Buying a ZRX1200R- How does it compare to the VMAX I have?

[nidyanazo]

Well I'm looking at getting into something a little better around corners-just as a stopgap until I buy the gen2 vmax. Last winter we bought a Lakehouse in the mountains and I have world-class riding right at my front door -literally whenever I want.. And what I want is a little better corner carving performance, without the superbike ergonomics of my Ducati or of my R1. I love the Vmax and it's almost absolute perfect bike for me, and I ride every day- but I thought the Z RX might be a slightly better fit. It weighs 480LB, has a 1200cc motor with ~125Hp and ~85-90TQ.. 10,500rpm redline...

So I just wanted to see if anybody has race these bikes against Vmax and what the outcome was? It looks like most people are running mid to high 10 seconds to low 11 second quarter-mile around 120 mile an hour, which is roughly Close to the GEN one VMAX.. But since it weighs less and has better suspension I know it's going to handle corners better.. And I'm really missing my corner carving me dragging days, when I used ride my R1 everyday.. After a while though it just started killing my back, which is when I bought the V-max started using that daily instead.

Here's some pics.. It's still a muscle bike, just a slightly different shape!

 

[Rusty McNeil]

Besides the FJR, around here it seems to be the most popular 2nd bike for a lot of Vmaxxers. I would love to have one myself.

your particular example looks super nice too!

I'm pretty sure it will out handle any Vmax, in a straight line I think a Vmax will take it but not really sure about that..

 

[frank5079]

Before I bought my Max, I had considered a ZRX1100, ZRX1200, or a Suzuki GSX1100G....

I would have loved an XJR1300 but you can't get them here...

 

[cole2757]

my buddy has one set up similar to yours. muzzy exhaust, pod filters and proper jetting and we are pretty much even. my vmax is bone stock. i love riding the zrx. great all around bike.

 

[nidyanazo]

Found some runs on dragtimes that are pretty decent... Stock, with a exhaust this guy ran a 10.7 @ 125mph.. From reading on the zrxoa forums, these motors are SUPER easy to add power.. 130-135 RWHP and 85-90 RWTQ is just as simple as a full exhaust, jet kit, filters, and ignition. Toss on some good tires (takes standart tires, unlike the Vmax) and a DID chain with a -1 front sprocket, and I'm sure I'll be satisfied with it..

http://www.dragtimes.com/Kawasaki-ZRX-Timeslip-16479.html

 

[nidyanazo]

Before I bought my Max, I had considered a ZRX1100, ZRX1200, or a Suzuki GSX1100G....

I would have loved an XJR1300 but you can't get them here...

Same here, since I'm a big time Yamaha fan.. Other nice UK/EU only bike I love is the beastly GSX-1400

 

[texas-ss-tornado]

I've had a couple ZRX's and tons of VMAX's, and although I've never raced them side by side, I'd say stock for stock, the VMAX is probably the faster bike in a drag race, all other things equal. I'm sure the published numbers are pretty close, but the VMAX just "feels" more powerful to me. You might have a slight advantage on the launch with the ZRX, because of it being chain drive, but on a 20-100 roll-on, I bet the VMAX would stomp the ZRX! I've seen alot of talk on the ZRX forums about how "fast" these bikes are, but I've never experienced it, maybe the 3 I had were the "slower" ones?

 

[onspeed]

ZRX probably comparable in a straight line, definitely much better in the corners. Similar power output, 100 lbs lighter. The VMAX might feel faster though, I think the V4 has a better torque curve.

Have you considered an FZ1? Will outperform the VMAX in every category.

 

[nidyanazo]

I like the FZ1, but already have an R1- 2008.


BTW, Just sold the Vmax. That was fast.

 

[Rollie]

You don't ride the Duck ? How about a pic ?

 

[CaptainKyle]

I have a zrrx 1100 with a pipe and a jet kit I have not had it on the track but my gut feeling tells me it would out run the max. I know it will out handle it for sure. I guess I need to find some one that rides like me and go race me max and the zrx

 

[nidyanazo]

I mostly keep it in it's little spot- inside my house LOL
To be honest, I doubt I'll ever sell it.
Prob. just buy the zrx, and when I get tired of it, buy the gen2 Vmax.

 

[frank5079]

Before I bought my Max, I had considered a ZRX1100, ZRX1200, or a Suzuki GSX1100G....

I would have loved an XJR1300 but you can't get them here...

