Kwak ZZR 600
Author
Discussion

Scratch'n'Diff

Original Poster:

6,110 posts

282 months

Monday 27th September 2004
quotequote all
How would this be as a first bike?

By all accounts its great, but you can never do too much homework.
I was looking at a Bandit 600 as a sensible buy, but would love a ZX636.
So the ZZR seemed like a good compromise.

Any thoughts advice appreciated.

Cheers
SD

Mon Ami Mate

6,589 posts

284 months

Monday 27th September 2004
quotequote all
A very good choice I think. My last four bikes have all been ZZRs (albeit a 1200 and three 1100s). They are excellent all rounders. The 600 will do 150mph+ and has enough space and comfort for two-up, all day riding. It does look a bit dowdy and dated, and it will feel like a bouncy old bus compared a 636 or an R6, but I think is considerably easier to live with than either of these. The only thing I would suggest that beats it as an all-round proposition would be a CBR600.

Mad Dave

7,158 posts

279 months

Monday 27th September 2004
quotequote all
I might be able to sell you a Suzuki Bandit cheap - few scratches

mel

10,168 posts

291 months

Monday 27th September 2004
quotequote all
Bloody good choice IMO as good as a CBR and cheaper, I had an old J reg one years ago and it went well, saying that they are getting a bit long in the tooth now days.

Broccers

3,237 posts

269 months

Monday 27th September 2004
quotequote all
Bought a J2 ZX6R as my first bike and its great. The main reason was so I could carry her indoors on the back in relative comfort. Similar power to the ZZ but more sporty.

Try mcnninjas.co.uk for advice and theres a for sale section with a few bargains.

zzr1200

913 posts

267 months

Monday 27th September 2004
quotequote all
Mon Ami Mate said:
A very good choice I think. My last four bikes have all been ZZRs (albeit a 1200 and three 1100s). They are excellent all rounders. The 600 will do 150mph+ and has enough space and comfort for two-up, all day riding. It does look a bit dowdy and dated, and it will feel like a bouncy old bus compared a 636 or an R6, but I think is considerably easier to live with than either of these. The only thing I would suggest that beats it as an all-round proposition would be a CBR600.


Sorry for the thread hi-jack but.....

At last someone on here with another zzr1200!! Read your profile and can confirm that the top end is awesome!! got mine geared longer (205-210 @ 11000rpm) and it will probably pull all the way. Although I have a flip up screen and bar risers (use it to commute a 120mile trip everyday) it will easily pull 170 bananas sitting bolt upright! And it still gives 45-50mpg.

Paul

DennisTheMenace

15,605 posts

284 months

Monday 27th September 2004
quotequote all
ZZR-600 was ,my 1st big bike loved it , infact its still in the garage next to the the ace , get it on the strights and it does very well at keeping up with the modern stuff , its comfy over long distance the mirrors are good and there is that kawasaki airintake howl

Also miss my old zx6

Apparently dunno if its true but they have launched the zx6r j1 in america as the zzr's replacement ??

Scratch'n'Diff

Original Poster:

6,110 posts

282 months

Tuesday 28th September 2004
quotequote all
Cheers for the info fellas.

Does sound like a decent proposition, but not sure if I want to be riding a bike thats 'a bit long in the tooth nowadays'.

The one I've seen is a 53 (2003) with 1,500 miles and is up for 4.5k quid.

There is also a ZX6R on a P plate for 2,595 quid.

For the 4 1/2 grand on the ZZR, I could get a brand new Bandit S and have 500 left over for a full fairing and helmet.

Decisions, sodding decisions.

Quinney, I will mail you so you can send pics ok. Ta.

Regards
SD

_Dave_

9,350 posts

266 months

Tuesday 28th September 2004
quotequote all
My first big bike too, I don't think they are that long in the tooth really, they are all the things people have said above, try and find one with stiffer fork springs, new fork oil and a decent rear shock (or budget for these), with confidence you can keep up with anything on the road and they are all day comfy with a geat induction noise.

I'm looking at ZZR11/12 next as my Exup is too uncomfy

PS there's a couple of decent looking 600's on ebay

Scratch'n'Diff

Original Poster:

6,110 posts

282 months

Tuesday 28th September 2004
quotequote all
Cheers Dave. I did go out today to look at a bike shop in Ilford where there was quite a selection to confuse myself with even further.

