Back on board and another rear tyre

[ARCHIVE_sttubs]

Need Eliminator information please.

I've been interested in the Eliminator since it first came out. I was looking for information on the diffrences in model years. Particularly the 85 vs 87 models. Is the 900 or 1000 any more likely to be prone to problems? I've also noticed the factory seat change between the 2 years, did they change anything else like rider position, handle bars, rear tire position, etc? Has the handling changed between the 2? I've read the spec sheets for both from Kawasaki, but those did not answer my questions. I've never had the chance to ride one, but instantly fell in love with what I saw & heard. My first bike was an 82 Yamaha Maxim 550, then bought an 87 Honda Hurricane 600 brand new. It's now been 13 years without a bike & the bug is back. Of course, now the money is there again, that helps
I'm not looking to modify one, like them stock. Your experienced input would be greatly appreciated.
Thanks

 

[ARCHIVE_joealso]

I can't answer your question specifically, as i don't have as much experience with the different models as, say, Furchin or a couple of the other board members. However, my '85 900 with 10,000 miles is all stock and has not given me a moment of trouble since i bought it 2 years ago.

 

[ARCHIVE_gosupes]

I have ridden a 600, owned 2 900's, and have ridden a 1000. The 1000 is more comfortable in the seat and is more upright in the bars. The 900's and 1000's all handle similar. Back some 15 years ago, I was on my 900 and my buddy was on his 1000. The 900 was slightly faster, it seemed the 1000 had some kind of rev limiter that would kick in at about 10K and the 900 would wind up a little higher. With every shift, I was able to pull a few more feet out in front. All that said, I like my 900 but I would have bought a 1000 if I could have found one locally. It's a fairly rare bike and is pretty comfy for longer trips.

 

[ARCHIVE_doode]

ive just recently aquired my ZL1000......very impressed!.....ive been riding old Z900's&1000's for years,,this is like a Nu bike to me,,stax of grunt,Comfy,handles well,Looks cool.....what more can i say??.....

i ride alot into city,2&half hrs each way.....this breezes thru it,

havent seen any 900's around,,not many Eliminators over here(Aus)....

WHOOHOooo....!!.... .....

 

[ARCHIVE_Rocket]

Doode,
the 900 didn't come to Oz (not through the dealers anyway) so we were left with the 1K for one year only.

Sttubs,
have a look at this one:

http://www.chicagocycle.com/dlrindexsend_pg_pov_veh_191161-1987_Kawasaki_ZL1000.htm

Your profile doesn't say where you're from so this one may not be an option. As for the pros/cons of a 900/1K, I wouldn't sell my ZL1000 for anything less than a 2006 model eli with ZRX1200 donk, VN1600 forks and wheels (with exhaust and tank in the same style and interchangeable with the '87 of course).

 

[ARCHIVE_Harriminator]

G'day Ozzyminators,
just my 2 ct about ZLs in down under: in Adelaide is living a German emigrant(Jens) with family and owns a ZL 900; furthermore there is 1 Eli in Sidney and Melbourne(Franklinstreet...?). Infos coming from older guestbook-entries of my time as webmaster...maybe facts have changed meanwhile....?

Greets, Harriminator.

 

[ARCHIVE_Rocket]

Was that a private import? Every dealer I've spoken to has told me the 900 wasn't imported to Oz through Kawasaki.

 

[ARCHIVE_Harriminator]

You're right - he took his 9 along with when he moved down under; same thing in Germany, only s.c. "grey imports" where made by free dealers, Kawa just sold the 10 here.

 

[Rocket]

High guys,
It’s been a while since I’ve been on either site (here and KERA, good to see their spam crap gone). I have invested a considerable amount of time on KERA and to be honest I didn't feel like committing another 325 posts to this site only to have go the same way KERA did recently (no offence to you lot here, this appears to be a more comprehensive site). I’ll be posting to both boards when I can so I don’t offend either side. Anyway, KERA has been great to me so I’d like to return the favour to all the Eliminator faithful. I'll try to ramp up my contributions to both boards (I’ve got some catching up to do here before I get to equal my 325 posts on KERA).

