The Mighty ZX7R

**Dave-** · 28th August 2009, 08:07

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** · 28th August 2009, 09:02

Originally Posted by 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.

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?

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

**Dave-** · 28th August 2009, 11:46

Originally Posted by imdying

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?

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

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** · 28th August 2009, 11:52

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** · 28th August 2009, 12:08

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** · 28th August 2009, 12:12

Originally Posted by phoenixgtr

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** · 28th August 2009, 15:43

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

**Boob Johnson** · 28th August 2009, 18:51

Originally Posted by imdying

You think you'd like to do 400km in a day, pushing that pig around the road at pace?

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.

Originally Posted by 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.

^^ 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

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** · 28th August 2009, 19:19

Originally Posted by Dave-

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

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

when really pushed.

I alway reckoned that if I had a newer bike I'd have no license

**crash harry** · 28th August 2009, 19:56

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** · 29th August 2009, 09:34

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

**imdying** · 29th August 2009, 11:16

Originally Posted by Boob Johnson

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** · 29th August 2009, 13:33

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

**bsasuper** · 29th August 2009, 15:52

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** · 29th August 2009, 15:56

Originally Posted by 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

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