Same here, since I'm a big time Yamaha fan.. Other nice UK/EU only bike I love is the beastly GSX-1400

Yup...gotta love those big Japanese UJMs....

This Honda would have been better reincarnated with a six like the old CBX

 

[Rollie]

Nice piece of OFFICE ART.

:clapping:unk::clapping:

 

[Sanders]

I had a ZRX, it was decent all around bike. I traded the ZRX for a 2003 Z1000. The Z1000 handled much better than the ZRX and had gobs of powers.

 

[onspeed]

I like the FZ1, but already have an R1- 2008.

So?

 

[nidyanazo]

Well I picked up my ZRX yesterday- and rode it 160 miles home. Looked at 4 of them, and got the best of the bunch. One owner, who had the original dealer invoice- and ran a MSF school. Very cool.

It was located way down in san diego county, and in some excellent riding roads (rolling hills) which was a perfect test ground- since I decided to switch from my vmax to a zrx because I wanted a little better cornering- but not at the sacrifice of comfort, like on my R1. Of course I still wanted a musclebike- so the zrx fit the bill perfectly.

They corner much much better then the max. 9/10ths of a focused sportbike, but softer. Love it. The upright bard aids low speed handling, and the whole thing feels so much sharper then the max I was used to.. Power-wise, it's just as fast, but the max feels way more savage- the zrx lifts the front wheel on WOT, the max spins the tire on WOT haha. I guess the best way to describe the power is just smooth, endless torque- that starts around 2500rpm, and goes up to around 9k. Actually pretty uneventful. It just goes.

Mine has a yoshimura exhaust, jet kit, filter, and ignition.

The brakes are much more powerful, and again, on par with a sportbike- at least 85% as good as my R1. MUCH better then the max.

As a whole, it has less 'attitude' and personality then my old max did- she is a bit more bland, but I plan to fix that with some key mods.

Comfort wise, the bikini fairing does a surprisingly good job of shielding the rider from wind buffeting at freeway speeds. The 160 mile trip was easy and uneventful back home.

I love the fuel gauge- it's like a car, so you know exactly when to fill up.
5.3 gallons is PLENTY for 200+ miles per fillup.

Overall, I'm very happy. The VMAX was a special bike, but tiresome for these mountain roads I ride every day.. The zrx handles them with ease, and is extremely satisfying to ride at a 8/10ths pace- fast and comfortable..

..And I love the understated look. Not as intimidating as the max, but just as powerful- in it's own way. Weight is only 488LBS, so that makes a difference.

Anyone who wants to go from a vmax to another bike with tons of character, history, and performance- check out a 'zrex' as they call them.. It 's a wonderful do-anything machine- that performs just as good as it looks.

I'll post some pics of mine later. Thanks for all the advise on my vmax guys, with this forum's help, I had her running flawlessly. I'll sure miss her. But the good thing is, the Gen1 sold me on the vmax as a brand, so when I eventually sell the zrex (which may be a while- looking on the CL there are lots of them with 70,000-90,000 miles- these engines are said to be pretty much bulletproof) I'll be getting into a gen2 someday for sure. unk:

 

[Rollie]

Good that you're happy with the Kaw. I'm thinking you need to get that Office Art out on the road once in a while ! :clapping:

 

[nidyanazo]

I just had to add one last thing. It's concerning the sound, the V-max was a very special bike with a totally unique sound.. As you all know they sound fantastic- especially with a four into two into one exhaust with custom mufflers... Mine sounded like a miniature drag car... Especially with v-boost activated at idle..

The ZRX sounds like A plain Jane sport bike in comparison, which can be rather annoying. There's nothing really special about the way it sounds.. And I didn't realize how important that is to the riding experience... The quiet little ZRX seems like something I would commute on- while the VMAX seems like something very raw and unique..
Part of me regrets selling the VMAX but the fact that I can just hop on the new bike and go around corners without even thinking- that make me really happy..
Even with my sport bikes like my R1 I have to think about the corners.. CRX is the only bike that I felt so comfortable on, I don't have to think, everything feels so natural. Now that's nice.

 

[texas-ss-tornado]

You cannot beat the sound of the VMAX with a 4 into 1 Kerker, the VGAS carbs make for an even more visceral experience! I just got a Go-Pro and this was the first video I was able to take on it, this is what owning a VMAX is all about! Enjoy!

http://youtu.be/P8DmMLKstK8