What bikes have you raced your XS11 against and won?

[MAXIMAN]

Originally posted by mro
MAXIMAN

The 80G is the newest and fastest bike I'Ve owned.
Been having a great time riding it.

Down the road I'm going to be looking for a second bike.
Want something that can really handle the twisties when I'm in the mood but will still crank like the XS. Sounds like you got it.

mro

Well you'll wanna check out some of the other bikes in this class like the Honda 919...Zuki Bandit or SV1000 and Yammy's FZ1. The main reasons I bought a ZRX are:

1- The look.

2- The engine. It has a lot more torque than the others and is very midly tuned. So it responds unbelievably well to simply things like a Muzzy Header and jets...SEE WHAT I MEAN?

[MAXIMAN]

Originally posted by ae7f
I'm interested if anyone has raced against Suzuki GS1000, Kawasaki KZ1000, Yamaha V-Max, or Honda V-65 bikes.

A GS1000, KZ1000 (the old air cooled jobbies) and even a V-65 Magna would be at least a fight. I never raced a Magna but rode one and it seemed to be much more "blow than go" if ya know whadda mean.

But...but...a V-Max? Geez man that would simply be suicide. Even a very trick XS11 would have it's hands full with a box stock Mr. Max.

[GNEPIG]

.. yeah, i'd say it responded pretty freakin good to those upgrades
.. i always thought if i acquired a ZRX i would like the black/gray one
lets see a picture of yours

[Pat Kelly]

Today on the way home from work, an 80's Corvette that was NOT stock. I'm glad we didn't hit top speed or he would'a passed me

[xs650mike]

Originally posted by MAXIMAN


A GS1000, KZ1000 (the old air cooled jobbies) and even a V-65 Magna would be at least a fight. I never raced a Magna but rode one and it seemed to be much more "blow than go" if ya know whadda mean.

But...but...a V-Max? Geez man that would simply be suicide. Even a very trick XS11 would have it's hands full with a box stock Mr. Max.

Right you are Maximan, anybody out there who can loft the front wheel while smoking the tire at 100+ mph on their XS11? If you were on a Vmax you could.

[MAXIMAN]

Originally posted by GNEPIG
.. yeah, i'd say it responded pretty freakin good to those upgrades
.. i always thought if i acquired a ZRX i would like the black/gray one
lets see a picture of yours

Yep...here's a pic of the Green Meanie with full Muzzy Stainless and Sargent seat. I intentionally sought out a green one. I mean everyone knows Kaws (cows) are green. Also because of it's old school Eddie Lawson vibe. And like the Kawasaki bill board proclaims:

KAWASAKI - Green...like your friends...



Oh and Mike...if you've ever thrown a leg over a V-max but you like the retro look of a standard something to think about.

I seriously considered a V-Max but... A ZRX is putting about the same power to the pavement but weighs a lot less than a V-max. I've ridden several V-Max and they ARE badd moto-scooters. But they are at a slight disadvantge when going head to head with something like a ZRX or an FZ1 or the like.

In the handling category the ZRX trumps rather easily. Plus it cost a lot less...and I'm CHEAP!

Where the V-Max really shines IMO is looks. You either hate it or you love it...and you gotta admit it LOOKS B...B...BADD to the BONE!

[Shuriken]

That's a good looking Kawi for sure. Yes, it should be green.

On the dyno it looks about the same as an FZ1 and/or vice versa.

Ben

[GNEPIG]

.. the Muzzy exhaust is a NICE touch
and it looses about 15lbs

[xs650mike]

Originally posted by MAXIMAN


Yep...here's a pic of the Green Meanie with full Muzzy Stainless and Sargent seat. I intentionally sought out a green one. I mean everyone knows Kaws (cows) are green. Also because of it's old school Eddie Lawson vibe. And like the Kawasaki bill board proclaims:

KAWASAKI - Green...like your friends...

Oh and Mike...if you've ever thrown a leg over a V-max but you like the retro look of a standard something to think about.


In the handling category the ZRX trumps rather easily. Plus it cost a lot less...and I'm CHEAP!

Where the V-Max really shines IMO is looks. You either hate it or you love it...and you gotta admit it LOOKS B...B...BADD to the BONE!

I'm sure the ZRX handles a lot better than a Vmax but they aren't as terrible in the handling department as they're made out to be by those magazine road testers (who probably soiled their shorts when they gave one too much throttle at the wrong time). Back in the '80s the San Rafael Yamaha dealer "Biscuits" Verbiscio used to terrify sport bike riders on his dealership's Vmax demonstrator (which he insisted I ride one afternoon, "Please don't throw me in dat briar patch Br'er Bear!"). He'd come up fast in their mirrors sideways laying black arcs on the pavement through the turns in a trail of tire smoke, they couldn't get out of his way fast enough! It just takes a crazed ex-dirt racer to ride one fast in the twisties.

