What bike next? I'm difficult... and it has to be a kwak.

[Coxyzxr]

Only ever ridden Kawasaki ZXR 750's and have a MAJOR fetish for them. (I Have a Suz GS500 for commuting but that doesn't count, right?)

I'm quite an avid kwak fan and currently but reluctantly selling off all my previous zxr OEM and race stuff.

Looking for a new bike soon, ideally a Kawasaki.
My zxr had soul, real substance, on tick over it was uneasy and industrial sounding, when revved hard the airbox+exhaust note was akin to crack cocaine but probably better! It was raw, heavy, difficult to work with but it made you appreciate it and it rewarded you with exclusiveness, rail like handling and reliability, and an addiction that probably should of had me sectioned under the mental health act.

I also loved it's underdog appeal (So no suggesting an R1, it's not what I'm about)

I was thinking a ZX9R, kind of underdoggy, underrated. But does it have the soul? Maybe even a Z1000 - though I'd miss the fairing and do like my road racers.

Regards
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**WAS FITTED "WRONG WAY ROUND" !** CANT ACCOUNT FOR THE STUPID !

[Dex]

ZX7R (any model, they're all the same) is the logical progression from the ZXR. They are pretty iconic bikes too.

ZX9R (C model would be my preference) great bikes - comfortable to tour the world two up, or you can do 170mph if you like. Seriously under-rated and great vfm

ZX6-R C1H/C6F (2005/06 636) - Best looking Ninja made, at the time it was the most aerodynamic bike kwak had ever made. Epic engine - you could ride it round town with sweet fuelling, or open the throttle and you get good mid-range leading to absolutely mental top end rush. Suspension is excellent, very adjustable and can deal with bumpy british roads. Only problem is that it will be noticeably faster than your ZXR, and you'll have to resist the urge to be doing 150+ everywhere.

[Mungel]

ZX9R -
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Mungel
ZZR600 (dead) - ZX9R (sold) - FZ1S

[johnsmith222]

How about a 7R with a 9R engine?

The 7R looks better imo.

[kat250]

I assume its the j1 you have at present. Why not take the best bit from the 900 and shoe horn it into the 750 you already have. Its an easy enough conversion to do.

https://homepage.ntlworld.com/webzxr/zxr750r/

Its under tuned bikes and Conversion Guide for '91 to '95 ZXR750/9R

I have just finished build of one of these and to be fair not much is needed off the 900.
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in the famous word of jimmy pop "would you F*ck me for blow"
In the words of banditshigh "would you blow me to f*ck"

[Seb]

My 9r is a really nice all round bike, and with some time spent on the suspension it actually handles quite nicely, a better rear shock and a little money spent on the fork internals and I suspect it'd be stellar if you can overlook the sheer size of the thing.

I'm lucky in that I picked up an end of line F model out of a harley dealership with 4500 miles on it so it's been 100% trouble free for me, not exactly full of soul, but it's good fun and more than up for scaring the daylights out of me should I wish
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2010 Triumph 1050 Sprint ST

[MarJay]

[Coxyzxr]

[Coxyzxr]

[MarJay]

[Spit-Fire]

i agree with mayjay, there is no harm in trying other bikes, you might find that the basket you have put all your eggs in isn't the right one.

also, Yamaha do make more bikes then the r6/r1

[G]

Your definition of 'soul' seems to problems the manufacturers have tried to sort out ... so you should buy my zx9, has plenty of 'soul' .

I was going to suggest an early zx10 (as in 2004, not the previous model); they are known to be a bit feisty and playful, yet can also be 'tamed' to be a very accomplished bike.

Limiting your choice to Kawasaki does suggest that riding is still below aesthetics on the list, so maybe you should just choose the one you like the look of best .

I would definitely agree with riding a good range of bikes. Even some extended loans if you can blag it. Often it's taken a good few days worth of riding to realise I quite like certain properties of a bike I hadn't at all expected to.

[Blau Zedong]

I'm the same, If I have a big 4T it has to be an oil cooled GSXR.

Reasons are -

1) I like the image - Proper "big bike" ridden by heterosexual men.

2) Simplicity. No water jacket. No fuel pump. No shim under bucket valve gear that requires a trip to some idiotic bike shop.

3) Fast enough for me, lots of character and I can live with the shit low speed handling. I'm actually really comfortable with the handling at higher speeds, especially on modern tyres.

4) No inherent faults - i.e. camchain tensioners / 2nd gear failure / head gaskets / rectifiers catching fire. My current one has done 60K with just (semi) regular servicing.

Newer bikes might be better and faster but If something suits you I see no reason why you shouldn't stick with it.
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18:54:48 Rob Fzs: jews don't give away stuff for free

18:54:59 Rob Fzs: unless its their clothes/ hair/ golden teeth

[Coxyzxr]

[Dex]

I've no problem with you insisting on sticking with Kwaks. Ninjas have serious soul (and I love them)

If you like big stable comfy old school types - try a Triumph 595 or 955i (if you want to try something non-kwak)

You've said you're selling up the ZXRs, but you didn't say why, or what it was you wanted the new bike to do?

Anything faster than a ZX7R is wasted on the road, the 9s extra power will make life easier to be lazy when riding two up with luggage, but other than that the extra power isn't really needed (unless you want to do 170. Which you might)

If you like the feel of older bikes then the 636 probably isn't for you - it's the next generation on from the 7R/9R and quite a world further on from the ZXR.



As for trying other bikes..... It's kind of up to you really. Some people want to try every bike they possibly can, some people are more than happy with what they have. If you are happy with your bike and never find yourself thinking "I wish it had a bit more brakes/engine/suspension" then why not stick with it?

[Coxyzxr]

[G]

[Coxyzxr]

Anyway we'll leave it at tht, some nice insight and input thanks guys.

I'll keep pondering this over tea and on sleepless nights.
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**WAS FITTED "WRONG WAY ROUND" !** CANT ACCOUNT FOR THE STUPID !

[Deckx]

[quote="Coxyzxr"]

[ZRX61]

[Seb]

[dodsi]

I have just bought a ZX9R and to be quite honest the big engine is nice for the ability to put it in 6th gear at anything above 40mph and just use the throttle to speed up/slow down - you don't have to bother changing gear unless you want a quick overtake.

Start working the gearbox and to be quite honest it's way too quick for public roads (like most bikes really) - takes absolutly no time to be at some stupid speed which you will loose your licence for.

Very comfortable bike too really, but mine does have handlebar raisers on it. (old man stuff)

[r0b]

[jbond]

ZX6R B1 with Maxton sorted suspension and a steering damper. They're not even very expensive now, if you can find somebody actually selling one. Not really any faults apart from the usual Kawa too hard suspension[1]. And you get a simple side exhaust with plenty of options from cheap slip ons to a full system.

But then given your description this is probably all too manic.

[1]Minimum compression all round is almost enough but it still all gets a bit slappy on B roads.
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[Dex]

If you want it as a road bike the C1 / C6 is a better bike- you don't need the steering damper or to spend any money on the suspension.