To cut a long story short, I sat on a new Honda CBR600 PGM F1 and in black and it was very nice indeed.
Not sure what the insurance is going to come out at but I fear TPF&T is only going to be palletable. And I don't really want to have that kind of cover on a new first bike.

I thought deciding what car to choose was tough, but this is silly.

rsvmilly

11,288 posts

257 months

Saturday 2nd October 2004
quotequote all
Get the 600 Ninja - lovely bikes. Plenty fast, but manageable as your ability grows. Big enough to tour on and the Kawasaki induction noise really sounds great for an inline four.

mrmaggit

10,146 posts

264 months

Monday 4th October 2004
quotequote all
As a follow on, my other half had a ZZR600 as her first "fast" bike after a number of customs, liked the way it went round corners, even more with a new shock

Bear in mind that if it's a first bike, it WILL get dropped, you may be better with a naked or semi-faired bike, if only to save on the repair bill.

Honourary 750, though, and comfy.

nicecupoftea

25,424 posts

267 months

Sunday 10th October 2004
quotequote all
My brother has a ZZR-600, and he rates it as a semi sports bike. From what he says it's very very quick though - he started on a GPz500S (basically a faired ER5) which seems to be a cracking first bike.

He has had all sorts but often comes back to the GPz because he knows it like the back of his hand, it's really predictable and he can really get it cranked over

Robbo SPS

195 posts

250 months

Monday 11th October 2004
quotequote all
I bought a ZZR a few years ago and kept it until a dreaded patch of engine oil scuppered the bike.

I went everywhere on that bike. It was very quick , but i found fully laiden, it did ground on the exhaust a few times if you are really going for it.

The power is awesome . I bought a CBR 600 FX to replace the shattered remains, and this is a good bike but...

For a bigger lad ( 6'1 and 15. 5 stone ) the ZZR was more comfy. The power on the ZZR seemed stronger but the build quality wasnt as good as the Honda.

for a first big bike. Go for it. You will love it.

Scratch'n'Diff

Original Poster:

6,110 posts

282 months

Tuesday 12th October 2004
quotequote all
Muchos gracias for all the feedback guys.

After some debating and insurance quotes galore, I think I will go for a ZZR600 I have seen. Sounds like the ticket.

The Ninja will be the bike I'll get once I have got some experience and NCB's.

Cheers all.

SD

P.s - I passed today. 1st time round. What a relief.

mrmaggit

10,146 posts

264 months

Tuesday 12th October 2004
quotequote all
Scratch'n'Diff said:
Muchos gracias for all the feedback guys.

After some debating and insurance quotes galore, I think I will go for a ZZR600 I have seen. Sounds like the ticket.

The Ninja will be the bike I'll get once I have got some experience and NCB's.

Cheers all.

SD

P.s - I passed today. 1st time round. What a relief.


Well done, congratulations. Internet beer on me.

Scratch'n'Diff

Original Poster:

6,110 posts

282 months

Wednesday 13th October 2004
quotequote all
Thank you

_Dave_

9,350 posts

266 months

Wednesday 20th October 2004
quotequote all
Well done, good choice, keep it shiny side up

Mad Dave

7,158 posts

279 months

Thursday 21st October 2004
quotequote all
Scratch'n'Diff said:
Cheers for the info fellas.

Does sound like a decent proposition, but not sure if I want to be riding a bike thats 'a bit long in the tooth nowadays'.

The one I've seen is a 53 (2003) with 1,500 miles and is up for 4.5k quid.

There is also a ZX6R on a P plate for 2,595 quid.

For the 4 1/2 grand on the ZZR, I could get a brand new Bandit S and have 500 left over for a full fairing and helmet.

Decisions, sodding decisions.

Quinney, I will mail you so you can send pics ok. Ta.

Regards
SD


I wouldnt go down the brand new Bandit route mate - after 6 months (or 3 in my case) youll probably want something a bit more sporty - Bandit's are great first bikes, but youll lose money if you buy new and I dont imagine you'll be happy with it for as long as one of the rest.

Dave

Incorrigible

13,668 posts

277 months

Thursday 21st October 2004
quotequote all
Another vote for the ZX6R rather than the ZZR here

Of course it depends how you ride, but I found comuting and touring pretty easy on the ZX6R and it's shit loads better when you're really going for it

(on a track of course officer)