1998 C1 ZX9R - Underated bike!

[Biggles08]

Well there seemed to be very little in the way of comment on this bike and since I now own one I thought I might put in my two cents worth.

Where to start.....faaaaaawwwwwkkk! is the words that were muttered inside my helmet the first time I rode this machine. Although my mother wouldn't approve, people who have been riding bikes longer than me would have expected this knowing that I had come from the ZX9R's little little little brother the ZXR250. Oh my goodness this is fast! I was just getting over the adrenaline rush when I realized the sheer terror on my face had just turned to a massive smile!

This machine is simply a dream to ride. I have had it now for about 4-5 months and I am still getting my head around the performance of this bike. I have never had the potential acceleration maxed out yet and I haven't been pussy footing around. I have had it up to about 220kph (on a private road of course ;-) ) and bugger me if that was when my bum cheeks started sliding back on the seat (which in itself was quite remarkable considering I was squeezing them as tight as I ever have)! It was as if the green beast could read my mind and hear me thinking 'ha ha I have this green goblin under control now..I'll show him who's boss' and he thought...control this you little little man!!! Although already doing 200kph the thing lurched forward and I was literally struggling to hold on to the bike...power you say!!!

I can hear all you 600 and 700 riders out there saying...yeh yeh but wait for the corners and then we'll eat you up. Quite possibly so, but for a road bike, designed for road riding, this thing doesn't shy away from the corners by any definition. When I first purchased my ZX9R I kept he same tires that came with the bike. Consequentially the tires had gone off and I had an off on a tight right hand corner from losing my front wheel from under me...anyway, I quickly decided to get the stickiest rubber available, not concerned with the lack of wear. I am now running Pirelli diablos/corsas and what a difference. It loves falling into the corners and sitting on angle to satisfy the GP rider found deep within all of us. The front stays solid in braking with no uneasy twitches and completely predictable throughout the entire corner. The only times when I have a 'moment' would be if I hit a bump on exiting the corner under acceleration; then it gets a little exciting but I'm sure a steering dampener would sort this out (but I like excitement :-))

Then it just needs to sit there idling annoying the neighbors sounding like some freaky thunder vehicle as it whaa whaa whaa whaaa's its expelled exaust out the micron can right into my heart! What an incredible thing this bike is! All the Kwaka owners will know what I mean when I say that there is just something a little special about the Kawasaki's. As BIGBOSSMAN once said to me "There is a little bit of 'hoolagism' in the kwakas." and he is right! Although they are refined and weapons, they seem to leave a little bit untamed on purpose and the 1998 C1 ZX9R is the epitome of this philosophy.

Often if traveling state highway 16 north to Wellsford on a Sunday afternoon you may see a flash of green go past quickly followed by another flash of green as myself and my mate BIGBOSSMAN on his 2005 ZX10R carve up the seal enjoying the sound, sensation and excitement that only Kwakas can deliver!:Punk::rockon::2thumbsup

[Grahameeboy]

Yep, at the time it was the bike to buy just like some of the recent crop are so by comparison it is out of date but doesn't mean it ain't a brilliant bike and even the modern crop end up being modified so makes you wonder eh.

[Biggles08]

Yep, at the time it was the bike to buy just like some of the recent crop are so by comparison it is out of date but doesn't mean it ain't a brilliant bike and even the modern crop end up being modified so makes you wonder eh.

At the time the Yamaha R1 was all the rage and took some of the glory from the Zx9R...hence I think at the time...and now it is still somewhat underated for road use. If you want to go faster you can on other bikes, if you want to be more comfortable, you can on other bikes; but as a good medium, The ZX9R is brilliant in any era (thus far at least).

[skidMark]

thats my age old test

if i'm grinning like an idiot for the whole testride...

it's the bike for me

the zx10r i testrode gave me a really big grin....

and for about 3 days after...i was still grinning

[Kflasher]

Yip I would agree with you, I test rode one back in '98, at the time it was a bit much for me so I settled for the 7r instead.

[Biggles08]

Yip I would agree with you, I test rode one back in '98, at the time it was a bit much for me so I settled for the 7r instead.

I guess you've 'progressed' somewhat since I see you now ride the 10!!!??? The 9 would be a Sunday stroll for you now probably ;-).

We're heading out for a ride on Sunday if anyone wants to join us....the more green there the better I say :yes: we'll meet at Shell Westgate around 1pm probably...let me know if your keen.

