id55.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Street Tracker Project"><U>Street Tracker Project</U></A>   |   <B>Daily Rider Bike Reviews </B>   |   <A HREF="id26.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Motocross "><U>Motocross </U></A>   |   <A HREF="id19.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Links"><U>Links</U></A>   |   <A HREF="id20.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Contact Us"><U>Contact Us</U></A>   |   <A HREF="id44.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Pictures Funny stuff"><U>Pictures Funny stuff</U></A>   |   <A HREF="id49.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Sooper Yooper Trip"><U>Sooper Yooper Trip</U></A>   |   <A HREF="id50.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Vermont Covered Bridges"><U>Vermont Covered Bridges</U></A>   |   <A HREF="id51.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Tiger vs. Bear"><U>Tiger vs. Bear</U></A></div> <div> </div> </td> </tr><tr> <td valign="top" width=26.25% BGCOLOR="#FFCC66" TEXT="#080000" background="0ccd2043.jpg"> <div> <I><B> 1992 yamaha </B></I></div> <div> <I><B>                fzr1000</B></I></div> <div> <I><B><IMG SRC="108b0750.jpg" border=0 width="176" height="117" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"></B></I></div> <bR> <div> <I><B>1989 KAWASAKI</B></I></div> <div> <I><B> ZX-10 NINJA</B></I></div> <div> <I><B><IMG SRC="10aad6c0.jpg" border=0 width="173" height="108" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"></B></I></div> <bR> <div> <I><B>1989 Kawasaki</B></I></div> <div> <I><B> CONCOURS <IMG SRC="1bdad760.jpg" border=0 width="173" height="118" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"></B></I></div> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> </td> <td valign="top" height=390 BGCOLOR="#FFFFFF" TEXT="#080000"> <div> <I>Daily Rider Bike Reviews </I></div> <div> <I><B><IMG SRC="11890330.gif" border=0 width="400" height="51" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"></B></I></div> <bR> <div> <I><B><IMG SRC="2960ac70.jpg" border=0 width="266" height="199" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"> </B></I></div> <bR> <div> <I><B>1997  YAMAHA  YZF1000  (THUNDERACE)</B></I></div> <bR> <bR> <div> <I><B>Reliability                             *****</B></I></div> <div> <I><B>Comfort   (TOURING)     ***- -    </B></I></div> <div> <I><B>COMFORT (COMMUTE)  ***-- -</B></I></div> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <div> <I><B>  <IMG SRC="297fda80.jpg" border=0 width="253" height="168" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"></B></I></div> <div> <I><B>1992 YAMAHA FZR 1000.</B></I></div> <bR> <div>   Reliability                              ***-- </div> <div>   <I><B>comfort (long commute)    **---</B></I></div> <div> <I><B>  comfort (short commute)  ***--</B></I></div> <div> <I><B>  wind protection                    ***--</B></I></div> <div> <I><B>  handling                                 ****-</B></I></div> <div> <I><B>  range                                       ***--</B></I></div> <div> <I><B>  economy                                ***--              </B></I></div> <div> <I><B>  mirrors                                    *----  </B></I></div> <div>   <I><B>brakes                                     **---             </B></I></div> <bR> <div> <I><B>OWNED 4 YEARS</B></I></div> <div> <I><B> TOTAL MILES 23,700</B></I></div> <div> <I><B> MILES SINCE BOUGHT  ..16,000</B></I></div> <div> <I><B> </B></I></div> <div> <I><B>THE  1992 Yamaha FZR 1000 is an awesome bike for a daily commuter. I attached a Chase Harper expandable tank bag and a GIVI monorack with a E460 hard luggage bag. With this luggage I could carry everything from groceries to a car battery. Wind protection is good. The wide windshield and fairing make a perfectly calm area behind the screen. Only in heavy rain did I wish for more height on the windshield.</B></I></div> <div> <I><B>  The first thing I noticed the first time I brought the bike up to 150 was how amazingly calm it was on my body. My helmet was getting some buffeting,but considering the speed it was impressive.</B></I></div> <div> <I><B>  This bike has great power for the price. I paid 4000 in 1998 . It may not hang with an R1, but for the street. The FZR has way more than what is required. </B></I></div> <div> <I><B>  The brakes are a weak point on this bike. Unless they are maintained properly, The calipers freeze up. If you are buying an FZR or own one change the fluid yearly. It costs so little and the brakes will last. I rebuilt all of the calipers and the master cylinder. I had to replace a couple of pistons due to pitting. The braking action is very good.