Advice on what to look for when buying second hand?

[moppy]

Going to look at a 1996 P reg ZZR 600 tomorrow, got 32K miles on it and comes with 12 months MOT and braided hoses.

What should I be looking for with this bike? Can't take it out for a test ride (on restricted license) but the guy said he will take me out for a ride on it.

It's got stainless steel headers on it as well, not entirely sure what that means, but I assume its good. New chain and sprockets too. What would be a good price for the bike as well (its in decent nick as far as I can tell from the photos)?

Thats about it for now, cheers for the help

[Snorty]

[moppy]

[temeluchus]

A few things to look for(Not by any means complete):

-With the bike on the centre stand, grab the rear wheel and try and lift it up, twist it and move it side to side. There should be no perceptable play in the wheel bearings of any up and down or side to side movement of the swingarm.
Do the same with the forks, again the wheel shouldn't have any play and the forks should not have any play between the sliders and the stanchions or at the headstock
-make sure the engine is cold before asking the owner to start it. If it shows signs of being warmed up be cautious.
-The engine shouldnt make any untoward loud rattling noises. Some light ticking is fine. Check exhaust for leaks.
-have a look for oil patches under the bike.
-push the bike to make sure the brakes aren't binding.


I dont believe the zzr600 has any particular vices other than occasional trouble with selecting second gear. If he is going to take you for a spin this bike obviously wont have that problem.
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Some shite cruiser. Now with guns and FREEDOM!

[jjdugen]

Love em'. One of the unsung heros.
As mentioned, second gear can be an issue. If its not been revved silly and crash changed into second they are fine.
Rear suspension goes soft, not helped by it usually being covered in crud and rust, budget for replacement. A zx-6 remote resevoir shock goes in easily (just needs some material grinding from each side of the lower mounting). Cheap on the 'bay and has comp and rebound damping adjustment.
Front calipers can be troublesome if not maintained. Swap out for the far better ones from a fireblade (RRW, RRX) or the equivalent CBR600.
Do check that exhaust over thoroughly, an expensive system to replace.
I think yours gets the adjustable for preload front forks, if not, no real problems with any of the forks on these, maybe some 15W fork oil to stiffen it up a little. If you can, get the allen key socket to undo the front spindle nut, its a big one so not cheap.
I would expect to pay no more than £800, give a little, for one of these in good cond with at least a good length of MOT if not tax as well. This little for a genuine 150 mph motorcycle has to be a steal. (Reflected in higher insurance premiums though....)
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The CBR900RR has been sold. Aprilia Falco worms its way into my heart.
Try Soi 23 on Amazon for a good read.... Self promotion? Moi?

[Kickstart]

Hi

Above has covered most of it, although having experienced our ZZR with thicker fork oil I wouldn't do that (handled horribly). If you want harder suspension then try a touch more oil than specified (reduces the air gap) and / or stiffer springs (the oil viscosity changes how quickly the forks compress / extend, not how far they compress / extend, so thicker oil just means that the forks won't react for bumps but will ultimately compress just as far when braking).

They are gits to get the fairing off for minor jobs like changing a speedo cable.

Fuel range is pretty good. Sitting at a shade over 70 on the motorway ours will do 64mpg, and sitting around 90 that drops to mid 50s (it does have a Micron 4>1 exhaust, due to the original quick rot system)

Oil cooler is quite exposed to crude from the front wheel.

The front calipers really are useless when it comes to resisting the weather.

Seat height is pretty low. If you are tall make sure you are comfy with it.

If you drop it the first thing that touches down is the frame on the front / side of the engine. Look for damage there.

If you change the front wheel bearings then be aware that there is no stop for the bearing on one side (ie, if you tap it in expecting it to seat, it will instead drop into the middle of the wheel).

All the best

Keith
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Traxpics, track day and racing photographs - Bimota Forum - Bike performance / thrust graphs for choosing gearing

[Mrjoolz]

I bought one back in August this year, after chatting to peeps on here. Absolutely love it.

Use it to commute to and from work each day (80 miles round trip). Got it with 12K on it (1996 model) with fSH and I've put 8.5K on it, and not had any problems at all.

Mine has s/steel downpipes, which was a bit of luck. Only had to overhaul the front calipers as the front brakes werent as good as I thought they should be, but other than that, blinding. I tend to do 180 (two days travel) before I fill up again, but even then its not empty.

Comfy, and still quick. they are overlooked in favour of the sports bikes, but are not far behind the other 6's.

