any kawasaki zx9r riders here?

[to v or not to v]

recently, i spoke to someone in the real world, who has owned a zx9r for the last 10 years.
im left thinking that if he has held on to the bike for that long it must be pretty darn good.

anyone have any experience of this model? im wondering if they are a good choice in their price range? they seem to be around the £1800-2500, judging by a quick look on the bay.

i remember when the zxr600 came out it wasnt very popular, but i know nothing about the 900 other than they seem to be bargain basement prices.

[MarJay]

It's got to be an E model or newer... but I hear they are very good indeed from then onwards. The prices you mention sound very high.
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British beauty: Triumph Street Triple R; Loony stroker: KR1S; Track fun: GSXR750 L1; Commuter Missile: GSX-S1000F; Cheap project: CBR900RR FireBlade
Remember kids, bikes aren't like lego. You can't easily take a part from one bike and then fit it to another.

[to v or not to v]

[Kawasaki Jimbo]

[to v or not to v]

[Kawasaki Jimbo]

[almostthere]

I had a zx9r B model fecking heavy but comfortable regret selling it but I don't want another bike with carbs
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Beer, It's the reason I get up every afternoon
www.mfairco.uk

[redeem ouzzer]

[to v or not to v]

[c-m]

The ZX9R was a beast. 100cc less than the 98 R1, yet the same top speed and faster over to 60 and over the 1/4 mile. Got to love Kawasaki engines.

What's not to love is crap fuel pump. It's a carbed bike with mechanical pump. It also has a camshaft sensor. Possibly they were going to add FI if production continued in the 2000s. The cam shaft sensor is a source of failure and the bike won't start with out it. I would probably never go back to a carbed bike.

I changed from a ZXR750. The handelling of the ZXR750 was better, and it was more focued bike. I did a 3,000 mile plus on it, and two 3,000 mile plus tours on the ZX9. I never grew to love it for some reason. It just wasn't as tight. The riding position was more of being trapped inside the bike.

Only the F models looked good. I had an E. Complete with super flaky paint rims.

https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/MCeRqP_lfqf5B_3j6OiNJnETx4XrV4eZH3jMpBBlYGLP_qeFlwBE9Wl8umc-8sSeY0ozTcKFbSOKYHOViuF413jls71_WM-GIfwsRBdG0Xwuo2khhnozD5gETyZAHnqGaQkK7W4xTHv0xZqQ3yFihXnSrNj04p4i3Vk-Yuuf9eAFQ8-4AXFF4qKCXiNUoVCNYR4lH_4bMVBMjendgM1h7NNK4bBGNf8cbI3gQqvqeK_Hwq2H4uZfksj4JxNIGMz6sLu2H5oDZ91jmYAredsIqiRRzQgR4VLY24hD21_q2SXqRWzZ0YxfI5IP8AxT6tO9YEYAzisR62-o_YaL9c8W1StMZxnDND2J5v_18i_mSSdLgIrc7HvZKIg-KvnYCvB9vvnMUPkfCFRnRlyh-X07rxC1E_O5KIVreFBwAzEpuTwDIPaoUjNwObl2BP6RulWT-WLpVH3JaiQLPzHn0u2EdIVckUkbRemhbtjqo-908KE_lOaywQZO076V4xujgVqmD9jGTbzmrAt4BSw_HutLI7jJaEb0QZW0-wjlpp1Q4yotTA4HlcbOrtGmR6AL6V4oYM8wc2GddCy4dY9F0xyHgDsegsEJ64hqjv0Idm65eGy0uFh5MZC5p0nK3I9kBTRWxdE1FiGcBOalaN41kcmd_-oNTNZudmfwSy7f4h3czzF8NvIKJkS57runRC8BDQ=w800-no?authuser=0

[trevor saxe-coburg-gotha]

cons -

the c and c2 sold the most so spares are most plentiful for them - the E is the best looking though (arguably best styling of golden era kwakka after zx7r p2) - as noted, the b is too heavy and tank looks daft

6 pot tokicos are wooden and lack stopping power unless well-maintained, and even then...(but nissin 4 pots from bandits and gxsrs bolt straight on - also same calliper as those on triumph sprints iirc - w/ HEL lines this improves things)

headstock bearings are consumables (20k sometimes as low as 16k!)

wheel finish is v. thin - paint sticks like fuck to the dimpled spokes but flakes off the smooth rims at slightest provocation



pros -

soft - for a sporty bike the 9 is well on the tourer side (except no bungee points, centre stand or anything sensible like that) - it's not focused - clip ons above yoke, big saddle, generous screen, suspension that softens well, etc., power is soft / linear for litre bike

great for commuting cos handles town work really well - great at trickling, filtering etc. plus good away from lights

comfy - seat to peg is okay, clip ons high, not sure about pillion comfort tho

engine is mega - fuelling is lovely, pulls well pretty much everywhere, no annoying flat spots, easy good enough for 100k plus (never heard of aforementioned fuel pump weakness nor CSS issues - very interesting, as am occasionally having failure to start issues - cured by turning key back to off, then trying again - cures it but could be CSS? cos really will NOT start w/out resetting ignition)

revs to 12k with gusto, easy hits 140, but equally happy to tour for long days

great bikes but long in tooth - private sale should bag one for under 2k with less than 20k on clock - Cs are smoothest, Es buzzier but look better
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"Life is a sexually transmitted disease and the mortality rate is one hundred percent."