[mro]

speed or cruse?

MAXIMAN




just emailed a guy for his 81 xs special. (parts or new ride? depanding on condiction)

also just bid on a 67 harley. (something I used to ride)
Shouldn't spend the money but hey, somebody gots to.

But am looking forward to spring and the release of the KZ1400.
your fault!!! Been looking at latest super sports. Always liked starwars kinda speed. It also may handle like it looks right outa the box.


mro

[MAXIMAN]

Originally posted by GNEPIG
.. the Muzzy exhaust is a NICE touch
and it looses about 15lbs

...eh...would you believe 19 lbs? I weighed the muzzy before install. It tipped the scales at a whopping 13 lbs. Then I weighed the stock boat anchor. It weighed 32 lbs!

[MAXIMAN]

Originally posted by xs650mike


I'm sure the ZRX handles a lot better than a Vmax but they aren't as terrible in the handling department as they're made out to be by those magazine road testers (who probably soiled their shorts when they gave one too much throttle at the wrong time).

The V-Max is no "widowmaker" in terms of handling. The H2 was the most hideous excuse for a curve carver I've ever thrown a leg over...downright dangerous.

I've ridden a V-Max through a local road that has numerous 90+ curves and a couple 180 hairpins. It just wasn't very nimble. This little test had nothing to do with acceleration or speed because the road doesn't allow for it. This road is strictly good for putting a bike through the manuveurs.

I'm guessing it's not as nimble because it's primarily a "drag" design with a long wheel base. It's designed to stay down upon launch. It shines (glaringly bright) in straight line acceleration.

Not that it's bad in handling ...just not impressive...in my opinion.

Back in the '80s the San Rafael Yamaha dealer "Biscuits" Verbiscio used to terrify sport bike riders on his dealership's Vmax demonstrator (which he insisted I ride one afternoon, "Please don't throw me in dat briar patch Br'er Bear!"). He'd come up fast in their mirrors sideways laying black arcs on the pavement through the turns in a trail of tire smoke, they couldn't get out of his way fast enough! It just takes a crazed ex-dirt racer to ride one fast in the twisties.

Yes...I'm one of those "old" dirt racers mee-self. One of the monoshock YZ generation. When the V-Max hit the street in the mid 80's it absolutely would THUMP most sport bikes. However the current crop of super sports are an entirely different animal all together. As you MUST know today's SS is ready to race...at the track...right out of the crate. A bone stock V-Max is mere "road fodder" for something like an R1 or a ZX12... in every category...acceleration....terminal velocity...and handling.

If Dan will weigh in here ...I think he can attest to this fact. He has owned a V-Max many many years and has forgotten more about racing than most will ever know.

Having said that...what would I prefer? I'll take Mr. Max over a "boy racer" any day. It's much more user freindly than a stinkin' crotch rocket and will obliterate most bikes on the road today.

Fun topic. Thanks for the input gentlemen.

[MAXIMAN]

Originally posted by ae7f
That's a good looking Kawi for sure. Yes, it should be green.

On the dyno it looks about the same as an FZ1 and/or vice versa.

Ben

Yes!

Actually ..bone stock...the FZ is making more power but less torque. But with a little tweeking (IE header/jets) the ZRX will make about the same power...but with more torque. that extra 200 cc makes a whale of a difference.

The cool thing about the ZRX is how well it responds to most upgrades. When we got it off the dyno after installing the header/jets/airbox mod...the dealer was pleasantly surprised. He said it was a rare bike that would cough up an additional 14 or 15 rwhp from a simple header / jet mod. I think he was expecting something more along the lines of an 8% gain...NOT a 13% gain...which fortunately turned out to be MY GAIN...and loss of 19 lbs. Hehehehehehehehe

[MAXIMAN]

I read back up thread and realized... I had no intention of hijacking this thread with ZRX spew. Sorry. Let's get back on topic...stomping V-Twins with the venerable XS11.....Hahahahahahahah (eveeil laugh)

[xs650mike]

Originally posted by MAXIMAN


As you MUST know today's SS is ready to race...at the track...right out of the crate. A bone stock V-Max is mere "road fodder" for something like an R1 or a ZX12... in every category...acceleration....terminal velocity...and handling.

You are correct sir! Modern bikes are faster and better handling than the old stuff. I'd maybe have a sportbike if I could hack the riding position. Rode a few friends' bikes. My friend's dialed-in Ducati 916 was really fun for about half an hour till my body called it quits. Other than the pain factor that Duc was perfection in the handling, braking, throttle response and the thing has a huge powerband. (This gettin' old stuff ain't for wimps.)