View Full Version : Kawasaki Ninja - Any thoughts Please
I am almost at the end of my first years insurance, so it is seriously time to decide which bike I want to change to.
After a few quotes it seems that the GSXR is out as a 600 is going to cost me £925 tpft, which is far too much for me. However I did see a nice 55 reg ZX 636 (ninja) and thought I would see if there was any difference in price insurance wise. I was amazed.
The Ninja was just £460 tpft!!!!:p This has seriously started me thinking as I am more than happy to part with under £500 for insurance.
So does anyone have any thoughts or experience of this bike? I have seen from here that Kwak build quality/finish can be an issue.
Any and every thought appreciated. Things to look for etc.
http://i99.photobucket.com/albums/l286/krhall_2006/untitled.jpg
http://i99.photobucket.com/albums/l286/krhall_2006/untitled2.jpg
http://i99.photobucket.com/albums/l286/krhall_2006/untitled1.jpg
a friend has an '03 and he is very happy with it. he bought it 2nd hand with about 30k on the clock and he has had no issues at all.
turns easily, will allow you to correct while on the turn. it will pull wheelies in low gears easily and it's crap on u turns :)
gettin2dizzy
17-10-07, 09:50 AM
Looks ace. Don't thinkk, DO!
plowsie
17-10-07, 09:50 AM
A decent can is a deffo mate.
Best idea would be to register to the ZX6 forum and ask in there, yes obviously people will know in here but a lot of people who ride them combine you with info.
Good work on the insurance front :thumbsup: who was it with?
Stu
petevtwin650
17-10-07, 10:02 AM
I'm surprised insurance was such a huge difference. Suzuki's are usually cheaper in the 600 market. Can't go far wrong with any of the Jap 600's though.
markmoto
17-10-07, 10:06 AM
i had a couple of j2 zx6rs and they where a great bike with a stonking motor the ram air made an awesome sound!! im prity sure the 636 will be an even better bike and doubt you would be disappointed :-)
I was surprised, I haven't shopped about either. I have been with Carole Nash for years so wanted to try them first and that is what they came up with.
The reason for posting here is there seems to be a wide range of knowledge on here and a ZX forum might be too biased and not critical enough - does that sort of make sense?
I need to use it as my everyday commuter so it is important that it will be as capable as the SV is.
Pedrosa
17-10-07, 10:30 AM
You will only get thumbs up from me if your considering a Ninja.:cool:
www.mcnninjas.co.uk is a good source of info on Kwaks
I had a J2 ninja and I loved it.... but I actually prefer riding the SV around the twisties. It is certainly cheaper to run than the ZX6
My brother has just bought a 2003 one. I rode it part way home for him and loved it. Cornering is so easy, although the shock is bloody hard (so much so that hes going to do something about it).
Just do it, I doubt you'll regret it :D
muffles
17-10-07, 11:07 AM
I like the first underseat model of the Ninja's, looks awesome in black! I'd shop around for quotes first though. P.s. are you sure you want TPFT on a bike worth that much? It might just be nice to have that guaranteed ability to claim should things go pear-shaped.
DanAbnormal
17-10-07, 11:39 AM
Ninja's are awesome. I've got the new '07 version.
The insurance is about £150 cheaper for a new Ninja than a 2nd hand Gixxer for me!!
Madness.
Ninja's are awesome. I've got the new '07 version.
The insurance is about £150 cheaper for a new Ninja than a 2nd hand Gixxer for me!!
Madness.
Why is that?
StreetHawk
17-10-07, 12:02 PM
I have an 04' 636 and love it. It's very easy to ride, fast and handles well. The only downpoint for me is the suspension is too harsh, it fidgets around over the slightest road imperfection but mine is the B1H model and the one your looking at is newer and I think they made the suspension easier to live with on that one. Try and get a test ride...
I had the 04 model and it was a nightmare. The suspension totally ruins the bike and dictates the speed at which you can ride - which is a lot slower than you would want to. Budget for a quality steering damper (£300) and anything from £200 to £600 fixing the suspension on top. Riding position was uncomfortable too and just made worse by having your balls constantly smashed onto the tank.
I think my 04 was on a 55 plate or something because they had loads left unsold at the end that they were trying to get rid of for £4999 so be careful of what you are getting. I would honestly avoid one of those models and aim for the 05/06 underseat exhaust model which has the flaws fixed.
The ones I have been looking at are all the underseat model, mainly because they look cool and a bit fierce.......why are they so much cheaper to insure though I can't work it out.
The adult in me is saying the black or titanium coloured ones are best, but something in me is saying go for a green one, my two year old would love it as he has a green kawasaki bicycle, but I'm not too sure that I should base any decision on that!
