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Post by Young Burchy on Feb 12, 2011 21:51:44 GMT
Fantastic intro - this man is definitely welcome! Well you've chosen an amazing bike, the 1200 is the latest or last (UK) variant of the ZRX model ( there's a fuel injected Jap only version 1200) and you've also logged onto a superb forum. There are many Kawasaki type forums and a good forum 'next door' (ZRXOC) but you can get bitten there if you're not careful and you need 20 posts to fully get logged in. You've got yourself a bike which can keep up with the fastest of the fast, handle with the best, tour with the longest, bimble with the bimblest around town and pull wheelies whenever you want to. At the same time they are a docile animal if you want it to be. As with cars, just because you have the power, you don't need to use it all at once. The ZRX is a fun bike to ride, many people buy them, move on to something bigger and more expensive and then come back to the ZRX again. They tick all the boxes and when they were on the market, they won all the bike tests up against the GSX1400, XJR Yammy's Big Honda's etc etc. Don't be put off by its size, weight, performance figues. Just take your time and she'll be fine. The main thing to have a look at are the big six piston brakes. When fettled and cleaned they are brilliant, but they do tend to go off quickly so need regular six monthly checks, depending upon your mileage. The big service is at 16,000 miles shims etc and once you get a taste for the riding, there is a plethora of simple mods which can get you +++ bhp, but all in good time. Oh btw, I'm Young Burchy YB for short, son of Burchy, who is in NZ atm and I'm riding his bikes to work as punishment (and also cleaning them )
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Post by Les on Feb 13, 2011 11:40:38 GMT
Hi rob and welcome to the so you've decided on a Rex as your first bike , not a bad choice as they can be very forgiving provided you aint to heavy handed with the throttle and from your post sounds like your going to be sensible. any info or help required just post it on here and you normally get an answer fairly quick. all the best with your DAS.
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Post by guyver1 on Feb 13, 2011 11:44:27 GMT
welcome to the mad house mate, and watch out for Brakey, hes full of information, just not sure what the information relates to
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Post by robbieb on Feb 13, 2011 12:24:37 GMT
Hi all, many thanks for the warm welcome!
Obviously i don't have many questions yet, no doubt they'll be a steady flow of newbie (dumb) questions within a few weeks! Thinking about it i have one question, does this model have a cat? the exhaust looks fine, no visible corrosion around the welds so won 't need changing for a while. When the time comes what exhaust should i be looking for?
I could of gone down the route of a smaller bike and worked my way up, which is a sensible way of doing things as a youngster. I don't think i'd be here now if my testosterone fuelled teenage years were spent riding around on a 1200. Thankfully years of marriage has killed off any raging hormones, maybe this bike is a male version of hormone replacement therapy??? I have read up on this bike and it does seem to be every bike i'll ever need, and in my opion it's the most timeless looking bike out there and it will always stand out from the crowd. In other words, perfect.
I will do my best to pass the DAS first time, i've already got the theory test and CBT under my belt which is a bit of a weight off the old grey matter. I believe i've got a day on a 125cc (2nd April) The next day is on a 500cc and then on the 7th of April i have my Mod 1. Mod 2 won't be booked until i've passed my Mod 1 but they assure me it will booked within a week of me passing Mod 1. All these hoops are for my own safety i guess so i don't mind too much.
It's a pleasure meeting you all and thanks in advance for all the questions i'm going to have!
Rob.
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Post by Les on Feb 13, 2011 13:33:51 GMT
Cat built into the downpipes, just where all four headers meet.
