ZZR1100?

[johnsmith222]

Hi guys.

My pal is selling his ZZR1100 in good condition and I am seriously tempted by it. I have worked on the bike before and he spends his time looking after his bike. I know this bike well and I have worked on it and have ridden it a few times as well as other big CC bikes.

The power of it is intoxicating. It is a bit of an old barge and I can't say I'm a big fan of the looks, but that's not really what it's about.

I am 21 and I've been riding for over 4 years. I have a CG125 that I will probably break in the summer as I don't think I'll ever use it as I need to put a new engine in and mess about making a new loom. I have my RXS100 anyway which kinda covers what the CG would do.

Now, the thing is, I already have a ZZR600 and I use it for commuting. I ride around 17 miles per day 7 days a week. I realise replacing the 600 for the 1100 will result in higher fuel, tyre, c&s, brake pad costs etc. Do you think running a z11 every day for commuting would be silly? Forgetting insurance, tax etc(I'm factoring this into the cost of the bike), should I expect a significant increase in running costs?

I do all the work on my own bikes provided I have the tools.

I realise how different the handling will be from the ZZR600 as I have ridden both back to back. (not as terrible handling on the z11 as one might think though. It's a nice bike to hang off and I did gel with it).

One thing to bear in mind is that I am a student but I do get a bursary and I work part time at the weekend for 6 quid an hour. I live at home with my parents. The price of bike and insurance aren't an issue. Running costs of fuel MIGHT be. I do rag my ZZR and don't worry about fuel costs though. I doubt I'd be doing the same with the z11 as it has more low down power.

I'm just asking what your thoughts are on getting this bike and what my likely best option is for having a bike for the winter or another bike for commuting.

(eg, keep zzr600 for commuting, get z11. Sell RXS100 and CG. Or keep RXS100 and get z11 and sell everything else etc).

Or sell all three of my current bikes, get the z11 and a gpz500 or something. I would want two bikes either way whatever I do just to have a backup.

Thanks for any help and opinions.

[junglejim]

I owned a ZZR1100 D6 for about 2 years.
I found if ridden sensibly it wasn't bad on fuel at about 50mpg.
Quite well made as well.
My only real criticism was the front brakes, which never really felt up to the job, surprisingly, for a 170mph missile.
Servicing is OK too, with shims being on top of buckets.
If memory serves, your ZZR6 is shims under buckets, meaning that if any need changing, the cams have to come out.
I don't remember having any specific issues with consumables in the 18,000 miles I did on mine.
No more than any other big bike I've owned.
I was told that it would chew up cush drives ever 5000 miles, but mine never did.
As with anything, the throttle goes both ways and I can't see why the ZZR wouldn't make a perfectly good workaday bike as it doesn't mind being ridden gingerly.
21 years old with 4 years experience, and able to buy and run a ZZR1100.
Boy times have changed.

[johnsmith222]

[junglejim]

[johnsmith222]

[junglejim]

The 21 year old me is still envyous of you.
My insurance quotes for more exotic bikes only went down to three figures by my early 30's.
I have fond memories of my ZZR.
It was a real Jeckyll and Hyde.
When I first got it I was convinced that the air filter was missing due to the induction roar.
I even checked to make sure it was in there.
It's a great tourer too.
Get yourself some Givi luggage and you'll have a long distance battle ship as capable of consuming the miles as anything else.
I only had one problem, in France, it didn't like the fuel over there, and I got a lot of pre ignition pinging.
Never had that on any bike before or since, but it went as soon as it got it's first tankful of British fuel.
Amazing to think you can buy that sort of performance for under two grand.
Another tip.
The rear chain adjuster is a kind of eccentric cam.
If you turn this upside down, it raises the back slightly and quickens up the steering.
Some people say it makes no difference, but I noticed it made quite a bit.
Along with that, ust get your self some Harrison 6 pots so that the front brakes are better suited to the performance, and you've got something that'll be hard to beat, even by todays standards I reckon.
In fact you've got me thinking now


PS.
The later ZZR1200 did address the 1100's puny front brakes.
They may be a straightforward bolt on, in which case it's off the the breakers yard with you

[johnsmith222]

[johnsmith222]

I phoned my mate this morning but unfortunately I missed it. He sold it yesterday to an older gentleman who paid asking price. I was surprised that he was selling it as it was such a good bike but he wanted rid of it due to some bad memories it triggered.

I could look for other ZZR1100's but tbh I really wanted HIS bike.

He's now after a GSX1400.

His mate is selling his ZRX1100 which has the same engine has the zzr1100 but different cams and obviously is a very different bike due to being a big naked. He's asking 1.5k and it's in really good condition. That's something I will consider, but tbh I have ridden the bike back to back with the zzr1100 and I much prefered the zzr11. I could notice a significant difference in power between them. Or at least that's how they felt in comparison.

