Cosmetics are just injection molded plastic fairings and paint, none of which makes the bike faster or handle better.

Rook, you have a team of designers that fall under one leader who calls the ball.

Any 750 10 years down the road is going to beat the last generation. It's more subtle than a flat out new bike.

He states the design goals for the new machine very plainly, faster lap times, cosmetics were a secondary consideration.

Cosmetics are just injection molded plastic fairings and paint, none of which makes the bike faster or handle better.

I'm sure the new zx-10 is a changed bike but not a new bike altogether. I don't think your going to notice a big improvement for your riding and no change in the appearance of the bike. If you just want something that feels a little different but you still love the ZX-10 go get one. You will trade in the old one though, wont you?

how about a 2016 Supra? that'd be different.

http://handi.tech/the-2016-toyota-supra-specs-price-and-release-date/

2016 ZX10R has:

New design engine
New design frame
New integrated electronic suspension, stability control and TC electronics
New brakes
New race package with integrated clutchless shifting

About the only similarities in the 2015 and the 2016 is they are both 1000 cc and both made by KHI and badged ZX10R.

It is a completely new bike.

Well Im on board then. Get it, Kruz. If they won't give you a stellar trade in credit, keep the old zx-10.

I guess there might be some reasons for a sportbike manufacturer to make sleepers.

Cosmetics are just injection molded plastic fairings and paint, none of which makes the bike faster or handle better.

REALLY then explain to me why the busa fairings are the best fairings for wind drag and everybody else is left sucking air

a friend bought one, took it to the isle of man, rode it in superstock did a 126mph average speed, he also rode in the senior superbike race and came 13th on a suzuki, and only rode the superbike marginally faster than the zx-10, an awesome bike, according to him. and he would know. his upgrades were exhaust and suspension over totally stock
there is a huge budget difference in a fully blown superbike and a superstock,but not a huge performance difference. get it!!

* Last updated by: motero on 7/19/2016 @ 3:33 AM *

Thanks Motero and Cruderudy for your observations, you guys "get it".

Well Im on board then. Get it, Kruz. If they won't give you a stellar trade in credit, keep the old zx-10.

You know me Rook, I'm still in the fact gathering stage like I did with the 959 Ducati. I do a lot of discussing and then make my move when ready. You are right, I really don't need this machine, my old 10R is still a really good bike and for my type of backroad riding might not make much difference. From what I can gather, the new 10R is a very focused machine, optimized to go fast on a race track.

So I hear about new race rules for the US and WSB bikes next year? That's twice I've been told to; 'hand in my biker card;' or 'you're no biker' kind of comments... not keeping up on the news. Then I think, where is Suz in all this? Are they coming out with some bike rule about not touching [a production] engine? Kill you with engine/frame package and flip that wildcard out?

Not trying to flame out the hole burning in your pocket for the zedx, but I'd be on a 'wait and see basis,' place a deposit on a 'I don't back out, you don't back out, hold the deposit for this price under suggested list.' You're throwing the crap shoot they come out and beat the zedx, the '017 zed has nothing for the new gix next year.

Only a dealer show near you is the touch and feel entertainment of what's coming next year and who looks like a world beater?

Never buy a first year bike the first year it's made.

Put a deposit on the 14 sight unseen. I can't say those days are over, but with this bike, not one issue throughout the the gens. I took the change without hesitation.

70k duc = barrels are leaking or the head?
R1 = Tranny recall.
Fill in the blank ________ for the next model glitch, but you better think top model better not fuckcup.
Eventually things are addressed with a recall. Big difference between a switch being loose thru a certain production run of so many days/weeks/months before the field or the factory catches it. I see where you're coming from, but metallurgy and telemetry has come a long way.

How true Hubmeister, the Gen 1 14 came out of the chute back in 2006 with almost zero defects, flagship model and Mother Teapot got it mostly right on the first try. I had one recall on the rear engine mount torque, maybe 30 minutes at the dealer and all was good. Rattling cam tensioner is a minor annoyance but this machine is still a stellar performer 10 years on. I was out on it this morning for a ride in the twisties and I can't believe how good this machine still is. I have embarrassed gaggles of Euro exotics on the back roads with my old 14 and the main reason I won't get rid of it.

