I'm a long time biker, my first street bike was a brand new 1974 Kawasaki H2-750 triple and at the time is was a force to be reckoned with, I have always looked to Kawasaki when it came to top dog street performance, the beginning of the end came in 1999 when Suzuki dropped the GSX1300R Hayabusa and pretty much bitch slapped the Honda Blackbird and the Kaw ZX-11, and sent Kawasaki scrambling to piece together the ZX12R.

Now BMW of all people has put the motorcycle industry on its ear with the S1000RR and all Kawasaki can do is stand there saying "DUH", but knowing BMW's F1 racing roots I am not surprised.

What has happened to Kawasaki's dominance in street bike performance, is this the end of a era?

You gotta think that Kawasaki is trying to respond with the ZX-10R and, it does look like they're making all the right changes to this bike. Patience... Check back October 5th on Kawasaki's new lineup.

* Last updated by: loadedmind on 9/22/2010 @ 9:34 AM *

I think they just lost their way when they stop making iconic bikes like the,GPZ 900,zx9,zx11. It seems they have been playing catch up ever since as you mentioned. The Busa changed the way people viewed motorcycles not just bikers but the general public’s view of motorcycles. If you walk up to the average Joe on the street I bet most of them have heard of the Busa and very few if any will know what a zx12 or zx14 is. I mean how many times you have had some guy walk up to you and say is that one of those Hyabusa bikes. The BMW is doing the same thing the Busa did redefining how other manufactures will build motorcycles and taking total performance to another level just as the Busa did in its segment. If there was never a Busa their wouldn’t have been a zx12 or zx14 (thank you very much Suzuki). If it was not for the BMW S1000 do you really think Kawasaki would be building another zx10 in this economy? Let’s hope the new zx10 is not another typical Japanese bike with a spec sheet filled with ridiculous acronyms for systems that don’t really do a damn thing. I hope Kawasaki now realizes that building bikes with lots of power and hoping for the best is not the way to go anymore people want more substance.

IMHO, It's all in what niche you fall into. If you want to save a few bucks, you go with a Kaw. If you want to be a part of the crowd and have a little better refinement in castings and such, you go Suz. Performance is a mute point especially after you get the bike modded the way you want it. I don't think I will ever go for the so called "giant killer" again. It just doesn't matter and people who are into the sport enough find that out in short order. People tried to tell me that with the busa purchase. Now I'm one of them. Do a little research so as to avoid a dog, don't agonize over nuances, buy what you like and mod the heck out of it. You'll have the best bike, probably for another 10 years, it will serve you as well as the latest---probably better.

* Last updated by: Rook on 9/22/2010 @ 10:03 AM *

If there was never a Busa their wouldn’t have been a zx12 or zx14 (thank you very much Suzuki). If it was not for the BMW S1000 do you really think Kawasaki would be building another zx10 in this economy

Exactly, Will. I believe Kaw's marketting stratagy has been to sit back in the wings and wait to see what the main market players will come up with next. Kaw doesn't want to play the leading role because that forces PR and R&D. They avoid that at all costs so they can sell us a bike for $500 less MSRP. They also seem to be able to cut the price to the bone when sales dip way low like last Fall.

They also seem to be able to cut the price to the bone when sales dip way low like last Fall.

Great for us that bought the bikes at the time but wait til you try to sell one.

I hope Kawasaki now realizes that building bikes with lots of power and hoping for the best is not the way to go anymore people want more substance

I think Kawasaki finally got the memo and got it right with the Gen III ZX-10R. It's got power, handles, brakes. In a word it seems like the first 10R that got the whole package right. all it needed was a little more low/mid range and better suspension settngs from the factory. They either set it up for a pro rider or a 400 lb gorilla. Oh... and dump the worthless KIMS psuedo traction control. I sure did!

Personally I could give a ratz azz about cramped up liter bikes, I like the big sport-tourers ala the ZX-14 or Hayabusa.

Long wheelbase with all the cc's you can throw at it, bring back the muscle bikes.

Rook how does going with Kaw save a few bucks,in Canada the difference in price is nil.The only advantage the busa has over the 14 is you dont have to drop the motor for major engine work.I'm not knocking the busa,I like the busa but prefere the 14,after the 300k limit came in there were some years the busa was king some years the 12 was king all dependent on which mag you were reading.The new Beemer is so highly developed theres not much a tuner can do,I was up at Lang Hindles and he was gettin 195 hp out of the Beemer with a pipe and PC,Lang feels he can get over 200hp.He also feels Kaw will not take a back seat to BMW,due to the ecconomy japan got caught with their pants down.I only hope the new 10 lives up to the hype. 2011 world superbike will tell the story

I agree with RuffRyda, all depends on what your doing.drag or corners.

The reason the BMW is getting so much attention is because it makes so much hp and goes so stinkin' fast. The same reasons the original hayabusa got all the hype. I think the new zx10 is going to need to steal some of that hype away, to have a chance of breaking the BMW's top dog status in the media and publics eye. I've always loved and owned kawi's because they were fast as hell. If I wanted a literbike right now I'd buy the BMW because I like brutal, raw, shocking acceleration. And thats what everybodies raving about. Kawi's built their reputation and history on making big power, thats what they do. If they don't do it at least as big, or bigger than the BMW this time, I think it'll be a mistake that'll come back to bite them in the butt

I almost bouth the beemer just last months. Then have decided to wait for the new ZX-10R and got ZX-6R instead, just to play with. I will be serious again early next year, after we see some numbers. I sure hope it will be the big K that will get the nod ....... otherwise I'll be talking with Herr Bavaria Meister.

* Last updated by: Steven14 on 9/24/2010 @ 11:10 PM *

I am never getting into a tuck position again, so I could care less.

Kawasaki is, like most big companies, somewhat strapped for cash in this economy. Notice that BMW Motorcycle only made major changes in bring out the new RR. Everything else is warmed over rehash. Why? Because they can't afford to do 3 or 4 new models like in the early 2000s.

Same for Kawasaki. In the late 90s and early 2000s it was nothing to bring out 3 completely and radically revamped models a year. No more.

Over the coming winter, my handgrips will come up a couple more inches from where the LSL conversion has them now, and back a few more inches too, and I'll be happy putting long days on the beast at high speeds while keeping most of the excellant handling (allowing for the weight of the side- and top-cases and such).

Sort of a Concours 14 but not.