Pay less for a used titanium as they were sold for less to start with. The titanium ones were always the last to go and sold off cheap pre-reg'd etc.
As for the insurance, a number of people on the Cliosport forums and a guy at work were looking at 600's a while ago and whilst I recommended the Kwak they all refused on the grounds that every insurance company they went to wanted more to insure the Kwak than any other of the 600's.
So frankly I am amazed at what I am reading here.
However I did find it was about the same for all 600's when I got quotes. I got an online quote for £1500 (comp) and when I rang them (5 mins later) and got a fresh quote over the phone they said £700!!! I even made them repeat everything twice to make sure they had entered it correctly but it was genuine. Same happened with the 10R, one week I was quoted £5000 and the next week it was £1100 so I bought one quick! No idea why that was and no idea why the other lads all found the GSXR was the cheapest by a long way. If you are happy with the quote then just get in there!
If I can get a GSXR quoted for a similar amount then that really would through me into a dilemma!!!!
I have sort of discounted a CBR-rr as it was far too tall for me and felt uncomfortable, are there others I should consider bearing in mind I need a daily (all year) commuter.
www.mcnninjas.co.uk (http://www.mcnninjas.co.uk) is a good source of info on Kwaks
You beat me to it :p:cool:
I was gonna suggesr mcn ninjas, think theres a few of us on there from here, as for getting a ninja...ddoooo it :cool:
Noooooooooo - just been on one and it was awful, it didn't fit me and felt really uncomfortable. I'm gutted............was going to do me a top deal too! I can't believe it so out of the SS bikes I have tried:
CBR rr - Not comfortable
ZX6r - Not comfortable
GSXR - Very Comfortable but too expensive to insure
any others I should try?
chris8886
25-10-07, 11:46 AM
675?
oh yeh!!! now that is a lovely bike!!
Flamin_Squirrel
25-10-07, 11:48 AM
Phone more insurers. The GSXR shouldn't cost more to insure - in fact, last time I looked it was a group lower than all the other sports bikes.
If you thought the '05 model 636 was uncomfy, good job you didn't waste time trying the '03/04 636 then :shock:
Biker Biggles
25-10-07, 11:50 AM
CBR 600F
Pre 2003 ZX6R Very cheap now if you can find a nice one.
These are old school sports 600s and have a slightly more rider orientated shape.They are much more comfortable to actually go places on,and IMO illustrate everything that has gone wrong with modern SS600 fashion.
Another similar option is the ZX9R but I assume that's a non starter for insurance.:mad:
gettin2dizzy
25-10-07, 11:56 AM
It is advertised as a Super Sport bike, and all the advertising is race related. SO really- it's not too suprising they're taking that direction. If you're asking for a 120hp 600cc bike it's inevitable. Otherwise get something like a sprint st.
Try a ZX6R from 98-02, These are the G, J, and A1P models. Very reliable, quick and I've done 30,000 miles on mine in 2 and a bit years without any problems that weren't caused by me.
Quick, not bad on fuel, cheap to buy and insure. Commutes, track days, tours it's well worth a look!
Jambo
ASM-Forever
25-10-07, 01:03 PM
Noooooooooo - just been on one and it was awful, it didn't fit me and felt really uncomfortable. I'm gutted............was going to do me a top deal too! I can't believe it so out of the SS bikes I have tried:
CBR rr - Not comfortable
ZX6r - Not comfortable
GSXR - Very Comfortable but too expensive to insure
any others I should try?
Maybe im a weirdo :p, but i found the bikes you have listed pretty similar for position/comfort. I did find the R6 and Ninja slightly more comfortable though, but not by a great deal.
If the GSXR feels right for you, then just get one. Phone around for insurance and you can get it cheaper. At the end of the day you have only been riding for 1 year so you are still quite a risk, especially on a faster/more expensive bike, so expect to fork out a bit more. It might be worthwhile going for TPFT, depends on your situation really.
muffles
26-10-07, 03:07 PM
I like Biggles' suggestion of the CBR600F :)
It's quite comfy but thoroughly un-awe-inspiring...
northwind
27-10-07, 02:21 PM
All the modern 600cc race reps are pretty incredible to be honest, they're all a wee bit different so you can just try them (if possible) and find the one that you fit best and that does the 600 thing the way you like best. It's so subjective that there's no one "best" foe everyone, frinstance, I'd have a CBR600F or FS, they give away so little to the more focussed bikes but they're just so much more practical and (for me) comfortable). Same goes for the slightly older Ninjas, which are IMO better road bikes than any Ninja since. Perhaps I'm getting old. But other people would go straight for one of the others for other perfectly good reasons.
