Discussion
I've just purchased the above, it had been sitting but the owner before me spent basically what I paid in parts, its had a repainted etc tank and a brand new set of pirelli angels
The last bike I had was a 1999 cbr600fx, light and quick enough for me, nitron rear and ktech front suspension,I only sold it as being sheilded I wasn't using it
The plan was a earlier vfr750 with cbr600 wheels for modern tyres, that was scuppered by the guy selling it to someone else
So gumtree came up with the zzr which was going down in price every few Weeks , I went to view and it was running really roughly, wouldn't tick over until it was really warm, it was far too heavy and I could only get one foot to the ground, so I bought it.
Collected it on a Friday, straight to the petrol shop and it was running on two or maybe three on the way home, h
Got home and parked up thinking how can I sell it and not lose anything.
After about a week I had a couple of days off,so carbs off and each floatbowl was full of rust
It took a while as I've not stripped carbs for at least 10 years, it was all back together so I tried to start it but fuel ran out of the bottom of the fairing, I reconnected the hose to the fuel pump and we had life, it took a while to get going and was still lumpy, infa red laser sowed more or less the same heat on the downpipes.
As its 80+ kg more than the CBR I was a bit apprehensive on the first ride, chicken strips were on the whole tyre.
It's comfortable (I'm 5ft8 29-30 inside leg) fast but not in a thrash me type way, the cbr was much more revvy.
I've done less than 100 miles so far but it's getting better and the only downside is the weight, I'm still getting used to the brakes(Harrison 6 pots, cleaned and bled)
So far I've not had it up to the redline in any gear, in fact on my commute I think I could get away with less than 4k
I need to lower it a bit, not even looked at the shock to see if it max preload etc
The last bike I had was a 1999 cbr600fx, light and quick enough for me, nitron rear and ktech front suspension,I only sold it as being sheilded I wasn't using it
The plan was a earlier vfr750 with cbr600 wheels for modern tyres, that was scuppered by the guy selling it to someone else
So gumtree came up with the zzr which was going down in price every few Weeks , I went to view and it was running really roughly, wouldn't tick over until it was really warm, it was far too heavy and I could only get one foot to the ground, so I bought it.
Collected it on a Friday, straight to the petrol shop and it was running on two or maybe three on the way home, h
Got home and parked up thinking how can I sell it and not lose anything.
After about a week I had a couple of days off,so carbs off and each floatbowl was full of rust
It took a while as I've not stripped carbs for at least 10 years, it was all back together so I tried to start it but fuel ran out of the bottom of the fairing, I reconnected the hose to the fuel pump and we had life, it took a while to get going and was still lumpy, infa red laser sowed more or less the same heat on the downpipes.
As its 80+ kg more than the CBR I was a bit apprehensive on the first ride, chicken strips were on the whole tyre.
It's comfortable (I'm 5ft8 29-30 inside leg) fast but not in a thrash me type way, the cbr was much more revvy.
I've done less than 100 miles so far but it's getting better and the only downside is the weight, I'm still getting used to the brakes(Harrison 6 pots, cleaned and bled)
So far I've not had it up to the redline in any gear, in fact on my commute I think I could get away with less than 4k
I need to lower it a bit, not even looked at the shock to see if it max preload etc
This sounds really interesting. Please keep us up to date as you progress with it. I'd love to see a picture or two of it.
I always liked the ZZR1100. Good, solid, reliable bike that could cover the ground pretty efficiently. You'll get more used to the weight but they never were and never will be a light bike.
I always liked the ZZR1100. Good, solid, reliable bike that could cover the ground pretty efficiently. You'll get more used to the weight but they never were and never will be a light bike.
U didn't like the weight and the seat height, I had a BMW 11gs before a nice lady did a right turn when she should have gone left, I couldn't pick the BMW up and decided that any bike I have, I must be able to pick it up on my own, I've failed, I'm struggling to push it backwards whilst I'm sitting on it because of the seat height, it's our wedding anniversary weekend so no bike messing till next week I'm afraid
£800 is what I paid, considering the new tyres, new painted tank and a few bits of bodywork I think I did ok, now how am I going to sell it for 4k now?
£800 is what I paid, considering the new tyres, new painted tank and a few bits of bodywork I think I did ok, now how am I going to sell it for 4k now?
ssray said:
U didn't like the weight and the seat height, I had a BMW 11gs before a nice lady did a right turn when she should have gone left, I couldn't pick the BMW up and decided that any bike I have, I must be able to pick it up on my own, I've failed, I'm struggling to push it backwards whilst I'm sitting on it because of the seat height, it's our wedding anniversary weekend so no bike messing till next week I'm afraid
£800 is what I paid, considering the new tyres, new painted tank and a few bits of bodywork I think I did ok, now how am I going to sell it for 4k now?
Haha you could have lied £800 is what I paid, considering the new tyres, new painted tank and a few bits of bodywork I think I did ok, now how am I going to sell it for 4k now?
Looks good!
ssray said:
U didn't like the weight and the seat height, I had a BMW 11gs before a nice lady did a right turn when she should have gone left, I couldn't pick the BMW up and decided that any bike I have, I must be able to pick it up on my own, I've failed, I'm struggling to push it backwards whilst I'm sitting on it because of the seat height, it's our wedding anniversary weekend so no bike messing till next week I'm afraid
£800 is what I paid, considering the new tyres, new painted tank and a few bits of bodywork I think I did ok, now how am I going to sell it for 4k now?
Not being able to pick up an R1100GS is a technique issue. Due to being a boxer they are really easy to pick up as they don't fully fall over.£800 is what I paid, considering the new tyres, new painted tank and a few bits of bodywork I think I did ok, now how am I going to sell it for 4k now?