Good deals to be had.

I have a set of original zzr600 front brake discs if you find yours are warped or what not.


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Previous Bikes: TZR125, KMX125, RGV250, RD350YPVS, GXSR750H, GSXR600SRAD, R1 (2000), GSXR1000 (K1), ZZR600, CBR1100XX Super Blackbird

Current Bike: Suzuki GSX1300R Hyabusa.....

[UnspeedySam]

I agree with all that's been said. The brakes suck but do the job, the rear shocks are usually rusty but I live with mine.

Try to get one with a 4 > 2 system as my micron 4 > 1 leaves you with some pretty nasty flat spots. Although you do get used to riding around them.

Not sure what is being said about high insurance. For a bike this fast it is silly cheap; no more than my Bros 400. I get quoted about £350 (TPFT, 21, 0 NCB, 1 Accident).

I am thinking more and more that my carb has been upjetted...I get more like 40mpg and 130 miles to reserve. I thought this was to do with the micron system but this is clearly not the case if Kickstart can get over 60mpg...
____________________
Riding: BMW R1150RT `02 bought mildly crashed
Fixing: Also the BMW as I get less broken bits
Gone: ZZR600 '00, TRX850 '97, RXS100 '93, JS125-6B '07, BMW R1100RS '93, Kawasaki ZX-6R-J2 '01, Honda Bros NT400 NC25 '88

[moppy]

Had a look at it today, it's in fairly good nick as far as I can tell, had been standing for some time so needed some petrol to pass through the carbs to sound right, but once it had, it sounded solid.

Rear shock is covered in rust, but not to a dangerous level as far as I can see.

Cons
- £1395 is the price, not the 1295 advertised online
- Rusty rear shock
- Scratches on side of one of the cans
- White "sealant"? near where the cans connect to the downpipes
- 33K mileage, not the 32K as said online

I want to part exchange my 04 Suzuki VL 125 and he's asking for £400 on top of that. Seems steep to me, I was prepared to pay a maximum of £300 on top of my bike and listening to you guys, even that seems too much.

Didn't go out for a ride cos it was absolutely chucking it down.

[Polarbear]

That is pricey, even from a dealer.

I have only had the 1100 version and you can pick bloody good ones of those up for that sort of money. Mine cost me £900 (private) and was as immaculate as a G reg bike could be.

I wouldn't pay thay even if it came with some sort of warranty

Are there any ZZR's left with the original rot boxes, I doubt it.
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Triumph Trophy Launch Edition

[Reid]

Got to agree with Polarbear - that's way too much for what's on offer (a dropped, poorly looked after ZZR from the sounds of it). You can get a damn-near minter for that sorta cash if you look about a little bit, although always go for one with a stainless system

[Mrjoolz]

Dont touch it. I paid £1500 for N reg zzr600 with 12k and fsh from dealers.

That's far too dear for 33k on it with suspect shock and exhaust joints
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Previous Bikes: TZR125, KMX125, RGV250, RD350YPVS, GXSR750H, GSXR600SRAD, R1 (2000), GSXR1000 (K1), ZZR600, CBR1100XX Super Blackbird

Current Bike: Suzuki GSX1300R Hyabusa.....

[moppy]

Done then, won't be bothering with that. Cheers for the heads up.

Thing is, bikes do seem to cost a shit load though...not seen many for cheaper (without it being a project that I have to get running) nearby...until 15 mins ago, now chasing that up!

When did you buy yours Mrjoolz

[Mrjoolz]

I got mine from dealer in bosham, down near chichester. They were really helpful, and pete is the guy I dealt with, who owns it.

They had another 2 zzr600 down there when I got mine.

Dealer called P&P motorcycles. 01243 839580
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Previous Bikes: TZR125, KMX125, RGV250, RD350YPVS, GXSR750H, GSXR600SRAD, R1 (2000), GSXR1000 (K1), ZZR600, CBR1100XX Super Blackbird

Current Bike: Suzuki GSX1300R Hyabusa.....

[moppy]

Heyup again guys, found another ZZR, 1999, 20K recent service, but with some cosmetic damage on the front fairings for £900 with 12 months MOT.

But the guy only has traders insurance and says he can't tax the bike. Is there anything dodgy about this or is it alright?

[Kickstart]

Hi

Which model of ZZR? 250, 400, 600, 1100, 1200 or 1400?

