Kawasaki Sportsbike Riders Club - Australia - Online Forum

Thinking of trading in my 2003 ZZR600 in for a 04-06 ZX-6R ......

Whats everyones thoughts of the ZX-6R??

Is there anything bad about them that people dont like??

Whats your favourite thing about them??

I have been riding now for just over 12 months... So are they suitable for a " still new" rider.....

OPINIONS PLEASE!!!!!

It's down to your choice mate but I wouldn't be bothered with doing the swop........1 yr younger bike but basically the same motor. Is it worth finding the extra cash ??
Learn the craft and then step up to a 9 or even a 10

goes to show even poms can make sense occassionally.

Rick, the zx6 is a lot more aggresive than your bike

You would have a lot more trouble getting your wife on the back as nowhere as near pillion friendly

Have you test ridden a zx6 yet??

That ZZR of yours is a sweet bike

Havent test ridden one yet.....

On Sunday I am taking my brother in laws for a spin ... He has lost his licence so needs someone to keep it occasionally run...

Well... Any suggestions as to which 900cc or 1000cc is good for pillions.... And not really Aggressive on the throttle....

the 03/04 "barra" zx6r is a nice bike, but VERY track focussed (not as good for long stints sum would say)... razor sharp tho...

the 05/06 from all accounts is a bit more rider freindly...

the most comfy of all would be 98-02 zx6r..tho not much of an "upgrade" from wot u have.. so the zx9r would be a nicer option- if u can get one of the later ones (01-03) in good cond... much more comfy 2 up too (well the zx6r of 99-02 vintage was similar shape and super comfy)

edit: sorry mate, thought you had a zzr250, I think a recent model zx9 would be a good next bike for you. I wouldn't go sideways to the zx6r unless you wanted a track bike as well.

Not knowing much about you, or how you ride, I can't really comment with any authority. However ...

I'm with Rossi. Keep the ZZR 600 and learn to ride it properly. They're an amazingly capable bike for their style and seating position. When you find yourself dragging bits on the road regularly, it's time to get another bike. That was my philosophy, anyway. I've now got two Honda VF500Fs (anyone want one? ), a ZZR600 and a ZX9R. I just put a new shock in the ZZR, and have been riding it again for the last few months.

You'd probably handle the 636 ok, having been on the ZZR for a year. It's lighter, faster and far more sporting. It's a great bike to ride for short stretches, but I personally couldn't live with one (ok, I'm soft). I can assure you that the ZZR is more comfortable after a day in the saddle.

If/when you're confident (and competent!), get a ZX9R. All day comfort, more than adequate handling and power. I'm told that the pillion seat's not that bad, though I've never had to try it!

I had much the same decision to make late last year. I ended up opting for a larger naked and my initial spec was preferably Kwakka, failing that other Japanese, from 750-1200cc.

After a bit of screwing around and not having a great deal of choice with Kawasaki I ended up with the Hornet, which is a much nicer bike than I would have given it credit only twelve months before. It's surprisingly quick off the mark, plenty of low-down torque and since I had the suspension worked on, corners like it's on rails.

A bit of a disclaimer: Previous to the suspension work it was very quick to turn in, but that was courtesy of Peter Stevens dropping the front too far through the forks, not Mr Honda's engineering. Like a lot of budget (not just Jap) bikes it is meant to pogo when pushed hard at speed, but I think the suspension work I had done has cured this as well.

The seating postion is spot-on for someone of my height and comfier than the ZZR (and shits all over the GPX250 that preceded the ZZR). The only issue I have with it is that is too...nice...if that makes sense . It starts first push of the starter. Everything works and unless you give it a wristful you can't hear the exhaust. It really needs a after-market set of slip-ons or a full system, and you may need to factor in a PCIII to get the most out of it. If you read the blurb on the Hornet section of the Honda Australia site it makes the bike sound like it's a cross between an angry wolverine and a hive of agitated africanised bees:

Mean streetfighter style and breathtaking performance that comes on strong at twist of its throttle. The always-exciting Hornet 900 never fails to deliver breathtaking jolts of low-to-midrange power rippling out of the same fuel-injected inline-4 engine originally developed for the legendary Fireblade.

Its handling is swift and agile thanks to its spare Mono-Backbone frame, lightweight aluminium swingarm and Monoshock rear suspension, not to mention those racing class 4-pot dual front brakes to pull you down to cornering speeds in a hurry.

Visually, the fearsome Hornet highlights its prominently positioned engine as its focus of attention, and the pair of big gun silencers sticking threateningly out under its slim and sleek seat cowl foretell conquests to come. If the thrill of the ride sets your soul on fire, then count on the Hornet 900 to spark that flame.

...but instead it's a lot like me .

Mick

mate i was thinking of going down the naked line too...but the zzr probably handles as well as the z1000 unless u do sum work to the zed....

like the zed is based around a zx9r, the hornet is based around the 919 honda donk from 98-99 cbr....

if u like nudie bikes, have a squizz..if not...look for a 9..

if you were to get a zx6r, I recommend you get the 05-06 models.
1. they handle alot better and have better suspension
2. has a few more horses than the 03-04
3. IMO its looks better too
4. has slipper clutch
5. Its the full package

what kind of riding do you do?

Rossi wrote:It's down to your choice mate but I wouldn't be bothered with doing the swop........1 yr younger bike but basically the same motor. Is it worth finding the extra cash ??
Learn the craft and then step up to a 9 or even a 10

Mick Dundee said...."goes to show even poms can make sense occassionally."



Both of you are typical poms! NFI!!!!! A ZZR600 motor is a totally different engine to the ZX6R motor!!!

Having said that, I agree that it's perhaps not worth going from a late model ZZR to a yr later ZX6 for probably a lot of moula!!!!

I just got a 05 zx6r, and its great. Ive had a yamaha r6 and r1 and they were great too but i always had a few problems with them riding wise but the zx6r has been amazing. The only problem i had was that the screen cuts off the gauge, but i easily fixed that with a double bubble. In comparisson to other manafactures 6's i found the zx6r the best. And it isnt really that uncomfortable but in saying that i wouldnt want to be a pillion! If i were you Id go for the 05-06 zx6r, you wont regret it! But how much would you want to spend? I got mine with 1700kms under warrenty with 12 months rego in perfect nic, for $9000. And i saw one like it go for $8700.

i went from a ZXR250 to a 06 2006 zx6r and mate, wat a step up, i was pleasantly surprised with the upgrade.. but as time went buy i adjusted to the bike and felt like i wanted more!
The bike was great if u where in the mood for a fast ride somewhere or a slow potter it did both really well, handled well , went like a shower or shit stopped well it was a very good package all round.

Thing that really pissed me off about this bike was if i was out riding late and night and i wanted to just have a nice easy ride home if i was tired for watever reason, it really got to me, how u had to rev the motor up to get it moving so going slow would sometimes make the bike jumpy!! apart from that, thats the only complaint!! but then again i shouldn't be riding when i am that tired anyway!!!

Sounds like you got a good opportunity on the weekend to make up your own mind, don't forget that if your wife is going riding with you most of the time,take her to so she can feel the difference aswell.