1998 C1 ZX9R - Underated bike!

**Biggles08** · 26th May 2007, 10:46

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!

**Grahameeboy** · 26th May 2007, 10:52

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** · 26th May 2007, 12:00

Originally Posted by 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.

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** · 26th May 2007, 12:47

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** · 26th May 2007, 13:17

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** · 26th May 2007, 13:25

Originally Posted by 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.

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

we'll meet at Shell Westgate around 1pm probably...let me know if your keen.

**Kflasher** · 26th May 2007, 13:43

Sweet will try and make it...

**BIGBOSSMAN** · 26th May 2007, 14:00

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

**Krusti** · 26th May 2007, 14:08

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** · 26th May 2007, 14:20

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** · 26th May 2007, 17:11

Originally Posted by 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!!!

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!!!

but Kwaka's together united would be great in any color!

**MSTRS:Me** · 26th May 2007, 17:16

Oh dear....Stone is soooo passe

**EZAS** · 26th May 2007, 17:21

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** · 26th May 2007, 17:39

Originally Posted by 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?

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.