Disappointed in reviews

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SXtreme
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Disappointed in reviews

Post by SXtreme » Sun Feb 11, 2018 1:29 am


Been lurking for awhile reading and watching all the information roll in. I've found all the reviews extremely disappointing and lacking in information.

Not that the bike doesn't sound great, because I still get the impression that it's a fantastic bike, but the reviewers are focusing on the obvious. They are focusing on shit we already know.

The problem is these reviewers don't talk about the things that make the bike what it is, and what I think Kawasaki wants it to be perceived as, they are reviewing it like it's a ZX10 or H2 or GSXR, focusing on engine, weight, and how it does as the track. I know it's going to be fast as hell, i know it weighs more than a supersport for obvious reasons, and I don't give a fuck how it goes around a track.

As someone who (sport)tours extensively, I want to know
  • How the ABS works
  • How the CC works
  • How the CC acutally works
  • does the CC disengage with braking, using throttle grip, hitting button, changing gear, or all of the above, or some of the above
  • What impact does CC have to fuel consumption
  • How the heated grips work, is there only one setting?
  • Are the engine power modes noticeable/effective
  • Do power modes affect fuel mileage while cruising
  • What are real details of fuel mileage
  • Are the bags easy to get on,off,open (show me)
  • Show me you can fit a helmet in the bags
  • How comfortable is it between fuel ups
  • How intrusive (or not) are all the electronics while riding, do they help/hinder/remain mostly invisible
  • Are the cornering lights actually useful
  • Is it easy to get on,off the centerstand
  • WTF is even under the SEAT?! Can I put anything under there and does it come with a goddamn toolkit?!
  • Etc :doh:
I've not heard much abuot any of these things, and it's very frustrating. I know this sounds like little shit, but it's important shit beyond the OBVIOUS.

Anyway, just some ranty observations. :bat: :bat: :lol:
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Re: Disappointed in reviews

Post by cOoTeR » Sun Feb 11, 2018 4:10 am


SXtreme wrote:
Sun Feb 11, 2018 1:29 am
Been lurking for awhile reading and watching all the information roll in. I've found all the reviews extremely disappointing and lacking in information.

Not that the bike doesn't sound great, because I still get the impression that it's a fantastic bike, but the reviewers are focusing on the obvious. They are focusing on shit we already know.

The problem is these reviewers don't talk about the things that make the bike what it is, and what I think Kawasaki wants it to be perceived as, they are reviewing it like it's a ZX10 or H2 or GSXR, focusing on engine, weight, and how it does as the track. I know it's going to be fast as hell, i know it weighs more than a supersport for obvious reasons, and I don't give a fuck how it goes around a track.

As someone who (sport)tours extensively, I want to know
  • How the ABS works
  • How the CC works
  • How the CC acutally works
  • does the CC disengage with braking, using throttle grip, hitting button, changing gear, or all of the above, or some of the above
  • What impact does CC have to fuel consumption
  • How the heated grips work, is there only one setting?
  • Are the engine power modes noticeable/effective
  • Do power modes affect fuel mileage while cruising
  • What are real details of fuel mileage
  • Are the bags easy to get on,off,open (show me)
  • Show me you can fit a helmet in the bags
  • How comfortable is it between fuel ups
  • How intrusive (or not) are all the electronics while riding, do they help/hinder/remain mostly invisible
  • Are the cornering lights actually useful
  • Is it easy to get on,off the centerstand
  • WTF is even under the SEAT?! Can I put anything under there and does it come with a goddamn toolkit?!
  • Etc :doh:
I've not heard much abuot any of these things, and it's very frustrating. I know this sounds like little shit, but it's important shit beyond the OBVIOUS.

Anyway, just some ranty observations. :bat: :bat: :lol:
Abs has been addressed in the visor down reviews. Basically it's great at normal speeds but pretty sketchy from over 140 mph.

