Phil
2004-11-02 17:00:54 UTC
Much has been made of the Yamaha R1 and Kawasaki ZX10R ultra tall gearing,
but some surprises are in store if you look at the specs of this bike and
others. Some other info here too for the techno enthusiasts.
The Yamaha is said to have a spread of ratios between first and 6th, of only
2.00 to 1, which is true, but the ZX10R is just 1.94, even closer. Further,
the ZX10R has an overall 1st gear ratio of 9.36 compared to the R1's 10.14,
which makes the ZX10R about 7.7% taller geared in 1st. The Yamaha does
manage 99 mph in first gear, but the taller geared ZX10R manages 101 mph,
despite a lower redline than the R1.
The Honda CBR1000RR is geared slightly taller than the ZX10R in 6th, but
with the lowest redline, is at a theoretical top speed in 6th at 175 mph,
which is less than the 183 - 185 the R1 and ZX10R can do in 5th.
The 1st - 6th gear ratios for the R1 and ZX10R are packed MORE closely
together than the 1st - 5th gear ratios of the CBR1000RR!
The CBR1000RR can do 80 in 1st and 105 in second, meaning that the ZX10R can
almost be shifting out of 1st when the CBR1000RR rider is shifting out of
second.
Shifting in normal riding at 4500 revs? The ZX10R, the tallest geared means
shifts from 1st to the next, 2nd - 3rd, etc.., happen at 35, 43, 51, 58, and
64 mph.
A standard bike like the Kawasaki ZR1200R (Eddie Lawson replica) is geared
9.1% lower than the R1 in 1st gear. The ZRX1200R is actually geared taller
in 2nd gear than the R1 and taller in 3rd than the R1, ZX10R, or CBR1000RR.
Of course, it has a 5 speed box, not a 6 speed. The ZRX also matches the
CBR1000RR for top speed in 3rd gear.
Freeway roll-on power? Take the Yamaha, the one that is a bit soft on the
bottom end of the power range compared to the others (especially the Honda).
Spins about 4200 rpm at 60 in 6th. Makes about 50 lb. ft. of torque,
multiplied by a top gear ratio of 5.08:1 acting through a wheel/tire radius
of about 12", for a total force at the tire contact patch of 254 lbs. Take
the other standard bike, a Kawasaki ZRX1200R, which spins 3500 rpm at 60,
making about 73 lb. ft of torque, multiplied by a top gear ratio of 4.19
acting through a wheel/tire radius of about 12", for a total force at the
tire contact patch of 306 lbs. Is the ZRX faster in a roll-on from this
speed? The ZRX has 20.5% more driving force at the wheel, but is also
heavier. With a 200 lb. rider, it carries about 17.5% more weight. That
still gives the ZRX a slight edge, but even at 60 mph, aerodynamics do play
a part, and the ZRX is an aerodynamic wall compared to the other bikes. The
R1 would likely pull ahead slightly to start and then pull away at an ever
increasing rate, as its torque builds and speed increases. The ZRX is
putting out over 90% of maximum torque at 3500 revs anyway, so it won't get
much stronger with rpm. The Yamaha torque jumps almost 20% by the time it
reaches 5000 revs. The ZRX torque increases about 4% or so.
I do own a ZRX, but love these sport bikes, and may get one, having
machinery like this before (albeit not this fast!). So, not trying to put
down any bike or favor one over the other. Just info for the masses.
- Phil
but some surprises are in store if you look at the specs of this bike and
others. Some other info here too for the techno enthusiasts.
The Yamaha is said to have a spread of ratios between first and 6th, of only
2.00 to 1, which is true, but the ZX10R is just 1.94, even closer. Further,
the ZX10R has an overall 1st gear ratio of 9.36 compared to the R1's 10.14,
which makes the ZX10R about 7.7% taller geared in 1st. The Yamaha does
manage 99 mph in first gear, but the taller geared ZX10R manages 101 mph,
despite a lower redline than the R1.
The Honda CBR1000RR is geared slightly taller than the ZX10R in 6th, but
with the lowest redline, is at a theoretical top speed in 6th at 175 mph,
which is less than the 183 - 185 the R1 and ZX10R can do in 5th.
The 1st - 6th gear ratios for the R1 and ZX10R are packed MORE closely
together than the 1st - 5th gear ratios of the CBR1000RR!
The CBR1000RR can do 80 in 1st and 105 in second, meaning that the ZX10R can
almost be shifting out of 1st when the CBR1000RR rider is shifting out of
second.
Shifting in normal riding at 4500 revs? The ZX10R, the tallest geared means
shifts from 1st to the next, 2nd - 3rd, etc.., happen at 35, 43, 51, 58, and
64 mph.
A standard bike like the Kawasaki ZR1200R (Eddie Lawson replica) is geared
9.1% lower than the R1 in 1st gear. The ZRX1200R is actually geared taller
in 2nd gear than the R1 and taller in 3rd than the R1, ZX10R, or CBR1000RR.
Of course, it has a 5 speed box, not a 6 speed. The ZRX also matches the
CBR1000RR for top speed in 3rd gear.
Freeway roll-on power? Take the Yamaha, the one that is a bit soft on the
bottom end of the power range compared to the others (especially the Honda).
Spins about 4200 rpm at 60 in 6th. Makes about 50 lb. ft. of torque,
multiplied by a top gear ratio of 5.08:1 acting through a wheel/tire radius
of about 12", for a total force at the tire contact patch of 254 lbs. Take
the other standard bike, a Kawasaki ZRX1200R, which spins 3500 rpm at 60,
making about 73 lb. ft of torque, multiplied by a top gear ratio of 4.19
acting through a wheel/tire radius of about 12", for a total force at the
tire contact patch of 306 lbs. Is the ZRX faster in a roll-on from this
speed? The ZRX has 20.5% more driving force at the wheel, but is also
heavier. With a 200 lb. rider, it carries about 17.5% more weight. That
still gives the ZRX a slight edge, but even at 60 mph, aerodynamics do play
a part, and the ZRX is an aerodynamic wall compared to the other bikes. The
R1 would likely pull ahead slightly to start and then pull away at an ever
increasing rate, as its torque builds and speed increases. The ZRX is
putting out over 90% of maximum torque at 3500 revs anyway, so it won't get
much stronger with rpm. The Yamaha torque jumps almost 20% by the time it
reaches 5000 revs. The ZRX torque increases about 4% or so.
I do own a ZRX, but love these sport bikes, and may get one, having
machinery like this before (albeit not this fast!). So, not trying to put
down any bike or favor one over the other. Just info for the masses.
- Phil