2003 Kawasaki Zx-6R 636, Thoughts? Problems?
Discussion
Evening all. Newbie here👍
Looking at getting my first bike, a 2003 ZX6R 636 next weekend. Got 47k on the clock up for £1900 but they guy has agreed to sell for £1600,
Are they any issues to be looking out for when I go to view and test ride? Was there any problems with this model?
Has been well looked after and recently had the following done;
New Bridgestone Rear tyre
New clutch, wheel bearing, Front discs & pads, coil, plugs, serviced, clutch cable, clutch & brake levers, carbs balanced and cleaned, fresh fork seals & oil, New Domino grips,
Any thoughts appreciated.
Looking at getting my first bike, a 2003 ZX6R 636 next weekend. Got 47k on the clock up for £1900 but they guy has agreed to sell for £1600,
Are they any issues to be looking out for when I go to view and test ride? Was there any problems with this model?
Has been well looked after and recently had the following done;
New Bridgestone Rear tyre
New clutch, wheel bearing, Front discs & pads, coil, plugs, serviced, clutch cable, clutch & brake levers, carbs balanced and cleaned, fresh fork seals & oil, New Domino grips,
Any thoughts appreciated.
The 2003 ZX6R doesn't have carbs.....it's FI.
Usual checks for something with that many miles. They attracted hard riders when they were new as they had a bit of a hooligan reputation.
Engine will be solid (if properly looked after), the rest might be questionable.
They like to shake their head so hopefully it has a steering damper. I had one and it tried to tank slap me into a ditch on B roads a few times.
Usual checks for something with that many miles. They attracted hard riders when they were new as they had a bit of a hooligan reputation.
Engine will be solid (if properly looked after), the rest might be questionable.
They like to shake their head so hopefully it has a steering damper. I had one and it tried to tank slap me into a ditch on B roads a few times.
Gearboxes can be weak if not treated with respect, so give it a test ride and make sure it selects all gears and pulls through without popping out of any.
My one has had a lot of issues but I don’t think they are common issues with the bike. Absolutely cracking track bike, still goes, steers and stops like a modern 600. On the road they are pretty flighty and a little bit lairy in the throttle for a 600 but good fun. Steering damper and a decent rear shock helps keep it a bit more controlled.
This is all assuming it’s a B1H and not a late registered A1P as they are a completely different kettle of fish. £1900 is low for a B1H even with that mileage and if he’s gonna accept £1600 I’d expect it to be a dog.
Edit: as mentioned, 636’s are all fuel injected so the seller may not know what he’s on about, be wary!
My one has had a lot of issues but I don’t think they are common issues with the bike. Absolutely cracking track bike, still goes, steers and stops like a modern 600. On the road they are pretty flighty and a little bit lairy in the throttle for a 600 but good fun. Steering damper and a decent rear shock helps keep it a bit more controlled.
This is all assuming it’s a B1H and not a late registered A1P as they are a completely different kettle of fish. £1900 is low for a B1H even with that mileage and if he’s gonna accept £1600 I’d expect it to be a dog.
Edit: as mentioned, 636’s are all fuel injected so the seller may not know what he’s on about, be wary!
Edited by patchb on Sunday 3rd February 19:55
Appreciate your help & advice all,
The seller has listed as an A1P if that makes any difference it’s WV52 on the reg if that helps determine what it is, slight dubious now about this carb business! The chap did send a lot of photos of mechanical work etc but making sense of it all is a different story! I’ve attached a picture of the bike in question
The seller has listed as an A1P if that makes any difference it’s WV52 on the reg if that helps determine what it is, slight dubious now about this carb business! The chap did send a lot of photos of mechanical work etc but making sense of it all is a different story! I’ve attached a picture of the bike in question
patchb said:
Gearboxes can be weak if not treated with respect, so give it a test ride and make sure it selects all gears and pulls through without popping out of any.
My one has had a lot of issues but I don’t think they are common issues with the bike. Absolutely cracking track bike, still goes, steers and stops like a modern 600. On the road they are pretty flighty and a little bit lairy in the throttle for a 600 but good fun. Steering damper and a decent rear shock helps keep it a bit more controlled.
This is all assuming it’s a B1H and not a late registered A1P as they are a completely different kettle of fish. £1900 is low for a B1H even with that mileage and if he’s gonna accept £1600 I’d expect it to be a dog.
Edit: as mentioned, 636’s are all fuel injected so the seller may not know what he’s on about, be wary!
Now worried about this carb business! It’s his first bike as well which doesn’t instill oodles of confidence he’s listed it as an A1P if that helps? My one has had a lot of issues but I don’t think they are common issues with the bike. Absolutely cracking track bike, still goes, steers and stops like a modern 600. On the road they are pretty flighty and a little bit lairy in the throttle for a 600 but good fun. Steering damper and a decent rear shock helps keep it a bit more controlled.