The cruise control stuff the dealers should have that info but most don't. Demo rides aren't going to give a lot of time to mess with cruise control a lot and being that it's a motorcycle most reviewers aren't used to reviewing cruise control.

One of the German reviews talks about the heated grips but I have no clue whay he was saying. Another review said he was glad to have the heated grips during the cold morning ride. As far as the settings the dealerships should know this but most don't have a clue. My assumption is it's a single setting on or off.

As far as fuel economy many reviews talk about it. Sounds like if your not getting on it hard it gets great mileage. But if your getting on it all the time its inline with most super sports bikes. In depth details about fuel economy are going to require multiple days of testing. The reviewers only had the bike a couple of days.

They have said there is a noticeable difference in the power modes.

The bags are easy on and off per Kawasaki. Most likely snap in place and turn a key. I think the limited tone the reviewers had with the bike is why they haven't mentioned the bags much. The bags are big enough for a helmet no need to waste limited time with the bike filming that.

Visor downs reviewer said it took about 4 hours before he started shifting around the seat. He also said he'd expect about 200 miles out of the tank based on the mileage he was initially getting.

I read somewhere that the rider aids are helpful but not so intrusive they are really noticeable.

They didn't ride at night so they can't say much about their effectiveness.

Using the center stand is going to vary greatly between different people no matter what the reviewers say.

Under the seat and the tool kit is something the dealerships / Kawasaki should be putting out.

Moist likely the bike will come with a minimal tool kit. But if bet it will include a spanner wrench for adjusting the chain tension.
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Stock with airfilter 164whp 84ft.lbs
De-restricted + tuned 213whp 97ft.lbs
Full vandemon exhaust with tune 221whp 99ft.lbs
On Race Fuel 233whp 103ft.lbs

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Re: Disappointed in reviews

Post by Ninja H2SX » Sun Feb 11, 2018 7:22 am


cOoTeR wrote:
Sun Feb 11, 2018 4:10 am
Abs has been addressed in the visor down reviews. Basically it's great at normal speeds but pretty sketchy from over 140 mph.
I'm thinking any bike's ABS is going to feel a bit "sketchy" if the brakes are hammered at 140+ MPH.
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Re: Disappointed in reviews

Post by ghostwriter78 » Mon Feb 12, 2018 9:15 am


hope in a day or two to be able to answer your questions :). but you are completely right. reviews nowadays are all saying 'new improved version,.. bla bla bla', no matter what bike
SXtreme wrote:
Sun Feb 11, 2018 1:29 am
Been lurking for awhile reading and watching all the information roll in. I've found all the reviews extremely disappointing and lacking in information.

Not that the bike doesn't sound great, because I still get the impression that it's a fantastic bike, but the reviewers are focusing on the obvious. They are focusing on shit we already know.

The problem is these reviewers don't talk about the things that make the bike what it is, and what I think Kawasaki wants it to be perceived as, they are reviewing it like it's a ZX10 or H2 or GSXR, focusing on engine, weight, and how it does as the track. I know it's going to be fast as hell, i know it weighs more than a supersport for obvious reasons, and I don't give a fuck how it goes around a track.

As someone who (sport)tours extensively, I want to know
  • How the ABS works
  • How the CC works
  • How the CC acutally works
  • does the CC disengage with braking, using throttle grip, hitting button, changing gear, or all of the above, or some of the above
  • What impact does CC have to fuel consumption
  • How the heated grips work, is there only one setting?
  • Are the engine power modes noticeable/effective
  • Do power modes affect fuel mileage while cruising
  • What are real details of fuel mileage
  • Are the bags easy to get on,off,open (show me)
  • Show me you can fit a helmet in the bags
  • How comfortable is it between fuel ups
  • How intrusive (or not) are all the electronics while riding, do they help/hinder/remain mostly invisible
  • Are the cornering lights actually useful
  • Is it easy to get on,off the centerstand
  • WTF is even under the SEAT?! Can I put anything under there and does it come with a goddamn toolkit?!
  • Etc :doh:
I've not heard much abuot any of these things, and it's very frustrating. I know this sounds like little shit, but it's important shit beyond the OBVIOUS.