Thank you for all your advice Jim!

[Teflon-Mike]

I really like the old ZZR.
I dont think that it would be a 'bad' progression; yes its a FUCKING fast motorcycle, despite its age; but its a pretty soft one; it's not a razor edge single minded sports bike; its a big softie, and with some soft edges, a LOT of weight and less than 'precise' heandling; you'll quickly learn to respect what you got!

For a Student though? No.

When they were not 'so' old; I commuted daily on my VF-thou. Few mates at work had 'big-bikes' and we'd go on ride outs. One or two had Zeds; a couple FJ's; one bloke a GPz9, etc.

We ALL had the same grumbles; they are FUCKING expensive to run!

Fuel need not be too bad; but they are heavy; and commuting, unless you are super-smooth and hugely restrained, that mass takes its toll on tyres and chains and brakes. And its really anoying squaring expensive rubber JUST getting to and from work (excuse to 'round the corners off on a Sunday though!)

My Eldest, lost his 33bhp restricdtion, summer before his sandwhich year; treated himself to an RF900, on the principle that earning, he'd be able to afford to run it; and save enough to carry on running it, through his finals...

He didn't! He was warned; but he was overly optimistic; and after running the thing into the ground; it was off the road for four months, before he could afford to get it through an MOT, and back at Uni.... he was scraping to find the pennies to put petrol in it, and constantly 'praying' to get an extra 200 miles out of the tyres he couldn't afford to replace.

THIS is what you CANNOT afford to do on a bike like that. Running it to the ragged edge of maintenence; on poverty mechanics, is a recipe for desaster... and Crash-Test learned that the hard way; stuffing the thing.

They are a HELL of a lot of bike for the money; but they are NOT 'Cheap'... and as an every day bike, those high running costs can be crippling.
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[Hyaon]

Dunno if this goes for 1000cc bikes but I was told I best give my bike a good long run at least once a week on the motorway/NSL roads to get the engine oil hot. Short commutes every day isn't enough to get rid of condensation in the oil, so it goes white and crappy.

You probably knew this already, just noticed you do almost the same commute distances as me
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Mod2 Passed 30/03/2011!
CBF125>GSF650 Bandit K8>B-King 2008+R1 2002

[junglejim]

[Polarbear]

I had a ZZR1100C. Nice, fast, very comfy but the brakes weren't really up to a bike capable of 170 in its prime.

I didn't find it particularly expensive to run, but I wasn't commuting on it so I didn't have a high consumables turnover.

Cheap as chips now as well to buy.

I have a mate with a ZRX. He loves it. There is quite an active owners club and social side so I gather.
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Triumph Trophy Launch Edition

[johnsmith222]

Thanks for your advice about the ZZR guys. I was kinda set on this specific ZZR because I knew it was completely sorted mechanically and it was in amazing condition/good price. It's probably the only bike I would have bought over the phone.

Unfortunately it wasn't to be so the decision has been made up for me. I'm not going to go out of my way to get a different ZZR as most are getting on a bit nowadays.

The ZRX1100 is a good bike, but tbh it didn't tickle me "down there" like the ZZR1100 did. I guess I'm only considering it because it's up for sale. I don't remember "wanting" it at the time.

Teflon Mike, your post about the cost of consumables does make sense and it was what I was worried about. I am not very restrained with the throttle and I go through rear tyres on the ZZR600 nevermind the 11 although it's not at the stage that I worry about it. It's likely I wouldn't be able to rag the 11 due to the higher performance.

I still do want another bike but I'm not really sure what I want. I mean the ZZR600 is what I consider to be a bit "meh". I mean it's great and everything and it gets me to uni and work nearly as fast as any bike could. Perhaps even faster than the 1100 due to the handling and requiring less respect.

Part of me feels like I should sell everything, start from scratch and buy two bikes. A cheap 500cc parallel twin for commuting and a faster "fun" bike. But then, would a 500cc really be all that cheaper on fuel and consumables than a ZZR600? Insurance can't be much cheaper at 130 quid a year (I actually pay 10 quid more to insure my RXS100 ).

I definately want more power, especially in the midrange, but don't want to lose top end. The question is what bike? I was considering ZX9R's as they are going cheap but again it's probably silly on consumables.

I guess I have a lot of thinking to do. As I said, the two bikes I was considering were the zx9r and the ZZR1100. They're all about 1500 quid give or take some and insurance isn't bad.

Perhaps what I am seeking is out of my budget for the moment and I should just forget about getting there until I have graduated.