Oh, and the beast is registered for another year of commuting/touring. Third year and third rear tyre, this time I'm trying a Maxxis M6011 (160/80-15) for some variety, we'll see how long this one lasts. What sort of mileage are you fellas getting from your donuts? Here's my experience thus far:

http://www.maxxis.com/products/motorcycle/product_detail.asp?id=158

160/80-15 Dunlop D404 = 12,443 (15mths, bald but no reinforcing plys exposed)
160/80-15 Bridgestone Exedra G702 = 9,450km (11mths, all the way to the plys)
160/80-15 Maxxis M6011 = ???

 

[acp]

I've got an Avon Venom-x on the back, 170/80. I can't say for definite how many miles i've done as I've swapped the speedo, but I think I've done at least 2,000 miles on it and it's barely worn at all so far. I'll keep my eye on the distance though.

 

[vinny]

Nice to have you on board Rocket
I agree with you about KERA - I have found a lot of good advice on there and it would be a shame if it faded away. :nonono:
I hope some of the guys like yourself find their way back to KERA and visit us over here as well :dancingfool:
Hope you have a real good season
Vin

 

[zlMark]

Rocket,,welcome back!

I understand your concerns about investing time in another site such as this. I'd like to make it very clear to everyone that this site is not going anywhere anytime soon. I'll state here and I've told others I would have gladly taken control of KERA. Ethan really shows no interest period. And thats why we are here.

So here we are, the "Kawasaki ZL Owners Association". Without membership this site does not exist. Without administration this site does not exist. Without funding this site does not exist. I realize what it takes to make this OA work. If properly supported by administration, and loyal membership this site has the potential to pay for itself. That is why you see EBAY on the front page. You will notice in the forums we have moderators group and authors group. I want to remind everyone that zl-oa is your site, not mine. Suggestions are always welcome. This site is really starting to take off and I know I can't do this by myself.............to be announced.

 

[furchin]

maxxis classic

Rocket, I have run the classic on three of my Eli's and have gotten over 9,000 miles on them. Still have one on one bike that has over 9 on it and is getting close to changing but not quite there yet. furchin

 

[Stormy]

Old ones "Pirelli Routes", front and rear to 15,900kms.

Unknown when they were put on.

New ones Michelin Commander", front and rear.

http://two-wheels.michelin.com/2w/f...codePage=2092004104213_09092004152924&lang=EN

I've noticed when you lean the bike into a turn, it doesn't matter what way I lean it, the rear wheel feels like it's stepping out a bit, maybe it's because the tyre has a rounded profile and I had got use to the square profile the old tyres had, I don't know, but the guys I bought the tyre from said it's a just a bit of sidewall flex, it will disappear as the tyres firm up a bit with age, I suppose it stands to reason considering it supposed to be a dual compound tyre (apparently it's got a medium compound rubber on the edge of the tread and a hard compound rubber in the middle of the tread)

Mick.[/url]

 

[Ferret]

Welcome back Rocket!! Goodta see ya still around mate!! Had been wondering where ya'd been etc.

Am bustin' my butt to clear the spam outta KERA as soon as it arrives. 'Tis damn near a fulltime job!!! As Mark said above .. Ethan ain't doin' much at all with the site over there. I've just started up a phpBB forum for my local Ulysses mob and as a result I KNOW there are ways and means to stop the spammers without too much trouble. But despite having sent Ethan the links to the mods/hacks that'd do the job, nothing has happened and the spam continues!! Anyways, enough about that .. just glad it's all happenin' here .. yay!!!

As for tyres/mileage .. am not sure with mine .. I got a nail in the rear tyre that was on the bike when I got it and had no idea how much use it'd had.

I've got a 170/80-15 Metzeler ME880 on there now and is wearing quite well as such .. still got heaps in it yet. Seems to stick okay once it's warmed a little, can be a bit skittish when it's still cold and I'm heavy-handed with the go-juice.

Have got a 110/80-18 Metzeler ME88 on the front and it's still got a bit left in it too and again seems to hang on quite well.

Anyways .. glad ta have ya back mate ..

Cheers,
Ross

 

[wuputt]

Hey Rocket!
I just put a IRC Wildflare in my ride this spring. It sticks like glue! I even tried burning it in Marks garage and I slid the front tire. I even tried going up to 7K rpm, thought i was gonna go through his wall! I dont know how long it will last but I know when I hit second hard she brings the fron up!