The Mighty ZX7R

[Dave-]

one of the biggest recommendations I've had is a zx7r, it's in my top 3 to try but I cant find anyone in chch with one (except mike's zx7rr...but im too young for his insurance and it's a rar rar)

does anyone in chch have one I could have a wee pootle (as liv calls it) on? I'm literally talking around the block a few times just to see if it gels well.

I'm trying other bikes that interest me so it's only fair I give the zx7r the same opportunity.

[imdying]

one of the biggest recommendations I've had is a zx7r, it's in my top 3 to try but I cant find anyone in chch with one (except mike's zx7rr...but im too young for his insurance and it's a rar rar)

does anyone in chch have one I could have a wee pootle (as liv calls it) on? I'm literally talking around the block a few times just to see if it gels well.

I'm trying other bikes that interest me so it's only fair I give the zx7r the same opportunity.They're old and heavy, which is worth noting given that you're only a slip of thing compared to Mike... You think you'd like to do 400km in a day, pushing that pig around the road at pace? :oi-grr:

I'd be looking more R6 if I had your power to weight advantage ;-)

Shame you didn't keep the RS, could have been putting a TSS500GP motor in it :D

[Dave-]

They're old and heavy, which is worth noting given that you're only a slip of thing compared to Mike... You think you'd like to do 400km in a day, pushing that pig around the road at pace? :oi-grr:

I'd be looking more R6 if I had your power to weight advantage ;-)

Shame you didn't keep the RS, could have been putting a TSS500GP motor in it :D

oh shit yes, I toyed with the idea of buying one, selling the engine and do it....buuuuuuuut costs are a bit higher than I want.

I mean I'm leaning towards the r6 because exactly what you've said, but I'd still like to try a zx7r....

[imdying]

Careful, you'll fall in love with the Kwaka induction roar and buy a ZX6R instead. Take a ZX6R B series for a hoon, you'll love it.

[phoenixgtr]

7's are very sexy bikes. If you look at my "dream bikes" album in my profile you'll see they feature alot BUT I would never buy one because of the very reason imdying said. I'm a lightweight ...and you're lighter.

You can give my 6 a short ride at some point (but you're too young for my insurance too. A whip round the block could be ok), but personally I'd be looking for something even lighter. R6's are surprisingly light. Even an older one is about 10kg lighter than my 6!! And anything in the ZX-6R range from 03 on is nice and light.

When I've got the money I'm upgrading to a newer 600 for this very reason. Mmmm...an 06 R6...17kg less, 13hp more...

[James Deuce]

When I've got the money I'm upgrading to a newer 600 for this very reason. Mmmm...an 06 R6...17kg less, 13hp more...

Not that you'd notice. In fact you'll be left gasping at how friggin' gutless it is for everyday use. Wringing its neck will get tedious. Try an '05 R6 instead. Nearly as comfortable as your ZX, less weight and more top end, but still with a useful midrange especially compared to its offspring.

Mike's RR is how I like my Sportsbikes, fat, wriggly, and barking mad.

[Gremlin]

I had a zx7r and sure, its a heavy bike. But it taught me how to handle a bike much more than any modern light 600 could ever do.

It has a fantastic front end, so much so that the only side effect being that I ride the front end of bikes hard since.

Only sold it because I was out-riding it, was a bit gutless etc. Went to the 04 ZX10 afterwards :2thumbsup

[Boob Johnson]

You think you'd like to do 400km in a day, pushing that pig around the road at pace? :oi-grr:
What a load of horse shit. When I bought mine in Oct last year I did close on 1200km's in 2 1/2 days on it & loved every minute of it & ive got 9 pins & a titanium plate in my hip ffs lol.



I had a zx7r and sure, its a heavy bike. But it taught me how to handle a bike much more than any modern light 600 could ever do.

It has a fantastic front end, so much so that the only side effect being that I ride the front end of bikes hard since.
^^ this is something to consider Dave since it's the first big bike. ZX7R's are ULTRA stable when compared to the other bikes you are looking at.


Mine is quite a bit lighter than a stock ZX7R, not that it matters now as it is SOLD! Fuck im gunna miss that sound :weep:


That's really the only thing against a ZX7R for you Dave is has been mentioned, the weight due to your slight build, though it's not a huge dif really, just depends it you can get ya feet flat on the ground. I can't, im tippy toe on mine but have never dropped it.

[Mumbles]

one of the biggest recommendations I've had is a zx7r,

I’ve got a H1 ZXR 750, its 20 years old!!
I LOVE this bike, I'm a small guy :baby: and went from a CBR 250 to this bike when I got my full, I can touch the ground with both my feet flat while sitting on it, its actually lower than my old CBR. Yes its heavy but well balanced for a old girl I have gained great confidence riding this bike almost every day to work.
I have done a number of K’s on her and enjoyed it.
She will still get into the 200's but just not as fast as the newer bikes, you can still play in the corners the front is well planted but the rear is it Achilles heal but will only :buggerd: when really pushed.

I alway reckoned that if I had a newer bike I'd have no license :oi-grr:

[crash harry]

7Rs are awesome bikes for their age. A mate had one for a while and I rode it a couple of times. Awesome bike to ride. The weight is only an issue by comparison. If you jump off an R6 onto one you'll notice it, but it's not a big deal.

They're a longer stretch to the bars than a lot of the newer 600s which could be an issue if you're small. It enforces a racier seating position because you can't slide forward and sit up straight when you're pootling, but if you're taller than about 5'10" or so it shouldn't be a problem.

And the front end is SO good! And they sound awesome!