</B></I></div> <div> <I><B>  The suspension is a strong point for every day riding. Bumps in corners do not phase the FZR. The FZR is an extremely stable bike. I had the forks rebuilt the second year I owned the bike, it was money well spent the bike had a "new" feel .</B></I></div> <div> <I><B>  The clutch (like the brakes) requires fluid change. The clutch piston also required rebuilding.</B></I></div> <div> <I><B>  TIP*** get a vacuum type brake bleeder ,even the one that you pump by hand (about 28 bucks). Using the lever pump method does not work well at all. If (after bleeding) the brakes feel spongy,try putting a strap or rubber band around the brake lever and handlebar. Let the brakes set in the "on" position overnight. The tiniest bubbles will be separated out of the fluid. For the back brake you can hang a weight off the back brake pedal. </B></I></div> <div> <FONT SIZE="2" COLOR="#CC0000" FACE="Arial" ><I><B>    </B></I></FONT><I><B>I'm not sure if the </B></I><FONT SIZE="3" COLOR="#0000BF" FACE="Arial" ><I><B>mirrors</B></I></FONT><I><B> are the original equipment but they are useless to say the least. Being this is my "DAILY  RIDER" section using mirrors is part of most daily rides. The mirrors on this bike are used only for checking your shoulders to see how big that June bug you just nailed really was.</B></I></div> <div> <I><B>    </B></I><FONT SIZE="3" COLOR="#0000BF" FACE="Arial" ><I><B>Economy </B></I></FONT><I><B>is ok , The YAMI  gets about 39 miles to the gallon taking it easy back and forth to work. When really opening the throttle up on the other hand the mileage goes from 39 to about 38 and a 1/2 . Yes it is the strangest thing I guess I really never stay near the redline for more than a few seconds but the fuel mileage doesn't seem to suffer much. </B></I></div> <div> <I><B>   Repairs haven't been to expensive ,Fork rebuild was about 75 bucks a leg, I removed them myself. Brake rebuild kits were on the expensive side , look for a discount mail order company for the seals, If you have good seals change your fluid religiously and you will be happy you did. Tires are reasonable they are the most common size for radials. </B></I></div> <div> <I><B>    </B></I><FONT SIZE="3" COLOR="#0000BF" FACE="Arial" ><I><B>Range </B></I></FONT><I><B>is also ok, I have been left stranded 3 times with this bike. The first time because I didn't know the reserve did not work, the second time because I had reconnected the reserve wiring and thought that it would surely work then. The third time wasn't actually me, my cousin ran out of fuel in Northern Vermont after a 2  hour speed run we had covered 170 miles or so and it didn't have a fume left. </B></I></div> <div> <I><B>  The range is about 175 reliably , you start pushing from 185-190 (and I have). I think all bikes should go 200 miles on a tank. This is why I grade it three stars , OK but not any better.</B></I></div> <div> <FONT SIZE="3" COLOR="#0000BF" FACE="Arial" ><I><B>   Handling </B></I></FONT><I><B>is the FIZZER's greatest asset , Day to Day riding is enjoyable because you don't feel the bumps and cracks. The FZR tracks straight and isn't disturbed in the least. While in a corner I always felt the bike wants to hold it's line exactly. I never found myself wandering once. Great for confidence when the road gets rough. </B></I></div> <div> <I><B>  The pegs are high ,I mean very high ,I only once dragged the pegs at speed.</B></I></div> <div> <I><B>I could drag the peg turning off a main road onto a side street making a 90 deg. turn in third gear. Just weight that outside peg and give it some gas part way through. The Dunlop 207 front and Bridgestone 010 rear are a great combo. When I first bought the bike I had a Dunlop 204?? on the rear and it was very unpredictable, it was definitely the tire, slippery in wet and not very good in the dry. The 207 was very predictable and stopped great. Now the bike has Bridestone skins front and rear and is equally good as with the 207 front. </B></I></div> <bR> <bR> <div> <I><B>               <IMG SRC="12851d20.jpg" border=0 width="337" height="210" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"> </B></I></div> <div> <FONT