[Martin Gomez]

Hi guys and gals,
I'm loving my R3, but I wanted something with more power.
I came across a 2008 Kawasaki ZX10R for sale.
The seller (a car dealership) is asking for $4000.
The bike has a little over 43,000 miles though.
Any advice or recommendations?

 

[pattonme]

not trying very hard there...

You do realize you're going from "can't hurt you" to "prepare to DIE" level of performance, right? think Ford Escort to BMW M5. Or Cessna 172 to F16.

If it has ignition maps, and you do buy it, put it on RAIN mode and ride it that way a good thousand plus miles.

High miles is not a problem. In fact it might be a good thing since if it's lasted this long the owner wasn't your typical wad it in 2 months nut job.

Given the KBB Black book says $5400 for that year (not accounting for mileage) 4K isn't a bad price. I might pitch him 3500 cash and see if he'll go for it.

 

[anthercitecole09]

A bike that clean with that many miles not necessarily a bad thing, probably well maintained.

I will echo what was said above, that is a massive difference in power.

Any bike that can do 180 can also do 40. It's all about being responsible with your right wrist. The biggest issue is when you make a mistake concerning throttle, it's not forgiving like the r3. If you have a good head on your shoulders and are not an idiot I say go for it.

Lastly th zx10 is a beautiful bike, but if you have never been on one, they are terribly uncomfortable even by sport bike standards.

Good luck with whatever decision you make. Make s to gear up up up safe.

 

[Jay Joe]

Jumping from a R3 to a ZX10R isn't just about your right hand's temper. You got to also realize on mistakes as well. An accidental over blip of the throttle on the R3 leads usually to nothing while on the ZX10 will probably lead to a crash. In other words, don't make any mistakes.

Also all the things you will sacrifice. Like livibility and comfort and ease of handling. All that is going out the window. You will actually have to control that bike. You will sometimes just fight with it to try to be its master instead of it controlling you. You will most likely have considerably less comfort or pain or fatigue. You will be a mess of nerves for a good time, if not forever. Slow speed handling will be worse. Far worse. The R3 is bad compared to a naked upright. Add another 60 pounds and an aggressive posture with all the weight in your hands, and the bad slow speed handling is amplified. I really hope you won't be doing any stop and go with that thing. And the last thing I hope, I hope you won't live in fear with that machine. Skill levels are all over the place. Some people will handle it fine. But then, I know some people who just lived in fear for years owning similar machines. As in, even 3+ years with it, they ride afraid of what is between their legs. Personally I don't understand why some people even do that. Hopefully you will not be one of those guys.

I would advise you to see if you can get a test ride on that thing. You should be able to test ride used motorcycles.

I fully understand how it feels starting from a 300cc, wanting something stronger. But in a few years from now after you got the 1000cc super out of your system, and if you ever are able to get back on the 300-400cc, you'll appreciate it in in ways you've never before.

 

[K.O]

Great deal. $4k... Wow. It's a nice looking machine, even has some extra's already paid for I wouldn't worry about the mileage either. If it was taken care of, it has, easily, another 20k miles before anything major. Note, if you plan to sell it later, that may be a bit difficult. I would say a 60-70k mile bike would, and most likely why it's at a car dealer now, be the only place you'd be able to 'trade' it. So if you buy this beast, you buy it for keeps...


As to going from a R3 to a liter, I'd also say, yikes....(you'll shoot yourself in the eye Ralphy) but, I don't know you, I don't know your skill level, so I can't be preaching "danger". But yeah, that's a big bike and not nearly as fun.


I found this site for looking for used bike many years ago. It's pretty detailed in giving a bike a good checkover. maybe it helps Good Luck in your decision.
http://www.clarity.net/adam/buying-bike.html

 

[Lollingthunder]

What are you currently using the R3 for? What type of riding (where do you commonly ride, or only ride- city block commuting, freeway, twisty roads? How often, etc.?

 

[Apuntar]

Looks like a great deal, and does the dealership have the service records for the bike?

Also take a look at this used guide that covers most on how to inspect a bike


The difference is a-lot at first but you'll get use to it if you ease into it, however it's doable as proven by many others.

If you can afford it and you feel up to the challenge do it.

 

[ChesapeakeRider]

I have a friend who has been riding dirt bikes (trails near his house and a few jumps at the dirt track) for 5 years now. He has zero experience on an actual motorcycle. He rode my R3 in the parking lot for the first time yesterday. He did great. After, eh, 10 minutes he hopped on my friend's 2014 CBR 1000 and took it for a spin on the actual road. I wouldn't be too worried about people saying jumping from a 300 to 1000 is too much. If you feel confident, then you will do fine. Just know to expect more power. And what you learned to ride the R3... throw it out the door because the bigger bike is going to be different.

 

[Admiral Hein]

how about you own both?? thats a good deal

 

[Admiral Hein]

A bike that clean with 43,000 miles odo on it is well maintained... 4000$ is worth every penny I guess