Kawasaki Sportsbike Riders Club - Australia - Online Forum

Ok guys, I'm looking at making the jump to a 600 in the hopefully not too distant future.
Since I started on the gpx I must admit to having a thing for the Kwakas.
However and dont hurt me for this. I'm keeping my options open and will test ride what ever takes my fancy or is going at the time.

I do expect most replies to be for a kwaka but try and be as unbiased as possible.

Im only looking to spend about 6 grand, which by the looks of it lands me just pre 2000 or so.

Am I better to go for a lower milage bike but older or an new higher milage thing. I know upkeep and service plays a huge part but in general what are the opinions.

I also frequent a UK based bike site and they tend to suggest Kwakas can be a bit iffy in the reliability stakes. Is there any truth to such comments.

Are there any real standouts from around the 98 or so models that I should keep my eye out for or avoid at all costs.

I've kinda got a fancy on the gixxer but could be talked into any sports 600 such as an r6, zx6r or even a cbr.

Height maybe an issue being 5.4 but looks like the kwaka has a low seat height anyway. I think the gixxer is a tad taller. Wont know if its a real issue til I sit on a few.

Any advice or what I should expect to pick up for around that price is appreciated.

Ive just bought a '99 zx6r for £2400 and so far chuffed to bits and no problems just my 2 pence worth

Who told you Kwakas are un reliable???...probably a Hooonda rider

To be totally honest, all the brands on the market are pretty good, it more a case of how they have been treated and maintained. I'll suggest to you the same thing I suggest to anyone who's buying a bike. Ride everything you can get a leg over in the price and style range you are looking at. If you are at all iffy about the bike get it checked at a reputable mechanic....$100-$200 now is way better than $1k- $2K in a coupla months. I am partial to kwakas they are great bike (IMHO). But all the fairly recent Sports/Sports tourers are good. Go for what feels right.

Oh and if ya buy anything but a Kwak we're gunna hang 7 shades of shit on ya!!!!!!

It's all in the test ride and what feels comfortable. Reliablilty is never really an issue if it's a good-un. My 6 has 59,000k on the clock and starts first turn every day, but then I put most of those Ks there and know it has been treated OK. Check condition of oil, engine noises (test 3 of same model will let you know a noisy engine), fork seals, clutch, chain & sprockets. Consumables give a good indication as to what needs spending on a bike. Does the owner have any service history. How long have they had it, why are they selling it. It's all too easy to get caught on the shiney bike and ignore mechanicals. It's about the go not the show. On saying that, shagged fairings are a fair bet of accident and cost $$$$. But brand new fairings/paint on an old bike would shout repair too. If it's crashed and repaired, why sell it?

It's all in the test ride and what feels comfortable. Reliablilty is never really an issue if it's a good-un. My 6 has 59,000k on the clock and starts first turn every day, but then I put most of those Ks there and know it has been treated OK. Check condition of oil, engine noises (test 3 of same model will let you know a noisy engine), fork seals, clutch, chain & sprockets. Consumables give a good indication as to what needs spending on a bike. Does the owner have any service history. How long have they had it, why are they selling it. It's all too easy to get caught on the shiney bike and ignore mechanicals. It's about the go not the show. On saying that, shagged fairings are a fair bet of accident and cost $$$$. But brand new fairings/paint on an old bike would shout repair too. If it's crashed and repaired, why sell it?

Kwakas unreliable If anything the bikes that i had the most problems with were spewsukis why take a jump how about a leap to a zx9. I am 5'5" and height is no problems.When changing from my z900 which i have had for 20 years plus i originally thought 600 too but after riding the 9 that was the desision made.So now the z900 lives in the shed with a blanky

FWIW hoinda has the rep of probably being the best build quality of all jap bikes, and kwaka are known for bullet proof motors (dont kno ne1 whos blown one up yet..cept Tim & his 208,000km gpx750) ...
i had a 99 zx6r and it was a farking top bike...tho as stated, $6k will just abt get u a 96-98 zx9r in reasonable condition...

DEN MONKEY wrote:Im only looking to spend about 6 grand, which by the looks of it lands me just pre 2000 or so.

That makes the choice even more clear-cut...

Until the GSX-R600 got EFI and slimmed down to a 190kg wet in 2001, the ZX6 was the pick of the 600's.

Until the 600RR came out, the CBR600 was always too gentle to be a proper supersport.

The first GSX-R600, the one with the chunky arse, had the chassis, but never enough motor to challenge for the title.

The early R6's shatter far too readily in a crash.

THe choice is clear... G-model ZX6.

I K Would know mate he's our resident Shed full oif latish model sports bikes expert.

As for "shortarsedness". I'm 5'4" & i've riden most of the kwaka model range & if you have the cash the 02 ZX636r would be THE BEST pick of second hand 600's by a mile.
The early 9r's are the same seat ht as the early zx6rs. As for other brands the early SV650 is a good step up for a "gravity enhanced" as is the single seat cbr600f. Wouldn't touch a 600 gisxer or R6 as they tended to get flogged by yourg "legends" & neither bike bounced well.

