Opinions on an old machine - ZZR600 '93

[deleted111]

I'm looking at other bikes, again.

I want to use the ER5 for work and get something a bit more capable for touring 2 up with the Mrs and leisure rides at the weekend etc. Not looking to take the plunge just yet but as soon as I know where I stand with my job I'll be looking properly.

A friend of mine is selling his old ZZR 600, L Reg. (E2?)
I test rode it last night and it is great, seems perfect for what I want. He wants £700 for it.

Good points:
Plenty of tread in rear tyre, new front tyre,
12 months MOT,
Recent fork seals and head bearings,
Recent brake bleeding,
Good chain and sprockets,
New rear shock,
All plastics & tank replaced to improve its' looks, it is now black and teal,
31k genuine miles,
Recently serviced,
2nd gear is fine.

Bad points:
It's another old bike, if that's a bad point? 1993? nearly 20 years old!
Few minor scratches,
Squeak from vacuum near carbs, believed to be badly seated airbox, easy fix.

Anybody had one and got anything to share on what it was like to own, run etc? The review on MCN seems positive and I've seen a few on eBay with fairly high mileages and still looking smart...

I'm very tempted but I fear it may be a rose tinted glasses scenario seeing as though I only rode it last night and I might just crave the power...


Cheers,
Steve.

[P.addy]

Why not buy a 95/96 model for £1000 with no known issues

What exhausts has it got, stock or stainless?

[dungbug]

Doesn't seem expensive, has he owned it for long?
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CBT: Pass 25/06/2011 Theory Test: Pass12/06/2012 Mod 1: Fail 08/07/2012
Mod 1 Retest: Pass 15/0702012 Mod 2: Pass 03/08/2012
Suzuki GN125 (Sold) ~ Current bike: Yamaha YZF 600R Thundercat

[deleted111]

Dung: He's owned it for about a year, he got it about the same time I got the ZZR250.

Paddy: It has a full stainless exhaust system. I'm more inclined towards this one than a 95/96 for £1k as I've seen a lot of this bike whilst he's had it and am quite familiar with what he's had done to it.

[P.addy]

Thats fair,

If you believe the fixes are quite small, it sounds like a nice price for a good runner.

[mysterious_rider]

zzrs are good bikes, I enjoy owning mine. Only thing bad about them is the soft rear shock. It means you can't really go fast round the twisties with a pillion.

[deleted111]

This is it, (took in the dark, lit by the headlight of the other ZZR6 he has), it needs a good clean:

https://i1188.photobucket.com/albums/z413/SteveZZR/ZZR%20600%20E2/DSC00142.jpg

[deleted111]

[Stonefly]

They are great bikes! I have had mine for about a year now and had no problems at all so far. Starts first time, every time. I did a 200+ mile run into the lake district yesterday with the mrs. and it was great fun on the twisties.
So, a few points that may be of help..........

Fuel economy is very reasonable and its got bags of power when you need it.

Handling is very forgiving too.

Original exhaust downpipes will rot away for fun so make sure you either get one with s/s pipes already fitted, or budget to buy a set soon.

Keep the chain well adjusted and lubed or the gearchange starts getting a bit clunky.

Change the oil and filter regular.

Clean the front and rear calipers regularly with brake cleaner and rag. If you let shit build up, they will seize and then be a royal PITA the strip and rebuild.

Ground clearance is not great with a passenger - mine has the centre stand removed and so i have not had the problem of grounding out.

The finish is generally pretty good - if you keep it clean, it will stay looking shiny!

Insurance is cheap!!!

It has a low seat height and is very comfortable to ride, even for long distances.

Probably most important though...the engine is bomb-proof, so you would REALLY have to abuse it to break it.

As has already been said, go for the latest model you can afford, although mileage is probably more important than age if the overall condition of the bike is generally good.

I bought my own ZZR with just over 36k on the clock and it is smooth and sweet.

Let the good times roll, as Kawasaki ads used to say!
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Current......Kawasaki ZZR1200 C2H and Kawasaki ZZR600 E7
Previous....Yamaha FS1E, Honda SS50, Suzuki AP50, BSA Bantam D14, Honda CD175, Honda CB250N, Kawasaki Z250A3, Yamaha RD250E, Kawasaki Z400, Kawasaki Z500, Kawasaki GPz550, Honda NTV600, Kawasaki GT750, Kawasaki Z1000R, Kawasaki GPX250

[dungbug]

[Casper]

[deleted111]

Lol, back brake is fine now, that's a pic from a little while back

I've just rang Devitt,

I wanted to swap the CG to a ZZR on the policy, Equity Red Star are refusing to cover me as I'm not 21?!!!

AND AXA are wanting £610.45 to cover me TPFT.

Fuck that.

I'm gonna do some quotes online.

[Casper]

[jimspeed]

OH insurance sounds a lot, it cost me £1.01 to change from my GPZ 500 to the ZZR600 (plus the £25 admin fee of course ) GPZ was £86 tpft but there was only 2 months left to run on the policy.
my 1997 E5 is a cracking bike and with 32K on it and 4 owners it seems fine even 2nd gear works ok. does it have the CBR front caliper swap? if not get it done as it was the 1st thing I did to mine and the difference is almost unbelievable (and my original calipers were in ok condition too).
to compare I paid £550 for mine on a P reg but no tax or mot and a pretty square rear dunlop. went thru mot with no advisories and goes like a rocket when you want or is happy at low rpms (ish anyway) and I had 65mpg from the one tank of fuel and around 35 on another which was a lot of short runs at fairly high speed .
doesn't compare to my old GPZ at all just much nicer all round.
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Hyosung cruise 125(passed test on, sold) Kawasaki el 252 (better than expected but sold on) Kawasaki GPZ500S first "big"bike.(sold) ZZR600 E5..Z750 2007,ER5, currently on a 2008 Enfield bullet electra x and loving it..
,"Alpha-9: Is there any correlation between dyno rod and dyno kits?"

[Kierran]

I had a run out on one of these today, cracking fun esp when you get over 7k on the revs. Good fun to throw about and more nimble than the er6. His had a problem with the side stand cut out switch though. Needed adjusted by hand some times before setting off.
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Im not driving too fast, Im flying too low!
Current Bike - GSXR 750 K5
Current Car - BMW 318i

[bikertomm]

I'm scared of old bikes.

Things just dont feel new for some reason.

Next bike I get will hopefully be no more than 5 years old.

Will it be a second bike to you or your only machine?
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07' Honda Hornet now full powaah! My guide on performing an oil change!

[Raffles]

[mysterious_rider]

[Kickstart]

[RichieZX6R]

[Seb]

[moppy]

Is your friend called Steve by any chance?

[deleted111]

[Polarbear]

Go for the 1100 version, it's stupidy fast and you can pick them up for the same money as the 600.
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Triumph Trophy Launch Edition