Which ZX6R Should Mel Buy Next

[Mel]

So it is new bike time... (yes again). I like the Crim but I am too scared of it and can't turn corners very well, which is not much fun, and if I am not having fun in the corners it is obviously not The One.

I was dead set on getting another "Jimmy", an 03 ZX6R. I was all set to do go down to Melbourne to check one out on Saturday but then the weather was really, really awful, so I arranged for a friend to go look at it for me instead, and I headed out to the local dealer to have a ride on the current ZX6R.

I really liked it actually, I only had a little ride in the morning as they didn't actually have a demo, the 2011 demo had arrived that morning but it wasn't ready to go yet. Saturday afternoon I went back out and got on the 2011 demo (it had 4km on it! lol) and headed out for a little bit over an hour. The seat was a little on the hard side, if I go the new one I *might* have to think about getting an airhawk. But it was SO MUCH FUN to ride. I rode an 04 the weekend before and it was really fun too, but I think side by side the new one was a little bit funner, but a little bit more uncomfortable.

Yesterday morning I woke up dead set that i was getting the 2010... but then my friend who had inspected the 03 in Melbourne rang. It is apparently in outstanding condition. The motor is really *tight* and apparently while I like to say that I ride like a girl, this guy really does. He owned it since 4,000km, has 22,000km now. Has Micron pipe with a small ding in it, ventura rack, crash knobs, otherwise is totally stock. All this for $6000. And I *know* that this bike will do everything that I want it to do (ie. border run, scratches through the snowies, commuting).

The new one has 68km on it. (It had 50km on it when I hopped on Sat morning). All that fancy stuff like warranty. They will give me $6000 trade-in for the Crim (remembering I had no interest in it at $7000). and they will put heated grips on it for me

Anyway I cannot decide which one I want to get. So I am putting it out to you guys... plus everyone loves a poll, right?

[Wattie]

sorry Mel,

im torn, i knwo the new ones are sexy as but the old one is astilla great bike! and a personal favourite of many.

[EDU]

yeah, but in 3-4 years time you will want to get a new bike anyway (if not sooner) and then GOOD LUCK selling an '03 ZX6 unless it has next to no ks (which it prob won't hey?!)

I've ridden them both and I'd pick the 2009+ every time. The 03 is a great bike, don't get me wrong. But the 09+ is better (as it should be) and that's why I bought one!

[robracer]

Buy my 636 for 8K & be done with it Mel

[the kid]

So how much is the 2010 ? And I may be getting confused , but what was that like to ride ? Do they have a demo 2010 bike they are selling ?

Frankly , I didn't rate your Jimmy for some reason Hence 2010 is my vote

[Mel]

I see I am passing on my confusion to you Billy

They have a 2010 model (the last green one) they said it's not a demo, I guess they must have sold their demo or something??? but it had 50km on the odo when I jumped on, so they've let someone ride it. I wasn't allowed to take it out very long as it wasn't a 'demo'. I later rode the 2011 model (same as the 2010 I believe, well looks the same, just different paint) for about 1.5 hours.

It was very nice to ride. Motor felt fantastic. I found the 2011 demo to be very stiff in the suspension but it was fresh out of the box that morning. God only knows what the settings were set at? It sounded like a sewing machine under the 'green zone' (ie below about 6,000 or 8,000 rpm I can't remember where the 'green zone' started). The seat was pretty hard. But the seat height was low enough that if I felt the need I could give in and finally get an airhawk. Maybe. The 2010 just felt a little bit more friendly in terms of suspension I think. But it was only a short ride.

The 2010 model is $12990 ride away

[Mel]

hahaha and yeah no bike of mine is ever likely to have 'next to no kays'... well not a road bike anyway

Rob - I couldn't tell you why, but I just didn't 'click' with the 05/06 one. It was a really great bike to ride, but not quite the 'one'. I didn't know you were selling yours anyway!

[Glen]

6k for the Crim is not a bad deal Mel. The only thing I would say is that if you are going to buy a newey it is going to depreciate like there's no tomorrow. Kawasaki's seem to be like that unfortunately

[Mel]

Yeah I'm pretty happy with the $6K for the Crim actually. Especially as I don't have to wash it first....

and yes I'm expecting the depreciation. Actually I forgot to mention - I have to have this next bike for a long time, I am going to be locked into a mortgage next year so not have the spare $$$ to buy a new (to me) bike every year like I have been for the next few years

Which was why the 03/04 was so favourable, as I *know* that bike so well.

I think I am going to get the new one though... will see how I feel after lunch.

[MadKaw]

Yeah I'm pretty happy with the $6K for the Crim actually. Especially as I don't have to wash it first....

and yes I'm expecting the depreciation. Actually I forgot to mention - I have to have this next bike for a long time, I am going to be locked into a mortgage next year so not have the spare $$$ to buy a new (to me) bike every year like I have been for the next few years

Which was why the 03/04 was so favourable, as I *know* that bike so well.

I think I am going to get the new one though... will see how I feel after lunch.

What are you having for lunch....?..

oh and go the 09 / 10 / 11..

[Six Addict]

im sure a good laksa will make it all clear in your mind!

[Glen]

What are you having for lunch....?..

Ahem???? Straight to Wattiespace or Facewatt or Twatter or whatever it is thank you for that kind of talk...

[Mel]

What are you having for lunch....?..

Ahem???? Straight to Wattiespace or Facewatt or Twatter or whatever it is thank you for that kind of talk...

Mel Kawasaki likes this

(and I'm having a coffee & walnut muffin and a piece of caramel slice for lunch today... nice and healthy )

[Kev]

Being away from the bike scene for so long made it difficult for me to choose Mel, but I voted for a new one primarily because I remember how nice it was to ride/own a new one way back when I bought my 9 new.

BTW, congratulations on being smoke free for 20 days.

[Mel]

Thanks Kev I am so proud of that little achievement