ZX6 vs ZX7?

[KingKong]

Hi All

Missed Kawasaki for a while and budget has me looking at 1996 zx6r and a zx7r.

Read a lot of horror stories on the zx6 being costly to maintain and suffer poor performance & build quality - break discs & calipers need replacing constantly, apparently. Haven't really heard/read much negativity on quality & performance of the zx7r - quite the contrary, I have heard that the zx7 is way better.

I've found both bikes are going similarly priced. Insurance for the zx6 is so much softer on my finances, but I'm prepared to pay a little more for the zx7 if it means I won't have to face a lot of bills!

Do you think the stories of the zx6 are true or is the zx7 just as bad where build and maintenance is concerned?
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Kwak 636 (2005)

Past - 2016 Ninja 300 (dark grey); K4 GSXR 600 (sexy yellow); 2002 CBR600FS; 2004 GSXR 1000; 2006 Kwak 636; 2005 Yamaha XVS 1100 Dragstar (facepalm); 2005 Kwak 636; 2011 Yamaha R125.

[G]

For not much more you can get a 98-03 Ninja which I'd say is a good bit better in most ways than the ZX7R.
Ok, it doesn't look nearly as pretty. It hasn't got as much power on paper, but a ZX7R owner hopped on my J1 and thought the smaller bike 'felt' faster - just better setup etc, I presume.
ZX6R more relaxed riding position and lighter. B1H models (price starting to go up for them) give more modern 'sporty' riding position, less weight and even more performance.

The 6 pot tokicos on the J model ZX6R aren't amazing, but keep them well looked after they'll still promptly lift the rear at 130mph!

[RhynoCZ]

https://www.bikechatforums.com/viewtopic.php?t=286290
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'87 Honda XBR 500, '96 Kawasaki ZX7R P1, '90 Honda CB-1, '88 Kawasaki GPz550, MZ 150 ETZ
'95 Mercedes-Benz w202 C200 CGI, '98 Mercedes-Benz w210 E200 Kompressor

[Whosthedaddy]

Purely on looks it has to be the 7r
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Current : MSX 125 Past : CBR 900RR Monkeybike : c50 LAC : ZXR750 H2 : FZR600 : ZX7R P3 : YW100 : TRX850: Trophy 900 T309 : GSXR 600 L0: Monkeybike : XJ6S Whosthedaddy

[KingKong]

Thank you.

The thing is, I'm not in the market for a 636 as they're at least a grand over budget, plus I only like the 05/06.

So, it really is between the 1996/7 zx6r & zx7r.

I suppose my main concern is reliability, and that was my main issue - are the two just as bad or is one less headache than the other, if so which one?


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Kwak 636 (2005)

Past - 2016 Ninja 300 (dark grey); K4 GSXR 600 (sexy yellow); 2002 CBR600FS; 2004 GSXR 1000; 2006 Kwak 636; 2005 Yamaha XVS 1100 Dragstar (facepalm); 2005 Kwak 636; 2011 Yamaha R125.

[RhynoCZ]

Just go and buy a Honda.
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'87 Honda XBR 500, '96 Kawasaki ZX7R P1, '90 Honda CB-1, '88 Kawasaki GPz550, MZ 150 ETZ
'95 Mercedes-Benz w202 C200 CGI, '98 Mercedes-Benz w210 E200 Kompressor

[KingKong]

[RhynoCZ]

Well, there is your problem, you can't talk about 18+ years old sports bike from kawasaki and reliability at the same time.

I've got ZXRP1, everything works and is smooth from about 2500 revs up to the top. I did 600 miles on it so far and it still works the same. I had to get rid of the 6 pots, they almost killed me.
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'87 Honda XBR 500, '96 Kawasaki ZX7R P1, '90 Honda CB-1, '88 Kawasaki GPz550, MZ 150 ETZ
'95 Mercedes-Benz w202 C200 CGI, '98 Mercedes-Benz w210 E200 Kompressor

[KingKong]

[Nick 50]

The 7 is a great looking bike but it aint comfy on anything over 100 mile trips! But you have to remember the 7r was a race replica and so not built for comfort.