All the best

Keith
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Traxpics, track day and racing photographs - Bimota Forum - Bike performance / thrust graphs for choosing gearing

[moppy]

[Kickstart]

Hi

Our ZZR has a crack on the front above the headlight. Not sure why either!

Tax situation seems a bit odd. Would think it should be taxable on a traders policy, although not online. But a local post office might be arsey.

All the best

Keith
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Traxpics, track day and racing photographs - Bimota Forum - Bike performance / thrust graphs for choosing gearing

[moppy]

After googling around as well, it seems traders insurance won't allow for taxation, so fair enough.

Just put a deposit down on the bike, settled at £900 for the bike with 12 months MOT. Pleased with that, gonna set some money apart to get some new fairings for it and pretty it up.

Feeling good

[UnspeedySam]

That's pretty good. Mine was £1200 and not in perfect condition.

I'd sell you mine if you weren't so far away and tbh I hope I can get more than £900 for it. 2000, 36k, Micron...although I'm swapping that for standard soon.
____________________
Riding: BMW R1150RT `02 bought mildly crashed
Fixing: Also the BMW as I get less broken bits
Gone: ZZR600 '00, TRX850 '97, RXS100 '93, JS125-6B '07, BMW R1100RS '93, Kawasaki ZX-6R-J2 '01, Honda Bros NT400 NC25 '88

[johnsmith222]

[Kickstart]

Hi

+1 to the above.

ZZR plastics are not common 2nd hand and your chances of getting matching plastics for sensible money is pretty remote. A full repair and respray would be hideously expensive but still likely cheaper than buying new fairings.

Quick look on Cornwall Kawasaki at a random ZZR600 and the top cowling is at least £424.64 (more for some colours), side fairing at least £87.83 each (cheaper than I expected) and the belly pan panels at least £84.78 (some colours they are £140+). A full fairing could cost you over £1k fairly easily.

Japanese ABS plastic is one of the few things that seems to cost more than gold or platinum.

All the best

Keith
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Traxpics, track day and racing photographs - Bimota Forum - Bike performance / thrust graphs for choosing gearing

[jjdugen]

Bought the one I'm using for £400, was tatty and needed spraying and fettling, so not comparing like for like, I admit. Cost me £200 all in, spray paint, rear shock, had some 'blade calipers in stock and it needed a decent end can. BUT, I do this sort of thing for fun. Its just hit 50,000 miles, still goes stupid fast, not had any real bother with it other than a stuck float needle that really did its MPG in. Comfy, quick, stuck a Givi on the back so it tours as well.
As to insurance, I generally have a couple of bikes around. Had a Firestorm for a little while (another story.... horrible thing) and was quoted exactly the same for 'storm as ZZR... work that out.
For sheer value for your money these things have to be right up there, the only other thing you can get for around the same money is a well used Bandit 6... no comparison.
____________________
The CBR900RR has been sold. Aprilia Falco worms its way into my heart.
Try Soi 23 on Amazon for a good read.... Self promotion? Moi?

[moppy]

Thats exactly where my bikes damages as well bluezedd, but on the otherside mainly, not so much on this side. Guess thats the part that touches the floor first. Really nice bike btw, clean as hell and I've gotta say the scratches only make it look better.

Found a few front fairings for £50, but that's not even the most damaged part of my bike, I can live with it. But if I cant find a couple of inner fairings, around the clock&where the little glovebox is for cheap, I will be a happy chappy.

Been looking around for insurance, costs about £380 TPFT for me with 1 year NCB (is the year NCB I built up on CBT transferable to the full UK license?)...on every insurer except my current insurer who wants £700! SEVEN HUNDRED! So I have no choice but to cancel the current insurance, pay the £40, lose £20 or so in their fucked up way of accounting for how much of the premium I've already used and get back £40 of my £167 premium that I paid in September. Fucking ridiculous.

Policyshop is the cheapest quote I've found, are they any good/hideously bad (like my current Devitt)?

Waiting for my new lid to get delivered from lidsdirect (Box FZ-1) before I can go pick up the bike. It's gonna be a nervy 50 minutes from Kettering back to Leicester!

[Kickstart]

Hi

The inner bit should be easy enough. I may even have a spare somewhere.

Your NCB from being on CBT will be usable. However any extra accumulated since September on this canceled policy is lost.

All the best

Keith
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Traxpics, track day and racing photographs - Bimota Forum - Bike performance / thrust graphs for choosing gearing