Still debating whether or not I really need the '16 ZX-10R, will it do anything better than my old 14 on the roads I ride? So far, none of the other machines I have owned have been able to outpace it in the twisty bits and for a long freeway ride? Fagedaboudit, the 14 is a Cadillac in cruise mode.

Every time I catch a ride on something else I have to compare torque for torque. I'm not after HP per say and a number. I rather look at the torque rating if I have to look for level of performance. But then again, a harley will run the same torque value as the 14 but never be close in foot for foot, throttle to throttle opening. Until harley comes up with how to address that kind of weight to carry...

I have to thank mother tea for such a quicker picker upper, it's the safest bike to be on; if one plays pinball with those blind at the wheel, driving into your lane kind of gone before you know what model or paint color it was. No bike has this kind of get up, get outta the way and go.

Until someone beats the King...

Yep, the 14 is one of the best do-it-all machines ever built, too bad it doesn't get the credit it deserves.

Picking up a brand new 2016 ZX-10R in the morning, KRT Team colors and non-ABS. Can't wait to ride it.

Good pick. I like it better than the new 6r you also were eyeing. I really think the main difference will be color unless you do some track riding. It will have a differnt feel but I think you will need to take it to the track to exploit it's improvements. Congrats!

How big is the fleet now?

Picked it up early this morning, sweet bike. I'll do a quick write up on my thoughts and impressions so far, mostly good but a few nits.

How big is the fleet now?

Seven now Hubmeister, I think it's time to stop, my neighbors are starting to think I'm a total nutball....

Ok , here's my thoughts after the ride home with a few miles of highway and maybe 40 miles of back road. I had the dealer set power mode to Full (F) , TC to minimum intervention (1), Engine braking control EBC to Low (L) and Quickshift (QS) enabled before I rode off the lot.

First off engine power, this thing is absolutely gutted below 5000 RPM, it wouldn't pull the head off of a flat beer. I think my ZX-6R could even pull on it down low. Around 6500 it starts to wake up and beyond that it starts to really pull hard. Obviously I'm breaking it in but midrange feels superior to my '11 ZX-10r and it feels like the power above 9000 is going to be awesome. In a nutshell, it's a screamer. No problem, a pipe and a flash tune should fix the bottom end and yield even more midrange.

Gearbox is butter smooth, typical Kawasaki.

First gear is stratospheric tall or at least the lack of bottom end torque makes it feel that way. One tooth off the front should fix that nicely. Gears are spaced closely 2-6.

Quick shift cuts power too aggressively under wide open throttle. Under cruising it worked fine but nailing it and toeing the shift lever put my jewels into the back of the fuel tank....ouch! It almost feels like the clutch is slipping when you use the QS under WOT conditions, it's not but it feels that way.

Clutch feel is light and positive, again typical Kawasaki fare.

I was concerned about the ergonomics on this machine after hearing 6 foot testers with the magazines saying the cockpit was cramped, pegs too high and their knees and lower back hurt. I'm 6'3" and have a 36" inseam and felt totally comfortable as soon as I left the parking lot. After almost 50 miles of back roads I felt completely at home on this bike, love the new higher position.

Suspension is plush but controlled, I didn't really notice it on the bumpier road sections and that's usually a good sign.

The Brembo M50 Monobloc brakes felt wooden the first time I squeezed them. It was like there was no give in the system and the initial bite was not overwhelming with little feel. I didn't like them at all at first but after 50 miles, the pads were biting and they became more progressive and much stronger. I think after another 100 miles I am going to really like these binders.

Handling is awesome, not super quick turn in like an R6 or ZX-6R but still pretty light in the transitions and this was on factory standard suspension settings. A little tweeking on the adjusters and I think the handling will be epic. As is, it felt planted and stable in the turns.

The RS-10Rs felt really good, it was my first time on them and there's nothing bad I can say about them.

Looks is what initially sold me on this bike and my iPhone photo doesn't do it any Justice. In real life, the bike is an absolute stunner in KRT colors.

OK, got to go so that's all for now. Will post more after I get some break in miles logged and get everything bedded in and adjusted.