[Kflasher]

Sweet will try and make it...

[BIGBOSSMAN]

You gotta love the ZX9R! Yup, 1Pm at Shell Westgate is a good starting time. I've got Eviltwin coming on his ZX10R, as well as R64Life on his stellar '07 R6. A nice wee stress free cruise up to Wellsford for a coffee, followed by an equally nice wee stress free cruise back :woohoo:

[Krusti]

Got a mate who owns a Repsol, 675 and a 9 to name a few. He still loves taking the 9 out. Still gives a thrill due to the bite !

One of my favourite bikes to ride.

[BarBender]

The 98 9 was and still is a great bike. Up there with the best the green factory have offered.
Great to see some fellow Kwaka-heads enjoying themselves and letting the good times roll. Have a great ride on Sunday.

You guys interested in having a Kwaka only ride in the future. I know about 10 guys who ride 6's 10's 12's 14's and Zed Thous. Let me know - It might be worth organising!!!

[Biggles08]

The 98 9 was and still is a great bike. Up there with the best the green factory have offered.
Great to see some fellow Kwaka-heads enjoying themselves and letting the good times roll. Have a great ride on Sunday.

You guys interested in having a Kwaka only ride in the future. I know about 10 guys who ride 6's 10's 12's 14's and Zed Thous. Let me know - It might be worth organising!!!

Sounds like a fantastic idea Barbender, I was actually saying that to BIGBOSSMAN...it would be even more impressive if they were all Kwaka green!!!:yes: but Kwaka's together united would be great in any color!

[MSTRS]

Oh dear....Stone is soooo passe:zzzz: :innocent:

[EZAS]

I like how you mentioned the setup up from the 250 to the 900. I took a similar step up but to the '95 zx6R from a GPX, about 2-3 weeks after owning it someone pulled out and wrote off my cheerished (and then undercoated) ZX6R. Then I saw there was exactly the same bike but instead of the 600 it was the '95 ZX9R, So that'll be (once I'm legal to ride again).

I read once where other manafacturs tweak there engines to get decent power and still retain reliability, Kawasaki however, tweak the engine to get the most HP possible, is this true?

[Biggles08]

I like how you mentioned the setup up from the 250 to the 900. I took a similar step up but to the '95 zx6R from a GPX, about 2-3 weeks after owning it someone pulled out and wrote off my cheerished (and then undercoated) ZX6R. Then I saw there was exactly the same bike but instead of the 600 it was the '95 ZX9R, So that'll be (once I'm legal to ride again).

I read once where other manafacturs tweak there engines to get decent power and still retain reliability, Kawasaki however, tweak the engine to get the most HP possible, is this true?

Nope...they tweak their engines to get the most HP with great reliability! Everyone who I have talked to who knows more about bike engines than me (most people that is) have told me that the 9r engine is bulletproof. I hope they are right :-).

With regards to your step up to the ZX6R from the GPX, I would have thought that was a fairly sensible step up. I was actually looking for the same (ZX6R) but came across the 9 and couldn't pass it up. It's simple though, just don't twist your right hand as much as you do on a smaller bike....worked for me thus far.

[Biggles08]

Oh dear....Stone is soooo passe:zzzz: :innocent:

Yes but stone is forever!!! or maybe stoned forever as your case may be:bleh::niceone:

[98tls]

Can someone tell me what year the ZX9R was bought out.............?

[iwilde]

I owned a 99 C2 whick is the exact same bike, loved it! When it hits 7krpm it's oh yeah, then 9krpm is fuck yeah then to top it off when it hits 11krpm you get a silent grim thats streached from ear to ear consisting of fear, excitment and a whole lot of testosterone flowing in your system right throught to about 13.5krpm.

98tls-I think the first ZX9r was the B1 in 94, but the first light weight alli framed model was the C1 in 98

[98tls]

I owned a 99 C2 whick is the exact same bike, loved it! When it hits 7krpm it's oh yeah, then 9krpm is fuck yeah then to top it off when it hits 11krpm you get a silent grim thats streached from ear to ear consisting of fear, excitment and a whole lot of testosterone flowing in your system right throught to about 13.5krpm.

98tls-I think the first ZX9r was the B1 in 94, but the first light weight alli framed model was the C1 in 98 Cheers mate.............reason i ask was ive a magazine somewere.......an aussie streetbike mag of old.........they named there best/worst bikes of the decade......the first 9R was amongst the worst..........i had a mate with a brand spanker which i rode and loved the thing as he did..........i never understood how/why they named it as one of the worst...........ive always loved the mag but a bad call for sure.............