EDIT: just noticed you're in Chch - watch out for carb icing on a 7R in the winter time, especially when the temp gets down around zero! A lot of them have had heated carbs fitted to fix the problem, but a lot of them havent! Kawasaki did the retrofit for free so most of them that come from cold areas should have been done.

[T.W.R]

You could have a strop on my anti-social H1 in a few weeks if you're still keen.... it ain't exactly stock though :rolleyes:

[imdying]

What a load of horse shit. When I bought mine in Oct last year I did close on 1200km's in 2 1/2 days on it & loved every minute of it & ive got 9 pins & a titanium plate in my hip ffs lol.I'm not saying it would be impossible for him, just having seen him I have the opinion that he would get more long term enjoyment out of a bike that was lighter and more suitability sized to his frame. Sure Lawson wasn't very big, and he muscled around those old Kwaka dogs just fine, but then he didn't have a choice either. If he had his heart set on a phyiscally larger, heavier motorcycle, then definitely the ZX7R would be a great choice.

But that's not even delving into the age/reliability/parts availability arguments that can't be sensibly ignored when buying an older model bike. Kwaka have learnt a thing or two since making the ZX7R, so given all of the above I'd be looking for a 6R that was up to 10 years younger than the 7R options.

[owner]

Last I heard Jayracer37 had one coming up for sale shortly
Cool bikes for sure

[bsasuper]

I owned a zx7, yes it might be a bit heavy but the weight works for it on the road, yammy r6- to much buzzzzzzzzzz, my top two bikes are the cbr blade-any year, and the zx7

[James Deuce]

I owned a zx7, yes it might be a bit heavy but the weight works for it on the road, yammy r6- to much buzzzzzzzzzz, my top two bikes are the cbr blade-any year, and the zx7

Not my R6. Way smoother than any Kwaka I've owned including the one right now.

[bsasuper]

Not my R6. Way smoother than any Kwaka I've owned including the one right now.

I just dont like yammy's, had a couple but gave up on them, do many gremlins

[James Deuce]

You're a Jinx!

[Mikkel]

If you are looking to pick up your first mid-sized sportsbike I'd say it's fairly easy...

Get a Kwaka 636 - good bang for your buck.
Or a 675 if you got cash to burn.

I mean, any post-2000 japanese 600 ccms sportsbike is going to be plenty fast and will handle better than anything else you've tried. But with the more race-oriented tuning they will be less "friendly" in your day-to-day travels. The 636 and 675 were not built for racing, they are built and tuned for the road.

At least that's my theory and I'll stand by it until someone presents an argument to the contrary which I can not ignore...

As for my zx7rr - lovely bike. But fuck I'm glad I don't have to man-handle it across town everyday. It would be like using a tiger to pull an ox-cart.
Oh, and of course I have to say this bit as well, get a motard - they are a lot of fun and they crash well too.

[Dave-]

as much as the advice is welcomed it's got to the point where I just want to try one, I've literally consolted too many people, every bike is balanced by someone's opinon and im grateful.

but I really just want to try a zx7r and decide for myself, then i can come back here and give my opinion and make a decision.

hands up if you know a motorcyclist in chch with a zx7r that isn't mike.

I know there's atleast 3.

[Mikkel]

...only other guy I've seen on a zx7r around Christchurch is Jay Lawrence... at Ruapuna, backing it into the hairpin.

[t3mp0r4ry nzr]

The P1 zx7r is a great bike. very easy to ride and flatering to the rider. Would happily throw the mrs the keys. easy to ride and non-threatening. The front end weight bias and progressive rate fork springs gives loads of confidence in the front end

now looking for a H1 zxr750. Let me know if you come accross one and the seller aint dreaming about the price.

[Maki]

Can't go wrong with the R6. <_<

[tzrmike]

Despite the impression that may be given by my username, I have a 1992 J2 model. I haven't actually ridden any late model motorbikes, and if I'm perfectly honest, although I could put one on tick, I really can't afford to buy a new bike. Also, it's because I fear that I'll be so dis-illusioned about mine, I WILL put one on tick!

I have upgraded the suspension and brakes on mine with '05 ZX636 parts, and the motor is now 793cc, but there's no getting away from the fact it's nearly a 20 year old motorcycle. It was the start of a period of rapid advances in motorcycle technology, particularly the models being built for Superbike racing, so models from that period were superseded very quickly. Dry weight is according the specs, around 200kg, but most pundits put them at around 210kg. That's heavier than most of the modern 1000cc bikes. Long wheelbases with short swingarms, the H, J, and K don't have cold-air induction, the "hoover" hoses feed air down onto the coils! Even the P models were for the most part, unchanged through 8 odd years.

Now, all that said...I like my bike. Yeah, it's pretty much out-gunned by most modern bikes over 600cc, yeah, parts are expensive, if available, yeah, it desperately needs a paintjob, but it's mine, and there's not another coming round the next corner, or the next corner, or the corner after that...and sometimes, that's enough!

[imdying]

Andyman has a 93 L, he'd probably let you have a bash on that :yes:

[Batcerb]

ZX7R P3 was my very first proper road bike after my RG.
I had wanted one ever since I was ripping around the neighborhood on my bmx after school. I find it hard talking about the mighty ninja 7 without it sounding like some bizzare sexual obsession, but if you are happy to forget about the power/weight ratios of todays 600s ect, and just enjoy the legend of the 7 then you wont be disappointed. Absoulte pedigree, real soul...
Heavy, yes, but think of it more like a chuck norris total gym on wheels