Kawasaki Sportsbike Riders Club - Australia - Online Forum

Hey all,
Im putting more time into looking for a Zed this weekend and Im gona swing my leg over a couple. Ive noticed a few at 30,000km and higher about and wanted to know your thoughts on what to watch out for on the Zeds with that sort of Kms on them. I wouldnt call 30-40 thousand high (- 50 -60 thousand would probably turn me off tho,) im of the mind set if the servicing and maintenance is done then bikes in most cases will still be good, but any info is always a help.
Thanks

just check for service history and should be fine. Be aware that the suspension on the zed was ordinary and will only get worse with age. Dont let me put you off though, they are a great bike and even better with good suspension under them

mine's got 28,000 on it and it still looks new

They have a de-tuned ZX9 engine in them that runs less compression.
I've seen ZX9R's that have well over 100,000km on the clock & still run like new!
The Zed is one of the best all round bikes ever built IMO.
Get a ZX636 or ZX10R rear shock & 0.95kg front springs/ revalving and the bike will be totally different!
Please keep us posted on how you go!
Good luck.

Daz.

had mine about a year now , had about 30000 when i got it now has 50000 & hasn t missed a beat a fun bike to ride

I spoke to a guy I know yesterday with a zx9.. he said it needed a rebuild at 120, he didn't do it, it now has about 160 on it, and it's still going

Wow thats some higher Ks! Always like to hear about reliability. I very excited about getting A Zed tho ive got my work cut out for me in Adelaide. Ill sell my Gixxer and My car and then ill be happy to find a new toy to park next to my ZXR400 race bike. Since My wife got herself a 2000 ZX6R Ive gone Kwaka mad!

ventura01 wrote:Since My wife got herself a 2000 ZX6R Ive gone Kwaka mad!

worse things coulda happened mate

yeah dont sweat it, the madness helps..

it should be a matter of assesing the rider more than the bike. everyone with a z1000 will lift the front wheel and give it some curry on the odd occasion. but if they seem like they are a "rape this bastard every day" kind of rider i would steer clear. hehe, check for flat spots on new tyres and sorry looking chains, and pipes would be a dead giveaway on top of all this.
if they commute find out how far away the ride is, casue this will give you an indication as to the % of km's on the clock have been spent with the engine below operating temp. (this is 5-7 minutes worth of riding here, so if his daily commute is 15 min thats almost 50%) asses this as well as road type (highway or traffic tango).
still, they are big bikes and a good point about the lower compression was raised earlyer, so depending on the life; i wouldn't be to worried about anything up to 80-90,000k's.
this being said, i bought a demo with 2000k's, so what would i know...

but yeah, service history is one thing i would be keen to see if i where looking at a second hander. becasue if your bike is your pride and joy you will keep everything meticulously maintained, and will want the little book to proove it.

did you chuck your leg over a few between your last post and now?

ventura01 wrote: Since My wife got herself a 2000 ZX6R Ive gone Kwaka mad!

awesome thers quite a few nutters round here

Hi,
Yea i hear what your saying, I love the look of the 03-06 Zed, tho I do like the 07-08 shape too. Ive sat on a 08 and liked the feel. I am keen on an 03 cos that is about what id like to spend plus it looks great. I could go for an 08 cos im selling my car too and just having the bike but I d like to see some money in my bank also! as racing is killing my bank balance....My biggest problem is finding a 03 zed 1000 in Adelaide, Im thinking of shipping one in from Sydney or QLD, just then im gona have to take it over the pits here....the 08 would be easy to get here tho....

mine is 14000 and still fine...

Bills in Adelaide had one last time I was in there

Mate you can have mine if you want.
Love it but everythings got a price

everyone has their opinion, but I reckon go for an 04-06, the 07-09 were a bit porky, and the cash you save you can put into fixing the suspension up.