Hyabusa-Great Touring Bike

I have an 04 955i that I'm still breaking-in (450 miles so far). But I can give you some initial impressions.It's a beautiful bike (yellow), and has a great sounding engine. (people always compliment me on the bike wherever I go, even non-bikers, it really turns heads) Lots of leg room, but the handlebars are to low for me. So I'm thinking about installing a set of converti-bars. The bike makes a lot of noise (Sounds like a diesel ) at startup, but quiets down to a very cool sounding idle after a few minutes. It also makes a very loud tweeting noise that I'm told is the fuel pump. It's noticable (and somewhat annoying)at idle, but seems to add to the triple's wail when accelerating. I've never ridden a 'busa, so I can't comment on it, but the Triumph should have much better handling due to its weight advantage. Oh' and I've been gettting about 45 miles to a gallon (mixed city/hwy). All-in-all I'm very happy with the bike. And I'd recommend it to anyone. Hope this helps!

Rapier-I'm not sure if you're addressing me or not, but...I've never ridden the Hayabusa, but just sitting on it feels comfortable to me. A lot like my ZX-6, which I bought because it had the least "ass in the air" position, and I can ride from LA to San Fran. I actually thought about the ZX-9 before I bought the 6 in 2000. The 6 was a few grand cheaper. You know, you're right. I should consider the 9. If I could get one for about 5 grand, that wouldn't be so bad. I think the reason I haven't considered it is I never hear/see anything about it. Never see them used. I'll have to look into it some more. If I got it, then I'd have TWO track bikes! Although, with limited money, I really should expand a little. One Ninja, one Harley, one Ducati....I'm supposed to have bikes that serve different purposes..

I'm not sure I'm adressing you either. With all that talk of a Harley. I just want to make a general point. If your flexible enough and hard core enough to use a 75% full on sport bike for touring then the ZX9 deserves consideration. For me I cannot take the agressive if still not totally dedicated riding position which I think is close to the Busas.

The last gen ZX9, 02 and 03, was a great bike. With adjustable ride hieght and great brakes along with that ripping motor. It was dismissed by the entire magazine world for being too big and middle of the road, etc. etc. in all the shootouts. While that was fair I suppose in a lmiited way it makes a lot more sense to view it as an all around bike.

Read Motorcycle Dailies review of it.

http://www.motorcycledaily.com/03june02kawasaki2002zx9r.html