Mobylette Type 50 ---> Raleigh Grifter ---> Neval Minsk 125

[wr6133]

I planned on buying one a few years ago but ended up with a GSXR 1000. If cheap speed is the desire the early 2000's litre bikes can be had for not lot more than a (similar age) 9r.

[to v or not to v]

thanks for the in-depth replies fellas
just need to sit on one to see if my midget legs are long enough.
it seems to be a bit heavy for tiptoeing.

[BigTim]

[trevor saxe-coburg-gotha]

they're not a tall bike and they have a cinched waistline (even though the saddle is quite wide at its broadest point) - and they're well balanced, by which i mean they're easy to ride very slowly, so you shouldn't have to dab much at all

also, don't be put off by stories of dodgy gear boxes - see here:

https://www.bikechatforums.com/viewtopic.php?t=329634

there are links itt to a dedicated forum which is still well-supported with very good info and users
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"Life is a sexually transmitted disease and the mortality rate is one hundred percent."

Mobylette Type 50 ---> Raleigh Grifter ---> Neval Minsk 125

[almostthere]

[to v or not to v]

[Fisty]

I had a B model, It was big, fast and fun.

Sadly the head gasket went twice on it which was enough for me to swap it for a TLR.
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Quietly and consistently taking the piss.
TL1000R | Hayabusa | ZXR400 | TL1000S | Bandit 400 V
Fatter and faster than Fret

[Kawasaki Jimbo]

[xX-Alex-Xx]

I came within the width of a gnat’s bollock to getting one, but got the 929 instead cos I CBA to deal with carbs. Don’t regret that choice but I don’t think the kawi would have been a bad choice either.
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DILLIGAF

[G]

A decent all round bike that's not as extreme as the newer models, but I think makes a really nice alternative to something like a Fazer.
Brakes do need regular work and decent pads to be kept "acceptable".

[TheGazWaz]

Had my C2 1998 for 2 years now and absolutely love it.

I wanted an E for the styling buy but my budget would have bought me a shed if I'd gone for that so ended up with my C2.

Before this I had K3 GSXR 1000. Beautiful bike but I can honestly say that I prefer the ride of the ZX9 than the GSXR. Maybe it's because I'm 50 and appreciate that bit more comfort but I'm a nutter for speed and the ZX9 ain't that far behind the GSXR in terms of getting away quiick.

All I've had to do is head bearings and calliper strip front and back. Not a major job but it needs keeping on top of to keep the brakes good.

I think key is, find a clean one. I did and it's stayed that way because I look after it. If you but a shed you'll never bond with it.

Cheers all

Gaz
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Went like this.. 43 years old(2013) decided to do CBT to get a 125 for new job. Bought 2011 YBR, loved it for three months then hated it because it was too god damn slow. Did DAS 4 months later then bought RF600 Loved it, sold it bought Bandit 1200(K3). EFFIN lOVED IT. Wanted something a bit more sporty so got Triumph Sprint ST 955i (53). Not sporty enough so now on my GSXR 1000 K3 and absolutely love it. 1 year down the line, nearly died way too many times on this bike. Sold it. Had a 6 month break. Missed biking so now, Aug 2019 have a 1999 ZX9r. What a beauty she is too.

[mick66]

I've had 5 ZX9r's over the last 25 years and have had all the models. The first bike I bought after passing my test on a 125cc was a ZX9R B1, followed by a C1, E1, and two F models, one of which I still have and have owned for the last 8 years.
They really are the ideal all round bike. They are comfy, great for touring with a tank range of over 180miles to a tank. You can do track days on them and commute and everything in between. They are very cheap to buy , easy to work on, parts are cheap and they are extremely reliable. the induction noise makes a lovely roar and they are still quick even by todays standards.

The B model did have head gasket issues on higher mileage bikes, mine went at 33,000miles and was heavy around 215kg dry, and its handling was not as good as the later models, which saw a weight drop to around 183kg dry, so I would advise you by a C, E or F model.
There were reports of early C models having fragile gearboxes.
E and F models had twin headlights, and are a little more expensive than the C, but are not much better to ride.

F models best feature over the E was a change to the 4 pot Nissin brake calipers, from the earlier E's Tokiko 6 pots. The latter were good brakes but required regular cleaning to keep then working well, so many owners ditched them. The F also had different swingarm, no fairing cage around the clocks and removal of the pillion handles and heavier fly wheel.

There are no real issues with the ZX9 and for the money they are an absolute steal.

I've owned quite a few other bikes including GSXR600,750 and 1000, RSV Aprillia, Zx12R, ZX7R, and I still keep going back to the ZX9. Being in my 50,s I find it just the right balance of sporty speed and comfort.
I currently also have a 2013 CBR1000RR , which it has to be said is a much better performance bike than the ZX9, but if I could only have one bike I'd pick the ZX9 as it can do it all. The Honda is just abit too small for my old achy bones..

I must admit I do have a bias towards this bike, but for the money I still think you can't find a better bike

[Kentol750]

How does it compare to the z1000sx?
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Some bikes.

[mick66]

I've not ridden the Z1000sx but from what I've read it's more of a sports tourer than the Zx9, weighs abit more, more upright. riding position , has fuel injection and looks more modern but cost alot more than a Zx9R.. Supposed to be a great bike...