This is all assuming it’s a B1H and not a late registered A1P as they are a completely different kettle of fish. £1900 is low for a B1H even with that mileage and if he’s gonna accept £1600 I’d expect it to be a dog.
Edit: as mentioned, 636’s are all fuel injected so the seller may not know what he’s on about, be wary!
Edited by patchb on Sunday 3rd February 19:55
Pomeroy94 said:
Now worried about this carb business! It’s his first bike as well which doesn’t instill oodles of confidence he’s listed it as an A1P if that helps?
Sorry, the A1P is carbed, was kinda assuming it was a B1H and did wrongly say all 636s are fuel injected. The A1P is a bigger, more comfortable bike which is a bit softer and less aggressive, probably a better choice for a first bike. There’s still so many of that shape 6R around and they are still very popular.
patchb said:
Sorry, the A1P is carbed, was kinda assuming it was a B1H and did wrongly say all 636s are fuel injected.
The A1P is a bigger, more comfortable bike which is a bit softer and less aggressive, probably a better choice for a first bike. There’s still so many of that shape 6R around and they are still very popular.
No need to apologize! I massively appreciate your knowledge and experience, slightly relieved about that haha! I've looked around a lot and spoken to a few dealers and this seems to come back as the best first bike option out of sports bikes mostly for comfortability as well as the handling on it, I think it's just the mileage that puts me off! but then this will only be a weekend toy and occasionally some runs to work in the summer which is about 14 miles each way so I don't think i will run up the miles too quickly, however don't want it to blow up after another 5k hahaThe A1P is a bigger, more comfortable bike which is a bit softer and less aggressive, probably a better choice for a first bike. There’s still so many of that shape 6R around and they are still very popular.
patchb said:
Gearboxes can be weak if not treated with respect, so give it a test ride and make sure it selects all gears and pulls through without popping out of any.
This.Fairly hard acceleration followed by close the throttle and let it overrun in each gear.
You may appear like a bit of a fanny when you're doing this, but it's the best test you can do for making sure the gearbox is sound.
MrGman said:
Just had a quick look and there are much lower mileage bikes about for the 2k mark.
Not saying you'll have problems but in my opinion that is quite high miles.
Yeah i did see that, sort of set on a ZX-6R now based on a few reviews and it being the most comfy for bigger guys, I'm not huge by I'm 5,11 and broad shouldered but 15st, muscle wise not fat, seen a lot of the gixxer lot seem to feel squashed, plus Its a go to for everyone lol, put off an R6 as looks too thin Not saying you'll have problems but in my opinion that is quite high miles.
Rubin215 said:
This.
Fairly hard acceleration followed by close the throttle and let it overrun in each gear.
You may appear like a bit of a fanny when you're doing this, but it's the best test you can do for making sure the gearbox is sound.
Will definitley give this a go, thanks for the advice mate, any other symptons it may offer if the gearbox is on the way out? Fairly hard acceleration followed by close the throttle and let it overrun in each gear.
You may appear like a bit of a fanny when you're doing this, but it's the best test you can do for making sure the gearbox is sound.
Deranged Granny said:
Make sure you see it started from cold. They can be a b
d to start from cold
Learnt this very early on at 17 when looking at cars! I have a rule that if an engine is warm/hot when I get there I tend to walk away off the bat, may be a genuine reason but It puts me right offd to start from coldPTF said:
Seems steep for the mileage. I'm listing my TT600 for that price with new tyres and only 8k miles and have had naff all interest.
There is lots of choice so i'd walk away unless it's absolutely mint and has oodles of history with it.
To be fair it was up for £1900 lol I did say off the mark to him that with that mileage I wouldn't pay that much, I've seen another on auto trader with only 23K miles for £2000 but when i rang them it's got an endless list of things to be repaired, charging issues, seals bearings, brakes and it goes on, apparantly there is a load of proof invoice wise for work carried out so I will go with my eyes wide open, I love the look of the bike but if i doubt it I won't be spending £1600, not when there is other bikes out thereThere is lots of choice so i'd walk away unless it's absolutely mint and has oodles of history with it.
it's been re-sprayed as well
https://www.ecosia.org/images?q=zx6r+a1p+red
I sold my zx6r G2 for about £1200, 30k on the clock and apart from a couple of flaky bits of paint it was mint. There are lots out there
https://www.ecosia.org/images?q=zx6r+a1p+red
I sold my zx6r G2 for about £1200, 30k on the clock and apart from a couple of flaky bits of paint it was mint. There are lots out there
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