Frinstance, lots of people loved the B1 636 because of its inferior handling, because defects add character- the 636 feels faster and more exciting to ride because of the rear shock, even though most people would be faster on an CBR600RR which feels comparatively slow and dull. Bke buying isn't all that rational ;)
Personally, I'm keeping my eye open for a decent deal on a 03 onwards ZX. Not that much goes wrong with them (google around a bit, not an awful lot comes up). Just make sure it's been looked after sensibly and you're laughing.
Rough price? I'd expect around £3k for a 3-4year old in almost mint condition.
My brother has just bought a 2003 one. I rode it part way home for him and loved it. Cornering is so easy, although the shock is bloody hard (so much so that hes going to do something about it).
Just do it, I doubt you'll regret it :D
+1. I went to view that bike with andy & his brother, and had a little jolly down the street & back on it. Very nice bike.
My only niggle, it's a tad revvy - but then, it's an IL4, so what do you expect?
Personally, I'm keeping my eye open for a decent deal on a 03 onwards ZX. Not that much goes wrong with them (google around a bit, not an awful lot comes up). Just make sure it's been looked after sensibly and you're laughing.
Rough price? I'd expect around £3k for a 3-4year old in almost mint condition.
+1. I went to view that bike with andy & his brother, and had a little jolly down the street & back on it. Very nice bike.
My only niggle, it's a tad revvy - but then, it's an IL4, so what do you expect?
He loves it but is already considering changing the rear shock as it's so hard! Other that that you can't get him off it, he went for a 5 hour ride the other day just for the fun of it!!!
northwind
29-10-07, 04:14 PM
I'd budget for a new shock on the 03-04 model, they wren't very good new. But the bike's rock solid, I've spent a bit of time working on Scooby Drew's, which has abouit 40000 miles on it with precious little lovin', a fair bit of abuse, and a couple of decent sized crashes. It looks pretty rotten- and that's not all down to abuse, the build quality's very variable- but beneath the crust it's still in good shape. Stick a new shock in it, and it'd be better than new, I think.
I'd budget for a new shock on the 03-04 model, they wren't very good new. But the bike's rock solid, I've spent a bit of time working on Scooby Drew's, which has abouit 40000 miles on it with precious little lovin', a fair bit of abuse, and a couple of decent sized crashes. It looks pretty rotten- and that's not all down to abuse, the build quality's very variable- but beneath the crust it's still in good shape. Stick a new shock in it, and it'd be better than new, I think.
Any advice? He's thinking about getting the current one re-sprung but I'm not sure it's a good idea but he doesn't want to spend loads on it...
Flamin_Squirrel
29-10-07, 06:33 PM
Personally, I'm keeping my eye open for a decent deal on a 03 onwards ZX. Not that much goes wrong with them (google around a bit, not an awful lot comes up). Just make sure it's been looked after sensibly and you're laughing.
Rough price? I'd expect around £3k for a 3-4year old in almost mint condition.
+1. I went to view that bike with andy & his brother, and had a little jolly down the street & back on it. Very nice bike.
My only niggle, it's a tad revvy - but then, it's an IL4, so what do you expect?
I'm selling mine soon... shame I live a fair way away.
I'm selling mine soon... shame I live a fair way away.
How much are you looking for it???:D (The bike that is)
northwind
29-10-07, 07:13 PM
Any advice? He's thinking about getting the current one re-sprung but I'm not sure it's a good idea but he doesn't want to spend loads on it...
Nah, don't know what works for the Kwak, not all that interested to be honest except where it touches the SV swaps. The usual suspects for aftermarket, anyway. I don't think many people rebuild the standard shock, it's not just badly specced- though it is definately badly specced- it's also not a great item, I reckon roughly halfway inbetween the rubbish you get in SVs, etc, and the Showas you get in GSXRs or the newer 636.
We've very nearly squeezed an 05 636 shock into this one, we're still messing about with it. I have no idea how well it'll work once we get it to fit, but I don't think it's likely to be worse ;) At the very least, it's a much higher quality part. But there's some fitting issues to overcome, the bottom mount is 2mm narrower on the Showa than on the KYB one. So he's got an 05 linkage, which might fit, then again might not. Alternatively I might machine down the old linkage and fit an 05 model bearing and spacer, if it's still proving awkward. I don't know of anyone else who's done it, though I assume some people have.
I like the 636 because it's got unrealised potential, monkeys like me can't easily upgrade a CBR600RR since it's so finely honed, but the 636 is a blunt instrument.
I've been thinking of upgrading for a while now. Had a go on bro's 636 but I'm not 100% convinced. May just keep the SV and nick his when I want a blast in the summer...best of both worlds then:cool:
I'm selling mine soon... shame I live a fair way away.
Distance aint a problem for the right deal. When you're selling, stick a post up on the site with pictures & details etc, then you might get more than me interested.
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