Anyway, just some ranty observations. :bat: :bat: :lol:
0 x

Current: H2 SX SE 2018, FZ6 2010, CB1 :D
Sold: R6 2008, 2x CBR650F ('14/'17), CBR500R, CBR250R

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Re: Disappointed in reviews

Post by cOoTeR » Tue Feb 13, 2018 7:02 am


0 x

Stock with airfilter 164whp 84ft.lbs
De-restricted + tuned 213whp 97ft.lbs
Full vandemon exhaust with tune 221whp 99ft.lbs
On Race Fuel 233whp 103ft.lbs

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Re: Disappointed in reviews

Post by vcyclenut » Tue Feb 13, 2018 7:43 pm


I agree kind of lacking of useful info

very doubtful modes will change fuel consumption. I have never seen a bike that it changes fuel maps. It changes throttle map (fly by wire) settings.

be nice if this bike has the ability to adjust fuel maps with throttle modes. That will allow me to do even more cool things then I normally do with a flash
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Re: Disappointed in reviews

Post by stk0308 » Wed Feb 14, 2018 9:33 pm


I got to sit on an SX SE at the Chicago IMS show last weekend. I can say it is very easy to put on the center stand. Though, I may be cheating, I have a few decades of practice with Triumph Sprints, and airhead BMWs.

One of the Kawi people brought out the key and we started playing with the options. The dash does look quite cool. And there's an option to sow maximum lean angle, on either side. Gee whiz! lol But, I'm definately going to need a flight manual if I go with this most modern motorcycle.

I thought it sat very nicely. But, I'm beginning to wonder if it was fitted with a "low" seat. It was lower than my current Sprint, and that's not what the stats sheets have been saying.

I didn't spend enough time around it to think of the dozen, or so, things I've thought of since. Still, my interest is quite piqued. This might be a replacement for my long suffering '08 Sprint ST.
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Re: Disappointed in reviews

Post by Kubasaki » Thu Feb 15, 2018 1:04 pm


How did I miss that is was coming to Chicago I love 3 hours away, damn it I could have seen it in person!
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Re: Disappointed in reviews

Post by vcyclenut » Wed Feb 21, 2018 6:48 pm


Ok it is getting ridiculous the lack of first ride reports coming out, there has been minimal reporting of how the bike is to ride

obviously first ride reports are always gushing over what an amazing bike and blah blah let me stoke the manufacturer, but I still want to read them on the bike im hopefully receiving in the next couple week
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Re: Disappointed in reviews

Post by Thunderdawg » Thu Feb 22, 2018 1:25 am


stk0308 wrote:
Wed Feb 14, 2018 9:33 pm
I got to sit on an SX SE at the Chicago IMS show last weekend. I can say it is very easy to put on the center stand. Though, I may be cheating, I have a few decades of practice with Triumph Sprints, and airhead BMWs.

One of the Kawi people brought out the key and we started playing with the options. The dash does look quite cool. And there's an option to sow maximum lean angle, on either side. Gee whiz! lol But, I'm definately going to need a flight manual if I go with this most modern motorcycle.

I thought it sat very nicely. But, I'm beginning to wonder if it was fitted with a "low" seat. It was lower than my current Sprint, and that's not what the stats sheets have been saying.

I didn't spend enough time around it to think of the dozen, or so, things I've thought of since. Still, my interest is quite piqued. This might be a replacement for my long suffering '08 Sprint ST.
Interesting that you are also a Triumph Sprint ST owner. I am selling my 2004 Sprint ST and have wondered about the seat height on the SX. The specs have it about like my wife's '05 Tiger which would not be a good thing for me. We shall see, someday!
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