In summary, despite much initial trepidation in buying this machine, I am so far very pleased with it and can't wait to see what it's like when fully broken in and tuned.

By contrast, I bought a 2016 Panigale 959 back in March and am still learning how to ride it, it's fast but takes some getting used to, the new ZX-10R makes you feel right at home instantly.

Quick shift cuts power too aggressively under wide open throttle.

Seven now Hubmeister, I think it's time to stop, my neighbors are starting to think I'm a total nutball....

Glad you are impressed John. It sounds like a new experience. That is a great looking bike.

* Last updated by: Rook on 8/29/2016 @ 9:59 PM *

I would look into going with a larger rear sprocket instead of one down on the front. Much easier to change and looks cooler. Ads weight but not if you go with aluminum which will wear about the same as your steel front. Smaller front sprockets are also known to make a whining noise at some rpms because they have to turn a smaller radius. Ask your 10r buddies before you go ahaed with a gearing change.

Here is my riding impression posted on ZX-10R.net earlier this morning:

100 miles now on my new ZX-10R and I'm really starting to like this machine. Did a 45 mile ride in the twisties on my favorite route this morning and was able to crystallize my thoughts a little better. The word ultra-refined applies to this machine, you can tell the development team fussed over all the details and it shows.

First off, throttle off-on transitions are silky smooth with EBC set on (L), have not tried with EBC turned off yet but I really like the engine braking on (L) so plan to leave it there. It's as good as any throttle I've ever experienced on this setting.

Brakes are starting to bed in and offer strong braking action with good feel and modulation now. Initial bite is not as strong as I thought the M50s would have but there's plenty of stopping power on tap and very progressive the harder you squeeze the lever. Great brakes and I imagine they'll just get better over time.

Quick shifter was working great this morning on my back road ride. I'm not on track, so full throttle upshifts are not used. I'll probably leave it alone for now, it's working well at part throttle upshifts and is very smooth. The aggressive power cut is only noticeable when really hammering the throttle.

Handling is awesome, turns in well and flicks like a much lighter machine and is super stable when healed over. Finishes off corners well on stock settings, so I haven't messed with anything yet.

Suspension is in a word "plush", it has a very supple, quite expensive feel to it like you would get with high end Ohlins components. I plan to leave it alone for now and just ride it. Later on I will do some fine tuning but for now it is very rideable at a 9/10 pace. Some of the best stock suspension I have experienced to date.

Now on to power and power delivery.

On my ride this morning I thought the power was great, even breaking it in and avoiding anything beyond about 8-9000 rpm it pulls very well even with the ultra-tall stock gearing.

The power delivery is turbine smooth and the engine has almost zero vibration anywhere in the rpm range.

It reminds me right now of a mega motor Supersport 600, power is shifted up in the range with not much below 5000 rpm; but from 6000 rpm on it pulls very well and I'm guessing the top end delivery is going to be missile like once thoroughly broken in.

I have TC set on Full Power and Level 1 for minimum intervention. I did experience some rear tire slip in a 70 mph off-camber, right hand corner this morning where my old 10R never budged. This kind of caught me off guard as I was not expecting it to step out and was not hard on the gas, trying to be smooth as I rolled into it. It didn't scare me but it did get my full attention. It might have been just something in the road, don't know but I will keep an eye on this and may have to try Level 2 TC.

Ergonomics are great, even with my long legs. The pegs are set high for sure but I like the new riding position and it makes it easy to get over the front end when you're cornering hard.

The stock exhaust is super quiet as is the engine mechanicals. My new 959 Panigale sounds like a threshing machine by comparison. I'm going to leave the stock exhaust on there for now, enjoying the whisper quiet as I roll through country neighborhoods and I'm sure the locals are appreciating it as well.

Speaking of the 959, that might be a good bike to comparison test against my new 10R. They are designed to compete directly against each other but are as different as you can possibly get."

* Last updated by: Kruz on 8/31/2016 @ 2:12 PM *

You are a bike crazed lunatic! I have a friend who's had over 50 bikes, but never more than about 2 at a time.

I'm guessing you're either single, cuz one woman simply won't do for you ... or you've been married forever and you're trying to keep yourself entertained via a herd of late model sport bikes.

Either way