I love her but...

[aardvark]

Spend a week with something like an XJ and it'll feel a whole light lighter...

Try a BMW 1150RT with fully loaded paniers!! 350kg.

[ZX10R King]

*snip*

...my ZZR600 is such a heavy bike (heavier than most bikes I have come across, including a ZX12!)

Dry weight for ZX12 is 210kg
Dry weight for ZZR600 is 195kg
Maybe u had more fuel in yours than the ZX12?.......lmao......

[ronster]

Stay with it Cougs, you'll get there

PC

[mick_dundee]

Collette, I hear ya, they are a heavy mother!!! Kaz (MsZZR) has had her seat scalloped and her suspension lowered somehwat and whilst I don't know you I know Karen is shorter than me and i'm short (unfortunately).

[z900/zx9]

well mizzzzr is a shorty too and had her seat cut out i think its a lot to do with confidence as i am 5'5" and manage a zx9 so maybe get your seat cut out and stick with it

[I-K]

I'd advise having a go of a ZX6 of recent vintage. Their seats are taller, but, together with the subframe, much narrower at the tank than the ZZ-R600; the seat on the ZZ-R, being ye olde schoole, hardly narrows at all.

A G- or J-model 600/A-model 636 would be ok. A B-model 636 would be even better. They're significantly smaller between the legs than earlier bikes

[Ratmick]

Hi Colette,

I've met both of you and I think Karen may be a very small amount shorter...but it wouldn't be much. I've also sat on Karen's bike and although it didn't look much different to mine cosmetically, it was bizarre to flat-foot the beast with slightly bent legs. I'm 5'6"/165cm, and you may remember I'm not that light so I can load the suspension pretty well.

I think the ER6n may be the go for all of us shorties, it's rumoured to be as short, if not shorter, than the ZZR and it looks to be 20-30kg lighter. I don't think it'll have the same amount of go, but it'll won't be that bad with the lesser weight. Other choices if you want to still with Kawasaki aren't that easy to find. The Z750 (lowered) is the roughtly the same weight as the ZZR, as is the Z1000. The ER5 would bore you shitless after the ZZR. The ZRX1200 is a possibility, but it's huge, requires lowering and is bloody heavy (although, according to informed sources on the Kawasaki nakedbike forum, you can spend money and lower it and the weight significantly - thanks Esie, great site).

The Cagiva Raptor (650 version) is pretty light, as short as the ZZR, but it's a Cagiva and not particularly cheap (or reliable). It has the v-twin Suzuki engine off the SV650. The bigger 1000cc Cagiva Raptor is a borderline proposition weight-wise and I can just paddle it forward/backward.

Honda don't make anything suitable, the CB900 is too big (nice bike though) in non-modified form, and they don't make the 600cc version any more. Ditto with the Suzuki SV650 and SV1000. BTW, the SV650 is REALLY cheap at the moment, under 10k new.

The Ducati Monster 620i would be ok but I'm not convinced on the ongoing desmo service costs nor the reliability, and they are a bit underpowered imho.

Tricky eh? Maybe be better to find a bike that's comfortable to sit on and then work out how to lower the mother...or wait for the ER6n

[mick_dundee]

FWIW believe the service costs on a Ducati can be lowered somewhat. Bloke by the name of Bob Brown out Kensignton way does a good job and suposedly considerably cheaper than your regular Ducati service agent.

If considering the Monster they did come in an 800 and now a 900cc models in the same frame, so no diff in seat height, minimal diff in weight and more power.

Mick, where canI read up about the Er6n?

[Mojo67]

VFR400.

Ooops did I say that out loud?

[mick_dundee]

VFR400.

Too dangerous










Be bored stupid on a 400 after being astride a ZZR 600

[the kid]

Get a Scooter Colette

See the next topic , they are way cool , and you ARE in Sydney

Mate you dragged that pharker all the way down south with the second biggest bag on ya rack I've ever seen , and the weather wasn't too kind .
You do alright .

[Stereo]

Be bored stupid on a 400 after being astride a ZZR 600 [/size]

Bollicks... My wife had an NC30 (VFR-400)... I had a 600 at the time... the little VFR was an awesome bike to ride... really fun.... corners like a cat on rails... First gear is a bit weird though, its really really long....

Every now and then I would take her bike out for fun....

[mick_dundee]

Be bored stupid on a 400 after being astride a ZZR 600 [/size]

Bollicks... My wife had an NC30 (VFR-400)... I had a 600 at the time... the little VFR was an awesome bike to ride... really fun.... corners like a cat on rails... First gear is a bit weird though, its really really long.....

Was going to add a disclaimer that I knew SFA about the VFR 400 but couldn't be bothered in the end.

Now Stereo, is it the left or right speaker above?

[Rusty]

Nope, never had a problem with mine!

Then again, I really should get a heavier spring for the shock ...

If you're really after a different bike, Colette, might I suggest a ZXR400? Assuming you could get a hold of one, that is.

[Rusty]

... the seat on the ZZ-R, being ye olde schoole, hardly narrows at all.

'Scuse the grime and dog's water bucket.

I thought it narrowed a fair bit, actually. P'raps I need to look at a later model more carefully.