Kawasaki Sportsbike Riders Club - Australia - Online Forum

I was cruising past a bike shop on Parramatta Rd the other day and they had a purple/black ZX9 so I pop in to check it out it's a 2000 model, 40k, stock as,even has the books, no obvious signs of mistreatment or abuse so I know that none of you lot owned it. Anyways I says to the man in the shop I have a 2000 model ZRX1100, 30k, stock as, will you do a straight swap, he says propbably but I need to see the bike, naturally I agree so I am off there tomowrrow, so SHOULD I OR SHOULDN'T I? and for those who have the luxury of both (Road Captain ) in my house I can only have one toy so as to keep the peace. Just in case anyway does know the bike it originated from Newcastle Kawasaki. They have an asking price of $7500.00 on the 9 and I think good condition ZRX's like mine are going for between that and $8500.00.

This is the bike:

hmmmmmmmmmm very tempting, beautiful and price is great

Well. . . . . only one thing to say YOU GOTTA LURVE THE NINE ! !
Looks familiar too ? ?

I know it's a nine and we all love them and stuff ....but you do realise that if you sell the ZRX Phil will hunt you down and kill you.........

It's the price you have to pay I'm afraid

Yeah but I am staying loyal to the Road Captain by getting a 9 and unlike his Supremeness I can't have them both

is you old rooted body ready for the incredible midrange of the 9?

or even its "MOTO GP" inspired riding position??

i think the rex is a better tourer to be honest.

for the riding you do ie. touring, Id stick with the ZRX to be totally honest..

I am sort of in agreement to the above but I need a change and this is the only other bike in the world that I would get. Risers will help with lack of flexibility and 9s don't tour that badly in the comfort stakes I believe. If the swap does happen then I wont be doing the run across to Perth and back on it, although the bike may cope compared to the rex I know my body wouldn't, but we need to amke sacrifices every now and then. Having said all this I am still not sure that the bike shop will want to do it even though IMHO on a bike for bike basis they would sell the ZRX for a bit more and probably quicker.

I have owned both of the bikes you speak of and as such have some observations.

The 9 was a fantastic bike and as sports bikes go was relatively comfy. But the focus is on relatively!!! Compared to the ZRX, the 9 is a head down bum up racer bike!!! I went from a 2000 model ZX9R E, to the ZRX and to be quite candid, the Rex does everything the 9 would do plus it does it in comfort, with plenty of luggage carrying ability to boot. It's also a lazier bike to ride compared to the 9

have ya taken it for a test run????
when ya doing the sandgroper run i was think,n of doing late next year on the zx9.
if i was to upgrade i was think,n zrx nothing wrong with the 9 its your choice take it for a good run

go with the nine,,,,too make the difference up just get them to throw in some extras,,,,not a bad 9 at all,,,,,,cheers paul

Took the 9 for a test ride Saturday and it wasn't a bad bike, a few niggles and not quite as good a nick as the rex, but unfortunately I do not have the neck muscles for a 9 and the surprising thing was when I got back on the Rex I thought this isn't too bad at all and after riding to the motorcycle show in some really shitty traffic and then blasting across Sydney on the way home I was quite happy I decided to stay with the Rex. Unfortunately it now looks as though it may be upgraded to ZZR specs and then I'll have to learn how to wobble even faster. I am glad I took the time to compare and thank you all for your wise words it seems some of you know me better than I know myself.

I'm glad you have made the decision yourself, it is one that I would not like to have to make. I do think that the riding your more likely to be doing means the ZRX would be a winner.

If you REALLY have to upgrade, why not do the logical thing and get a ZRX12. By doing the cams and other ZZR mods to your 11 in search of HP you make take away the bottom end to some degree, great if your doing drag runs and bouncing it off the limiter round a track Its not all about how much you've got - take Tim for example, the less he's got the faster he goes

I do love my nine - but to be honest mine is a little removed from a stocker and that is one of the reasons why it is just so farking good. Then again my ZRX is not stock either and I love it as well. As I said - a decision I would not want to have to make.

Tell you what, I know how to get you sorted - see you Sunday morning & i'll fill you in

Not 100% on going full spec zzr although I have ridden a couple of Rex's that have gone that route and it just seems to me to improve some of the good points without too many detrimental bad points. Not so much a chase for hp more just a difference to my baby as she is. I am more looking sat the suspension side whether I go/afford the ohilns depends on she who must be obeyed. The ZZR bits I can get and the work done for nothing, it helps having a bike shop as a client, I want a Kerker but it will have to wait. The way I look at it now unless they make a ZRX 1400,highly unlikey, then I will be keeping the Rex for a long while so doing some mods and personalising is the way to go now IMHO. The good thing is between the guys here I know with Rex's and the ZRX site getting ideas,help, bling etc isn't that difficult although I wish I orderd the Kerker before the dollar went the way of the peso. Some things that need attention now are the grabbiness of the brakes, the lack of feel in the rear brake, going to experiment with brake material, have done the braided lines and they helped now it comes down to the feel I want, the front end so Road Captain I will be picking your brains and the rear if I can afford it then Ohlins if not Bitubo which don't feel that bad and definite improvement over the stockers.
Had a mate who did a sketch for me of the Rex in 70/80's endurance racing guise and it did look the goods so now we are or should I say he is researching as I said it would be good but I need weight off the bike not more on it and to maintain it's wonderful all roundness. As I think I said before it is good to get out and try something that you thought was a good replacement only to find out that what you've got is pretty damn special in the way it does things.
Unfortunately it wont be this Sunday as I am trying out some Kayaks but I will get down there for a run and some wise info from you lot real soon, actually where were you when Biketorque was on I got there at the meeting point around 6.45 and no Kwakas so did the lap solo. Anyway I knows where to find you all see ya soon.