[iwilde]

One of the worst? Shit, I've riden plenty of bikes in the 90's that I personaly would never want to get on again! But won't think twice about buying another C model in the future. The guru around here on these is Winja, gave me some realy usefull advice on mine when I had it, but not seen him around here in a while?

[98tls]

i think it may have had something to do with comparing it to the 750.........i dunno really................

[Edbear]

You gotta love the ZX9R! Yup, 1Pm at Shell Westgate is a good starting time. I've got Eviltwin coming on his ZX10R, as well as R64Life on his stellar '07 R6. A nice wee stress free cruise up to Wellsford for a coffee, followed by an equally nice wee stress free cruise back :woohoo:



Mmmmm! Sounds like ideal pace for a Boulevard...:yes:

[Karma]

If you want to go faster you can on other bikes, if you want to be more comfortable, you can on other bikes; but as a good medium, The ZX9R is brilliant in any era (thus far at least).

Or the GSXR1000K1.

[cowboyz]

The zx9r... hmmmmm. Had mine for a few months now and the power certainly is addictive. Further back in the thread you mention 220? You do realise that there are another 2 gears huh?

Even now I can't believe how light the bike is. Handling is simply fantastic. Best bike I have ever owned and this one will be a keeper for many years.

And look the bomb in green too.

[Storm]

I would have to agree with cowboys. I personally reckon his looks good with the understated decals/badging etc. It just looks clean and flowing y'know
(that said, its usually way in front of me :D)

[Biggles08]

Further back in the thread you mention 220? You do realise that there are another 2 gears huh?

I was in top gear cruising at 200 when it started to power on. That was the whole point of the sentence...its got a whole heap of power that I have yet to explore! I'm very wary of the amount of grunt this thing has an want to work myself into it...the other day I was dragging BIGBOSSMAN off a stop sign and popped the front wheel up for about 60 meters down the road...would have been fine and dandy if I had meant too!!! I must say though that it was quite exhilarating afterwards...but I'm not in a hurry to do it again.

I agree....green is best! Nice and clean lines make it look the part. They are a very good looking bike for the age.:yes:

[BIGBOSSMAN]

It's certainly quick alright. With that tasty Micron exhaust your '9 should be good for around 150 ponies at the crank, I saw a comparo betwen the '9, Fireblade 954 and R1 back in 2002 that saw the ZX9R produce more power than the R1 at the rear wheel - and with a better torque curve to boot. Let's explore that power on our excursion this arvo, buddyboy!:rockon:

[Biggles08]

It's certainly quick alright. With that tasty Micron exhaust your '9 should be good for around 150 ponies at the crank, I saw a comparo betwen the '9, Fireblade 954 and R1 back in 2002 that saw the ZX9R produce more power than the R1 at the rear wheel - and with a better torque curve to boot. Let's explore that power on our excursion this arvo, buddyboy!:rockon:

It would be rude not to BIGBOSSMAN!!! Hope there are a few there and the rain holds out.:sunny::sunny::sunny:

[Kwakajack]

I totally agree, my friend. I've got a similarly aged ZX6R that scares the crap out of my riding buddies when I really get on the gas. Having ridden the 9R of the same era however thanks to a mate, they are a sweet handling and wickedly quick bike as 900s go and waaay cooler than any R1, Gixxer, or CBR from that period too, I'm still faster on my 600 but . . . . .

[marty]

One of the worst? Shit, I've riden plenty of bikes in the 90's that I personaly would never want to get on again! But won't think twice about buying another C model in the future. The guru around here on these is Winja, gave me some realy usefull advice on mine when I had it, but not seen him around here in a while?


WINJA - the new scottish play.......

[SPman]

It's certainly quick alright. With that tasty Micron exhaust your '9 should be good for around 150 ponies at the crank, I saw a comparo betwen the '9, Fireblade 954 and R1 back in 2002 that saw the ZX9R produce more power than the R1 at the rear wheel - and with a better torque curve to boot. Let's explore that power on our excursion this arvo, buddyboy!:rockon:My 2000 E model, with K&N and Akropovic system put out 137hp at the rear wheel. Pulled about the same as the FZ1 at lower revs, but had a hit at the top like a new GSXR750.- only with better torque. I liked it - a good road bike.