I haven't had any reliability issues to be honest. Got it late Sep and done 6000 miles on it so far and it's never let me down.

Agree with Rhyno about the 6 pots. I swapped mine for 4 pot Nissins (they are a straight swap). 6 pot refers to the Tokico 6 pot brake calipers on the front. If they are not maintained well they go extremely crap very quickly through winter and can end up being pretty dangerous.

Have I mentioned how great they look:

https://i300.photobucket.com/albums/nn6/ElScampio/ZX7r/Black%20and%20White/GEDC1794BW_zps6a66a286.jpg


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Current Bikes: ZX7r 97 (Black Beauty), VFR400 NC24 (The banana)
Previous Bikes: Aprilia Tuono 03 (The Beast), CBR600f (97)
First bike: A GZ125 Lemon.......

[RhynoCZ]

[RhynoCZ]

[biggeeman]

I've had both including a 04 636 the 7 was the better IMO
More reliable confident inspiring handling and a good engine didn't find it anymore uncomfy than the 04 636 go for the 7r dude.
I've had a lot of bikes ( bit of a wheeler and dealer )the 7r I would defo buy again.
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lol your funny

[KingKong]

[Matt B]

I've had an 08 ZX6R and a 2000 ZX7R. Comparisons are hard because they are very different beasts, one feels small and light, the other solid and planted. It's personal preference and you need to ride both to work out which you prefer.

I'd have another ZX7R given the choice.

https://i1077.photobucket.com/albums/w462/MattB70/Kawaski%20ZX7R%202000/dbadd8f7-c9cc-4a31-b8dc-380103d2f949_zpsa5ed7393.jpg
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stinkwheel: He had an animated .gif of a cat performing fellatio. It's not socially acceptable. It can have real life adverse effects on other people.

[RhynoCZ]

https://i970.photobucket.com/albums/ae184/RhynoCZ/ZX7R/zx7r_ride_zpsbdadcb25.jpg
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'87 Honda XBR 500, '96 Kawasaki ZX7R P1, '90 Honda CB-1, '88 Kawasaki GPz550, MZ 150 ETZ
'95 Mercedes-Benz w202 C200 CGI, '98 Mercedes-Benz w210 E200 Kompressor

[iamneal]

them zx7s are awesome!

[Faldo]

I currently have a 7R, and have owned 3 prior to this one, so I'll try and be as unbiased as possible.

Firstly, the 6R. I've ridden a C model , once many moons ago. I wasn't all that impressed.

A good friend of mine has an E model (I think, it's a 2002 with the twin headlamps). Very light and nimble in comparison to a 7R, very easy to ride and get along with. I've never ridden that bike on fast B roads, I'm sure it would be very competent, but nowhere near as good as the 7 in my opinion. It's good for pillions too.

The 7 is a heavy bike, no getting away from that. It's not comfortable for most riders, but if you're willing to try and adapt to the bike you should be able to make it bearable for long runs.

The extra cc over the 600/636 is very noticeable, and makes for a very different experience. It's no litre superbike, but I find it plenty fast enough for the road. The handling is very good as standard, and superb when fettled or modified. Oh yeah, turning circle is woeful as the bars are very low and tank is wide.

Reliability wise, I've done over 50k miles on the 7Rs I've owned and never had any reliability issues. The standard downpipes are mild steel and tend to rot through, try to find one with stainless headers. The 6R my friend has has done 39k, the majority of which done by him and he's had no problems either.

Caliper wise, some 6Rs have the same 6 pot Tokicos as the 7R, which do require some maintenance every 2 or 3 years.

My choice would be the 7R every time, just look at the thing, it's a poster bike, but the E model 6 is not a bad bike at all. Try and ride both prior to deciding if possible.
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Current: ZZR1400
Previous: ZXR 400 L9, ZX-7R P5, ZZR 400, ZX-7R P6, Bandit 600, GSXR 750 Slingshot, DRZ400, DR650, ZX10R C1H, ZXR 750 L1, ZXR 750 L3, '99 ZX7R P4, KTM 300 EXC, ZX-9R E1, TDM850