Got me a ZX-9R! And a few questions...

**crash harry** · 29th August 2005, 22:14

Couldn't help myself, I went and bought that ZX9R I always wanted. The paint is new and it's sooooo pretty!

Needs a few things, but damn... it's so frikken quick compared to the 250RR!

A few questions to the good citizens of KB-land...

1) It needs a new rear. Currently it's got D208s on it, and it handles nice but the rear has f**k all tread left. The front is OK for now, so I'll do the rear first. What tires would you recommend running? I was thinking of sticking with the 208s cos they feel nice. Anyone know what they wear like?

2) There's a distinct noise from the cam chain. I plan on changing it pretty damn soon, but I someone told me it's normal and all '9R B models do it. Were they full of it or am I going to change the chain and find that it's just the same?

**John** · 29th August 2005, 22:18

a) Give me your bike
b) Diablos (if I had that monster)
c) Most of the older ZX series have the cam noise, its loud its annoying and needs tightening often, converting the tensioner to manual normally helps it alot, I think you can even buy 3rd party tensioners for the 9r.

Have fun and keep it on 1 wheel

**WINJA** · 29th August 2005, 22:20

Originally Posted by crash harry

Couldn't help myself, I went and bought that ZX9R I always wanted. The paint is new and it's sooooo pretty!

Needs a few things, but damn... it's so frikken quick compared to the 250RR!

A few questions to the good citizens of KB-land...

1) It needs a new rear. Currently it's got D208s on it, and it handles nice but the rear has f**k all tread left. The front is OK for now, so I'll do the rear first. What tires would you recommend running? I was thinking of sticking with the 208s cos they feel nice. Anyone know what they wear like?

2) There's a distinct noise from the cam chain. I plan on changing it pretty damn soon, but I someone told me it's normal and all '9R B models do it. Were they full of it or am I going to change the chain and find that it's just the same?

THE 208S ARE AVERAGE GET SOME BRIDGESTONE BT014 OR 012, AND GET THE BACK AND FRONT AT THE SAME TIME

**Zed** · 29th August 2005, 22:35

Originally Posted by crash harry

Couldn't help myself, I went and bought that ZX9R I always wanted. The paint is new and it's sooooo pretty!

Needs a few things, but damn... it's so frikken quick compared to the 250RR!

Well done Harry, the ZX-9R is a great choice, just take your time and get used to the huge upgrade in power and speed!!

Hey, did you buy that bike from a guy in Hamilton? I think I rode with him and that bike about a month ago...very quick indeed! (I won't say where we rode though

)

Originally Posted by crash harry

2) There's a distinct noise from the cam chain. I plan on changing it pretty damn soon, but I someone told me it's normal and all '9R B models do it. Were they full of it or am I going to change the chain and find that it's just the same?

Probably the CCT (Cam Chain Tensioner), does it sound like ball-bearings rattling around in the engine at low revs? Not sure how difficult they are to fit on your new Kwaka, but I bought one from the UK for my bike recently and fitted it myself in 20 mins, for around NZ$100. Now the engine is as quiet as a mouse and I'm a happy camper!

Enjoy your new wheels Harry!

**Lou Girardin** · 30th August 2005, 08:36

Dunlop have the 218 now. Throw that on till you need a pair, then post on here for advice and duck.

**DEATH_INC.** · 30th August 2005, 08:41

If you can holdout 'till after the kiwi,I'll tell ya how good the 220's are on the rear.You could try the 218,but ya may wanna read my write-up in the product reviews first.....

**Timetogo** · 30th August 2005, 09:51

1) It needs a new rear. Currently it's got D208s on it, and it handles nice but the rear has f**k all tread left. The front is OK for now, so I'll do the rear first. What tires would you recommend running? I was thinking of sticking with the 208s cos they feel nice. Anyone know what they wear like?

2) There's a distinct noise from the cam chain. I plan on changing it pretty damn soon, but I someone told me it's normal and all '9R B models do it. Were they full of it or am I going to change the chain and find that it's just the same?[/QUOTE]

The tensioners are noisy, would get it checked by someone who knows, and go for a pair of BT 014's

**crash harry** · 30th August 2005, 22:25

Zed: Yeah, I bought it from the dude in Hamilton. Nice guy, I thought.

**mattt** · 31st August 2005, 07:17

Originally Posted by crash harry

Anyone know what they wear like?

You best take a foto of the rear - it'll last longer. I had a zx9r for 8 months. I must've chewed 3 rears in that time

But you already knew that before buying a big fukovv bike.
Have fun on it mate - they're a blast!

**Zed** · 31st August 2005, 10:22

Originally Posted by crash harry

Zed: Yeah, I bought it from the dude in Hamilton. Nice guy, I thought.

Good one. I can verify that it's one fast machine then!!

**zadok** · 31st August 2005, 10:44

As a matter of interest, how many clicks has it got up?

**crash harry** · 31st August 2005, 11:45

Originally Posted by zadok

As a matter of interest, how many clicks has it got up?

41Ks on the clock.

Originally Posted by Zed

Good one. I can verify that it's one fast machine then!!

Hell yeah. I got some balls up and gave it a squirt up to redline in third yesterday. Goddam.

That's all I can say.

**rogson** · 31st August 2005, 12:28

I had a C1 (98) model. Insane!

The best part was the throttle response in the mid range - instantaneous - much better than the R1 and 900RR of the time, and better even than the later model (2000 on) ZX9R's.

The only problem I had with mine was carb icing - which I didn't discover until I had owned it for about 5 years. I rode Auckland to Ohakune one morning about this time of year (early spring). It was one of those misty mornings in the Waikato - air temp was about 8C. Bloody thing would run for about 10 minutes then start popping/farting/missing, etc. I found the only way to cure it was to either stop and wait 10 minutes for the engine heat to soak through the carbs or continuously hunt-up and down on the throotle - i.e. avoid a fixed throttle postion - either way it was bloody frustrating.

I bitched at the Kawasaki dealers around Auckland who initially gave me the "never heard of that before" argument, but then agreed to ask the Kawasaki importer who asked Kawasaki Japan.

Well, Kawasaki knew all about it. In-fact the models sold in cold climates (UK, Northern Europe, Korea, etc) had an arrangement whereby coolant was routed through some passages in the carbs. Kawasaki said they would send me the modification - free! (yes, for a 5 year old bike).

When it turned-up it included a whole new set of carbs - worth about $2500! How's that for customer support.