ZZR600 advice wanted, please

[jonnay]

Alright guys,
I'm hopefully taking my test soon, and I want a bike that can do a decent top speed, and will also be happy to do long distance trips. The ZZR seems quite ideal.

The local independant garage have one in for £1500, Akropovik (spelling) exhaust, M reg (1995).

Would you reccomend them as a first "big" bike? I prefer the look of my NSR, but it's not really practical as a sole means of transport (I haven't got/aren't getting a car for a while). Do they take 33bhp restrictors well? And are there any young people on here with them, who could give me a bit of advice on typical insurance quotes?

Thanks a lot,
Jon
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::'04 Yamaha Jog:: || ::'01 Honda NSR:: || ::'00 Suzuki Swift:: || ::'89 Swift GTi:: || ::'96 Swift Poverty Spec:: || ::'92 Swift GTi::

[numark1]

My dads got one. Had it since new put 50000 miles on and it hasnt broken down once.

Downpipes rot very quickly rear shock goes soggy and thats about it. How many miles does it have?

I occassionaly ride it (including 33bhp once) its ok. Quite upright corners ok i suppose (was on square tyres that were moving about mid corner)

Goes quite well too. Not sportsbike like but not far off. Still powers up fairly easy.

Any more questions let me know.

[Kickstart]

Hi

Few people on here have them, including my better half.

Charlottes one is N reg, and had 29k on the clocks when she bought it from a dealer in the summer. Fuel tank is fairly large and fuel consumption is good. Smooth bike, but lacking in mid range power (hers has a Micron 4-1 system with a road legal can) and a nice kick at 8000rpm. Gearbox is generally nice, but the 1st to 2nd change is clunky. Brakes work well enough, but need cleaning up. Fairing keeps you warm. Bodywork was designed to keep those removing it amused for hours. Seat height is quite low.

We do seem to have an odd handling issue with Charlottes one. The front end just doesn't feel secure, and cruising at ~90 it feels like it it about to go into a weave (or worse). Partly suspect the tyres, and if new tyres do not fix it we will look in more detail.

All the best

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

[jonnay]

Thanks both of you I can't decide between a VFR/CBR 4 or this ZZR. The ZZR seems a much more sensible bike, I expect it would be comfier too... imagine I'd have more fun on a sports 400, but I want fun and praticality at the minute, until I've got a car for long slogs.

Someone told my dad today that he'd avoid them because you're stuck with one once you get it - they're meant to be very hard to sell on. Do you think he was right in saying this? I'd hate to buy it, get bored with it, then really struggle to get rid of it in 2/3 years...

Thanks,
Jon
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::'04 Yamaha Jog:: || ::'01 Honda NSR:: || ::'00 Suzuki Swift:: || ::'89 Swift GTi:: || ::'96 Swift Poverty Spec:: || ::'92 Swift GTi::

[sickpup]

Good bikes, got a K reg in the lock up.

One of the fastest 600's. Should be good for 160mph as standard.

Brakes are more than up to it, problem I have is that I wear out front discs on the quick side especially the EBC discs. I shred buttons but I'm very heavy on front brakes. If you have crap front brakes strip and clean them.

The downpipes are quick rot but the motad stainless replacements are only £200.

I find it easier to ride the ZZR fast for long distances than I do my Fireblade, its just a more relaxing bike.

It isn't the easiest bike to sell 2nd hand but they do go.

[NSR Mick]

If its fun you want a zzr600 is not for you, a sports 400 would be better.

What do you class as long distance? Birmingham to London or Birmingham to the south of France? If its london a 400 would be fine. If its france go for the zzr everyday

[chris___]

I paid £1550 for my 1997 ZZR and I love it! Mines restricted to 33bhp and it has taken the restriction fine. As said, the down pipes to rot, so maybe fit stainless steel ones (something I intend to do) or just clean the bike regularly. They're quite heavy but the weight dissapears when riding. They're great for long journeys as they're really comfy, have a sporty look to them and they aren'y shabby on the twisties either I don't think you'll regret it if you get one mate.
-edit, I pay £490 TPFT on insurance so not bad I don't think
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Yamaha rxs100 > Kawasaki ZZR600 > Kawasaki ZX6R > Honda Hornet 600 > Honda Bros 400 > Suzuki SV650S K2
Bikepics page

[numark1]

I would get the zzr. Probably cheaper to insure than a sports 400 and alot faster and more modern.

I'll bring my dads up to a meet if you still haven't decided one day (probably may time) and you can have a test ride.

[Zimbo]

If you're going to do a few short blasts at weekends on twisty roads, get the 400.
If you want a fast and comfortable do - it - all bike, the ZZR is perfect. Price seems reasonable for a dealer sale. Assuming the Akro exhaust is a full system you shouldn't have a problem with the rotting downpipes mentioned earlier, if it's just cans then check the downpipes for rust and rot. Advice given above is spot on. I've had two of them, great bikes for the money.

[extreme3d]

I wouldn't recommend a 400 for fun either as once you start going for ride outs with others on 600+ then you will soon be left behind and frustrated with the lack of power. Also 400's are getting on a bit in age now yet most seem to stay 'magically' below 30000 miles even when over 12 years old As a first big bike 400's get used a lot by a very enthusiastic owner - do you seriously believe the bike's only done 1500 miles a year?

[sickpup]

[mr.z]

GEARBOX! Check it throughtly, unfortunately they go at 40k 2nd to 3rd, check it carefully in all revs, if in doubt leave it well allone..

(Whats really sad is the problem is the selector fork, which costs about 50p, but the requires a total engine stripdown)

They have quite soft suspension but its not hard or particuarly expensive to fix... (just new shocks)

Its a sports tourer, easygoing but you can take it on a trackday without makeing a fool of yourself, great for distances and bimbleing about (if they made a shaft drive one then i'd have it!)

Sports 400 are fun but a 200mile trip on one would be fecking torture.. zzr is still fun but contenental travel is totaly doable..
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>RidingSkills<->Tech Tips<->MyBikes<

[sickpup]

[instigator]

Guys, what sort of mpg / tank range are we taling about here?

Cheers

[sickpup]

40something MPG been along time so as much as I can remember.

[NSR Mick]

[Jrod]

[mr.z]

[extreme3d]

[Jrod]

Ok well tell me why you think a 400 would struggle to keep up?

I've ridden with 1000's 750's 600's and never had a problem. How often do people really go above 120 mph on a rideout?

[NSR Mick]

[extreme3d]

[NSR Mick]

[KevlarPants]

A timely post.
On the 20th Im test riding a 94 zzr. 30k miles. 17 hundred quid.
As family are involved I hope for a brucey bonus on the price.

After extensive googling the zzr comes across as a good bike. Disk warping and downpipe rotting aside, it seems like a right bargain.

Definitely worth a look.

<ask me this time next week of course, this will be my first big bike>

[Kickstart]