Forward facing technique - stand on beside the bike. level with the handlebar that's on the ground. Straight back, bent legs, one foot either side of the handle bar, gripping the bar on the ground with both hands and straighten your legs to pick the bar off the ground. don't pick the bick up, just the handlebar. The bike will magically follow.
Rear facing technique - stand with your back to the bike level with the end of the tank nearest the seat. Bend your knees, straight back again, grip the handlebar with one hand and something solid by the seat with the other. Straighten your legs ans shuffle backwards to lift the bike.
Lots of youtube videos (particularly of the rear technique on Harleys!) showing how it's done.
black-k1 said:
Not being able to pick up an R1100GS is a technique issue. Due to being a boxer they are really easy to pick up as they don't fully fall over.
Forward facing technique - stand on beside the bike. level with the handlebar that's on the ground. Straight back, bent legs, one foot either side of the handle bar, gripping the bar on the ground with both hands and straighten your legs to pick the bar off the ground. don't pick the bick up, just the handlebar. The bike will magically follow.
Rear facing technique - stand with your back to the bike level with the end of the tank nearest the seat. Bend your knees, straight back again, grip the handlebar with one hand and something solid by the seat with the other. Straighten your legs ans shuffle backwards to lift the bike.
Lots of youtube videos (particularly of the rear technique on Harleys!) showing how it's done.
Easy for you to say, are you anywhere near Stourbridge? I'll ring you when it happens Forward facing technique - stand on beside the bike. level with the handlebar that's on the ground. Straight back, bent legs, one foot either side of the handle bar, gripping the bar on the ground with both hands and straighten your legs to pick the bar off the ground. don't pick the bick up, just the handlebar. The bike will magically follow.
Rear facing technique - stand with your back to the bike level with the end of the tank nearest the seat. Bend your knees, straight back again, grip the handlebar with one hand and something solid by the seat with the other. Straighten your legs ans shuffle backwards to lift the bike.
Lots of youtube videos (particularly of the rear technique on Harleys!) showing how it's done.
I’ve had 2 of those. Good bikes and surprisingly rapid.
I managed to get very scarce Helibars converters and put standard bars on which put me in a far more upright position. Plus it gave a lot more leverage to the bars which helped the handling.
One cheap mod is turn the rear axle upside down but as you’re struggling for height already that might not be a good idea (unless the previous owner has already done that and that exacerbating your problem)
There used to be a thriving owners group but I think that’s migrated to Facebook.
When I moved house it was such a bugger to get it in and out the garden that it just sat there under a cover without getting used so I basically gave it away.
I love bikes of this era and that looks like a good one, although I'm sure there'll be a few issues to keep you occupied tinkering over winter!
I bought my 1995 RF900 for about what you paid, like yours I needed to strip and clean the carbs. Also replace battery, chain & sprockets, brake and clutch lines (mainly to get rid of anodized purple crap), set valve clearances...you get the idea, I'm sure you won't be bored.
If you're in Stourbridge you're not far from me in Kidderminster, I'll keep an eye out for you although when I'm on the bike I'm usually heading south. Happy riding!
edit: OP, out of curiosity, what's the mileage? Mine's just tipped over 40k, under 1500 miles a year if genuine.
I bought my 1995 RF900 for about what you paid, like yours I needed to strip and clean the carbs. Also replace battery, chain & sprockets, brake and clutch lines (mainly to get rid of anodized purple crap), set valve clearances...you get the idea, I'm sure you won't be bored.
If you're in Stourbridge you're not far from me in Kidderminster, I'll keep an eye out for you although when I'm on the bike I'm usually heading south. Happy riding!
edit: OP, out of curiosity, what's the mileage? Mine's just tipped over 40k, under 1500 miles a year if genuine.
Edited by underwhelmist on Friday 23 September 21:29
underwhelmist said:
I love bikes of this era and that looks like a good one, although I'm sure there'll be a few issues to keep you occupied tinkering over winter!
I bought my 1995 RF900 for about what you paid, like yours I needed to strip and clean the carbs. Also replace battery, chain & sprockets, brake and clutch lines (mainly to get rid of anodized purple crap), set valve clearances...you get the idea, I'm sure you won't be bored.
If you're in Stourbridge you're not far from me in Kidderminster, I'll keep an eye out for you although when I'm on the bike I'm usually heading south. Happy riding!
edit: OP, out of curiosity, what's the mileage? Mine's just tipped over 40k, under 1500 miles a year if genuine.
I picked it up from Kidderminster, it's got 35k on it and hasnee chain and sprockets I bought my 1995 RF900 for about what you paid, like yours I needed to strip and clean the carbs. Also replace battery, chain & sprockets, brake and clutch lines (mainly to get rid of anodized purple crap), set valve clearances...you get the idea, I'm sure you won't be bored.
If you're in Stourbridge you're not far from me in Kidderminster, I'll keep an eye out for you although when I'm on the bike I'm usually heading south. Happy riding!
edit: OP, out of curiosity, what's the mileage? Mine's just tipped over 40k, under 1500 miles a year if genuine.
Edited by underwhelmist on Friday 23 September 21:29
Speed addicted said:
Drawweight said:
I’ve had 2 of those. Good bikes and surprisingly rapid.
Should be reasonably rapid, it was the fastest bike in the world for ages! It’s one of those bikes that I’ve always liked but never got round to buying or having a go of.
andym1603 said:
Get it running right and enjoy it. I had this one for 16 years and thoroughly loved it. The weight isn't too bad, and you don't notice it once you are moving. Really wish I kept it.
So I went out and bought a Triumph Sprint GT. More of the same but slower and even heavier (and top heavy at that). It just wasn’t for me and it only lasted a few months before I got rid.
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