20yr old Kawasaki ZZR600 first bike?
Discussion
Is it currently in use? I've bought older bikes before that have been sat around for years and it's an uphill battle trying to keep them on the road.
If the guys been using it then yeah go for it.
The early 00's sports bikes are far less dedicated than the modern stuff and if anything are more similar to current sports tourers. No brutal power and the lack of rider aids will make you a better rider in the long term
If the guys been using it then yeah go for it.
The early 00's sports bikes are far less dedicated than the modern stuff and if anything are more similar to current sports tourers. No brutal power and the lack of rider aids will make you a better rider in the long term
Cakey_ said:
Is it currently in use? I've bought older bikes before that have been sat around for years and it's an uphill battle trying to keep them on the road.
If the guys been using it then yeah go for it.
The early 00's sports bikes are far less dedicated than the modern stuff and if anything are more similar to current sports tourers. No brutal power and the lack of rider aids will make you a better rider in the long term
Sadly not it's been stood for a couple of years due to owner having a few bikes. If the guys been using it then yeah go for it.
The early 00's sports bikes are far less dedicated than the modern stuff and if anything are more similar to current sports tourers. No brutal power and the lack of rider aids will make you a better rider in the long term
Just have a good think about it then. I had a lot of problems with an incredibly low mileage (1.5k) bandit that had been in a garage for about 8 years.
The inside or the tank had rusted and kept destroying fuel pumps, the 2nd pump after using a tank liner was the last straw for me.
The fork stantions were corroded which then killed the seals, so I replaced the seals and cleaned up the forks bur the damage was done so they were rusted again in a few weeks meaning the fork seals would be shot again very soon.
Personally I decided after that I wouldn't buy another bike that had been sitting around as you end uo constantly chasing problems unless they've been stored right.
The inside or the tank had rusted and kept destroying fuel pumps, the 2nd pump after using a tank liner was the last straw for me.
The fork stantions were corroded which then killed the seals, so I replaced the seals and cleaned up the forks bur the damage was done so they were rusted again in a few weeks meaning the fork seals would be shot again very soon.
Personally I decided after that I wouldn't buy another bike that had been sitting around as you end uo constantly chasing problems unless they've been stored right.
carinaman said:
Gosh!I gave some brilliant advice back then!
If you're quite large, comfy and capable of doing pretty much anything then a twenty year old ZZR600 should be fine. Being stood for a couple of years doesn't mean much - an oil change and maybe some injector cleaner to unclog the carburettors, if they're even gummed up (it'll run a bit rough if they're gummed up). Obviously the usual caveats with twenty year old bikes of undetermined mileage apply...
I'm on the shorter side, and found my zzr600 very comfy, so it's quite accommodating.
Looking back, it was more reliable than my current triumph.
I punted it on at about 45k miles because electrical gremlins were creeping in (brittle wires, reg/rectifier,) plus it was showing it's age and generally didn't want to have a running battle with it.
Lovely engine though, but handling wasn't particularly sharp.
It did have a fuel gauge though, space for a tool kit, a seat lock you could get at, and an oil sight glass instead of a crappy dipstick. (You listening triumph??)
Looking back, it was more reliable than my current triumph.
I punted it on at about 45k miles because electrical gremlins were creeping in (brittle wires, reg/rectifier,) plus it was showing it's age and generally didn't want to have a running battle with it.
Lovely engine though, but handling wasn't particularly sharp.
It did have a fuel gauge though, space for a tool kit, a seat lock you could get at, and an oil sight glass instead of a crappy dipstick. (You listening triumph??)
Hugo Stiglitz said:
OK as I need something reliable probably not the wisest choice. Thanks.
If you can find one that has been regularly used it's a different story, even if it's only a few hundred a year but bikes that have been stored for years typically will have a few teething issues when put back into usefred bloggs said:
They were not very good new, and kawasakis age the worst of all the jap bikes. Best 1st bike, a 2015 CB500
In your opinionThe ZZR6 was a very good bike new, yes it wasn't as refined as the CBR600 or a raw as the FZR600 but it was fast, very comfortable, economical, reliable and a great all rounder.
I'd rather a ZZR600 than a CB500 (or CBR500). I mean, a pretty unburstable very revvy 600 IL4 vs a twin (which is a little bit boring). A ZZR in the right colours looks great, too.
To the OP, if you're comfortable working on bikes, fettling carbs, etc; the ZZR (in good condition) will be fine. They have a weak second gear (jump out), so make sure you ride it properly before coming to a decision (or get someone who knows to do so).
To the OP, if you're comfortable working on bikes, fettling carbs, etc; the ZZR (in good condition) will be fine. They have a weak second gear (jump out), so make sure you ride it properly before coming to a decision (or get someone who knows to do so).
fred bloggs said:
They were not very good new, and kawasakis age the worst of all the jap bikes. Best 1st bike, a 2015 CB500
Utter pish, they were a terrific bike new and barely changed for the first 10 years.In total they were manufactured for almost 20
years!
Must have been rubbish, eh?
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