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Post by brakeline on Feb 14, 2011 21:07:26 GMT
weclome Rob, your naw from Newcastle are you, :hmm: jus a thought. anyway great bike, sometimes. The best bit o advice a can give you, and this will stand you in good stead for ever. When oot for a ride, never under any circumstances, hit a wall. It will ruin your day if you do
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Post by lightspeed on Feb 15, 2011 4:47:42 GMT
Welcome Rob. You've managed to pick up one of the best all-round bikes available. As YB said, it can do everything, perhaps not quite as quick as the quickest of sport bikes, but a lot easier for older bones to ride. Not quite as touring luxurious as the largest bagger, but with soft bags (or one of the top boxes favoured by the S version riders) they'll do long touring distances with aplomb. Want to toodle around, taking in the scenery, it will carry you in great comfort and no fuss or quirks to worry about. They are not the ulitimate track weapon, but are a good ride at the track with a good suspension set up and the enormous low end torque that makes it easy to ride on the street, pulls it out of corners with a lot of authority! They've been known to go off-road as well, but that's usually due to rider error rather than a conscious choice. Lots of mods, but since you're just getting back into riding and somewhat jumping into the deep end, I'd suggest riding it a bit before you decide to personalize it (MODS ). There are tons of things that can be done to the REX to make it better at what you want it to do for you. Probably the first thing to do is to get the suspension properly dialled in for your weight and riding. Many folks never get around to this, and in doing so never enjoy all that the bike can provide - even in its stock guise. Grem's posted a general suspension setup that serves well as a starting point, here: Suspension Scroll down to find the Suspension section. Enjoy!!!
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Post by robbieb on Feb 15, 2011 12:59:43 GMT
Hi Brakeline / Lightspeed!
I'm an Essex boy and don't fit the usual stereotypes lol. That's a good point on the suspension set up, i was reading the owners manual (the stealership let me take that home to keep me occupied until i can collect the bike) and it states the bike is set up for a 65kg rider. 65 KILOS?!?!? I eat 65 Kilos for lunch!!!!!! i'm just shy of 16 stone and most of it's pure maccy D's. I'm a tinkerer so things like tyre pressures and the suspension will be played with until i'm happy, the mods can wait until next year after i've got a good feel of the bike and can appreciate what works and what doesn't. The ZRX's ability to do everything pretty well is certainly part of the appeal, i get quite attatched to my cars (and bikes) and intend to keep this for the forseeable.
My driving instructor always told me...... "Keep an inch of air around you and you'll never crash" That's done me well so far!
Thanks guys,
Rob.
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Post by ZRX Gremlin on Feb 16, 2011 0:33:42 GMT
Careful les The last time I said that I got a bollocking. Can't remember who from but I do remember being pointed to some diagrams and pictures that quite clearly show some kind of secondary cat in the can. Apparently this only applies to the later models from 04 0r 05 as I recall so I was only half wrong. I'm pretty sure there was no cat in my 02 can. Can whoever it was that bollocked me get back and clarify this because as usual I wasn't paying attention. Welcome to the site Rob. Should have got to welcome you in sooner but just lately I have the attention span of a very bored goldfish and plain overlooked you. Obviously I'm going to agree with everybody elses opinion regarding the prowess and superiority of the Rex. It is indeed a fine bike that deals admirably with everything you throw at it. Rex is only ever going to be a handful for a newer rider if said rider does something stupid. Other than that she's very forgiving and is inclined to politely let you know if you're pushing your luck rather than just spitting you off and lying there all accusingly after the event. It's sometimes the fact that with Rex being such a heavyweight that extra weight adds a bit of stability to the mix where a lighter bike might just give in and let go. Anyway, 'nuff said already, you bought the right bike. Just hurry up and get that DAS thing out of the way and enjoy.
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Post by robbieb on Feb 16, 2011 16:15:55 GMT
Hi Gremlin,
I have seen a picture of a cat spot welded to the exit of the single pipe which feeds the end can. My bike, being an 04 seems to be the last of the early versions. As soon as i pick it up i'll do a bit of ground work and get up to speed on what it has / had not.
I'm desperate to pass this DAS!!!!
Cheers,
Rob.
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Post by Young Burchy on Feb 17, 2011 18:34:46 GMT
Look forward to following your story mate, in the meantime just ask away with any questions
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Post by robbieb on Mar 8, 2011 2:24:55 GMT
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Post by Burchy on Mar 8, 2011 9:36:28 GMT
That's one nice clean machine and excellent mileage!
I think that's my second favourite colour scheme for a green "R" only beaten into 1st place by the 06 scheme
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Post by brakeline on Mar 8, 2011 21:55:28 GMT
Rob, send the thing up tae me and Ah'll ride it an keep it clean
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Post by Young Burchy on Mar 8, 2011 22:41:01 GMT
OMFG - that bike looks fantastic. Few tasty little mods done, still looks superb, it's just fantastic in that colour scheme. Great looking bike, might be a tad bit jealous! Not as long now :stir:
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