SIZE="2" COLOR="#000000" FACE="Arial" ><I><B>         </B></I></FONT><I><B>1989 </B></I><I><B>Kawasaki ZX-10 NINJA</B></I></div> <div> <I><B>         </B></I></div> <bR> <div> <I><B>Reliability                               ****</B></I></div> <div> <I><B>Comfort (long commute)  *****</B></I></div> <div> <I><B>Comfort (short commute) ****</B></I></div> <div> <I><B>Wind protection                    ****</B></I></div> <div> <I><B>Handling                                 *** </B></I></div> <div> <I><B>Range                                      ****</B></I></div> <div> <I><B>Economy                                ****</B></I></div> <div> <I><B>Mirrors                                    ***</B></I></div> <div> <I><B>Brakes                                     ***</B></I></div> <bR> <div> <I><B>Owned bike                 1 1/2  years</B></I><FONT SIZE="2" COLOR="#000000" FACE="Arial" ><I><B>    </B></I></FONT></div> <div> <I><B>Total Miles                  26,000 </B></I></div> <div> <I><B>Miles since bought  4,200</B></I></div> <div> <I><B> </B></I></div> <div> <I><B> The 89' ZX10 </B></I><FONT SIZE="3" COLOR="#000000" FACE="Arial" ><I><B>is a great bike for the money. I paid $1740 for the bike.</B></I></FONT></div> <div> <I><B>When I had bought the bike it was a midnight blue color.</B></I></div> <div> <I><B>________________________________________________        </B></I><FONT SIZE="3" COLOR="#000000" FACE="Arial" ><I><B><IMG SRC="133e5ac0.jpg" border=0 width="229" height="172" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"></B></I></FONT><I><B>_<IMG SRC="135e5ac0.jpg" border=0 width="229" height="172" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"></B></I></div> <div> <I><B><IMG SRC="137e2aa0.jpg" border=0 width="226" height="170" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0">_<IMG SRC="139e6a70.jpg" border=0 width="230" height="167" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"></B></I></div> <div> <I><B> I painted the bike pea green and flat black on the lower fairing. I stripped and wet sanded  body work and hung it all from my garage ceiling painting a couple pieces at a time. With the exception of the rear tailpiece the finish came out fine. I had painted the tailpiece with a spray can clear coat upon the advice of an "expert". Well don't waste your time with spray can clear coat if you ask me. The finish was dull compared to the "wet" look of the 2 part clear.</B></I></div> <div> <I><B>  The bike came with a corbin seat. The seat is excellent ,I had the original seat and never tried to see  how it felt in comparison. The seat is firm and updates the bike the little bit it needs. The ZX when it came out was the king of speed. Now (even though it has a top speed that will put you in jail) the Ninja is really a sport tourer. You can definitely stress the touring part. </B></I></div> <div> <I><B>   </B></I><FONT SIZE="2" COLOR="#006600" FACE="Arial" ><I><B>Reliability </B></I></FONT><FONT SIZE="2" COLOR="#111111" FACE="Arial" ><I><B>I rate the reliability of the ZX fairly high. I had a problem with the chain getting out of adjustment. After trying to tightened the swingarm alan head pinch bolts several times with little effect. I removed the pinch bolts and applied anti-seize to their threads,this allowed the bolts to be tightened much easier and held the adjustment quite well. I am not a fan of the ecentric axle/chain adjustment. It seems like a pretty good idea at first but the typical adjusting bolts seem to be more reliable and easier to use. Suspension ..I serviced the fork fluid and replaced both fork seals . I replaced the chain and sprockets with the original gearing. I also put on a set of Bridgestone 020's. A perfect tire for this machine. I changed the air filter and plugs. I also replaced the front brake hoses with braided jobs.The brakes really improved with the lines/ new pads and fluid change.    </B></I></FONT></div> <bR> <bR> <bR> <div> <I><B> </B></I><FONT SIZE="3" COLOR="#000000" FACE="Arial" >__________________________________________________________</FONT></div> <div> This website and all material contained within is © Copyright 2007 by Peter and Maria Seddon. No portion of this website, or the material contained within the website, may be reproduced, cached, or stored on another computer or storage device in any way, shape or form without the expressed written permission of Peter and Maria Seddon. </div> </td> </tr></table></body>