Good Points & Bad Points please

[Mrjoolz]

Hi all,

think I have decided on a Kwak for my commute into London. (Never owned one before) have had Gixer's and Yams, so thought what the hell.

However I have had that there are problems with certain models of both ZX6R and the ZX9R

I have a budget of about 1600 and was wondering which model I should go for, and if I can get one, should I go for the 9 over a 6.

I understand that some people mention gearbox problems and front brake problems on some models, but unsure which ones, and if this relates to 6r or 9r or both.

Any feedback greatly appreciated.

Joolz

[teuma86]

I own a kwaka ER-6F
Its a nice sports / touring bike. You can sit up and stretch even at 100mph (not that I tried that)

I would say, for London, you might be better as you are more upright, you can see over cars easier and manoeuvre easier. Could be worth a look (You also have the ER6-N (no fairing / naked) but personally i dont like the look and they are not as powerful.

[sebastianw]

[TheDonUK]

I had a ZX6R G model (99), I thought it was a great bike, if abused the front Tokico 6-pots will need attention, thats really it...
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[Current Bikes - GSXR-750 K5 & C90-97 ] [Previous Bikes: Runner 125, YBR 125, GS500, Bandit 600, Hornet 600, ZX6R-99, C90-99, R1-99, XT600E-04, GSXR-750 K4, CRF250L '16]

[teuma86]

[teuma86]

[Mrjoolz]

so no gearbox problems on the Zx6R or ZX9R

[The Tot]

Right here's my opinion of owning a superbike and abusing it on my daily commute in london (my CBR929)

It KILLS the fuel economy! 80 miles til reserve was the expected norm. Usually even when tanking it in the countryside hitting triple figures, I'd manage at least 110miles til reserve.

If your charging system is poor, it will knacker it due to the demands of running the headlight and in summer, the fan! I fried 2 rectifiers, burnt out my alternator and heavily discharged my battery - then again, it IS a honda so you can expect these things.

Sportsbikes aren't renown for their exemplary in-town clutch finesse or turning circle! 2 months of ABUSING it in london meant that I needed new clutch plates sooner rather than later! We ARE talking about traffic light GP's at every opportunity that is though.

However I can vouch for the ninjas because there's very little that goes wrong with them in terms of electrics. The engines are very strong and bulletproof if you treat them well. You're unlikely to suffer from much carb icing since winter temperatures are generally a lot warmer and more humid in the centre of London (it's all relative).

Don rightly said about the 6 pot Tokicos requiring attention. There's many useful guides on MCN ninjas on how to service the brakes. Failing that, you can try and find some 4 potters that fit.

The only issues with gearboxes were on the ZX-9R C1 models and should have hopefully been resolved by now.

Teuma, how can you EVEN compare a ZX with an ER... different kettles of fish! One's a twin with usable power in town, and the others are screaming inline fours!

Pah, aerodynamics... how many of us regularly see 70+mph in central london!? Get it to hooning speeds and it MAY have an influence but by this point you're looking at license losing territory!

Insurance isn't too different between a '98 6R or 9R when I last checked but expect running costs to be higher for petrol, chains and tyres. Something pushing out 120bhp rear wheel will want a new sports touring tyre every 6-7k miles (gauging on the roadsmarts on the blade). On a 6R, you can happily get it to 8-9k with no problems.

Your choice, but both are very capable, underrated and surprisingly comfortable bikes. Instigator regularly sees 50mpg on his 6Rs!
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The Tot 2019 Z1000SX - 2007 R1
Never argue with autism

[TheDonUK]

Tot is right, Litre bikes kill the petrol, it seems obvious but i went to north wales for the day yesterday with a mate on a CBR600, me on my R1, Most of the day an 18-20 quid fill up was getting me about 100-110 miles to fuel light (and then maybe 20 miles if you eek it out)

After one fill up we decided to ride frugally (for us) at between 80-90 on the motorway, no big throttle openings etc. When we stopped for fuel next i was at 110 miles on the trip without the fuellight coming on...

The stint after that was throttle wide open stuff and i was shocked when the fuel light came on at around 65-75 miles...

My mates 600 was marginally better, but it depends on how heavy handed you are...

ER-6's are alright, can be quite fun to mess around doing power wheelies with the twin, suspention is shit though, i reckon a proper sports bike would have dealt with the bumps that triggered a tankslapper i had on a hire ER-6.

You could probably get a G/J (98-01) model ZX6R for about your budget. I think mine used to give me 120-160 to reserve.
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[Current Bikes - GSXR-750 K5 & C90-97 ] [Previous Bikes: Runner 125, YBR 125, GS500, Bandit 600, Hornet 600, ZX6R-99, C90-99, R1-99, XT600E-04, GSXR-750 K4, CRF250L '16]

[instigator]

You should be able to get a J1 model for that price if not a J2. They run like shit in winter (I've had 3, 2 J1's and a G2) and they run like cack in winter without using fuel additive. Build quality, particularly on the brakes, fork bottoms and swingarm is really poor.

I'd never ride one again in the winter.

[sickpup]

[Kris]

Never owned a ZX6R but did a commute 140 miles a day on a ZX9R E1 (in green too) .

90% of my journey was on empty-ish motorways and busy A-roads and although that stint was great - the 10% town work was not ideal. Poor steering lock and an engine that runs F-Hot in summer meant gridlocked city riding was a sweaty chore.

Also, in winter the bike suffered. The finish on metal parts is poor and I wouldn't want is as an everyday bike TBH.


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