The ZZR600 has a great donk & you'll get change to bling it up a bit or toss a better rear shock in it for 6k. It's shorter at the seat but heavier then anything newer in the 600class.

DO NOT unber any circumstance mention the FUKATTI Moster, they are the most over rated, boring as Batshit, expensive to maintain & repair piece of shit on the market.

hth cheers Brett

mate if ur not in a hurry, u can get a deal at the price u wanna pay.

happy hunting

Test ride EVERYTHING.

I initially wanted the CBR600RR (yes, I was willing to leave the forums!) - but with my confidence levels, the extra weight and height was just too much, though I probably wouldn't think twice about the height now that I'm used to the weight of a 6. I rode a few different bikes and had decided that the CBR600F was probably going to be ok as a first step up, but I was a little unenthused.

I finally threw my leg over a ZX6R (I hadn't come across one locally and went to Sydney to try one out) and knew even before I turned her on that it was the bike for me. The seating position, the feel, the height, everything was just right for me.

So keep test riding every bike out there until you find the one that clicks.

And it better be a Kwaka

Thanks for all the input guys.
I think the comments about Kwak reliability was probably brand biased. It usally is.

When I picked up the GPX everyone said they were bulletproof. So wondered if this carried through the range.

I'm will be testing quite a few before I make a decision but a little nervous going from a 250 to test a 600 and well....fucking up.

Thought of a zzr600 but I do prefer a sportier look. Although it would suit 2 up a little better. Im not buying my bike for anyone else but me so stuff em.
If they wanna go for a ride they can suck it up.

Also considered a sv 650 because of the lower power and thought it would be a middle step up. Im a careful rider though and will just have to back myself to take it easy.

I've also been told to keep an eye out for a 636 for the extra cc but not sure the price range will cover that. Not from what Ive seen anway.
Seems like the 2000 odd model is the same shape anyway. Correct me if Im wrong.


I know someone who has a 99 zx6 on offer but its got 50000 on the clock.
Great nick and he says the motor has been pulled down and cheked just under 50 and got the all clear. Has a nice can on it but needs jetting. So not sure of the cost there. Ive seen plenty similar aged bikes with alot fewer ks on em, so am thinking better of it. Granted I haven't seen these low k items in the flesh. Only on the net so who knows really.


While Im on here asking for stuff. Is there anyone in the Newy area who would be willing to tag along and offer pointers if I spot something that I'm ready to lay cash down for ??

Still a few months out yet but might as well get some info and start looking now, so I know where I stand.

Near breaks my heart though to see something I like at the right price and to have to wait. Bastards.

Also is there a particular time of the year where prices drop. I was thinking heading into winter as we are now might be a good time to pick up a bargain.

yes, prices always tend to drop a bit heading into winter. its a double edged sword if you are trading tho, you pay less for the bike but you also get less for your trade.

i'm with I-K, a g model (98-99) 6 fits right in line with your criteria. my brother in law has one

if you are, as you state, a conservative type of rider dont be put off by the 9, you may pick up a c model in that price range - and they only go as fast as you make them

oh and forgot to mention..........my zx9 has 104K k's on it, original clutch and original battery. regualr oil changes and services is the go - oh and treating them nice and tims gpx had 208K on it as neka said, BUT it only lost compression in one cylinder from a valve seat problem, it could have been fixed with out turning it into a farkin weapon

photomike666 wrote:It's all in the test ride and what feels comfortable. Reliablilty is never really an issue if it's a good-un. My 6 has 59,000k on the clock and starts first turn every day, but then I put most of those Ks there and know it has been treated OK.

My zzr600 has 99000 k on it, 10 years old and starts first time every time. I've put at least half those k's on it, previous owner the other half, no idea what he/she did re maintenance but reliability has certianly NEVR been a problem, all my problems with the bike relate to the f'wit that rides it, ie me.

Not sure where you live given that there is no info ther e but if you do get a Kwaka ask the pepople here for servicing recommendations, in Kwakas and any other make of bike/car out there there are dodgy brothers in the mechanical side of things so best give them a wide berth and most ppl here will know a good shop as well as a shit shop I reckon.

If you go with something other than kwaka, apart from the 7 spades of shit that Plas suggested you'll wear we might just have to arrnage for your asassination too

dont kid urself mate, getting off a 250 and on to a 600/900 ISNT that scary...it is in ur head..i remember how i felt the day i took my 1st big bike out..a fzr1000 and it was scary as shit...until i got back to the dealer & realised it was piece of piss...
as Phil says, it only goes as hard as u make it...often u find ppl with a 600 try to push em to see what theyve got, whereas a 900 they tend to not "question" its ability...